If there is anywhere that the game shines, it's in play value. 150 levels is nothing to scoff at.

The survival mode adds more play time to the title, although it would have been nice if the campaign would have had more than just ten levels.

Secret Files: Tunguska perfectly captures the adventure genre with plenty of passion, challenge, wit, and depth. This kind of game is certain to appeal to those bored with platform and action games.

With eight different math-focused training modes, and several special Theme modes, there is plenty to do in Brain Age Express: Math for the DSi. And at 800 points, this is a great way to get back into training, or start it up for the first time!

The game is not spectacular but looks and plays well enough to keep the players entertained, and it doesn't entail much frustration, unlike other games of the family action / adventure genre.

The Sims 2: Pets may not be a new title for us to devote our Sims loving selves to, but it is at least a nice addition to hold us over until the Wii exclusive MySims comes out.

MotoGP 10/11 turned out to be fairly decent if not altogether impressive. The career mode alone should keep even the most seasoned of players occupied for a considerable amount of time, not to mention the online portion of the game.

There may be only two modes, but the block-shifting mechanic keeps the gameplay fresh, and I found myself wanting to come back to this title more than a few times.

MotoGP 10/11 turned out to be fairly decent if not altogether impressive. The career mode alone should keep even the most seasoned of players occupied for a considerable amount of time, not to mention the online portion of the game.

This game is very similar to the Puzzle Quest titles, and like them it can become boring if played for too long. For those willing to play in short bursts, though, Puzzle Kingdoms provides hours of fun.

It has a core concept that is truly engaging; it just feels as if it needs to be fleshed out a bit more. The single player Tournament mode is an absolute blast that will keep you occupied for a few hours. Unfortunately, the multiplayer features, though varied, are poorly executed.

There isn't much to the game's career mode, but this game will certainly be a sure-fire winner at parties.

A surprisingly solid puzzle title for the Nintendo DS. It's addictive and fun, and easy enough for anybody to get into and have fun. The difficulty ramps up, but that's a good thing.

There isn't much to the game's career mode, but this game will certainly be a sure-fire winner at parties.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying that Eagle Eye Golf is for the birdies but it’s definitely not a hole in one.

Virtua Tennis fans need not apply; this is tennis done more accurately...for better or worse. The game may not serve up an ace, but it makes for a solid set.

Despite the game’s clumsy story progression and repetitive werehog combat, it manages to be the best Sonic game released in recent memory. This is thanks mostly to the excellent hedgehog levels that evoke memories of classic Sonic titles while still managing to feel fresh and new.

When everything's tallied up, though, Commando is a decent game on its own merits and a strong first showing for newcomers Mana Computer Software.

Exactly what it needs to be: stupid good fun. The only thing it's missing is that old pizza parlor smell.

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.

Cheating makes for a strong improvement on an already solid card game.

The fighting mechanics are tight and responsive, in spite of a few technical shortcomings. It doesn’t feel weighty enough or polished enough to warrant a $50 price tag, but TMNT and Brawl fans alike might still get their money’s worth.

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

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.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is a simple, solid title that does the Dynasty Warriors franchise proud. It’s not really reinventing the wheel, nor is it trying to cater to fans outside of its small demographic. It just wants to be the best button-mashy, Chinese-soldier murder simulator it can be, and in that, it succeeds. If you are a fan of the Dynasty Warriors franchise, definitely consider picking Dynasty Warriors 8 up.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone other than existing tennis fans. However, if you just so happen to be a tennis aficionado and you want an alternative to some of the other tennis games on the market, Grand Slam Tennis does just fine.

Commander's Challenge is a game that requires a tremendous amount of patience, skill, determination, trial and error, and plenty of luck.

Even though Flash Focus is neither a masterpiece nor a highly anticipated title, it may draw some good sales. The game is cheap, innovative, interesting, and well designed.

This game is infinitely better than Techland's previous titles in almost every way.

The Club is a fresh take on the shooter. It has a core concept that is truly engaging; it just feels as if it needs to be fleshed out a bit more. The single player Tournament mode is an absolute blast that will keep you occupied for a few hours. Unfortunately, the multiplayer features, though varied, are poorly executed.

The gameplay is the truest reason to download this game. Even though the hour-long aspect of the game could hinder replayability, you will from time to time wish to save the fair princess from the dastardly Grand Vizier.

Here's my guarantee to you. Rent this game first and play the hell out of it over the weekend. If you don't find that it's totally derivative of "Hoops 2K6," then go back to the store and buy it. That way nobody gets hurt.

Virtua Tennis fans need not apply; this is tennis done more accurately...for better or worse. The game may not serve up an ace, but it makes for a solid set.

Here’s my guarantee to you. Rent this game first and play the hell out of it over the weekend. If you don’t find that it’s totally derivative of "Hoops 2K6," then go back to the store and buy it. That way nobody gets hurt.

Most people won’t get addicted, but it’s fun to play alone or with friends, and there are tons of options.

It's not big on frills but it is loaded with modes, including online play.

Although EA Playground is obviously meant for children, it falls short severely in depth.

And even though it is a welcome addition to the SingStar family, I am very disappointed in the lack of variety in the song selection.

Having to muddle through numerous menus to use the game's impressive airstrikes, travel all over the map to find work and shops, your inability to find a gun that fires straight, and a serious lack of challenge hamper what would otherwise be a fun and destruction-filled romp.

It's addictive at first, but I just don't see it holding interest after several hours of play unless you have a highly competitive group of friends to continually challenge to best your scores.

Putting the number three behind the title should mean progression. Unfortunately, this feels more like a transgression.

If you are really into farming, and don’t mind the repetitive tendencies of the series, then Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is a solid entry and definitely worth your time.

Putting the number three behind the title should mean progression. Unfortunately, this feels more like a transgression.

It's an excellent story, but once you've played it once there's not much to do besides go back and do it again, trying not to die for the game's most challenging achievements.

Despite the game’s clumsy story progression and repetitive werehog combat, it manages to be the best Sonic game released in recent memory. This is thanks mostly to the excellent hedgehog levels that evoke memories of classic Sonic titles while still managing to feel fresh and new.

Putting the number three behind the title should mean progression. Unfortunately, this feels more like a transgression.

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.

There's tons of content to play though here if you've never experienced Tales of the Abyss. If you have, though, skip it, because there's not so much as a single word of dialogue added to this release.

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.

A few pacing issues, visual blips, and minor quirks with the menu presentation aren't a complete killjoy considering the rest of the game is rock-solid.

For someone who's mastered lots of puzzle games and wants a fresh challenge, Dropcast is the way to go. Casual gamers, on the other hand, will probably struggle.

Though the game does feel a bit unpolished and unbalanced, there's still a lot to enjoy. This franchise has a ton of potential, and we'll be interested to see how it evolves in the coming years.

Honestly, Kasumi's Loyalty Mission isn't that great. Also, you're only getting about an hour and a half (max) of additional content. At least the extra goodies and crew member are solid.

This game offers card collecting, platforming, and mini-games, and it's more than just a cash-in on a popular license.

Academy of Champions: Soccer is not a must-have game by any stretch. However, it is a very competent collection of soccer-themed mini-games. Still, I wish soccer matches weren't quite as simple as they are, but I doubt the intended audience will mind much.

You'll blast through the ten levels in less than two hours, and improving your score doesn't have the pull you'd expect.

The Dog Island is a good game for novice gamers. Kids will love the open world system and the fun missions. Even though this title will probably make regular gamers roll their eyes, it is a great beginners RPG.

The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is a fun title that should keep many diehard fans, especially younger players, engaged. However, if you're looking for something with a bit more depth than button-mashing your way to glory, you will likely find the game shallow and frustrating.

Shred Nebula has the right idea: Take top-down shooter action, spice it up a little, and create stages for people who prefer identifiable goals to random point-chasing.

An extremely uncomplicated title that has its fair share of fun due to the hilariously brutal combat animations.

NBA Jam on Wii is a solid, fun reboot that should please many fans. Considering its roots, the game aims to deliver the goods, but it doesn't quite reach its full potential.

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.

The RPG twist on the genre is fairly cool, and does result in an experience that is longer than you might expect, but the game's utter lack of story and reliance on pre-established genre conventions make it a pretty big missed opportunity.

The RPG twist on the genre is fairly cool, and does result in an experience that is longer than you might expect, but the game's utter lack of story and reliance on pre-established genre conventions make it a pretty big missed opportunity.

While Portable Ops Plus doesn't offer an incredible amount of new things, it does do an exceptional job at recapturing the elements we loved in the first title.

Cheating makes for a strong improvement on an already solid card game.

This is a very simple game that's a lot of fun, but it's very short, and there are some technical problems that hurt the gameplay.

Honestly, Kasumi's Loyalty Mission isn't that great. Also, you're only getting about an hour and a half (max) of additional content. At least the extra goodies and crew member are solid.

With its slow and steady pace, Evil Under the Sun will put your detective skills to work throughout a lengthy and engaging story that keeps you guessing at every turn. Though the gameplay will be nothing new to anyone who's enjoyed a good point-and-click adventure before, the quality storytelling alone is worth the time.

You'll either love it or hate it. I don't see a lot of people falling somewhere in the middle. The lack of competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes, while not needed, doesn't help the game's replay value.

The story mode is long enough to capture the attention of most young gamers, and for the ambitious players, there are some secondary collection quests to explore.

While there is a ton of content in this game between all of its modes, all but the missions that take you out of the cockpit play out similarly (take out this target, destroy these planes, and repeat).

While Singstar may not be the game to do all by your lonesome, it is a great addition to your party game library.

The gameplay gets a bit repetitive, but there are incentives for exploring every nook and cranny of the game.

While there is a ton of content in this game between all of its modes, all but the missions that take you out of the cockpit play out similarly (take out this target, destroy these planes, and repeat).

Though the game does feel a bit unpolished and unbalanced, there's still a lot to enjoy. This franchise has a ton of potential, and we'll be interested to see how it evolves in the coming years

A fun game but it has no lasting appeal. Even the two-player mode becomes more like a game of chance than a game of skill when player of equal caliber have outgrown the simplistic control system.

Flower, Sun, and Rain suffers from an extremely dated presentation and a strict, not entirely likeable, code-based puzzle system. These elements gradually wear on the nerves, yet they're not enough to drown the entire experience.

The story mode is long enough to capture the attention of most young gamers, and for the ambitious players, there are some secondary collection quests to explore.

A fun movie tie-in game, and it certainly lives up to what is expected of it. Although it isn’t terribly long or deep, it will give fans of the series some solid gameplay , and it certainly isn’t too challenging for younger fans who might want to play it.

Tales of Valor falls short in terms of the volume of new content most players will expect in a standalone expansion priced at $30. What's there is great, but it's just not enough.

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.

Kids who pick up SimAnimals on the DS will find it's easy to dive right into the accessible gameplay. The lack of variety in objectives and occasional controls problems might be less of an issue for these younger players who find the meat and potatoes of the game - attracting new cute animals to their forests - to be joyfully addictive.

Commander's Challenge is a game that requires a tremendous amount of patience, skill, determination, trial and error, and plenty of luck.

A fun game but it has no lasting appeal. Even the two-player mode becomes more like a game of chance than a game of skill when player of equal caliber have outgrown the simplistic control system.

The title has plenty of games to keep you coming back for more, especially when you're traveling, which is when portable games come especially handy!

Smash-up’s online gameplay is more functional than Brawl, though it still doesn’t live up to expectations. The extras and unlockables aren’t that interesting, but the game’s good fun when played locally with friends.

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.

Global Agenda isn't an excellent game, but there is a lot of co-op and competitive fun to be had. In fact, the overwhelming vibe from current players is quite upbeat. Still, there's not enough content included with its purchase to keep you playing for months on end; you'll have to pony up the monthly fee for the Conquest mode to get any lasting appeal.

You'll either love it or hate it. I don't see a lot of people falling somewhere in the middle. The lack of competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes, while not needed, doesn't help the game's replay value.

Played for the right reason, a little bit at a time, Mega Brain Boost could be considered great value for the money, production values aside.

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers may not revolutionize computerized card-based games, but is does one simple thing right, it allows for new and old fans to meet on equal ground.

An extremely uncomplicated title that has its fair share of fun due to the hilariously brutal combat animations.

It’s really only giving fans of the original a few more toys to play with. Unfortunately, the $40 price of admission weighs heavy on this title, and the sparse new content doesn’t quite justify it. In short, if you weren’t a huge Diablo III fan then Reaper of Souls won’t change your mind. However, if you enjoyed the original then Reaper of Souls adds a new class, several new environments, and a bunch of replay value.

While Meet the Robinsons is nothing revolutionary, it does provide an enjoyable experience all the way around. If you are the type of gamer that loves platform games and loves the movie sub-genre just as much, then this game was designed with you in mind.

Redemption may not be the best of the best, but it has the markings of one of the strongest story driven RPGs out there. If you have been a fan from the beginning or one that was sucked in recently, Redemption will deliver on many of your expectations.

Outside of the excellent split-screen and online multiplayer experience, Conquest doesn't substantially distinguish itself from games in the franchise released five years ago, and this holds the overall experience back.

This is one movie-based game we can whole-heartedly recommend to fans. It’s not quite epic, and it fares on the short side, but shopping elements and unlockables add value to the package. The multiplayer mini-games are less than stellar, but the story-mode level design is sure to welcome you back for repeat visits.