Matt Keller
27 Nov, 2005
Christmas Buyers Guide - Parents
PALGN Feature | Need some help picking something for the tykes this Christmas? PALGN's got you covered.
Mario Kart DS
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$69.95 | F: Nintendo DS
D: Nintendo EAD | P: Nintendo
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: 9.0 | BUY NOW: NDS
Mario and friends return for more kart racing adventures on Nintendo DS. Up to 8 players can play race and battle modes wirelessly, or can go online with 3 friends through Nintendo’s free wireless service. Nintendo’s strict Friend Codes system means you won’t have to worry about your child being lured by Internet nasties. With tons of tracks from previous Mario Kart games and a stack of new ones (30 in all), as well as all of your favourite Super Mario Brothers characters, Mario Kart DS is perfect for keeping the kids quiet on those long car trips this holiday season.
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LEGO Star Wars
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$49.95 ($69.95 Gamecube) | F: Playstation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC
D:Traveller’s Tales | P: Eidos
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: 8.0 | BUY NOW: PS2 Xbox GCN PC-CD
LEGO Star Wars recreates the most exciting moments of the prequel trilogy of the blockbuster Star Wars films. Go pod racing on Mos Espa, fight in the Clone Wars, fight Darth Maul on Naboo and re-enact Anakin and Obi Wan’s fateful duel on Mustafa. Two players can play co-operatively, so it’s good for more than one child. Once the game is complete, you can replay the entire game using any character you wish, leading to lengthy replay value, which should keep the kids out of your hair for a few extra weeks.
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Ratchet & Clank
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$29.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Insomniac | P: Sony Computer Entertainment
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: 8.5 | BUY NOW: PS2
Ratchet is a mechanic stuck out in the outer reaches of the universe, bored out of his mind due to his dull life – until he meets Clank, a small talking robot who just happens to be the key to what he needs to blast off his lonely planet and go on a whirlwind adventure to stop the evil forces of Chairman Drek, a seedy yuppie businessman. Drek plans on taking the best parts from each planet across the universe to build a super planet of his own. With great graphics, solid gameplay and a tons of massive levels, Ratchet & Clank provides one of the best experiences on the Playstation 2 without breaking the bank.
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Ratchet & Clank: Locked & Loaded
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$29.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Insomniac | P: Sony Computer Entertainment
OFLC Rating: G8
PALGN REVIEW: 8.5 | BUY NOW: PS2
Now the greatest heroes in the Galaxy, Ratchet and Clank have found that their lives have taken a rather dull turn – they’re stuck watching reruns on TV rather than fighting the forces of evil. The duo are suddenly kidnapped by the Bogons, and taken to CEO Abercrombie Fizzwidget, who is in dire need of their assistance. Fizzwidget’s latest product has been stolen by a masked figure, and just happens to be rather unstable, given that it is still in its testing phase. Mr. Fizzwidget extends an offer that Ratchet cannot refuse; the promise of adventure that he?s been longing for, a fully paid health plan, access to new weapon technology, a penthouse suite in Megapolis, and the chance to receive training to become a certified commando. Meanwhile, since Clank is hesitant to reunite with Ratchet on another set of adventures, Mr. Fizzwidget lures Clank to stay by offering him a cushy accounting job at Megacorp.
Ratchet & Clank: Locked and Loaded is packing all the features that made the original game great, and goes that extra bit further, offering new RPG elements for Ratchet and his weaponry. With an action packed adventure that’s even longer and more exciting than the original, Ratchet and Clank: Locked and Loaded is a great game for all ages.
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Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$29.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Insomniac | P: Sony Computer Entertainment
OFLC Rating: G8
PALGN REVIEW: 8.5 | BUY NOW: PS2
After word spreads about Ratchet & Clank's latest triumph over the forces of evil, Clank finds himself being offered a starring role in a new television series; Secret Agent Clank. Now relegated to sidekick status, Ratchet feels jealous of his friend’s success, but those feelings are quickly put aside when the galaxy needs their assistance again. Dr. Nefarious, an evil robot scientist, wishes to eliminate all biological life across the galaxy, and replace them with robots. After threatening Ratchet’s home planet of Veldin, the duo join a new superhero group called the Q-Force with Captain Quark, Helga and Skidd McMarxx, and set off to battle the forces of evil once again. Featuring everything that made the first two games great, Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal packs in even more wicked gadgets and weapons, as well as an all new multiplayer mode.
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Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$29.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Naughty Dog | P: Sony Computer Entertainment
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: 8.0 | BUY NOW: PS2
While not exactly a new title, the first game in the Jak series is easily the most family friendly, featuring a light hearted adventure instead of the darker, more mature edge of the sequels. Jak and his best friend Daxter take off on an adventure to Misty Island, despite the wishes of the village elder, the Green Sage. Daxter falls into a pit of dark eco, and is transformed into a small, prairie dog-like creature. Not too appreciative of his new fur coat, Daxter convinces Jak to track down the two resident dark eco experts to try to get the little guy back to normal. Jak & Daxter is an evolution of the popular platformers featured on the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 – huge levels, lots of things to see and do, and fun for people of all ages.
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Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$49.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Dimps | P: Atari
OFLC Rating: G8
PALGN REVIEW: 8.0 | BUY NOW: PS2
Dragon Ball Z has cemented itself as one of the hottest children’s cartoons around, and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 captures all the action, suspense and flashy fireworks of the TV show in a videogame. Relive classic moments from the series, become a Super Saiyan, fight with over 40 of your favourite characters from the series and the movies, customise your favourite Z fighter with new abilities you unlock from the game's shop and in the robust adventure mode. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 has enough content to keep any Goku wannabe busy until school resumes.
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Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$89.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Spike | P: Atari
OFLC Rating: PG
PALGN REVIEW: 8.0 | BUY NOW: PS2
Dragon Ball Z is still popular, and as a result we’ve got two games in the list. Budokai Tenkaichi is the latest in the series, and represents a huge change to the formula we’ve seen in Dragon Ball Z fighting games to date (hence the inclusion of the third game in the list). With a new over-the-shoulder perspective, DBZ fans can take full control over their favourite character, flying all over the many massive levels, completely levelling the environment with powerful energy attacks. Players can go head to head with any of the 70+ characters featured from the series and movies, or relive classic moments and all new “what if” scenarios. While a little violent, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi is one of the most exciting child-friendly releases of 2005.
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Sly 3: Honour Among Thieves
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$59.95 | F: Playstation 2
D: Sucker Punch | P: Sony Computer Entertainment
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: NR | BUY NOW: PS2
Master thief Sly Cooper has finally uncovered the secrets to his family’s vast wealth, but finds out that he’s not the only one after the loot. Unfortunately, Sly’s gang is in disarray – Murray is wheelchair bound after an accident, and Bentley has disappeared after feeling that he was responsible for his friend’s injuries. It’s up to Sly to get the band back together, as well as recruit some new friends to help him protect his family’s fortune. With all new levels (including 3-D stages), moves and co-operative play, Sly 3 is our hero’s greatest adventure yet, and should prove enjoyable for children of all ages.
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Donkey Kong Country 3
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$49.95 | F: Game Boy Advance
D: Game Freak | P: Nintendo
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: 8.0 | BUY NOW: GBA
Having defeated K. Rool, Diddy and Dixie were quite pleased with themselves, at least until Donkey Kong and his favourite nephew were kidnapped once again, this time by a new Kremling leader. On top of this, the Queen Banana Bird’s hatchlings have been abducted and sealed under a spell in the crystal caves. It’s up to Dixie and her giant cousin Kiddy to save the day. This platform game runs over eight broad chapters, with numerous stages and mini-games randomly scattered across the territory. Players must complete the game's many stages to earn bananas and other items, and to unlock extra levels and features, including an exclusive new area called Pacifica. Another good one for those long holiday road trips.
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Pokemon X.D.: Gale of Darkness
Release Date: Out Now
RRP:$99.95 | F: GameCube
D: Genius Sorority Inc.| P: Nintendo
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: NR | BUY NOW: GCN
The Pokémon craze has been in full swing for 7 years, and we still haven’t caught ‘em all. Pokémon X.D.: Gale of Darkness is the first fully featured Pokémon RPG for Nintendo GameCube. Following 5 years after the events of Pokémon Colosseum, players take control of a young Pokémon trainer named Michael, who must thwart the evil schemes of the Cipher organisation, who wish to take over the world using Shadow Pokémon. Pokémon X.D.’s lengthy adventure should keep the kids out of your hair throughout the school holidays.
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Sonic Rush
Release Date: December 1st
RRP:$69.95 | F: Nintendo DS
D: Sonic Team | P: Sega
OFLC Rating: G
PALGN REVIEW: NR | BUY NOW: NDS
Sonic has always been popular with people of all ages, and his new adventure for the Nintendo DS promised to be his best yet. With all the blistering speed we’ve come to expect spread over two screens, Sonic Rush promises to take the series to new heights. Sonic teams up with series newcomer Blaze the Cat, and the duo must find the dangerous Sol Emeralds to ensure that they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Sticking closely to the foundations of the franchise, Sonic Rush is the first 2-D title in the series to feature full 3-D graphics – the best of both worlds for Sonic fans.
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Stay tuned to PALGN all week to see our console-specific buyers guides.
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