Think of Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon as a title where the endgame is the reward for enduring a plot where the dialogue is repetitive and lackluster, characters take way too long walking you through every little thing, and you have to spend about 20 hours earning your right to do whatever you want. Once you do get over that hurdle, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon can be one of the best entries in this series, but you really have to earn your freedom.

A great value. If you like to visit the Mushroom Kingdom, look silly playing a videogame and wish to get in shape, rush out to your local game shop and pick up a copy.

The drums are the most fun, but least challenging.

Master of Illusion is what it aspires to be: a game that teaches you the secrets of magic. Sure, it is not going to teach you how to be Criss Angel that guy is really weird, but it is does teach you the basics.

It has lackluster graphics, awkward controls, and just doesn't make a memorable or worthwhile game experience.

It certainly succeeds in providing a forum for building personalized heroes to show off in cooperative missions, and has enough content to supply hundreds of hours to those interested. It doesn't, however, have the strategic girth, the environmental depth and detail, nor the quirky and engaging story and characters that Capcom has perfected with its series.

If it's any consolation, this game doesn't make it "fun" to kill JFK. It takes the concept very seriously, letting you test various theories. Sure, it could have used virtual dummies or bots in place of realistic renderings of the actual people involved but the developers were striving for realism.

My only complaint is that a lot of gamers will get bored long before they ever complete the single-player mode. But as long as you’ve got the Wi-Fi mode and some friends to play against, this might not be a questionable purchase.

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.

Invizimals hints at better things to come, but you may as well get in on the ground floor and start rounding up these creatures before they overrun your household.

It's certainly an interesting take and one that hasn't been featured in very many video games.

It's been nicely designed and it uses the Wii-mote's tilt motion-sensors to perfection. Those who need more action and get easily frustrated might not enjoy the game as much.

The strategy elements and the point-and-click system bog the action down in this game.

It has all the modes you'd expect in a Mario sports game, but they're too trimmed down to make it a worthy purchase.

A somwhat confusing game that doesn't live up to the inspired madness of the animated series; it does however manage to be a whole lot better than some of the games featuring female heroes.

A kid who loves the TV show might find Transformers Animated: The Game amusing for a little while, and some adults might enjoy the more challenging puzzles. However, most players who aren't blinded by love for Transformers will probably find this title a bit boring. There are better games like this out there.

If you are a fan of past Gust RPGs like Atelier Iris and Ar tonelico, Mana Khemia may be something worth looking into. However, be forewarned that this game in no way features the same amount of freedom to roam and spend as much time as you please.

Badman is ultimately a game that will only appeal to those gamers who will be able to fully appreciate its wonderful sense of humor and intense difficulty.

It could piss off fans of both Driver and GTA due to the unoriginal gameplay and shift in direction but there's no reason the average gamer can't have a ball with this game.

It could still be called repetitious because of the continual combat but it's presented in such a way that you just can't wait to get into the next skirmish.

A really excellent SRPG and probably the best game of the genre on the DS to date.

It's a very difficult game simply because the prospect of death is such an overpowering force in the game that it literally changes the way you play.

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.

If you're looking for a seven-day party where every second thing that comes out of your friend's mouth is barf then maybe this ain't your game.

Graphics aside, this game is very realistic and sim fans will be rewarded with hours and hours of oval-racing Nirvana.

It's impossible not to have a good time with this game unless you're just into NASCAR or blasting people's heads off.

Fortunately you don't have to give the other guys orders but there's still enough commands that will give you a headache just learning the right button configurations.

Falls under the "fun" category. It's full of platforming action but it's not very original. It's aimed at a younger demographic and won't provide much of a challenge for experienced gamers.

The gameplay isn't perfect and the gore might be a bit much for sensitive-stomached gamers, but the story, bite-sized chapters perfect for portable play, and the overall presentation makes this one of the year's best PSP offerings.

This is the kind of game that should have been included as an unlockable bonus feature. It just feels too short and the presentation is redundant. It's definitely worth a rental but that's all I can recommend.

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.

If you acquire a copy and want more of the same then you'll find this expansion pack accommodating, just don't expect it to take you to heaven.

The gameplay is addictive, and the controls are about as good as the PC and Mac versions. The graphics are painfully lacking, but don't make it difficult to play, they just make it less rewarding.

Magicka 2 doesn't mess much with the formula of the first title. If the hours you spent traipsing through Midgård before grew tedious, the sequel may not wield enough magic to hold your attention. However, if you dropped the first game quickly due to the plethora of game breaking launch bugs, or missed this gem of series altogether, it is more than worth your time for an excellently priced $15.

Although the game is very slow to start, once you get into it there is plenty of fun to be had if you like the Animal Crossing formula.

Rocks the 80's is a .5 version of a great game, released just months before the next full-fledged sequel.

Origins is a solid entry in a popular horror franchise, but some mechanics (such as the combat and camera) show that the series is in need of a reboot. However, it's hard to beat the psychological sense of the fear that Silent Hill creates.

Ducati Moto is definitely recommended for fans of bike racing of all levels. Even those with no interest in the genre should at least try their hand at this game, as it's really beginner-friendly. Your skills will increase as you play, and you can actually cultivate your own style through skill development and the upgrades that you purchase.

For balls to the wall, mindless shooting this game will satisfy, if you can focus on the destruction you cause and not the technical short comings.

You have this great game, which is so fun to play at home and online (especially over Xbox Live), and when you’re prepped to take it on the road with you all you are left with are white knuckles of frustration.

It could piss off fans of both Driver and GTA due to the unoriginal gameplay and shift in direction but there's no reason the average gamer can't have a ball with this game.

Even if you are a casual gamer looking for a way to dig into gaming, this is definitely a good start.

Although a few aspects are annoying, such as the inability to skip combat animations, the game offers a nice balance of complexity and accessibility and should keep gamers coming back, making it easily worth its price of purchase.

Overall, March Madness 08 is a pretty good basketball game. The problem is that it isn't the best basketball game available by far. It can probably easily claim second best, but College Hoops is a much better basketball experience.

SimCity on the DS still has further to evolve.

Wet is a very good game that any fan of shooters will enjoy.

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.

If you only own a Wii, this game does provide sporadically impressive visuals, one of the best online experiences on the console, perhaps the best/most customizable controls of any Wii FPS, and a reason to blow the dust off of your system for awhile.

If you can stand the controls, 2K makes a decent outing, though hockey fans should definitely spend their time and money on EA’s simulation for a superior hockey experience.

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.

The single-player maps are competent and challenging, though lifeless and bland. Online multiplayer offers little promise, though local play pieces things together to give Nectaris at least moderate value for your 1000 Wii Points.

Is there space in the gaming world for a first-person platformer? Absolutely, but I feel like the design decisions behind Mirror's Edge Catalyst limit the number of people it will ultimately appeal to. If it is "for you," you'll probably love it. If you're not sure about the first-person viewpoint or limited navigational tools, though, I recommend giving it a rental or a try-out with a friend's copy. It's a good game, but I can't guarantee it's one you'll enjoy playing.

This is both a reward for players that have spent lightyears leveling their characters up to 60+ and an incentive for other players to reach these high levels.

It may not go above and beyond the original, but at least it's another game that uses those wacky bongos. If you can stomach the abrupt change in playlists from the first to the second game you might want to give DK2 a slap, pop and clap.

It has plenty of star power and lots of different ways to play. However, it doesn't really have much in the way of innovative automotive gameplay, which really hinders it from being a must-own title.

A great game as far as the gameplay mechanics go but it really skimps on the razzle and dazzle. We are most likely to be forgiving considering that this is a handheld game but we can't help but expect more because we know it's possible.

The graphics, while not gorgeous, look good and do a marvelous job of conveying a real sense of speed. While it may not be a traditional Tony Hawk game, it is a very competent racing game that is fun to play.

It’s a real gem of an experience and for $10-$15 dollars, depending on whether or not you have a PlayStation Plus account, it’s certainly a game worth spending your time and money on.

Perhaps the biggest perk to the Wii U version of Ninja Gaiden 3 is the addition of Dead or Alive's Ayane. In the last few NG titles, Ayane made a couple of cameo appearances, but on the Wii U, players can take control of the Dead or Alive mistress in her very own mini-campaign.

The gameplay is simple but filled with a variety of elements guaranteed to lengthen those short attention spans.

Gyrostarr is pretty, simplistic, and straight-forward.

If you’ve got a youngster who really took a shine to the movie, then we wholeheartedly recommend this game as a way to extend the experience. It offers a unique perspective from what you’ll see in theaters, as well as a quality gaming package overall.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I didn't enjoy my time with this game at all. In the end, the game of basketball on offer in NBA 10: The Inside for the PSP simply isn't the complex, free-flowing sport it should be.

A great Wii U game. While the control scheme is unconventional, it's fitting for a game that goes out of its way to surprise you with additional modes, trophy rewards, hidden locations, and a spin-off with gameplay never before attempted within the series. Which, in a way makes sense.

This game allows you to mindlessly kick the crap out of things while playing as a badass vampire chick. If that sounds like something you'd like, then BloodRayne: Betrayal will not disappoint.

You really don’t want to pick this up if you already picked up the original.

All of the gameplay elements seem like they really belong in the game and aren't just mini-games tacked on to pad it up. For a game that's based on underwater cartoon characters, (warning: pun alert) it's got a lot of depth.

All these niggling factors amount to a solid game that's just nowhere near as exciting you want it to be.

Shinobi is certainly not a game for everyone, and definitely too much of a burden for Nintendo's regular audience.

Our disappointment with the mini-games and minor pacing issues is ultimately outweighed by an innovative and enjoyable battle system. You'll get a lot of bang for your buck here too. The story is funny, the characters completely loveable, and the interface is a treat to tinker around with.

I find this title more attractive for families and young crowds, rather than full-fledged gamers who are over seventeen years old.

For my money I want a completely overhauled game and not something that feels nuked. Don't give me some cheesy unlockables and a few new modes and call it a new game. This isn't a new game. It's like an expansion pack for a PC game.

Ghost Squad is a culmination of hits and misses, forming a package that succeeds because of its quirky charm and traditional gameplay.

It might be worth a rental if you're really into this type of game, but otherwise Advance Wars does everything that EndWar does, and does it a lot better. With that in mind, I see no real reason to buy this game.

Cryostasis is a breath of fresh arctic air that won't leave you cold.

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 very easy, and won't take you very long to whiz through.

No multi-player, recycled levels and a relatively short game by any standards is reason enough not to own this game.

It's a nice trip around the galaxy but it won't see hard time on your machine after you finish it.

Give it a rental but don't think that you have to have a lightgun. I've been playing this game for years without one and I'm not complaining.

A fun and straightforward game that takes its inspiration from the Disney ride and thankfully not from the Eddie Murphy movie of the same name.

The story is wonderful, but the combat is so bad it makes the game hard to play.

A lesson in good intentions gone awry. Nearly all of its novel ideas misfire. What's so interesting about Inferno is the mentality that a patch was all that was needed to make a better game. The original was defined by a lackluster story, awkward controls, and merely okay gameplay – that's not a formula that needs a few tweaks, it's one that should be scrapped entirely.

The camera system remains unchanged and continues to show the action from the same focal point, even as you have to attempt to guide Sonic backwards. This becomes increasingly difficult and frustrating.

A severe disappointment to fans of the genre. While EA has added many of the features that were missing from last year's offering, there are still too many issues that need to be ironed out, including the animations, the flow, the online gameplay, and the challenge.

Another mediocre game in a mediocre series, but is worth the time if you are an ardent, and I mean ardent, fan of RPGs and quite possibly that guy who plays DM during your friend’s Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

To fans the game may just make them more nostalgic for past R-Type games and a proper, if by-the-numbers, sequel. For hardcore turn-based strategy fans nearly every minus (the slow pacing, lengthy campaign, etc.) may actually be a plus.

Although the new format may turn off those who appreciated the old school feel of the original Blue Dragon, there is still a lot to like here, even if the story feels a little tacked-on.

A success, thanks mainly to its innovative battle system. And best of all, there's plenty of room to improve the formula in sequels and other games; this franchise could be unstoppable if it adds better character development options and more variety in its combat.

Getting up will take a few days to complete but once your job is done it's time to move on. While I highly recommend playing this game, I also highly recommend renting it as you're not likely to want to paint over old territory.

Getting up will take a few days to complete but once your job is done it's time to move on. While I highly recommend playing this game, I also highly recommend renting it as you're not likely to want to paint over old territory.

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.

The core gameplay - established by the first game - is still here and shines. Joint Strike's short length is bolstered by its difficulty, but it's hard to see gamers coming back for repeated solo player; co-op is the most impressive feature of this update.

Fun for a few hours but it loses it flavor quickly.

Sadly, this one's showing every wrinkle.

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.

While the campaign mode isn't all that lengthy, playing through the bonus mini-game, conquering survivor mode, and creating your own levels all extend the gameplay.

I would have liked to see longer levels and perhaps a little deeper plot. The bottom line is that the game delivers a good time and is fun to play. It’s almost like a great roller coaster: no matter how big it is after you pull up to the gate you want more.