Taken in the context of the series, “Dragon Quest IX” is a strange game. It’s the first in the franchise to debut on a handheld, and it changes up the classic formula in some significant ways. In many cases, these changes push the genre in interesting directions, but they never go far enough. The end result is an enjoyable Japanese RPG with mere hints of greatness.

“Dragon Quest IX” is full of unique and potentially groundbreaking features with lackluster implementation. A class system opens up around 10 hours in, allowing you to change jobs at any time, but you have to start over at level one with each job, so there’s not much incentive to switch. Luckily, the battle system is as fast and enjoyable as it’s ever been.

Random encounters have been stripped from the game — you now run into monsters on the map to engage them in battle. This wise change helps rid most of the short but well-designed dungeons of the grinding that the series has become so synonymous with. The game clings to a few outdated conventions (my resurrect spell can fail? Really?), but it’s still more accessible than the series has ever been.

“Dragon Quest IX’s” biggest thrills come from exploring its colorful world. Even when the core plot breaks down into JRPG cliches, I always found myself eager to discover the next locale and see what vignette would play out. The high point of the game’s world design comes with Swinedimples Academy, a take-off on “Harry Potter” that provides a clever change of pace.

Where “DQ IX” falls particularly short is in the failed promise of its multiplayer offerings. In addition to pulling in up to three other players at any time during the main story, you can wirelessly exchange treasure maps that spawn randomly generated dungeons full of powerful bosses and loot. These features would have extended the game’s life for me greatly if I could use them online, but they’re only available via local wireless. The 50-plus hour story and tons of sidequests are good; it’s just too bad about that icing on the cake.

‘Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies’

8 (out of 10)

Nintendo DS

Nintendo, Level-5

ESRB rating: E10+

New game releases

The following titles were scheduled for release the week of July 25:

• “Soccer Bashi” (Wii, IP, PSP)

• “Arcade Air Hockey & Bowling” (PSP)

• “Hydro Thunder Hurricane” (X360)

• “BlazBlue: Continuum Shift” (PS3, X360)

• “Farm Frenzy: Animal Country” (DS)

• “Alan Wake: The Signal” (X360)

• “Arc Rise Fantasia” (Wii)

• “Clash of the Titans” (X360, PS3)

• “Galaxy Racers” (DS)

• “TrackMania Wii” (Wii)

• “Chuck E. Cheese’s Party Games” (Wii)

• “Dive: The Medes Islands Secret” (Wii)

• “Heavy Fire: Special Operations” (Wii)

• “Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena” (DS)

— Gamespot.com

Top 10

HANDHELD GAMES

The editors of Game Informer Magazine rank the top 10 handheld games for July:

1. “Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable” (PSP)

2. “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker” (PSP)

3. “Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies” (DS)

4. “Mega Man Zero Collection” (DS)

5. “Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver” (DS)

6. “ModNation Racers” (PSP)

7. “Puzzle Quest 2” (DS)

8. “Picross 3D” (DS)

9. “Infinite Space” (DS)

10. “Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow” (DS)

— McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Gaming snapshots

The new Kinect motion sensor that allows people to play video games without a controller will cost $149.99 when it starts selling for the holidays.

An Xbox package that includes the Kinect accessory will cost $299.99. Microsoft announced the pricing last week.

The Kinect technology allows people to play Xbox games without a controller, and it works with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 video game console that has been selling for several years. Microsoft said 40 million Xboxes have been sold.

The company has redesigned the Xbox 360 console itself, adding 4 gigabytes of storage. The new black console, without the Kinect accessory, will begin selling on Tuesday for $199.99.

Microsoft has already demonstrated some of the 15 games that will use the motion sensor, such as “Kinectimals,” an animal game where players can interact with a tiger cub, and a dancing game called “Dance Central.” The games will cost $49.99.

The $299 Xbox package will include:

• An Xbox 360 console with 4 gigabytes of storage

• The Kinect sensor

• The “Kinect Adventures” video game

Here is a list from Microsoft of retailers who will carry the Kinect: www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/.

— Sharon Pian Chan, McClatchy-Tribune News Service