Hot Xmas Games: The Top Ten; CONSOLE YOURSELF WITH THRILLS.(Competition/Offers)

Byline: EDITED by FIONA PARKER

HUNDREDS of new games are hitting the shelves in time for Christmas. Some of them are sequels to existing best-sellers, some are based on blockbuster movies, while others are brand new games.

Here are just some of the great games features that are the top titles this Christmas.

We have included something for everyone - from dedicated gamers to absolute beginners.

And we're featuring games for all formats, including the Dreamcast and Sony's new PlayStation 2. And with the Game Boy Color still a big-seller there are games for young players too.

HOOTING AT COOT

CRASH BASH (PlayStation/pounds 29.99)

THE loveable bandicoot is up to his crazy antics again, but this time he has seven new pals.

Anything goes in this madcap party game, where you crash and bash your enemies into submission.

You get a FREE Crash Bash T-shirt when you buy this game at Woolies.

PERFECT FOR: Kids and teenagers

BUGS AND TAZ DAFFY

BUGS BUNNY AND TAZ (TM) (PlayStation/pounds 19.99)

CARTOON fans will love this Looney Tunes adventure in which Daffy DuckTM breaks Granny's time regulator and is propelled backwards into history. You must help Bugs BunnyTM and the Tazmanian DevilTM find the time machine and rescue their pal Daffy.

PERFECT FOR: Kids

GAME NOT POULTRY

CHICKEN RUN: (PlayStation, PC, Dreamcast/pounds 29.99/pounds 29.99/pounds 39.99)

THE "claymation" movie from Aardman was a summer blockbuster, now fans can play the multi-format video game. The chickens on Tweedy's Farm are about to be turned into chicken pies, so you must help Rocky and Ginger hatch an escape plan.

PERFECT FOR: All the family

SOME LIKE IT DOT-TY

102 DALMATIANS: (PlayStation, PC, Dreamcast/pounds 29.99, pounds 29.99, pounds 39.99)

THIS fun-packed game coincides with Disney's latest live-action drama which hits cinemas today. The idea is to defeat the wicked Cruella De Vil, thus preventing the pups from becoming a fur coat. But there are loads of dotty mini-games to take part in too.

PERFECT FOR: Kids

TRY TO BE A TOP SPY

MEDAL OF HONOR UNDERGROUND: (PlayStation/pounds 29.99)

THIS first-person shooter is a follow up to last year's No.1 action game. You're still an undercover agent in World War 2 working to infiltrate the enemy camp. But this time there are new secret missions to fulfil in which you'll need to use both firepower and stealth.

PERFECT FOR: Dads and teenagers

GO JUMP IN A QUAKE III

QUAKE III ARENA: (Dreamcast/pounds 39.99)

AT last this online PC classic arrives for the Dreamcast. There's the choice of single, multi-player, or internet-based action and the idea is to battle a series of deadly opponents.

You have machine guns, plasma guns and even rocket launchers at your disposal.

PERFECT FOR: Dads and teenagers

FIFA 2001 IS GOAL

TOMB RAIDER CHRONICLES (PlayStation, PC, Dreamcast/pounds 29.99. pounds 29.99, pounds 39.99)

IN the light of her recent disappearance, those closest to Lara gather together at the Croft Estate on a grey, rainy day for a memorial service in her honour.

Afterwards, the friends sit quietly together and reminisce about Lara's exploits - exploits that until now have remained a secret.

PERFECT FOR: Dads and Lara Croft fans

FIFA 2001: (PlayStation, PC, PS2/pounds 29.99, pounds 29.99, pounds 44.99)

THIS is the David Beckham of soccer sims and boasts over 50 international sides and 17 top leagues. The PS2 version has mouth-watering graphics. You get a FREE copy of FourTwoFour mag if you buy FIFA 2001 at Woolies.

PERFECT FOR: Dads and football fans

ELF ME IF YOU CAN

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: MAJORA'S MASK: (N64/pounds 49.99)

THE first Zelda game won many awards. Now Link the elf warrior returns and you have to stop the moon plunging into the Earth. The game needs an Expansion Pak, HALF PRICE when you buy Zelda: Majora's Mask at Woolies - SAVING pounds 15.

PERFECT FOR: All the family

PIKA MISSION

POKEMON TRADING CARD GAME: (Game Boy Color/pounds 24.99)

IN this latest Pokemon game on Game Boy, out next week, you're mission is to become a Master Trainer by collecting and swapping over 200 cards. Until Christmas Day at Woolies a Game Boy Color, the game and a slip case is just pounds 84.99.

PERFECT FOR: Kids