Did I thoroughly enjoy Halo: Reach? Yes, very much so. Will I ever watch a cut scene from this game ever again? No. Will this game continue to remain in high play rotation on my Xbox? Very yes.

Rock Band is an incredible evolution of what Harmonix has been doing for years.

Splinter Cell oozes cool and sophistication from it’s lead character through it’s many and varied levels, and very slick control scheme.

As a lifelong fan of both text-based and table-top baseball games, I can honestly say that OOTP4 is the best baseball game I have ever played. The recent releases of its two biggest competitors, "Baseball Mogu"l and "PureSim Baseball," are both top-notch, but, in the end, OOTP4 out options them and certainly provides a smoother, more compelling re-creation of America’s pastime.

Each game and each expansion is always just better than their last mind-blowing accomplishment, and here, the camera work and scene integration is the new star.

Though DOA3 may have it beat graphically, no game can touch VF4’s fighting engine. This is the deepest, most dynamic fighter ever created.

Now, the computer-controlled cars are much better at making players work hard for a win. The only time a player can tear apart the competition is if their car has significantly more aftermarket parts on it.

With its extensive list of events and near unlimited replay value, Burnout Revenge still maintains the visceral carnage that fans (and angered commuters) everywhere have come to expect.

Never have I played a Star Wars game that so captures the films – the feeling of actually taking part in the events of the original Trilogy.

Flaws are in short supply. It's easy to save, the control is great, the presentation awesome, and the gameplay deep and addictive.

This is what an adventure game should be: easy to look at, great puzzles and sound, simple interaction, humour, solid writing and the power to transport the player somewhere else for some fun.

Easily the best WWII first person shooter on the Xbox.

The type of game that appeals to the very basic of collective human subconscious. It isn't just a game, it fulfills a very basic need – the need to destroy – in the same way that we need food and water.

The best role-playing game I have played in years. It features wonderful graphics, a compelling main plot, an immense number of subplots, and all the micro-management a pen-and-paper role-playing game (RPG) geek could ever want.

With so many hours of new gameplay just in the single-player mode, not to mention the multiplayer and customization upgrades, it's shocking to realize that this is really only an expansion pack.

I hate to sound like an EA Sports poster boy, but NCAA is a must-have for any sports gamer.

This game is so good, it's almost impossible to think that there's a possibility that the NCAA Football series can improve.

Prepare to be challenged like you've never been challenged before to complete an action-adventure game. If you make it through Ninja Gaiden Black, be proud, because it definitely is one of the hardest games to complete that you'll ever play.

A "gateway" game. It’s friendly enough for first time players, but it’s got all the things to keep you playing and become a hardcore racer. (It’s even got options to show you the best trajectory and supply driving tips.) But even the hardcore simmer will find F1RC a challenge and realistic.

At heart, Shadow of the Colossus seems to me a bit like the work of a Transcendentalist in that it begs us to examine the world the hero lives in and leaves us unsure of whether we made the correct choice in our interactions with nature.

With an absolutely stellar story, and characters that are more lively and fleshed out than those found in other series this game provides the integral components to make for an RPG that will rule the players life until they’ve finished the game.

A great game. The humour is consistent right from the start and nearly always borders on ridiculous, which is a nice parry to the action.

This is one awesome GameCube title. Splinter Cell is a no-brainer next to Metroid Prime and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker to add to your ‘Cube library.

More of the same with a few extras throw in. But that’s not a bad thing – not by a long shot.

At the end of the day, F-Zero GX is a speed-freaks dream come true. On top of being fast, Fast, FAST, FZ has great racing options, insane tracks, snappy control, a brilliant customize feature, and the ever-important fun factor.

If you had any doubts that Halo 2 is the ultimate Xbox Live title, this map pack will make you a true believer.

Even if you already own the GBA version of THPS2 go out and buy this terrific title that more than does justice to the long lineage of Pro Skating greatness that has preceded it.

A surprisingly deep game; its many features pushes the game’s replay value up into the stratosphere.

I understand that designing a game that accurately portrays Spidey's gracefulness is a difficult task, but in previous games the right “feel” wasn't represented. This is the area where Spider-Man: The Movie makes the biggest jump.

The whole game is so imaginative, hilarious and exciting, that it makes Mario (the very pioneer of this genre) and his talking hose seem incredibly flaccid my comparison.

The way Tribunal is integrated into the main Morrowind game is smooth and fascinating.

It isn't quite (Serious) Sam and Max's (Payne) level, but it definitely should be regarded right up there as one of the superlative FPS games to hit the PC scene this year.

Great gameplay, great graphics, great levels, great lead character, great amount of gaming-time hours: you name it this game does it GREAT.

A must have game for shooter fans! It’s got a large assortment of weapons, tons of action, excellent multiplayer, and lots of replay value.

Soul Calibur II will satisfy most fighting fans with its smooth play and brilliant graphics. It stands easily among a handful of other games as one of the best fighting games of all time.

Completely overshadows its predecessor in every single way.

With a strong AI, a tried and true game concept, and beautiful graphics and sound, Port Royale is a great game.

The only really damning thing I have to say has little to do with Norrath and more to do with the license. The world of Everquest is so boring and so derivative that I never got the feeling I was in some amazing fantasy world while playing.

The graphics are much improved from the original NBA Street. The graphics look sharper and the player detail is incredible.

One of the most incredibly engrossing adventures on any system.

If you can put up with the loading screens galore and a bad soundtrack, Burnout 3: Takedown is an arcade racer that should please hardcore and casual race fans.

The best football video game of 2004.

Amazingly engrossing online play, near-flawless visuals and sound, strong overall gameplay, and lightning-quick control responsiveness.

All the added features of the nicely-priced expansion pack provide an absolutely enjoyable and unique city-building gaming experience that will keep you entertained each and every visit you make to the sunny beaches that make up the sultry and sometimes dangerous paradise of Tropico.

A great add-on for fans of the Quake series and multiplayer mayhem. This is a must have for the frag fanatic.

Despite the fact that Vice City is ported from the PS2, the new features make the PC version a must buy, even for those who own the PS2 version.

One of the most in-depth and enjoyable football titles to have ever hit the market, with the exception of "Joe Montana 94." Sorry, but that's the greatest game of all time.

With Madden on Xbox Live and EA's own network playing so well on the PS2, it is hard to recommend the GameCube version to anyone who owns the other two systems. Still, if the GameCube is the only system you own, Madden 2005 is a great purchase.

Without a doubt the finest WWII game released this year, and if other gamers agree a prime contender for the PC Game of the Year.

The brilliant twist of the encouragement to crash cars for gaming pleasure and reward pushes the petal to the metal and zooms Burnout Revenge past the average racing game.

It is marvelous fun to use God-like power to morph the terrain, release tornadoes on the town, or simply try to make your city the best it can be.

The realism is helped tremendously by the solid physics engine present within Crytech's Cryengine. I got untold hours of joy out of just pushing things and watching them roll or bounce down a hill.

This is one tough game for newbies! Don't expect any sympathy from experienced MechWarriors, who take gleeful delight in annihilating those novices who come in their path.

The presentation is probably the best in any sports game out on the market. You can truly see the ESPN integration in the game. The cut scenes are beautiful and commentating is great.

It's truly excellent to finally be able to play NBA Street V3 on Xbox Live.

You name it, Halo 2 does it at an A+ level: wonderfully improved visuals, a solidly engaging and well-scripted storyline (with an unexpected sense of humor intermixed with the strong religious overtones), good voice-acting, splendidly ear-pleasing orchestral music, and the coup de grace, exciting online play.

It's so good that on a gorgeous, sunny 80-degree afternoon I found myself hitting the virtual links instead of the real thing – and I love real golf.

Raven has done a fantastic job bringing Star Wars to life, especially with the small touches like the familiar war room from A New Hope.

It has an overwhelming amount of golf goodies including a stellar reproduction in video game form of some of the world's most famous courses. But Links 2004's green-jacket winning feature is the strong Live gameplay that makes this the champion of golf games on the Xbox.

Whether you're miles ahead of your opponents, in the heat of it or straggling behind, it provides you with an adrenaline filled rush.

An exceptional racing game, with stunningly awesome graphics and a solid gameplay, albeit somewhat lacking in the A.I. smarts.

I’m going to assign Madden 2003 the same score that I gave "Madden 2002." The changes are nice, but none of them mark a truly great leap over last year’s game.

It is the most impressive game to use to show off the PSP's power, but it is also very, very fast and fun.

Superior controls and artificial intellect go a long way to making this a quality simulation of NFL football on the field.

In terms of flat out fun and speed, not much can touch Burnout 2: Point of Impact.

The controls of MechAssault are its biggest asset. I could not believe how responsive the controls are and how easy they are to master.

An easy learning curve, excellent presentation and a story that will keep you coming back.

There's no doubt that NCAA Football 06 lives up to the pre-release hype and keeps the dynasty going by staying on top and garnering yet another title as the best college football game around.

There's no doubt that NCAA Football 06 lives up to the pre-release hype and keeps the dynasty going by staying on top and garnering yet another title as the best college football game around.

It’s slick, entertaining, and fun to watch – just like any good action movie. I recommend it, especially for John Woo, Matrix fans, and those that want a mouse pad that comes with a game!

If you are a big fan of "The Sims" and are looking for a little vacation from that game, crack out the margarita mix and sun block before heading on over to the exceptionally good Tropico. May your reign be long and your Swiss bank account large!

Dual Strike does just about everything right – in fact, the only thing I can really complain about is that it sucked up (well, currently still sucking-up) huge blocks of my time.

This is definitely a great football game, even though it could reach a hall-of-fame level of excellence with better presentation values (particularly in the announcing booth and by possibly using the ESPN license it confiscated from 2K Sports and replicating the ESPN studio analysis that was part of ESPN 2K5).

Unlike EA’s NHL games, which have generally put an emphasis on offense, NHL 2K3 is a much more balanced game. Most players will not score an average of 10 goals a game in NHL 2K3.

It has tons of replayability and lots of fun, even if it might take a while to grasp the control and get used to the speed issue.

Simply put, Advance Wars + Golden Sun + anabolic steroids = Fire Emblem.

While it's inexcusable that there's still no Xbox Live support, and the GTA story mode isn't the revolutionary addition it could have been, THUG's overall great features and customary amazing skating action assure that this is again not only a great skateboarding game, but a great game period.

A racing video gamers fantasy fulfilled nevertheless, with tight controls, a good variety of tracks, a garage full of excellent looking vehicles and picturesque cityscapes, and great online gameplay through Live that any Live subscriber will immediately appreciate.

NHL gamers will cheer loud for NHL 06, which again proves to be the most playable and engrossing NHL game around, with a very good control scheme and better A.I. than ever along with online play that brings a new level of competitive gameplay to the forefront.

Though there are minor improvements over the original, Viewtiful Joe 2 is a rip-roaring ride with plenty of fun packed into the experience.

Graphically, it is a step above the PS2 as there is less flicker in the background and less aliasing in general. It is missing the graphical improvements given the Xbox version, however.

Even though I was disappointed with no extra features, I was still extremely satisfied with the game as a whole.

Regardless of Marvel's heroes and villains, Pinball FX 2's realistic and engaging pinball gameplay is as close to bringing back the glory of pinball's Golden Age as it gets.

Fortunately, although the naming scheme has strayed from tradition, the gameplay is exactly what you expect of Mario Kart.

The second, more significant disappoint that RON inflicts upon the gamer is the mind numbing singularity of the conquest battles. As much as I love toasting the opposition into roasted marshmallow oblivion, doing so 22 times in a row gets a little old.

With its impressive graphic and new Nitrous boost feature, RR positions itself as the best game in the series and it provides a great example of the quality of games we can expect from the PSP.

There are plenty of characters and each with their own unique storyline. Dissidia will surely last many hours before a FF fan will get bored of it. I highly suggest a purchase.

It warms my heart that SSX has finally made a full-on next-gen appearance and warmer still that it's so much fun to play. There's definitely some nostalgia playing into my opinion of SSX -- the original was one of the first games that The Armchair Empire received for review -- but even taking that out, I'd still say SSX is a damn fine title and definitely worth your time and attention.

As an apology for Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7 gets high marks indeed, and it definitely has the depth and longevity to remain in constant rotation on my 3DS.

At it's core Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is an arcade racer. It smacks all the right targets, my personal preferences regarding power-ups notwithstanding.

Around Every Corner is about 3 hours long and it definitely felt like the longest episode yet. And I can't wait until the next one. As terrible as things get, I can't wait to see how it all ends.

Unlike the Wii version, the fully functional online component means you (almost) always have access to some stiff human competition over Xbox Live. And it definitely looks much sharper.

All in all, I'm a huge fan of WWE 2K14 and am excited to see what we can look forward to on the next generation consoles. A few more tweaks and a shinier coat of polish and we'll be talking about how the WWE 2K franchise is as much of a must-have for all sports fans.

You should play Metroid Prime 3: Corruption to experince one of the best games available on Wii and one of the top games 2007 has produced (to date).

Fans of both The Walking Dead comic book and TV series will be impressed with the great story and gameplay that is another excellent extension of the walker lore. And the scintillating second the episode ends, gamers will be anxiously awaiting the second episode, which if the teaser trailer at the end of the first one is any indication, will be even more tension-filled and exciting.

As much as I was pummelled by the higher echelon of boxers, it was (and continues to be) fun. It’s also open enough to be kid-friendly and punishing enough to offer the kind of experience many of us from the NES era remember so fondly.

Nothing is better then running over a vulnerable pedestrian, drive under an 18-wheeler while going over 100, speed across red lights inching past others, and use your NAS booster, without being pulled over by a cop.

If you let it, Nintendogs will warm your gaming heart. Nintendo put more than enough content into Nintendogs to keep your kids and, lets face it, you engrossed for many hours.