Tonic Trouble - Nintendo 64

From the same kooky minds that brought you the incomparable Nintendo 64 rendition of Rayman 2, Tonic Trouble swirls together the run-and-jump action of a platform game with exploratory and puzzle-solving elements. Responsive controls, physical gags, and varied gameplay solidify the positive experience in this expansive, kid-friendly title that's challenging enough for adults.

The game has an interesting system for gaining new attributes--players gather found objects and bring them to a mad doctor, who uses them to build gadgets worthy of James Bond. Skills acquired from the gadgets include flying, pogo-sticking, deep swimming, and shooting bees from a blowpipe. Get into Tonic Trouble and help Ed get out of it. --Jeff Young

Pros: Brilliantly colored graphics Hilarious player design A massive game that keeps you guessing Cons: Camera angles can be problematic Occasional polygon seams show