For "seasonally conscious" gamers like myself, this is a great time to play games with Fall themes. Coming up with a set of Autumn-themed games wouldn't be so hard if it weren't for the fact that I already have a Halloween Game Review Special. That rules out a lot of titles people usually gravitate towards this time of the year! So what constitutes a Fall game? Well obviously there's the colorful foliage of the trees. The weather is typically overcast and chilly, with gusty winds that blow the leaves around. Other symbols synonymous with the season include pumpkins, cornfields, and scarecrows. I think the following set of games properly convey the spirit of the season, if only for a stage or two.

Fall Angle: Spy Hunter's second stage features an utterly spectacular fall stage. As you wind through country roads and small towns, the spectacular foliage really steals the show. Whether there are other stages like this one, I do not recall.

Check for Spy Hunter on Ebay, Amazon

Decap Attack (Sega 1991) System: Genesis Grade: C

This offbeat platformer doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Decap Attack stars a headless mummy who "punches" foes with a head that bursts from his chest. Sometimes there's a skull on his shoulders he can throw to knock out several enemies at once. This is not your every day, garden-variety mummy. The action is pretty standard as you hop between platforms, collect potions, and pounce on cartoonish monsters. The object is to reach the end of each stage, although it's not always obvious which direction that lies. Potions you collect become available for use in a separate item screen, accessible by pressing A. You can use this screen to read a description of each item, but the user interface is terrible! The idea of selecting your power-up is unique, but most only last for a few seconds. Worse yet, when you try to use them against a boss, the game says "you can't use that here". Decap Attack's graphics won't win any awards. The background scenery lacks a sense of depth, and looks like a bland patchwork of tiled images. I really don't like games where you can jump on clouds. It's just not very realistic. Some levels won't allow you to exit unless you go back and collect a specific item, which strikes me as bad design. The most appealing thing about Decap Attack is its Halloween theme. Okay, it's not overtly Halloween, but it does have skulls, ghosts, and werewolves. Your character throws his head for Pete's sake! I like Decap Attack's weird, jaunty theme song, as well as the creepy organ music that kicks in when you die. The game doesn't provide any score or password, and that severely hampers its replay value. On the whole, Decap Attack feels like a mishmash of tired platform elements, but it's still fun if you're in the mood for a mindless romp.

Fall Angle: This platformer was a bit too generic to make my Halloween special, but it definitely has a Fall flavor. The cloudy skies, twisted trees, and layers of barren brown scenery had Fall written all over them.

Check for Decap Attack on Ebay

Sonic Adventure 2 (Sega 2001) System: Dreamcast Grade: A

When the first Sonic Adventure came out at the launch of the Dreamcast, it was nothing short of amazing. The beauty of its graphics was only eclipsed by its lightning fast gameplay. The only thing that detracted from it were some awkward camera angles and the tedious "adventure" quests. Fortunately, Sonic Adventure 2 is pretty much all action. The camera angles, though much improved, still get confusing at times, but let's face it, that's the nature of 3D games. What's really impressive about this game is the pure variety. There are two modes: you can play as Sonic or his nemesis look-alike, Shadow. Each stage has its own mission, such as collecting a certain number of gems or escaping from somewhere. And it's not all running and jumping. There are skateboarding, shoot-em-up, and even cart racing stages. The game is constantly changing and throwing new surprises your way at every turn. The controls are simple and the vibration feature is effective. The lush scenery is remarkable, as is the sheer number of locations, which include some indoor levels and a Halloween stage reminiscent of Medievil (Playstation 1998). The animation is silky smooth, but the character speech doesn't match up with their lip movements, making it look like a bad martial arts flick. Personally, I thought Sonic was much cooler before they gave him that wimpy voice! I also can't forget to mention the music - it's outstanding. From rock to rap, original songs were specifically composed for each stage. In addition, for those who care, those worthless "Chao" virtual pets are back with some new VMU games. Sonic Adventure 2 is a wild ride, one every Dreamcast owner will appreciate.

Fall angle: This 3D adventure features a very memorable pumpkin patch stage with Knuckles trying to collect gems. It's not the best stage in the game, but that eye candy has to count for something.

Check for Sonic Adventure 2 on Ebay

Need For Speed: Most Wanted (Electronic Arts 2005) System: Xbox 360 Grade: B

This urban-themed racer allows you to wreck scenery and avoid police while participating in no-holds-barred street races. It's very satisfying to smash through fences, barriers, construction sites, and phone booths as you whiz past rival racers and avoid converging police cars. The oncoming traffic and amazing sense of speed gives the game a certain Burnout (Gamecube, 2002) flavor. The action takes place in the fictitious city of Rockport, with scenery emphasizing realism over flash, incorporating run-down industrial areas and rendering everything in dull brown hues. The trees look amazing, as do the changing weather conditions. During thunderstorms, rain glistens on the streets and beads on your windshield as thunder booms in the background. While Most Wanted doesn't deliver the polished visuals or instant gratification of Ridge Racer 6 or Project Gotham 3, it may have the edge in long-term play value. The engaging career mode lets you to challenge 15 progressively difficult rivals, each requiring you to complete a number of preliminary races and challenges. You can cruise around town to locate the next event, or initiate each directly from your "safe house" menu. The races are exhilarating at times, although the field is mainly limited to four cars. When a cop first appears on the scene, the screen suddenly freezes and zooms to his position - a very effective cinematic technique. The ensuing chases are fun, although they make you feel like one of those criminal lowlifes you see on reality television shows. I love how you hear the cops communicating back and forth about you on their radios. Escaping police is time consuming but not particularly difficult, and these encounters tend to wear thin after a while. You begin with a modest vehicle, but can upgrade and trade up as the game progresses. Defeating rivals unlocks new cars and locations, as well as mystery bonus items including cash, "get out of jail" cards, and special upgrades. Need For Speed's controls have a loose feel, but that's consistent with the reckless style of the game. It can be hard to avoid oncoming traffic, but if you do wreck head-on, you only need to hit the handy "reset" button to be instantly put back on the road. Most Wanted's soundtrack has an appropriate hip-hop vibe which I found to be better than average. Cut scenes feature actors with a processed "glow" that helps them better blend into the computer-generated background scenery. Naturally, a super-hot chick plays the lead role. One annoying aspect of the game is its email and voicemail functions. It's bad enough to deal with these in real life - I don't want them in my games. Fortunately, you can pretty much ignore the messages as they accumulate in your inbox. A two-player split-screen mode is included, but sadly, you can't play the role of the police. Need For Speed: Most Wanted definitely hits the mark when it comes to streetwise, chaotic racing contests. It may lack the pristine visuals and crisp control of other 360 racers, but Most Wanted's wild brand of lawless action will keep you coming back for more.

Fall angle: Some games feature individual Fall levels, but in Need For Speed: Most Wanted, the entire game is an Autumn wonderland! Whether you're speeding through the park or along an expressway, bright leaves can be seen both on the trees and blowing around in the streets. Also, the game sports a somewhat dark, shadowy look that often characterize Fall days. These factors really give the game a distinct flavor.

Check for Need For Speed Most Wanted Ebay, Amazon

Bully Scholarship Edition (Rockstar 2008) System: Xbox 360 Grade: B

The thought of returning to high school may not sound appealing to most, but Bully lets you do the kind of stuff you wanted to do in school, like pick fights, play pranks, kiss girls, pull fire alarms, break into lockers, and simply be a major disruption. While similar in structure to the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) games, Bully is actually better in many ways due to its smaller scale. It also happens to be less profane and not nearly as raunchy. This game received stellar reviews on the PS2 a few years back, and it gets a new lease on life on the 360 with extra missions, improved graphics, and two-player mini-games. Playing the role of a 15-year-old juvenile delinquent named Jimmy Hopkins (who looks closer to 50), you roam freely around an expansive virtual campus while embarking on various missions. The campus is an interesting place, and I was especially pleased to see the leaves change color with the seasons and decorations go up for holidays. Rule-enforcing prefects drag you to class when you're truant, but even the classes are fun! In English, you'll unscramble letters, and in chemistry you hit buttons as they scroll across the screen. Art is played like the old Qix arcade game, and biology walks you through a realistic frog dissection. As you might imagine, the dissection begs for motion controls. These mini-games are also available in the excellent two-player mode. Bully has its share of load screens, but they tend to be short and colorful. The action moves at a steady pace, and the story is conveyed through brief, well-crafted cut-scenes. The stiff character faces reveal the game's PS2 origins, but the stately brick buildings and their lavish interiors still look terrific. The excellent soundtrack strikes an irreverent tone, and the professional voice acting is quite convincing. My issues with Bully are similar to those I have with GTA games in general. The missions are fun at first but start to feel like errands after a while. Once the scope of the game extends to a nearby town, the fun factor takes a hit. The basic storyline is very linear, so until you complete a critical mission you're forced to keep replaying it. Bully never achieves true greatness, but with an original concept, clever design, and high production values, it comes admirably close.

Fall angle: The most memorable aspect of this game is the change of seasons. Since the game begins at the beginning of the school year, you'll almost immediately thrust into Fall, complete with turning leaves and decorations that go up for Halloween and Thanksgiving. It almost makes me wish I was in school again. I'm kidding, of course. School sucks!

Check for Bully on Ebay, Amazon

Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The (Midway 2006) System: GameCube Grade: C+

This turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Instead the kiddy-themed platformer I was expecting, The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy is a wild 3D fighting game! Much like Power Stone 2 (Dreamcast, 2000), it's every cartoon character for himself in a series of creepy environments. While not quite up to Power Stone standards (that game is a classic), Grim Adventures does offer the same brand of chaos, with satisfying attacks, unique weapons, and projectiles flying all over the place. The main characters are a pair of kids and a scythe-wielding grim reaper. Although targeted to the younger crowd, I found the game to be very funny and not the least bit irritating. In addition to going solo in the story mode, you can engage in four-player battles and even assemble teams. Weapons include flame-throwers, vacuum cleaners, and a "brain-sucking" gun. You can sometimes mount larger weapons like giant crossbows and mech warriors. When it's time to finish off an opponent, you execute a G-rated Mortal Kombat-style "fatality" by pressing a button sequence displayed on the screen. On the downside, when things get hectic it can be hard to tell what's going on, and targeting a specific character is tricky. What put this game over the top for me was the Halloween theme, with fun locations like pumpkins patches, graveyards, laboratories, and Egyptian tombs. As the battles progress, the environments constantly change, keeping things fresh. I really like the cell-shaded graphics because it really does feel like you're playing a cartoon. The soundtrack is whimsical and fun with a nice macabre undertone. It's not exactly original or polished enough to be an upper-tier title, but there aren't many games like Grim Adventures on the market.

Fall angle: This is another Halloween-ish game that captures many elements of the Fall. The stage set in a pumpkin patch is pretty amazing.

Check for Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy on Ebay, Amazon

Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo 2008) System: Wii Grade: A-

If you enjoy breathing air, you'll probably enjoy Mario Kart Wii. I doubt there's ever been another racer as inviting or readily enjoyable. Unlike Mario Kart Double Dash (GameCube, 2003), there's only one character per car, but there's a much wider selection of vehicles to choose from. Besides the standard karts, you can drive off-road four-by-fours, dragsters, stock cars, and motorcycles. The motorcycles are unique because they take up less space on the road and have the ability to execute "wheelies" for mini speed bursts. The game borrows some ideas from Mario Kart DS, like the view-obstructing squid ink attack and the inclusion of tracks from classic Mario Kart titles. If the old tracks give you a "been there, done that" feeling, rest assured the new tracks are amazing. I love the shopping mall's dual levels, escalators, and a bright, palm tree-lined parking lot. The mine-cart track is a virtual rollercoaster, and the snow courses feature mammoth half-pipes. A relaxing autumn stage lets you plow through leaves, and the wet-and-wild island track feels like a virtual water slide! The graphics are comparable to the GameCube, but close inspection reveals a lot of subtle details, like your character pumping his fist when one of his weapons hits. Playing solo is madly addictive and the raucous split-screen mode accommodates up to four players. I hear the on-line action is also superb. The motion-based controls are fantastic, providing the most precise steering ever. Although the included plastic steering wheel is not really necessary, it feels comfortable. Mario Kart Wii would have been an A+ title if Nintendo had shown a little restraint with the power-ups, which are far too ubiquitous. Not only are there item boxes along every stretch of road, but you typically get three items at a time! The trailing karts get the best power-ups, and the leader routinely gets pelted with multiple shells - sometimes going from first to last in two seconds. I was never a fan of the unavoidable purple shell, and that new "POW" block is an unwelcome addition. You feel obligated to immediately unload whatever you pick up just so you'll be able to collect the next batch. The squid ink attack is a neat concept, but it occurs too often. Maybe Nintendo went overboard in an attempt to distance this game from Double Dash. It's not perfect, but Mario Kart Wii is undeniably fun and has universal appeal.

Fall angle: Just when you thought Nintendo ran out of ideas for Mario Kart tracks, they whip out an Autumn stage that's nothing short of sensational. The yellow, orange, and red colors are brilliant. There are piles of leaves everywhere, and one ramp actually sends you flying thru some dense Autumn foliage. Good times.

Check for Mario Kart Wii on Ebay, Amazon

Sonic and Knuckles (Sega 1994) System: Genesis Grade: B

This game created a whole new concept in video games hyped as "lock-on technology". The idea is that in addition to playing the cartridge by itself, you could attach Sonic 2 or 3 onto the top of it, which would allow you to play as a new character (Knuckles) in those old games! It works pretty well, although the concept never quite caught on. Sonic and Knuckles is your typical Sonic game with the option to play as Knuckles, a red animal that can glide and climb walls. These abilities definitely add a new dimension to the game play, and it's pretty cool to be able to scale walls and fly around in Sonic 2 or 3 (Sonic 1 is not supported). Unfortunately, it appears that the Sonic programmers were running short on ideas. The levels here look a bit like outtakes from past Sonic games. The music is also uninspired. New elements like a wind-blowing chicken and "sticky" devices are irritating and just slow down the game. By itself, this game pales in comparison to past Sonic games, but the lock-on ability does breathe new life into Sonic 2 and 3.

Fall angle: Sonic and Knuckle's opening Mushroom zone is mostly green at first, with oversized mushrooms that splash the screen with vibrant orange and red colors. Gradually however the foliage turns orange, and eventually the stage transforms into a golden autumn paradise! This may not be the best Sonic game for the Genesis, but it's still very, very good.

Check for Sonic and Knuckles on Ebay

Madden NFL 97 (Electronic Arts 1996) System: Saturn Grade: A-

Some may dismiss the 2D Madden games of old, but Madden 97 proves they can be every bit as fun - if not more so! I reviewed this with my friend Eric who owned this game "back in the day", and we were both shocked at how well it's held up. Madden 97 opens with a grainy but interesting CGI intro with several shots of New Orleans, and that classic NFL theme music really gets you pumped up. Each game is introduced by James Brown at an anchor desk, who passes control to John Madden and Pat Summerall who provide additional commentary. That's right - Madden was actually involved in his games at one time! Why Madden and Pat are previewing the game in a silent, empty stadium I have no idea. On the field, the digitized sprites look great, despite the fact that every player is #88. The animation is less than stellar, but the controls are crisp and the action moves along at a brisk pace. You can quickly call plays and players line up immediately, so there's never a lull. The six-button Saturn controller gives you a lot of receiver options, and runningbacks bounce off would-be tacklers with stiff-arms, speed bursts, and spin moves. It's hard to kick the ball for distance, but the kicking controls are the best ever devised. The instant replay system is also very user friendly - when was the last time you could say that? Madden 97's one glaring weakness is its tackling. Often a bump is all that's needed to take down a runner. But it's the game's distinctive quirks that give it its charm. The sporadic audio commentary features Madden's disembodied voice punctuating big hits with phrases like "doink!", "where'd that truck come from?", and "that one knocked the snot right out of the locker!" (huh?) When a play is over, you can still dive at your opponent, and it's quite habit-forming! Unlike modern games, the crowd is fairly quiet, at least until the "D-Fense" chant kicks in. Most stadiums look generic, but the bright orange trees outside of Memorial Stadium in Baltimore look gorgeous. Madden 97 was largely overlooked in its day because flashier 3D games were stealing the spotlight, but it's one of the best sprite-based football games. If you're weary of the modern, cookie-cutter Maddens, revisit this classic and have fun again.

Fall angle: Any Fall special worth its weight needs an obligatory football game, and this one really captures the feel of the season. When I play as the Ravens in the old Memorial stadium, there are trees bursting with Fall colors in the background. It really gets you psyched up for the season! It doesn't hurt that this game totally kicks ass.

Check for Madden NFL 97 on Ebay, Amazon

Maximo (Capcom 2001) System: Playstation 2 Grade: C+

Ghosts and Goblins was a wildly popular side-scrolling platform game in the 80's, featuring a comical knight hacking his way through endless skeletons, zombies, and legions of other monsters. Its most distinguishing features were its addictive nature and extreme difficulty. Maximo is basically the 3D remake of that classic, and it preserves many aspects of the original game, especially the difficulty. This game has gotten a lot of press, but it's really not much different than other 3D adventures that have been released over the past few years (MediEvil for Playstation comes to mind). What sets Maximo apart is its superior presentation. The graphics are fantastic, featuring lush, detailed graveyards, remarkable fog and fire effects, and humorously animated creatures. The sound effects are stellar, and the background music is a lavishly orchestrated version of the original Ghosts and Goblins theme. While I've heard this game called "old-school", the controls indicate otherwise. Maximo can slash sideways, slash overhead, throw his shield, jump, double-jump, kneel, block, move the camera, and select special moves. Most of the controls are responsive, but the camera placement is often a problem. Unlike the game that inspired Maximo, there is a LOT of emphasis on collecting items. This is where the game veers away from its Ghosts and Goblins heritage and starts to feel more like Donkey Kong 64. Coins are required to purchase items like armor, saves, and continues. While it slows down the action and makes the game feel tedious, it can't be avoided, since you need those coins to pay for your next save or continue. I think players with a lot of patience will appreciate all of the secrets and surprises of Maximo, but many will get fed up with the tough, repetitive gameplay.

Fall angle: Unlike its predecessor (Ghouls and Ghosts for the Genesis), Maximo didn't make my Halloween special, but its Autumn vibe is unmistakable. The trees have big red and brown leaves, and you can see clouds blowing across the ominous dark sky. The game just feels like October.

Check for Maximo on Ebay, Amazon

Jack Bros. (Atlus 1995) System: Virtual Boy Grade: D

Besides the fact that it was one of few Virtual Boy games missing from my collection, I was really looking forward to playing Jack Bros. for its Halloween theme. This whimsical overhead platformer lets you assume the role of a ghost, pumpkin, or skeleton trying to reach a magic portal before midnight. The English version of Jack Bros. is rare and expensive, so I picked up the Japanese version instead (which wasn't all that cheap either). At first I regretted this decision because the game has a fun intro and plenty of dialogue that I couldn't read. In terms of gameplay however, Jack Bros. is not innovative at all and makes minimal use of the system's 3D graphics. In fact, I'm not sure why this game is even on the Virtual Boy! Each level offers a different set of stacked mazes sprinkled with wandering creeps, traps, and power-ups. There's some mild strategy here and there (like moving boulders to clear your path) but the action is basically limited to finding some keys and heading towards the exit. The characters are composed of stacked 2D sprites, but the illusion of 3D is modest at best. The Halloween theme isn't readily apparent either, thanks to the run-of-the-mill music and generic creeps. A password is provided between levels, but no score. Ultimately I'm glad I settled for the Japanese version, because Jack Bros. is definitely not worth breaking your piggy bank for.

Fall angle: It's not a strong title, but Jack Bros. offers about as much Autumn as the Virtual Boy can muster. If you have to play it, you may as well do it in the Fall!

Check for Jack Bros. on Ebay, Amazon