'SPIDER-MAN: WEB OF SHADOWS'

A definite improvement over the "Spider-Man 3" video game, "Web of Shadows" still lacks a certain level of polish.

The camera is sometimes a greater challenge than the foes; Spider-Man's voice actor is annoying; and the plot, involving Venom's symbiote spreading across the city, is set up clumsily. But the game does have its moments.

With access to both his standard and his symbiote suit, Spider-Man doesn't lack for entertaining combat options — especially as he unlocks new ones with experience points won through completing missions.

A reasonably open mission system that allows Spider-Man to pursue several goals at once keeps the game moving along.

Microsoft Xbox 360, also for Sony PlayStation 3, PS2, PSP, Nintendo Wii, DS, PC

Age rating: Teen

'CHRONO TRIGGER'

One of the best games to come out of the Super Nintendo age, "Chrono Trigger" arrives on the DS with its wonderful game play, graphics, music and charm intact.

Square Enix was wise not to mess with success, but there are tweaks here and there — some lines in the script are revised, and the makers have included a multiplayer arena along with a new dungeon or two. Having two screens to work with means battle menus no longer clutter up the onscreen action, moving instead to the lower window.

The story of the mute boy Crono and his friends as they journey through time to prevent a far-future apocalypse is beloved by RPG fans, and it's terrific to have it in a form not dogged by slowdown as the 2001 PlayStation re-release was.

The battle system has yet to meet its match. Players can combine the special powers of nearly any two or three party members into devastating or beneficial super moves; every character is useful, but they're far from identical.

Nintendo DS

Age rating: 10 and older

'AGE OF BOOTY'

A simple and fun real-time strategy game, "Age of Booty" puts each player in charge of a single pirate ship that can pillage villages, take over towns and battle buccaneers.

The game is set up for online and offline matches; either way, each side's goal is to capture a certain number of the towns on the map by breaking down their defenses and staying in their vicinity for a few moments. Captured towns and crates can be used to upgrade ships and towns, and curses can make life hard for either side.

If a player's ship sinks, it quickly reappears at the team's home base, but with only one vessel at a time per player (computer assistants take over teammates in solo games) juggling attack and defense can prove tricky — and fun.

Microsoft Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade download), also for PS3 (PlayStation Store download)

Age rating: Everyone