‘Ghostbusters: The Video Game’

June 26, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

(Atari) for Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, PC, PS2, PSP, DS

Genre: Action; Rating: T

Grade: B-

It may be a couple of decades since “Ghostbusters” was first released, but go ahead and cue up the Ray Parker Jr. soundtrack. The Ghostbusters are back and ready to take on Mr. Stay Puft and countless other ghouls and specters.

The game is full of the same brand of humor that made the films such a success. But perhaps the best part is that cast members of the original 1984 film have lent their voices to the game and their characters. You don’t get to play as Peter, Egon, Ray or Winston (you’re tasked as an unnamed fifth member of the crew), but you’ll get to share in the high jinks.

As you can imagine, you’re going to spend the game capturing ghosts and using your proton packs liberally. Classic scenes will be played out, and finding some winks to the films is a nice touch. The controls are pretty easy to grasp. With several different types of proton-pack weapons, you won’t find the game terribly difficult beyond the occasional annoying level. Capturing ghosts is a trying task now and then, which prevents the game from feeling repetitive.

The game truly shines in its sound, dialogue and presentation.

“Ghostbusters: The Video Game” is worth checking out – even if the films’ original fans may now have kids who don’t know what a ghostbuster is.

‘Grand Slam Tennis’

(EA Sports) for Wii

Genre: Sports; Rating: E

Grade: D

My friends generally avoid playing tennis games, mainly because I’m an unstoppable force and rock at them. It’s not bravado or ego, it’s just the truth. Yet I’ve never been as humbled as when I played “Grand Slam Tennis,” perhaps the most challenging tennis game ever created and one no kid will ever find fun.

It features a load of current and classic players, along with all four Grand Slam tournaments (it’s the first time Wimbledon has shown up in a game). Maybe this game will be a hit – and maybe there will be a few more broken windows or TVs because of its persistent frustrations.

Most prevalent is the control scheme, which borders on the masochistic. While your opponents will nail cross-courts, drop shots and line-huggers with ease, you will most often struggle just getting the ball across the net, let alone putting it where you want. The MotionPlus controls don’t help. The technology makes its debut here, leaving doubt about its effectiveness.

The only way to enjoy this game is to play it with another human and forgo the computer-controlled opponents. At least this way, the matches feel more even: You may not be hitting the shots you want, but neither will the person next to you (or online, depending on the mode of play).

Visually, the game hits all the right marks. The players have that classic Wii look; they’re just unrealistic enough to make their play look enjoyable. The stadiums are colorful and the ball bounces around as it should, plus getting to see the ’70s-style John McEnroe is a nice touch.

But instead of feeling as fresh as a newly opened can of tennis balls, “Grand Slam Tennis” falls flat to the ground. It lacks the fun expected from a high-caliber tennis game for the Wii.

—Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard