Once you get a hang of the new controls, there's a ton of content here, though most of it is taken directly from the franchise's previous installments.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is one of the very best games to grace the Nintendo DS - it outdoes even its excellent predecessors. This game exudes quality at every turn, and it's easy to see it was developed with a remarkable amount of care and love.

SpaceBall's simple mechanics might be fun at first, but they quickly grow tedious as little changes from level to level. Two-player multiplayer helps, and there are online leaderboards if you're interested.

The overall lack of complexity and repetitive nature of the gameplay will seriously reduce the time you'll spend playing this game. It shouldn't take you longer than a weekend to win this war.

There are lots of missions and difficulty options, but they're all unlocked right away, so there's no sense of progress.

Darkest of Days also features very little content - there is only a single-player story mode to wade through that has very limited replay value.

Despite the superior presentation and excellence of the subject matter, there aren't a lot of game modes to play and the music selection leaves a lot to be desired. I wish DLC wasn't such an important factor.

Despite the superior presentation and excellence of the subject matter, there aren't a lot of game modes to play and the music selection leaves a lot to be desired. I wish DLC wasn't such an important factor.

It's a surprisingly long game, since it offers two different storylines and endings with two different characters. There are also challenges scattered throughout, as well as an incredible amount of swords to forge or collect.

If you're looking for a good-spirited hack and slash/exploration game or just something to have a fun time playing with a younger gamer, then be sure to give Mini Ninjas a try.

If you're looking for a good-spirited hack and slash/exploration game or just something to have a fun time playing with a younger gamer, then be sure to give Mini Ninjas a try.

If you're looking for a good-spirited hack and slash/exploration game or just something to have a fun time playing with a younger gamer, then be sure to give Mini Ninjas a try.

Mini Ninjas on DS is an incredible disappointment. There are clearly some great ideas present in the game, and the story set-up is built upon a solid foundation. Once you push the start button on this machine, however, it breaks down and falls in on itself.

Birds of Prey shines brightly as a solo endeavor in large part due to the extreme level of authenticity and attention to getting the flight mechanics just right.

Birds of Prey shines brightly as a solo endeavor in large part due to the extreme level of authenticity and attention to getting the flight mechanics just right.

Multiplayer modes are limited, though the dogfights and team battles for up to 16 players are still quite fun. It's satisfying taking down an enemy plane when you know there's a human cursing you out from his burning cockpit on the other end.

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.

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.

This is far from a great title. It won't top end-of-the year lists, and it won't become a cult classic. The graphics and sound are too threadbare, the first half of the game too easy, and lack of online support and realistic damage too disappointing.

If you're a patient racing fan who doesn't mind the old-school style racers in which a single mistake at any point in the race can cost you the win, then you'll be able to look past Dirt 2's frustrating moments. However, if you're easily miffed, this probably isn't the best game for you.

Darkest of Days also features very little content - there is only a single-player story mode to wade through that has very limited replay value.

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.

Marvel Super Hero Squad can only be recommended for young gamers who enjoy their superheroes and would do better with a simple game.

This game is almost strictly a multiplayer experience. As such, you're not getting a whole lot of value for your money. That said, the competitive online play will be worth the price of admission for many.

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.

Despite the aging conventions of the genre, Guitar Hero 5 gets nearly everything right. There is a ton of gameplay packed into a decidedly user-friendly/hardcore-friendly package.

Undeniably the best music game ever made, as it synthesizes the best of the genre into one neat package.

Despite the aging conventions of the genre, Guitar Hero 5 gets nearly everything right. There is a ton of gameplay packed into a decidedly user-friendly/hardcore-friendly package.

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.

Exploring multiple island locations is a natural progression, and the action continues unfettered.

Seams are starting to show. If this franchise is to survive, it's going to need a compete overhaul from tip to stern. The peasants can only be gouged so much before they revolt.

Just like the first entry, this one doesn't try to escape from the simple button mashing, combo street brawler.

This game actually has less content than the original, and with no other improvements, it's hard to recommend this even at a $30 price point.

Raven Squad starts with a brilliant concept and doesn't bother to flesh it out into a fun or compelling game. It's practically a gift to competing developers. In that regard all it lacks is a note reading, "Here's a template for a hybrid FPS-RTS; do something useful with it, because we don't feel like it."

Slow and steady exploration will keep you on the edge of your seat and progressing upward for some time.

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.

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

This game is almost strictly a multiplayer experience. As such, you're not getting a whole lot of value for your money. That said, the competitive online play will be worth the price of admission for many.

The individual elements of Mana Khemia 2 are nothing special, really, though this is one game that is certainly greater than the sum of its parts. The story doesn't take itself seriously, but the gameplay here packs quite a punch.

The standard PvP gameplay can be a lot of fun, and the RPG elements are better than expected. But much of what is offered is available in most shooters with free multiplayer.

Wizards of Waverly Place on the Nintendo DS can best be described as a missed opportunity.

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.

Some might think this kind of game is only for fans of the point-and-click genre; however, there's a lot more to this series than that. The puzzles are very engaging and perfectly solvable, the story flows with ease and keeps you interested throughout, and the controls on the DS are very smooth.

Like the first chunk of Tales of Monkey Island, The Siege of Spinner Cay culminates in a juicy cliffhanger that will leave you craving the next chunk of the adventure.

I honestly just can't say enough good things about Shadow Complex. Except for a little wonkiness when trying to aim into the background, this is a truly phenomenal title. For a fifteen dollar arcade game, the production values are almost unbelievable. The graphics are great, the level design is fantastic, the gameplay is fun and involving, the sound effects and voice acting are well done, and the story is even interesting.

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.

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.

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.

A very impressive game. Though it is not punishing in difficulty or complex in story, the gameplay is fun, and collecting all of the game's Spectrobes makes for some decent replay value. This game is an easy recommendation for new RPG gamers, or RPG fans who don't take themselves too seriously.

The fact is, this is a fundamentally sound game that, at the very least, lasts a long time and will provide respite from a considerable amount of boredom.

An outstanding game - the best the series has ever seen. A great technical foundation has been laid with this year's outing, and true Madden fans will appreciate the package EA has put together.

An outstanding game - the best the series has ever seen. A great technical foundation has been laid with this year's outing, and true Madden fans will appreciate the package EA has put together.

If you're a football fan who loves simulation and fine-tuning his team to strategic perfection, you're going to want to stick with the tried and true Madden formula on 360 or PS3. If you're looking for a fun game to play with some friends who aren't really all that interested in football or are relatively new to football, then Madden Wii is a good buy.

An overriding sense of "been there, done that."

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.

With 80+ hours of content and an engaging story, you can stay immersed in the world of Phantom Brave for quite awhile.

By the very nature of its genre, it can be maddeningly frustrating and repetitive, and this tendency increases markedly as you unlock harder courses. For these select few gamers, however, this is a must-buy, because it's not often that a top-notch time-trial game comes around.

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!

Boredom and frustration sets in pretty early, though multiplayer is worth exploring.

The gameplay and story are worked together nicely, and the level design is paced well. The entire production, however, is just so outdated.

NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits is old-school at heart, but completely innovative and fresh when it comes to gameplay. It's an excellent adventure that defines the gold standard for WiiWare.

Some of this game's elements can get tedious, but all in all it is fairly enjoyable and should provide many hours of strategy, RPG, and archeological-based goodness.

There's only a single-player mode, and honestly, I can't see why anyone would want to play this game for more than a few minutes. It really is that bad.

The bottom line is that the game doesn't hold up very well, but it's mildly amusing to play for an hour or so, especially with friends.

If you like Queen and Singstar, then this is definitely one to get. Though I can't imagine playing it for more than a few hours, it should be a hit at parties.

If you like Queen and Singstar, then this is definitely one to get. Though I can't imagine playing it for more than a few hours, it should be a hit at parties.

The co-op functionality and the vast array of collectibles are nice additions on the surface, but being unable to play with friends online and not unlocking anything substantial keeps the experience lackluster.

The co-op functionality and the vast array of collectibles are nice additions on the surface, but being unable to play with friends online and not unlocking anything substantial keeps the experience lackluster.

It stops being fun within minutes.

It stops being fun within minutes.

G.I. Joe PSP comes with a myriad of faults and only a small handful of redeeming qualities.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra is lackluster nearly across the board with nothing new or unique.

There's only a single-player mode, and honestly, I can't see why anyone would want to play this game for more than a few minutes. It really is that bad.

The girls aren't easy, they aren't sleazy, and the poker is boring. The visuals are lifeless, and the aural presentation is put forth with minimal effort. We fully understand that this is a $5 game, but it offers only about $0.25 worth of entertainment.

Hefty chunks of Mothership Zeta feel formulaic and repetitive, yet the sting of the expansion's low points is countered somewhat by the impeccable presentation, smartly-implemented sci-fi vibe, and a few entertaining twists.

Hefty chunks of Mothership Zeta feel formulaic and repetitive, yet the sting of the expansion's low points is countered somewhat by the impeccable presentation, smartly-implemented sci-fi vibe, and a few entertaining twists.

It's easy to see the craftsmanship that has been poured into this offering from its presentation to its stellar gameplay. The only problem we found that keeps this title back from gaming nirvana is its suspect connections - it was often impossible to play against others online.

Just like the first entry, this one doesn't try to escape from the simple button mashing, combo street brawler.

The episode's final chaotic moments are certainly clever and comical, but the drab, anticlimactic conclusion deflates the fun.

It's lengthy while not particularly exciting or fun.

Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 delivers on the most important level: giving fans what they want.

Just like the first entry, this one doesn't try to escape from the simple button mashing, combo street brawler.

Even the game's most tedious moments will offer a good measure of entertainment for strategy gaming fans, though a number of issues may eventually have you questioning whether it's worth sticking with in the long run.

Bionic Commando is an interesting single-player experience many gamers are likely to enjoy. Disappointingly, the multiplayer experience is entirely forgettable, and not all of the wonderfully tacky elements of the series were well translated this time around.

Single-player modes galore, multiplayer action, unlockable bubble and arrow designs, and tight controls make this game very addictive and entertaining.

The shooting, platforming, and boss encounters are all enjoyable, but the game is incredibly short. It's also a very conventional formula that plays out a bit too simplistically.

Launch of the Screaming Narwhal offers some of the best adventure gaming we've seen in some time, even topping Telltale's recent quality releases.

The game can be a lot of fun, but its many flaws detract from its playability. There are multiple endings for those who play through more than once, though.

Wii Sports was a must for Wii owners, as anyone could pick up and play those games. Wii Sports Resort is also very fun to play with people, and it's an added experience with new games, more precise controls, and good ol' Wii Bowling and Golf.

If you like online play, King of Fighters does it extremely well. However, with only one single-player offline mode, this title feels a little empty overall.

If you like online play, King of Fighters does it extremely well. However, with only one single-player offline mode, this title feels a little empty overall.

Shatter is a refreshingly unique take on a classic genre. The visuals, music, and gameplay combine to provide a simple yet engrossing experience that will please casual and old-school gamers.

This game could have probably used a custom level editor to create your own levels, but as an arcade game that just costs 800 MS Points, you really couldn't ask for a whole lot more. The most important thing is the game is fun, imaginative (to a certain point), and contains a good sense of humor and a quirky protagonist.

This lengthy, challenge, and utterly adorable title has great potential to bridge the gap between different audiences on the Wii. It's easily one of the best games on the system so far this year and one you absolutely won't want to miss.

Despite my initial trepidation about a shooter-style kid-movie tie-in, G-Force actually manages to be a competent game that goes beyond the tried and true platforming format.

Despite my initial trepidation about a shooter-style kid-movie tie-in, G-Force actually manages to be a competent game that goes beyond the tried and true platforming format.

There has been some real love injected into this game, and fans of the movie, as well as action-adventure-loving Wii owners, probably shouldn't miss it.