I'm not a fan of working out, but I still enjoy the time I spend with EA Sports Active. After a workout with the game, I always walk away feeling like I just went through the same intensive, full-body workout that I'd only get from hitting the gym five days a week. It's this feeling that sets EA Sports Active 2 apart from the rest of the exercise games on the market, and it's why, if you're serious about getting into shape (and you can deal with the hefty price tag), you should definitely try EA Sports Active 2.

The new Colonies Edition lured me back for a third circuit with beautiful graphics that echoed the original game and a wealth of exclusive new features.

There's a bit more quest variety, but that's really about it in terms of changes. So, if you're itching to get your hands on more DeathSpank, Thongs of Virtue is more of the same, in the best way possible. It's just as well written and silly as its predecessor with just as much charm.

Those who make it to the end might be disappointed to learn that they'll have to play the upcoming Digital Devil Saga 2 to find out how the story turns out.

Whatever the future brings, this collection represents a decade of brilliance, a look at a top arcade developer in its prime; any serious gamer needs to own this slice of history.

Survival horror has simply never looked this good.

Ultimately, Digital Graphic Novel might be the truest MGS experience -- no gameplay to get in the way of pure plot. While it may be geared only at franchise fans, it's hard to fault Konami or Kojima Productions for bringing out something that we haven't seen much of on the PSP lately: interesting software.

But unless portability is a necessity for you, the console versions will prove more satisfying.

In terms of sheer creepiness only "Silent Hill" can give it a run for its money, and Fatal Frame inspires dread in such a different way that it's really worth experiencing.

To all the SmackDown haters out there: If you're going to jump back in the ring, this is the year to do it. Both of these exciting new additions, along with the aforementioned improvements -- and the upcoming downloadable content -- make SVR09 this year's grapple-game champ.

While every part of this package is well made and fun, there's not much new -- no online to spice things up, no new graphical upgrades, and a movie that's many years old. But we suppose that's the point -- this is a way to celebrate the series being around for 15 years, and at that, Anniversary Collection does a good job.

With only four modes, no unlockable incentives to encourage multiple deployments (besides trophies), and a cartoony art style, Crash doesn't sound exciting on paper. But when you zip around, wasp-like, through the levels -- perching on platforms while grabbing out-of-reach body armor and taking potshots at the opposition -- the Contra-meets-TF2 gameplay gels perfectly, keeping you from setting the controller down. And really, that's all an online shooter needs to do.

This package boasts an impressive amount of features for a downloadable title, and provides a slew of nostalgic fun when paired with an eager partner. Blitz is a worthy throwback to the simpler days when you could tackle a man-sized hot dog with reckless abandon.

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.

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.

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

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.

Unless you seriously have a thing for turn-based combat and having to really work for your progress, the game isn't for you. But if you do, Gladius is one of the better examples of the genre on the system.

It offers a stellar single-player adventure mode experience, a ton of unlockables, a comprehensive two-player versus mode, and best of all, the original freakin' "Mortal Kombat II" arcade game. For all of these different modes in a single game, the price tag is practically a steal.

The hyper-speed of this game makes it feel like more of an arcade experience than a real hockey simulator. It's still a huge step in the right direction, though.

As a promotional tool for Revenge of the Sith, it's spectacular. I'd not previously been particularly excited for Episode III, but if the machinations alluded to in the game really are those that drive the mythology forward, it's going to be a spectacular finale to the series.

Penumbra: Black Plague combines puzzles and horror to create a game that is probably unlike anything you've played. It's a little bit like a brain-training game, only between lessons you fray your nerves (in a good way) as you jump and pause at every little noise.

It <I>is</I> a full-fledged GTA experience, and it <I>is</I> only $20 (even cheaper if you shop around), which means it's an incredibly good value for money at a time when the PS2 is absolutely starved for great new games. Don't buy it if you've played the PSP version, but if you haven't -- it's great.

EA's NHL effort is masterful, ballsy, and innovative. NHL 2K7 is stale, boring, and predictable.

It's too obtuse for a newcomer to the sport, but those who understand the gravity of the phrase, "downloading the right Option File" and all that comes with it, PES 2012 is worth a look, once Konami has finally ironed out its issues.

The combat may feel satisfyingly fresh, but the game's visuals look dated. Bland textures, simple geometry, and bouts of slowdown abound, and distressing load times hearken back to an earlier, more annoying RPG age.

Despite some of the end-game content feeling designed to annoy the hell out of those who made it that far, the tally of cheap deaths can't detract from the facts: Sonic Colors is the best 3D Sonic game in ages.

The hyper-speed of this game makes it feel like more of an arcade experience than a real hockey simulator. It's still a huge step in the right direction, though.