Akai Katana for Xbox 360

Akai Katana possesses little in the way of plot, and like the games it harks back to, it doesn't need one. The goal is to blast away freely, all the while avoiding a kitchen sink's worth of bullets and bombs being hurled at you. Complicated gaming lives somewhere else. This kind of frantic game play is thrilling stuff. You choose from one of several World War II-era planes. After that, you dodge, weave and hammer your trigger buttons until your fingers are sore.

RATING T for teen

PLOT Short-lived 2-D shooter

DETAILS Xbox 360, $40

BOTTOM LINE Weekend rental at best