More top holiday toy picks

There is big news in the video gaming industry here in Japan as I close down the Tokyo Bureau for another year. The newly priced and unbelievably powerful Sony PlayStation 3 has been spanking the former champ, Nintendo’s lower-priced Wii, in total unit sales for the past month during a critical sales period. Read all about it at http://www.techspot.com/news/28066-playstation-3-outsells-wii-in-japan.html .
This could bode well for those still on the fence regarding the acquisition of a new console system for the upcoming winter holidays or those who may be tiring of the hunt for the still-scarce Wii system and are looking in other directions.
Much of the time, Wii consoles are sold only as part of a “bundle,” a $500-plus package made up of the $250 console along with a load of other games and accessories added at or near full retail to puff up the profits for the retailer.
An even more painful scenario entails paying more than $500 for the device itself at an online auction or from a scalper. In Japan, gamers are lining up for PlayStation 3 power and picking their way through a revitalized selection of truly spectacular games.
Industry analysts agree that the transition from second-generation games like Xbox and PS2 has finally been completed. Today’s standards include the graphical extravagance of the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, along with the minimalist approach of the Wii. For me, the PS3 seems the best choice this season. With new models selling for less than $400, it is very nearly a bargain.
There is more to gaming than high-end consoles, of course. Even those who don’t own a single video game can expect to enjoy a little entertaining electronica this season. So here is a look at some of family-friendly items tempting consumers this holiday season.

This year’s toy that keeps on singing

I have gotten a few odd looks since the Playskool Sing-a-Long Spider-Man moved into my office. This is one of the most engaging toys of the season for the little arachnophiles in the family, even if it does make a bit of noise.
It’s usually the noisy toy that gets the most attention, and I am certain that this plush figure will be one of the most played-with items of the season. Under $20, it’s equipped with its own echo-fun microphone for kids to sing along to songs such as “Head, Shoulder Knees and Webs” and is capable of taking a number of heroic poses. I have a hard time putting it down once I get started. Parents will be pleased to note that it is a well-padded toy that is both cuddly and safe.
Everybody loves Spidey, and while the movie may be a bit too intense for younger viewers, this toy allows them to have their own special Spider-Man time, complete with three catchy tunes. Sing-a-Long Spider-Man took home an iParenting Media Award as one of the greatest creations of 2007. Consider picking up a four-pack of rechargeable AA batteries.

Get moving to Twister Moves

Some of the very best games require neither a computer nor a console to be fun. As Disney’s “High School Musical” continues to set young hearts to fluttering, kids can enjoy the sounds and moves of East High in two versions of the timeless Twister game.
I had the chance to embarrass myself playing the Twister Moves “High School Musical” Edition from Hasbro and found the experience curiously entertaining, even though the young competitors literally walked all over me. While I am not as flexible as I once was, I can still tell when kids are having fun. Available for under $16, with a later version priced at under $20, these games look like a can’t-miss gift choice this season.
My co-stars enjoyed four tunes from the “High School Musical” movie as they followed the commands on the Twister mat. I bowed out early to watch a couple of youngsters really having a good time. The game continues beyond the original contest, letting the players show off their dance moves. Best of all, the only technology required is a CD player, keeping support calls to a minimum. Twister Moves “High School Musical” Edition makes a great choice for solo play or party fun.

Fun with the MP3 player

Virtually every child has a MP3 player by now or will get one this winter. Now there’s an entertaining game that adds new utility to the ubiquitous device, the I-List Music Party Game by Hasbro. Amazon customers currently rate this game number two on the list of games that are the most fun for young teens. At under $12, it’s a real find.
Up to four can play at the same time by connecting their MP3 players to the console. The self-contained system then starts the fun, quizzing kids on their favorite music with 60 cards of questions that will have them searching their play lists to be the first to find the right song.
After the dust settles, audiophiles can use the included console to play tunes. The entire system stores in the console, making it easy to take anywhere. Adults will be happy to learn that the I-List Music Party Game requires no Internet connection and does not download or store any music. It’s powered by three AAA batteries.

A Wii bit of trivia

Trivia games are great fun, but they have a few inherent shortcomings: They never seem to have enough questions, and they always seem to favor older players. Those days ended in November, when EA released Smarty Pants, the revolutionary new trivia party game for the Wii.
We are talking real fun here, the perfect complement to the all-age games that ship with the Wii. More than 20,000 questions ensure long play life and loads of red-faced, tears-streaming-down-the-face laughter in this off-the-hook video game. Expect all that in the first five minutes, and watch things get even better quickly.
Players are assigned questions according to their ages, ensuring that youngsters have a great chance of taking it to their elder opponents. The opportunities for family fun abound as four players can go at it using just the Wii remote. No Nunchuk is necessary.
Couch potatoes beware; this game is not another one of those chair-bound trivia contests. Players can expect to move their feet from the minute they begin spinning the category wheel to get things off the ground and may be called on to compete in a tug-of-war over correct answers or even score a few extra points with a well executed dance-off.
Smarty Pants could be the best trivia video game of all time, pitting child against grandparent, younger sister against older brother, and adult against teen. Critical bragging rights are at stake here, so don’t take your gaming tasks lightly.
Famous for being a Smarty Pants myself, I barely managed to escape with my dignity intact. Don’t think about going easy on the younger players. They are not likely to need help, and will not offer the same consideration.
There is still time to find a good selection on the shelves, but supplies are dwindling quickly. Let me know your top picks by email to Granese[at]juno.com.