Happy feet, cars, and snoopy lead the way.

• Position: VIDEO GAMES

The number of video games on the market is dizzying. With so many based on popular movies, TV shows, beloved characters, and the newest entries--those promising to increase our intelligence--it's easy to select some favorites.

Capitalizing on the Warner Bros. Pictures' very successful theatrical run, Happy Feet--The Video Game, puts players into the tap-dancing shoes of Mumble, the penguin, as he swims, dances, and belly-sleds across Antarctica. Featuring a lively soundtrack, the game allows for two-player mode with dance-off competitions, swimming challenges, and other cooperative action. From Midway Home Entertainment, Happy Feet is rated E and available on PC, PS2, Wii, GC, DS, and GBA.

In the racing adventure game Cars, players relive the excitement from the Disney Pixar film as they experience all the major environments from the movie, including Radiator Springs and Ornament Valley. There are 10 playable characters and more than 30 races and minigames. From THQ, Cars is Rated E and available on PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GC, PSP, DS, GBA, and PC/Mac.

Once again, Nickelodeon has grouped its most popular characters together in a quest to conquer evil, this time in Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island. Players can assume the roles of SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom, Timmy Turner, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, and Samantha Mason as they encounter untold dangers while trying to stop Mawgu from taking control of Volcano Island. From THQ, the game is rated E and available on PS2, GC, DS, and GBA.

With Avatar: The Last Airbender continuing to gain in popularity on Nickelodeon, the video game brings this adventure to life as players take on the characters of Aang, Katara, Haru, and Sokka and can master bending powers to manipulate the elements of Water, Air, Earth, and Fire. From THQ, rated E10+ and available on PS2, GC, Wii, Xbox, PSP, GBA, DS, and PC.

Another of our all-time favorites is back in Scooby-Doo! Who's Watching Who? Here, the gang from Mystery Inc. is starring in a reality TV show about ghost hunting. Challenged by a rival show team, Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the crew travel cross-country visiting spooky locations and unmasking classic ghosts. From THQ, Scooby-Doo features the original voice talent from the animated...