-- Winda Benedetti";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_syphonfilter.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Sony", "253", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow'
Sony really slugged it out of the park this year when it brought another installment of the “Syphon Filter” franchise to the PSP. Following 2006's superb \"Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror\" for the handheld system, this year's sequel – \"Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow\" – managed to take the action/stealth game play and the espionage story-line up yet another notch.
In this compelling spy tale, Gabe Logan must take on an extremist group that’s managed to get its hands on a dangerous technology. Meanwhile, his partner Lian Xing has been accused of defecting to the enemy’s side. In addition to the striking visuals, impressive sound design and more robust multiplayer mode, “Logan’s Shadow” also delivers new gameplay elements such as underwater combat and a “human shield” feature in which our hero is able to use his enemies to save his own hide.
With this kind of track record, we can’t wait to see what the next installment of “Syphon Filter” has in store for the PSP.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_legendZelda.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Nintendo", "273", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass'
This latest addition to the beloved \"Legend of Zelda\" franchise is a truly epic and excellent adventure as well as a marvelously innovative handheld game for the DS. A sequel to 2003’s \"Wind Walker,\" Link and Tetra (a.k.a. Princess Zelda) find themselves on yet another high seas adventure – this time Link sets out to save Tetra after she's abducted by a ghost ship.
But in this game, you say goodbye to standard controls via the D pad and buttons. Instead, players control Link by using the touch screen only. To move Link through this beautifully rendered world, for example, you simply touch the stylus to the screen and lead him where you want him to go. To fight enemies, tap and slash the stylus across the screen. This unique way of interacting with the game makes it easy enough for new players to dive into and a thrilling treat for veteran gamers to boot.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Jeanne d'Arc'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_JeanneDArc2.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Sony", "240", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Jeanne d'Arc'
Joan of Arc, the martyred 15th-century French crusader, has been given a fantastical makeover for this excellent strategy RPG for the PSP.
Here, a young French girl named Jeanne is transformed into a mystical warrior when a mysterious bracelet takes up residence on her arm. She also hears voices that help her and her companions take on an army of demons and a possessed English king. The unusual story (say goodbye to historical fact and say hello to a world where elves and Orcs fight for France and Britain), deep character customization and well-paced battles make this a saintly game indeed.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Pokemon Diamond/Pearl'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_pokemon_diamond.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Nintendo", "273", "179", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Pokemon Diamond/Pearl'
This year's \"Diamond\" and \"Pearl\" games were the first \"Pokemon\" titles for the Nintendo DS to return to the much-loved RPG style. Set in the new region of Sinnoh, players capture, train and send into battle various pocket monsters as they strive to become League Champion while thwarting the menacing Team Galactic. Yes, there's much that seems familiar, but \"Diamond\" and \"Pearl\" also introduce some well-thought-out new bells and whistles.
For starters, there are more than 100 new Pokemon to nab (Lucario, Bonsley and Weavile among them). Additionally, the world has been given a gussied-up three-dimensional look that also mimics real-world time. For example, when it's night time in our world, it's also night time in the game world. More importantly, players can now trade and take their critters into battles against other players around the world using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. And you can also use the DS's microphone to talk with your \"Pokemon\"-playing friends long distance.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_ratchetclank.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Sony", "240", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters'
The big-eared hero Ratchet and his robot side-kick Clank are in classic (and classy) form for this, their debut performance on the PSP. “Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters” takes all the wacky weaponry, clever puzzling and platforming, the entertaining vibe and the witty sense of humor we’ve come to expect from a R&C console-size game and neatly fits it into a portable package.
As this dynamic duo set out on an adventure to save a little girl (encountering a few interesting plot twists along the way), the player gets to dabble with some brand new guns and gadgets (gotta love the Mootator – a weapon that mutates enemies into cows) as well as a new armor system. All in all, if size does matter, then this game proves that size small is a great way to go.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_disgaea.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "NIS", "240", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness'
Laharl, the Prince of the Netherworld, has just woken up from a two-year nap to find his father, the king, dead and his seat on the throne in serious jeopardy. And so the snarky and cheeky would-be ruler must try to regain his birthright by force, taking his scheming vassal Etna and a variety of wacky characters with him on a battle-filled adventure that is as endlessly engaging is it is extremely funny.
\"Disgaea: Hour of Darkness\" – a strategy role-playing game – won major kudos when it first appeared on the PlayStation 2 back in 2003, offering deep game play as well as a downright bizarre story. Here it has been given new life with a port to the PSP that adds some new features and modes (including a multiplayer mode) into the original mix. Be sure to check out \"Etna Mode,\" for example, which tells this silly and surreal tale from the girl-demon's twisted perspective.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_finalfantasy.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Square Enix", "240", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions'
Speaking of ported games, the epic RPG “Final Fantasy Tactics” first appeared on the PlayStation back in 1997 and quickly found acclaim as a stellar turn-based strategy title. All these years later, it arrives on the PSP retaining all that made it such a revered game – plus some spectacular new flourishes.
To begin with, “The War of the Lions” appears in a beautiful wide-screen format. Some splendid new cutscenes have been added as well to help flesh out the very complex story of friendship, kingly intrigue and murder. Additionally, there are some new battle sequences, new job classes and a new multiplayer mode. All in all, time has only improved an already outstanding game.";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","'Crush'","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_crush.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Sega", "240", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
'Crush'
“Crush” is a mind-bending, brain-twisting, multi-dimensional puzzle game that deserves big praise for its creativity. This truly unique game finds Danny, a young man institutionalized for insomnia, undergoing a mad scientist’s experimental therapy known as C.R.U.S.H. Under hypnosis, he traverses the surreal landscape of his subconscious, learning to conquer his neurosis by “crushing” the three-dimensional landscape into a two-dimensional plane and vice-versa.
As far as gameplay goes, you’ll have to flip-flop between 3-D and 2-D to figure out how to help Danny get around obstacles, acquire objects and defeat enemies (i.e. the giant cockroaches that are skittering around the boy’s noggin). The level-design here is truly creative and the visuals are spectacularly bizarre. In the end, “Crush” will leave your mind reeling...in a good way. ";
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i++] = new Array("","Honorable mentions","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/071207/071207_handheld_hoteldusk.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Nintendo", "273", "410", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Games_Bestof2007_HandheldGames[i-1].body = "
Honorable mentions
So many good games. So little time. Here are a few great handheld games from 2007 that shouldn’t be missed.
“Bleach: The Blade of Fate” brought top-notch fighting action to the DS. The noir-flavored “Hotel Dusk: Room 215” for the DS is a truly novel cross between a video game and, well, a novel. And “Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles” brings an updated package of the vampire-fightin’ games to the PSP.
Vote: Which of our picks is the best of the bunch?
Tell us: What do you think of our picks?";
// END editorial data