Summer choices: Learn a second language. Catch up on reading the classics. Volunteer in a retirement center. Or you could just jam on some of these video games for the next few months, which could add up to a ton of fun.
Athens 2004 (Sony; PlayStation 2; July): You want to be in the Olympics, but you're not interested in all that practice and dedication. Here's the solution. This officially licensed Olympic jaunt lets you compete in more than two dozen events in six categories, including track and field, swimming, gymnastics, shooting, weightlifting and equestrian. Represent five continents and 64 countries as any of 800 athletes. Feel the burn!
Backyard Baseball (Atari; PS2; $29.99): Sure, Pedro and A-Rod are tough now, but maybe you could have hung with them when they were kids playing on the sandlot. This game lets you play with the pros when they were young 'uns. Designed with little guys in mind, but fun for big kids with a sense of humor, too.
Game Boy Video (Nintendo and Majesco; Game Boy Advance): Here's good news for traveling toonheads. Now you can watch your favorite animated shows on your GBA. Nintendo is bringing the animated Pokemon series to the small screen, while Majesco is checking in with Nickelodeon favorites like The Fairly OddParents, Dora the Explorer, Codename: Kids Next Door, All Grown Up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Strawberry Shortcake, Sonic X and the inimitable SpongeBob SquarePants. Each video cartridge contains two to four full episodes of a series, with an average running time of about 45 minutes, and sells for less than $20. DVD-style controls let you tweak the viewing experience. The graphic quality is very good; the sound, a little scratchy. But it's better than staring at the back of the airplane seat in front of you for three hours.
Game Boy Advance Headphones (Majesco): At those times when silence is needed, such as when everyone in the car is going to break your neck if they have to hear the theme song from The Fairly OddParents again, it's good to have a pair of these around. Majesco says these lightweight, neckband-style phones offer a great ergonomic fit, and they're available for less than 10 bucks.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (EA; GBA, GameCube, PS2, Xbox): This one's not just about Harry. For the first time you get the chance to play as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as well. The three friends will need to combine their strengths and master a variety of new spells as they face the escaped convict Sirius Black and the Dementors, the sinister guards of Azkaban prison.
Madden NFL 2005 (EA; GC, PS2, XB; August): How strong is this series? Microsoft, maker of NFL Fever, the second-best football game for the past two years, is putting that series on ice for a year in an effort to come up with something that'll topple Madden from the video football throne next year. This year's version of the now-undisputed king of football games is better than ever.
Mega Man Collection (Capcom; GBA, GC, PS2; June): Ten Mega Man games on one disc, MMs 1-8 from the good old Nintendo Entertainment System and two MM arcade classics never before released in the United States. There are also plenty of bonuses, such as 30 minutes of anime that shows the Little Blue Guy's progression over the past 15 years.
MTV Music Generator 3 (PS2, Codemasters; June): MTV Music Generator 3: This Is The Remix lets you create and sample original music tracks as well as remix some of the hottest songs from today's biggest hip-hop and electronica artists. Get in the groove with tunes from OutKast, Snoop Dogg, Sean Paul, Carl Cox and Fabolous.
NCAA Football 2005 (EA; GC, PS2, XB; July): It's never too soon to get a jumpstart on the college football season. All the teams, all the rivalries, all the players, all the mascots, all the hoopla - and no frat guys pouring beer on you! So who's No. 1? Florida? FSU? Miami? Nah, I'll take Georgia. Go Dawgs!
NES Collection (Nintendo; GBA; June): Here comes a collection of games from back in the day when the 8-bit NES ruled the roost (3-D? We don't need no stinking 3-D!). Nintendo's releasing handheld versions of old-school hits like Excitebike, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Bomberman, the Legend of Zelda, Ice Climber, Xevious and Super Mario Bros. Some of these seem a bit dated, even on the GBA, but most have held up pretty well.
Red Dead Revolver (Rockstar; Xbox; $47.99): Here's one for anybody who ever wanted to play cowboys. There's a new sheriff in town, and it's you! RDR is an authentic re-creation of Wild West days, or at least an authentic re-creation of old Wild West movies. Time to grab your six-shooter, clap on a 10-gallon hat and ride out for justice. Just be home in time for dinner.
Spider-Man 2 (Activision; June): No doubt Spidey 2 will be one of the summer's biggest movies; no doubt this game will be big as well. Swing, sling, dive, jump and scale the heights of Manhattan skyscrapers to protect the innocent in a virtual city filled with super villains, common criminals, vehicles, trains and helicopters. The game follows the movie plot, or lets you take on side missions that bring you face-to-face with some of Spidey's worst nightmares.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (Nintendo; GC; June): Any summer with a new Zelda game is a great summer. This one even lets you get your friends involved. Up to four players can work alone or together to explore the legendary land of Hyrule. The single-player mode's great as well (you control four Links!). Hook up your GBA and you'll unlock new twists. When Link heads into a cave or building, he disappears from the television screen and pops up on your GBA. Eight levels to explore and a multiplayer Shadow Battle mode mean this one will be in your Cube all summer long.
