Game on! Top 15 tech toys for the holidays

Thinking games for the PC
I demonstrated the computer games today on HP’s new series of touch-sensitive computers, the Touchsmart computers (from $1,299).

• Spore (Electronic Arts $49.99): One of the few games to make the cover of Time magazine (when it was announced two years ago), this game by the creator of The Sims and SimCity takes you from amoeba to galactic civilization! Creatures, worlds and planets you create in your game are used by other players in their games. It is easy enough for all types of players to pick up and enjoy.

• More “serious” gamers looking for a bit of intergalactic gaming should look at Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock $29.99). This game is like playing chess on the scale of “Star Wars” or “Star Trek.” Huge armadas of spaceships vie for control over vast galactic distances.
  
  
• On the other end of the spectrum ... The World of Goo (2DBoy.com $20) is a game anyone can pick up and play, and one of the most creative designs of the year. You have to rescue the goo-drops by building structures, out of goo, of course. Who knew goo could be so entertaining and thought-provoking?
  
  

Music games
Almost every major software company is producing music games this year. The important thing is to pick the game that is right for the person who is going to be playing it: They are not all alike. Some emphasize singing, dancing or playing. Some are designed for kids, others for hard-core players, and still others for casual karaoke players.

• Singing games: Singstar for the PS3 (Sony $59.99) and Lips for the Xbox 360 (Microsoft $69.99) are karaoke-style casual games that both feature expandable, downloadable content. Lips has a motion sensor built into the mic so it mixes dancing and singing. Both games feature original pop videos to sing along with.
  
  
  
• Dance games: The Wii is the platform of choice for dance games because of its motion-sensitive controllers. Younger dancers will go for All Star Cheerleader (THQ $39.99), Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 with Dance Mat (Konami $69.99) and games inspired by the Disney music shows like High School Musical 3: Senior Year ($49.99) for get-up-and-dance fun.
  
  

Battle of the bands

• Rock Band II (Harmonix $189) and Guitar Hero 4 World Tour (Activision $189) both have impressive drum sets and great tunes. Which one is right for you? Get Guitar Hero for the great drum set and ability to record your own music. Get Rock Band II for the excellent drum lessons and for the no-fail party mode which makes everyone sound good. Rock Band II even has an optional device with a sound and smoke show that fires off when you’re playing great!

For more information and more high-tech gift ideas, visit JamesGames.com.

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