Simply put, Halo doesn't seem to know what it needs to run smoothly. The original ran at a scant 480 X 640 resolution to suit your TV. Even with a monster video card in your PC, 512MB of RAM and a 2400+GHz going for it, higher resolutions will give you stutter, slowdown and sometimes blow you right out of the game.

Exceed is much more difficult than the standard dance games. The difficulty ranking goes from normal to nightmare and all points in between.

The story is accessible for all players to grasp, though the true Lovecraft enthusiast will get the most enjoyment.

Gamers weaned on games like "Final Fantasy" who recognize that Tolkien's masterpieces are largely responsible for the genre they love and admire, probably won't be too pleased with the dumbing down of their favorite gaming conventions in The Third Age, but may want to experience the battles nonetheless simply due to their commitment to the subject matter.

Despite all the positive aspects of Ford Racing 2, it's actually a short game. The replay value isn't extended much by the two-player mode and few will be obsessed with obtaining the high score on the Xbox Live.

It’s a calculated, strategic exercise that requires ample time and patience. The Wii version gracefully combines the classic gameplay with new variations in a format that’s visually pleasing, entertaining to play, and a very strong representation of the Monopoly experience on a gaming console.

You certainly can't go wrong with a rental of Touchmaster 2. But keep in mind that most of these games, or variations of them, can be found on the net for free. The only two factors that make this version unique is that it's portable and features the touchscreen control system.

Call of Duty: WWII is a solid entry, but it feels more safe and standard than it should, especially standing next to its peers that took similar ideas and did more.

Mafia, when compared to other Xbox games, is still one hot little package, but compared to itself, it leaves a little to be desired.

Ultimately, though, you're going to be playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown for its unforgiving strategic gameplay. If you can ignore the lame story and the sub-par visuals, there's a lot here to enjoy.

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.

If I had a chance to play this during the years I was a complete Wolverine fanatic I would have passed out from pleasure overload. No kidding... This is the one of the finest comic book games to date.

The run-and-gun shooting holds up extremely well to this day, and the level design is almost pitch perfect. However, it's an incredibly short romp, offering only a smidge of the variety that's locked up in the annals of the series. The lack of online co-op is a real bummer, too.

The game's quite easy to start with, because they give you the ladders you need, but it can get pretty frantic after a while, especially if you manage to unlock the other difficulty levels (there are four).

A great example of a game that successfully walks the line between new and older territory, offering a package that appeals to a broad age-group.

Champions Online gives the appearance of a vast open-world full of rampaging villains and heroic adventure, and it lives up to this promise on many levels. You'll find much of the fun and mayhem one might expect to encounter in such a place. Yet there are moments when it's hard to shake the linear feeling that gradually creeps into the experience from time to time.

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.

Being an XCOM fan, I was sincerely hopeful that they didn’t destroy the name of this franchise with a generic third-person shooter, which could have easily been the case. But they didn’t. They did so much more. They expertly crafted the beloved gameplay elements of the XCOM universe into an intuitive third-person experience, while delivering an interesting story, which is no easy task.

The virtually faithful ports are a classic-gaming junky's dream come true.

If you're a fan of strategy RPGs and shooters, there's a lot to like here. If you're not, you probably aren't even reading this.

In some respects it's almost too easy, but if you push your luck too far you'll get your ass kicked right out from under you. There's a delicate balance that one must attain to ride the crest of glory all the way to the end.

Like the episodes before it, Baddest of the Bands is wildly ridiculous and largely entertaining. It doesn't pack quite the epic feel or the challenge of Episode 2, but the rocking subject matter is a perfect fit for Strong Bad's outrageous wit.

Even though it's full of flights of fanciful Mario elements, the physics reacts very realistically.

The comprehensive tutorial is virtually guaranteed to get beginners up and running while offering more experienced players advanced tips and strategies.

If you're the kind of player that likes to spend only a few hours a week playing one particular game, Growlanser Generations could last you a year. It's a big package, well worth the price.

Puzzle fans that are looking for puzzles that aren't confounding for the sake of just being confounding are advised to check out Return to Mysterious Island.

For a weekend rental, you will be hard pressed to find a better, or more fun, racing game than Burnout Dominator. Hardcore fans need to be advised that this game could just as easily be called Burnout 2.

It will takes weeks to develop your skills but thanks to the great tutorial and easy-to-use interface, it couldn't be easier to get an Indy-education.

A Matrix game that FINALLY got it right. You're able to pull off all the cool moves and abilities that Neo possesses, including fighting off hundreds of Smiths at once, pole and all. With great graphics and great controls, this title will definitely impress with the first and second play through.

The enemies were incredibly intelligent. Antlions would not only attack you in a mad rush straight on but they would also construct sand traps and wait for you to walk over them whereupon they would attack you from below.

The game is not perfect, nor will it appeal to everyone. However, Red Fly and Gamecock have done a great job of bringing a compelling adventure to the Wii that uses craftsmanship and care in its creation.

A must have title for Wii-owning skate fans, but casual gamers beware!

For anyone who hasn't yet had a chance to give Pikmin a go, this is a great opportunity to jump into the series. The new Wii controls work great, and though the production values have aged a bit, it's still a fine game worth going back to.

A solid effort that can be enjoyed by all ages. Even hamster-haters from way back will find something they like here.

Nudity and language aside, I asked myself if BMX XXX stands on it's own merit. If it was just a BMX game, would it work? The answer is 'Of course". It's one of the best BMX XXX games to date.

This is the best pinball simulation that I've ever played. It's not a fantasy game with unearthly physics, it's a digital recreation of some of the most beloved Gottlieb pinball games from the 50s to the 90s.

For a budget title you'll be amazed at the quality of the presentation and the depth of the gameplay.

The PS3's analog stick isn't the most accurate means of applying stickers and navigating Ray's world.

GP Legends will go a long way in providing hours of racing entertainment for the F-Zero buff. It's easy to get into and allows a lot of racing growth as your experience increases.

Challenging and fun but it's short on replay value. It's a great prescription for temporary relief of the blues, but if they persist you might be in need of a solid, next-gen game fix.

Rationalizing the cost versus the content is a tough one, but I can say this will not hold you over till the release of Mass Effect 3.

A very unique experience like no other, and probably the most "extreme" sporting game out there right now.

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.

Rationalizing the cost versus the content is a tough one, but I can say this will not hold you over till the release of Mass Effect 3.

Great for the avid pool player, but probably not for the rest of us.

Rationalizing the cost versus the content is a tough one, but I can say this will not hold you over till the release of Mass Effect 3.

If paintball is something you're passionate about, MAX'D is a superbly crafted digital representation of the sport jampacked with features, pros, gear and challenging gameplay that you'll enjoy far after paintball season is over.

Aside from three new campaigns consisting of 15 scenarios in total, Asian Dynasties incorporates a ton of new content in the form of civ-specific units and abilities, additional maps, new cards, multi-player gameplay modes, and the wonderful return of Wonders, among other perks.

Even if you feel you're more precise by simply holding the Wii-mote, you definitely have to give the Zapper a try and play until you're awesome at it. It's worth it and it brings the game to a whole new level!

This game isn't innovation in any way but instead takes what it considers to be some of the best elements of other games and rolls it into one package - basically the same way Quentin Tarentino patches together his movies.

While I agree the game may not be as deep as other games that fit this style, it still is a fun game. It also has some intense action. It's how you decide to play it that will really decide if you get the full value the game has to offer.

It could even be called cute, as it contains endearing characters and a touching storyline about a boy's love for his mother and his quest to lift the curse that she's under.

The best-yet version of Final Fantasy IV.

The controls (at least for the Wii) still need some tightening, but Ubisoft is doing a great job with each installment, adding some new modes, adjusting things that may not have succeeded in the past, and delivering a consistently fun rhythm game in a genre that seems ready to be put out to pasture.

It's not a great looking game but that was never its strength. It's all about mood and it has it here in spades.

It's the balance of gameplay elements that make Baten Kaitos an interesting game to play. It's not particularly memorable but it does capture you in the moment. For a game of such length not to feel repetitive is truly an accomplishment.

Like the episodes before it, Baddest of the Bands is wildly ridiculous and largely entertaining. It doesn't pack quite the epic feel or the challenge of Episode 2, but the rocking subject matter is a perfect fit for Strong Bad's outrageous wit.

For a budget game it certainly is worth the price. While it can get very challenging at times, the way the game feels and switches for each table is fantastic.

A strong adventure title that gives an excellent, updated treatment to the vampire hunting classic. It looks amazing, plays well, and the quality storytelling is bound to suck you in immediately.

You'll spend tons of time attempting to beat the online GamerNet challenges, and pushing yourself closer to The Masters in career mode. The only annoying part of this game is its DLC course selection.

If you are expecting Super Stardust Portable to replace Super Stardust HD, you're going to be disappointed. However, SS Portable does a great job of translating the experience to the PSP.

Of all the new tower defense games that have come out out recently, I have to say that I was very impressed with Savage Moon. Sure, it may not be a beauty in the graphics or audio department, but the layered combat and multitude of tactical options make Savage Moon a must for fans of the ever-evolving tower defense genre, and it isn't a bad choice for those who are interested in RTS-style games in general.

Each fire is unique and has several factors that must be considered before any action can take place. Emergency Fire Response lets you see if you have what it takes, and it's ex-fireman approved.

The level designs are bland, as is the theme music which is recreated digitally with the passion and depth of a cell phone ring tone.

It's a smart game but it's not overly difficult offering just the perfect blend of challenge and non-stop action. You can finish it in a weekend but you can expect to spend a lot more time with it if you want to exercise all the various options.

It's worth it just to see where the story goes.

With so many modes, online play and unlockables which includes the great one himself, you'll have so many virtual seasons on your hand that you won't even miss the real season.

You'll spend tons of time attempting to beat the online GamerNet challenges, and pushing yourself closer to The Masters in career mode. The only annoying part of this game is its DLC course selection.

It definitely deserves a chance, and we hope it gets one.

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.

Just about everything that we complained about in the last game has been addressed. This is one great platformer.

It's traditional RPG stuff but this game has just the right amount of depth to satisfy fanatics while appealing to new recruits. It's a lengthy, well-balanced adventure that is sure to satisfy your RPG cravings.

The complexity of the game may not be quite where it needs to be but all in all this is a solid title that will transport you to world full of adventure.

Turn off the sound and you'll enjoy yourself a lot more. Whether you rent this game or add it to your collection, you're guaranteed to have a ball with it. Pun intended.

If you want to play a classic survival horror game the way it was originally meant to be played then you'll want to check out Resident Evil Code: Veronica X...Be warned that you're not getting anything new.

The game simply delivers some no-nonsense, hardcore space shooter fun that's decidedly tough to beat but easy to pick up and jump right into.

Good harmless fun.

With living, breathing backgrounds, smooth animation and a colorful cartoon presentation the graphics are nothing short of amazing for a game in this price range.

The game is entertaining enough to replay, and there are enough extras to provide even more incentive to return to The Gunstringer.

It's a testament to innovative thinking that the brilliant developers at Avalanche Software are able to find a way to breathe new life into an old premise and a series that most gamers would probably imagine has run its course.

FIFA 20 feels like it might be a more divisive entry than usual. In altering the physics and game flow so dramatically, the team risks alienating just as many players as it hopes to bring in. That said, everything that makes FIFA what it is remains intact, with the usual attempts at streamlining and bug-wrangling. VOLTA is the big draw, with its community-driven structures and inclusive character creation. While plenty of fans will no doubt immediately jump to their favorite corners of FIFA, this year’s attempt at trying something new feels almost like its own game. EA Sports has been trying more and more lately to put a little something for everyone in each title, and FIFA 20 does exactly that.

If you've played Friends of Mineral Town there's nothing to see here. Move along. If this is all new to you, then you're in for a real treat. There's no other RPG like it - except for the other one that's exactly like it.

Anyone looking for a challenge will be stoked to live in this world, although less seasoned folks might crash into walls within Yokai Realm sequences. Still, Nioh 2 is a great sequel, with tons of depth and secrets to explore alongside the masocore combat loop. Team Ninja has really changed its output style over the years, and it’s nailing this scene for sure.

In a world where most simulation games have moved to the mobile marketplace and include obnoxious timers and microtransactions, it's wonderful to see this good old series keep evolving and improving.

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

Not only is the game very cohesive in the structure and storyline but the fighting engine is good enough to stand alone.

It's tough to beat an arcade fighter for mindless fun and Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection performs admirably.

While it’s not a very newcomer-friendly series, both in terms of gameplay and catching up with the story, it’s so well-constructed and compelling that I didn’t have much trouble being motivated to play and learn, even after dismal failures that sent me all the way to the beginning of some missions. Fans of Ace Combat will no doubt be all over this big return, and while anyone on the outside looking in won’t be able to just hit the ground running, there is enough substance here to make that daunting journey worthwhile.

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.

If anything, the only problem with Mirror's Edge is its relatively short story, which is only increased by the lack of a multiplayer component that does its gameplay justice. Nevertheless, Mirror's Edge is a solid and innovative title that takes the FPS genre and reminds it that things don't always need to stay the same.

The gameplay is very focused and the controls are tight so there will be no added frustration to the game other than the challenges it offers.

The deliberate pacing and educational value of simulating forensic investigations makes for a great adventure-style gameplay.

Some excellent puzzles with some fertilizer thrown in.

Break this package out at your next party or family get-together, and you're guaranteed to have a good time.

If you're a hardcore Dark Souls fan, or if you're confident in your ability to wring every last cent of value out of the game, the Prepare to Die Edition is the way to go.

After you liberate the island and eliminate the dictator, there is simply no other reason to put the disk back in your system. The island looks pretty and there are plenty of attractions to see, but once you spend a little time there, you are ready to leave.

Visually the game is certainly impressive when you take into consideration the number of characters onscreen at one time - with only very infrequent episodes of slowdown - and the draw distance.

The single-player campaign is a lot of fun, though rather short. Multiplayer and lots of hidden objects help to extend the fun. Still, you'll be done with the game after a few weeks.