Down to the wire

Last-minute rundown of good gift games

 Forgive the most intentional pun, but since we are down to the wire for the winter holiday season, this special year-end column should be a helpful resource for those of you who still haven’t found the perfect gift for the geeks and gamers on your list.

There is no need to wind up presenting your favorite pixel hunter with an uninspiring piece of brightly colored plastic again this season. While certain video game consoles may be in short supply, game software is widely available and generally makes a well-received gift for those addicted.

The likely candidates can be easily discerned. Telltale hints include a large pile of wires and controllers heaped in front of a television, empty media cases festooned with outlandish graphics, and highly developed thumb muscles.

Whether the intended recipient plays on Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 2 or 3, or an Xbox model, there are plenty of great games out there. Here is a quick look at some of the excellent titles currently available at a video game store near you.

Family-friendly cartoon games

Three cheers to THQ for its outstanding line of family-friendly cartoon-based video games. Ever since I got my hands on the PSP version of “Scooby-Doo! Who’s Watching Who,” I have been thumbs-to-the-button possessed with solving the latest case for Mystery Inc.

I am especially thrilled by my first chance ever to actually control the Mystery Machine. I find the driving aspects of this title exceptionally entertaining and more than casually distracting. Other modes include puzzle contests and a platform mode, offering something for just about every gamer.

The game is available for PSP and DS, and offers new detectives a chance to best the detestable rival team, Ghost Scene Investigators. Take on GSI over a wide array of levels and locations against the scariest ghosts ever to interrupt a Scooby-Snack break.

Other family titles in the line include “Alex Rider, Stormbreaker,” an exciting teen super-spy game, and “SpongeBob Squarepants in the Creature from the Krusty Krab” for various popular platforms. The highlight of the series is a truly spectacular cross-title team-up featuring Nickelodeon’s biggest animated action stars, Timmy Turner, SpongeBob and Danny Phantom in “Battle for Volcano Island.”

Games for Wii

For those of you who are fortunate enough to have acquired a Wii console this year, good titles are hitting the shelves every day. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” lets Wii neophytes master their remote and Nunchuk controller skills while joining Aang on the most important quest of his career.

Cartoon lovers will appreciate the chance to play as Katara, Sokka, Haru and Aang, extending game play and letting everyone enjoy their favorite characters. I enjoyed the RPG aspects of the title while I was getting the hang of the controls, eventually gaining competence at the staff.

The fighting is as much ballet as combat, keeping things pleasant for even the youngest players. Whether you are 10 or 50, “Avatar” should make a welcome addition to your Wii stable of games.

New for Pokémon fans

Over in the Nintendo DS section, “Pokémon Ranger” came out just in time to save me. I was stuck inside a mountaintop in “Pokémon Mystery Dungeon” and looking for a way out. The exciting new game play of “Ranger” was a perfect change of pace.

Rather than engaging in traditional Pokémon battle, players form liaisons with wild Pokémon using the styler. This entails circling a Pokémon with the stylus on the DS touch screen. It is not a difficult skill to master, and before long even new players will be styling with the best. The game also includes an excellent tutorial to help new players get used to the interface. It is another fun game from Pikachu and pals.

Two Nintendo icons return

Nintendo icons return in this year’s DS hit “Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2.” The faithful will remember the original version on GameBoy Advance with fondness. Be assured that this sequel equals, and may even surpass, the play action of its predecessor.

Longtime fans will not be surprised that Donkey Kong again grabs the girl in a fit of jealous rage. Naturally, it is the responsibility of the player and Mario to save her. This time around, you don’t have to deal with just one Mario. Instead, you have a squad of mini Marios at your disposal. Think of the classic “Lemmings” games with a twist.

You will need all of your little pals when you get to the level boss, a savage simian you are sure to recognize. I won’t ruin the game’s big surprise, but this time around the damsel in distress is a true blast from the distant past. She is sure to bring a smile to the lips of even the most hardened Mario purists.

Great graphics, deft game play and a great story make “Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2” an excellent last-minute choice for dedicated DS gamers.

Off-road fun with ‘Fury 4’

It may be a bit chilly for ATV action outside, but there are plenty of open trails on PlayStation 2 thanks to the lifelike interfacing of “ATV Offroad Fury 4.” The latest entry in the popular outdoor gaming series raises the bar on realistic action without encouraging erosion and scaring wildlife.

Players advance their rankings and develop driving skills by working the racing circuit. Just about every off-road vehicle shows up at some point or another in the contest, with the new addition of MX bikes, custom buggies and amazing trophy trucks.

Competition takes you to more than 70 different tracks to keep things fresh, while fabulous full-motion video scenes enhance the action. “ATV Offroad Fury 4” looks like the next best thing to real off-road adventure without the potential for injury. If you are actually heading off road, bring the digital action along with “ATV Offroad Fury Pro” on your PSP.

Hoop action for PlayStation 3

The truly lucky have already secured their PlayStation 3 console. The list of games for the next world champion is growing every day and there are more than a few excellent titles already on the market to keep things going until the release of “Gran Turismo HD” and “Heavenly Sword.”

For now, check out the incredibly realistic hoop action of “NBA ’07” in breathtaking 1080p at a mind-numbing 60 FPS. With the Sixers providing little in the line of entertainment this season, this could be the high point of the year for canny couch cagers. At first glance the action could be mistaken for the real thing.

“NBA ’07” lets dedicated gamers download different current NBA game scenarios every week to see if they can match their favorite stars. Bring your best game and try to set up plays like Steve Nash or score 50 in a night like … funny, I can’t think of his name at the moment. Mini games like Own the Court and the Three Point Competition, keep things fun when you are not in the mood for a full game. Unlike the real-time alternative, it’s all good.

I hope everyone enjoys a truly happy holiday season. As usual, I expect you all to behave nicely, to treat your family, your friends and yourselves well, and to meet me right back here in 2007.

Those of you with PlayStation 3s in hand can taunt me by e-mail.. Happy holidays.