Video games that SLAM!

By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service

Sports nuts know there are few things better than watching a hot game, save playing in one yourself. But if you're short on talent, electronic games let you join the action from your recliner.

Here are some of the best picks for basketball, hockey, tennis and golf.

EA Sports' "NBA Live 2000" includes some new layup and dunk options and features Michael Jordan sporting a Wizards uniform. Gannett News Service

Take it to the rim with EA Sports' latest basketball game, including Michael Jordan sporting a Washington Wizards uniform. Not only does "NBA Live 2002" feature all the players, teams and stadiums you might expect from an officially licensed b-ball game, it's also jam-packed with new layups, dunks and post-dunk celebrations, smoother animation, more realistic artificial intelligence and a new franchise mode to take charge off the courts.

"Sega Sports Tennis 2K2" for Dreamcast consoles lets players compete as ainternationally ranked stars, including the Williams sisters. Gannett News Service

Endorsed by 2000 and 2001 U.S. Open winner Venus Williams and 1999 U.S. Open champ Serena Williams, "Sega Sports Tennis 2K2" outshines its well-regarded predecessor, "Virtua Tennis," (also from Sega) in almost every way. This time around, the near photo-realistic game features 16 internationally ranked men's and women's tennis stars and the option to play mixed doubles. Players also will find three revamped styles of game play: the ladder-based "Tournament" mode, the practice "Exhibition" mode and the meaty "World Circuit" mode, where they battle around the globe through a variety of matches and mini-challenges to earn cash rewards.

Physical contact is a big part of Midway Sports' "NHL Hitz 20-02" for PlayStation 2. Players even can send each other crashing through boards. Gannett News Service

While not quite on a par with EA Sports' "NHL 20-02," Midway's latest hockey title is a shove in the right direction. Hockey meets blitz-style football is probably the best way to describe this title. Players can expect fast and furious action, big hits that will make you cringe (even sending players crashing through the boards) and lightning-fast slap shots. Game play consists of three-on-three action (plus the goalies). You can choose to play using NHL stars and official stadiums or custom-built players and fantasy locations. An in-game alternative rock jukebox featuring brawling tunes is an added bonus.

'Links: Championship Edition'
Microsoft, for PC, $54.99, rated "E" for Everyone, **** (out of 5)

The new "Links: Championship Edition" golf game from Microsoft combines last year's award-winning "Links 2001" with the "Links Expansion Pack Vol. 1," the Arnold Palmer Course Designer and four brand-new courses: Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club, Frankfurter Golf Club and The Judge Course at Capitol Hill.

This title plays as well on laptop PCs as it does on desktops because of its modest processor, memory and video requirements. Overall, it's a polished collection that captures the sights, sounds and swings of pro golf, where you can take all the mulligans you like.