Gift ideas for video gamers

For the gamer in the family, or the family that would like to play games together, here is a sampling of some nifty gifts this holiday season. A few gadgets are thrown in for good measure.

(Note to parents: When it's rated T, leave the little ones home!)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rated E, from EA Games) Once again, J.K. Rowling's fans have the chance to attend Hogwarts, the school of magic. This game takes players into the Chamber of Secrets' lets them duel with wizards; and fight Aragog, the giant spider. All platforms.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Rated T for teen, from EA Games) Stunning graphics, exclusive clips from the upcoming "Two Towers" film, interviews with the stars, and a mix of film and game technology make this a cool gift for those who want to live the Ring lore. Play as the rightful heir, Aragorn; elf Legolas; or Gimli, and fight through legions of Orcs and Ringwraiths. The new level of graphic intensity and realism these games deliver render them best for the stout-hearted. On Playstation 2 (PS2), GameBoy Advance (GBA).

Spider-Man (Rated E for everyone, from Activision) Leap and crawl just like Spidey. With plenty of options and action, this is a fun extension of the film for those who want to be superheroes. The gameplay is not difficult and can be mastered quickly. A nice alternative to the world of first-person shooters that dominate the hero genre. On PC, PS2, GBA, GameCube (GC), Xbox.

Treasure Planet (Rated E, from Disney Interactive) Based on the new Disney film, these games are a fun exploration of the new graphically fantastic worlds of the film. Solar surf your way into new galaxies based on an old story - pirates and the search for hidden gold. On GBA, PS2, and PC.

Age of Mythology (Rated T, from Microsoft) A wonderful followup to the Age of Empires series, this was one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Great graphics introduce you to mythical worlds and beings - minotaurs, sphinxes, and mummies. Lots of variety in this strategy game. On PC.

Everquest Gold Edition (Rated T, from Sony Online Entertainment) This popular online game is now out in a five-game expansion pack, including the original EverQuest Classic, The Ruins of Kunark, The Scars of Velious, The Shadows of Luclin, and The Planes of Power. This is a limited edition with a thick manual, map, and metal figurine. For fans of EverQuest, this is the world in one place. Online PC, requires Internet access and an EverQuest account.

Kingdom Hearts (Rated E, from Disney Interactive/SquareSoft) Final Fantasy meets Disney to create a surprisingly engaging game. The brooding figures from the 10-part adventure game team up with Goofy and Donald Duck to defeat monsters known as the Heartless. Characters visit Disney-themed worlds, such as "Aladdin," but the play is complicated enough to make this game a good draw for young and old. On PS2.

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