Nintendo DS

Heroes of Mana feels like Dawn of Mana, take two. It's gorgeous and somewhat interesting, but undermined by basic flaws in its ability to let players see what's going on. Here's hoping there's no take three in the works.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Language, Mild Fantasy Violence

Game Description: Developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Heroes of MANA breathes new life into the World of MANA by taking it into an entirely new dimension. For the first time in the history of the series, stylus-wielding generals must plan, plot and strategize their way to victory on the battlefield. Utilizing the Touch Screen to the fullest, you take full control of the battle as you gather resources, assemble armies and experience an all-new perspective on the ever-evolving battle for the world of MANA.

Dual Sympathy, Dark Shadow, Deadly Secret, Dual Strike, Deadly Silence, Double Shot, Dawn of Sorrow. What do all these titles have in common? They're all the result of the unbearably twee habit in the publishing industry of giving Nintendo DS games titles that can be acronymed down to DS. The worst naming offense doesn't involve acrostics, however.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore

Game Description: In Touch The Dead, you'll unleash hell on an army of zombies through your Nintendo DS. You are Rob Steiner (a.k.a. Prisoner #1809), a man who wakes up to find himself the lone human in a jail teeming with zombies. Players use a deadly arsenal of melee and projectile-based weapons and come face-to-face with the never-ending swarm of zombies, none of whom have avoided the icy cold touch of the undead.

An attractive-looking minimalist presentation and a craving for some good puzzle action drew me to Hudson's Honeycomb Beat, and its budget price sealed the deal. Although it started strong and seemed to hold a lot of promise, I'm not quite sure I got my $20 worth—this unorthodox puzzler fizzled out fast.

Transformers: Autobots has a few good ideas held back by terrible production values and an execution that's so sketchily erratic, only a dedicated Transfan would be willing to put up with it for more than a few levels.

It satisfies in small doses, but there's no denying that neither the engaging characters nor the Star Wars license are enough to conceal the fact that Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is thin and underdeveloped.