Try it for a good kick

Let’s make something perfectly clear: The sport of mixed martial arts is not for everyone. Some find the ultra-violent marriage of boxing and martial arts too savage and gory (including yours truly). After all, isn’t the object to pummel your opponent into a bloody pulp? Who wants to see that?

However, there are two things that simply can’t be denied: One, MMA events, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit, are ridiculously popular. And two, UFC Undisputed 09 is an amazing video game.

Created by Yukes, the same developers that handled most of the better WWE games for THQ, Undisputed’s smooth graphics and fluid controls are top-shelf, as are the inclusion of more than 80 actual fighters from the series.

The visuals look realistic and don’t suffer from too many instances of pass-through, when one character’s limbs travel through the others -- always an important hallmark of games of this nature.

A good career mode gives gamers the ability to create a fighter and quickly send him up the ranks to battle in the main events. Another mode lets gamers play classic UFC bouts (which include the actual video clips that served as the run-up to said brawls).

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Grade: A (a perfectly translated companion to the UFC)

Details: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms; $59.99; rated Teen (alcohol reference, blood, language, mild suggestive themes, violence)

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Strategic fun for the little people

Lego Battles, the latest in the series of adorable Lego-branded games, breaks new ground so successfully that junior gamers will have a new summer diversion.

Unlike the Indiana Jones, Batman and Star Wars versions that have been peppering the landscape for a few years, the play in Battles features generic characters from Lego’s pirate, spaceman and knight lines. But the biggest difference is the format: Instead of the standard adventure of the other titles, this one is closer to a real-time simulator, which translates perfectly to the Nintendo DS (the platform for which the game is available).

Relying more on strategy and planning than speed and button mashing, RTS games such as Battles require gamers to think about where to distribute their little armies and what kinds of support structures to build.

Unfortunately, only the “knights” level is unlocked at the start and requires completion to play the other levels, so if pirates and spacemen are your thing, you’re out of luck at first. But it’s nearly impossible not to smile at the cute little people that populate the Lego world.

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Grade: A- (a great introduction to real-time simulators that will be enjoyed by young ‘uns and appreciated by old ‘uns)

Details: Nintendo DS platform; $29.99; rated Everyone (cartoon violence, comic mischief)

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Roadway not much of a gas

Fuel is a beautifully designed off-road racer that comes from the same company that released the stunning-looking Grid last summer.

And there is no denying the pedigree. The miles and miles of off-road tracks that were created are some of the most interesting we’ve ever seen. (There are more than 5,000 square miles to drive on, the game boasts.)

The problem is, when does it become too much? In this case, the vast driving area can be explored for hidden challenges and races but is so wide open, and nearly unpopulated, that Fuel ends up feeling a little empty.

The deserted logging town level unlocked at the game’s start, for instance, is desolate. Broken-down cars litter most streets, and weeds and brush grow everywhere. Rather than feeling like this is a place you’d actually want to drive through (like the tracks in the comparable Motor Storm), this feels like you should be on the lookout for zombies. Oh, this isn’t set in some kind of post-apocalyptic wasteland? My bad.

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Grade: B- (beautiful yet boring)

Details: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms; $59.99; rated Everyone (comic mischief)

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Racing a hit, but not quite super

Another recently released driving game, MySims Racing, is without question the best kiddie kart racing game of all time -- well, except to those who have played the uber-popular Super Mario Kart (and really, who hasn’t?).

Sims is a nearly exact copy -- right down to the superpower pickups, the varied and whimsically themed tracks and even the yellow on-road turbo boosts. The latter’s numerous different styles of control for the Wii (from tilting the controller to using the old-school paddles) are also identical. The only thing missing is Mario, Donkey Kong and the gang.

And though the racing is just as fast-paced and exciting as you’ve come to play in Mario’s version, in Sims, a few wrinkles have been added to try to inject some originality.

The ability to easily customize and race three different sizes of a car as well as choose the name and look of its driver are very nice touches that will surely be appreciated by wee ones. Also, a quirky story mode livens up play between races.

But once the actual racing begins, this is Mario Kart through and through, and that’s not so original.

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Grade: C+ (copies don’t get much more blatant than this)

Details: Nintendo Wii and DS platforms; $39-29.99; rated Everyone (comic mischief)

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It’s child’s play

all the way

The Legendary Starfy is just about as perfect as a game can be for first-graders (who, presumably, are the target audience for this title). It’s got simple controls, light reading, bright colors and very little violence.

Add that to the upbeat music and basic story and you’ve got a parent’s dream. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot for older gamers to latch on to.

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Grade: B+ (great for kids; not so much for teens and adults)

Details: Nintendo DS platform; $34.99; rated Everyone (mild cartoon violence)

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