By Rob Watson
The Philadelphia Inquirer

We are getting to the point where publishers are "scared" of being swept aside by the multiplatform behemoth that is "Grand Theft Auto IV" (scheduled for release April 29) and, to a lesser extent, "Mario Kart Wii" (due April 28). A couple of niche titles are coming out before then, such as "Gran Turismo 5: Prologue" for the PlayStation 3, but for the most part, the gaming DJ will have to "bring the beat back" till the end of April.

So here is what is out there next week. Uh . . . yeah. Look man, I tried.

"MLB 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars"
(DS)
2K Sports, Take 2 Interactive
$29.99

OK, by now everyone knows how difficult "MLB 2K8" is on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Let's face it, a game that is totally reliant on the analog stick for pitching, batting and throwing unfortunately wasn't for everyone.

Well, DS owners rejoice, because the handheld's version is much less demanding. In fact, everything can be done using the stylus in a sort of point-and-click type of interface.

The games ships with only the "starting lineups" for all 30 teams. Seems sort of odd as there aren't any permanent lineups in the real game, but I guess that is where the "All-Stars" moniker comes in _ no scrubs. The toon-ish looking players will make you forget about realism, anyway.

There is a decent training mode for gamers to get used to playing with the stylus, a couple of bizarre stadiums thrown in (Everglades, Frozen North), fully customizable All-Star teams, and online play either by a local DS WiFi connection or over the Web.

"Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis"
(PS2)
Koei, Koei
$39.99

Titles like this could be released whenever, actually. The "Mana Khemia" Japanese RPG (role-playing game) is for the old-school, keepin' it real crew. Forget the 3D visual ohhs and ahhs, this is pure brains over videogame brawn. Think old "Final Fantasy" or "Zelda" in its presentation. Another thing to think about, this is the fifth game based on life as an aspiring Alchemist. In other words, something is making folks buy this game.

Gamers will find themselves enrolled at Al-Revis Academy of Alchemy and summoned by a mysterious professor, Harry Potter-style. A boy's life on an alchemist campus is pretty interesting. You have to go to class and learn all sorts of sorcerors' mixes and machinations, and eventually you get your chance to try out your Gandalf-by-way-of-Betty Crocker creations on monsters off-campus in turn-based battles. The combat is pretty simple stuff and the pitch here is obviously the endless concoctions you can devise to use in battle.

Like I said, this game probably won't be for those who are used to the Elder Scrolls of the world, but for others, class is in session once again.