While the flying levels are frustrating and the change-characters-to-hit-this-switch mechanic gets old, the great humor and extras make Lego Star Wars worth playing if you haven't tried it yet.

Although some crucial elements come up short (cut-scenes, buggy A.I.), Complete Saga still emerges as a great value in the big picture. The lengthy single-player game, extras, and minigames provide plenty to do, and generally atone for the bothersome flaws.

Gas Powered preaches to the choir: They've improved just about everything the faithful could have prayed for -- but they're not nabbing many converts.

When Tactical Strike works, it works really, really well. In spite of the soul-crushing frustration I experienced, those moments of genius made it worth soldiering on for me. If you have an extraordinarily high tolerance for cheap deaths, long load times, and insubordination, you could have a pretty darn good time with this game.

Gears is most likely to appeal to console gamers already in love with the game, who can now see it in glorious high-res detail and at superfast framerates -- with a muscular enough PC, that is.

While Scene It? is only just full enough of movie quizzing to hold up for several parties, it's a near-perfect translation from tabletop to 360 and, in fact, probably plays more closely to what its original creators intended.

The environments lack the rich visuals 360 owners have grown accustomed to since seeing Gears of War. Surfaces all appear to be flat, with muddy textures and stark lighting that only heighten the effect. By comparison to current standards, the thought that it could be an original Xbox game may even cross your mind.

It's a surprisingly silent, boring affair, and you're probably better off just watching the ATHF clips with your pal, or one of the four full episodes included on the disc (one of which has never been aired, and is awesome).

Radiant Dawn is one of the best strategy games you'll find on any console, with a crazily addictive strategic core that more than makes up for the subpar visuals.

With proven mechanics, brilliant visuals and sound, a satisfying campaign, and robust multiplayer, COD4 is one of the best FPS packages of the year -- no small feat, considering the competition.

With proven mechanics, brilliant visuals and sound, a satisfying campaign, and robust multiplayer, COD4 is one of the best FPS packages of the year -- no small feat, considering the competition.

Infinity Ward has mastered a formula of its own making for both single- and multiplayer combat; Call of Duty 4 is louder, better looking, and more chaotic than ever. But it's certainly a formula, one that becomes more transparent with each version.

On the presentation side, with colorful, cartoony graphics and contributions from the voice actors, it should satisfy the legions of Simpsons fans. But as a game, it's decidedly mediocre-at-best fare, with levels that vary in quality and pedestrian platforming and beat-em-up action.

Being able to hop on Wi-Fi for a quick frag here or there, even if it was only with three other people, could have spawned an active online community. While that omission may limit its long-term appeal for some, Call of Duty 4 on DS remains an impressive accomplishment and a game worthy of the name.

Underneath the frustrating instability, behind the graceless chat window, and beyond the procession of NPC dialog boxes, you tickled that deep primordial need to gather more stuff and get stronger. Loot and leveling are the essence of any RPG, and you're equipped to satisfy that jones.

My chief concern is TR's longevity. At present, the game offers maybe three or four months of content. With little in the way of engaging PVP, useful item crafting, or other distractions for veterans who've hit the level cap and cleared out all their quests, the game could easily fade away.

Graphical foibles aside, The Witcher demonstrates the growing creative energy of European game designers, who continue to take chances with ever more innovative games, even as American developers obsess over the next "Halo."

A little Crysis here, a little Half-Life 2 there, TimeShift's patchwork construction definitely shows. What you wind up with is a standard shooter where you blast away until things go sideways, and then it's time to mash the "easy" button.

A little Crysis here, a little Half-Life 2 there, TimeShift's patchwork construction definitely shows. What you wind up with is a standard shooter where you blast away until things go sideways, and then it's time to mash the "easy" button.

If you love fighting games and want to play a fighter that continually unveils new wrinkles day in and day out and rewards dedication like no other, this is the game to get. Virtua Fighter 5 may not have kangaroos or weapons or bridges to fall off of, but it has unmatched playability as its calling card, and that's the only thing that counts.

Rise of a Ninja, if nothing else, is undoubtedly a good foundation for something better the next time around. The graphics are fantastic, and running and jumping around the Naruto world is as convincing as it is compelling. If only the activities of this world were made of sterner stuff than rote replication of the source material's events or mind-numbing coin-collecting chores.

It doesn't bring anything new to the table, and while its party games provide some casual fun, it relies far too heavily on the Viva Piñata license for the bulk of the entertainment.

Basically, half of what makes Disgaea unique would seem like cheating in any other game.

While the action can be uneven -- though never bad -- creativity and charm carry the game to a higher level. The humor will get you through the slow levels, the authentic voices and writing will satisfy your fanatcism, and the cameos... will keep you entertained.

While the action can be uneven -- though never bad -- creativity and charm carry the game to a higher level. The humor will get you through the slow levels, the authentic voices and writing will satisfy your fanatcism, and the cameos... will keep you entertained.

Whether it's playing through a level that's obviously a rip-off of Gauntlet, the inclusion of a double jump, pits that cause instant death, or enemies who resemble some of the most memorable characters in gaming, The Simpsons Game takes 2D platforming, points out its clichés, and then uses them anyways.

While the story and writing are reasonably solid, they're not nearly riveting enough to outweigh the too-simple, occasionally glitchy nature of the fundamental game.

It's technically playable and, despite its best efforts, probably won't plunge the industry into a period of navel-gazing and political sanction. Everything else about it is largely forgettable.

It's technically playable and, despite its best efforts, probably won't plunge the industry into a period of navel-gazing and political sanction. Everything else about it is largely forgettable.

Battalion Wars 2 flounders because it lacks both the comic mischief that make cartoons like Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner so much fun and the tactical depth to be taken as a serious war game. The no-man's land in between isn't a place where you want to hang around too long.

The Wii version has online play as well.

The second way the songs are better is how they're played. The notes and chords are laid out in natural and engaging patterns that make sense musically and with the way your hands are moving.

The second way the songs are better is how they're played. The notes and chords are laid out in natural and engaging patterns that make sense musically and with the way your hands are moving.

It's clear the team at Renegade Kid has plenty of talent and potential, and the creepy atmosphere and unique controls make the game worth a look for survival-horror fans with lots of patience -- there's not really anything else like it on the DS. Just be aware that the most of the screams the game elicits have nothing to do with the onscreen horror.

It's been a busy year for shooters, but even as everyone else tries to hybridize the genre, Overdose cleverly and creatively embraces its purity.

It's the easiest way to indulge your collectable fantasy penchants and delivers a surprisingly approachable, completely unique PS3 experience. So go geek out.

Also worthy of note: the stupid, unforgiving, scripted button-tapping events (think God of War, only terrible). The only reason these do not throw me into a fit of vein-bursting rage is that you can retry them infinitely.

The thread holding Jericho above that pit of legendary awfulness is thin and fraying. Mr. Barker, you're better than this.

Conan isn't really a horrible game. There are moments when all the flaws fade away and you'll experience a great animation that slows down at just the right times and chops off just the right heads and you'll start to think that the game is actually pretty fun, but it's all extremely straightforward and lacking a lot of polish.

Conan isn't really a horrible game. There are moments when all the flaws fade away and you'll experience a great animation that slows down at just the right times and chops off just the right heads and you'll start to think that the game is actually pretty fun, but it's all extremely straightforward and lacking a lot of polish.

The Dracula X Chronicles isn't a perfect compilation; the original games suffer from some nagging issues, and the remakes aren't an across-the-board improvement. Even so, it would be a must-play for fans of classic action games even without its historical significance. As it is, fans of action games should play it simply because it plays well; fans of Castlevania should add it to their collections immediately and never let it go.

A couple of minigames and slight modifications to the stage design is hardly a new experience. Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution may claim it's bringing the fighting revolution to the Wii, but we've already been there. Twice, in fact.

Namco Bandai says downloadable planes, maps, and levels are to come, but unless they can fix the frustrating mission structure -- the game's largest problem -- I'm only mildly interested.

It's a huge world of wonderful puzzles to solve, with creative approaches to even the most mundane solutions; it's also a big game, and it goes on far longer than even the story would imply (though some people may never beat the last couple stages without assistance).

A revolution in gaming it's not, but it fits comfortably into its fan-oriented niche&and it plays well in the process.

Invested Phoenix fans get five well-written, twist-filled cases to end a trilogy that unquestionably deserves a seat right next to titans like Maniac Mansion and the Space Quest series. Just make sure you play the first two Ace Attorneys first -- this is one courtroom you shouldn't enter unprepared.

An uninspired story, a glitchy weapon, and a sometimes-unwieldy camera don't damage Ratchet beyond repair. The irresistibly addictive jumping-shooting-collecting-upgrading gameplay is as powerful here as it's ever been, and the optional collectibles, side-missions, and unlockable Challenge mode offer a really satisfying amount of play time.

Once you get into the rhythm of it, the back-and-forth between combat and outfitting gives Front Mission an enjoyable pace. There is a caveat, though: Trying to pound through multiple missions in any one sitting puts a significant damper on your enjoyment.

While the multiplayer may be passable, the rest of VBR is so flawed that it tests your patience more than your boxing skills. If you've been waiting for a Wii boxing game, you should just keep waiting and go back to Wii Sports for now -- at least that was free with your Wii.

I'd have to consider this the version of last resort: If you have the chance to check out the game on any of the other platforms, I'd recommend doing just that.

A no-brainer for Flight Simulator X owners. And with the slipstreamed service release boosting performance dramatically (and the original down to $30), it's also a perfect reason for Flight Simulator X standbys to climb on board.

The core problem with Napoleon Dynamite: The Game is that it totally disregards the humor of the film (and, as such, of the audience it's attempting to reach). The whole joke of Napoleon Dynamite was that Jon Heder's titular character constantly claims to have more skill than he actually possesses. In the game, you have all that skill and more.

The core problem with Napoleon Dynamite: The Game is that it totally disregards the humor of the film (and, as such, of the audience it's attempting to reach). The whole joke of Napoleon Dynamite was that Jon Heder's titular character constantly claims to have more skill than he actually possesses. In the game, you have all that skill and more.

It's hard to say whether you'll have the patience to create a life of virtual luxury, or lose your sanity and find yourself seeking the quickest way out of the life of a castaway.

The Sims 2: Castaway differs just enough from previous iterations that fans of the series and newcomers alike can find plenty to enjoy. However, how long the entertainment lasts will boil down to how long it takes the player to grow tired of the repetitive tasks of Sim survival.

The Sims 2: Castaway doesn't accomplish anything particularly compelling in the long term (and sadly, it's got very few ways to torture your Sim when you inevitably tire of the mundane), but what is there is solid, and it's a decent way to fill any lingering gaps in your DS schedule (the younger you are, the better).

If you never bothered with the PSP games, the improvements in this radically redesigned Xbox Live Arcade version warrant further inspection on the strength of the speedy gameplay and customizable music analyzer. Although it looks like a tech demo on the surface, what lies beneath is an altogether meatier experience.

Prism is unfortunately 10 bucks too much for a must-buy puzzler at its $30 price point, but it's an addiction that's totally worth tracking down if the concept piques your interest and you're looking for a challenge.

Ultimately, Tribes of the East manages to gobble time as effectively as any good Heroes installment; it's an impressive final outing for Heroes V -- and another strong showing from Nival.

Given that Beautiful Katamari's graphics don't look a whole lot different from those in the PS2 original, it's hard not to appreciate the irony of the game's title.

If you don't own an Xbox 360 and you're bored to death with Wii Sports' Tennis, then Table Tennis is worth a look, but the lack of any personality or features -- most notably the missing online support of its predecessor -- just doesn't give it enough gameplay to last much longer than a one-week rental.

It's a messy button-masher that makes you really wish it had been able to realize its potential. Don't write it off completely, though...let's talk again in about six months.

Regardless of its small problems and the fact that it isn't an entirely new game, Revolution is still an excellent buy for Wii puzzle fans at a welcome $20. It's the perfect price point for such a game, and the motion controls finally deliver the quintessential Mercury experience.

It's unpolished, unfocused, and proves nothing more than the now undeniable fact that the series needs a serious makeover and a lengthy vacation.

It's unpolished, unfocused, and proves nothing more than the now undeniable fact that the series needs a serious makeover and a lengthy vacation.

The presentation is straightforward and functional, but it doesn't pull any punches about what it is -- a training application with a very specific purpose. It accomplishes that perfectly well -- just make sure that you're expecting gratification through progress and not just mindless enjoyment.

Though the sometimes frustrating difficulty and occasional pacing misstep taint the experience slightly (it would be nice to have longer moments of respite between the busier levels), Everyday Shooter succeeds wildly as an engaging shooter for the art-house crowd, and a creative change of pace for the hardcore-shooter crowd.

The Orange Box is the greatest quantity of quality gaming ever.

A stunning compilation.

I loved, loved TF2's cosmetic makeover. "Cartoon come to life" isn't compliment enough. Some cartoons are better animated, more distinctively stylized than others -- and, by analogy, this is among the best.

I've selected these examples at near-random to avoid spoiling truly standout showpieces. Episode Two's entire five-hour experience -- vivid, emotionally engaging, and virtually unsurpassed -- is full of them.

The more intricate the rat maze, the more necessary the reward -- part of Portal's sinister genius lies in the cheese-crumb trail it leaves. Puzzle solving is an end in itself, and the game's Skinner boxes (note that, like the computer intelligence pulling our strings, Valve remotely tracks player progress, indirectly seeing what stumps us) are supremely entertaining to crack in on-again-off-again sessions.

The big problem is durability. With a fun but shallow physics model, a dearth of tracks, no vehicular upgradeability/downgradeability, and so few options, Revo simply isn't set up for a long run. But it's a hell of a good arcade ride in the meantime.

The big problem is durability. With a fun but shallow physics model, a dearth of tracks, no vehicular upgradeability/downgradeability, and so few options, Revo simply isn't set up for a long run. But it's a hell of a good arcade ride in the meantime.

The visuals, bright and detailed and charming, faithfully represent the feudalistic atmosphere of Bleach. The gameplay is simple to learn, thanks to the helpful tutorial and challenge modes that depicts combo of every character. And, despite the easy learning curve, it contains enough substance for intelligent and adrenaline-fueled matches.

There's simply nothing redeeming about Acme Arsenal. It's an incredibly poor, woefully unentertaining use of a great license, and an absolute bore to play. It doesn't get nearly enough right to be anywhere close to average, and becomes its own worst enemy with a cavalcade of embarrassing glitches.

There's simply nothing redeeming about Acme Arsenal. It's an incredibly poor, woefully unentertaining use of a great license, and an absolute bore to play. It doesn't get nearly enough right to be anywhere close to average, and becomes its own worst enemy with a cavalcade of embarrassing glitches.

The new Mask of the Betrayer expansion is a stronger, more complex, and ultimately more satisfying game.

It's actually funny and creative -- a rare combination.

OK, the individual missions may not all be epic, but the side story of this renegade squadron (whose tale weaves in and out of the events from the original movies) is one worth seeing through. (Hey, you can be done by lunchtime.)

Its intricate gameplay isn't for everyone, but there's a reason it commands such deep devotion among its fans -- and this definitive version of the game is the perfect place to learn why.

It's not the best of its breed, and may well bore the average player before reaching the halfway point. But if anything, it's one of the most unique-looking games this year; if you're in need of some high-def fantasy, it won't be your worst choice.

A superb and strikingly polished game.

A superb and strikingly polished game.

A humungous game built around 12,500 real-life players with more modes and teams and options than a stadium has face painters, FIFA 08 is a superior soccer experience despite its ho-hum facade.

There's simply nothing redeeming about Acme Arsenal. It's an incredibly poor, woefully unentertaining use of a great license, and an absolute bore to play. It doesn't get nearly enough right to be anywhere close to average, and becomes its own worst enemy with a cavalcade of embarrassing glitches.

This is likely where Papyrus would be, had the company survived -- and that says a ton.

In plenty of cases, the system has done a great job at reducing the barrier of the controller, making it easier to interact with games thanks to simple motion controls. In a game like Barrel Blast, however, it's added a whole lot of complexity -- not to mention physical exhaustion -- to what would otherwise be simple steering controls.

The Wii sports lineup isn't strong, and Wii Sports is outdated. MLB Power Pros will rally sportos to pick up the Nunchuk and take a hack on a system that's been easy to ignore.

A kiddie-styled import that comes out of left field all the way from the Far East and topples the perennial powers.

Even a middling game comes alive when you play with other people. But when a game is built as carefully as Quake Wars -- for play online and offline, for new players and veterans, for quick thrills and long learning curves, for hyper action and careful tactics -- this is as good as it gets.

It was only a matter of time until the PSP caught microgame madness, and while it's fun in bursts, it's also derivative and disappointingly insincere.

While it has few specific flaws, I can only recommend Loki to lovers of endless reward-based level grinding to the exclusion of all other play...and that market just ain't what it used to be.

Anyone who's ever laughed with glee at taking down a rival racer in a game of Burnout should be all over it.

Crashing is probably something you should get used to before jumping into Create & Race, though, which brings us to the primary problem with putting a simulation racing game on a handheld like the DS.

Logan's Shadow, like "Dark Mirror" before it, doesn't quite stack up to the better Metal Gears and Splinter Cells, but it's absolutely worth a look for stealth-action fans yearning for something to tide them over this year.

Its "arcade mode" is remarkably well-structured, and far more developed than the lazy "put a cool car on any track" approach that we usually see these days.

This game's brilliant A.I. on offense, the lightning-quick load times, the remarkably improved faces of Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki, the new dunk competition minigame, and the removal of 24/7 mode are a load of positives that far outweigh the hang-ups.