Plug and Play Video Games

Atari Flashback Console

Don't be fooled. Just because the name Atari and the word console is in the name of these plug and play video games doesn't mean that it's a console like the Xbox 360. The Atari console will bring back some nostalgia because it is built to resemble the Atari 2600. There are 40 games programmed into version 2.0 of the Atari console.

Joystick Plug and Play Video Games

For a more authentic feel, try any one of the multitude of games that resemble actual joysticks or gamepads.

• The Activision Plug N Play comes with 10 games, including Pitfall.
• EA Sports has a 2-player gamepad set lets you play Madden Football and NHL Hockey.
• You can even get a Mortal Kombat plug and play video game for your television.

TV Show and Movie Theme Plug and Play Games

There is no shortage of movie and TV-themed plug and play video games.

• For you Airbender fans, check out The Last Airbender video game for your TV.
• How about some nostalgia on the video game and television front? The Batman TV Game should satisfy both of your nostalgia needs. The controller is even shaped like a Batwing. Now that's cool.
• If you're tired of screaming at the Deal or No Deal contestants, then get the Deal or Now Deal TV game. Howie Mandel not included.
• Spongebob Squarepants even has a plug and play game that includes five games.

Dance and Music Games

Are you amazed at the music game revolution going on? The Dance Dance Revolution, that is. Don't worry, you can still get into the groove with some plug and play video games based on the hit series.

• Dance TV lets you get your shake on with just the mat, which plugs into the TV.
• Don't want to dance with yourself? Then the Twin Dancer Dance Dance game is for you. It has 8 songs and includes two bonus games.
• DDR Disney Mix lets you dance to remixes of popular Disney songs and allows you to choose equally as popular Disney characters.
• Along the same lines as the Disney Mix is DDR Strawberry Shortcake. Choose all the characters from Strawberryland and dance along to the famous songs of Strawberry Shortcake. The game also comes with strawberry scented stickers.
• Jealous of all the Guitar Hero players out there and you don't have it? Then the Guitar Hero Rock Fever game is for you. There are 15 licensed Sony songs for you to enjoy with this plug and play video game.

Oddball Games

Platform games, music games, and arcade games are all represented in the plug and play video games genre. What about educational and fashion games?

• The Story Reader helps your child with reading and comprehension as animated storybooks come alive on the screen. He or she uses a controller to manipulate the action.
• Dream Life starts with your first day of school. You do chores, homework, and even visit the salon in your plug and play virtual second life.

Nothing Too Fancy

So, as you can see, you can just purchase a number of plug and play video games instead of shelling out $500 every time a new console is released. Really, the one downside is that you may have lots of these things sitting around, but you'll have an inexpensive entertainment device that can bring back nostalgia by resembling consoles of the past and fun 2-player games that could bring you and a second player together.