The implementation of the microphone peripheral is a huge misstep, but a limited number of players may still manage to eke some enjoyment out of its inclusion.

It's definitely a neat little game, but there's nothing about it that demands an immediate purchase. It has no real replay value, and the trading/collecting aspect isn't compelling.

This is yet another sequel for the fans of the series that don't want anything more than a comfortable dip in the same old pool.

It's definitely a neat little game, but there's nothing about it that demands an immediate purchase. It has no real replay value, and the trading/collecting aspect isn't compelling.

In practice, it’s a forgettable game that offers less than its competition. Instead of taking an evolutionary step up from last year’s version of The Life, the game is content to shovel out more of the same.

Profoundly average. There's nothing really to dislike about it, but you've seen these gameplay mechanics so many times before the game boils down to going through the motions and seeing Animaniacs cameos.

Once seen to completion, Rule of Rose is unquestionably memorable, but as a game it comes well short of current expectations.

It’s very well-made; it just fits too well into its mold: the middle-of-the-road move conversion.

In practice, it’s a forgettable game that offers less than its competition. Instead of taking an evolutionary step up from last year’s version of The Life, the game is content to shovel out more of the same.

Provides one of the best Vietnam experiences. As a war game, however, it simply does not measure up to other offerings on the market today.

It seems likely the world will see more of DJ, and gamers should look forward to it; but maybe next time the movie should come out before the game.

The recreation of Rome, while not completely accurate, feels like Rome, and the wilderness sections are likewise done well. The enemies, however, do tend to be a bit bland, and it doesn’t take long until it feels like the same enemy has been killed numerous times.

It is a marked improvement to the formula, but gamers turned off by the slow pace or average execution are encouraged to look elsewhere.

It is a marked improvement to the formula, but gamers turned off by the slow pace or average execution are encouraged to look elsewhere.

If you’re looking for a portable sports title or just like the Mario sports series, you’ll certainly have a good time with Mario Hoops 3-on-3, but the slightly clunky controls and lack of online play firmly cement this title in the rental category for the majority of gamers.

Suffice to say that this is a very complex game. For a statistician or a strategy/tactics aficionado, particularly fans of Disgaea-like games which nearly drown players in stats and quirks, Generation of Chaos will be well-received.

The mechanics are unique yet not so obscure that they alienate those players who are unfamiliar with the genre.

A fun take on action role-playing games but ultimately ends up a little shallow, mostly due to the combat system.

It’s definitely not a terrible game, but it’s never going to rise to the level of some of EA’s other sports titles unless it’s put under the microscope and seriously reexamined.

There really isn't much in the way of replay value once the game is beaten, as players will see most everything the first time through, and spikes in frustration due to the technology – not game design – will keep most from wanting to make a return visit.

A decent, customizable racer that takes it to the streets.

It may not be the deepest kid in the class, but it sure does know how to have fun at recess.

It’s the type of game that begs to played in short intervals, as a lack of gameplay variety causes the game to wear out its welcome rather quickly.

The driving missions are decent but frustrating, as it is sometimes difficult to know where the game wants you to go without a map.

The single player campaign, while enjoyable for what it is, pales substantially to its online multiplayer counterpart.

Just mindless combat that amounts to little more pressing the attack buttons over and over from beginning to end.

Fans of the series should be able to jump right in and enjoy it. However, without a true tutorial for assistance, potential players will have a tough time getting used to the game.

Aurally Cold Fear truly excels in many areas. The sound effects fit the atmosphere perfectly, and the industrial soundtrack couldn't be better presented.

Determining the lay of the green is near impossible without the slope grid (with is brought up with the white button), and even then, the grid is a square, it doesn't cover the entire green, and is difficult to read.

What is there is well-done and highly enjoyable, just wish there was more of it. It's a good break for those getting tired of destruction and looking for fun, but not a "must-have" title except for the very hardcore DOA fans.

The game is limited to two players, maximum, and that's a crying shame.

A great concept and great technical achievement marred by a poor execution. It’s just not as creepy, scary, or thought provoking as previous entries in the series and the game-play itself is boring even when measured against the fact that the horror genre itself is really based on creepy atmosphere and scares and tight game-play execution tends to be an afterthought.

Delivers breathtaking visuals, set against a fairly average game.

The game is mindless, shooting mayhem that is extremely evocative of sprite based shooting games of yesteryear.

It’s got quite a few bugs that should have never made it past the testing cycle, including several glitches that cause the game to freeze up completely, forcing a hard reset to resume play.

The campaign mode is good fun for a while, but the unsatisfying battle element will leave strategy buffs begging for more.

The ability to communicate vocally is hand over fist an improvement over the keyboard and icon based communication in the other versions of the game.

There’s a lot of fun to be had in Bionicle Heroes, and the price is definitely right, but ultimately this is a game you should be picking up for your kid brother for Christmas, and not for yourself. It’s a game that’s great at what it does, but put against the Gears of Wars of the world, doesn’t pass muster.

Looks and sounds the part of a goofy adventure game, and for the 10 or so hours it takes to complete players will be sure to enjoy its charms. It is far from a masterpiece, but it is the current highlight to the series.

It is complex, deep, challenging, and it is a title that requires a lot of patience. It is not much for presentation, but what it lacks in finesse it more than makes up for in gameplay.

Wanted is the definition of average. Fans of both adventure games and westerns may want to look into it, but I'd advise all others to steer clear.

The game at the core of Capsule Monster Coliseum actually borders on engaging, and as such comes incredibly close to being worth playing for those who aren’t fans of the series. But close, as they say, only counts for horseshoes and hand grenades: not PS2 games.

So many little things were done right in Arx Fatalis that any fan of the computer role playing game genre owes it to them to pick this game up and give it a try.

As a role-playing game, Children of Mana comes up aces, with an intriguing story and characters that you'll recall long after the game is shelved. Sadly however, this game counts itself among the popular action segment of the role-playing genre, and it is in that addendum that it falls short.

It's also fun, with a story is further shows the potential of the Nintendo DS as the new home for adventure gaming. That's the good part. The bad part is that the game only features four cases and a handful of forgettable side stories, with very little replay value.

It features a generic, yet well-delivered plot that is dragged down by average gameplay, a lack of substantial difficulty, and sound that can only be described as sub-par. However, it is quite stunning graphically, and might find a niche in the modding community.

A perfect example of style over substance. On its technical side it's a flawless example of what can be done with the right technology in the right hands. In terms of content, however, it falls flat on its face by offering an extremely linear experience with very little replay value that ends up feeling more like walking through a carnival spook house than the trip through hell that it should have been.

Curse: The Eye of Isis does do an admiral job of pulling off drama, thanks in part to a very well done camera. Much like the camera systems in "Alone in the Dark" and "Resident Evil," Curse utilizes a fixed placement camera that captures the action from just the right angle in each location.

Collections such as these should serve as a punctuation mark on the series, and as such should come packed full of extras so that even those fans who already own the included games individually will feel enticed to return to the checkout counter. That isn't the case here.

Sixty-second load times every time the player moves from one event to another are almost unbearable, and had these been removed our review would have been much more gracious. It is almost tragic that such a wonderful game could be crippled by this singular flaw.

NHL 2K7 never succeeds in rising above being an incremental upgrade over last year’s games.

The variety of gameplay styles is very lively and, for the most part, it’s a fun experience from beginning to end. It also does a good job of retreading the film and bringing the story home.

The graphics are fantastic, and the presentation is more realistic and immersive than ever before. However, there's no excuse for the gutting of the very features that made the Madden series great.

At no more than 7 hours from start to finish, I’m sure most players can spare an evening.

For those who grew up on dungeon crawls, this is a title that can't miss.

A light-hearted romp through different RPG clichés and worlds that delivers just what it promises. It's fun, funny, and probably one of the best dungeon crawling action RPGs in our current generation. Of course, it's a tired genre, so coming out on top of it's predecessors is not a huge accomplishment.

Its core gameplay needs a lot of tweaking to be as fluid and approachable as I think they want it to be, they need to smooth out the animations to make the game look and feel more realistic, and they could probably do well to expand the multiplayer options to boot.

If you’re trying to learn the game from the manual, you might be in for a slow time. However, once you get the basics of how the game is played, you’re going to be in for a treat.

A mere shadow of its current-generation brethren. Improved graphics are always great, but at the cost of features and fun, it just isn't worth it.

The one thing that makes this game interesting is if you play the game as it’s supposed to be played, the other team will keep it relatively clean. If you start going out to pick fights, the people you beat up will remember you, and come back and beat you into a corner.

While a bit of a lopsided contender in the 4X market, those with a propensity for responding violently to problems - like me - will have little trouble stepping right into the shoes Sword of the Stars offer.

A charming return to the series’ roots and a pretty great handheld experience, but anyone other than the diehard Bomberman fan can safely wait for a preowned copy or a price drop.

A solid entry in the RTS market, but it's marred by appalling AI which detracts greatly from the single-player experience. Additionally, it's so similar in gameplay to Empire Earth that I find it hard to believe that it didn't begin its development as an add-on for that title.

It's not entirely engaging or original, but it is fun. It's attractive, sounds nice, and the story-for all its faults-can be ignored safely with no detrimental effects.

It may not inspire players to sing praises of its innovation or unparalleled gameplay, but it is nonetheless an entertaining foray into the world of monster collection.

At a mere twenty dollars, the game may just be worth the frustrating elements and rather awkward beginnings just to get to the juicy core of the game. And with a bevy of features, the game does offer quite a lot for its price.

It may not inspire players to sing praises of its innovation or unparalleled gameplay, but it is nonetheless an entertaining foray into the world of monster collection.

The stunts, however, steal the show, and really elevate the game beyond its limitations. From skydiving and parachuting onto the top of moving vehicles to jumping out of helicopters or launching tow cables at passing cars, Rico can do some things that games haven't allowed players to do before, and there's a lot to be said for enabling new frontiers.

Collections such as these should serve as a punctuation mark on the series, and as such should come packed full of extras so that even those fans who already own the included games individually will feel enticed to return to the checkout counter. That isn't the case here.

There are enough bells and whistles to make Alter Echo appeal to some, such as the title’s unique combo system that serves to make combat quite entertaining. Sadly, however, the game is far too short to be considered anything other than a weekend rental.

It’s not entirely engaging or original, but it is fun. It’s attractive, sounds nice, and the story—for all its faults—can be ignored safely with no detrimental effects.

Everything about Kya: Dark Lineage is pretty standard and expected, and while most of it is executed quite well it still feels a little recycled.

It's fun and unique for a little while, but the underlying lack of an innovative gameplay experience leaves the game too hollow for comfort.

A light-hearted romp through different RPG clichés and worlds that delivers just what it promises. It's fun, funny, and probably one of the best dungeon crawling action RPGs in our current generation. Of course, it's a tired genre, so coming out on top of it's predecessors is not a huge accomplishment.

Its song selection is immediately accessible to anyone who listens to pop radio, but for those looking for a bit more variety in their musical games are bound to be disappointed, at least until a suitable expansion disc arrives.

A great game that is held back by a few problems, and a training system that will push your average gamer.

At $35, there simply is so way to recommend this game, even for hard core puzzle enthusiasts. If you find the gameplay compelling, Zuma offers a near identical experience, and can be had for much less of a variety of platforms.

For the real effect of the game, watch the movie before you play it. It really sets the mood. Even if you have seen this classic film before, watch it again. It makes the whole thing that much more scary.

Well, while the majority of games included are great, some – like Toobin’, SPLAT!, and Vindicators – still suck, just like before. Also, each of the games keeps their controls and multiplayer options.

If the software would have been tweaked a bit more it would have interacted a lot easier with Pelican’s amazing light rifle. However, even with having to adjust the brightness the player can still relive some of those arcade memories. This game is a must for light gun fans and should be skipped by all other players.

Ninja Gaiden, despite one of the year's worst camera systems, still manages to be one of the year's best action games.

A pleasant surprise. Whilst not without it’s flaws, (some features, or lack thereof, give away the game’s obviously low production values) Wings provides a decent-looking arcade flight sim which, if sampled for small periods at regular intervals, can actually prove very enjoyable.

It may not win a beauty contest, or leave you humming its soundtrack in the shower, but these are faults I can overlook considering the amount of fun it delivers. The lack of any significant multiplayer hurts as well, and may very well be a deal breaker for some.

It’s too fast with not enough panache behind it to make it worthy of your time, compared to the now cheap "Soul Calibur 2." It has nothing that you cannot find elsewhere, and done better.

But strip away the culture it’s trying so very hard to win over and there’s a game that’s been hastily, and sparsely, updated, and was beaten to death in the womb by "Burnout 3" months ago. Just like 20” rims and a spoiler on a 1984 Volvo, this game may turn heads, but where it counts most it’s a phoney.

If you can get past the learning curve of the game, it's a very new and fun experience that any strategy fan would enjoy.

It can be really hard at times, but this difficult really does add to the atmosphere in this game, almost to the point where you will feel the flames licking at you.

The variety of gameplay styles is very lively and, for the most part, it’s a fun experience from beginning to end. It also does a good job of retreading the film and bringing the story home.

Budokai’s forte is in it’s presentation – it manages to keep practically every bit of flavor that makes the Dragon Ball Z so popular.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game’s presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

My advice: Set aside a larger budget for voice acting, and make sure the environments are as interactive toward the end as they are in the beginning. For players, don't expect a classic, because you won't find this game fulfilling that need. But as long as you set your expectations a bit lower, you should be entertained.

It lacks multiplayer, so long-term playability is questionable, but with 60 missions, 130+ planes, and an interesting story to work through, you’ll be spending a good, long, time with this game.

All of these varied creatures, along with unlockable Digimon and the multiplayer brawls make this game a solid title whether you are a fan or not.

But strip away the culture it’s trying so very hard to win over and there’s a game that’s been hastily, and sparsely, updated, and was beaten to death in the womb by "Burnout 3" months ago. Just like 20” rims and a spoiler on a 1984 Volvo, this game may turn heads, but where it counts most it’s a phoney.

For a game based on a movie (based on a set of children's stories), Curious George is more than adequate. While it stumbles here and there in terms of gameplay, the game will nonetheless appeal to those younger players with an itch to play as an animated monkey.

It is a fine pinball game, though the difficulty of it seems to be lacking severely, the “Catch ‘em All” theme is still prevailing. At first, the game does catch your attention and shows its depth, but after a while, repetitiveness does drag down the fun factor a bit.

The actual gameplay is great, but the narrative, which maintains a much more noticeable presence than in Silent Storm, is very cliché and serves only to drag the game down.

Puzzle games are in, and while this is definitely not the traditional puzzle game, there is enough to challenge players that it is worth a look see.