As is, Transformers is an average game that younger fans of the film should enjoy.

Traveller’s Tales have been making good games for years – but they’ve also had some stinkers and unfortunately, this one lies somewhere in the middle. While it’s not a bad game, there are too many shortcomings that keep it from greatness.

Maybe the biggest surprise here is that Triumph Studios included an online option. A couple of Versus modes -- Slaughter and Pillage -- and Co-Op Survival fill out an already substantial game.

In 30-minute stretches it’s a fine challenge.

The major problem is Traxxpad is that it's not really sure who it's aimed at.

Hour of Victory could have been an average game, even a good game if some time had been taken to make sure everything works.

The average gameplay can get tedious in its chore duty, so those who aren’t entranced by all things Harry Potter should be forewarned, but fans will have plenty of fun in the halls of Hogwarts found in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix .

All in all, playing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was a painful and tedious experience. I would not recommend it except to those with a collection fetish or for the young fans who don’t know any better.

In the end, Harry Potter & The Order of The Phoenix fails to enchant.

As far as move tie-ins go it’s better than some of them without actually having much innovative about it besides the Wii controls.

Rally fans should have already grabbed this, but I’d even go as far as to challenge non-racing fans to take Dirt for a spin – the challenge of trying to master any given stretch of beautiful road is made compelling enough to try again and again.

All things considered, SimCity may have just been too big to fit on a handheld. That said, if you can cope with the limitation of one save slot and some small text and graphics, SimCity DS might be worth it check out.

There's nothing about the PSP Rainbow Six Vegas that doesn't feel like a cheap cash in, in hopes that some fan of the console games might mistake this for something of the same quality.

As a stealth game, Tenchu Z hits the right notes with all the creeping around and silent killing, so it'll likely offer a few thrills for fans of the genre. But since it lacks useful "stand-up and fight" mechanics any casual players will likely suffer boredom with all the careful sneaking around through drab environments.

As I said, some of the multiplayer magic was lost in the transition to Wii, which puts a kibosh on some of the fun.

You Are Empty is four years too late.

It’s for kids, so it’s not difficult to unlock most of the stuff in a few hours of play, but this isn’t one of those games that’s aimed at me, at the older, core gamer.

Gearhead gamers will thoroughly enjoy the true-to-life car behaviors and the ability to modify cars to unlimited extremes.

The basic elements are all there and, as long as you go into the game with your eyes wide open as to what to expect, Shadowrun offers a very solid experience.

Mario Party 8 has sold extremely well but it seems to be riding the crest wave of previous Mario Party titles, because there’s nothing worth coming back for.

Pirates of the Caribbean : At World’s End keeps the cycle of poor movie to game transitions going. While it maybe a visually impressive game, that doesn’t make up for the lack of depth in the gameplay and uninteresting story.

Shrek the Third doesn’t feature a lot of surprises in its linear beat ‘em up romp, though there are a couple of occasions to bust out the catapults to break down castle walls, which can be fun, especially if you’re playing against a friend in one of the separate multiplayer modes.

While the little kids won’t especially notice or even care about the some of the graphical quirks and choppy animation – Puss in Boots is the main culprit – any older gamers will likely be distracted but if you’re just playing the “hard” parts of the game, it’s not so bad.

Even with that raised expectation, C&C 3: Tiberium Wars more than meets my stringent standards for the franchise, and Electronic Arts’ EA Los Angeles team proves once again their skill at designing an excellent RTS title for the Xbox 360.

Though Aftershock might edge Afterlight for combat and UFO: Extraterrestrials might be a better X-COM clone for purists, Afterlight feels like the most thoughtfully designed and fun of the UFO titles to date.

All in all, Spider-Man 3 was a tremendous bore and I think that I’ll go play some more of Spider-Man 2 to try and get the taste out of my mouth.

The main components of the Spider-Man 3 – the fighting, the webslinging in a wide-open environment, lots of villains – are spot on but most everything else just feels somewhat incomplete or at least unpolished, particularly the story.

So it’s a lot of fun when you first get started and learn to swing around, but the missions are going to get tiring and boring rather quickly.

The Bright Side of the Moon has a stellar and hysterical script, which taken in the entirety of the season, simply cannot be topped today.

Pokémon Diamond or Pearl will satisfy any fan of the previous games: it’s accessible, it’s fun, it features online play and trading, and the battles are more involved than ever, and you’ll get hours of enjoyment out of it – as long as you play against people your own age.

Pokémon Diamond or Pearl will satisfy any fan of the previous games: it’s accessible, it’s fun, it features online play and trading, and the battles are more involved than ever, and you’ll get hours of enjoyment out of it – as long as you play against people your own age.

There are some other amusing so-good-it's-bad features, like the selection of awful porno music or the quasi-sulty voiceovers in the tutorial.

Overall, it’s short but its fun. It’s also a decent price and it looks like it may be one of the last original platforming games we’re going to see on the PS2. Go on, be ‘Brave’.

Super Paper Mario does a nice job of bringing the Paper Mario series to the Wii.

With save points laid at logical points throughout, there’s little chance you’ll be frustrated with some of the more difficult puzzles or encounters in Rival Swords, making it a great entry point for newcomers to the series – even if the story will likely seem convoluted.

Gamers looking to enjoy a new level of Sims revelry should definitely send out an invite to Celebration! Stuff.

Just as before, gameplay isn’t much of an hour-eating affair, clocking in around two hours to complete, which goes back to the norm for the first three episodes while disappointingly straying from the longer gaming session to be had in Abe Lincoln Must Die!

Metal Slug Anthology is already a tremendous deal for your money, and it's definitely worth checking out for anyone into chaotic old school mayhem. The Playstation 2 version is also the best one for your money, since it isn't hampered by the control or loading issues of the other ports.

A standard, by-the-numbers platformer adventure. There are some neat moments of exploration and odes to sci-fi classics, but the incongruent control scheme – that only gets it half right to boot – relegates Meet the Robinsons to a passing rental at best for your kids because it’s mostly harmless.

An old game in new clothing, which, fortunately, is a not a bad thing. Sure, some of the sound effects are recycled from the earliest C&C titles – send out infantry to be slaughtered and tell me I’m wrong – and it does not bring anything significantly new to the genre but is sure is fun.

The Wii controls are simply abysmal at the worst of times and merely “okay” at the best of times.

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.

Pity the living ships that make up Genesis Rising. There was such a wonderful collection of ideas that were utilized in such an atrocious fashion that you almost want to put the ships down like a lamed horse. It's kinder that way.

If you are thinking about the content of the game while you are working, it’s an addictive game and definitely recommended to those who have enjoyed the franchise up to this point.

While it’s not perfect, this game is pretty close and I dare you to find better value for your money.

And I say in conclusion (with great sorrow and apologies to the late Lloyd Bentsen): "Silverfall, I played Diablo II. I knew Diablo II. Diablo II was a friend of mine. And Silverfall [sigh], you’re no Diablo II."

Earth Defense Force 2017 overcomes its weaknesses by being brainless and ridiculous fun. It’s as simple as that. Play, have fun.

Relatively good; on its own merits, not just because its set in the Godfather universe.

With a surprisingly large upgrade of the gameplay offerings, including generally good (although too easy/too difficult at times) Wii-centric controls, if you haven’t been “made” in any other version of The Godfather, the Wii version certainly is a perfect way to learn the Corleone “family business” for the Mature-aged gamer.

Football fans should have no problem picking up U.E.F.A. and enjoying themselves with a layered experience, but for me and gamers like me, I have a hard time even fairly scoring U.E.F.A. because it is so niche, so specifically targeted that a fully “objective” review just isn’t possible.

If you’re a fan of the series, it’s definitely worth looking into. If you’re looking for a new platforming experience with some action thrown in with a non-human character, try checking out ‘The Legend of Kay’ at your local retailer. You’ll find it more enjoyable in the long run.

I don’t want to discourage the intrepid few who might find some real pleasures here or are so excited about the time period that they’re willing to endure Great Invasions’ abundant frustrations.

The action is fast, and furious, it looks damn good, and the adventure is a whole lot of fun thanks to how it embraces Greek mythology. Top notch.

It might have come a little late to the table, but College Sports 2K7 is definitely worth taking a look at.

With basically the same gameplay and modes found in its other next-generation counterparts (sans the upgraded visuals and online gameplay) but with the added bonus of the brilliant Wiimote swinging controls, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 comes up aces and eagles.

Despite the steady stream of real historical events, Making History seems strangely outside of history, inhabiting some alternate universe where nations go through the motions, behave erratically or simply do nothing at all. It’s hard to feel immersed in such a situation. And it’s hard to really care.

As it stands, it's only barely playable, and it's only fun if you have the patience for fumbling controls.

It's hard to knock this package, considering it does what it sets out to do, and does it pretty well.

Spectrobes takes too long to get going – the digging is a novelty that wears off way too soon – and the lack of puzzles and/or interesting side plots and quests kneecap the experience.

Spinning a new tune for the franchise, Def Jam ICON’s incredible graphics, a really fresh gameplay innovation, great hip-hop soundtrack, the ability to play to your own “beats” and solid online fighting come together in (Bone, Thugs-N) harmony.

Despite the disappointing exclusion of Burnout’s Crash mode, which in my opinion really was one of the franchise’s significant features, and a somewhat surprising lack of online multiplayer, you’ll still find your burning desire for hot racing satiated by Burnout Dominator, although it’s certainly not as dominating on the hot virtual asphalt as its predecessor, Burnout Revenge.

Although the single-player is a roller coaster ride, complete with "on rails" vehicle sections that are over all too soon the multiplayer will ensure that you stick around.

Just pop in one of the old games – or any one of their numerous clones from the past few years – and it’ll probably be more worthwhile.

Good stuff for adventure fans.

The worst part about Bullet Witch is that it had so much potential! Bullet Witch may be stylish and features some of the coolest spell effects ever but if there was more action it might have had a chance.

Chili Con Carnage occasionally feels like a mess of a game, largely due to the controls, but it's a darned fun mess of a game, and anyone into arcade-style blastathons will find a lot to like.

SSX Blur is a icy blast of refreshingly cool gaming, as you shred down snowy slopes with a Wii Nunchuk in one hand and a Wiimote in the other, watching the wintry scenery blur right by at an extreme speed.

Another small genesis for the franchise, which is now scarily ever closer to being as true a life simulation as it could possibly be.

War Front: Turning Point never tries to reinvent the wheel – it simply does a good job of mimicking the conventions of real-time strategy games that have come before it and puts it into a very comfortable setting.

Unfortunately, while the game mechanics and interesting mix of units would, in theory, allow for some good old-fashioned combined arms tactics, in practice, the most effective strategy is rushing the objective blindly, blasting anything in the way – which is much less fun than it sounds.

This is simply amazing writing with some of the best satirical political commentary without even mentioning specifics about either Democrats or Republicans along with longer and tougher gameplay.

Maelstrom isn’t original or perfect or devoid of problems, but it is innovative and fun, which should be what matters. And it should provide a nice alternative before that other game (hint: rhymes with . . . uh . . . okay, it’s Supreme Commander) comes along and wipes the floor with everyone.

Metal Slug Anthology is already a tremendous deal for your money, and the fact that it's portable makes it all the sweeter, especially since you can save the game when you quit and return to where you left off.

With wi-fi multiplayer to back-up the generally intense single-player modes, it’s still a good purchase for action puzzle fans. Or more specifically, the kids of those action puzzle fans.

Much of the fun in Crackdown is your ability to muck around in a world alive with (destructive) possibilities – sometimes it’s just satisfying to run around and blow stuff up.

Swish it from way downtown or slam it home with a physics-defying, high-flying double or even triple dunk. Whatever way you score it, NBA Street Homecourt is the best streetball game around, bringing a whole new level of energy and exciting gameplay to the NBA Street franchise.

But Arena Football Road to Glory does truly capture, in true EA Sports form, the real essence of indoor football that will offer the average football gamer another choice to select from if they want a pigskin alternative to both of EA’s other more revered football franchises covering the NFL and college football.

A few points keep it from achieving perfection, but you won’t be disappointed in the end.

If you missed this game on the consoles, or just want to experience it on the go, it’s a no brainer.

If it were a standalone game, I’d recommend forgetting Wii Play, but it comes with a Wiimote, so really the game is $10US so it’s really hard to argue against picking it up.

Gurumin is a pretty short game, and these trinkets help encourage replayability, especially at the higher difficulty levels.

With a great baseball-playing control setup, MVP 07 NCAA Baseball is a solid hitting title that will stay entrenched in the gaming lineup of baseball-gaming fans everywhere.

Visually and audibly, The Sims Life Stories has exactly the same presence of The Sims 2 series.

Diddy Kong Racing DS ends up being a slightly above average racing game. If you are expecting to find a better time than Mario Kart here, keep looking.

The story won’t win any awards, but there is enough to do in this game, and enough charm to keep players occupied for a very long time.

Battlestations: Midway offers up a change from other World War II themed games and real time strategy fans are really going to find some enjoyment in this title. Those who are more interested in action-packed gameplay may find the level of micromanagement and accessibility to be a problem.

Fuzion Frenzy 2 was never asked for and if there’s ever plans for a third edition the game will need a complete gutting before it can be stitched into something that people will want to play.

If you’ve enjoyed the first two episodes of Sam and Max’s capers, then Sam & Max: The Mole, the Mob and the Meatball will be just as pleasurable to play, although be forewarned this is the shortest of the three so far.

A quality title by a quality developer who has shown that you can actually fix a game that ain’t broken, and introduce fresh possibilities into an already intriguing genre.

A great adventure with an interesting story that will keep you wondering throughout just what will happen next. If adventure games are your style, you won’t be disappointed with this one.

While NCAA March Madness 07 isn’t without flaws in both its gameplay and presentation values, there certainly is a vast improvement from the franchise’s final appearance on the original Xbox last year.

If you’re a WarioWare fan, Smooth Moves ramps up very slowly but when it’s firing on all pistons... great fun.

As an action game, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition delivers in spades – even if it can be finished in under 8 hours total playtime.

The name should clue gamers in right away – it’s about the same emotion you’d feel if you bought Burn, installed it and found it to be a sub-par experience even if it was 1999 when Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament were the kings of Deathmatch. Burned!

Vastly improved is the sometimes-schizophrenic camera from Sam & Max: Culture Shock that would block the goings-on, especially cut-scene interactions. I didn’t notice one instance of that particular issue at all in Situation: Comedy.

The Wii version of the Metal Slug Anthology is somewhat less than ideal, primarily due to the control snafus...Still, you can get used to it, and despite tripping over itself, Metal Slug Anthology is a tremendous deal for your money, and is definitely worth checking out for anyone into chaotic old school mayhem.

With an engrossing story mode and challenging gameplay physics that really do require you to learn proper golf-club swing techniques to be successful, as long as you can get past the anime-inspired, girly-game graphical presentation, Super Swing Golf is worth a round on the virtual links.

It's not much of a fighting game, its controls are inexact, the camera has its own quirks, and it's only enjoyable during short sittings, but Zatch Bell! Mamodo Fury is a very stylish Japanese game that should please fans of the anime.