Older and more seasoned players, however (along with PETA members), can safely abstain from this simple critter-caging diversion.

The only reason that Prince Caspian doesn't utterly fail is that it does feature the occasionally interesting puzzle. However, figuring out a clever, well-thought-out solution only made the otherwise forced and repetitive nature of the rest of the game seem that much worse by comparison.

Assault Heroes 2 is a down-and-dirty hoot.

As a port of the arcade game, Shikigami certainly succeeds in delivering the same level of shooting intensity at home on the Wii -- it's just that, fundamentally, this is a game that really only the most hardcore shooter fans will truly master and then enjoy.

The most frustrating thing about Deca Sports is that it's not bad -- just bland, uninspired, and of questionable value.

We Ski offers an absurd amount of events, objectives, and extras -- and it's all icing on the mountain, as this would be a great game without most of it. The comfortable motion controls ensure that even a simple, leisurely ski around the resort is usually a joy.

Drone Tactics may look like Advance Wars with giant mechanical bugs and an absurd plot, but it's challenging and fun. Just watch out for those damn centipedes.

My Life as a King's depth is surprising for a downloadable title, and it suggests that this could have been slapped on a DVD and sold at retail price. But such as it is, downloadable is the way to go, and based on the evidence here, the Crystal Chronicles series has a bright future ahead of it.

LostWinds is a solid, charming little platformer, and it's a really promising start for the WiiWare line.

The effects are also the biggest difference between this WiiWare version and the Flash original, which shared most of the game mechanics but lacked the visual appeal.

I would've liked to have seen more pizzazz and personality from the actual gameplay and questions (instead of just the silly avatars), and the game flow could've been streamlined considerably (I don't need between-round updates on the betting tendencies of A.I. opponents), but Wits & Wagers is a loose and enjoyable experience that fills a necessary gap on Xbox Live Arcade without significant monetary -- or mental -- investment.

The biggest issue with the game, besides the slow pace, is that each level feels roughly the same, despite the shifting settings of each stage.

Boom Blox may not be the best Wii game, depending on your proclivities, but it's definitely the best use of the Wii yet. It's immensely accessible, wonderfully tactile, and stands as one of the best treatments of gaming in a 3D space.

Crosswords is simply a game about word puzzles made for people who love word puzzles -- and that's OK with me.

We've come to expect a missing coat of polish on film tie-ins, but Iron Man seems to lack even a level of care, resulting in a drab adaptation that sinks well beyond simple mediocrity.

We've come to expect a missing coat of polish on film tie-ins, but Iron Man seems to lack even a level of care, resulting in a drab adaptation that sinks well beyond simple mediocrity.

I hesitate to say that Iron Man is dumbed down for the Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP, since hardware limitations likely necessitated such a distinct iteration, but the resulting experience is a by-the-numbers affair unlikely to rouse most action fans.

I hesitate to say that Iron Man is dumbed down for the Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP, since hardware limitations likely necessitated such a distinct iteration, but the resulting experience is a by-the-numbers affair unlikely to rouse most action fans.

A by-the-numbers affair unlikely to rouse most action fans. Maybe you won't toss your controller in a fit of rage (unlike the frustrating PS3/360 games), but with gameplay and presentation this uninteresting, do you even need pick it up to begin with?

Developer A2M gets a thumbs-up for effort on this focused iteration, but Iron Man's on-the-go heroics are largely average in practice.

It might seem like this review is a long list of complaints, and it is, especially regarding the time limit. But they're an assortment of small annoyances in what's otherwise a splendid puzzle game with a minimalist approach. And the ability to create and share your own mind-bending scenes encourages some homegrown M.C. Escherism.

For better or worse, Arnor is an add-on that completes its parent game rather than simply expanding its scope.

None of these little flaws take away from Liberty City's breathtaking vistas, incredibly varied scenery, and lived-in look (the PS3 version has the slightest visual edge, plus motion-control support -- but then it's missing Achievements and the eventual downloadable episodes exclusive to the 360 game). The city just feels alive.

None of these little flaws take away from Liberty City's breathtaking vistas, incredibly varied scenery, and lived-in look (the PS3 version has the slightest visual edge, plus motion-control support -- but then it's missing Achievements and the eventual downloadable episodes exclusive to the 360 game). The city just feels alive.

You'll assuredly have plenty of fun with this, even if Nintendo's play-it-safe, dumb-it-down approach will make many longtime players yearn for something more ambitious and risky.

This is a game that works precisely because it's something new and different, and deserves to be celebrated for its originality...and for making its more banal moments as compelling as the inventive ones.

FES' other addition -- a remarkably expansive epilogue called "The Answer" that's instantly accessible from the title screen -- simply cannot be missed.

The best buying advice I could offer is to pick the game up from the bargain bin in a few months, along with copious amounts of liquor (if you're of age), and throw a Target: Terror party.