Games for every age and taste

No need to be stumped looking for a stocking stuffer with real-gift heft. The $7.3 billion computer and video-game industry has something for every age and taste. Maybe that's why about 75 percent of American heads of households are playing, according to industry-sponsored surveys.

Those seeking a larger video game experience can jump into the world of the new Xbox 360, the first in the next generation of consoles to fully support high definition resolution to create game worlds so crisp and real you feel like you can step into them. The Xbox 360 also supports 5.1 surround sound and online features via an Xbox Live account including game downloads, movie trailers, music and more. Units start as the scaled-down Core package at $299 and the package that includes controller, cables and 20-gigabyte hard drive for $399. Among new things being offered by Nintendo this holiday season, look for free online play for owners of the compact Nintendo DS. DS owners can now log in and play against other DS players all over the world as long as they are located in a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Also be on the lookout for the world's smallest game system: The Nintendo Game Boy Micro. The Micro shrinks the already popular Game Boy Advance system into a unit smaller than most candy bars. With a library of more than 700 titles and a $99.99 price tag, the Micro makes for a small but fun-packed gift.

With games being made for so many different systems, including portables like PSP and GameBoy Advance, as well as versions specifically for home computers, there are a mind-boggling number of titles from which to choose — including many based on pop culture, from television shows to movies and even radio shows. Think "Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "Lizzie McGuire 3: Homecoming Havoc" or "Herbie Fully Loaded," and you get the idea. Or the mega-hit Bratz doll toys.

We waded through scads of titles — still only a small portion of what's available — to offer some suggestions. If the games are available on a number of systems, we've included a price range that depends on which system you want.

Games for everyone

Here is a selection of games rated "E" or "E+10":

• Lego Star Wars: The Video Game (PS2, Xbox, GC, PC; Eidos Interactive, $24.99-$29.99). What a pairing of perennial favorites. This family-friendly game takes kids through the "Star Wars" story and locations. And this time you're Chewbacca, Obi-Wan, R2-D2 or one of the other characters, fighting with light sabers and racing pods.