The sticker slap is my favorite new addition. The trick takes the place of the wallplant and enables the skater to turn a wall into a pitstop on the way to a huge combo. Leaping out of a grind into a sticker slap will send a skater right back to the rail, where he (or she) can retrace the path that already produced a good line.

Other than the lack of waypoints and some AI-balancing complaints, there's not much to find fault with when it comes to Burnout Paradise.

The sticker slap is my favorite new addition. The trick takes the place of the wallplant and enables the skater to turn a wall into a pitstop on the way to a huge combo. Leaping out of a grind into a sticker slap will send a skater right back to the rail, where he (or she) can retrace the path that already produced a good line.

Different from Oblivion but bound to be compared to it, Fallout 3 is deep, rewarding and as open-world as you get, with only a few issues that warrant a sight raise of the eyebrow.

I'm generally the first guy around to make fun of "another WWII-themed game," but Call of Duty 2 not only wiped that smirk off my face but turned it into a teeth-grinding, pulse-quickening, Nazi-shooting grimace. When you have to put down the controller after one mission just to gather your wits about you, you know you’ve found a great game.

Rock Band not only sidles right up to Guitar Hero on the excellence scale, but in some social respects rocks right past it. A few minor issues exist, but for a first outing, Rock Band deserves a serious encore

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a fantastic game, and every PS3 owner should experience it.

The production and sheer addiction make it easy to overlook the occasional camera problem.

Oblivion clearly isn't for everyone, but if open-ended sandbox games are your thing, and if you've got a hundred or so hours to just relax in another world, it sounds like Bethesda has created a new game with your name plastered all over it.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or wet-behind-the-ears newbie, Chains of Promathia adds even more to see and do in the already robust world of Vana'diel.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is by far the definitive version of the franchise, making Sony's PlayStation 3 the lucky beneficiary of this gorgeous, fast-paced -- and still difficult -- game.

It's tempting to dismiss the game since it's been on the Xbox 360 for a year, but when the experience is this rewarding the second time around, the core game is definitely worth your attention, even if the downloadable content may not hold it.

What's most interesting about even this game, though, is that in spite of its being single-player only, we're just as eager to go back and keep playing. With the exception of a few linear and otherworldly levels (which, by the way, out-Doom Doom), there are enough ways to try to escape from Butcher Bay that it's hard not to think about playing again.

Madden NFL 06 is still an outstanding game, but EA needs to re-think the reality and practicality of its Superstar mode, and it has plenty of work to do to make QB Vision both effective and enjoyable.

The gameplay may be simplistic, but the multiplayer, challenge modes and mapmaking more than make up for it.

Madden NFL 06 is still an outstanding game, but EA needs to re-think the reality and practicality of its Superstar mode, and it has plenty of work to do to make QB Vision both effective and enjoyable.

Madden NFL 06 is still an outstanding game, but EA needs to re-think the reality and practicality of its Superstar mode, and it has plenty of work to do to make QB Vision both effective and enjoyable.

Almost the complete fighting package. I say “almost” because it offers no online gameplay, and is limited to the PlayStation 2. This is one of those games that would’ve been amazing online.

Gameplay-wise it's pretty standard, but for the sheer fright and experience, this is a Doom fan's dream.

The gameplay may be simplistic, but the multiplayer, challenge modes and mapmaking more than make up for it.

Take a nostalgic journey back to high school and beat the crap out of the bullies that used to torment you - reason enough to pick up Bully. Of course, the inventive missions, tons of mini-games, and solid graphics are good reasons too.

Each of the other nations has some new wonderful advantages in line with their own historical value. Most new units are actually replacements of old units, but the Indians (India), for example, have elephants in addition to their horse units.

The silky smooth combat combined with the classic twists on the fatalities in the game, of which there are at least two per character not including stage specific ones, and naturally some hidden things that I don't want to spoil here.

You owe it to yourself to experience BioShock, by far one of the most compelling games of 2007.

An absolute joy of a game, especially considering it only costs $4 with the purchase of a Value Meal (and plays on both the Xbox 360 and Xbox). The controls can feel a bit slippery at times, especially compared to the overly precise AI, but for a mini-budget game it's easy to forgive.

Great graphics, tight controls, plenty of fighters and a great online community make for a game with great lasting appeal.

An excellent mix of single and multiplayer options, and online gameplay that will force DS developers to try real hard to beat it.

Rockstar has outdone itself yet again, with the multiplayer portions lifting the overall game, but there's still room to improve the single-player elements, which feel recycled and drag on at times.