Some addictive games to keep family hooked

The pick of the bunch. PC games to wile away Christmas Day:

* Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - ($79.90 at Dick Smith).

It's quite likely a few of the presents under the tree will already have a Harry Potter theme. But bring Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to life and let the family test their magical skills.

* Zoo Tycoon - ($74.95 at Game Zone).

Continuing in the same vein as Railroad Tycoon, this time your task is to keep the dangerous animals from the curious onlookers as you try to make your zoo pay its way.

It's Sim City meets Theme Park and let's your kids show off their entrepreneurial skills.

* Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition - ($109 at Dick Smith). It's more realistic than ever before. Raindrops patter against the cockpit windows as you pilot a 737 over the English Channel or take a morning heli-trip past Mt Cook.

* Return to Castle Wolfenstein - ($89.95 at Game Zone).

A bloodthirsty remake of the classic forerunner to popular role players Quake, Duke Nukem and Half Life. Blast your way through the Third Reich as you seek to snuff out the ghastly genetic experiments of Heinrich Himmler.

* Civilisation III - ($109.99 at Computer City).

The third instalment is a lot more complicated but just as addictive.

This ultimate strategy game will allow you to build an empire and battle history's greatest world leaders before the turkey and ham are served.