Video Game Reviews by Jeb Haught

DEVELOPER: Yuke's Media Creations

PUBLISHER: THQ

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 3 (Xbox 360)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 4 stars (out of 5)

It's no secret that I hate everything about professional wrestling. From the cheesy hairstyles to the repulsive spandex to the fake combat, the entire spectacle makes me cringe. For truly realistic one-on-one combat, I enjoy watching the mixed martial arts found in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and now I can finally kick butt from the comfort of my recliner with "UFC 2009 Undisputed."

UFC fans will be thrilled to hear that this title offers the ultimate authentic experience. For starters, the octagon looks just like it's real-life counterpart, complete with advertising banners and padded bars. Authentic UFC referees control each fight, and Joe Rogan even comments on the action. In addition, don't be surprised to see ring girls strut their stuff between bouts.

As for the combat itself, "UFC 2009 Undisputed" captures the sport like no other game has. Four stances (standing, clinch, ground, and submission) dictate which moves will be performed, and this offers unparalleled realism both visually and control-wise. Watching the transition between stances and holds is just like watching a real UFC bout. I'm not crazy about the fact that the pace of combat has been slowed down to make it easier to control because it takes away from the brutality of the sport.

However, I can't imagine how difficult it would be to remember and perform all the various moves that are available in real time. Sure, you can take down early opponents with brute force, but slapping on a submission hold takes more finesse. In addition, learning the intricacies of the ground game can make all the difference when fighting skilled opponents.

I prefer traditional martial arts fighting games, but if I'm going to play a grappler, I'll take "UFC 2009 Undisputed" over pro wrestling every single time.

Kids Will Enjoy 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian'

DEVELOPER: Pipeworks Software

PUBLISHER: Majesco

SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (Wii, PC)

PRICE: $39.99

ESRB RATING: Everyone

REVIEW RATING: 3 stars (out of 5)

Ben Stiller is notorious for his raunchy adult comedies, but children know him as Larry Daley, the bumbling security guard from the popular movie, "Night at the Museum." With the release of the movie sequel, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," comes the first game based on the series, and children the world over can finally guide Mr.

Bearing the same name as the movie, the game tasks players with finding all the pieces from the Magic Tablet of Ahkmenrah and then defeating the self-appointed Egyptian ruler himself. This arduous task whisks Mr. Daley away from The Museum of Natural History to the infamous Smithsonian, where he meets a new set of famous characters to add to his friends list.

Not surprisingly, this game is designed for children, so it isn't too difficult to play. In fact, the artificial intelligence is so brain-dead that enemies don't see Larry until he is within arm's length and they usually won't even pursue him. Fortunately, the game focuses more on exploration and puzzle solving rather than combat. Unfortunately, Mr. Daley can be awkward to control at times, which makes precise jumping sections very frustrating. It's a good thing no children were on hand to hear what I had to say after falling off the same platform for the third time in a row.

On the other hand, I enjoy using Larry's otherworldly powers. Reaching high places is a snap when his handy pocket watch is activated, and twirling it around deflects projectiles. Activating the Eye of Horus imbues his flashlight with the magical power to see hidden objects and clues, and he can also repair objects, activate motorized vehicles, and more! Now that's some useful magic!

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" won't win any awards besides longest video game title, but it does offer a mostly enjoyable experience that retains the humor and style of the movies.

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Pretty Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: Everyone

E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

To find out more about Jeb Haught and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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