In the newest edition of Tomb Raider, super hero archeologist Lara Croft uncovers proof of the Norse underworld in this fun, face-paced fantasy adventure for one player and a variety of platforms. Our middle-school-age child testers compared the PS3 and Wii versions (Nunchuk required for the Wii) and found both to be fun and easy to play, with slightly better graphics on the PS3. While Laura Croft’s tight clothing was amusing to the teenage boys, no worrisome content was detected. As you might expect, there is a lot of smashing, fighting and shooting, but this is mixed with problem solving, and there were no bad parenting surprises.

You will play as Lara, using her acrobatic abilities to perch, balance, swing and ride an all-terrain motorbike through different worlds that include fictional versions of Thailand, the Arctic Sea, and the jungles of Mexico. New features include the ability to kill or pacify bad guys, target multiple enemies, and shoot with one hand while suspended with the other. Navigation is made easier thanks to a sonar map that emits a ping, providing a 3D image of Lara’s surroundings. If you’re looking for a fun, one-player thriller, this is a good choice. Our testers recommendation: borrow or buy it. Note that this is one of the few video games with a female lead character. Prices are $60 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, $40 for the Wii, and $30 for the Nintendo DS.

Details: Eidos Inc., www.eidos.com. Ages: 13 years and up. Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS.

Link to buy Tomb Raider: Underworld