'MARIO KART DS'

'MARIO KART DS'
Platform: Nintendo DS.
Genre: Racing.
Publisher: Nintendo.
ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone.
Grade: ssss out of 5.
There may be nothing better to a Nintendo DS owner than to hear that "Mario Kart" has found its way to the handheld device; arguably no other Nintendo game has more devoted fans and brings more excitement than this "Mario"-inspired racer.
The game play that "Mario Kart" fans have always enjoyed is back, with new features that add more dimension and success to this franchise. A good portion of the tracks are reprises of tracks from previous "Mario Kart" games, and the new ones must be unlocked over the course of play.
The game transitions well to the DS, with a map screen and position indicator used on the second screen, freeing up the main screen for racing action. There are eight characters to choose from, and you can unlock different carts as you progress.
The standout feature is the online play. Up to eight players can play with a single copy of "Mario Kart DS" with linked play, or you can challenge anyone using a Wi-Fi connection.
Visually, the game is all Nintendo, with crisp, colorful graphics that draw in the eye and make the driving action flawless. Gamers of all ages will certainly want to pick this game up, and those without a DS should be envious.
'THE MATRIX: PATH OF NEO'
Platforms: Xbox, PlayStation 2, PC.
Genre: Action.
Publishing: Atari.
ESRB Rating: T, for Teen.
Grade: sss out of 5.
After one fairly decent console game and a mediocre online PC game, at last there's a "Matrix" game in which you get to play as Neo. If you've been thinking, "It took this long?," join the club. But don't be upset too long, because the game delivers fun and action based somewhat on the movie trilogy.
You take the role of Neo and guide him through a long list of missions. To keep things interesting, there are new story elements thrown in that were never part of the films. Their arrival is not entirely welcome, because the missions themselves are a mixed bag of either really cool (rescuing people from Agents) to throwaway (solving simple puzzles at the Merovingian's house).
For the most part, though, "Path of Neo" gives gamers everything they are looking for in a "Matrix" game, from whipping up on hundreds of Smiths at one time to viewing the world in code as Keanu Reeves did in the movies.
Overall, "Matrix" fans should be delighted to get to at last play as the hero, and those who found the movies passable can still enjoy a fun action game.
'SOUL CALIBUR III'
Platform: PlayStation 2.
Genre: Fighting.
Publisher: Namco.
ESRB Rating: T, for Teen.
Grade: sss out of 5.
Maybe there's not many exciting new bells and whistles in Namco's "Soul Calibur III," but when you have one of the dominant fighting franchises on the market, you pretty much get to sit back, release a new game every couple years and reap the rewards.
Those familiar with the series know what you are getting; for others, if you are looking for a one-on-one, weapons-based fighting game that has stellar graphics and a bevy of playable characters, this is the game for you.
There is still no online play to speak of, and the addition of a create-a-fighter mode further adds to the head-scratching as to why an online component isn't present.
Nevertheless, the action is the meat of "Soul Calibur III," and it continues to bring the noise. Hard-hitting weapons, destructible fighting areas and fluid movements are all present to appeal to the eyes and ears of gamers.
There are some new story modes and a couple attempts at strategy-based gaming. And while they don't necessarily help improve the game play, they do show an attempt to add more dynamic features that will hopefully be improved upon later.
Scripps Howard News Service