All things considered, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 remains a rock-solid, highly accessible game that's as much fun to watch as to play. Though held back by some ill-conceived design gaffes, it's still chock-full of meaningful content sure to delight any fan of Naruto or anime games in general.

Buy this one if you absolutely love Grobda, but anyone else aching for Namco classics would be better to buy Namco Museum Remix for five dollars.

It's an absolutely hypnotic experience, one that simply feels good to play, whether in short bursts or as an alien-abduction-like time-eater. It's a game that's as timeless as the original, and while it probably won't reinvigorate Pac-Man as a cultural phenomenon, it's certainly an amazing step towards making the series relevant again.

This game was better than I thought it would be, and better than it perhaps should have been. With more refinement and redesigned (or eliminated) platforming, this could have been a classic in the beat 'em up genre, but as it stands, Splatterhouse is pretty damn good for what it is, and packs enough content to keep fans satisfied. Ridiculous gore, silly metal music, and endless amounts of brutal, nostalgic combat.

You'll get at least an hour's worth of play time out of it, and you might even go back for one or two stages. There really isn't anything this game does, however, that hasn't been done better, and on far less advanced consoles.

It may be the worst of the Ouendan/Elite Beat games, but it's still an Ouendan/Elite Beat game, and as such, it has the potential to be a lot of fun.

Michael Jackson: The Experience mostly feels like a missed opportunity which could have not only honored the music, but the entertainer himself. As it stands, the game doesn't really offer enough beyond lackluster fan service and a few short hours of potential amusement.

The water physics are top-notch and, in combination with the various creative puzzles and obstacles, provide a healthy dose of challenge, though some players may feel put off by late-game difficulty spike. It's clever, at times calming then nerve-wracking, and all around fun.

It truly is one of those special games that not many will discover, but those that do will fall in love with it. Like I have.

While there are few changes from the DS to the PSP version under the hood, the control change and the improved visuals had me enjoying this new version a bit more.

On one hand, the game has energy provided from the fun conversations taking place at the table. And you definitely get more than $5 worth out of that alone. What kills Telltale's latest game is that, really, there's not enough diversity to keep people coming back ... at least not for more than a game or two when you're bored and have nothing else to do.

Overall, Who's That Flying?! is a charming, fun and cheap 2D shoot 'em up with a lot of personality and plenty of bang for your buck.

More "experience" than "videogame", The UnderGarden is a pure delight that proves you don't have to be a super tough "hardcore" title in order to be fun. It's not action packed, it's not punishing, and it's not what you would normally turn your Xbox 360 on for.

For me, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! scrapes by.

The lack of content, despite some clever ideas, makes it feel like it would have been better suited for a WiiWare title at a downloadable game price.

Although it could have done with more playable characters (where's my Juda!?), there is a huge amount of content, with story modes for each of the game's eight warriors taking several hours apiece to beat.

EA seems like it wants to make this work and if this first shot is any indication of the future of the series, they have come to fight hardcore.

It's not an exceptional entry into the genre but a decent play. Fans of arcade-style top-down shooters will likely have fun, particularly if they have an itching to prove themselves on the leaderboards, but most others can probably find better ways to slate their lust for undead slaughter.

If you're a Bond fan, you'll be routinely disappointed by Blood Stone, but you'll probably play it anyway. If you're not one, then I can't really stress enough that there are better games out there that don't crush my hopes and dreams.

Making the density of sports management accessible and fun is no meager feat, but Konami's lackadaisical approach to the nuts and bolts of sports sims -- animation, physics, controls, collision detection, feedback -- hold Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 back.

I may have harped on a few flaws with the game, but overall GoldenEye is a very solid game and well worth the money if you enjoy videogames. If you're a Bond freak then the golden Classic Controller makes for a nice collector's item, but it's hard to justify the purchase beyond that since the Wii Remote and Nunchuck were my preferred area of control.

It delivers a near-perfect competitive experience, in a way that few games -- racing or otherwise -- can. Hot Pursuit is not only a defining moment for the series, but for arcade-style racing, period.

It delivers a near-perfect competitive experience, in a way that few games -- racing or otherwise -- can. Hot Pursuit is not only a defining moment for the series, but for arcade-style racing, period.

The truly stunning single-player campaign offsets many of the multiplayer's flaws, and the Zombie mode is tons of hilarious fun, but neither manages to be lengthy or deep enough to make Black Ops the truly great game that I know it should be. This is an incredibly well-made game that, once patched, will easily sit among the hottest titles of the year. As it exists right now, however, I can't recommend the game for purchase.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a perfect videogame experience, from start to finish.

The worst thing you could do is write this game off as a Bejeweled 2 rehash. Yes, they've incorporated all the features that have made Bejeweled our go-to puzzler this past decade, but it's the new modes, mini-games and strategy that will keep you coming back. It's like PopCap went out of their way to top themselves and make sure that we never fully pay attention to anything ever again.

Epic Mickey falls short of brilliance, but because it stands on such a strong concept, it doesn't always need brilliance to remain compelling.

The level of care taken by the people at Polyphony Digital shines in every aspect of this title, and this makes for a racing game that truly has no parallel. Gran Turismo 5 is a massive love letter to those that love cars. This is their dream videogame.

But despite its lack of any real innovation or complexity, Nail'd succeeds in being one of the most approachable and entertaining racers of the year.

But despite its lack of any real innovation or complexity, Nail'd succeeds in being one of the most approachable and entertaining racers of the year.

Still, it's not the worst thing on shelves right now, but its $49.99 price tag isn't doing the game any favors, either. Maybe as a deep discount title or even a digital download with some of the game's more frustrating modes stripped out (let me run over zombies for ten bucks!) Blood Drive might have been a more attractive proposition.

Still, it's not the worst thing on shelves right now, but its $49.99 price tag isn't doing the game any favors, either. Maybe as a deep discount title or even a digital download with some of the game's more frustrating modes stripped out (let me run over zombies for ten bucks!) Blood Drive might have been a more attractive proposition.

If you prefer playing First Person Shooters with pointer controls and you don't have a hang up about playing games that look like they could run on the PS2, then this Wii port is the way to go.

I don't know when was the last time I was so fascinated by a game, especially one as story-heavy as this.

Against all odds, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood exists in 2010, and it not only lives up to the hype, but it manages to completely outclass its predecessor. Brotherhood is a game that Assassin's Creed fans simply cannot afford to miss, and one of best games this year.

Against all odds, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood exists in 2010, and it not only lives up to the hype, but it manages to completely outclass its predecessor. Brotherhood is a game that Assassin's Creed fans simply cannot afford to miss, and one of best games this year.

Sonic Colors DS is the best Sonic game released this year. Easily.

Sonic Colors feels like a step right back into the same crap this series has drowned in for the past decade. If I had to pick a color for this game, it would be brown, for very obvious reasons.

The most open-minded adult will likely only find a few hours of amusement here. But for a child with an active imagination (and a soft spot for all things cute and fuzzy), Kinectimals goes a long way in making Kinect "a must have" this holiday.

There's room for improvement in terms of what the game offers, but Harmonix nailed the core experience, and that goes a long way towards making it one of the most compelling Kinect launch titles.

The problem is that while there's a lot to obtain from the game, there's ultimately very little to do. A handful of other game types on disc could have helped towards keeping the experience fresh, but as it stands, it fizzles out a little too soon to keep you coming back for more.

There's some fun to be had here, for certain; it's definitely a more well-rounded package than something like Wii Sports. But ultimately, there aren't enough fresh ideas here to vindicate it as the new king of motion-controlled sports mini games.

It's not likely that Your Shape will or should replace an actual in-the-gym routine, but it's a great supplement and a step in the right direction for the more sedentary gamers among us.

With its platform-like nature and the ability to demo tables before you buy, Pinball FX 2 is new the videogame destination for pinball fans.

It doesn't break any new ground, but what it does, it does well enough.

There are one or two interesting set-pieces, but nothing as epic as the first game. There's really only one boss fight (other than the finale), and while it starts out slightly cool, it just evolves into tediousness.

Very disappointing. Lacking the sense of adventure of the previous games and making the most simple of elements more awkward and overdrawn, Fable III feels like a step back for the franchise. It's a shame because its narrative goals are truly outstanding and there's still a lot of simplistic roleplaying fun to be had. These positives are outweighed, however, by a downsized sense of scale, cumbersome attempts at innovation, and a total neglect when it comes to fixing some important problems.

This game does not in fact rock, but succeeds in doing quite the opposite.

This game does not in fact rock, but succeeds in doing quite the opposite.

It also feels like one of the tightest games in the series, with a satisfying, revealing narrative that a few of the games in the series has lacked.

If you go into Super Scribblenauts knowing that you'll be playing a really cute and creative version of guessing game then you'll have a great time.

About as close to perfect as you're going to get.

It's certain that NBA Jam will take you back to wherever it was when you experienced the thrill of "Boom-Shaka-Laka!" for the first time. How long it will keep your there in that special place versus the price of admission is something you should definitely keep in mind.

Realistic and immersive war situations, however, don't make for great gameplay.

Its sometimes aggravating difficulty might not be for everyone, but anyone looking to bring back that warm, pit of your stomach feeling of playing Double Dragon for the first time needn't look any further.

Oh, and the "physics" are absolutely fine, you whiny bastards.

Unwound Future isn't innovative or groundbreaking, and what few changes exist are mostly just new puzzle types, but the game and overall story are polished, interesting, and just simply fun. Layton and Luke's adventures will have you playing for a while, and even though the game isn't doing anything new, it avoids ever feeling stale.

If the goal of NBA 2K11 is to craft the most realistic basketball game ever, then it succeeded: this is the most realistic basketball game ever. However, the game definitely takes a hit to its fun factor for what I imagine will be a great deal of its audience.

One of the very best experiences released on a console in a long, long time. The game's eight- to ten-hour quest truly does feel like a journey, one that is compelling, exciting, and incredibly memorable.

A brawler with a weak combat system. Had the combat been tighter, then perhaps I could have given this a glowing review, but when the heart of a game is flawed, all of the other components are going to suffer.

The experience of New Vegas is sublime and so incredibly big that the ratio between getting annoyed by freezes and getting excited by the game's wonderfully engaging world firmly favors a positive outlook. Very few games could be good enough to make up for serious technical errors. In fact, I could count them on one hand...New Vegas is good enough, though.

First there was Donkey Kong, then came Mario, Mega Man, and Sonic. Now we have Meat Boy. The world's newest 2D platforming legend has arrived.

Vanquish is a tepid and tedious game that simply doesn't deserve your cash during a period chock full of far superior releases. And I never thought I'd have to say that about a Platinum game.

Small issues aside, DJ Hero 2 is a solid music gaming experience from top to bottom, even more enjoyable than the current iterations of Activision's other cash cow, Guitar Hero.

Small issues aside, DJ Hero 2 is a solid music gaming experience from top to bottom, even more enjoyable than the current iterations of Activision's other cash cow, Guitar Hero.

If this is your kind of genre, then you'll get plenty out of this game.

Kirby's Epic Yarn is an absolute delight. Oozing cuteness at every turn, from the wonderful animation to the gorgeous music, this is a game that should have pride of place in any game collection.

From its irreverent, laugh-out-loud script to the spot-on comedic delivery of the game's voice actors, Comic Jumper still manages to be one the most distinctive and memorable titles of the year.

It's simply a second-rate title that might have been good a decade ago, but doesn't need to exist in this day and age.

More than just a great DSiWare game, Shantae: Risky's Revenge is a great DS game, period. One of the best, in fact. There's so much love and detail here that it would be criminal to let this franchise fall into obscurity a second time.

Hydrophobia isn't straight-up, unforgivably dreadful. It's mostly just boring, uninspired, and vapid. Were it not for the combat, one could get away with calling it an almost decent waste of time and money. The whole package, however, amounts to a tedious and frustrating exercise in futility.

This is a disgrace and fans should let Gearbox know that it's very easy to perceive this as a lazy cash-grab.

It's a title that packs a ton of content and gameplay onto a single disc, and its import options for songs from previous titles will pad your song selections nicely. But it's also an experience that feels remarkably similar to last year's offering, and that's unfortunate.

It's a title that packs a ton of content and gameplay onto a single disc, and its import options for songs from previous titles will pad your song selections nicely. But it's also an experience that feels remarkably similar to last year's offering, and that's unfortunate.

It's a title that packs a ton of content and gameplay onto a single disc, and its import options for songs from previous titles will pad your song selections nicely. But it's also an experience that feels remarkably similar to last year's offering, and that's unfortunate.

Between the solid story, entertaining gameplay and huge replay value, Dead Rising 2 offers more bang for your buck than just about any single-player game on the market right now.

Quantum Theory is what would happen if Gears of War and Super Mario Bros. had a baby. A mewling, deformed, horrific baby that doctors would try to drown.

You already know whether or not this game appeals to you. If you're a long-term Warriors hater, then nothing this game does will appeal to you. If you're even a casual fan, however, this is one of the best examples of the series out there.

With all the extra options available, this is a great title for RTS fans, and castle defense fans as well. It has style, substance, and it had me smiling as soon as I turned it on.

In the end, Front Mission Evolved feels like more of a lateral step. As a mech shooter, it's functional, but unremarkable.

Delve Deeper is one of those flawed, but much-loved gems. Lunar Giant was wise to set the game at such a low-risk price; you can get quite a lot out of it, if you are willing to put up with some minor to not-so-minor annoyances. When you get into a groove with this game, time slips past you.

Improvements to the user interface and AI at all levels result in it being more approachable for newcomers without losing any of the strategic depth that long-time fans crave. It vastly improves combat, making the micro-level gameplay both more complex and entertaining. It trims all the fat, leaving only decision-making, strategic planning, and the sheer joy of crushing your enemies. Civ V is the pinnacle of the franchise to date.

It's certainly an enjoyable game, and it's one that dungeon crawler fans and Etrian Odyssey followers will instantly be drawn to, but everyone else needs to know that this is a game that puts a focus on planning, pre-battle equipment choices, and character strategies over action. I'd call it a thinker's dungeon crawler.

Hardcore simulation fans – the kind of people who build dedicated racing seats and set-ups for their games -- will likely walk away from this a little disappointed in that it's not exactly like driving one of these beasts in real life, but for everyone else, it's an absolute blast and a demanding challenge, all in the same game.

If you're incredibly desperate for a sidescroller, then Blade Kitten will waste a handful of hours for you, and might even scratch your itch. You really would have to make sure there's nothing else left to play before considering opening your wallet for this, though.

The game evolves from simple, bare bones to a full on shmup with bullets flying every which way, and I think you'll find plenty to both challenge you and keep you coming back.

Halo: Reach is everything a Halo fan has ever dreamed for. All that was lacking from previous Halo games is here and then some. This is Bungie's love letter to their fans and they've definitely gone out with a bang.

This is a great game for the fanatics who like having all their Sonic games on a next generation console. However, if you're a casual fan looking for a masterpiece, all you'll find is a relic that was once considered greatness. It honestly pains me to say that.

The game evolves from simple, bare bones to a full on shmup with bullets flying every which way, and I think you'll find plenty to both challenge you and keep you coming back.

For all its humor, endless replay value and subtle, accessible strategy, it's no wonder that Plants vs. Zombies remains one of the best games to come out of the casual gaming market.

Pick it up, but you should know that you might be so scared that you'll have to put it down.

It delivers a solid and enjoyable experience from beginning to end. It isn't going to win anyone over for its finger-blistering difficulty, either, so fans looking for an old-school challenge should check their expectations accordingly. But super sharp visuals and clever writing make this a collection of Batman adventures you won't want to miss.

There's so much amazing fan service here, that enthusiasts simply shouldn't miss it. Despite its extremely obvious and repetitive nature, it's also a decent amount of fun, provided you play it in small doses.

There's so much amazing fan service here, that enthusiasts simply shouldn't miss it. Despite its extremely obvious and repetitive nature, it's also a decent amount of fun, provided you play it in small doses.

And if you loved Mass Effect 2 , this is absolutely required if you didn't already get it. An example of how to do great, if not perfect, DLC in a story-driven game.

And if you loved Mass Effect 2 , this is absolutely required if you didn't already get it. An example of how to do great, if not perfect, DLC in a story-driven game.

For fans who have followed the twisting story that happens outside the Disney worlds, it will provide the answers they've been waiting for, sometimes for questions they never knew they had, while leaving enough open for Kingdom Hearts III.

Yet again, the peerless NHL team has produced a modern classic that will surely sit at the pinnacle of the year's sports releases. This is probably the best hockey game ever -- until NHL 12 comes out, that is.