A louder, meaner, faster futuristic version of "Gauntlet."

Xpand Rally shows off a love for the sport that borders on obsessive, yet the game is truly accessible to any motor sports fan.

The game could have used a few more track locations, options and gameplay modes, but for twenty bucks (or less with a trade-in), it's not a bad deal no matter how you look at it.

The game could have used a few more track locations, options and gameplay modes, but for twenty bucks (or less with a trade-in), it’s not a bad deal no matter how you look at it.

The game is consistently funny throughout, easy to play and will absolutely make you a Bone fan before you’re done with it.

The three wildly different takes on the main story should take around 15 or so hours to complete (including the cut scenes) and the ton of music tracks, weapons and items make for quite a bit of collecting.

An absolute must-have for any Silent Hill fan. Even though I would’ve loved to have seen more movie features, the digital comics, compilation soundtrack, movie trailer, video interviews and game trailers (yes, the trailers for each game in the series have been included as well) are totally worth throwing down 20 bucks for, no questions asked.

Although nothing about Keepsake sparks the furnace of mind-blowing innovation, it is still a well designed and thoroughly compelling game that traditional adventure game enthusiasts of any skill level can dive into and love every second of.

It certainly kept me entertained more than most of today’s over-hyped, higher profile FPSs.

It’s great to see a horror-themed game that goes more for the cerebral end of the spectrum rather than straight the jugular, but there are a few moments where you might not want to step into a darkened area or find out what’s happened to a character you’ve befriended.

Beatmania had the makings for a solid rhythm game with its sweet turntable peripheral, accessible-yet-challenging gameplay and plethora of game modes and options, however when the most important element to this type of game -- the music -- is so forgettable the entire gameplay experience is essentially ruined.

There are a couple of flaws to point out and the game doesn’t take any groundbreaking strides forward, but in remaining true to the addictive simplicity of the genre and providing just enough new tweaks and additions to the time-tested formula The Warrior’s Code finds itself a lofty spot in our diehard hack-n-slash hearts, and I guarantee it will do the same for any action-RPG fan.

Where Game Tycoon falters is in its lack of depth and variety. Although the concept and myriad of options I described in the paragraph above are intriguing, there isn’t a whole lot to it beyond clicking check boxes on the screen and managing company economics.

Yes, the game’s main collection of 20-plus story missions last roughly 10 hours, but after that you’ll be spending at least two or three times as many hours striving for 100% game completion and the ultimate ascension to Don of NYC.

Yes, the game’s main collection of 20-plus story missions last roughly 10 hours, but after that you’ll be spending at least two or three times as many hours striving for 100% game completion and the ultimate ascension to Don of NYC.

Me and My Katamari disappointed me just a wee little bit with it’s limited level variety and frequent mid-level load times, and because of these faults the game isn’t as great as it could’ve and should’ve been.

Whereas Metal Gear Acid faltered slightly in its attempt to branch the MGS franchise out into a bold new direction, Acid 2 absolutely nails the concept with engaging turn-based strategy gameplay, a refined interface, quicker pacing, stylized graphics and an abundance of replay value, among other noteworthy attributes.

Yes, the game's main collection of 20-plus story missions last roughly 10 hours, but after that you'll be spending at least two or three times as many hours striving for 100% game completion and the ultimate ascension to Don of NYC.

The scale, beauty and immersion of the game’s open-ended world is unprecedented, the character creation and progression systems are deep and involving and the gameplay that backs it all up is solid and insatiably addictive.

The scale, beauty and immersion of the game’s open-ended world is unprecedented, the character creation and progression systems are deep and involving and the gameplay that backs it all up is solid and insatiably addictive.

Not only does the DS again innovate the industry by allowing players to utilize the touchscreen as a pseudo mouse look, but the inclusion of online multiplayer extends this game well past the single player mode.

For this only being a booster pack and not a full expansion set like Special Forces, what EA and DICE have on display here is a massive upgrade for Battlefield 2. I can see all the 24/7 Great Wall servers popping up already.

Sony has a great potential franchise here if they continue to polish and refine the gameplay and visuals with each installment, and I’d recommend they take this style of top-down action to the home consoles as well, adding even more features.

From the gorgeous graphics, solid control scheme to the writing and sound production, this one has "BUY ME" stamped all over it in big gold letters.

You absolutely, positively must buy this game if you own a PS2 – it’s that simple.

The game looks fantastic, controls like a dream and is brilliantly paced, elements that add up to a "must buy" in my book.

The franchise’s grandest adventure yet, hands down. A few minor quibbles are the only flaws in what is an absolutely masterful action-RPG/adventure epic.

An outstanding next-gen racer and one of the best games for the 360 to date.

Presentation-wise, Naruto: Ninja Council looks like one of those great Super Famicom games that got left in Japan and finally made its way over to the GBA.

Straightforward pick up and play battling with insane Jutsu moves and lots of spirit in tow, this one is sure to entertain every time you boot it up.

Although it doesn’t feel as inventive as the DS installment, the core gameplay and story, spruced up presentation, multiplayer addition and subtle control improvements all mesh together as a portable romp well worth taking a gander at, especially if you’re in search of a good platform action game for your PSP.

Easily the best console FPS experience I’ve played this generation.

A title meant for the fans, and in that regard it delivers the goods, and then some.

Easily the best console FPS experience I've played this generation.

I would’ve loved to see Nintendo challenge gamers more with a stiffer difficulty, but in the end there’s way too much enjoyment to be had here to get too bent out of shape.

It plays well overall (minus the tricky landing controls), looks awesome, sounds great and contains a whopping array of game options, modes and unlockable content to shoot for.

One round of the next-gen version will make you realize that graphics are a major part of sports games, so I would only recommend the current-gen version if you don't own a 360.

An engaging arcade racing game that brings along a host of unique new gameplay twists and turns that distinguish it from the score of other similar titles.

MS Saga: A New Dawn can be completely compelling once you let it sink its hooks into you, promising at least a good 40 hours of gameplay and some cool replay bonuses.

An engaging arcade racing game that brings along a host of unique new gameplay twists and turns that distinguish it from the score of other similar titles.

An engaging arcade racing game that brings along a host of unique new gameplay twists and turns that distinguish it from the score of other similar titles.

One round of the next-gen version will make you realize that graphics are a major part of sports games, so I would only recommend the current-gen version if you don’t own a 360.

Offers up a good value for the money with its selection of top favorites and near classics. While a PC is a poor substitute for a stand up arcade cabinet or oversized sit down model, you’ll feel transported back in time to those days when you spent all your spare change after school and then your entire allowance on Friday nights at the arcade with your friends.

The gameplay is smooth and streamlined, making it easy for noobs and deep for veterans.

A well done blast of intense action gaming that should keep genre fans occupied for a while. The plot isn’t going to win any awards, but its twists and turns are compelling enough to keep you playing throughout the tougher sections.

The metaphors and subtext that lay underneath every step you take resonated volumes with me personally.

Full Auto may not push the boundaries of in-depth, innovative gameplay, but for all intents and purposes it is a blast of a game to play nonetheless and delivers non-stop explosive thrills from start to finish.

The metaphors and subtext that lay underneath every step you take resonated volumes with me personally.

The metaphors and subtext that lay underneath every step you take resonated volumes with me personally.

In taking the inventive foundation left from Feel the Magic and building on it with more modes and mini-games, The Rub Rabbits is by far a much better all-around game even though the core content may not seem as overwhelmingly unique as it once did roughly a year and a half ago.

The game does have a tendency to get slightly repetitive at times, however almost as soon as the experience shows signs of getting to the point of redundancy a new gameplay mechanic, challenge or boss battle is introduced, thusly keeping your interest level zoned in from start to finish.

It has its share of quirks that do frustrate from time to time, mainly early on, but in the end the sheer charm, originality and fun-factor Chibi-Robo exudes is uplifting enough to easily earn the game my stamp of approval.

Platformer lovers who are also fans of the license are likely to get a kick out of Curious George, and I don’t think anyone can discount the game’s beautiful presentation, but in the end I think sticking with a weekend rental is the best way to go.

Platformer lovers who are also fans of the license are likely to get a kick out of Curious George, and I don't think anyone can discount the game's beautiful presentation, but in the end I think sticking with a weekend rental is the best way to go.

Sure, many of the bonus features could’ve been beefed up a bit more, but considering you’re getting the same masterful Devil May Cry 3 package with solid new content at a bargain basement price, there’s absolutely no reason not to go out and treat yourself to this action classic right away, whether you own the original already or not.

Some work needed to be done in fleshing out certain game modes and features for it to really stand out as a top DS title, but what’s here is great, long-lasting fun nonetheless.

This title brings back all the memories of Marble Madness, but with countless alterations and improvements. There are a few things I wish could be improved, such as the camera and music, but these shouldn’t prevent you from spending the $10 for all the content this game provides.

Ape Escape 3 works simply and beautifully because it’s just a well-made game that’s funny as hell when it needs to be and bizarre the rest of the time.

I wish the game was more challenging so the innovative battle system would’ve been fully taken advantage of, however in reverse it could also be argued that because of the lacking difficulty the game is in turn more accessible to a wider audience.

Overall, what makes PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient work so well is that it’s a smart game that doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

As much as I love and appreciate all that is unique and wonderful about Electroplankton, there simply isn’t enough lasting appeal provided here in order for me to muster up the must-buy recommendation I really do want to give this title.

I only wish that the online mode was a bit more solid and less susceptible to lag, but overall it looks fantastic, flows very smoothly, and has plenty of replay value making this the best title for the 360 to date.

I won’t lie and say there aren’t some playability and accessibility problems to be found here, however with everything this game does so remarkably right there’s no doubt in my mind that Armored Core: Formula Front Extreme Battle is one of the best reasons to own a PSP right now.

Simply a fun downloadable game, so go on and give the demo a try and if you like it, purchase the full version.

The minimalist twist to Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows may turn of those gamers looking for depth, but the game really does pull you in with some great visuals and slick combo moves.

80 Days had all of the makings to be a great PC adventure title, but due to a myriad of technical faults and off-putting humor and dialogue the game only delivers a good, solid adventure experience solely meant for fans of Verne’s novel and the adventure genre as a whole to enjoy.

The minimalist twist to Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows may turn of those gamers looking for depth, but the game really does pull you in with some great visuals and slick combo moves.

The long-time problems that do and will always hold gambling videogames down still exist here, mainly the fact that human emotion and reaction cannot be duplicated and gambling with fake money isn’t always satisfying when you can pull a real game together with your friends, but with all elements considered there simply isn’t a better videogame simulation of the popular card game to be found.

A fantastic action-platformer that, despite a few technical hitches and minor camera problems, delivers well over 10 hours of 3D Pac-Man goodness.

Put a few hours into this and you’ll be dreaming of diminutive dragons and blissfully bursting bubbles when you finally get some sleep.

Video games work best when you never once question your suspension of disbelief, and Tokobot scores high marks with its winning charm and ease of gameplay.

Except for the mildly annoying audio elements and certain segments of the story mode bogging down in too much uninteresting dialogue, Mario Tennis: Power Tour really is a game you have to nitpick at in order to find any weaknesses -- nothing about the title stands out as being a serious problem whatsoever, it's that great.

One of those classic videogame cases in which the gameplay and overall design is handled extremely well, but the experience itself is so short-lived that even the great gameplay can't keep it from growing stale over a pretty short period of time.

Two Thrones caps off the greatest gaming trilogy quite possibly ever released in grand fashion, and it will surely keep us busy until Ubisoft decides whether to carry the PoP label over to the next-generation.

The main problem I had here in Two Thrones was, amazingly and sadly enough, the environments! In a franchise that held a high standard for level design, Two Thrones features bland and drab colors that are just uninteresting in so many ways.

Two Thrones caps off the greatest gaming trilogy quite possibly ever released in grand fashion, and it will surely keep us busy until Ubisoft decides whether to carry the PoP label over to the next-generation.

Two Thrones caps off the greatest gaming trilogy quite possibly ever released in grand fashion, and it will surely keep us busy until Ubisoft decides whether to carry the PoP label over to the next-generation.

A fantastic PSP game that brings back memories of camping out on the couch for hours on end with some of my favorite console RPGs.

When the entire gameplay composition and technical makeup are so miserably flawed the abundance of game modes, cars and tracks comes off as completely useless. Visual Impact should be ashamed for tampering with and tarnishing such a proud and illustrious franchise with this filth.

Whereas Dr. Mario is a bit more simplistic and easy to jump in and out of for quick portable sessions, the slightly deeper Puzzle League overshadows Dr. Mario's lasting appeal with its greater variety of game modes, play options and presentation elements.

While certainly not as in-depth as some other games in the tycoon subset of the strategy genre, Outpost Kaloki X does offer plenty of bang for its $10 price tag.

Overall, Zatch Bell! Electric Arena isn't too difficult nor too lengthy; about 5 hours or so from start to finish should get most, if not all of the characters unlocked. However, the more patient/persistent kids will have quite a bit of fun unlocking all the gallery items and other three mini-games.

Minus the camera issues with Kong, whose gameplay is more of a “tension-breaker” than a titular role, Peter Jackson’s King Kong on the current-gen consoles is definitely a must play!

Minus the camera issues with Kong, whose gameplay is more of a “tension-breaker” than a titular role, Peter Jackson’s King Kong on the current-gen consoles is definitely a must play!

If Digital Illusions could’ve ironed out some balancing issues and worked on the physics for the vehicles a little more, as well as denied the assault class a little bit of their overwhelming power, Special Forces would’ve probably been the best expansion pack to ever come straight out of a box without a patch or anything.

When compared to other movie inspired video games, King Kong comes out on top. However, when comparing it to other first person shooter titles (which the majority of the gameplay falls under), it’s merely average at best.

It's clear to see that the developer was going for a certain balance of historical accuracy and pick up and play mechanics that should appeal to just about anyone with a great deal of patience.

Minus the camera issues with Kong, whose gameplay is more of a "tension-breaker" than a titular role, Peter Jackson's King Kong on the current-gen consoles is definitely a must play!

Minus the camera issues with Kong, whose gameplay is more of a "tension-breaker" than a titular role, Peter Jackson's King Kong on the current-gen consoles is definitely a must play!

Overall, Altron and D3 have a real chart-topper for fans of the show with Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Kaznapped!. The levels are short enough for quick play while traveling and battery backup means you can save as you go (no passwords!).

The old-school gameplay aesthetics combined with the rich visual style make for a winning combination in my book and despite the minor issues, the game is ridiculously addictive.

50 Cent: Bulletproof just isn’t any damn fun. Due to laggy controls and a horrible targeting system, death is imminent almost any time you go against an enemy, especially some of the bosses that have far better weapons and cheaper tactics than you.

The graphics really make the high speed races seem incredibly fast and besides the few hiccups I ran across, they even hold up in online mode as well.

The game does a great job of showing off the graphical power that the 360 is capable of, but the gameplay, and in particular the aiming controls, just bring the title down to average levels.

A fantastic action-platformer that, despite a few technical hitches and minor camera problems, delivers well over 10 hours of 3D Pac-Man goodness.

A very cool game indeed. Stacked up against other movie-based games, it can hold its own with the best of them an it actually makes me more interested in the upcoming film (free ticket or not).

50 Cent: Bulletproof just isn't any damn fun. Due to laggy controls and a horrible targeting system, death is imminent almost any time you go against an enemy, especially some of the bosses that have far better weapons and cheaper tactics than you.

A fantastic action-platformer that, despite a few technical hitches and minor camera problems, delivers well over 10 hours of 3D Pac-Man goodness.