This game is a love letter to gamers that grew up with the Vic Viper and ring-spitting Easter Island heads, but it’s just as easily enjoyed by those that never played the Gradius games and are looking for a good old-fashioned arcade-style thrill.

Own a 360? Like action? Like zombies? You need this game. Unelss you have a small standard television, because then you won't be able to read the text of what's being said.

A worthy sequel. You get what is advertised - more of Tony Montana. If you want open ended crime gaming, get another game. This is Tony Montana you're dealing with here.

Quake IV won’t be one of those that will stand out over the years to come as one of the great achievements in the genre, or even on the Xbox 360.

The Shivering Isles is far from a perfect expansion, but it still gives players some completely new ground to tread that’s unlike anything else in the game, which makes it a must-have for anyone who enjoyed the original game.

A technically accomplished and truly involving first-person shooter.

The quality we’ve come to expect from the Karaoke Revolution series meets with a great presentation that makes full use of the American Idol license (Paula Abdul notwithstanding), making for a solid karaoke game bound to make you happy (provided you like the tracklist).

This is an addiction, not a game. As hard as you may fall for it, there are rewards for sticking with it, but the later levels will make it harder to do so.

New Super Mario Bros. is a solid platformer and a nice homage to the Mario series, but it's not Mario's big return to 2D gameplay like everyone thought it would be.

Frankly, this is, for better or for worse, exactly the kind of Pokemon game that we are all expecting. The storyline hasn’t evolved, the gameplay is unchanged but has had a few refinements, the DS’ touchscreen is liberally used, the game is playable online, the graphics are sharp but still evoke the GBA standard, and there’s plenty of new Pokemon to capture.

Despite the shortcomings, Killzone: Liberation is a good example of how to change things up for a different platform. A good title that lives up to the Killzone franchise.

Frankly, this is, for better or for worse, exactly the kind of Pokemon game that we are all expecting. The storyline hasn’t evolved, the gameplay is unchanged but has had a few refinements, the DS’ touchscreen is liberally used, the game is playable online, the graphics are sharp but still evoke the GBA standard, and there’s plenty of new Pokemon to capture.

There's absolutely no reason why anyone who owns Neverwinter Nights 2 wouldn't want this expansion, Mask of the Betrayer.

If you can have only one racing game on the DS, get Mario Kart DS. However, after that, you’d do well to check out Pixar’s Cars: Mater-National Championship.

One thing that will never be said about the Wild ARMs series of RPGs is that they’re all cookie-cutter games.

The first truly "next-gen" Tony Hawk game looks and plays great.

Stunts and Effects is more than a minor expansion pack; it adds enough new wrinkles to renew your interest in the year-old, but still fun, original game, The Movies.

The PSP is hot again and SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for PSP is along for the ride; but it doesn't measure up to Silent Hill: Origins, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness or Jeanne d'Arc.

The new design segments game play dramatically, but the core excitement of horse racing is brought across more than ever in Gallop Racer 2006.

Itching for a fun platformer that doesn’t cost much? Cloning Clyde fits the bill.

Neverwinter Nights 2 is a strong single-player adventure thoroughly enjoyable in and of itself. That it will serve as a platform for endless mod gaming only makes it that mich more appealing.

The original Animal Crossing was touted as a game about social interactivity, but Animal Crossing: Wild World is even moreso.

If you’ve never played a Burnout game, this isn’t a bad place to start, and if you’re a Burnout fan looking for the best version of Burnout Revenge, this is it.

Not a bad first-effort at an oddball game for kids, Viva Pinata holds appeal to all ages, but not to all tastes, given the niche nature of the title and the too-frenetic pace in the early going.

A mighty fine take on the genre. A solid game that's worth owning.

Four worthwhile games, two stinkers, and one oddity.

Don't buy this game expecting an experience like the GameCube Metroid Prime titles. This is Quake with a thin layer of Metroid paint. But hey, that's okay if you like Quake.

An ambitious attempt at an addictive game, and meets expectations more times than not.