Cars (THQ)  $39.99
Here's a great game for kids that love PlayStation, love car racing and loved the movie cars. This game features 30 mini-games with up to 10 playable characters including Lightning McQueen and much of the voice talent from the game.  The graphics are great as are the sounds.  This isn't a super intuitive game, so if you have younger gamers you might need to help them navigate the race course.  Our testers seemed to really enjoy the little scenes that gave them peeks at the movie.  The father of our testers, who likes auto racing games seemed to also really enjoy "helping" his kids play this game! Tested:  PS2  Available Platforms: PC, PlayStation2, PSP®, GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance, Wii™ Xbox®, and  Xbox 360™

Monster House (THQ) Ages 10+, $24.99
Our testers, who enjoyed the movie Monster House, enjoyed this game which allows you to play as one of the three main characters from the movie armed with Super Soakers.  The game looks very much like the move, where the floor falls away, the chairs come to life etc.  There are spooky surprises and unexpected random events that keep kids on their toes.  This game was definitely challenging for our younger testers, but everyone seemed to really enjoy it.  Tested:  PS2  Available Platforms: PlayStation2, Game Cube, Nintendo DS, GameBoy Advance

Harvest Time Hop and Fly – Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends (The Game Factory)  Nintendo DS Game, Rated E, $29.99
According to our reviewers, "The graphics on this DS game are fabulous -- bright, colorful and very clear, it is like watching the show on TV! The games are quite fun too with adorable features like blowing into the microphone to float the insects on their webs! My five-year old son found it very entertaining and easy to learn. Non-readers will need some help initially as the instructions appear on the screen while the game is played, but they are easily remembered and thereafter your child will be off and running!" Tested: Nintendo DS 

Bratz Forever Diamondz (THQ) Rated: E, $29.99
The Bratz Forever Diamondz game brings back the Bratz, Cloe, Jade, Sasha, and Yasmin in a new adventure.  They are traveling across the country in search of the hottest young fashion designer as they compete in the America Rocks Fashion TV show.  In this game girls will have fun adopting their own pet, traveling to places like New York, going figure skating -- and of course shopping!  Our tween testers thought the game was fun!  They also reported that they really "liked the music."  Tested: GameCube  Available Platforms:  PlayStation2, Game Cube, Nintendo DS & GameBoy Advance,

SPORTS GAMES

FIFA 2007 (EA Sports) Rated Everyone, $39.95
Our tester, and soccer fan, reports, "FIFA 2007 is a fantastic game and will be fun for anyone regardless of whether they are playing the video game for the first time or simply looking forward to the latest version.

First-time FIFA soccer players who are also fans of world soccer will find it particularly enjoyable. The player-likeness, uniforms, and stadiums are graphically astonishing while individual player skills and team chemistry are extremely similar to those in real life. The game enables contestants to manage virtually any major team - club or country - in the world. As a manager, contestants can change formations, alter tactics, make substitutions, and even transfer players. Games can be played individually or as part of tournament.

For those who have played previous versions of the game, FIFA 2007 offers a few new features as well as enhancements of existing features. Overall, the graphical layout is the same as in FIFA 2006, but the resolution seems a bit more detailed. The prominent new feature in FIFA 2007 is the ability to play on-line. Enhancements include increased speed of play, heightened sensitivity of player movements, and greater ability to curl shots and crosses.  Everyone will enjoy this video version of 'the beautiful game'!"  The game features Features 27 leagues from 20 nations. Over 510 teams are accurately represented with correct kits and badges.  Platform Tested: Playstation2.  Available Platforms: Xbox, Xbox 360, PC, Game Cube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS

NBA Live 07 (EA Sports) Rated Everyone, $39.95
Our testers, thought this was a very cool game.  They liked the control of the players, including being able to change skills on the fly.  They liked the graphics and sounds, including real "personality" voices.  They liked the ESPN integration that the game includes.  They had fun with many of the freestyle moves.  "The visuals and graphics were amazing," reports our dad tester.  "Most impressive was the sweat drenched players.  My kids some difficulty mastering the moves, but really enjoyed doing things like dunking, making fancy passes and doing lay-ups.  It definitely a challenging game for kids, but with some adult "help" this proves to be a great game" reports our dad reviewer. Features include:  Dynasty and Freestyle play modes.  Individual playing styles and character types make players perform like their real-life counterparts.  Freestyle Air - gives you control over mid-air moves including dunks and layups. All-Star Weekend - Includes All-Star Game, Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, Dunk Contest & Three Point Shootout and more!   Platform Tested: XBox, Available Platforms:  XBox 360, PS2, PSP

NHL Live 07 (EA Sports) Rated: Everyone 10+, $29.99
"It has amazing graphics, you feel like you're really on the ice sometimes!" comments our tester.  "There's a realness to this game that I haven't experienced in other games.  I like the in-game announce as well as the ability to play with up to four of my friends."  The game itself features "stick revolution" which means they players can pass and control more realistically.  It also has six different player types, you can build a team, trade and sign players, negotiate contracts and even place salary caps.  Features include:  Platform Tested: XBox, Available Platforms:  XBox 360, PS2, PSP

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (EA Sports) Rated: E, $39.95
Our tester, who has never played golf games before liked this game.  He thought the graphics were rather good, the game play fun, and enjoyed the courses.  He liked that it included top players including  Vijay Singh and Annika Sorenstam.  The game features authentic apparel, and you can even see the faces of the spectators.  Features:  Championship courses, including Firestone Country Club, Glen Abbey, Princeville, Spyglass Hill, St Andrews, and Bandon Dunes.   Challenge up to three players in five new game modes and more.