In this game, you first choose one of 48 Marvel and Capcom heroes and villains, including 12 new selections. You can fight as Capcom’s Strider for example, or Marvel’s Ghost Rider and Hawkeye. The fighting is leveled and there are eight stages that range in difficulty, giving experienced players something to look forward to. New features include the fan-requested Spectator mode during the online experience. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
The fourth in the Professor Layton puzzle series, this game is set three years before the events in Professor Layton and the Curious Village. In the story, Professor Layton receives a letter from an old schoolmate telling him that a mysterious giant is destroying his town. This time, the professor investigates with his young, smart new assistant, Emmy. There’s a wide variety of brain teasers and riddles; more than the others in the series. In the first, for example, you find a hidden clue by taking the first letter from each line, in a paragraph. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This mashup from vintage 1980 cartoon super heroes combines actual footage from the Power Rangers TV show with a well designed fighting format for one or two players. In the DS version you use your stylus, and in the Wii version your Wii Remote as your sword to morph into a Red, Blue, Green, Yellow or Pink Ranger. Each has different properties, required to defeat each enemy. There’s a lot to explore — You can unlock secret passageways, access hidden levers, and follow mystical pathways to get hints on how to defeat the MegaMonster. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
We tried the Kinect version of Puss in Boots: The Video Game, and quickly became exhausted — in a good way — as we kicked, waved our arms, balanced, strummed a guitar, clawed and snuck our way through the first of what looked to be about four levels (we cannot confirm this). We also did not try the two player features. The PS3 Move compatible version lets you use your controller, or choose to use the Move remote and transform the gameplay into a full-motion sword fighting experience. In the Wii version, you use the Wii Remote to slash with Puss’ sword, the Nunchuk to dodge attacks, and button combinations to deliver damage to enemies. The handheld DS/DSi version continues the movie’s storyline with a new plot that has Puss engaging in swordfights, flamenco style dance battles, dozens of mini games, and rhythm-based activities. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This one or two player game brings together four characters from Ratchet and Clank, Jak & Daxter, and Sly Cooper. They work together (you can choose who to play) to compete in a series of challenges using the PlayStation Move controller (required). In the story, aliens have swiped chunks of the worlds of Ratchet, Jak and Sly in order to create a mysterious new planet in the galaxy. After they are abducted to this new world, Ratchet, Clank, Jak, Daxter, Sly Cooper and Bentley compete in competitions. You can use a variety of weapons including Ratchet & Clank’s combustor, Sly Cooper’s cane and super power weapons that are customized to each character. Medals are earned for completing missions and challenges; and the more medals you earn the more missions you unlock. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This is the second Phineas and Ferb adventure for the Nintendo DS we’ve reviewed. Like the first, you can swap between characters to work your way through each level. Play patterns include skating, riding in mine carts, fighting aliens, and do surfboard tricks. Minigames include jet pack and X-ray goggles, along with a DSi specific camera controlled minigame. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This two-player drop in, drop out game lets you take on the role of one of four fantasy characters from the Gormiti cartoon. In the story, Razzel is cleaning the library and knocks some old books into a Portal. The books travel down to the Island of Gorm, where a battle between vast armies is going on. The books land at the feet of Magmion, the evil Lava Gormiti, who reads a book and learns the legend of five sacred amulets which have been scattered across Gorm. Once the amulets are reunited the holder will have the ability to open an inter-dimensional portal to Earth. The Lords of Nature need to use all their powers to stop Magmion and save Earth. Got all that? The story is explained with subtitles in an introduction. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This 35 level fighting game lets you become a Samurai fighter in ancient Japan. The title is more about strategy and exploring the levels than purely gory fighting. There are both free play and mission modes of play. The more you play, the more fighters and areas you can unlock. Progress can be saved in one of four game save slots. You control the weapons and armor, and decide which course to take to complete your mission. Content includes 35 warriors who can fight on foot or horseback. and can be customized. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
This collection of 20 action, strategy, puzzle, trivia and card games has something for everyone. Most are variations on a theme of familiar casual games. In Feeding Frosty you move a snowman around the screen to see how big you can grow it, while avoiding bad guys. In Boxdrop, you create stacks of number blocks that add up to 21. If you don’t like a game, it’s easy to exit and play something else. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The game takes place in four universes from Spider-Man lore, each with a distinct art style(Amazing, Noir, Ultimate, and 2099). Each Spider-Main has special skills and strengths. The game takes you to new locations not seen in previous Spider-Man games including jungles, deserts and urban terrain’s as you try to contain the magical energy of the Tablet of Order and Chaos, which has been shattered and sent hurtling across parallel universes. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Polar Plunge is a simple sledding game adapted from the Webkinz.com web site. You can pick up to four routes that vary in difficulty, and then race down a slope. To speed up, you lean right. To slow down, you lean left. You can jump over logs by tapping the screen. The better you do, the more Kinz cash you earn, and the cash is deposited directly into your online account, providing you’ve purchased one of the animals, creating a clever extension of Webkinz Online to your pocket. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
We tried the PS3 version of this game (with a load time of nearly 10 minutes!) and found the game to deliver on the kinds of battles you’d expect to find in a Transformers game. In the story, your goal is become the ultimate weapon as a Transformers character in the final, epic war that will determine the survival of their entire race. Features include a variety of weapons, and the ability to convert from robot to vehicle at any time for air or land battles. There are different multiplayer modes and you can play through story missions, using the drop in/drop out online co-op play. Prices are $60 for Xbox 360 and PS3, and $40 for PC. There are also two versions available for the Nintendo DS — Transformers: War for Cybertron Autobots and Transformers: War for Cybertron Decepticons, rated E10+ and priced at $30 each. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
The Club Penguin gang (complete with Puffles) comes to life, in this one-player problem solving adventure for the Nintendo DS or DSi. In the game, you become one of the agents of the Elite Penguin Force, as you attempt to finish a secret mission. After you log into your game from the main menu, you can choose to either start (or continue) your adventure, or play one of four mini games. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Previously available as a download for Mac and Windows, this game is now available for the iPhone or iPad. Similar in design to the computer version, the game has you battling legions of zombies that are invading your yard, trying to reach your front door. To defeat them, you purchase and plant a variety of mutant flowers, vines, trees, and other foliage that have zombie combating powers (for example, cherry bombs and peashooters). These zombie battling plants can slow down, confuse, weaken and eventually destroy the vegetation zombies, before they get to your door. Your selection of plants, along with their placement, is the key to winning. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
Kung Fu Panda World (KFPW) is a richly animated Flash-10 based online destination for children aged 8-up that is free to register and play, or available as a subscription for $6/month sans commercials. In many ways, the site resembles a “design your own avatar, explore a movie-themed world” type of experience.
After you register, you can design your own avatar and start exploring the first levels of the game. A sponsored play game model lets you play for free, as long as you watch a commercial for a “kid friendly” sponsor like McDonalds. If you subscribe, you can skip the commercial and reach the highest levels of the game. There is no in-game commercial content. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The Pokémon empire continues to grow, with two more titles that share a nearly identical design, but offer different collections of Pokémon to find and trade. Following the same tried-and-true formula of the original Pokémon games, SoulSilver is a spiced up version of the GBA Pokémon Silver version released ten years ago. These new titles contain 115 new Pokémon (or “pocket monsters”), some wireless game play features, plus a Pokéwalker pedometer that lets you earn game credits by moving around. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
The Pokémon empire continues to grow, with two more titles that share a nearly identical design, but offer different collections of Pokémon to find and trade. Following the same tried-and-true formula of the original Pokémon games, HeartGold is a spiced up version of the GBA Pokémon Gold version released ten years ago. These new titles contain 115 new Pokémon (or “pocket monsters”), some wireless game play features, plus a Pokéwalker pedometer that lets you earn game credits by moving around. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.
As in many scavenger hunt types of games, you explore, earning points and health by smashing statues, park benches, and hedges as you try to find your way to the next level. You can also become one of five Alice in Wonderland characters; each with different attributes. Note that the DS version has a very different design than the Wii version. It requires reading, and uses a different animation style; not like the movie. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Like it’s two sister titles (My Hero: Firefighter and My Hero: Astronaut) this Nintendo DS-only title is a fictional and at times playful recreation of a series of medical emergencies. As in many games, the better you do, the more content you can unlock.
After you type your name into one of the three game-save slots, you are given an assignment, e.g., go and rescue a football player who has fainted.
Next, you steer the ambulance in a surprisingly fun driving simulation. As you weave through the traffic using the stylus to steer, you can try to hit targets that let you turn on the siren for short bursts, to clear traffic. Once you reach the patient, you fill syringes by matching colors, scan for broken bones, apply bandages, or try to get a heart started with carefully timed taps. There’s not a lot of novel game play here, but in this context, it is fun. High scores unlock new cases and a better ambulance. When you complete your missions quickly and without error, you can earn gold medals and a spot in the Hall of Fame. If you’re looking for a realistic medical sim, this isn’t it. But it is a fun game, with an opportunity to solve problems, in addition to the fine motor coordination required to complete some of the tasks. Created by Game Life and Mod Monkey Studios for Majesco. Teaches: timing, strategy, logic, fine motor coordination. Majesco Entertainment. www.majescoentertainment.com, $20. Best for ages 8-up.
Rating: 
or 88%
This one player adventure game lets you become a pocket-sized Ninja warrior. As you explore the peaceful countryside, you try to protect the balance of nature from the plot of an evil warlord who has turned the woodland creatures into mindless minions. Using standard jump, punch, kick, and slash types of moves, you battle against the bad guys, trying to preserve your health long enough to make it to the next level. You can also alternate between six male or female mini Ninjas, each with unique skills,weapons, and moves.
Developed by Io Interactive and Eidos for Warner Brothers. Prices are $50 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, $40 for the Wii, and $20 for the DS and PC versions. Visit www.minininjas.com. Please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
The story begins after you crash land on an alien planet. You guide your hero on his quest as you engage in battles, solve puzzles, collect parts and more. You start by designing a pet creature — your “hero” — and then move it around an alien planet, discovering other creatures and deciding if you should fight, talk, or collaborate. The right decisions can help you earn more abilities such as wings to fly.
As you move through the game, your creature evolves and you can unlock more than 250 new parts to add unique abilities to your hero as you customize it in the Spore Creature Creator. The game also features a mulitplayer mode, where you can fight against your friends. See also Spore Hero Arena for the Nintendo DS. Please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.