Wondering how to navigate (plow your way through) the dense thicket of video and electronic games on the market? We've compiled a list of new and noteworthy titles for you to consider the next time you hear the kids cry, "I'm bored." Tech talk about MMOs and USBs was Greek to me, but guaranteed, to your kids it won't be. So if the heat's not your beat, retreat indoors to check out what's cool in the gaming world.

Brain Quest - Brain Quest games have gained quite a following with their curriculum-based series: one for third and fourth graders and another for fifth and sixth graders. Like the card deck series from Workman, Brain Quest video games are loaded with more than 6,000 questions per game and are guaranteed to keep kids entertained in the car, at home, or while waiting for the school bus. The game's Brain Mode provides quick-to-the-fun action that lets kids jump right in, immersing themselves in fast-paced quiz games as they answer English, history, math, science, and geography questions. There's also a Quest Mode where players follow a light story that pits them against successively more difficult challenges in each category. Multiplayer Mode allows players to challenge their friends and siblings or play cooperatively. Captivating and educational, with Brain Quest games, even if you lose, you're a winner.

Rated E
$29.99
EA Casual Entertainment
Platform: Nintendo DS
Pub Date: Sept. 2008

BOOM BLOX - A blockbuster since the day it premiered, this action-puzzle game is the first developed in collaboration between EA and director and producer Steven Spielberg. Perfect for kids 8-12 years old and fun for the entire family, it offers action-packed destruction and is also available for mobile phones. Kids and families destroy their way through brain-twisting challenges in four themed worlds with single player, co-op, and multiplayer options - and no clean-up required. A cast of more than 30 wacky characters with distinct personalities and behaviors joins you as you play your way to a new level of enjoyment and creativity.

Rated E
$49.99
Platform: Wii
EA Casual Entertainment

Outdoor Challenge - The first in a new Active Life series, this game is certain to be a hit with kids and adults. It gets you off the couch and onto the specially designed Active Life pad for some heart pumping, fun and competitive play. Action-packed activities include river rafting, log jumping and a whole lot more! A dozen single and multi-player games included.

Rated E
$59.99 includes game and Active Life pad
Platform: Wii
Pub Date: Sept. 9
www.namcobandaigames.com

Kung Fu Panda - Packed with a host of hilarious games to master along with the great humor you've come to expect, the Kung Fu Panda video game will have you saying Hi Yah! in no time. Players embark on an epic, action-packed adventure to fulfill Po's destiny to become the Dragon Warrior. Play as all your favorite characters - Po, Shifu, Monkey, Tigress, Viper, Crane and Mantis - to defeat the ultimate enemy, Tai Lung. Battle a variety of foes, overcome dangerous obstacles, navigate multitiered environments and solve challenging puzzles. Featuring a deep variety of gameplay, unique co-op and competitive multiplayer games. As gameplay progresses, unlock and experience each character's special moves and upgrades.

Rated: E10+
Starting at $19.99 for PC
Platforms: Xbox360, DS, Wii, PS2
Games for Windows (TM) PC
Activision, Inc.

WALL-E - In this out-of-this-world game, players take control of resourceful robots on a quest spanning the Earth to the mammoth Axion Starliner parked on the edge of the solar system. Join WALL-E, EVE and a misfit band of robots as they battle their way through the solar system to deliver a message of hope from an all-but-forgotten world. Players will sip, race and blast as they take WALL-E and/or EVE through a fast-paced adventure in the newest video game based on the DisneyPixar blockbuster movie. Featuring nine worlds filled with non-stop action and adventure, the game allows players to carry out intense missions, dodge dangerous enemies, solve puzzles and navigate their way through a futuristic world. Featuring new storylines not seen in the film and up to four-person multiplayer challenges, this game's a must for all Earthlings!

Rated E
$39.99 PS2, $49.99 PS3
THQ

American Girl® KIT: A Treehouse of my Own - You've seen and loved the movie, now play the game! From the bestselling line of treasured dolls and accessories comes this fabulous new Kit Kittredge game for ages 8 and up. Play along with Kit on your PC as she embarks on her biggest challenge yet - building her own tree house! Be clever, resourceful and determined like Kit and you'll have hours of fun uncovering hidden objects in secret hiding places (each item will help personalize her very own tree house) or painting a treehouse of your own. You expect quality from the American Girl name, and you're guaranteed to get it.

Rated: E
$19.99
Platform: PC
ValuSoft

Bratz Ponyz 2 A Magical Ride - The sequel to last year's popular game, in this version, players again travel to explore five magical islands. Included are 13 fun, mini games such as a temporary tattoo and makeup workshop. Girls interact with and customize brand-new Ponyz characters. Certain to stimulate any player's imagination and creativity while satisfying her passion for fashion. Players can even trade their Ponyz' fashion photographs with friends using the WiFi connection. Two new multiplayer modes: Drawing Contest and Grand Ponyz Race

Rated E
$29.99
Platform: Nintendo DS
Game Factory, Neko Entertainment
www.gamefactorygames.com
Pub Date: Sept. 2008

We Cheer! - Football season's here, so get your pom-poms ready. Tryouts have begun in this great new game where you'll actually use your Wii controller as pom-poms while you kick, jump, flip and dance to the rhythm of the music. Show your team spirit. Routines become more complex as you master your moves and prepare to beat other squads. Go team!

Coming Fall 2008
Rated E10+
$39.99
Platform: Wii
www.namcobandaigames.com

Boogie(TM) SuperStar - Watch out America's Got Talent, future contestants are gearing up to groove. With more than 40 songs made famous by artists such as Rihanna, Fergie, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, plus total character customization and the latest dance moves, girls can boogie on down and perform for the judges, or just with friends. Feel super cool as you compete with up to four players while belting your favorite tunes into the microphone, and performing real dance moves that are captured on screen using the Wii's motion-sensing technology.

Coming Oct. 2008
$59.99 with microphone included
Platform: Wii
EA Casual Entertainment

Freaky Creatures - Into monsters much? You'll want to get your hands on this exciting new cross-platform MMO game that allows players to build customizable creatures and battle them against friends. Players begin with collectable action figures and a flash drive that brings the creatures to life online. The initial creatures come with 50 different parts, 20 powers and four objects that can be placed in the creature's lair. The variety of parts and powers allow players to create more than 3 billion visual combinations and battle other creatures via PC-to-PC or PC-to-mobile game play.

Rated E
$19.99 includes USB key with the game loaded onto it, plus two collectable action figures
Abandon Interactive Entertainment
www.freakycreatures.com

Mario Super Sluggers - Starring the everlovable Mario and his crew of friends, this game offers loads of rock 'em, sock 'em social-gaming fun. If you've learned the movements in Wii Sports you're ready for a full-fledged baseball game that can be played by every member of the household. Players make a throwing motion with the Wii controller to pitch the baseball and make a swinging motion to swing at the pitch. The game boasts more than 30 playable Nintendo characters and all the madness of a Mario sports game. Just like Mario Kart ® Wii, it bridges the gap between experienced players and those new to the Wii console with fun challenges and beautiful graphics. Batter up!

Rated E
$39.99
Nintendo
Platform: Wii

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift - Here's the latest installment in the huge worldwide selling IVALICE ALLIANCE titles. Gamers around the globe will enjoy the lighthearted combat system inherited from the original FINAL FANTASY TACTICS Advance on the Game Boy® Advance. Meet Luso Clemens as he stumbles upon an ancient book with magical powers that summons him to the mystical land of Ivalice, then set off on an adventurous journey looking for a way home. Join forces with famous heroes from FINAL FANTASY® XII - Vaan, Penelo and Al-Cid. Exclusive to Nintendo DS, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2: Grimoire of the Rift introduces exciting new content, vibrant, colorful visuals and enhancements featuring all-new dual-screen presentation, new jobs, and customizable abilities that will enthrall the strategy gamer community. Players can command characters in battle and navigate through menus, all with a tap of the stylus. With more than 300 available quests, it's easy to play again and again.

Rated E10+
$39.99
Platform: Nintendo DS
Square Enix, Inc.

Guitar Hero World Tour - Are you ready to rock the world? Gear up for a truly transforming music gaming experience. Hero's® exhilarating guitar gameplay with a cooperative band experience combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes. For all you closet producers, Guitar Hero World Tour's innovative new Music Studio lets players express their creativity through a full complement of tools - including a redesigned touch-sensitive guitar controller and an authentic drum kit - to create digital music from scratch and share their recordings with their friends. The game also features the largest, most diverse on-disc set list to appear in a music-based video game, with master recordings from Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles, Sublime and many more.

Rated E10+
$49.99 includes Game and Guitar Hero: Guitar Grip bundle
Platform: Nintendo DS
Activision/RedOctane