The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page T3

Time: 03-27-2008 16:22 User: Ibarker PubDate: 03-28-2008 Zone: KY Page Name: 3 Color: SCREEN PLAY VIDEO-GAME a REVIEW TheZone FRIDAY MARCH 28, 2008 www.courier-journal.comfeatures vSur Ie 'Smash' for Wii is a gas Future teacher loves daughter, school By Marc Saltzman Gannett News Service Ever wanted to see who would win in a fight between Nintendo's Mario and Sega's Sonic? Now you can in "Super Smash Bros. Brawl," a cartoon fighting game for the Nintendo Wii. This new Wii brawler lets you duke it out with and against popular Nintendo mascots such as Mario, Link, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Wario and Zero Suit Samus, each with its own unique abilities. But the latest version in the "Super Smash Bros." series also lets you fight against characters from other popular video games, like Solid Snake from Konami's "Metal Gear Solid" and Sonic from Sega's "Sonic the Hedgehog" and more. Having all of these familiar characters in one game is a treat, not to mention it's fun to unlock all the fighters by winning matches as not everyone is available right from the get-go.

You and a friend can select which character you'd like to play as and pick a desired venue from the nearly two dozen choices. It's a last man or beast standing scenario, as you will fight, jump and block until one character falls off the edge of the screen. That's the gist of it, but the many moves you can execute per character keep things fun and frantic. Also new to the series is online play, so you can play against friends on a Wii in another city. Plus, there's a lengthy story-driven adventure mode called "The Subspace Emissary," which is essentially a full game.

"Super Smash Bros. Brawl" is fully customizable, allowing you to tweak everything from the characters' special moves to the musical score to how the game is controlled. This eagerly anticipated Wii game is great fun if you don't mind the cartoon violence and somewhat crude humor. "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" is a blast.

Jessica Marvel is an 18-year-old senior at Westport TAPP School. Every week "Qjup" will publish questions and answers from a teen in our area. Want to be featured? Go to our Web site, at and fill out the form online. By Donald M. Dornick, Special to The Courier-Journal Jessica Marvel wants to be the best mother she can be to her daughter.

Are you a typical (or not-so-typical) teen? We want to hear from you! E-mail us at cjteensgmail and well mail you a My favorite food is: mac and cheese. I love: driving. In teachers I most appreciate: it when they really try hard to better my education. The person I most admire is: my older sister. I dream of: moving out on my own one day and becoming a family.

I believe in: coming to school to make something out of myself I want to be: a teacher someday and the best mother I can possibly be. I work: at a day care. I sleep: in a twin-size bed. My worst habit is: burping out loud. My best quality is: a great friend.

If I ruled the world I would: make everybody stay in school. On a desert island I would want: my daughter, my boyfriend, my parentssisters, and water and food. I play: rough on the floor with my daughter all of the time. My name is: Jessica Marie Marvel. People call me: Jess, Jessie, Jessie Ree Ree.

I am: a teenage mother. I always: have a smile on my face. I never: quit smiling. I am most proud of: having a beautiful daughter. I read: sometimes, when I have to.

I watch: TV all of the time. My family includes: my mom, dad and 2 sisters (one younger and one older). 'SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL' Platform: Nintendo Wii Genre: Fighting Developer: Game Arts Publisher: Nintendo of America Web site: www.smashbros.com Price: $49.99 Rating: Teen Score: 4 stars (out of 5) HOT SPOT A NEW BLOG FOR YOUNG IDEAS The Hot Spot is a blog where you and 17 Kentucky and Indiana high school and college students can discuss well whatever. Betty Winston Baye, a Courier-Journal editorial columnist who often has sizzling topics and opinions, will keep her finger on the pulse of the blog.

Check out or read excerpts every Monday in Forum. crooner Trey Songz refuses to be boxed in By Chris Jordan (East Brunswick, NJ) Home News Tribune star Trey Songz has appeal. ON THE WEB www.treysongz.com, official site for Trey Songz, which lists concert dates www.myspace.com treysongz, his MySpace page has remixes of "Can't Help But Wait." ON THE AIR Get in the NOW with WOW (formerly WOW Girlz Live) What: Weekly podcast. When: Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Moderator: Emily Miles.

Topic: Mary Byron Foundation a project with local girls. To participate To call in: Dial (724) 444-7444; Call ID: 10495. Follow the directions. Or go to TalkShoe.com, click on "Live Now" and listen to the episode recording that has the green button saying "Live Now" under it. To participate with questions, users may IM the screen name WowNowLive.

The podcasts will be archived and can be accessed through www.wesurvive.org. To join WOW If you would like to be a part of the WOW Team, contact WE SURVIVE at (502) 558-8317. The smooth crooner has recorded with both East Coast and Dirty South rappers, Mexican pop singer Maria Jose, Japanese-Trey Songz is American singer Ai, and wrote best known for and co-produced music for soca his sultry single hitmaker Kevin Lyttle. "Can't Help But "I see myself doing a lot of dif- Wait." ferent things," Songz says. "I don't know where I want to go, Neverson in Virginia brings a smooth mix of old-school jams, sexy dancefloor romps, and loverman call-outs to the table.

Initially, Songz moved to Jersey City, N.J., and Teaneck, N.J., to work behind the scenes in the music industry. He released the solo album "I Gotta Make It" in 2005. He hit it huge with "Can't Help But Wait," the second single from "Trey Day." Even though Songz is relatively young, he doesn't pander to the kiddie crew. "I've been raised to grow up independently and grow up early and I always felt a little older so I've always steered myself toward adulthood," Songz, 23, says. "I never wanted to be looked at like a child and once you go that way, it's hard to get out of it." Wait," which hit Billboard's pop Top 20 after its release in August.

As for his expansive musical tastes: "When I was 8 years old, my mother met a man in the Army and we moved around a lot. Every year, we'd move to a new neighborhood, sometimes white, Asian or whatever, and it would force me to adjust to a different environment." Songz born Tremaine but I'm starting from where I am, and I might get me some pop shots or crazy rock songs. "I've never been one to put myself in a box." Songz is best known for his sultry single "Can't Help But 4.