Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD made me realize something: All I ever really wanted was a DBZ fighting game. Sure, all the newer Dragon Ball Z releases are cool, but the simple mechanics and customization of DBZ Budokai 3 (and to a lesser extent, 1) was far more enjoyable that the cinematic systems of newer games.

It's certainly a feast for the eyes and is probably the superior way to get introduced to the game. If you are a fan of the original, on the other hand, you are essentially paying $20 to play a far prettier, slightly shorter, somewhat adapted version of what you have already played.

The game was just that painfully disappointing. It's its own fault, though. It was touted by its team as a spiritual successor to Guardian Heroes, one of the best Saturn games of all time and a great side-scrolling beat 'em up in any context. The comparison, though, only holds up at the shallowest level of the surface, falling apart as soon as one scratches that away.

The idea is great, but there's not a lot to this game yet.

It may not be Metal Gear, but it's still one of Kojima's best works, and this is a great way to experience it all over again. Not only that, but it's worth picking up the game with the hope that sales will finally push Kojima to make Zone of the Enders 3.

The multiplayer for Halo 4 is something of an enigma wrapped inside an awesome plasma grenade. To say that I am in love with what 343 has done with it would be a disservice. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the multiplayer enough to go out on a second, third, and probably fourth date.

If you've been looking for a reason to return to Turbine's version of Middle-earth, Riders of Rohan gives you not one, but several. I found myself constantly surprised and impressed with each new area I explored during my journey; may your own be filled with that special sort of wonderment that only Middle-earth can provide.

This game shows that there's still plenty of magic left in the Professor Layton series, and leaves me interested in playing the final game in this prequel trilogy.

As fully featured as any console game, and every aspect feels like it was given the proper care. Liberation is part of a beloved series, and it can be proud standing beside any other of your Assassin's Creed favorites. If you've been looking for a reason to pick up a PS Vita, this is probably it.

With such an engaging storyline, refined combat, and content that perfectly complements the time period, Assassin's Creed III is a revolution, not only to the series, but to the genre itself.

It has a feature set unlike any other and its commitment to both built-in narrative and player-based customization is greater than anything we have seen from almost any other title on the market, regardless of genre. In fact, the only flaws I can find in WWE '13 are concerning the gameplay engine itself, but the feature set is so huge it's almost like it doesn't even matter.

Competitive types will adore proving themselves superior to their friends while doing all of the above. I think it's safe to say that no matter which type of gamer you are, you'll find at least some aspect of Need for Speed Most Wanted to completely lose yourself in.

While there's enjoyment to be had here, it is fleeting and often devolves rapidly into frustration and boredom. I feel bad saying that, because the folks at Danger Close seemed intensely passionate about their work and there's simply so much potential in here, but it clearly needed more time if it was to develop into anything truly unique and compelling.

Forza Horizon is made of pure, unadulterated open world racing fun, and I can't take off points for that.

A game that may sell based on name recognition alone. It's certainly not worth the forty-dollar price tag.

This collection is a little something for fans to whet their appetites with in preparation for id's long-awaited reveal of the long-in-development fourth installment. With that said, this is one of the best HD re-releases I've played so far.

The controls could use a little work. The basic FPS gameplay is standard-WASD, click to shoot, etc. But things can get a little hairy when you hoist yourself into a vehicle. I can't tell you how many times I took off in a helicopter and crashed it in a ball of flames five seconds later before I finally got the hang of it.

If I had to pick something I really enjoyed about the game, I'd have to go with the loading screens. I miss the time when games tried to keep the player busy, even in little ways, while they wait for the game to load. So yeah, there's that.

Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate's Booty is simply an astounding piece of content that should be celebrated with excessive amounts of rum. At a measly ten bucks, I can't find a single legitimate excuse for any Borderlands fan to skip this.

A rock-solid, dungeon-style RPG that pays a good deal of homage to the Silent Hill universe. It's probably not quite what the diehards would have wanted, but that doesn't mean that it's bad.

The game is certainly fun, mind, and having the Bond license in there will make it all the more pleasurable for those who are longtime fans of the character, but I can't help feeling that, in the end, the game is a mass of wasted potential.

I really cannot praise Skylanders: Giants enough. Last year's beginnings were just that, a launch pad for what was to become one of the most sought after collectibles of the 2011 holiday season. With tons of new and exciting things to do, new figures to collect, and the ability to use your previous Skylanders, it feels like someone finally got everything right when creating a sequel.

The quickly changing gameplay, short length, and active tiring controls seem to be built for someone with a lot of energy and a short attention span. It's probably great for a younger child who is really into the series, but any older fan who is looking for a deep and involved Harry Potter gameplay experience should probably look elsewhere.

Dance Central 3 is one of the best, if not the best, game the Kinect has to offer, and yet there is still room to grow in Dance Central 4. Here's hoping the next game will have a more refined feedback system and "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

The game is nothing but zapping clouds and occasionally catching Pokémon. By zapping them.

Retro City Rampage had me giddy as a schoolgirl. I think it's safe to say that if the thought of 8-bit nostalgia appeals to you at all, this game will make you weep gigantic pixilated tears of bliss. Of course, it's also possible that those are actually tears of frustration.

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.

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

Dragon Ball Z for the Kinect is just a mess.

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.

As for those who played Black and White, the question is: how much Pokémon can you take? If you're rearing to play another Pokémon game, this is a good one. If you're feeling apathetic about the series as it stands, Black and White 2 are not going to change your mind.

The new tunes are catchy, but could somebody please re-record the early Pokémon sound effects?

It's a fun little side story that doesn't hook you like other RPGs, but does keep you entertained for the most of its running time. Most importantly, Fable: The Journey is the closest thing we have to a hardcore motion-controlled game, and it sets some amazing groundwork for future motion titles.

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.

Dishonored made me feel like a person struggling to retain the things that were important to me in a world gone mad. It goes beyond "role-playing" to challenge players to draw their own personal moral line in the sand, but does so without being preachy or judgmental.

It's the perfect example of a bite-sized JRPG.

Those who take the plunge will find a wealth of options to choose from, extreme attention to detail, and what is arguably the best simulation soccer in the industry. Everyone else should probably wait to see what Konami has planned for next generation.

The voice acting by the announcers is spot on. The animations on the court are smooth and realistic. The online play has perfect netcode and it never takes too long to find a match. It's a hands-down improvement over NBA 2k12 in every way.

It's just a shame that all of these awesome options are lumped onto games that, as I have said time and time again, are completely and utterly broken. However, if you can take a step back and not take your losses too seriously, MvCO is an amazingly fun time with smooth netcode and awesome extras.

Resident Evil 6 is not a perfect game. It's not even all that scary, but it is immensely entertaining, gorgeous to look at, and it has more content than I've ever seen in a game like this. It might not revolutionize the genre like Resident Evil 4 did, but it does offer something for everyone.

All things considered, FIFA 13 is a good football game. It's much better than FIFA 12. It feels more fluid, and in turn a bit more like an actual match.

This is expansion is much, much lighter in tone than the last two. The overall look of Pandaria is sure to cheer you up, with its bright colors and traditional Asian architecture setting it off from the rest of the WoW universe. The developers have said that since players have already spent so much time saving the world, this time they can focus on exploring. The soundtrack of inspiring instrumental music helps as well.

There are dozens of animals to try out and level up, a deeper than expected strategy to maximize your end score, and a ton of replay value for only fifteen bucks.

Tryst could be described as a poor man's StarCraft, but in this case I'd advise the poor man to save up and simply play StarCraft. This game is generally derivative and far too rough around the edges to bother with for long, with its good ideas buried under presentation and usability problems.

It's certainly disappointing that there's almost no story (I think there are three conversations in the entire DLC), it doesn't really seem to tie into the main quest in any significant manner, and the gameplay has been pared down to Darksiders' button-mashy combat, but Vigil has shown a willingness to learn from their mistakes; hopefully, we'll see that again in future DLC.

DOA5 lives up to the phrase "fighting entertainment" by being a game that trades mechanical depth for accessibility and flash. It's very friendly to mashing, boasts a very simple fighting system without any hidden mechanics, and wraps every match in a dazzling spectacle. It's almost like a Michael Bay version of a fighting game; you don't have to think about it too hard but that's why it's so entertaining.

Casual pinball players will love the Plants vs. Zombies table, and pro players have access to a great selection of Zen's most popular tables.

If you had even the slightest interest in the original Torchlight, or if you're tired of Diablo III but are still itching for some more loot-grabbing RPG action, Torchlight II is well worth the asking price. In fact, you should probably feel guilty for only paying $20 for this game.

Kinect Sesame Street TV is awesome. So if you are looking for a cool new game to get your preschooler this holiday season, look into Kinect Sesame Street TV. You'll be happy you did.

Borderlands 2 offers a much larger, much more refined version of the original. Even if complaints about the first game bothered you enough that you couldn't properly enjoy it, the second one improves on just about every aspect of the formula. And for hardcore Borderlands fans, there is a near endless amount of fan service here to keep you laughing maniacally while spearheading your own darkly hilarious co-op massacre. I'm going to wager that if you like fun, you're going to adore Borderlands 2. Cheat Code Central (http://s.tt/1nPoA)

Overall, the game is fun, yes. Very fun, and that's probably the biggest thing to keep in mind about it; if it were 800 MSP, I'd say "jump on it!" without a second thought, but the equivalent of fifteen dollars? That's a lot harder to swallow.

LittleBigPlanet is exactly the type of game that the Vita needs right now. It's equally playable in short bursts or marathon sessions, it uses the Vita's unique controls in ways that feel intuitive, and its creative tools and level sharing provide the potential for almost unlimited replayability.

The controls are not refined, but it's nostalgic, engaging, and worth the ten-dollar asking price.

Though there is no real story to speak of, the fantastic tutorial makes up for it.

An amazing game, although somewhat hard to pick up and play on the fly. If you have an environment suited for it, definitely pick it up. Even if you aren't a hardcore basketball fan, it's a fun diversion that will be an absolute hit at parties.

The translation is very good, which is beyond impressive with the quantity of text on display. It is not a game that will appeal to everyone, not by a long shot, but for those who think they would enjoy a title that harkens back to an earlier, less cinematic, far less forgiving era of gaming, Inquisitor has plenty of meat to sink your teeth into. Cheat Code Central (http://s.tt/1mGOh)

Definitely worth spending some time with. Doubly so if you're a Rock Band enthusiast looking to expand your collection of playable songs. Owners of Rock Band 3 will definitely get their money's worth; for everyone else, there's a very enjoyable rhythm game here.

There's not much that makes JoJo's Bizarre Adventure HD worth the money other than the core gameplay. If getting a chance to play JoJo's Bizarre Adventure again is worth $20 for you, then go for it. Otherwise, this isn't the game for you.

Damage Inc. isn't all that much fun to play, and the AV8R doesn't work all that well with it.

This, dear readers, is art, pure and simple. This is what the video game medium allows us to do. This is cinematic gaming at its absolute best-a direct, personal, jarring, dark narrative. Savor it while you can, before the zombie apocalypse brings an end to all things.

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.

This is the first time I could make the following statement: This MMO, in its current state, poses a serious threat to World of Warcraft.

Madden NFL 13 may not be the answer to why you still pick up the same old franchises year after year, but there's no denying that it's amazing fun.

A strong story that doesn't drag on too long makes for a satisfying RPG experience.

With a lengthy, compelling story, a variety of endings, and a number of optional activities to engage in, Growlanser is a meaty and fulfilling JRPG to play.

Every time I launched CS:GO this week, I couldn't help buy feel like it was a step backwards in my gaming evolution. It's new, but it's entirely familiar as well. The learning curve is shallow and I know I'm probably going to enjoy it before I even start.

It's better than its predecessor in pretty much all areas except flexibility. But this is okay. The lack of flexibility actually gives the game more of an identity.

With a story that's both sweet and silly, a varied dungeon that can be played in short chunks, and a deep customization system available for those who are interested, this is a crawler that's worth checking out.

The problem is that I didn't play it for that long. Ten tracks just isn't enough to carry a rhythm game, even an eight-dollar one. The replay value is just so depressingly low.

Don't get me wrong. New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a good game. It just doesn't seem infused with quite the right mix of Mario magic to make it a great game.

It's an experience that can penetrate even the thickest of skin, and it will make you feel something. What that is, I can't exactly say, but this is an emotional journey you won't soon forget. It's a short journey, but it's packed densely enough with cool stuff to see and do that I would enthusiastically encourage you to pay the fifteen-dollar asking price.

One heck of a good time. Its story is great, but even when you aren't watching a cutscene or listening to the competent voice acting, you will get plenty of joy out of simply seeing numbers pop up over your enemies' heads in swarms.

This is a fantastic game. Where some strive for realism while sacrificing fun, or focus on fun to the detriment of realism, Sleeping Dogs manages the impressive feat of finding a between the two. The characters are universally interesting, the story is engaging, there is never a shortage of things to keep you busy, and it all comes packaged in a gritty and visceral virtual version of Hong Kong. What more could you want?

Is it a perfect game? No, not really, but it is well-crafted with obvious care and attention to detail, netting a smooth and enjoyable experience with just enough addictive qualities in the gameplay to keep one coming back for more.

Despite the game's flaws, the Wolfpack DLC manages to be crazy stupid fun when you get a full group of four players. Sure, it has some things that could have been done better, but at the end of the day, ten bucks is a fair price for the extra content here.

Between the well-designed maps and the revolutionary gameplay, Hybrid does plenty for the price, but I couldn't help but think that a campaign would be a lot of fun. If 5th Cell could make a sequel with wide-open level design and A.I. that can handle the complex tactical gameplay, it would be a blast.

If you love music and you love video games-and especially if you love rhythm games-Sound Shapes is simply a must-buy title. For the low price of fifteen dollars, you could be creating that musical masterpiece you've always dreamed of but simply lacked the tools needed to compose it.

No two games will ever be exactly the same, and the experience is basically the same online as off. If you enjoy what's happening here, there's no reason to ever stop playing.

It has a robust story, an interesting system, a magnificent roster, and wonderful music. It's a great package that suffers from a few design choices I simply don't agree with. However, they are but small nitpicks in an otherwise enjoyable game.

Deadlight is a blast that reminds me of a game I loved in my youth (Flashback) without soiling that nostalgia or feeling like a blatant ripoff. It's a bit short, but it's perfectly suited for spending a lazy summer evening with.

Despite issues with the Drop System and a story that splashes merrily in the deep end of the Pool of Absurdity, Kingdom Hearts 3D is a genuinely fun game.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD reminds us why the original THPS games reigned supreme, with its near-perfect control scheme and (for the most part) well designed stages. It does feel admittedly light on content, and there are a few missing pieces that seem like they should have been obvious inclusions. Still, if you want to relive the glory days of the THPS series, fifteen bucks isn't too much to ask.

There's a lot to experience for a $15 downloadable game, as long as you enjoy the battle system.

Ten minigames for thirty+ dollars, with only room for one more local player? It's less than an hour's worth of not-so-fun fun.

Delving fully into the game, you're bound to find many small nuances, some you'll find pleasing while others might cause you to complain. But as the time passes and you find yourself continually picking up your 3DS for another quick solo dungeon or a full afternoon with friends, you'll realize with pride that Heroes of Ruin was a worthy choice to add to your collection.

It has everything you could expect from a college football title and then some, but it just doesn't have a whole lot more than NCAA 12 already had.

As a rental, Test Drive Ferrari Racing Legends will give you an awesome couple of nights of high-octane racing with you, a bunch of friends, and a couple beers. But as a permanent addition to your collection, I'd say avoid it unless you are a serious hardcore racing fan.

It'll scratch the itch of hardcore strategy fans, but there's not a ton to miss by skipping it, either.

Theatrhythm won't be for everyone, obviously. Not everyone has an affection for video game music, and the game is strongly aimed at people with at least some familiarity with the Final Fantasy series. For series fans or rhythm game fans, it's a great choice. Heck, Theatrhythm's potent cocktail of an easy-to-learn rhythm gameplay and RPG mechanics even pulled in a doubter like me.

Spelunky looks and sounds exponentially better than its PC sibling and has near-infinite replay value, a fantastically quirky personality, and tons of things to do.

This is a game that turns an entire genre on its head and lives to tell the tale.

Flat-out amazing. It's better than Episode 1 in every way. It's better written and more fun to play than other similar cinematic games like Heavy Rain. It's an artistic masterpiece, a pinnacle of cinematic gameplay. If you are a Walking Dead fan, or just a fan of cinematic games in general, then you owe it to yourself to play this episode.

Manages to set itself apart from other racing games out there through its use of an interesting racing engine and a host of interesting RPG elements. Unfortunately, these high points are brought down by a barebones presentation and lack of game modes. However, for its ten-dollar budget price tag, Offroad certainly managed to keep me entertained for a few afternoons of racing fun.

This game is only occasionally bad, but its good moments are just as rare. It's largely a middle-of-the-road affair-a fact that's reflected in its lower $50 price tag-and an experience you will forget about as quickly as a dream.

While the amount of content included in this DLC is substantial-definitely worth the twenty bucks-it's also riddled with bugs, and a few of those make it damn near unplayable. It's frustrating, at the very least.

The gritty story supersedes the game's mediocrity elsewhere, and finally delivers something outside the box. It dives into a disturbing realism that war, racism, and the psychological repercussions that could ensue, going far beyond the dramatic fluff that we've seen in other shooters.

This is the real draw of The Amazing Spider-Man. You are Spider-Man. You may not feel it completely (as you would with, say, a Mirror's Edge-styled Spider-Man game), but there is no doubt that the heart of the game is once again in the free roam. It is fun to beat up bad guys with that particular Spidey flair, but nothing will ever replace the feeling players get while soaring through the city.

Does an acceptable job of bringing Magic into the world of video games and upgrading the 2012 version. However, there are enough hiccups in the implementation that most Magic fans will prefer to stick with the paper product-and those of us who no longer play Magic aren't missing anything by skipping it.