If you're up for a real mental challenge, Picross 3D will give you quite a fix.

In an age of overpriced character skins and pay-to-win microtransactions, it's nice to see that Gearbox is willing to put out substantial content that is well worth the asking price.

Despite a lack of depth found in other full-fledged FPS offerings (even from what's found in the Battlefield franchise itself) and a number of initial coding missteps, Battlefield 1943 is an arcade offering you really shouldn't miss. The $15 price tag and the overall quality make this a great purchase for anyone interested in shooters.

Seven new characters, tons of new stages, plenty of new music, a 40 hour long story, a huge balance patch and reworking and more make this title well worth the $40 price of entry, ESPECIALLY if you haven’t purchased it in the past. So grit your teeth, bite your tongue and shell out the cash because this is one great fighting game… even though we will likely forget all about it when Guilty Gear –XRD- comes out.

Ghost of Tsushima is a gorgeous game that has Sucker Punch taking its shot at telling its own samurai story. The combat feels great; and you have a lot of freedom when it comes to building up Jin. It’s simply a stunning way to say goodbye to the PS4.

The control in RE is completely unforgiving and ruins what should have, could have and would have been a great game.

It's hard to find much to complain about in Kid Icarus: Uprising. The game looks and sounds very good, but the pixels are extremely noticeable and the music score, while rekindling some classic themes, lacks a certain epic quality.

It's not perfect, but it's fun for the whole fam damily.

2K6 is as strong as it ever was and while it might take vets awhile to get a grasp on the ProControl and other injections, it's still incredibly solid and has lost nothing from last years game.

With gameplay that you would expect to see on the DS instead of the PSP, Loco Roco is easily the most accessible title available to date and is easily one of the best titles to be seen on Sony’s handheld since its debut.

The visuals translate perfectly onto the 3DS, as if they were meant to be there in the first place. Everything fits tightly into the smaller screen, yet despite all the action and quick timing, you never feel as if there are too many distractions.

Surprisingly, Digital Extremes has managed to make this game anything but boring. After every match you just want to try to do better.

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.

Ultra Street Fighter IV is undeniably enjoyable.

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.

A great game for the Live Arcade. It is presented well, but it is the core gameplay that makes this title so much fun. The blend of puzzling room-based gameplay, combined with the ninja aspect of the game makes it well worth the 800 Microsoft points you'll need to download the title.

Clever twists and a great new setting usher in some welcome entertainment.

No More Heroes delivers two things the Wii is desperately lacking: top-tier mature gaming and pitch-perfect swordplay for a peripheral practically tailor-made for the purpose. Throw in infectiously fun gameplay, incomparable style, a wicked sense of humor, and a level of unhinged wackiness that makes Britney Spears look like the poster child for normalcy, and you've got a sure-fire Wii winner.

A great contender for anyone looking for the most realistic boxing simulation currently on the market.

Shin Megami Tensei IV is the kind of game that has some people doing their happy dance and others running for the hills. If you're looking for hard-won victories, an impressive collection of demons, and some genuine Crazy Japanese Stuff (I say that with all affection) to be had from the story, then congratulations. This game is for you, and like me, you'll get a kick out of it. If you're more interested in heartwarming stories, relatable characters, or relaxation from your RPGs, I recommend checking out the Persona 3 and 4 instead.

Everyone will find something to love about the hedgehog’s latest outing.

It can be a little slow going at times but that's because the focus is on real time strategy. The whole game is about conflict, but it goes about it in a more sophisticated way.

The character models are great. Rygar is exquisitely detailed.

The stunts you can pull off on a wakeboard in real life are astounding but the stunts you can pull off in the virtual world are nothing short of amazing.

Bigger, better, more realistic and more difficult than Command & Conquer: Generals, Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour, is the expansion pack that keeps on giving.

The game employs what is known as "rag-doll physics." It's meant to replicate the way in which a human being's body reacts to an outside force such as car crash, explosion or bullet. The results are great. Bodies flail and fly with such accuracy that it's sure to put a smile on the lips of you sadistic little bastards out there.

While ODST is my personal favorite Halo single-player campaign to date, it is a tad short at only six hours. Luckily, it is still excellent despite its length and has a ton of great multiplayer content to fall back on for replayability and longevity.

There are other, deeper, and ultimately more satisfying racing games out there. But for a pure, pick-up-and-play sense of speed and fun, Pure is hard to beat.

It has a very complete-feeling RTS-based gameplay that makes the title well worth the price of the download. And while the game itself may be short in terms of a traditional RTS (you'll probably beat this one in 8-9 hours), it offers a whole bunch of fun.

A great game. From the ultra-engrossing success mode to the unexpectedly deep season mode, there's a lot to love about this game. I'm very proud of 2K for localizing this game and finally bringing this Japanese hit stateside.

The game is going for a more cartoonish look. It's bright and colorful with characters such as Ben Franklin which appear more as caricatures than real-life renderings. The environments are hugely three-dimensional and well detailed when you're in range.

Even though DiRT has a few faults, there is no denying that the game is the most fun you will have with a racer because, despite those faults, DiRT delivers on a level that is something to marvel from rally racers.

Sure I love the Hulk and I love this game but I can overlook a bit of gameplay repetition. At least it's the kind of gameplay repetition that I want repeated.

It's certainly one of the best RPGs out there and there's no doubt that some novices will consider it the best RPG they've ever played.

A very fun game that pays fan service to the faithful through its engaging, answer-filled story, and it modernizes the series through an amazing, cinematic presentation. Where the game seems to get bogged down is in its attempt to appeal to everyone. The hybridization of survival horror mechanics with action-shooter gameplay doesn't work out very well - making it suffer from the jack-of-all-trades syndrome.

This is a full-sized 8-bit title, complete with a time trial mode. Playing through the story once can take between six to eight hours, but you could easily spend twice this amount of time with the game and still be having fun.

It runs smooth, looks great, features tight controls and an arcade sense of physics that lets anyone get a handle on it in a couple of minutes. The fact that it's challenging and deep leaves room for gamers to develop their skills, both physical and mental, over time.

The online play is the smoothest of any fighting game ever to have an online option. Players will be able to play with out the constant lag as found in the few other online fighting games.

If you're not a dedicated online player and own last year's game, the play value goes down substantially. But if you're big into playing online or have taken a break from the series, this is as good a version as any to jump into.

In a lot of ways, it feels like Treyarch is giving a gigantic middle finger to Infinity Ward, the Modern Warfare developer that always seems to dominate the spotlight. Black Ops 2 isn't just the culmination of the Black Ops series, it might become the most-loved title in the Call of Duty franchise. Either way, fans won't be disappointed this year.

NBA 2K10 is a fantastic, fun, and deep representation of the NBA experience. While it may be too much for a very casual basketball fan looking for an arcade experience and instant gratification, 2K10 will certainly appeal to longtime fans.

With the Signature Style re-creating players' styles on the game, the immersive Association mode, and the nearly impeccable online play, NBA 2K7 is the sports title to get this basketball season.

UT3 is visually stunning and the action is non-stop. It's hard to find much to seriously complain about once you drop in and start annihilating opponents in the huge number of high-quality maps with awesome vehicles and a variety of decent play modes. Epic doesn't reinvent the wheel here, but it does give players a fresh update on a classic old-school design that will keep you fragging long into the night.

No matter how many hours you invest into bettering your situation, it's a constant struggle to survive in This War of Mine.

For a one-on-one basketball game featuring licensed NBA players, I can't recommend a better game.

Sine Mora is incredibly pretty, and it features an interesting story and some unique gameplay elements. However, the checkpoint system will inevitably lead to frustration, even on the easiest difficulty. Additionally, this game is pretty short, and shouldn't take more than a few hours for those who don't spend a lot of time dying and redoing big portions of the campaign.

Need for Speed: Shift is a great reboot for the NFS franchise.

The graphics are stunning on any console, the voice-acting and writing is more Hollywood quality, and the level designs feature obstacles that have been featured in many adventure films. It's perfect in a way that reminds us of Lara's past yet introduces us to modern game physics and design.

The sheer variety of racing styles coupled with the thoroughly entertaining storyline, made this Need For Speed one of my Most Wanted. I'm sure no matter which system you play it on, you'll find NFSMW a real winner.

The most challenging and rewarding experience currently available for hardcore gamers on the DS!

There is just tons to do in this game. The Wii U version's additional features aren't phenomenal, but they'll give you more to play around with.

Need for Speed: Shift is a great reboot for the NFS franchise.

This really is the best version of virtual pinball currently available on the market. With its spot-on controls and gameplay, authentic-looking and sounding tables, HD visuals, online leaderboards, and sheer variety of tables to choose from, TWC is the quintessential game for any pinball fan.

Final Fantasy XIII is an amazing game. With an engrossing story and a thrilling new battle system, this is one title you can't afford to miss as an RPG fan. However, though it succeeds on the most important fronts, there are some notable areas where the game could have been better. The linear level design is a fairly large stumbling block, and if you are used to open-world games, it can make the entire experience feel a little claustrophobic.

If you love college football, you'll find hundreds of hours of quality content.

With the number of licensed clubs, Career options as a player and manager, and online component, FIFA 11 will keep you busy for a long time.

It runs well, looks gorgeous, and does exactly what it advertises, which is a lot, but nothing more. I wouldn’t call it a breakthrough in racing design, but rather a refinement of the racing sim formula.

A deep and engaging, RPG-shooter hybrid that needs to be played to be fully appreciated.

A slight improvement from last year's game but a few new tweaks do not a new game make.

Why then make a game of the underground world of illegal street racing and not have any cops chasing you at all?

This game exceeded all expectations I had, not only for an anime game but for any handheld title. It's multitude of modes coupled with the great gameplay and ultra-immersive online modes really make this one stand out from the crowd!

Without a solid multiplayer component, the title definitely suffers, but the rest of the game tries to make up for it.

Inexplicably the aspects of "The Sands Of Time" that most players complained about, namely the endless battling of foes has returned in spades and it's not only repetitive beyond all reason, it's also a lot less forgiving this time around.

Splatoon 2 provides a fresh coat on a highly sought after sequel.

A fun and mindless action game. The story is neglible, and there is little to the game besides blowing up bad guys, and leaping across rooftops. However, while the game lasts, these things are undeniably fun to do.

With voiceovers and the ability to team up with other characters there is more of a sense of community than ever before.

I am not a big fan of the UFC. Sure, I’ve seen a few matches here and there, but I don’t really follow the sport devoutly. I guess wrestling is more my cup of tea. Now, that said, I have to admit I love this game. UFC 2009 Undisputed takes all the things that makes the UFC sport electrifying for fans, and puts it into a cohesive and realistic game experience.

It's certainly one of the best RPGs out there and there's no doubt that some novices will consider it the best RPG they've ever played.

This is a game that is in need of some patches and, hopefully in future installments, adjustments that make the online interactions more enjoyable for people who do not want to grind endlessly or pay extra cash.

There are a lot of new features this year, but none of them are of much consequence. If you own Madden 08, there is no truly outstanding aspect that makes a repurchase necessary. In fact, the Superstar and Franchise game modes are nearly identical, and the Online Leagues aren't impressive enough to outshine the excellent online play of last year.

This is everything players wanted the original game to be--it might avoid pushing the boundaries, but it provides hours upon hours of well-designed quest sequences, breathtaking graphics, and a gripping plot. At last, we have a modern MMO worthy of the Final Fantasy name.

It's tied tightly to last year's game with a digital umbilical cord, trying desperately to rectify the mistakes of the past with little regard for the future. It could have been so much more.

In short, if you found the first episode even remotely fun, then the second episode will definitely prove to be worthwhile. But if the idea of cartoon humor and puzzle-based gameplay scared you away from the first episode, then again, buyer beware.

If there was one word I had to use to describe Just Cause 2, it would be 'ridiculous'. The game never takes itself seriously, which, for the most part, is a good thing. However, sometimes this lackadaisical approach extends into areas where it shouldn't, resulting in an often unpolished, even amateurish experience.

Picross DS is quite literally you, a grid, some numbers, and the seemingly endless combinations of them. If you have $20 and a DS, Picross DS should be at the top of your shopping list. Games that sell for three times Picross DS's price don't have this much entertainment in them.

Controls are easy to learn and use, but difficult to master. They easily separate the gamers from the noobs.

Treyarch has managed to pull off the best movie to game adaptation yet as I've now played the game and seen the movie...If you've ever dreamed about fighting crime as the webhead, this game is your own personal genetically enhanced spider bite.

Going through the same obligatory missions again and again may be more than some can tolerate.

You might enjoy watching the lengthy cutscenes and getting involved in the pondering of philosophical issues, but I've already been there and now I just want to play before I die.

Almost unbelievable. It looks like the darn arcade version.

It’s one of the most addicting and fun games you may ever play on your GBA.

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.

All in all, Resistance 3 delivers a very enjoyable campaign with some incredible action sequences. Competitive multiplayer is quite well done, and adds quite a bit of replayability to this package. If you're a PS3 owner who loves first-person shooters, Resistance 3 simply shouldn't be missed.

To say that the Lead Blocking Control completely revolutionizes Madden is the understatement of the year.

It's not a fun-filled romp through a fantastic world - it's a test to divide the clever from the slow. Have fun, but all the same, buyer beware!

Mighty Flip Champs! is super fun and extremely challenging. It's certainly one of the first must-have games available for DSiWare, and there's a lot gameplay to explore.

While Prey brings a lot of innovation and fun with it, it's not quite the system-shattering killer app that a decade of delay should promise. It is, however, a solid FPS with many never before seen features and an interesting and original storyline.

Castlevania as a modern, linear adventure game. It's a little different, but the formula works. Also, this game is massive-expect to log at least 18-20 hours before you reach the end.

The chapter's final thrilling moments ratchet up to a ridiculous crescendo in one massive action-packed confrontation between the reanimated hero, his re-reanimated nemesis, and a whole bunch of other bony folks.

It is a title that almost everyone, even those who traditionally abhor the series, will thoroughly enjoy despite its mild quirks.

Trine is a wonderful addition to the PlayStation Network and a worthy buy for anyone who enjoys cooperative games.

It's an extremely technically proficient game, and it accomplishes everything that it sets out to do with flying colors. However, Darksiders only crime may be that they set their sights too low. This game hits the bullseye in the center of the target, but I couldn't help but wish that the target was a little higher towards the heavens.

If you're looking for an authentic simulation of the national pastime, then look no further. No other franchise can match MLB 08: The Show.

Hands down this is an excellent program. It's much more than a game and that's why I'm referring to it as a program. Every karaoke and potential karaoke singer should get this. Not only is it a lot of fun but it's one of the best ways to improve one's vocal prowess.

One of the smartest, grittiest and most fun things to happen to the Cube in a long time. This game's more than a shooter, it's a way of life.

Anyone should be able this game in about 10 hours or so. Other than that, this game is perfect.

I just found Monaco hard to enjoy. I was either rushing to reach a checkpoint before guards killed me or I was roaming aimlessly, being booted back to the beginning of the level when I died too many times. Monaco very rarely hits that stealthy sweet spot - that sense of quietly and carefully infiltrating enemy territory, knowing that you're vastly outnumbered and you'll be killed if you screw up. Instead, it usually just tests your patience.

Like Bastion before it, Transistor is a lovingly crafted game by a dedicated and tight knit group of developers who strive not only to present us with a technically polished title, but one that keeps us interested throughout the entire journey.