In this day and age of video games, electric RC cars are almost an anachronism. They are real, they are loads of fun, and they don't cost a lot. They don't keep you glued to a TV set or in the house. There are no levels to master, there is no boring repetition, and the game is never over or done. RC cars, despite their sophisticated remote controls, are just good old-fashioned family fun. They appeal to kids of all ages and there are models for every taste and every budget.

One thing about radio control cars that I find especially appealing is that the same technology works in tiny little cars just a few inches long all the way to impressive 1/6-scale and even 1/4-scale models that can be several feet long. This means you can have fun with RC toy cars even in small play areas. 1/8 or 1/6-scale cars require more space, so they are best used outdoors or perhaps in a large den with hardwood floors.

Another thing I like about electric RC cars is the large variety of models. You can literally find just about anything. There are cartoonish cars like, for example, the Speed Racer Mach V or some of the stars from the Pixar movie "Cars." There are cars from famous TV series, such as the "General Lee" 1969 Dodge Charger featured in "The Dukes of Hazzard." There are tricked-out Cadillac Escalades, customized Hondas and Mitsubishis, dropped Mustangs and Camaros, and any number of cool concept cars. Fans of off-road vehicles will find Hummers, monster trucks, Jeeps and just about anything else that can tackle obstacles and rough terrain. And, of course, there are rare exotics like Ferraris and Lamborghinis in all their glory.

Despite their generally very low prices, electric remote control cars are of amazingly high quality. I have some that have survived rough treatment and a lot of use for many years. I also like the fact that you can pick from highly stylized cars all the way to ultra-realistic ones that look like shrunken versions of the real thing.

There are a few things to look out for when buying an RC car. Obviously, you want something that doesn't fall apart after the first couple of play sessions. Most are quite good, so that's generally not an issue. What's most important to me is that the electric motor has enough power. There's nothing worse than having a shiny red Ferrari and the thing barely moves. Or a tough-looking off-road truck that cannot even climb over the smallest bump. The favorite RC cars in my home are those that reach dizzying speeds or are powerful enough to rumble over rough terrain outdoors and negotiate steep inclines and obstacles.

My own favorite electric RC car is a 1/10-scale truck that literally pops wheelies when I let it rip. It has thick, grippy rubber tires, a two-speed transmission, and enough punch and torque to never get stuck. We've had more fun with that truck than with any video game, and that's saying a lot.