Every fall, the video game makers release what they hope will be the blockbusters of the holiday season, and this year is no exception. A bumper crop of new games is available, each boasting more thrilling play, better graphics, and more lifelike characters than the year before. Making things especially exciting this year is the introduction of live online gaming for the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2 consoles. PC gamers have been playing each other online for several years, but the arrival of the Sony Network Adapter and Xbox Live has the potential to make online gaming commonplace in family rooms and recliners around the world.
But are the online offerings mature and ready for mass consumption? We take a look at Xbox Live and a few of the games available for online play with the PlayStation 2. And for you traditional joystick jockeys, we've selected games from a range of genres like role-playing, first-person shooter, fighting, racing, sports and puzzle. Whether you're a die-hard Donald Duck fan, you fantasize about driving like Jeff Gordon, or you just want to be like Mike, you're sure to find a game that intrigues you.
