'OUTLAW TENNIS'

'OUTLAW TENNIS'
Platforms: Xbox, PlayStation 2.
Genre: Sports.
Publisher: Global Star Software.
ESRB Rating: M for Mature.
Grade: sss out of 5
The suggestive "Outlaw" sports series has always had a love-it-or-hate-it relationship with gamers. Some don't mind the sophomoric banter and a visual style that seems geared toward fans of "American Pie" and "Road Trip." Others disdain the objectification of women that pervades this franchise, and its abuse of sports based on "tradition" and pride, like golf.
Now the series has beaten down the doors to tennis, marking it as another prissy sport that needed a raunchy overhaul. No matter if you find the presentation acceptable or not, you can't deny that at its core, "Outlaw Tennis" is a fun game to play.
Anyone familiar with "Outlaw Golf" or "Outlaw Volleyball" will know the cast of characters. They are a standard assortment of stereotypes ranging from a buxom, blonde stripper to a suave, Latin lover and each has his or her own traits on the court. The controls are pretty easy to grasp, and once you do it's just a matter of learning the pace of the games.
You can play regular exhibition matches and matches against a friend. But the real reason to play anything in the "Outlaw" series is the gadgets and niche modes the series tosses in. There is a pingpong feature, as well as a hot-potato mode where the tennis ball explodes after a set amount of time, punishing whichever side of the court the ball is on. There are variations of this, as well as plenty of online gameplay that keeps everything interesting enough and far enough away from simulation-style gaming.
You can take your players through a number of training sequences to help boost their stats, but it doesn't show up on the court as much as you'd think. Spending all your bonus points on power never seems to translate to more powerful shot-making. The game, as it can in real life, still depends on placement more than power.
Visually, the game is crisp and vibrant, with great textures both in the players and the courts. Be it in Satan's keep or on the Arctic Circle, the game changes based on the surface, and it's not as straightforward as the difference between Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
And, of course, no "Outlaw" game would be complete without the visual and audio accouterment gamers have become accustomed to -- gratuitous shots of the women's bodies and dialogue that is meant for the imagination. Most of it is crass, but it's also harmless and can be toned down or skipped entirely through the setup options.
"Outlaw Tennis" is a worthy sports title to consider because it allows players to enjoy a more casual version of a sport where all-white clothing was once -- and sometimes still is -- required.
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard
'KIM POSSIBLE 3: TEAM POSSIBLE'
Platform: Game Boy Advance.
Genre: Action.
Publisher: Buena Vista.
ESBR Rating: E for Everyone.
Grade: ss 1/2 out of 5
When we last caught up with Kim Possible, she was taking out the evil Drakken in "Drakken's Demise." Obviously the folks at Buena Vista saw they had a good thing going and brought back Drakken for another turn as villain and added a few more minigames and gadgets to enhance an already solid GBA title.
What makes the third installment in this series so strong is the inclusion of another character, teammate Ron Stoppable. Besides the creative name, having Stoppable along adds a fresh element to the gaming.
Both characters have their own moves and use different gadgets -- such as Rocket Rollerblades or Sonic Mines -- based on the situations they face. Along with some aid from Rufus, a mole rat, and another buddy named Wade, there is not much challenge in this game. But it is aimed at fans of the TV show, and one can see the fun intended for this audience.
An obvious trouble spot is the lack of gaming depth. Three levels compose nearly the entire game and, while the levels are large, they leave you wanting more. Even the most novice gamers will notice the shortened story.
What gamers will also notice is the amount of glitches and areas of frustration that are very hard to pass through. Combined with the shortness of gaming, it's clear Buena Vista may have rushed this game onto shelves a bit too soon, rushing to follow the success it had with "Drakken's Demise."
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard