I would like 5 recommendations (with a brief summary of reasons for
their merit) of PS2 games for my 8 yr old daughter's
Christmas present. She likes The Sims 2 and is quite 'girly'. I'd
prefer multiplayer games which she could play with her friends.
Thanks.

KATAMARI DAMACY ALL THE WAY
http://ps2.ign.com/objects/606/606672.html

it is a highly addicting and simple game, has multiplayer as well.

THe playstation Eye toy also seems like a good investment
http://ps2.ign.com/objects/617/617087.html

ape escape
http://ps2.ign.com/objects/708/708901.html

The Incredibles

A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet
suburban life, are forced into action to save the world. Use your
superpowers against bombs, bullets, robots, and lasers. Your enemy
controls them all. The only way to survive being The Incredibles is to
truly be incredible

Shrek 2

Shrek 2 takes you on a twisted fairy tale adventure with Shrek and his
buddies. Revist key places from the movie sequel while discovering
all-new locations and characters. Shrek 2 combines squad-based action
with traditional action-adventure elements. Players can control their
team of 4 and play as Shrek or any of his 10 friends, switching
between them to best utilize each character's unique abilities to
solve puzzles, fight monsters and complete wild and
dangerous advenrtures.

Finding Nemo

In summer 2003, Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation will present
the theatrical release of Finding Nemo. The film follows the undersea
journey of a clownfish named Marlin as he searches for his missing son
Nemo. The games will follow the movie's plotline and allow kids to
play as the film's key characters and interact with the film's amazing
3-D underwater environment.
 

Tarzan

Tarzan?s peaceful world falls under siege as a mad Victorian scientist
and vicious poachers descend upon the jungle to brutally capture his
animal allies. As the primal action hero Tarzan, you must rely on your
raw animal instinct and extreme action skills to maneuver through the
dense jungle and rescue your animal friends.

Chicken Little

Inspired by the ?movie within the movie? finale of Walt Disney
Pictures? box office hit film ?Chicken Little,? Disney?s Chicken
Little: Ace in Action features Ace, the superhero alter ego of Chicken
Little, and the Hollywood versions of his misfit band of friends:
Runt, Abby and Fish-Out-of-Water. The crew faces off against Foxy Loxy
and her evil Amazonian sidekick, Goosey Loosey, who have an evil plan
to take over Earth. Battle evil alien robots through multiple levels
across the solar system and combat your foes in one of three distinct
game play modes: Ace on foot as a soldier, Runt as the driver of an
armored tank, or Abby as the pilot of a spaceship.

Cars
I personally haven't played this game, but from reading the reviews
and giving recommendations at work (blockbuster video), the movie is
cute, as well as the game. The game is based off of the movie, making
the game a racing game. However, there are different modes of play for
the younger kids and those a little older as well, that way all can
have fun. Plus, there's a love story involved between two of the cars.
Definitely for younger kids. ;)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/cars/review.html

The Sims 2 Pets (1 Player)
If she likes The Sims games, and Sims 2 (given), then I'm want to say
that she will possibly like Sims 2 Pets. You still run around being a
human and doing all of the regular sims activites as in Sims 2, but in
Sims 2 Pets, you can now have pets that you feed and play with, and
you can teach them tricks, take them to town, etc. So, this might be a
definite one to pick up considering she likes the sims, and if she
likes animals/pets too, then even better. However, downside, only 1
player.

Happy Feet (1 Player ?)
Another animated game based from an animated movie that comes out this
week in theatres. I have not seen nor played the game yet, but the
movie looks very cute. It has a love story between the main character
Mumbles the penguin, and the most popular lady penguin Gloria. Mumbles
can't sing like the rest of the penguins, but he can dance, so he's
basically on a quest to try and win Gloria and be accepted by the rest
of the penguins. I'm unsure as to how many players are allowed because
there is a two-player dance-off competition
(http://www.gamecrazy.com/games/game.aspx?id=10966), however I believe
it would be a good game nevertheless.

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Special Edition (1 Player)
The difference between this game and it's predecessors of the series
is that you are now playing a girl character. You have to start a
small farm and make it successful, all while doing the chores and
finding love.

Karaoke Revolution OR Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol
You will need a microphone(s) for this game. Basically you get to sing
alone or with your friends and what the game tries to present to you
as a real life stage, and the lyrics print on screen if you don't know
the words. The American Idol verison however does not come out until
sometime in December, hopefully before Christmas, if you think your
daughter might be into singing.

Over The Hedge
You play as one of the three main characters from the movie. Your
opossum friend has been kidnapped by an exterminator and you and your
friends must go rescue your friend, and save the forest and other
animals from harm. Basically, another cute game based from another
kid/family friendly movie.

We Love Katamari
You're basically a ball, called a Katamari in the game, and you roll
around trying to roll up as many objects as the King tells you to roll
up to make either another star or planet, depending on the size of the
ball you make. The game has 'interesting' I guess you can call music,
but more so random beats and squeaks with a background tune. The game
might not sound all that great, considering you're only rolling around
towns and random places picking up objects and if you get big enough,
people, but it is highly addicting. Enjoyable for any age, definitely
will keep one occupied. ;D

I know I added in 1 player games too, but just suggestions. Good Luck.