Title: NinjatownPrice: $29.99System(s): Nintendo DSRelease Date: October 28, 2008Publisher (Developer): SouthPeak Games (Venan Entertainment and Cashmere Productions)ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Crude Humor and Mild Cartoon ViolencePros: Incredibly clever writer, unique art style, great game-play, wonderful characters and lots of options to win each level. Also it comes with a Ninjatown window cling!Cons: Later levels can get challenging and Master Ninja microphone activated powers are annoying.Overall Score: Two thumbs up, 95/100, A, **** 1/2 out of 5

I can’t get enough of Ninjatown. Even when I had to replay “The Loop” level in the Business District three times, because the various business devils kept speeding through my defenses, I still couldn’t bring myself to get annoyed with this incredibly charming and funny tower-defense strategic RPG based on the Shawnimal toys.

Ninjatown may not be perfect, but it sure comes close. It is delightfully challenging, has a clever script, adorable characters, lots of unit options and special abilities which can single-handedly turn the tides of battle. If it weren’t for the occasionally frustrating Ol’ Master Ninja powers, Ninjatown would easily have earned a perfect score.

Title: Bleach Uncut Season 1: The Substitute box setPrice: $27.99 (Amazon) – $44.99 (Barnes & Noble)Format: DVDRelease Date: June 10, 2008Company: Viz MediaESRB Rating: UnratedPros: 20 unrated episodes of Bleach, Japanese and English voice acting, free double-sided poster and a free Bleach trading card.Cons: Not that many bonus features in addition to the 20 episodes.Overall Score: Two thumbs up, 95/100, A, **** 1/2 out of 5.

Bleach is a far reaching animated series that tends to go beyond “kill this week’s bad guy.” It features identifiable characters, sometimes intellectual situations, mysterious story-lines that can’t be solved in one season and other concepts that many action animes don’t cover.

The first season of Bleach, referred to as “The Substitute,” is really essential viewing for anyone who wishes to really follow the show. Other seasons may have more intrigue, more comedic moments and more characters, but the first season prepares a solid foundation for future episodes. Viz Media did an admirable job with the voice casting, translating and DVD presentation…

Title: Soul BubblesPrice: $29.99System: DSRelease Date: June 27, 2008Publisher (Developer): Eidos (Mekensleep)ESRB Rating: EveryonePros: Unique, addictive gameplay. Great use of DS touch screen. Wonderful graphics and audio.Cons: Short. A bit too easy. No multiple saves.Overall Score: Two thumbs up; 91/100; A-; 4 out 5

Soul Bubbles was developed exclusively for the DS by the French company Mekensleep. It’s their first and only game but it has the polish of a company that’s been developing games for decades. In fact, I can fault Soul Bubbles with only one major problem…

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Title: Lego Indiana Jones: The Original AdventuresSystem(s): Xbox 360 (PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, PSP, PC)Release Date: June 3, 2008Publisher (Developer): Lucas Arts (Traveller’s Tales)ESRB Rating: EveryonePros: Fun game play, nice graphics, great sound, funny, classic Lego adventure, lots of unlockables, plenty of replay valueCons: Some difficult puzzles and jumps, no real change in basic game play, too short and doesn’t include anything from the new movieOverall Score: Two Thumbs Up, 90/100, A-, * * * * out of five

Lego Indy probably isn’t going to win any Game of the Year awards, nor will it be the most memorable of the Lego games, but it was still a joyful ride. It’s hard to find any serious faults and if you like collecting lots of hidden items and movie memorabilia, then you’ll have a lot of fun exploring every level. Fans young and old of Indiana Jones and casual gamers will certainly enjoy this game.

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Title: Lego Indiana Jones: The Original AdventuresPrice: $29.99System(s): DS (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation2, PC, Wii, PSP)Release Date: June 3, 2008Publisher (Developer): LucasArts (TT Games)ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for carton violence.Pros: Good sense of humor, decent action, fairly easy to pick up and play, cute graphics and fun-to-play characters. Nice unlockables including touchscreen minigames.Cons: Jumping can be a bit inaccurate and camera is sometimes wonky or puts playable character out of view.Overall Score: One thumb up, one thumb sideways; 87/100; B+; * * * 1/2 out of 5

There’s plenty of hidden stuff and lots of unlockables, both feeding the addictive nature of completionist gamers and giving everyone else a reason to go back and replay levels as incongruous characters. It’s silly, it’s fun and it’s not going to be banned by anyone. Get it, play it and share it with your family and friends.

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