'Survivor', 'Race,' 'Minds' becoming video games

CBS Consumer Products announced that six TV shows will get video game treatment within the next year: "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," "Criminal Minds," "Diagnosis Murder," "Ghost Whisperer" and "Hollywood Squares."

"Diagnosis Murder" ... really? It's been off the air since 2001. Is this for retirement-home-based PC gamers, perhaps? Why not "Murder She Wrote" on Wii? Or an edition of "Rock Band" with "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman"?

There's been plenty of fine videogames based on movies ("Star Wars," "GoldenEye," "LOTR"...). But has their ever been a great one based off a TV show? I'm not saying their has not been. Seems to me that, just in terms of sheer odds, there must be a couple. I just can't think of one and I'm honestly curious. It seems to me that since TV shows are less male-teen targeted and have less costly action than their more expensive Hollywood counterparts that the finances and creative would combine to inherently make it a low-end product. So why ever buy one?

Details from the release:

The Amazing Race (Ludia Inc.)
Get ready for around-the-world competition with the video game based on the eight-time Emmy® award-winning television series The Amazing Race where team players split up in pairs for a remarkable journey across exotic locations in a race against time. Players will face frantic challenges and tasks as they navigate through detours, roadblocks and other unpredictable game elements from the show. Working together strategically throughout the game is essential as each team tries to discover hidden clues that are crucial to getting them to the Pit Stop first -- and one step closer to ultimate victory at the check-in mat. This video game will be launched throughout North America across multiple platforms in tandem with the show's 16th season.

Survivor (Mindscape)
This game is perfect for any fan of the show Survivor. Players will be able to live like the contestants on Survivor. With challenges such as fishing, collecting food and participating in Immunity challenges, players will compete to outwit, outlast and outplay in order to be crowned the ultimate sole Survivor. Available on Wii  Nintendo DS platforms.

AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY 2010:
Diagnosis Murder (Merscom)
Available in early 2010, this is an adventure game where the player must find different items in a scene to use as clues in order to solve the mystery.  Available for the PC/Mac, this video game will be sold on most casual gaming websites and at major retailers.

Criminal Minds (Legacy Interactive)
In the Criminal Minds game, players will be able to take on the role of different members of Behavioral Analysis Unit to solve a series of five shocking crimes. In order to track down the killers and solve each case, players will need to examine crime scenes for clues, interview witnesses and suspects, analyze evidence and build a profile based on real-life criminal profiling techniques. The videogame is slated to launch in the fourth quarter of 2010 on the PC.

Ghost Whisperer (Legacy Interactive)
Debuting in early 2010. Ghost Whisperer will be the first-ever video game based on the hit series. Written by Emmy Award-winning television writer Lance Gentile, the PC game calls for players to embark on the adventure of helping the recently departed move on to the afterlife and providing closure to loved ones left behind.

The Hollywood Squares (Ludia, Inc.)
This timeless TV game show experience comes to fans everywhere on the platform of their choice. The Hollywood Squares game will feature all the favorite elements of the show as played on television, as two contestants play head-to-head in a bid to win money and prizes. Nine open-faced cubes make up the tic-tac-toe style "board" for the game which are occupied by celebrities/TV personalities. The stars are asked questions and players judge whether their answers are true or false, all the while incorporating outrageous "zingers" and "bluffs" to fuel the fun. Each correct answer earns the player a square on the board, and the first player to mark three squares in a row wins the game. Additionally, the game will incorporate bonus video of the funniest moments from the TV show. The North America-wide exclusive deal will result in games across major platforms including PC/Mac, consoles, iPhone£ and iPod® touch. The first of The Hollywood Squares games is slated for release in 2010.