Reviews are out of four stars.

'SECRET AGENT CLANK'

3 stars = Good
Ratings explained

Ratchet and Clank's second portable adventure (Sony; Sony PlayStation Portable; Everyone 10-plus; $39.99) looks as good as the first one, "Size Matters," but plays a lot differently. The game splits the two up, which was done once before in "Ratchet: Deadlocked" to similar result: It's just not as much fun when the furry alien Lombax and his straight-man robot buddy are apart.

This time, it's because Ratchet has been implicated in a jewel theft and sent to prison. Clank's on a mission of his own in his secret-agent persona (robo-tuxedo and all). He's supposed to protect the missing treasure Ratchet supposedly stole, and his investigation of the theft uncovers a plot against them.

Clank's fighting style is much more stealth-oriented than Ratchet's: He uses gadgets like razor bow ties, explosive cufflinks and camera-obscuring ink to make his way though the levels, though he's skilled at "Clank-Fu" martial arts. "Secret Agent Clank" is also peppered with mini-games, which is nothing unusual for a "Ratchet and Clank" title, but they seem a bit too frequent here.

In the meantime, Ratchet has to fight off a bunch of angry inmates in prison. He uses guns he finds in battle arenas, as well as those Ratchet finds and sends to him in cake boxes. Players will also take control of a squad of small Gadgebots and bumbling galactic superhero Quark from time to time.

'NANOSTRAY 2'

3 stars = Good
Ratings explained

A serviceable and flexible scrolling shooter, "Nanostray 2" (Majesco; Nintendo DS; Everyone; $19.99) offers good graphics, solid game play and a wide variety of levels and challenges in an inexpensive package.

There's a story about the Nanostray virus, which infects machines or something, but this isn't a game one plays for the story. It's all about shooting down formations of enemy ships and avoiding destruction in the process.

"Nanostray 2" allows players to customize their fighter craft pretty extensively. Selecting from up to six sub-weapons is a pretty standard feature, but less common is the ability to preset three positions and firing directions for the ship's auxiliary satellites, which add extra firepower where needed.

Players can also select the ship's movement speed, and whether to use the touch screen or directional pad for control.

-- Justin Hoeger, McClatchy Newspapers

'GUITAR HERO: ON TOUR'

1 1/2 stars = Bad
Ratings explained

A highly suspect track list and difficult peripheral mechanics are two enormous reasons why "Guitar Hero: On Tour" will have you asking for a ticket refund.

Let's be clear right off: I love the "Guitar Hero" franchise. Between it and "Rock Band," my friends and I have had hours of laughter and enjoyment ripping through music that we like and even putting up with the tracks that we don't. "On Tour" (Activision; Nintendo DS; Everyone 10-plus; $49.99) takes nearly all of this and throws it away, and without much debate, either.

Let's start with the guitar peripheral. It looks kinda silly, like a plastic set of brass knuckles, and once you have it strapped on to your wrist you'll have flashbacks of Nintendo's much-laughed-at Game Glove. That alone is not a good starting point. The colored buttons you will instantly recognize, and they make sense, I guess, but playing just isn't even close to the fun of those campy plastic guitars the console versions have.

And do not expect the track list to get you through the carpel tunnel you are sure to develop using that wrist monstrosity. Pat Benatar, Daughtry, Smash Mouth and Maroon 5 are just a few of the bands that have no business being on here, and with only 26 songs total, you can't avoid them. There is almost no replay value at all because some of the songs are even on past guitar-themed games, so it's not like you're getting entirely new content here.

The tracks don't sound great, either, especially if you are just using the speakers. Headphones are a must just to get passable sound. The multiplayer options are decent but that is only if you can withstand the wrist pain long enough to enjoy them.

All in all, making a "Guitar Hero" game for the DS probably sounded like a great idea, but the execution is wildly disappointing.

-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard News Service