Spider-Man 3 figure set easy to assemble, clobber

Collectible games continue to give lovers of strategic challenges, trading cards and miniature figures a way to become part of their favorite comic books, cartoons and movies.

Here are just a few of the latest releases to meld pop-culture universes with hands-on action.

Attacktix Spider-Man 3 Tournament Set

(Hasbro, $19.99)

Marvel Comics’ heroes and villains are the latest characters to be incorporated into Hasbro’s popular squad-based, collectible-figure battle game.

For those unfamiliar with Attacktix, the simple-to-learn experience requires that players assemble a group of 3-inch-tall comic-book stars, methodically move them into position and knock down an opponent’s figures. Each character has a special hands-on power to deliver damage — such as a swinging arm for close combat or a projectile to shoot at long range.

This core set, based on the upcoming “Spider-Man 3” movie, gives players standard figures of Venom (who fires a symbiote ooze bomb from his mouth), the New Goblin (tethered by a string, he can detach from his base, move into position and shoot a high-tech pumpkin bomb) and a pair of specialty pieces.

First, a massive figure of the Sandman, with an 8-inch span and a dual attack: He can shoot a sand missile from one hand and knock over an opponent with his other, very large hand. To defeat him, the other player must strike down a pair of sand pillars on the mound from which he has grown.

Second, a Spider-Man attached to a plastic web on the flagpole of a 6-inch-tall building can swing around to kick over an opponent’s figures. To defeat the Webbed Wonder, the player must knock down two billboards anchored to either side of the building.

A taste of the action: Players can use any smooth surface for the gaming arena and select numerically weighted characters from teams such as the Fantastic Four, Avengers and Sinister Syndicate that add up to an agreed point total.

Figures move by rolling along a set number of clicks determined by a number found on their base. Characters are of different sizes and mass and come with attacks such as Dr. Octopus’ tentacle swing or the Punisher’s missile blast from his really big gun.

Specialty powers come into play when a character is defeated and if a white mark appears in an area under the figure’s base. The first player to knock down all of the other’s figures wins.

Coolest characters: Clearly the Incredible Hulk and Thor look like potential powerhouses. Unfortunately, the Hulk must throw a drum at an enemy, a fairly useless and inaccurate attack. Also, although the mighty Thor looks magnificent, his hammer-slamming action is extremely weak and ineffective.

Difficulty of play: A solid 2 on a scale ranging from 1 (play blindfolded) to 10 (somebody get me an aspirin). This is a great game for parents and offspring to enjoy, as its simple learning curve combined with the quick style of action-packed play delivered by these rugged figures will keep the interest of everyone 6 years old and older.

Expanded possibilities: With 32 characters available in the initial wave, players will want to grab more booster packs ($4.99, two figures in each).

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