Crash of the Titans is the fourteenth installment of Crash Bandicoot series which began in 1996. I had no idea who Crash Bandicoot was. I was not a console gamer in my youth but I do have a PSP and a DS. On the blandishments of my gamer nephew (all of four) and his sister (all of six), I decided to review this game (as THEY wanted to play it). Was Crash Bandicoot a Saturday morning cartoon character? No, they were aware of him and the game because of advertising during Saturday morning cartoons.

To the game itself. Crash of the Titans centers around the discovery of a mysterious substance called "Mojo" that's found in sentient Tiki Masks strewn throughout the Wumpa Islands The evil Doctor Neo Cortex intends to use this substance to create an army of mutant monsters (Titans) out of the inhabitants of Wumpa Islands, and Crash, who normally lives a sedentary life in the Wumpa Islands has to stop this nefarious plan by collecting this "Mojo" himself for various powers; the one used most often in this title is "Jacking" or taking over Titans to destroy other Titans and rescue his sister, Coco from Doctor Cortex. First, he has to rescue the Tiki Mask, Aku-Aku who helps him throughout his adventures by helping him jack enemy Titans and make use of their powers.

The game is a classic platformer and Crash is controlled using the D-pad and letter buttons on the DS. Crash travels through four islands, each with two levels and a boss. When the boss is defeated, another island is unlocked. Each island has a "Pachinko" board which allows players to pick up items such as health and invincibility potions as well as bonus items such as cheats and gallery art.

Crash has several combat moves including a light and a heavy attack, and a dodge and block. Destroying objects and defeating enemies will yield Mojo which is collected to fuel special attacks and the ability to Jack or take over a Titan and thus make use of its abilities. Advanced moves are accessed by button combinations and some are purchased using Mojo and the Evolution Kiosk. These Evolution Kiosks are found in every game hub and you can upgrade several different abilities by purchasing them with Mojo.

The DS's touch screen and microphone come into play when you jack an enemy. Every one of these have special abilities that are accessed by using the touch screen or microphone and I had two little kids huffing and puffing mightily away each time I managed to jack a mutant with those abilities. The touch screen is also used for accessing on-demand items you pick up along the way that can replenish health, improve power or even create an invulnerable shield for a time.

With my hands and fingers occupied with the D pad and buttons during combat, I found it impossible to use the stylus as well and resorted to tapping the touch screen with my thumbs. The only time I used the stylus was when I was playing Pachinko, the Evolution Kiosk and other administrative menus. The advancement is linear and you won't get lost wandering through the islands seeking the next step in the game.

The game walks and talks you through every aspect of game play and function when you first encounter it. The learning curve isn't steep, but some good hand-eye coordination is required. The graphics are bright and crisp, the animation smooth and humorous comments pop out at moments reminiscent of a cartoon show.

All in all, Crash of the Titans for the DS is an amusing, simple to play platformer for the DS. Smash every crate you find. Bash every monster you find and jack it. Rinse, repeat and upgrade your abilities, and play Pachinko. This is not that it's an easy game to master, just simple to learn and play. Players familiar with the button mashing required to play these types of games will likely speed through the game. Those with the dexterity of a camel in mittens may find it a little more challenging.