Fine taste of arcade action

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 3, 2008

TITLE: NHL 2K9 FORMAT: Xbox 360 PRICE: pounds 39.99

Coming hot on the heels of this month's release of EA's brilliant NHL 09, 2K9 was always going to have its work cut out to match or even surpass the on-ice achievements of its competitor. Overall, this puck-fest comes a creditable second, opting for a cross between arcade and simulator action with a healthy dose of the kind of cool presentation that gives 2K9 its unique feel.

*****

TITLE: De Blob FORMAT: Wii PRICE: pounds 34.99

De Blob gives black and white a bad name as an action-puzzle title that allows players to explore and liberate an alien city from the evil, monochromatic I.N.K.T. Corporation that has taken over and outlawed all colour and fun from daily life. How? Well, you're a ball and by rolling around each environment you splash the right colours in the right places and repel paint-stealing robots.

*****

TITLE: Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning FORMAT: PC PRICE: pounds 34.99

If you've spent any time with the table-top version of this, you're not going to believe the incredible way in which this fantasy world has been brought to life on PC in the latest MMORPG to try to suck your real life away from you. There are a couple of technical issues with the odd bit of lag. In a gaming world well populated with this kind of title, Age of Reckoning may have come to the party a little late, but it's worth the wait.

*****

TITLE: Drawn to Life: Spongebob Squarepants FORMAT: Nintendo DS PRICE: pounds 29.99

Create your own crazy characters in the world of Spongebob Squarepants, as the DS stylus doubles up as a cartoon drawing tool. From drawing your lead character to sketching objects that will help you progress from level to level, it offers young gamers an opportunity to perfect their pen skills while playing through the Spongebob adventure.

*****