The level of graphic detail is astonishing. The dogs are fully rendered in 3D and display incredibly realistic animation as the puppies frolic and tumble all over the screen. It's hard not to get attached to these mutts for crying out loud.

Buy DiRT for the single-player mode. Buy it for the excellent graphics, amazing camera angles, destructive environments, and damage modeling. Buy it because it's a fun arcade racing game. Don't buy it for any other reasons, and you won't be disappointed.

Controls and presentation in Bad Company are phenomenal. It is incredibly easy to switch between weapons and items.

Even though there has been some strong competition, Skylanders is a wonderful example of pursuing substance over the flash of a few extra characters. At least I can continue supporting at least one franchise, knowing that it focuses on a progression of substance.

So that’s my final opinion on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The single-player is phenomenal, and the multiplayer is good but limited by its own unlock system.

It places itself on the short side, as it took me less than three hours to beat completely. Nevertheless, there are over 200 wacky mini-games that you can always practice individually at seven different speeds by going to the Temple of Form located on the map.

Treyarch came back this year with an excellent addition to the franchise. Many gamers may look at this game with an "I've been there, done that" attitude. I am here to tell you that this is the best WWII effort so far, as well as the best game in the franchise.

Runic hasn't dumbed down the experience, they've removed the fluff and distilled it down to the truly fun parts. Add in a few innovations and what you've got is Torchlight; a game that raises the expectations for dungeon-crawling action RPGs by being not just fine-tuned but affordable as well.

I’ve had a lot of fun with Mortal Kombat X so far, but as I said, my experience with the game is limited. The longevity of the game will largely be based on its online modes and new content, which as I said before was locked out at time of writing. But I can say that Mortal Kombat X is built on a very good base. It’s easily better than Mortal Kombat 9 and Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Offers plenty of déjà vu for Sonic fans. That can be either good or bad depending on what you expect from the spiky-haired hedgehog.

Certainly at the top of the heap of GBA games. It's not as difficult as the first one but it's still no cakewalk. It's going to keep you busy for a good long time.

This entire control system is nothing but a novelty. Some will disagree but the way this game is constructed, I had more fun playing "MechAssault."

The amount of content available in this game is quite impressive.

I enjoyed the revamped MyCareer and MyGM modes, but in the end I really just wanted to spend more time online. The online suite is nice, of course, but the gameplay simply hasn’t changed much. Basically NBA 2K15 is an expansion pack for NBA 2K14, and it’s a good one!

The level of graphic detail is astonishing. The dogs are fully rendered in 3D and display incredibly realistic animation as the puppies frolic and tumble all over the screen. It's hard not to get attached to these mutts for crying out loud.

If you are willing to be patient and put the time in, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 offers a huge world with lots of blades, places to explore, and people to help.

Madden 16 feels like it is geared around simplicity. None of the systems from other Madden games were taken out, but the core of the game has been shifted toward simple mechanics interacting with other simple mechanics. This is a breath of fresh air to me.

This game's weak. This is essentially the movie tie-in of sports titles; about as interesting and worthwhile as games fashioned after the Olympics or the X-Games. There is no reason why this shouldn't have been relegated to a premium add-on through the FIFA Store.

FIFA 10 is still a great soccer game like its predecessors, but the problem is that it's just not different enough. There's a lot to do in the game, and tons of licensed teams and players, but series veterans will feel like they've been here before.

Gravity Rush is by no means a perfect game. Though it doesn't feel like a rushed production, many of the controls and other design choices might not have been given the proper discretion prior to the game's launch. Yet despite my scrutinizing eye, I am still anxious to delete my quick playthrough file and comb every inch of Hekseville with a new adventure.

Pokémon games have been around for almost two decades now, and whether it's an entirely new set of adventures or updated classics like Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, the core gameplay formula remains virtually untouched. More features are added to burst the seams of content, with extra activities from the originals carried over.

Possibly the best action game ever made for Nintendo DS. Tecmo did an outstanding job with it and most gamers should be more than happy if they decide to pick up the title.

Rhythm Heaven is just fun. It's not the longest game out there and it's a simple premise, but it has the childlike charm that its predecessors had, coupled with the graphics capabilities of a console rather than a handheld.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 has enough extra content and polish to make it the hands down, definitive version of the game.

An easy game to get into and a hard game to put down. It’s one thing after another that will keep you entertained for hours on end.

If you're a Contra fan--especially of the classic side-scrolling action of the series' early offerings-- picking this title up is a no-brainer. The fast action, upgradeable weapons, platforming level design, and awesome bosses are all back and joined by two-screen presentation, a nifty grappling hook, and enough extras to make those next-gen "Collector's Editions" envious.

Punishingly difficult, yet ostentatiously cute, Rhythm Heaven is the epitome of what a handheld music-based game should be. Forget guitar grips or funky cheerleaders! You won't find a more engaging or entertaining music experience for the DS.

A plethora of content plagued by a buggy release that can be ridiculously frustrating.

Although the Dual Shock is mapped to function as all of the buttons you could ever need to contol your Sims, I found the interface to be clunky and unintuative. A keyboard and mouse would have made the experience a thousand times more enjoyable.

Concocting cool critters is incredibly addictive, and the ability to save any and all of your beasts for future use in the game is pretty awesome.

The single-player story is short, but it's filled with a lot of great moments. The co-op multiplayer helps to give the package a lot more bite.

Despite being a strictly single-player experience, Absolution packs more replay value into its two game modes than most games would do with five. It has its fair share of deficiencies-a goofy narrative, okay gunplay, a few bugs here and there-but overall, Absolution is a game that demands you explore its nuances over and over again.

If you’re just looking to blast your way through level after level, Blood Money, is not the game for you. If you want to assume the role of an actual hitman and utilize the most dangerous weapon of all, your imagination, then by all means get your hands on this one.

Kirby Mass Attack may cause you some grief if you're aching for a perfect score of gold medals, but the span of the campaign far exceeds most platformers, and the few sparkling minigames are almost worth the purchase by themselves.

This is the Guitar Hero to have. While it may not be a true revolutionary step forward, it does take its strides towards what I one day hope the Guitar Hero series will achieve.

Alan Wake is an exceptional thriller that was a pleasure to play. That said, if you're a gamer that exclusively values action, you may find the combat to be too repetitive for your liking.

Brutal Legend didn't live up to my expectations. While I absolutely loved the immersive world, despite the graphical shortcomings, and the amazing voice work and soundtrack, despite the inclusion of Whitesnake and Skid Row, I was left miffed by the lack of main story content and the uninspired gameplay.

In the proper hands, the game can be a breeding ground for racing bliss. GTR Represents racing simulation realism at its absolute best, even if that means it sacrifices accessibility and broader appeal for general gamers.

Even despite its few flaws, MUA is a blast to play. If you've ever enjoyed an X-men Legends game, MUA is a step above and beyond that. RPG and dungeon crawler fans along with comic-book lovers will find much to love about MUA.

While Scholarship Edition is a better game, the extra content and much-improved controls simply don't warrant a fifty-dollar purchase from somebody who's already played the PS2 version of Bully. But if you haven't, and you're looking for a fun, engaging, and lengthy Wii gaming experience, it's certainly tough to go wrong with Bully: Scholarship Edition.

One heck of a good time. Its story is great, but even when you aren't watching a cutscene or listening to the competent voice acting, you will get plenty of joy out of simply seeing numbers pop up over your enemies' heads in swarms.

Just the next game in a long line of great games. If you are content with the version you already have, then there isn't enough staggering new content to warrant an upgrade. However, this is the best game in the franchise to date, and I'm glad I made the switch.

With plenty of maps and intriguing campaign missions, Battlefront II's replay value is already pretty high. Tack on the addictive nature of Xbox Live and we have a game that is worth every penny you dropped for it.

Colonization is far more than a simple mod or add-on; it clearly stands alone as a fully fledged blast from the past. This is one walk down memory lane you'll want to take.

PES 2008 brings soccer games back to life with its fresh approach. Plus, with hidden gems like the ability to field a team of your Miis, it is impossible for me to not lend it my staunch support.

The level of graphic detail is astonishing. The dogs are fully rendered in 3D and display incredibly realistic animation as the puppies frolic and tumble all over the screen. It's hard not to get attached to these mutts for crying out loud.

Paradox has made huge leaps in the series with its latest edition. With its simple controls and easy to understand directives, Europa Universalis III is both for newcomers and old veterans of the series alike.

Honestly, I love soccer. I played it obsessively in my youth. I watch it when I can. It is my favorite sport by far, so it is with a heavy heart that I would say that a better option for sports fans looking for a visceral experience that is sorta, kind of, somewhat similar to soccer might find solace in NHL 19. That, of course, doesn’t apply to people who just want to play soccer and don’t care much for other sports. That’s okay, because this is definitely a good soccer game. It’s just not as good as it could be. It should be immediately apparent, due to a lack of modes, if this game isn’t for you. For that reason, I might suggest renting the game before jumping in feet first.

Though the format is identical to the original 'Splosion Man, the new protagonist's sassy attitude goes a long way in making the experience feel fresh again.

Every time I launched CS:GO this week, I couldn't help buy feel like it was a step backwards in my gaming evolution. It's new, but it's entirely familiar as well. The learning curve is shallow and I know I'm probably going to enjoy it before I even start.

If you're looking for a great FPS on the Wii, Call of Duty: World at War definitely fits the bill. With its impressive graphics, cinematic and brutal storytelling, varied missions, and excellent multiplayer offerings, this is a must play title for mature Wii gamers.

All of the characters in Iconoclasts have a lot of personality, there are multiple difficulty levels, and I always felt like I had a reason to return to previously explored areas to use new skills to reach different places.

MLB 07: The Show delivers more realistic baseball action than any game I've ever played.

8-Bits Is Enough offers a satisfying conclusion rife with gaming nostalgia and Strong Bad’s trademark ridiculousness. While it’s hard to say whether Telltale and the Chapman bros will eventually cook up another batch of gaming episodes, surely there are plenty more absurd adventures worth exploring.

Veterans of the first game and newcomers alike will enjoy its huge catalog of songs and fun features. If you like Final Fantasy and its music, you should absolutely grab a copy of this game.

You won't be disappointed with a purchase of this game unless you live underground or in a perpetually overcast environment like England or Vancouver in the winter.

Even though this game may look like it's got Playskool written all over it, it can be very challenging. Don't underestimate it until you've tried it.

The turn-based battle mechanic is steeped with strategy; collecting and trading Pokémon is highly addictive; the single-player campaign lasts for tens of hours; and the layered multiplayer goodies will have you playing for conceivably years to come.

It has an endearing quality that will capture you, and a challenge level worthy of even the most skilled players. The new characters and online features add just enough extras to keep things fresh.

This is a great, unique game that expands on the original. It has everything the first game had and its new take on the formula will keep it from feeling stale.

The combat system is much more refined and satisfying than previous efforts.

From the graphics to the tight controls and the 50-plus song titles, Underground 2 Remix is hands down the most powerful game ever displayed on a handheld. The fact that it so closely resembles the PS2 version is not just impressive but disappointing. Most of us have already played this game to death.

Gorgeous hand-drawn artwork and animations.

WarioWare D.I.Y. doesn't improve the series as far as gameplay, visuals, or multiplayer (which this game doesn't offer). Still, the ability to create micro-games of your own and share them with other players greatly expands the replay value of this title.

It is one of the few futuristic racers that feels actually playable after a few minutes, a considerable feat considering the competition. It has great tracks, varied gameplay, and some pretty innovative online functionality. It is a blast to play.

The Coalition takes the template and heightens its controls and visuals to a level that puts other games fresh off the press to shame. It's the same great game you loved nearly a decade ago, it just looks and feels a whole lot better.

Tomb Raider: Legend is the definitive sequel/prequel/quadquel to the Tomb Raider series. It's hard to imagine where it can go from here.

That being said, the new multiplayer modes and gameplay are phenomenal and the subtle refinements to the title do make Rainbow Six Vegas 2 superior to its predecessor.

Promising at least 20 hours plus gameplay (not including the multiplayer facets) is nothing to sneeze at. X-Men Legends 2 isn't miles away from the original which will please fans of the first game undoubtedly.

A 20-hour classic adventure story for $30? Sold.

It's a genuinely fun-to-play, feel-good experience that joins Tearaway as one of this year's best Vita games. I suspect that few gamers can resist being addicted to the excellent combat, or fail to crack a smile at the party's banter during conversations.

As long as you're creative juices are flowing, you can play this as long as your DS lasts.

The UI is wonderful. You have so much information immediately available to you. Nudle Maps always has a mini-map in the lower left corner, giving you a good look at the area. Bringing up information on people gives you a crisp, clear window. Hacking offers a menu with easily recognizable icons, so you always know what your button presses will do.

TOCA Race Driver 3 may not be the perfect racing game in terms of physics and feel but there's no other game that can match the outrageous number of different racing styles at such a consistent level of quality.

The dancing rhythm genre is likely set to explode next year on Kinect. I think Harmonix is going to make a killing off this software, and we're likely to see a deluge of me-too shovelware come along once publishers get a whiff of that money.

Fans of Formula One can finally rejoice that their favorite sport is being faithfully represented in the video game realm, and fans of racing games get another great series from a great developer. It's a perfect 1-2 finish.

Pokémon games have been around for almost two decades now, and whether it's an entirely new set of adventures or updated classics like Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, the core gameplay formula remains virtually untouched. More features are added to burst the seams of content, with extra activities from the originals carried over.

Wreckfest combines the exact right elements to create something amazing. It's big, ridiculous, loud, and chaotic. It's full of features to dig into, too, like a photo mode, a garage, a market of cars, and the ability to paint vehicles. Most importantly, you can drive a sofa, complete with coffee table, into the side of a school bus. Wreckfest is an absolute blast.

This title is the perfect companion for the PSP and one I highly recommend. If you already own the original title for the PSP, it is still worth giving it a look because there are new courses, more collectibles, and an online feature that can't be beat.

In conclusion, SingStar for the PS3 is the most complete entry in the series thus far.

It's a fun game that will sometimes have you rollercoastering between "this is awesome!" and "this sucks!" but generally if you love all things comic booky, you're going to love spending time with these bad boys of science fiction.

The smaller world size and lack of Adventure Update features mean this is the PC version's little brother rather than an upgrade. Still, you'll lose yourself for hours.

Dead Space: Extraction is everything EA promised Wii owners. Rather than getting a dumbed down experience, the developers were able to play to the console's strengths, bringing an electric, scary, and polished mature entry to the platform.

NBA 2K10 is a fantastic, fun, and deep representation of the NBA experience. While it may be too much for a very casual basketball fan looking for an arcade experience and instant gratification, 2K10 will certainly appeal to longtime fans.

The story is one of the best in Resident Evil's recent history, and the shooter controls are pretty much perfect.

The essence of You Don't Know Jack is playing with friends, having fun, and getting a good laugh. The little changes of gameplay in comparison to other entries, especially the ability to allow everyone to answer a question, make for a better experience.

If you've already been-there-done-that, move along - there's nothing to see here. But if you must have Pokemon then just get one of these games. Don't fall prey to Nintendo's cheesy marketing scheme.

It’s a LEGO game with loads to do.

Thankfully this game includes a pitch meter which measures the input pitch against the actual pitch and shows the singer the difference (i.e. if he or she is flat or sharp).

This game is surprisingly deep, plus there's the fact that you can play indefinitely - no lame time restrictions here!

This game shows that there's still plenty of magic left in the Professor Layton series, and leaves me interested in playing the final game in this prequel trilogy.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is a must-have purchase for anyone who likes challenging gameplay, big weapons, even bigger enemies, a hefty crafting system, and a satisfying cooperative experience.

The big issue I have with Saints Row: The Third is that it doesn't feel like its content, varied though it may be, has much of a purpose outside of the main campaign. The open world really seems to exist more as a way to prolong the experience by forcing a player to travel to the origin point for the next mission rather than simply having it begin outright.

It’s just a great package. For newcomers to the franchise, as I said earlier, this is a great jumping on point. For the older fans of series this is not much beyond what you already know, but it is definitely worth a look simply because of the graphic upgrades and the new four player split-screen option.

To me, Super Stardust Delta is all about the Arcade mode, and the Arcade mode is simply amazing. The gameplay is solid, and the graphics and sound are astounding. If you want a cheap, entertaining demonstration of what the Vita is capable of, hold off on Uncharted and try out Super Stardust Delta.

I never once thought I was experiencing something exciting, unique, or creative when I played this game, yet hours of my life seem to have vanished. Loot shooters are an increasingly crowded space, and The Division 2 is fighting a losing battle for my attention.

Another excellent addition to the storied franchise. However, without meaning to sound like a broken record, TW 09 is not a significant improvement over last year's outing.

Act of War beautfiully bridges the gap between action and strategy and provides an all out assault of the senses thanks to the incredble level of visual detail, intuitive control and an aural symphony comprised of the sounds of destruction.