Video game review by ERIK LEIJON

As a gamer, dancing and exercising rank low on the totem pole of life's priorities. You can therefore imagine my trepidation about playing In the Groove (PS2/RedOctane, Roxor), a new dancing game that places emphasis on the calorie-cutting benefits of shaking one's posterior. My previous experience with dance gaming occurred at a local downtown arcade a few years back, when at the height of the dance game craze, I abandoned all self-restraint and plunked two quarters into Dance Dance Revolution (Konami) (still the gold standard in the genre). I can still remember the innocent yet demonic laughter coming from the 12-year-old schoolgirl who was absolutely kicking my ass on medium difficulty. At least this time, I could enjoy In the Groove in the comfort of my own home.

In the Groove is everything as advertised: it's fun, energetic, customizable to fit one's needs, and will definitely help burn the calories of any gamer willing to make a commitment. For those who have never played a dance game, the purpose of the game is to follow the up, down, left and right symbols that are flying up and down the screen, while stepping on a floor-rested dance pad (with the four directional arrows on it) in proper time.

What is unfortunate is the dance game pad, which looks like a thicker version of Twister, must be purchased separately. The Groove Dance Pad costs over $100, but if you consider it an exercise machine (which I've been told are pricey) then you shouldn't mind the investment. The pad was always responsive, easy to assemble and could sustain my repeated stomps. This game will work with other, less expensive dance pads as well. Those who live in small quarters, though, may have to move some furniture around to play unobstructed.

From a technical standpoint, the graphics are rudimentary (especially the backgrounds), but the arrows are easy to understand and follow. The five difficulty levels are very distinct, giving aspiring

b-boys an opportunity to hone their craft gradually (never mind that I could barely achieve a C rating in Easy mode). The music is the standard Euro-dance, but fits the proceedings. If you are worried about your own weight or the weight of a loved one, you may want to encourage them to play this game (you could trick obese children by telling them it's a video game). Otherwise, you can go back to playing Guild Wars (NCSoft) with one hand while holding a cheeseburger with the other.

Grand Theft Auto-Gate

The most controversial video game of all time has now spilled over into a national crisis down south. A third-party mod called "Hot Coffee" was developed for the PC and Xbox version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Rockstar), which when installed allows gamers to engage in explicit sex mini-games.

Rockstar denied the mod unlocks existing code they put in the game, but according to the Web site Gamespot, they were successful in unlocking the mode on the PS2 version, which is unmoddable.

The mini-game first begins with one of CJ's girlfriends performing oral sex on him. After, both characters engage in sexual relations in multiple positions while you attempt to build up an "excitement meter" with the left analog stick. You never actually see any genitalia, but if you win, your girlfriend will tell you "nice guys finish last!"

California assemblyman Leland Yee has criticized the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) for failing to give the game an Adults Only (AO) rating, and Hillary Clinton has demanded federal regulation.

This comes off the heels of The Guy Game (Gathering), which was recently discontinued after it was discovered a topless, underage girl was used in the game.

Now playing: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GC) Wishlist: Pirates! (Xbox)