Games for phones? You make the call

Hundreds of thousands of cell phones found their way into gift-wrapped boxes last week. Color screens and the ability to download bite-size games are now standard features on most mobile phones.

Some of this year’s best phones, including Samsung’s new RAZR-esque A900 (only on Sprint Nextel) and Sony Ericsson’s 710a (Cingular), use high-res screens to play great-looking two-dimensional games. Verizon Wireless’ VCast service allows for 3-D gaming on handsets such as the LG VX9800 and VX8100, with some games, such as Gameloft’s “Massive Snowboarding,” with graphics approaching the original PlayStation’s.

Consider downloading some of these games to complement those holiday gifts.

“Peter Jackson’s King Kong” (Gameloft) – The 800-pound gorilla of the box office is just as fearsome on the smallest screen. Available on most carriers, this game lets players be man and beast. The Kong scenes are the best, as players can beat down a thundering T. Rex as easily as dialing Grandma.

“Driver Vegas” (Glu Mobile) – Glu’s ride to Sin City is the first mobile-exclusive sequel to a console game. Gamers ride into Vegas with a vengeance, chasing bad guys down the Strip in some sweet rides. Casino shootouts break up the hot rod action in this lengthy game.

“Tower Bloxx” (Digital Chocolate) – This deceptively simple puzzler is both a block-stacking game and a city planning simulation. Players must erect skyscrapers to maximize city population, but it takes precision to build the most inhabitable structures. Certain buildings can be put up next to specific structures, so foresight pays off handsomely.

“Brady Bunch Kung Fu” (Mobliss) – This is one seriously goofy game. The Brady clan has eaten some bad meat and turned into anime-style fighters. Alice attacks a disco-suited Greg with her mop of fury, while Cindy and Bobby settle old scores with crazy moves. “Brady” fans will enjoy.

“Chronicles of Narnia” (Disney Mobile) – Kids love to play with their parents’ phones, so why not load one with this fantasy action game? Gamers can fight the White Witch and stand beside the fierce lion Aslan while Mom and Dad concentrate on driving home from the holidays.