In a galaxy all its own

Republic Commando doesn’t start off like most other “Star Wars” games -- you know, with that pulsating John Williams score and the know-it-all yellow type that scrolls into nowhere.

And that’s appropriate -- Republic Commando isn’t like any other “Star Wars” game. In this amazing outing, gamers assume leadership of a squadron of four elite clone troopers as they fight against the evil trade federation minions. At the onset, your trooper’s life flashes in front of your eyes through a series of cut screens that run from birth through an introduction to the other squad members. From there, it’s off to do battle in the thick of the Clone Wars. And man, is the battlin’ great.

Republic Commando is the rare first-person shooter that is as good as Halo, the gold standard of the genre. The levels are expansive, the load times short, the graphics and controls precise.

And fanboys take note: Republic Commando also serves as a bridge between Episode II and the yet-to-be-released Episode III with new vehicles, locations and enemies.

Details: Xbox platform; $49.99; rated teen (blood and gore, violence).

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Get your shinguards

Fancy a little footie?

Winning Eleven 8 continues the series’ run of soccer dominance by overcoming redundant commentary and a lack of North American soccer clubs with smooth, infectious game play and beautifully rendered graphics. In addition to being able to play using your favorite football stars -- such as soccer god David Beckham -- the makers paid such close attention to the details that during some matches the pitch actually gets chewed up as the game continues. Controls are as simple or as detailed as you prefer. Simple juke move not enough? Then try a Marseilles Turn.

Details: PlayStation 2 and Xbox platforms; $39.99; rated everyone.

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Playing in the fast lane

After about 15 minutes playing the incredible racing simulator Gran Turismo 4 using just our standard PlayStation 2 controller, we felt as if we just had to rush right out and buy the top-of-the-line forced-feedback steering wheel controller complete with pedals. After all, what’s the point of owning a Ferrari if you’re going to drive it only to your local Food 4 Less?

GT4 is that good. With graphics that border on breathtaking and a selection of more than 650 perfectly modeled (and in many cases extremely exotic) autos to drive, this self-proclaimed “real driving simulator” is remarkable.

Details: PlayStation 2 platform; $49.99; rated everyone (mild lyrics).

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Better think fast

WarioWare: Touched! is chock-full of those frantic and rapid-fire mini-games we loved so much on the Game Boy, updated to use the cool touch screen and stylus capabilities of the Nintendo DS.

(For the uninitiated, you get about five seconds to figure out exactly what it is you’re supposed to do, then execute it.)

The 180 puzzles are infectiously fun and highly bizarre at the same time. Tickle the strongman? Slice the flying fruit? Unroll the toilet paper? Whatever, just keep ‘em coming. We can poke at this thing all day.

Details: Nintendo DS platform; $34.99; rated everyone (cartoon violence and crude humor).

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Nina deserves better

While the graphics and game-play of Death by Degrees qualify as above average, all the abrupt view changes that require gamers to alter their course of action in midrun are absolutely annoying, subtracting from what could have been a great outing. Too bad. Nina Williams (from the Tekken fighting series) should have been next in line to assume Lara Croft’s crown as best adventure babe.

Details: PlayStation 2 platform; $49.99; rated mature (blood, intense violence, language, suggestive themes).

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For previous columns, or to e-mail Pete Metzger, visit latimes.com/gotgame.