It's hard to put into words the immense satisfaction of rolling stuff up into a ball. Is it primordial instinct• A compulsive retentive disorder• An overwhelming urge to please the unpleasable King of Cosmos? Let's just say, it's one of life's mysteries. "Beautiful Katamari" is the franchise's third console title -- not counting the monstrously frustrating "Me and My Katamari" for the PSP -- and its debut on the Xbox 360. I wish I could say the game is as beautiful as it claims, but there are some issues that have weaseled into this installment. It's mostly the same solid gameplay: You (the diminutive Prince) roll up items with your sticky ball thingamajig (katamari) at the behest of the hypercritical King of Cosmos (the Prince's dad) so he can restore our solar system, which he accidentally destroyed while playing tennis. Compared to the previous "Katamari" titles, the controls in "Beautiful Katamari" are slower and less responsive, especially the bigger the katamari gets. Also, the camera has gained some aggravating ticks, like losing sight of the katamari. You'll momentarily disappear behind bigger structures before the transparency kicks in. There aren't that many levels, either. With limited replayability (seriously, how many times can you roll up Venus?), the $40 price tag seems a bit steep. Sure, you've got co-op -- the best way to turn friends against each other -- vs. battle and online play, but again, the levels aren't varied enough. The game is still fun, but what the developer needs to do, before the "Katamari" franchise runs dry, is put the heart back into its absurdity. "Beautiful Katamari" feels like it was made "on purpose, like a documentary," to quote the King. Don't be a party pooper, "Katamari." Roll better. Here's quantity and quality all rolled up in one box: "The Orange Box" contains the ever-tense, immersive "Half-Life 2" (2004) and its follow-ups, "Episode 1" (2006) and the new "Episode 2," plus "Team Fortress 2" and "Portal." All this for only $60. A seriously good buy. But let's just focus on "Portal," the game that has been generating tons of buzz. It's a first-person teleportation-portal shooter. You wake up in some kind of glass cell, with a computerized voice alerting you that you're about to embark on a test, one that could very well mean your demise. But rest assured, upon completion there will be cake, the female A.I. guide tells you. There are 19 puzzles, each of which is a matter of surviving as you figure out how to get to the exit. Your only weapon is a gun that fires off teleportation portals. Fun thing about portals is that if you high-dive off a ledge into one, you shoot out the other opening with the same momentum. Handy for long jumps. All the while, you get the suspicion that your computer guide's got a few faulty circuits. Its crazy, cryptic ramblings add a nice touch of humor. I've aptly nicknamed it Miss Guide. I'd be remiss not to mention the weighted companion cube, so near and dear to many a "Portal" fan's heart. I personally don't understand this passion for the cube, but the guide promises grief counseling will be available at the test's conclusion. Once you've completed the game, which takes about three hours, you'll unlock six advanced levels, plus developer commentary. Nice touch. "Portal" seals the deal for the first-rate "The Orange Box." "Half-Life 2" is great and all, but "Portal" is that shiny new toy to get excited about. Additional Information:

'Beautiful Katamari'

Grade: B- Developer & publisher: Namco Bandai Platform: Xbox 360 Genre: Puzzle ESRB: Everyone Retail: $39.99 Additional Information:

'Portal' (included in 'The Orange Box')

Grade: A+ Developer: Valve Publisher: Valve/Electronic Arts Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PC) Genre: Puzzle ESRB: Mature Retail: $59.99

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