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Ratings are out of 10. Discs of Tron

(Xbox Live Arcade, $5) — Old-school games are beloved for their simplicity, but the download-only "Discs of Tron" takes a bare-bones approach to the extreme. The game consists of you, as the hero Tron, taking on villain Sark in electronic wallyball that plays like a scaled-down version of "Pong."

Standing on platforms on opposite sides of the screen — the 3-D perspective has you at the foreground and Sark in the background — you attempt to peg your rival by bouncing a disc off the edge of a screen, either hitting him or causing him to jump off into oblivion. And that's it. What little gameplay there is entertains for a few minutes, but once you've maxed out your best score, there's little reason to come back. Rating: 5.

Flow

(PSP, $7.99) — A download-only handheld version of a game first released on the PlayStation 3, "Flow" — officially spelled "flOw" is a soothing, Zen-like experience in which you help a little creature glide across the screen and munch up smaller beings, allowing you to grow and overtake others. The relaxing electronicalike music soothes you as you meld with the smooth rhythms of the game. It's quite the opposite of the usual gamer's adrenaline rush.

While the PS3 version has you guide your character with motion controls, the PSP uses scaled-down graphics and the more distanced control of the analog nub. The portability at least allows you to play in bed before you call it a night. Rating: 7.5.

Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds

(PlayStation 3, $59.99) — Sony's long-running "Hot Shots Golf" series makes the leap to the PS3, introducing smoothed-out cartoonish graphics and online play.

The three-click swing system remains in place, with button presses determining when you start your back swing, determine your power level and strike the ball. Golf games tend to be stodgy and slow-moving, but the new "Hot Shots" keeps things moving. Beautiful animation details every strike and bounce, but you can skip through them and get on with your game if you're all business. It's possible to plow through 18 holes in as many minutes.

Putting is also a joy rather than a chore. Helpful arrows detail the slopes and curves of the green, and you're caddie gives you advice as well. Maybe there's too much hand-holding in the game for some, but nobody's forcing you to accept the help. Rating: 8.5.