Pirates!'s brand of potluck goofing around works outstandingly in portable form. Sure, it can get a bit repetitive over long sessions, but that's why a game such as Pirates! belongs on a stop-and-go handheld in the first place.

It's not the best-designed shooter of the year, and it's far from the nicest-looking, but it is one of the most fun to play, thanks to solid controls and some of the most drop-dead hilarious cutscenes in recent memory.

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

Not since Blizzard unleashed "Brood Wars" on the "Starcraft" community has a developer put such a well-conceived effort into an expansion pack. Relic has rewarded the patience of its fans with an absolute must have add-on, and for any RTS fan that hasn't already picked up the original game...no more excuses.

Tourist Trophy is highly customizable, and provides a chillingly realistic riding experience. While it may lack a few obvious features, this is still a strong start for the first real extension of the Gran Turismo franchise, and one that can only get better with time.

It's a winning gamble with a new style of RPG combat, and it's pretty enough to frame and put on your wall in the bargain. With a stronger cast and narrative, though, it could have been an absolute world-beater.

If you've never played this game before, you should first ask yourself, "Why not?" But if you haven't, there are better and cheaper options than this still-good-but-not-as-good-as-the-others version for Wii.

Shikamaru's godly strengths aren't enough to throw off the game's equilibrium. Coupled with the lush visuals, the deep fighting engine, and the inspiring character designs, Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 is definitely worthy of landing in your game collection.

As a two-player game it excels, and as a single player experience it certainly seems compatible with the way most people spend time with their PSPs. It's the ideal commuting partner.

You don't have to already be a fan, though, to appreciate the game, and that's a big part of its appeal. It's pretty easy to jump in, grab a gun and start starring in your own WWII movie mowing down Nazis.

Though hardly the revolution that the original Myst was, it's still an impressive achievement in the art of integrated visual and game design.

All 13 of the game's missions are well crafted and challenging, but after four iterations of this series, I felt a need for a new challenge.

While Madden 07 does have a couple of great changes to its basic gameplay, it's beginning to feel like the same old game. It's a strong fundamental football game and lead blocker is a cool new feature, but it's not reinventing the wheel, like the passing cone was last year.

This is a true rarity: a game for all ages that's still good enough to entertain anyone who likes Mario.

The experiment is a success and testament to the fact that EA really has been spending more time crafting these games as the movies and books become more ambitious. If "Half-Blood Prince" produces the same leap in concept as we've seen here, Potter fans will really be in for something.

If it was a book you'd call it "a real page-turner"; it can be nigh-impossible at points to put down. When all is said and done, as the credits roll across the screen, you'll remember the poignant moments as part of the story, not the actions you took that caused them to be played out.

Just as the visuals are perfect for the PSP's display, the mechanics are perfect for the PSP's button configuration, and the game design is perfect for the PSP's portability (it's easy to pick up and play at any given moment).

The game's graphics are still dated despite the new background changes and themed stages. But it's no biggie -- the monkeys are still sucrosely cute, and the levels are well designed.

Of all the military games released this winter, Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault brings together perhaps the best ingredients: a character driven story, the action and fatigue of war combat, and top notch video and sounds. If only it weren't for problems like lengthy loads, a tendency towards repetition, and the innately random flow.

Tons of content, beautiful graphics, outrageously enjoyable gameplay -- these make up for its couple of foibles.

While there could be some more old school songs for the mix, the songlist as a whole is an excellent cross spectrum. You have to start somewhere, and these are already some of the most fun to learn rap songs out there. Holler!

Even after all the hype, Battlefront manages to stand tall as a great game that does the best job we've yet seen of playing out the battles of the Star Wars movies. Though the game has some balance issues that may hurt its long term appeal, it's still likely to become a huge favorite on Xbox Live.

Hardcore RPG players may enjoy it more than modern Final Fantasy titles, thanks to its emphasis on skill development and combat. Casual players may find themselves surprised by how addictive simple level-grinding and monster-slaying can be.

Stands out in a sea of competitors not because of an enormous budget, years of hype or an expensive movie license, but because it's simply unique and fun.

Offline, its hundreds of challenges and miles of roads will keep you satisfied for quite a while. But it's that moment, weaving through traffic in a Maserati, closing in on a TVR, with a Ferrari hot on your heels, all of them driven by real people -- who you're talking with at the same time -- that takes this game past its rivals.

Even if you can't find people to play in the two-player modes, the story mode has enough action-packed content to soak up the entire DBZ legacy, and to keep you busy for a long, long time.

PS2 is the best version. I prefer a comfortable controller over mildly better graphics any day. The extra highlights on Xbox are barely noticable. And the smoother textures on GameCube don't make up for that confounded controller.

And that's the main reason to buy it: to simulate the exhilarating competitive spirit found in the arcades and to play against different people from all parts of the world -- all without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.