[newbie] tar and gunzip troubles

[InafewmiN]

I have a few games i want to unzip. They both have a *.tar.gz extentions. 
first i gunzip them, then i tar them so would end up w/ just the plain files. 
every thing goes ok till i un-tar them. in console, when i un tar them, the 
promt moves down one line, but doesnt do anything. i can hit enter, and the 
box will move down more lines. All i want is the uncompressed folder so i can 
compile the games!

thank you 
jerrud