I’ve been playing for hours and still don’t have all the characters, and I still feel like there are menu options I haven’t even touched yet. But at the same time, I feel like I’m deeply satisfied, as what I have chosen to do has scratched gaming itches for me I didn’t even know a Super Smash Bros. game was capable of. This is a massive game in both scale and cultural weight, one that wears its far-reaching subtitles as badges of pride.

I was hooked from the beginning. The extras and refinement brought into this game have only made it better, and BioWare has made the latest installment in the Mass Effect series nearly perfect.

As you can see, the improvements are basically cosmetic and do not affect the gameplay other than to make it look and sound better. If there was ever a reason to replay the game one more time this is it.

By far this is the best version of the game available, simply because of the graphics and reduced load times. You will need a workhorse to have it run smoothly, but it's definitely worth it in the end, whether you've an old homie of CJ's or you've just been introduced.

This game is a step in the right direction and while I feel it's the best one in the Winning Eleven series, I'm not so sure that casual gamers will find the new developments worthy of the purchase price.

Like any social network activity, this is here to last. It's a new form of expression for creative people, and creating animations is so easy that soon there'll be millions of Flipnotes in Hatena's database. Fun stuff!

That isn't to say SCII isn't a fine upstanding product; it is in spades. It just happens to be more than a little predictable and without sounding unappreciative, it's more or less like the excellent Dreamcast verison released back in 1999.

In the end, Skyrim will be hailed as both the best and worst title of the year depending on whom you ask. RPG gamers who look for subtle storytelling and endless replay value are going to love every minute. But gamers that have even a slight problem with impatience will quickly become frustrated. However, even the most devoted naysayer has to admit that Skyrim is at the top of its genre, and that's no small feat.

No other game can come close to making you think you're back in the time period and are actually the young Prince on his adventure. The game is one that will have challenges even for the more advanced player and those watching will see things that will have them shaking their heads in amazement at the moves that can be pulled off in this game.

An intense gaming experience from start to finish. The story is conveyed much better than the average FPS, the gameplay is varied enough to stay fresh, the graphics and sound both deliver, and the multiplayer is addictive.

The Forza family of games continues to excel in technical quality and content quantity, raising the bar each year and giving the series a strong shot at being the best racing series ever. Forza Horizon 4 reinforces that statement with new ways to experience the joy of driving, whether alone, with friends, or fellow enthusiasts you happen to cross paths with in this gorgeous shared piece of Great Britain.

Everything you were expecting and more. It really delivers with extremely upgraded graphics, a quality soundtrack, easy-to-learn controls, varied weapons and powers, challenging battles, enemy diversity, plenty of boss battles, immersive puzzles, a story that ties up the loose ends, and much more. My only gripe is the lack of innovation.

This game is loaded plain and simple.

Don't be scared of the new Gibson X-Plorer controller because it plays just as well as the PS2 version. Too bad it looks a little too 80s hair band for my taste. No matter, the game still totally rocks.

It's simply so well executed that when you blow past some difficult parts simply because the game controls so well, you'll begin to think it's all you. That's the mark of a brilliantly designed game...I can't recommend this one highly enough.

The pacing, storytelling, drama, and comedy roll together to give one of the most remarkably cinematic experience in gaming today. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception simply raises a bar that didn't even need to be raised. But now that it has, we will never want to go back.

Rock Band has one thing going for it: the necessity to having friends to play and the willingness to work together. It may not be enough for everyone to drop 170 bucks on the game and equipment, but I can say if you even remotely have thought about this game, it is worth it.

This is probably my new favorite title of next-gen consoles, but then again I could have just become assimilated to enjoy the pain. Now I just have to figure out if I should say thank you or just sit quietly until my next punishment.

It's the little things that start to freak you out. Pounding doors, bleeding walls, out of focus shadows, voices, moving statues, and then things get really messed up.

The game has several improvements and new features, which adds to the replay value. Although the owner mode may not appeal to everyone, the game offers plenty of other features to keep any football fan happy.

If you are on the fence about repurchasing a game with the "Street Fighter IV" logo, don't be. This is one rerelease that is sure to make you fall in love with the series all over again.

Team Fortress 2 is a must-buy. It's the most fun you'll have being shot at in a long time.

With an engaging story, incredible visuals, great audio, and a cohesive and epic experience, FFXII is easily one of the best RPGs available now.

Even with these complaints, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best RPGs I have ever experienced in gaming. There’s so much to this adventure, you’d be missing out on a great experience if you pass it up.

Yes, the game still lacks a certain depth, and fighting game fanatics raised on "Soul Calibur," "Virtua Fighter" and "Tekken" should certainly look elsewhere, but fans of Nintendo (and of the first game) will absolutely love what's going on here.

Forza 3 is easily the best and most complete console racer currently available. Will Gran Turismo 5 change all that? There's no way to know at this point in time. But for 2009, it seems that Forza 3 has emerged as the automotive title of the year, and it is one that all simulation fans will enjoy.

With a massive world to search, an easy to adjust combat system, stealth action, audio logs to find, and challenges galore, Batman has finally come into his own in this medium. There are so many extra things and enjoyable moments in Arkham Asylum for fans and newcomers alike, you'll be glad you are a fan of Batman and video games.

The biggest problem with Sunshine is the game's camera, which will be responsible for numerous deaths and missed opportunites.

It offers something for everyone and while it is harder, the game grows with the player.

That isn't to say SCII isn't a fine upstanding product; it is in spades. It just happens to be more than a little predictable and without sounding unappreciative, it's more or less like the excellent Dreamcast verison released back in 1999.

Small criticisms aside, Fire Emblem: Awakening will have you hooked from the very beginning, and will be incredibly hard to put down throughout. You'll always want to take just one more turn to build more relationships, gain a level, forge a new item, and see what will happen next in the gripping narrative.

Purists may find some of the changes too drastic but remember that people freaked when Bob Dylan added an electric guitar to his combo.

If you're looking for something to do with the rest of your life, you might want to check this game out. If this game had a dedicated multiplayer mode, I would want to live forever.

If you want a fighting game that is easy to get into and even easier to enjoy Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the only fighting game you need to have.

Almost every aspect of the game has been tweaked to perfection which leaves me in a predicament: I gave the last game a 5 out of 5 and GH2 is vastly superior in virtually everyway. So can I pull a Spinal Tap and crank up my review score to give GH2 an impossible, uncanny 6 out of 5?

Rock Band has one thing going for it: the necessity to having friends to play and the willingness to work together. It may not be enough for everyone to drop 170 bucks on the game and equipment, but I can say if you even remotely have thought about this game, it is worth it.

I could not be more pleased with this rerelease, and I certainly applaud Square Enix for rewarding their longtime fans with such a classic title on a current system. However, this game is not just for longtime fans, and if you have never been able to experience Chrono Trigger, the DS provides the perfect vehicle to do so.

Yes, there have been experiences like Journey before, but it has been far too long since we've seen one.

Xenoblade Chronicles is such a huge, complex, and epic game that I can't possibly cover everything it offers in a single review. All I can say is that it has earned the first 5.0 score I've given, and I've had the honor to play quite a few excellent games for review.

Rock Band 2 is definitely an upgrade over its previous entry. Although its best feature is probably the 80+ songs that come with it, you'll find a whole host of new and upgraded features that will keep you rocking for quite some time. Even if you have never rocked before, Rock Band's No-Fail mode makes this one an easy choice for casual or new players.

Rev your engines and get hyped for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the best Mario Kart you will ever play.

The story will capture your heart and beg you to replay it to relive the magnificent adventures.

If you're looking for non-stop action, Echoes only delivers in waves. As an adventure game you will spend a lot of time exploring, collecting, amassing clues and solving puzzles. When the action hits, it hits big time. The relatively quiet and isolated stretches in between make the action appear more intense. If you like diversity in your gameplay this is the game for you.

The most intense few hours of my life... The biggest problems with Metroid is that it's over way too fast.

If you are on the fence about repurchasing a game with the "Street Fighter IV" logo, don't be. This is one rerelease that is sure to make you fall in love with the series all over again.

Dishonored made me feel like a person struggling to retain the things that were important to me in a world gone mad. It goes beyond "role-playing" to challenge players to draw their own personal moral line in the sand, but does so without being preachy or judgmental.

Though you can power through the game's platforming levels in a day or two, getting 100% of all the goodies will take some time, and the endless community offerings should keep you busy for months to come.

I'm beyond impressed with this game. It retains a lot of guitar technique and doesn't cater to the attention-span challenged, dance-game crowd.

Rock Band 3 is simply the best there is in the music genre.

Three excellent games on one disc means you'll be playing Metroid for tens of hours. On the downside, bonus content is non-existent, leaving the package feeling a bit underwhelming for veterans of the series.

This year's installment puts all others to shame.

It's absolutely a pure Bayonetta game, it's an absolute blast to play, and it absolutely belongs on Nintendo's growing roster of excellently crafted games for the Wii U.

Rock Band 3 is simply the best there is in the music genre.

The environments are incredibly detailed and show a lot of innovation and imagination. It's not a stretch to believe that this world exists as characters go about their daily business and vehicles fly around in background. The AI is also more realistic and more challenging.

FIFA 10 is a fantastic game. It improves upon last year's version in several ways, making this the best soccer simulator to ever hit store shelves. Whether you bought the game or not last year, it's definitely time to upgrade.

Assassin's Creed II is greatly improved over its predecessor. At the same time, it doesn't mess with what made the game so attractive to fans in the first place. The varied and refined gameplay along with the engaging story makes this title a must-buy for any serious gamer.

Not only are the character models gorgeously detailed but you'll see everything from coffee cups to magazines lying around some of the rooms not to mention the tall grass that sways in the wind as if every single blade was animated individually.

It’s a game that asks you to succeed on your own and creates an intimate, engaging experience as a result. Oh, and you can pause the game to use items or take a breather this time around, because really, the game doesn’t need to be any more difficult than it already is. It has already found the perfect balance of risk and reward.

You must own it, even if that means racing to the game store to find one of the reclusive Wiis. The president's daughter's been kidnapped - it's up to us.

Pinch me, I'm dreaming. I think I've just played the perfect videogame. Director Fumito Ueda's vision is extraordinary thus making Shadow of the Colossus one of the most unique experiences I have ever had the pleasure of undertaking.

Forza Horizon seems to get bigger and better with each new entry to the series, and Forza Horizon 3 is by far the biggest festival yet. It's hard to imagine where developer Playground Games will go if they are given the green light for Forza Horizon 4. But there's little need to worry about that, because we have been blessed right now with the must-have racing game of the current generation, so fun and addicting that it just begs you to take on one more event or cruise through one more gorgeous slice of Australia.

If you've played Ocarina more than once, you should really enjoy the new twists and turns that Master Quest offers.

Borderlands 2 offers a much larger, much more refined version of the original. Even if complaints about the first game bothered you enough that you couldn't properly enjoy it, the second one improves on just about every aspect of the formula. And for hardcore Borderlands fans, there is a near endless amount of fan service here to keep you laughing maniacally while spearheading your own darkly hilarious co-op massacre. I'm going to wager that if you like fun, you're going to adore Borderlands 2. Cheat Code Central (http://s.tt/1nPoA)

The mouse takes the place of the analog stick and really smoothes things out. It's much easier to aim your gun at cameras, light bulbs and human heads, and you can make Sam run faster than ever before. It all comes together to make Splinter Cell one of the best action/stealth games to ever grace PC.

Having a big bag of tricks and the complete freedom to approach each encounter from so many different strategic angles is a great thing. Each individual area of the game is overwhelmingly impressive, but when considering what Crytek has accomplished with the game as a whole package it's hard not to be blown away.

One of the most challengingly beautiful game experiences I've had to date and it's only fault is a camera that makes things unnecessarily difficult in approximately 5% of the game.

This prequel has everything you've come to expect from God of War, just in a little disc and on a smaller screen.

Burning Crusade is the kind of game that single-handedly lowers a school's attendance record, and would have business managers everywhere handling sick-day calls, if they weren't stuck at home trying to reach level 70 before their boss finally fires them.

Nothing captures the flavor of Major League Baseball better or in so many ways. Addictive as can be, even for the casual fan.

If you're looking for a solid football game that pulls you right in the action, ESPN Football will do exactly that. If you're looking for a football game that offers plenty of options and online features, you will find that as well. ESPN Football is one of the best sports games to come around in a long time!

If you're a PS3 fanboy and were a little bit jealous because your "Xbot" friends were loving it up with Gears of War 2, don't worry too much. Killzone 2 is every bit as engaging as that title is. In fact, the story and characters are much more interesting and, dare I say, the graphics are even better. However, the lack of co-op features is a substantial misstep; anyone who has gone through Gears 2's Horde mode, blasting away with their buddies can tell you that.

Halo: Reach is the closest thing I've seen to a perfect shooter.

If I could only choose one game this holiday season, it would have to be Mass Effect... If you're looking for a title that tells a great story, is loaded with content, has a surprising amount of re-playability due to customization, and will keep you glued to your couch, Mass Effect is a great choice.

I can say with confidence and cannot stress enough, Batman: Arkham Asylum is, without a doubt, the best Batman game ever created. It does more than give you the Batman game you want, it gives you a video game that you could play repeatedly, even if it didn't have the caped and cowled Dark Knight in it.

If you ever get bored playing Forza 4, it's because of your medical condition. Seek help immediately.

The animation is smooth and the sound effects are top shelf. Bullets whiz by, explosions echo in the valley and the screams of the enemy play like a sadistic symphony across the bloody fields. War has never been this much fun.

God of War and God of War II are games worth playing if you're a fan of action-adventure gaming at its best. Plus, the updated visuals make these games a lot more appealing for current-gen gamers. Now, if you've played the games before, you might also have to do yourself a favor and replay them in this new format, not only because it's worth experiencing all over again, but because it will get you ready for the last chapter of the trilogy.

Unless you're a Madden Football fanatic, beware that there's not enough new features or innovations to recommend this game if you already have the 2004 version.

I was impressed and did not feel frustrated. I am also happy to point out I did not say "oh man they did not add this or that".

There is so much depth to this game it's almost obscene! You'll likely be playing this title for years to come.

Gears of War 3 may not give you that sense of closure you might need in order believe this is the last Gears story, but it will definitely give you a complete adrenaline rush of sheer bloody fun.

I can say with confidence and cannot stress enough, Batman: Arkham Asylum is, without a doubt, the best Batman game ever created. It does more than give you the Batman game you want, it gives you a video game that you could play repeatedly, even if it didn't have the caped and cowled Dark Knight in it.

The game has a great sense of humor and parodies much of the spy genre without losing the focus of the game.

It's more fun that the last two games and the production values have been improved. I find this game has a better balance of gameplay variety and unique level designs that keep it from becoming repetitive.

If you're a Western-style, fantasy RPG nut, or if you love a great tactical challenge, you simply can't go wrong with Dragon Age: Origins. BioWare has outdone itself once again - they've created an RPG masterpiece that I'll be playing till Mass Effect 2 drops.

Although the absurd nature of the game might be a hurdle to some, Ubisoft crafted it with enough skill and confidence to tie together all the disparate strands into a cohesive, enjoyable whole. A lot of care went into making Rayman Legends, and the refreshing result of that care is a platformer that can proudly stand beside the genre’s greats.

The lack of online play for either the Xbox or PS2 North American versions is downright deplorable.

Series fans will not be disappointed, although it may not deviate from formula quite enough for some. In my estimation, the developers stuck to the right parts of series formula while innovating in important areas, such as non-linearity and user-friendly interface decisions.

This remake is, without a doubt, the best way to experience Resident Evil 2. Not only is it graphically and mechanically superior to the original, but it contains new content and better characterization. This is especially valuable, as the original hasn’t aged well and its control scheme is more of a novelty that’s worth checking out. I’ll also make this claim: it is no longer a given that the often exalted Resident Evil 4 is the best Resident Evil to date. I’ll gladly argue with anybody who is willing that Resident Evil 2 is better. It is my hope that this debate lasts until the next Resident Evil game that, if Capcom is smart, will use this nearly perfect game as a guideline.

By far one of the most impressive games of this console generation.

A frustrating but satisfying experience.

Because of its tight game-play, depth and dizzying amount of features, Madden is still the one to beat.

A gift from the Nintendo Gods. [CCC's "original review was removed due to what [they] consider to be trolling and erroneous information."]

Assassin's Creed II is greatly improved over its predecessor. At the same time, it doesn't mess with what made the game so attractive to fans in the first place. The varied and refined gameplay along with the engaging story makes this title a must-buy for any serious gamer.

PGR 2 has excellent controls. The only thing that might get a little frustrating is the fact they placed the camera button (The White Button) too close to the hand brake (The A Button).

Instead of re-inventing the wheel, 2K12 just made the wheel a whole lot prettier, and that's good enough for me.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons could end up being the most important game of 2020. It certainly will be one of its best. It will be the coping mechanism that helps people both recover from and overcome the dark things around them.

Whatever magic that was used to create the original Sims, the most popular computer game of all time, has not only been recaptured but the dosage has been cranked to lethal proportions...It's better than the original and all of the expansion packs combined.