Madden 08 En Espanol

Coming this December: "Madden NFL 08" ... en Español.

It's a brilliant idea.

Electronic Arts announced last week that it will make "Madden 08" available in Spanish for the PS2 and Xbox 360 in time for Christmas.

The game will be fully translated into Spanish, and its box cover will feature San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, the second player from the Dominican Republic to be drafted (and to start) in the NFL.

Álvaro Martín, the first Spanish-language play-by-play broadcaster for ABC Sports' "Monday Night Football," is lending the broadcast voice to the game.

The Spanish "Madden" will have three exclusive Spanish songs added to the regular soundtrack: "Los Que Luchamos" by Kinto Sol, "Blame Me" by Molotov and "Relax" by Maná.

I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner.

American football is growing in popularity within Latino communities, and the game's announcement was made at the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, piggybacking on other outreach initiatives the NFL is planning for the Latino market.

"This launch is a real coup for the Hispanic community," says Paul Estevez, CEO of Kinetix Integrated, a Latino-focused marketing company. "Not only does this show the increasing influence Hispanics have in the NFL, but it's indicative of a wider trend in branding and marketing: The Hispanic market is no longer fringe, but firmly in the mainstream."

Review: `Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull'

This neat little detective game focuses on the search for the artifact in the title, which has the power to protect its owner from death.Of course, everyone is hunting for it -- including the previous owner's nephew -- and the journey can be dangerous.

I loved the location in historic New Orleans, the sets (an eerie mansion, a cemetery) were cool, and fighting alligators and spiders was fun. It's fun and easy to play.

The game is rated for ages 10 and up, although it should be more like 15-and-up. A PC with at least a 1-gigahertz Pentium processor is required.

Grade: .

Note: Her Interactive, which published this game, has partnered with the six Boys & Girls Clubs in Southeast Louisiana, an area still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As part of the program, each club will receive a complete set of Her Interactive "Nancy Drew" PC games, as well as financial support.

Review: `Rockstar Games Table Tennis'

Every now and then, a new title comes out that reminds you why the Nintendo Wii is the top-selling console game system in America.

This is such a game.

You choose from one of 11 characters, each with different strengths and weaknesses. There are 19 "arenas" to play in, and the crowds will sometimes chant your character's name.

The single-player mode is fun. You can put spin on the ball by pressing the Wiimote's directional buttons (in exactly the places you'd expect). You can hit soft shots, or put lots of topspin on big overhand shots.

It's easy to play. It's realistic. It works.

Grade: