Think Fast

Shoot 'em ups are fun, but for players seeking some mental stimulation, several games out this summer will test players' logic, musical ability and strategic thinking. Players will need only to pick up the stylus, keyboard or guitar controller to learn, improve their abilities or show off how smart they already are.

Test your brain skills with Hot Brain, Midway Games, San Diego. Exclusive to Sony's PSP, game host Fred Willard (Best in Show, Anchorman) guides and tutors players through five different categories that include hundreds of mini brain-teaser games that test logic, math, memory, language and concentration. There are four main player modes, including two multiplayer modes for up to four players and two single player modes.

Fossil excavation may not come naturally to most video game players, but with Burbank, Calif.-based Disney Interactive's new Spectrobes, players can test their problem-solving skills—and learn basic archaeology—by searching for lost treasure and digging up prehistoric creatures in several game environments throughout the galaxy. Players take on the role of planetary patrol officers and, using the unique DS stylus and DS microphone, scrape off sediment and blow dust off fossils as they search for the elusive Spectrobes. Once found, they must be awakened and trained to defeat the evil foe Krawl, who wants to destroy their planet.

Red Octane, Sunnyvale, Calif., outdoes itself with Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360. The second installment of the budding franchise features more rock tunes, multiplayer duels, 11 different venues, exclusive songs and additional downloadable songs like “Higher Ground” (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and “Bark at the Moon” (Ozzy Osbourne). Additional artists include Nirvana, The Police, Cheap Trick, Rancid, Mötley

Crüe, Warrant, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath and more. This fall, gamers will need to get their fingers ready for an encore: Guitar Hero III for PS2.