Kids and Family Video Games

For its entry into the crowded 2005 poker video game market, 2K Sports offers a role-playing approach to the contemporarily fashionable pastime. Based on the international tournament and Travel Channel television series of the same name, World Poker Tour has players developing custom characters who begin at the low-ante tables and must win their way up to the big-money games. As they gain status, player avatars can flaunt their newfound wealth with the purchase of accessories that help them to stand out from the crowd.

Winning won't always be easy, however, as players must compete against AI opponents based on real-life champs like Antonio "the Magician" Esfandiari, Michael "the Grinder" Mizrachi, and Phil "Unabomber" Laak. Billabong, Double Flop Hold 'Em, Omaha, Pineapple, Super Hold 'Em, Shanghai, Tahoe, Texas Hold 'Em, and other standard rules sets are available. Games are played in re-creations of World Poker Tour venues, such as Commerce Casino, The Bicycle Casino, and Aviation Club de France. Commentary is provided by virtual versions of television hosts Vince Van Patten and Mike Sexton. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

This budget-friendly motocross game features commentary and in-game appearances by Jamie Little, professional racer and announcer. The game offers more than 30 different competitions, in both the indoor (Supercross) and outdoor (Motocross) arenas, as well as the dirt-and-pavement "Super-Moto" events. Players can choose from a selection of rider characters, customize the look of their bikes, and improve horsepower and handling as they progress through the game. MX World Tour was designed Impulse Games, which previously worked on the motorsports-oriented Xbox version of Monster Garage. ~ All Game Guide

Players take the role of reluctant robot hero Rodney Copperbottom, in this platform adventure based on the computer-animated Twentieth Century Fox feature film. Rodney's mechanical world is in danger of being taken over forever by an evil tyrant robot, so he must travel to the city, and somehow stop the villain, before it is too late. Robots features a number of important characters from the movie, as well as more than 40 original characters created specifically for the game. The adventure includes open environments for players to explore, puzzles for them to solve, and challenging robot opponents who must be defeated through combat. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide