Also Out
This Month

Castlevania: The
Dracula X Chronicles

KONAMI/PSP

Crash of the Titans +++

SIERRA/ WII, XBOX 360, PS2, PSP, NINTENDO DS, GBA

Mouthy marsupial suits up for another round of gags

When he first debuted more only as “Mojo.” In addition to

than a decade ago, Crash running up walls and swinging Bandicoot was intended as a on ropes through ³-D environ-

next-generation Mario, Mega ments, you can punch, kick, and

Man, or Sonic the Hedgehog: hijack your enemies’ attacks.

a versatile character who could There isn’t a lot of depth—the

headline games for years. The most exciting new feature is the resultant 13 titles have been extensive dialogue, highlighted

mixed, with more duds than by Crash’s wonky one-liners.

winners. In Crash of the Titans, Still, the multiplayer thrills are

he once again takes on the worth checking out, even if the

wacky Dr. Cortex in a quest marsupial jokes are beyond

to control an element known stale. SCO TT STEINBERG

With all the feasting on virgin blood, it’s pretty clear that Dracula is a bad dude. Luckily, Richter Belmont enjoys spending his free time whipping bats and chasing down magic potions on a quest to eradicate the fiend. This portable version, previously available only in Japan, gushes with gorgeous vampire-hunting violence. K.A.

Clive Barker’s Jericho ++++

CODEMASTERS/PS3, XBOX 360, PC

The guy who thought up Pinhead tops himself

With a story by Clive Barker, their weapons skills). Rather,

creator of Hellraiser and it’s the sheer intensity: Zipping

Candyman, this cinematic between eras (from medieval

first-person blaster casts you times to World War II to the

as a government-sanctioned present day), your eyes, ears,

ghostbuster packing enough and personage are constantly

heat to permanently zap your assaulted by massive explo-

supernatural adversaries sions and ghoulish voices from

ten times over. What’s truly beyond. It’s a thrilling and

scary about the game isn’t its atmospheric experience that

grotesque inclinations (you is so viscerally satisfying it just

have the ability to possess your might make you forget Lord of

buddies’ bodies and exploit Illusions ever happened. S.S.

DK: Jungle Climber

NINTENDO/NINTENDO DS

As the jungle king of arcade mascots, you utilize an ultra-simple interface to scale candy-colored, puzzle-laden environments. You’ll have fun springing off sunflowers, flicking hidden switches, and assaulting enemies with the assistance of junior pal Diddy. Consider it the best way to develop those muscular forefingers you’ve always wanted. S.S.

NBA Live 08 +++½

EA SPORTS/PS3, XBOX 360, WII, PS2, PC, PSP

The hoops mainstay goes back to basics

The world of pro sports has passing, and offensive execu-

rarely faced a more bizarre tion. It may be a difficult change

year. With dogfighting, steroid- for players used to taking

boosted cyclists, a crooked control of Allen Iverson and

referee, and shoot-outs in strip driving the lane on every posses-

clubs, fans’ loyalties have been sion, but the thrill of executing a

tested. Perhaps in response, NBA sharp pick-and-roll makes up for Live ⁰⁸ takes a more conserva- any transitional awkwardness.

tive approach with this year’s Best of all are the crisp visuals—

roundball installment. Rather the pixilated version of Gilbert

than focus on highlight-hogging Arenas’ jump shot appears even

dunks, it puts the emphasis on more beautifully disjointed

fundamentals: team defense, than in real life. K YLE ANDERSON

Star Wars Battlefront:
Renegade Squadron

LUCASARTS/PSP
The Star Wars movie prequels
may have been bereft of ideas,
but George Lucas’ virtual works
keep hitting interplanetary
heights. The latest portable entry
into the Battlefront line is rife
with an array of innovative new
weapons and tactics, along with
enough nods to the past (it stars
Han Solo!) to keep traditionalists
satisfied. And there’s no pod
racing in sight. S.S.

Zack & Wiki: Quest for
Barbaros’ Treasure ++++

CAPCOM/WII Rated arrrrrrr!

Ever since Johnny Depp

reaffirmed the potential awe-

someness of pirates, every-

body’s wanted in on the act.

Pint-size Zack does his part by

seeking out the lost treasure of

a buccaneer named Barbaros.

His pal Wiki, a shape-shifting

monkey, is along for the cruise.

Though the whimsical concept

and visuals suggest a kidfest,

the logic-based play is designed

for the sharp and quick-witted.

Guide Zack through various

island levels, building tools

and using Wiki for a little

magic on the side (converting

adorable animals into explo-

sives is way more twisted fun

than it has any right to be). The

gradually increasing difficulty

and the game’s kooky sense of

humor offset the sometimes

static action. K.A.