Gamers will go gaga over new titles

When you've cleared away the excesses from under the tree and that holiday feast is just a stack of dirty dishes, the fun could just be starting, if you remembered to include video games on your gift list.

This month, two new game systems were introduced, although if you haven't made early arrangements you may have to wait awhile, because in the ramp-up to release of Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii (pronounced We), talk of availability — or lack thereof — raged.

Sony announced a limited initial release of PS3, and they were reportedly being preordered on eBay for as high as $2,300. Yikes.

The two systems couldn't be more different. Sony is going for the "Wow!" factor — including the price, at $499 for the 20GB version and $599 for the 60GB version, with games around $60. Nintendo is betting that there's a whole new generation of gamers who would like something a bit more affordable, with the Wii at $249 and the hope that games will stay below $50.

PS3 brags about its graphics and multiplayer and online shopping features, while Nintendo says you'll love its wireless controller and the fact you can download classic games, as well as 62 near-launch titles. The Wii controller, by the way, looks like a TV remote and senses motion.

And PS2, PlayStation, DS, Nintendo, GameCube, GameBoy Advance, PSP, Xbox and Xbox360 all have a lot to offer this season. It is, after all, an industry that financially outpaced movie ticket sales by more than $1 billion last year.

There are too many really good titles to give a comprehensive guide. But here's a sampling of games that should find a happy audience.

For everyone

• Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (PS2, Xbox, GC, PC, Xbox360, GBA, DS, PSP; LucasArts, $34.99-$49.99). The 2005 hit that featured scenes, a la Legos, of the more recent three "Star Wars" episodes has a sequel that builds on the first three movies. This creative mix lets you relive classic "Star Wars" scenes using Lego blocks and action figures with hilarious results.

• DDR Ultramix 4 (Xbox; Konami, $29.99). This latest installment of the popular "Dance Dance Revolution" series offers something that other games in the past have not: easy modes for younger and inexperienced players. It sports more than 50 new song tracks to get you grooving on the dance pad controller. The game also features competitive modes for those who want to game online via Xbox Live, plus extra song tracks to download (subscription required).

• Touch Detective (DS; Atlus, $29.99). Here's an irresistible inheritance — our heroine finds herself in charge of a detective agency where help comes in very weird forms.