RED Games Review Roundup July '07

Although there weren't many major releases in July, there was a little somethin' for everyone. Whether you like head-scratching puzzles or high-octane thrills on the oval, there are a quite a few good games to pick from.

'Mario Strikers Charged' (Wii)

Fun, fun, fun was my first impression of this game. It's got fast gameplay, funny power moves and is easy to pick up and play with a friend. Some of you may already be familiar with 'Super Mario Strikers' (released for the GameCube a couple of years ago), which was a great game in itself. Obviously, this followup for the Wii had to be something special, and it is.

All the popular characters from the Mario universe are in the game, and they each have their own special abilities, which is what makes this crazy soccer game so fun. By charging up your team captain on the field, you can unleash insane goal attacks ranging from Mario's flaming power kick to Donkey Kong's smashing ball slam. Both of these "Mega Strikes" will send multiple balls toward the opponent's goal, which they will have the opportunity to block using the Wii remote and nunchuck controllers.

Speaking of control, this Wii-creation (you like that, don't you?) of 'Mario Strikers' doesn't use the Wii remote as much as you'd expect. For the most part, you use the analog stick on the nunchuck controller to move around and the A and B buttons to pass and shoot. However, I think this is actually a good thing, since soccer can be confusing enough to control once the ball gets moving. I'm kinda glad I don't have to run with both controllers and move from left to right in order to pass the ball. Instead, it's simple to move around and get the job done. Even the special moves can be executed with little effort. Probably the coolest feature of this game is the online play. Although I've had issues with my Wii online, the multiplayer setup is effortless and works pretty well. You don't even have to type in a friend code to play against someone online.

Final Thoughts: Tons of fun and good for a few laughs. Not for serious soccer (or football) fans.

'NASCAR 08' (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2)

It's no secret that NASCAR racing has become one of the most popular sports in the United States, and it's to no one's surprise that EA is very serious about cashing in on the excitement around it. Whether you're a serious stock car gearhead or a casual NASCAR observer like myself, you'll find something you'll like in 'NASCAR 08.'

The attention to detail is excellent. The photorealistic lighting effects change the direction of the sunlight and your field of vision, depending on where the sun is in relation to the track. The driving control and steering sensitivity is a bit too touchy by default, but the adjustment controls really let you dial in your perfect "feel" for navigating the track.

The best part of this package are the game modes. There are three main career modes including the chase mode, where you must drive in a series of track specific challenges in order to earn a license. With each license, you are given a shot at earning a contract with a real-life racing team. With each contract you sign, you earn a different car and ultimately make your way through a full NASCAR season. In the chase mode, each challenge and race is focused on a specific aspect of stock car racing. They are difficult enough to keep you engaged, but not long enough to make you frustrated or bored. It's an interesting structure for a single-player mode and it works very well. I found myself coming back for more after every license I acquired.

Final Thoughts: It's a great driving and racing game, even if you're not a NASCAR fan. It may not be as complex as 'Forza 2,' but the challenges are still there.

'Picross DS' (DS)

If Sudoku and a Lite-Brite were to spawn offspring, the result would probably be 'Picross.' This picture-based puzzle game uses a number grid that, when solved correctly, will reveal an eight-bit image of an object. The way in which you solve the grid involves a deductive reasoning thought process, not unlike the one you'd use playing Sudoku. The tutorial is pretty straightforward and necessary if you're going to play this visual puzzler.

While it may not give you the instant gratification of more casual puzzle games like 'Text Twist' or 'Zuma,' it does become very addictive. However, after solving two dozen eight-bit pictures, you might end up a little bored. I would not recommend this game for a long road trip or cross country flight, as you'll probably nod off long before you finish your 10th puzzle. It is a good game for waiting in lines or having a seat in the restroom (T.M.I.) because each picture puzzle can be solved in roughly five to eight minutes, excluding time penalties.

Final Thoughts: If you like Sudoku, it's worth checking out.

'PaRappa the Rapper' (PSP)

Yo, yo, yo, the little rappin' dog (I think) with the orange skull cap is back and rappin' on the PSP. That's right, for those of you who may be old enough to remember 'PaRappa' from the original PlayStation days, he's finally made his "official" debut on the PSP. If you're not familiar with 'PaRappa The Rapper,' it's actually one of the first rhythm-based music video games ever made. 'DDR,' 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' must all give props to 'PaRappa' because he was the first to make music the focal point of gameplay and not a part of the background.

Basically, the game consists of levels in which 'PaRappa' must bust a tight flow over a cool track. In order to bust the tightest flow, you must press the corresponding key at just the right time. If you don't, 'PaRappa' will not get through the level and progress through the story. That said, while the gameplay isn't all that complicated, it can get very difficult at times. But the real draw of this cute and clever little game is the cast of colorful and comical characters that 'PaRappa' encounters along the way. As you play, you'll want to succeed, just to find out what happens next in the story.

Final Thoughts: A must-have for music game lovers. You gotta give respect to the old school!