Kung Fu Panda

Activision; PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3,

Wii, Xbox 360; ESRB Rating: Everyone (10+) (Fantasy violence, mild language)

Score: 4 out of 5

Heres a rarity: a movie-based video game thats actually good. Activisions Kung Fu Panda, based on the DreamWorks film of the same name, has all the hallmarks of a totally derivative platform-hopping, bauble-collecting, puzzle-solving brawler, but elevates itself beyond typical cash-cow schlock by attentively integrating key elements from the great movie on which its based. Its funny by nature, with its paradox of a cuddly panda bear doing mean martial arts and the faux earnestness of puffy critters dispensing ancient Chinese wisdom.

It helps, too, that both game and movie are computer-animated, so theres an automatic similitude on a visual level. But even so, the graphics are surprisingly sharp and detailed naturally more so on the high-def versions on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and still better than expected on the Wii version.

Beyond all that, Kung Fu Panda really shines as a solid kung fu fighting game. Geared toward kids, gameplay is simple and intuitive, with control prompts showing you the ropes as you play through each level. Things get more complicated and involved as you move along, but none of it is sudden you learn as you go, much like Po (the panda). The next thing you know, skidoosh! youre a master.

Controls are tight and responsive throughout. Most kid-friendly games tend to equate sluggish with easy, very much to their detriment, but Kung Fu Panda actually plays like a solid bash-n-smash adventure that just happens to feature a lot of fur. Take away the cuddly and the funny, and its a bang-on brawler.

Theres also a fair amount of added mileage found in a few multiplayer mini games, which must be unlocked within the single-player game (easy enough to do). Again, not something youd expect from a mere movie tie-in title, but there it is, and its great. This feature is also good because the main game itself actually ends rather soon. But hey, better short and sweet than long and lousy.

Still, you probably can get all Kung Fu Panda has to offer in a mere weekend rental. If you fall for its notable charm, go ahead and buy it. Its interactive, summer-movie fun is worth revisiting.

LostWinds

Frontier; Wii/WiiWare (download); $10

(1,000 Wii points)

ESRB Rating: Everyone (6+) (Mild

fantasy violence)

Score: 4 out of 5

The first of a new crop of boutique games available for exclusive download as WiiWare, LostWinds is delightfully artistic, aurally soothing and genuinely engaging as a conventional side-scrolling platform-hopping game with a twist.

Boasting inventive use of the already-innovative motion-sensitive Wii Remote controller (Wii-mote) as opposed to non-inventive wank and waggle gimmicks so commonly employed by lesser Wii games LostWinds not only has you controlling young hero Toku, but the wind around him, with deft flourishes of the Wii-mote as well.

Using the thumbstick on an attached nunchuk for basic walking and grabbing things, youre also tasked with waving and twirling the Wii-mote to create gusts of wind that propel the little guy up to ledges, over gaps, etc., as well as to spread fire and splash water.

The pace of it all is extremely laid back in a pleasant, yet interesting way. Good thing, too, because theres quite a bit of backtracking through each level, some if it by design, but a lot of it due to the fact that the wind-gust motions require a steady hand and decent aim to control the exact direction; a motion that must also sweep through Tokus body so as to carry him along with it.

Miss and he plops back down to where he started, and off you go again.

It takes quite awhile to get the hang of it but, as mentioned, the game is paced so sleepily that youll get mad at yourself only if you drink way too much coffee before playing it.