In the mood for . . . playing your way to a Grand Slam
EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis (EA; Wii, $79.99)


Whether you jump straight into an exhibition match against current stars or legends of the game, or create your own character and work your way up the rankings, the action flows quick and fast. Crosscourt volleys, down-the-line passing shots, lobs, drop shots . . . all are there to be mastered.

This is a game that rewards perseverance, as you perfect your timing and positional play to win matches and unlock equipment and skill-level boosts.

Graphics-wise, the simple clay-model-like appearance of the players is more than adequate - in fact, it even adds an air of fun to the whole thing. And EA has done its usual bang-up job with regards to authenticity - accurate reproductions of all four Grand Slam venues, players who correspond to their real-life playing styles.

Add in plenty of options, various games and party modes, and, just like the "Fed", you've got a consistent winner.


Ultimately, the true fist-pumping reward of this game comes when you find that Grand Slam-winning shot after an epic rally - especially when it's against a mate in two-player mode.

One final warning: don't stand on the cat as you throw yourself across the living room to make that match-winning shot. They don't like it! - JS

MH rating 4 out of 5'''

In the mood for . . . acting out your Clint Eastwood fantasy
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (Ubisoft; PS3, Xbox 360, $109.95; PC, $89.95)


You ready for some rootin', tootin' Wild West action, pardner?
You are? Well strap on your six shooters and saddle up this far superior prequel to the original Call of Juarez.

The olde-time action in this first-person shooter kicks off towards the end of the US Civil War, where as Ray McCall you must save your brother, Thomas, from the advancing Union forces. This introductory experience sets you up quickly for what follows when Ray and Thomas go on the run from the frontlines to defend their home. Arriving too late, they find their mother dead and their farm destroyed. This is the starting point for an epic adventure that takes the brothers across America in search of the legendary gold of Juarez, all the while pursued by their vindictive former colonel, as well as a host of other enemies.

During the course of the action, you'll have the opportunity to play as either Thomas or Ray, with each character's different strengths helping your advancement. One intriguing, if sometimes frustrating, feature is the concentration mode - where you get to put your gunslinging skills to use. While it's a bit fiddly at times, there is something deeply satisfying about taking down a posse of gunmen in slow motion.


Plenty of checkpoints keep the action flowing along nicely and the well-rendered Western landscapes are a nice change from ruined cities or alien planets. And, of course, there are no plasma cannons or armoured vehicles to wield here - it's pistols, rifles and the odd cannon or Gatling gun, and horses or stagecoaches for a bit more mobility. Be warned: the language is earthy and the morals, well, loose, so send the kids off to play Animal Crossing in the other room!

Just like a good Western, this is a morality tale that gets the blood flowing and the adrenaline pumping. The only question then is whether you're man enough to earn your spurs. - JS

MH rating 3.5 out of 5

In the mood for . . . first-person shooter action on the WiiThe Conduit (SEGA;Wii,$79.95)


A bit of a strange one this. In some ways it shows the Wii controller's limitations in first-person shooter mode - numchuck in one hand, Wii remote in the other can sometimes make for dodgy targeting and movement. Then there's the linear mission progression and the clichéd feel of the story (alien invasion, government conspiracy, you save the day as a former Secret Service agent), but then there's the fact that after an entire Sunday spent playing various other titles had left me pretty "gamed out", I sat down with this and lost three hours in the blink of an eye. And exactly the same thing happened the next night!

In many ways The Conduit brings back memories of Nineties classic Duke Nukem (albeit Duke was a little less linear), and that's no bad thing. The action is relentless, there's a good selection of weapons, and the addition of the All-Seeing-Eye gadget that reveals hidden secrets, enemies and other surprises adds an air of mystery and uniqueness. Also, great use of sound - radios tuned into a station discussing the conspiracy, for example - distracts from the generic aliens you must dispatch. Graphics-wise, it makes the most of the Wii's abilities.


Is this shooter destined to become a classic? Probably not. Is it surprisingly fun and addictive? Absolutely. And given that's exactly what the Wii is about, that makes The Conduit not a bad addition to its armoury. - JS

MH rating 3 out of 5

For more entertainment reviews check out the Compass Entertainment section in the latest MH!