Persona 3 FES lacks the memorabilia, but packs more in-game content at a cheaper price. The newer version offers a chance for Atlus to recruit new MegaTen fans and should be enticing enough even for those that picked up Persona 3 last year.

Pocket Paradise succeeds in condensing a console experience into a portable game without many sacrifices and even some improvements.

There are many cosmetic quirks that clearly indicate the smaller budget Snail Games has at their disposal, but overall this is a successful blend of familiar MMO concepts with plenty of unique twists.

A great surprise. It takes the game in an unexpected direction, offering another round of fresh variety to keep the standard point-and-click adventure mechanics from growing tiresome.

If you haven't gotten completely burned out of Borderlands' shoot-'n-loot hijinks or are looking to pick the game back up, taking a relatively new character through the perils of The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned is certainly a worthwhile endeavor.

This is a full-sized 8-bit title, complete with a time trial mode. Playing through the story once can take between six to eight hours, but you could easily spend twice this amount of time with the game and still be having fun.

Though a playthrough won't take you more than five to seven hours (depending on how many people you have on your team), some decent replay value comes from maxing out your favorite characters.

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.

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.

The single-player is jam-packed with varied game modes. The simulation of Formula One racing is very accurate. As a bonus, playing with friends through ad-hoc support is a nice touch.

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.

It's just a shame that all of these awesome options are lumped onto games that, as I have said time and time again, are completely and utterly broken. However, if you can take a step back and not take your losses too seriously, MvCO is an amazingly fun time with smooth netcode and awesome extras.

Gun Showdown portrays the Wild Frontier with a realism that was missed in those old Spaghetti Westerns of the 60s and 70s.

The story mode is fairly lengthy, and there are plenty of unlockables to keep you going. However, the lack of online play is regrettable.

The quality experience in The Pitt makes Operation Anchorage feel like even more of a misstep than it might really have been. Both offer some interesting additions to the main game and definitely provide additional play value in different ways. The Pitt is certainly the superior of the two in most regards. Get over the fact it was initially launched as a broken mess, this is one expansion Fallout 3 fans will truly appreciate.

If you're up for the challenge, and you want to trace the lineage of some of your favorite games of all times by exploring their heritage, you simply can't afford to pass up Atari Classics Evolved.

Whereas Live 09 offers similar new features, 2K has the ability to back up their new features with smooth on-court gameplay. This is simply a more fun basketball experience.

Chronos Twins is a fairly lengthy experience, and one that feels incredibly unique, challenging, and ultimately satisfying.

The game will make you sweat, curse, and yell. If you're actually fairly skilled, you may curse a little less. Whatever the case may be, I bet you'll keep playing this game for a long time and even come back to it after forgetting about it.

If you haven't gotten completely burned out of Borderlands' shoot-'n-loot hijinks or are looking to pick the game back up, taking a relatively new character through the perils of The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned is certainly a worthwhile endeavor.

It's an extremely technically proficient game, and it accomplishes everything that it sets out to do with flying colors. However, Darksiders only crime may be that they set their sights too low. This game hits the bullseye in the center of the target, but I couldn't help but wish that the target was a little higher towards the heavens.

Greatly expanded dual campaigns mix well with robust multiplayer modes.

Playing it today felt just as new and exciting as playing it ten years ago did. And that is this game's main strength.

Though the tracks get repetitive, the multiplayer is a grind, and you’ll be forced to race with an in-front-of or behind-your-car viewpoint, these flaws are insignificant compared to the huge payout that is GRID 2’s campaign. It’s easily one of the better racing games to come out this generation.

A valiant effort to revolutionize gaming by a courageous studio. Largely, DICE pulled it off. But, there are several nagging spots that hamper the experience; repetitive environments and interactive elements, touchy controls and occasionally poor detection, and an uninspired story leave a significant amount to be desired. Even so, I found Mirror's Edge to be a truly unique and rewarding experience that I feel fortunate to have played.

This is a full-sized 8-bit title, complete with a time trial mode. Playing through the story once can take between six to eight hours, but you could easily spend twice this amount of time with the game and still be having fun.

Sea of Thieves plots a course in the opposite direction of most big budget, predictable affairs. Loot is not about gaining power, and the thrill is in the voyage, not the destination. This may alienate some gamers, but it is a breath of fresh air for those willing to embrace the change. However, Rare will soon find the community clamoring for more content and improved social options to keep players invested and using their freedom to create limitless and fascinating stories.

A very exciting first effort from Microsoft. The innovative microphone peripheral, accelerometer-based mini-games, medal system, and the ability to import your own songs make this title stand out from the crowd. However, this title’s short and conventional track list, as well as its lack of online play really hinders it from being a true SingStar killer.

The Amusement Park expansion pack for PAIN feels more like a sequel than an expansion, as it somehow manages to include more content than the original game.

Essentially, Raiden Fighters Aces provides three games, a plethora of options, and a ton of fun at a low price. Fans of the original arcade games can perfectly re-create their experience, newcomers who like arcade shooters in general will have a blast, and high-score devotees will dedicate hours upon hours to topping the leaderboards.

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.

Again, for all but the most obsessed longtime fans, there isn't enough new here to warrant a fresh purchase. However, anyone looking for the best possible Worms experience will find it here, and lapsed fans who haven't played since the late '90s just might rekindle their interest in the franchise.

The pace really picks up this time around, and has pushed me to continue the series when I was about to give it up.

The plot is great, the gameplay, while mundane, is entertaining. The graphics are a bit of a drawback, but real Fire Emblem fans will be able to overlook it.

There's just a cleverness to the whole thing that completely sells the experience, even if it may be a tad short for the fifteen-dollar price tag.

The game is fun while it lasts, but it is quite short, even for a downloadable title. No real reason to re-play.

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.

It took motion control to make me enjoy a golf game, and enjoy it I did.

The quality experience in The Pitt makes Operation Anchorage feel like even more of a misstep than it might really have been. Both offer some interesting additions to the main game and definitely provide additional play value in different ways. The Pitt is certainly the superior of the two in most regards. Get over the fact it was initially launched as a broken mess, this is one expansion Fallout 3 fans will truly appreciate.

The gritty story supersedes the game's mediocrity elsewhere, and finally delivers something outside the box. It dives into a disturbing realism that war, racism, and the psychological repercussions that could ensue, going far beyond the dramatic fluff that we've seen in other shooters.

The Darkness is truly a brilliant ray of light during this otherwise abysmal summer gaming drought.

But hey-it's a fan-made Mega Man/Street Fighter crossover, complete with lots of stages and great boss fights, released for free with Capcom's blessing. It's hard to imagine anything cooler than that, and hardcore Mega Man fans will be more than willing to sink hours into mastering each and every stage, discovering tricks and secrets along the way.

Treyarch had its work cut out for it in bringing a high-definition smash hit like Call of Duty 4 to the Wii, but the team really pulled it off.

Just be forewarned—it took less than twenty minutes as a casual player to build up a sweat, so make sure you plan your wardrobe and company accordingly.

Let it be said that the PSP version of Yggdra Union is the definitive version. It’s a great game, but once you’re done with it, you won’t likely be back for a visit. The focus is on battling, and, frankly, you’ll have had enough of it by the time you reach the end.

The fresher elements improve on the firmly established vibe and gameplay, making this a solid follow up episode.

Overall, Death Jr.: Root of Evil is another solid platform entry in this largely successful franchise.

The game could have benefited in taking just a bit more from the structure of older games in the series.

Monster Hunter Tri is a game that really sucks you in. With a single-player mode that can last 30 hours or more and a multiplayer mode that has an endless amount of new areas to explore and quests to complete, if you pick this title up, you may not be able to put it down!

Whereas Live 09 offers similar new features, 2K has the ability to back up their new features with smooth on-court gameplay. This is simply a more fun basketball experience.

The lack of an online tournament mode did not go unnoticed and it's something that needs to be addressed in next year's version - and considering how good this game is, you can be rest assured the series will continue.

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.

There are plenty of levels to explore, and though the story is not as intriguing as My Life as a King, the tower defense structure is much more replay-friendly.

The new voice command system works flawlessly, and players should find it to be a mighty rewarding experience.

In an age of overpriced character skins and pay-to-win microtransactions, it's nice to see that Gearbox is willing to put out substantial content that is well worth the asking price.

The scope of the environments are vast, but empty in this free-roam open ended adventure. The game manages to capture the essence of loneliness that was an unwelcome but constant companion to many a traveler in those days.

There’s one important thing to note before going into Get Even. While the initial game download is a mere 500 Wii Points, it only contains two areas and a boss battle. To get access to additional areas, you’ll have to shell out 500 additional Wii Points each for three add-on level packs. Each offers a new ship, new objectives, and new levels.

Unfortunately, the main single-player mode feels like an extended tutorial, and the multiplayer options are limited to ad-hoc. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for customization, and the trials and versus modes are always fun.

The bikes have a nice low end growl to them that is a pleasant departure from the typical mosquito-like buzz that is usually afforded them.

This game is loaded plain and simple.

With only two modes, MNC is light on options. However, what's there is entertaining, addictive, and provides replayability in the form of earning cash to purchase custom classes.

If you're looking for a fight you came to the right place. If you're looking for something more than just a fight you've also come to the right place. Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks puts the mental fun back in fundamental.

Although the Cube version may be considered Rainbow Six 3 -Lite, it makes a good first-person shooter...Since there has been so much hype about this series for years, the less you expect from this game the better you'll like it.

Nothing short of scintillating. Any developer that can breath life into a standard hack-and-slash, dungeon crawl style game has certainly got my attention.

It doesn't require superhuman skill but it will pose a challenge to all that play. Above all else, it's fun and there's nothing that beats that.

It's bigger than before and looks great as Don is back at the graphical helm but there are some elements which are obviously out of his control such as the collision detection system, framerate slowdown and poor camera angles.

You’ll get about 12-15 good hours out of Dragon Ball XenoVerse’s single-player and co-op missions, but you probably won’t touch it much after that.

It's the same puzzle over and over again, but the game stretches the concept to cover all sorts of different twists and turns.

If you've dreamed of becoming a computer programmer or a videogame developer, then you have to check this one out. The rest of us will be anxiously waiting to play whatever it is that you create.

Bloodrayne 2 is the perfect game for Halloween. It's a sweet, scary treat but it's over too quickly.

It's not perfect, but it's fun for the whole fam damily.

The experiment is largely a success, and anyone with even a passing interest in the MySims franchise will find Agents' adorable characters, funny story, and other endearing qualities outweigh any minor foibles that arise along the way.

The sense of scale is impressive. There is some draw-in but these worlds are absolutely massive and impressive.

You should know that underneath the veneer of simplicity lies a deeply challenging game. Where other racing games pack their challenge into deciding what mods to make, what car to use and requires hours perfecting the handling, Outrun 2 simply challenges you to know the track, know your line and drive your best. And it's much easier said than done.

There are more good quality games in this compilation than in most others so if you see a handful of games that interest you, by all means get your hands on this as you'll likely be exposed to another handful of great games.

Another bone of contention is your AI tag-team partner that can be totally oblivious to your situation as you’re getting the hit shicked out of you. It’s times like this you wish you could toggle between them with the push of a button.

The great thing about Ultimate Brain Games is that there is enough variety here for all interests. Even if you're not convinced you would make a good chess player, it's always there should you want to take a stab at it.

It's a fun RPG that has plenty going on. If you're not careful this game could steal hundreds of hours away from you.

A well made title that even old farts can enjoy. From the quality set list, accessible turntable peripheral, and generally nicely implemented mechanics, there's a lot for any gamer to enjoy. On the downside, the multiplayer elements aren't nearly as convincing as they should be, making this a game you'll likely play alone.

Keep in mind that Donkey Kong Country 3 is a new game for the GBA but it's not really a "new" game. If you're planning on purchasing it for someone as a gift do them a favor and ask them if they've already played this game on the Super Nintendo.

The quintessential arcade-style RPG. Anyone can play it anytime. Some may say this game has training wheels but I like to think they're hooked up to a wheelie bar on a Harley.

With some new features and a shift in focus, I think that Thrones and Patriots has earned its place under the category of "Darn Good Expansion Pack."

If you enjoyed the original Dying Light, The Following keeps its base gameplay but adds a fresh perspective with the wide-open rural setting, mysterious story, and the dune buggy.

Fans of the original material will obviously get the most out of Crimson Elixir, but due to the stylized look and easy to pick up gameplay even newbies to FMA will find a lot to like. Its biggest flaw is the short length but it's definitely fun while it lasts.

Though the mode on hand are all old hat, they've been greatly refined. The online experience in particular is vastly improved.

For 19.99 OG 2 is a blast to play on or offline. For those old enough to play it lives up to the rest of the other Outlaw titles.

If you're embarrassed to do so, just go to a different game rental outlet and ask them to put it in a plain brown wrapper. Why be content to be a fool, when you can be a dancing fool?

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

Offers young gamers just what they want: great graphics and sound reminiscent of the series; good control; gadgets, and plenty of fighting action.

All in all, Scribblenauts is a game to praise.

If you're looking for a ground-breaking experience or a robust selection of multiplayer modes- BlackSite's don't offer much more than a weekend distraction--this isn't it. However, if you find the idea of fighting aliens in your own backyard appealing, you won't do better than BlackSite's relatable, the-truth-is-out-there experience.

There are plenty of new features that will entice fans back to the fold including new maps, characters, and single-player and online modes. My only complaint is the control system is sluggish to respond and can cause you to take a lot of unnecessary hits.

Although there are shortcomings, Legacy is an opportunity for Star Trek fans to experience ship battles from any of the Trek time periods. If you can look past the fact that you'll spend all of your time looking at the hulls of the ships, the battles can be fun.

Despite the lack of the heralded online modes from the console versions of Madden NFL 10, there is still a ton of content packed into the PSP version that will keep you playing for a long time to come.

Perhaps the best part about Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is its price point. At only $39.99 US for Xbox One and $29.99 US for the Xbox 360 version, it’s a relatively cheap and extremely fun take on shooters, which is all too rare these days.

Chapters of the Chosen serves as a strong reminder of just how good some of the old times really were. It's a lengthy and deep RPG that offers a solid challenge without crushing the spirits of the non-hardcore RPG enthusiast.

The controller is a far superior input, the interface is much cleaner and more accessible, the voice chat is ideal for grouping, the subscription is now free, and it brings the MMO genre to the console platform that has few competitors at present.

Final Fantasy XV is imperfect, but the high points of this journey outweigh the messy bits. I recommend you learn to go with the flow, spend some time with your bros, and really get lost in the game. Don't try too hard to be a completionist, but don't forsake the open-world adventures and cling too much to the main storyline. It's in the balance between the two that this tale is at its absolute best.