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Ahoy, adventure fans! ‘Monkey Island’ is back

You may not remember the fun “Monkey Island” computer games that debuted in the early ’90s, but if you enjoy challenging puzzles, memorable characters and plenty of humor, be sure to download two new iterations of these celebrated pirate-filled adventures.

LucasArts’ “The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition” is a refresh of the original game — now with better graphics and sound — and can be downloaded for the Microsoft Xbox 360, via Xbox Live Arcade; for Windows PCs, through Valve’s Steam or IGN Entertainment’s Direct2Drive digital delivery services; or for the iPhone and iPod Touch, through the Apple App Store at iTunes.

Also available from LucasArts and Telltale Games is an all-new game, “Tales of Monkey Island” (www.telltalegames.com), distributed digitally in playable “episodes” for Windows PCs and on the Nintendo Wii game console. The first in the five-part series, “Tales of Monkey Island: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal” is now available for download.

Here’s a closer look at the new “Special Edition” game based on the classic “The Secret of Monkey Island.”

Guybrush Threepwood, a wannabe pirate, washes up at the Caribbean port of Melee, and is told by the grog-swigging locals there is only one way to become a full-fledged buccaneer: master the sword, learn the art of thievery and find a hidden treasure. And so our hapless hero sets out to accomplish these goals, and in no time finds himself engaged in daring duels, stealing idols and setting sail to the legendary Monkey Island.

If you’re unfamiliar with how point-and-click adventure games like “Monkey Island” play out, you’ll move your hero around and interact with characters to strike up conversation. You’ll be able to select dialogue from a list of options to steer the discussion. Once you figure out what you need to do, you’ll scour the environment for helpful items.

Using these items, which are stored in your inventory, can be as straightforward as placing them on someone or something (such as putting a key in a door) or you might need to combine items before using them. For example, about a third of the way through the game, you’ll need to pass “deadly piranha poodles” protecting the governor’s mansion. In order to do so, you’ll combine a yellow flower, which has medicinal properties, with a piece of meat, and feed it to the guard dogs so they’ll fall asleep.

Gamers who remember the nearly 20-year-old adventure can expect the same hilarious dialogue, head-scratching puzzles and swashbuckling quests found in the original 1990 game — but now with high-definition graphics, a re-mastered musical score and new voiceover tracks.

Nostalgic types, however, can toggle back to the older graphics and interface at anytime, which is a nice treat, plus those who get stuck on tougher puzzles will also appreciate the all-new hint system.

Bottom line: Spend the $8 or $10, depending on the platform, and treat yourself to this quirky single-player adventure that truly withstands the test of time.

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‘The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition’

Platforms: Microsoft Xbox 360, Windows PC, iPhone/iPod Touch

Genre: Adventure

Developer: LucasArts

Publisher: LucasArts

Web site: www.monkeyislandspecialedition.com

Price: 800 Microsoft Points ($9.99) or $7.99 for iPhone/iPod Touch

Rating: Everyone 10+

Score: 4 stars (out of 5)