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Six to watch
What video games will be hot this holiday season?
May 16, 2003: 1:45 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (CNN/Money) – Parents, you may not realize it, but chances are your children have already started their holiday wish lists.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo gets loads of Internet and game fan attention. By now, most players know what titles will be out this fall and winter – and which they'll have to wait a little longer for. And they've got a good idea of which will interest them.

Everyone has their favorite type of game, so labeling any group of titles as "the best" of E3 is pointless. Instead, we've compiled a list of the games that had the biggest buzz at this year's show – and the ones you're likely to be hearing friends and family ask for as we get into late fall. Note, though, that deadlines are slippery things in the gaming industry – and there's no guarantee these games will make it to retail this year.

Half-Life 2's characters are the most realistic to date.  
Half-Life 2's characters are the most realistic to date.

Half Life 2 (Publisher: Sierra) – No game had more buzz this year, as evidenced by the four-hour wait just to see a 25 minute mix of a technology demo and gameplay footage. "Half-Life" gave the action genre a much-needed kick in the butt five years ago. The sequel, due Sept. 30 for PC and sometime thereafter for Xbox, is likely to be less revolutionary, but just as loved. Keep in mind, though, the game is likely to receive a "M" rating and will likely be too intense and violent for younger gamers. But buy it for a co-worker or your brother-in-law and they'll love you forever. PC gamers should look for it on shelves Sept. 30.

Outta the way! Mario's got places to go.  
Outta the way! Mario's got places to go.

Mario Kart: Double Dash (Publisher: Nintendo) -- Let's face it, any game with "Mario" in the name is going to do well, but "Mario Kart: Double Dash" is worthy of the sales bump. The game is a heck of a lot of party fun – and is appropriate for all ages. The "Mario Kart" line has long been successful for Nintendo – and there's no reason this one won't continue the trend. Would we have preferred it was online? Sure. But it's just as fun – maybe more so – when your opponents are sitting on the couch next to you. It's due this winter for the Nintendo GameCube..

Deus Ex: Invisible War (Publisher: Eidos (EIDSY: Research, Estimates)) – Like action games? "Deus Ex" is for you. Prefer the role-playing genre? Well, then perhaps you should try "Deus Ex." Stealth more your style? "Deus Ex" is the game for you. The incredible thing about Warren Spector's "Deus Ex" games is their flexibility. Puzzles can be solved in several ways. If you like running and gunning you can, but if you prefer a more peaceful solution to issues, there's usually a way out of trouble without unholstering your weapon. Expect it in October on Xbox and PC.

EyeToy (Publisher: Sony (SNE: Research, Estimates)) – Sony has a winner here with its Webcam-cum-gaming-device. At $40, the EyeCam isn't as expensive as some AAA titles – and it's more fun than a lot of them. Players get to see themselves on their TV screens and their hand movements are incorporated into the game. Kids will love it – and so will parents. It's easy to use and non-intimidating -- two factors that can add up to impressive sales numbers. It's due this October.

American Idol (Publisher: Codemasters) -- If you haven't been too caught up in the "American Idol" craze, you might be scratching your head. But if the show is appointment TV for you and your family, you're in for a treat. Combining elements of "Dance Dance Revolution" and karaoke, the game lets you audition in front of a virtual Simon, Randy and Paula, who have over 4,000 comments – some nice, some snarky – at their disposal to describe your performance. Need more convincing? The lines at E3 were longer for this game than any other, with the exceptions of "Half Life 2" and "Halo 2". Look for it this fall.

Pac Man (Publisher: Nintendo, maybe) – If you're lucky, you'll get to play this game – but it's not a sure bet. Nintendo's master gamemaker Shigeru Miyamoto has taken the arcade classic and brilliantly brought it into the 21st century. Pac Man, in his vision, is a four-player game – with one player as Pac Man, seeing the classic version of the game on a GameBoy Advance which is hooked up to a GameCube. The other three players are the ghosts, searching for PacMan on the main TV screen. Once PacMan is caught, players exchange characters, with the ghost who caught the elliptical gobbler assuming the role of PacMan. The problem? The game is still nothing more than a prototype – and Nintendo won't say when or even if it will ever be released. Let's hope so; it was the best game at the Nintendo booth this year.  Top of page




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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.