I do hope to see Phoenix eventually make a worthwhile appearance on consoles, one that lives up to the great legacy the series has now built up for itself. This one, though, isn't a crowning achievement for Capcom, and throwing your money at the game will probably only serve to send the wrong message to the publisher.

The game contains 100 puzzles with different themes and objects. It'll keep you busy for a while, especially if you're enjoying it.

Blood Bath and Beyond is average fun while it lasts. The script and parodies are a reason to keep playing. The low-gravity sections at the end of the game are enjoyable, too.

There is plenty to do in Divinity II, and if you don't mind putting up with the poor visuals or combat, there are plenty of side-quests to take on to extend your experience.

Blood Bath and Beyond is average fun while it lasts. The script and parodies are a reason to keep playing. The low-gravity sections at the end of the game are enjoyable, too.

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.

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.

The gameplay really is excellent, and though the story leaves much to be desired, the excellent combat more than makes up for this shortcoming. Between epic boss battles, beautiful environments, and one badass heroine, Bayonetta is definitely the first knock-out action game of the new year and is a great title to shake off those winter blues.

The gameplay really is excellent, and though the story leaves much to be desired, the excellent combat more than makes up for this shortcoming. Between epic boss battles, beautiful environments, and one badass heroine, Bayonetta is definitely the first knock-out action game of the new year and is a great title to shake off those winter blues.

There is plenty to do in Divinity II, and if you don't mind putting up with the poor visuals or combat, there are plenty of side-quests to take on to extend your experience.

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth is just about everything an old-school fan could hope for, and it's probably the best title in the ReBirth series thus far.

For five dollars and having over thirty levels, you're getting a ton of game for your money. Plus, it's fun to play from start to finish.

Play this game for the story and you'll be happy. Play it for the combat and you'll be sorely disappointed.

Almost unplayable by oneself and difficult to find others to play with online. 0 Day is a really short game that you'll likely not come anywhere close to getting fifteen dollars worth of enjoyment out of.

With only a small selection of mini-game events and options, families aren't likely to get much value out of Playmobil Circus.

When it comes right down to it, Puzzlegeddon is a decent idea, but its implementation feels incomplete. Those who love block-matching games and want a fresh challenge will want to pick it up, but most others should wait for the sequel.

When it comes right down to it, Puzzlegeddon is a decent idea, but its implementation feels incomplete. Those who love block-matching games and want a fresh challenge will want to pick it up, but most others should wait for the sequel.

PixelJunk Shooter isn't my favorite entry from Q-Games (Eden holds that distinction), but it is one of my favorite games of 2009 - arcade or otherwise.

A compelling if uninventive experience. Working in concert, this game's tired, uninspired mechanics still manage to get the job done; the whole is definitely more than the sum of its parts.

A compelling if uninventive experience. Working in concert, this game's tired, uninspired mechanics still manage to get the job done; the whole is definitely more than the sum of its parts.

If only the good aspects weren't constantly polluted by the aggravating nightmare portions, Shattered Memories might have been one of the best Silent Hill's yet.

A compelling if uninventive experience. Working in concert, this game's tired, uninspired mechanics still manage to get the job done; the whole is definitely more than the sum of its parts.

DiRT 2 is a worthy successor to the original, getting practically everything right. While I would have liked to have seen a greater emphasis on more technical rally racing, I had a blast with every aspect of the title. From the solid visuals to the sweet tracks, DiRT 2's got a lot to love.

Some clever puzzle work and manic action towards the end make for a good time.

At only twelve levels, this game is incredibly short. But, in the case of ATG, that's a blessing.

It's not quite as lengthy or extensive as a Zelda game for the Wii, but it certainly includes all those elements Zelda fans are looking for: lots of dungeon crawling, puzzles, good storyline, charming visuals, etc. Best of all, you can take it with you on your next trip and even play it with a friend.

Five dollars for a game you can share and play with up to eight friends is a small price to pay, especially when it's this fun!

All I can say is that if I were walking through a store, (although you can get the game online at Steam) I would have my "model 229 standard issue Robinson telekinesis gloves," in repel mode should I come across a copy of Twin Sector.

The campaign is fairly enjoyable if you can manage to cope with the iffy controls, peppered with a good amount of stealth, tactics, and even rail-shooting segments.

To paraphrase a classic Futurama line 'the only thing Rouge Warrior does better than other games is suck'.

To paraphrase a classic Futurama line 'the only thing Rouge Warrior does better than other games is suck'.

To paraphrase a classic Futurama line 'the only thing Rouge Warrior does better than other games is suck'.

While you can easily drone through this game a second time due to the two distinct factions, lots of annoying flaws crop up that make it difficult to warrant a second playthrough.

While you can easily drone through this game a second time due to the two distinct factions, lots of annoying flaws crop up that make it difficult to warrant a second playthrough.

It's a short adventure, and when compared to the other consoles, Wii owners are essentially getting half a game. The local co-op is a nice addition, but the complete lack of extras makes this an expensive extension to James Cameron's new mythology.

The story is lengthy and there are plenty of extras to find after finishing, but the gameplay is derivative and can drag at points.

While you can easily drone through this game a second time due to the two distinct factions, lots of annoying flaws crop up that make it difficult to warrant a second playthrough.

Career mode is a bit on the short side, and there isn't much in the way of new challenges or modes. Still, there is a lot to do, and the new control keeps things from getting stale.

Career mode is a bit on the short side, and there isn't much in the way of new challenges or modes. Still, there is a lot to do, and the new control keeps things from getting stale.

While the annoying whine of the vehicles is pretty accurate, the crowd noise is sparse and artificial-sounding. Worst of all, the pop-metal that loops in the background is enough to make you want to huck your PSP against a wall.

A barely playable arcade game with no lasting replay value.

The five campaigns make for a huge journey that melds together seamlessly. There's tons of variety, and the challenges are truly refreshing. Single and multi-card multiplayer round out the package nicely, but there's no online component.

While a necessity to continue exploring the series, this is not one of the best episodes so far.

The game excels at preserving the core arcade mode from the console version, but the lack of online mode gives the portable version less replay value. Still, with robust customization and a different story format, there is plenty of content in the PSP version.

The game looks good with its neon-coated retro visuals, plays well once you get the hang of it, and has a virtually never-ending amount of content thanks to its level editor. Just be sure you don't go into it expecting a fast-paced, shooting-focused experience.

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.

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.

Though the extreme difficulty curve gives us some pause, King Arthur is an easy title to recommend. All of the various elements come together nicely with a gorgeous and stylish presentation.

As a step in the series' continued evolution, Void is both surprising and well done. It doesn't quite top my favorite in the series, Core, which has catchier music that remains a larger part of its design, but it comes close (Void does have music from Nullsleep, a very good chiptunes artist, however).

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.

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.

In the end it's just a rail shooter, but the campaign takes about eight hours and there are plenty of reasons to play it again.

Tony Hawk: Ride is not the broken junk heap some critics would have you believe. However, it is far from the revolutionary title Tony Hawk and Activision were counting on. In fact, it is actually a less enjoyable outing than lackluster games in the series such as Project 8 and American Wasteland. Still, if you're a skater, have the patience of a saint, or are a glutton for punishment (and frustration), there is a novel, skate-sim experience that can be uncovered.

Tony Hawk: Ride is not the broken junk heap some critics would have you believe. However, it is far from the revolutionary title Tony Hawk and Activision were counting on. In fact, it is actually a less enjoyable outing than lackluster games in the series such as Project 8 and American Wasteland. Still, if you're a skater, have the patience of a saint, or are a glutton for punishment (and frustration), there is a novel, skate-sim experience that can be uncovered.

With more modes, weapons, health items, special infected - you name it! - L4D2 feels like a massive upgrade from the original L4D.

Whatever its flaws, this game does a decent enough job of walking the line between sticking to the formula and mixing things up.

Whatever its flaws, this game does a decent enough job of walking the line between sticking to the formula and mixing things up.

Whatever its flaws, this game does a decent enough job of walking the line between sticking to the formula and mixing things up.

Whatever its flaws, this game does a decent enough job of walking the line between sticking to the formula and mixing things up.

LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues is a fun little entry into the series. The mechanics are more polished than the first game, and LEGO-game fans will likely find the core gameplay to be as satisfying as ever.

Whether it's the floaty and complicated vehicle handling, the confused radar, the repetitive nature of the missions, or the random and surprising difficulty spikes, Planet 51 gives players (especially younger ones) a multitude of good reasons to stay away.

Whether it's the floaty and complicated vehicle handling, the confused radar, the repetitive nature of the missions, or the random and surprising difficulty spikes, Planet 51 gives players (especially younger ones) a multitude of good reasons to stay away.

If you can forgive some wonky mechanics and come to the game expecting nothing but light-hearted fun, you'll get your money's worth out of Planet 51.

In many ways Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is big step up from its predecessor, and Griptonite's high energy, action-heavy approach is one that will sit well with many fans of the series. The downside is the overabundance of platforming stabby-stabbery tends to grow repetitive before long, and the trial-and-error nature of the level design is enough to make some players grow tired of the experience prematurely.

Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 is not a perfect game. It has plenty of issues when it comes to graphics and simplistic gameplay. However, it still manages to be a great fighter on the Wii. The online capabilities are what really boost this title past the competition. If you love Naruto or are looking for a decent fighter on the Wii, Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 will probably be your best bet.

If it's LittleBigPlanet, you have to play it. It's not as expansive as the PS3 version, and there's no multiplayer, but with 35+ levels and a fully-fledged level creator, there are more than enough reasons to give this game a go.

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.

The game certainly has its problems, but they are generally overwhelmed in the face of great technical prowess, the big open-world, and impressive fluidity of gameplay. We only wish it was a bit longer, because the storyline will only take about five hours to get through.

The bottom line is that if you get stuck with Bright Lights! Big Screen! this holiday season, there's no reason to despair.

The bottom line is that if you get stuck with Bright Lights! Big Screen! this holiday season, there's no reason to despair.

The bottom line is that if you get stuck with Bright Lights! Big Screen! this holiday season, there's no reason to despair.

All of this is such a shame, because WorldShift is really a beautiful game with an intriguing premise. The levels are packed with interesting scenery, and the lighting and special effects are truly impressive. With a little better balance and some additional tweaking, this could have been a really memorable real-time strategy title.

With more modes, weapons, health items, special infected - you name it! - L4D2 feels like a massive upgrade from the original L4D.

Sadly, this is a good game, it's just not unique and there's very little you haven't seen before.

Sadly, this is a good game, it's just not unique and there's very little you haven't seen before.

New gameplay focused on "adventures," simple puzzle-solving, and vacationing, along with a decent amount of new content, make for a fun and enjoyable Sims experience, despite some technical bugs.

There are plenty of modes, and the career mode certainly provides plenty of flexibility, but this title just can't match the experience offered by other racing simulators.

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.

The core gameplay is basic, yet all of Pokémon Rumble's component parts come together to make for a really great mixture of fun. The presentation is polished, but it's all just smoke and mirrors to try and hide the fact that you're not getting much for the whopping 1500 Wii Points being asked for this game.

It's another Nintendo masterpiece with gorgeous and vibrant graphics, loads of original characters and enemies (both classic and new), beautiful and unique environments, classic Mario tunes, superb voice acting, amusing but challenging gameplay, engaging multiplayer action, and more.

Fans abroad have consistently praised other versions of the game for its uniqueness and difficulty. However, Pop'n Music for the Wii doesn't feel unique or difficult; it just feels like a lot of frustrating shaking set to bad music.

0-D Beat Drop isn't a revolutionary game, but it is a clever and fun one. The learning curve is steep for the first hour or so as you figure out the rules, but from there it's a matter of getting just a little better with each playthrough.

Easy online access, fulfilling single-player experience. Fun action with RPG elements makes the hunt for gear in an interesting world a real treat. If you own a DS and you care about quality entertainment, then you need this game.

With a great six to eight hour single-player campaign, the fun Special Ops mode meant to be enjoyed with a friend, and its endlessly replayable multiplayer experience, MW2 has a ton of content and reasons to keep coming back to it.

MW2 is a fantastic follow up that doesn't muddle too much with the mixture of success found in the original, but instead just adds some more depth and a much higher level of polish. Whether you're a fan of the original MW or a newcomer to the series, this is easily one of the must-play titles this year. Honestly, unless you're completely against playing games in which you shoot things, this game's excellent single-player campaign, enjoyable Special Ops mode, and addictive and nearly endless online multiplayer experience should put MW2 at the very top of your "to buy" list.

MW2 is a fantastic follow up that doesn't muddle too much with the mixture of success found in the original, but instead just adds some more depth and a much higher level of polish. Whether you're a fan of the original MW or a newcomer to the series, this is easily one of the must-play titles this year. Honestly, unless you're completely against playing games in which you shoot things, this game's excellent single-player campaign, enjoyable Special Ops mode, and addictive and nearly endless online multiplayer experience should put MW2 at the very top of your "to buy" list.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast has a lot of things going for it including an interesting story mode, great graphics, and a huge character roster. However, the foundation of the game - the battle system - isn't very fun, and that sinks the whole experience.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast has a lot of things going for it including an interesting story mode, great graphics, and a huge character roster. However, the foundation of the game - the battle system - isn't very fun, and that sinks the whole experience.

Attack of the Saiyans is not necessarily just for hardcore DBZ fans. If you're into Japanese RPGs, and if you don't mind a slow, tedious beginning (and seriously, the first ninety minutes are very weak), then Attack of the Saiyans can be an extremely charming, loud, and violent fairy tale.

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.

First generation cell-phone games had more interesting gameplay.

Unfortunately, though, the majority of Kenka Bancho's experience hinges on a combat system that feels incredibly sluggish, clunky, and outdated.

Repetition is the biggest enemy here. It's not a bad romp, if you have the patience.

Repetition is the biggest enemy here. It's not a bad romp, if you have the patience.

Chaotic: Shadow Warriors is mostly solid, but uninteresting and repetitive gameplay, along with an overall lack of polish, make it a lackluster experience difficult to recommend to fans.

There's a good amount of content and game modes, but it's all based on the terrible core gameplay mechanics.

Excitebike: World Rally isn't a revolution for the series; heck, it isn't even an evolution, really. However, over 20 years later, the gameplay holds up incredibly well and fits the WiiWare platform like a glove. The lack of local multiplayer is truly a drag, and for the price, the unlockables don't do much to strengthen the value. That being said, Excitebike has a lot of personality, and it's certainly a game worthy of a new lease on life.

Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage for Wii is another quality boarding title. However, the few improvements don't add up to a lot more than what was available last year; this really isn't a very inspired sequel.