The crux of the gameplay lies in combat that is extremely tedious. There are other features within which to loose yourself, from item customization, to even a Pokemon style creature rearing and combat mini-game that is deep enough to almost be a game on its own. But these facets are made to accentuate the core game, not make up for its shortcomings, which as it turns out are considerable.

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.

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

Fans of the show and the associated card game will surely enjoy Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller, but everybody else is bound to confused by the game’s steep learning curve and lackluster presentation.

The Meltdown is fun, and it makes good use of the Wii’s motion-sensitive controller. If you’re an Ice Age fan or a platformer fan that doesn’t mind a short game versus an engrossing epic, then it’s hard to go wrong.

It's a well made game from a presentation standpoint, but the bulk of the game is simply far too simple to keep any but the most hardened Kirby fan glued to his or her dual screens.

Happy Feet is sure to please kids, at least for a while, and in that sense the game is a success. Still, the game is fairly insubstantial and could have benefited from some platforming in between its minigames, a la "Rayman: Raving Rabbids."

The problem lies in that it is so handedly outshined by its Nintendo DS counterpart. The PSP version nets you better music, unlockable skins, and a degree of puzzling fun, but it still feels a bit vacant.

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.

The real appeal of the game is in its visuals and production values, and these elements take a real hit on the Wii console. If you have the option to invest in one of the other versions, that’s the best route to take. The "novel" controls on the Wii are more gimmicky than fun in this particular title.

My excitement faded, however, as I repeatedly discovered the marquee games to be inferior versions of their PC progenitors.

As always, Team Ninja has produced a visual feast, a truly attractive game, and for that they should be commended. Sadly, there isn’t much more here than the pretty graphics and pretty girls.

Ace in Action fails to be fun, a tragedy considering how attractive it looks. The game is nothing more than a trite shooter attempting to cash in on the Chicken Little franchise, with a control scheme is just too bothersome for this to be a recommended purchase to anyone.

Scurge: Hive isn’t a bad investment if a player is seeking fast paced pick up and play action, but players who appreciate more depth in their titles should probably shy away.

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 too focused on tricks to be a good racer, yet not not enough to be a competent skating game either. As such, fans of either genre are advised to give this one a pass.

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.

Magical Starsign is the role-playing equivalent to bubblegum. It's a fun diversion, but far from substantial, instead resigning itself to being an interesting holdover until something more worthwhile comes along.

Stripped of its license, Avatar would be easily dismissed as yet another run of the mill hack-and-slash action RPG, but given the game's at least competent portrayal of the series, this is certainly a game that fans of the television show could enjoy, gripes notwithstanding.

Stripped of its license, Avatar would be easily dismissed as yet another run of the mill hack-and-slash action RPG, but given the game's at least competent portrayal of the series, this is certainly a game that fans of the television show could enjoy, gripes notwithstanding.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Godfather never feels like it has any real consequence to it, and interspersed with missions as it is, it commits the sin of slowing an action game down.

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.

Delivers the absolute bare minimum of atmosphere and uninspiring, tedious gameplay. It’s not strictly bad; it’s just that nothing about it is good, either.

IGPX never ascends above the label of a quick and dirty fan-service. It has its place, certainly, but that place probably isn’t anywhere near your PS2.

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

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

It’s a barebones swashbuckling experience wrapped around a buggy and repetitive gameplay core that skirts the edges of the mundane.

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.

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.

Sure, it tells an interesting tale of woe and bullets, but instead of building upon this story with equally engaging gameplay, Dirge of Cerebrus seems content to simply ride on the coattails of a nearly decade old role-playing game.

An object lesson in placing production value over entertainment value. Graphics enthusiasts and rabid "Dynasty Warriors" or "Kingdom Under Fire" fans may not be able to stay away, but gamers on the fence can be content in going one more night without it.

Those looking for a puzzler will be aggravated by the sub-par platforming, and those looking for platforming will be disappointed by the inclusion of mandatory Monkey Ball puzzles.

Those looking for a puzzler will be aggravated by the sub-par platforming, and those looking for platforming will be disappointed by the inclusion of mandatory Monkey Ball puzzles.

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

The biggest problems with CivCity: Rome, however, lie in its numerous bugs and terrible camera.

The single player campaign is tedious, ugly, and loads like its on the PSP. The swan song of the Xbox this is not.

It's painfully obvious Monster House was a cheap, easy cash-in attempt on the movie, and while other platforms might not fare so poorly, buying Monster House for the Nintendo DS can't be seen as anything other than a mistake.

With "Brain Age" on the market already, which offers not only a large selection of puzzles, but also more variety of compelling content, there simply is nothing that makes Sudoku Gridmaster stand out as a worthwhile purchase.

Those who have played the games up to now and are somehow not burnt out on the gameplay could have some fun with what Capcom has put together here.

Those who have played the games up to now and are somehow not burnt out on the gameplay could have some fun with what Capcom has put together here. Newcomers, on the other hand, might be better advised to pick up one of the earlier titles rather than jump into this newer release at full price.

An interesting idea, yes, but perhaps more interesting in its failures rather than its much-too-rare highlights.

It’s fun to play through, and easy to pick up and put down again pretty quickly, both a must for a handheld port and a rarity in the SRPG subgenre.

The racing in Cars is fun and accessible for children, and the story is appropriate for all ages, but frustrating mini-games and lack of direction at key points in a children’s game are both unforgivable oversights.

The racing in Cars is fun and accessible for children, and the story is appropriate for all ages, but frustrating mini-games and lack of direction at key points in a children's game are both unforgivable oversights.

The racing in Cars is fun and accessible for children, and the story is appropriate for all ages, but frustrating mini-games and lack of direction at key points in a children's game are both unforgivable oversights.

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.

The Da Vinci Code isn't the worst game based on a movie, but its dependence on puzzles and unbalanced action make it hard to recommend to anyone but the the most devout fan of the source material or those who simply can't get enough of puzzle-based adventure games.

One of the chief problems with X-Men lies in its mission structure. Branching paths are often a good thing, but when they are as disconnected to point where any semblance of an underlying plot is compromised at these are here, any benefit of such a feature is wasted.

One of the chief problems with X-Men lies in its mission structure. Branching paths are often a good thing, but when they are as disconnected to point where any semblance of an underlying plot is compromised at these are here, any benefit of such a feature is wasted.

One of the chief problems with X-Men lies in its mission structure. Branching paths are often a good thing, but when they are as disconnected to point where any semblance of an underlying plot is compromised at these are here, any benefit of such a feature is wasted.

One of the chief problems with X-Men lies in its mission structure. Branching paths are often a good thing, but when they are as disconnected to point where any semblance of an underlying plot is compromised at these are here, any benefit of such a feature is wasted.

One of the chief problems with X-Men lies in its mission structure. Branching paths are often a good thing, but when they are as disconnected to point where any semblance of an underlying plot is compromised at these are here, any benefit of such a feature is wasted.

The Da Vinci Code isn’t the worst game based on a movie, but its dependence on puzzles and unbalanced action make it hard to recommend to anyone but the the most devout fan of the source material or those who simply can't get enough of puzzle-based adventure games.

DS owners are advised to take care if they are contemplating purchasing this odd take of the Guilty Gear franchise, as besides the series' moniker, this is definitely not the same game that you are used to playing.

While it is still possible to enjoy the game on its merits, the player can expect to be frustrated by long hours of tedium thanks to the problems with the breeding system.

One gets the feeling that the developers couldn't come to a decision as to which particular aspect should carry the most weight, be it pinball or strategy, and in the end Odama ends up feeling like a game without focus. The game can also be punishingly difficult

Even the online mode feels lacking, supporting only one-on-one matches using either your custom character or an unlocked NBA star, rather than the two-on-two match ups available offline.

If you can look beyond the technical issues, the game offers somewhat entertaining, if generic gameplay.

Even the online mode feels lacking, supporting only one-on-one matches using either your custom character or an unlocked NBA star, rather than the two-on-two match ups available offline.

If you’re a fan of the genre, it's possible that you’ll have a good time with this title, but you'll still have to overlook some significant flaws. By contrast, if you’re looking for an entry point into the hack-and-slash genre, it’s hard to recommend such a below average formulaic adventure.

And that is perhaps this game's only saving grace: it is one damn fine looking game. Both arenas and the ladies are visualized exceptionally well.

Lack of decent save feature is perhaps the final nail in the, ah, demon seal for Tao's Adventure. Repetitive games such as this should either have a quick-save feature, or allow players to save as often as they would like.

The Outfit, while it presents an interesting spin on the traditional take for a game of its sort, falls short of not only of its own developmental aspirations, but also of the rigorous standards of console gamers.

Everything Final Fight made great is conspicuously absent in Streetwise.

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.

There isn't much can be said about Street Supremacy, except this: stay away.

Make no mistake, Final Fight: Streetwise manages to be a somewhat-competent brawler, but everything Final Fight made great is conspicuously absent in Streetwise.

This game belongs back in the era when it was acceptable for a game's storyline to be summed up by "The president has been kidnapped by ninjas". The graphics are decent, but just about everything else is outdated, clichéd, or deeply flawed.

Hopefully, if a sequel is made, we’ll get more Prince of Persia and less Grand Theft Auto, or at least an amalgamation of the two that isn't so mind-numbingly dull.

Hopefully, if a sequel is made, we'll get more Prince of Persia and less Grand Theft Auto, or at least an amalgamation of the two that isn't so mind-numbingly dull.

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.

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.

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.

More like a tech demo of how the touch screen could be used to play golf, rather than a completely fleshed out experience in its own right.

Considering other fighting games out on the market now, this game is as close to a barebones title as you can get. Versus, practice and online play – that's it.

It's not completely without merit, especially if you are able to find a few friends online to play with.

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.

It's not completely without merit, especially if you are able to find a few friends online to play with.

The biggest folly, however, is that instead of building upon the establish lineage that fans have come to expect and enjoy, Wild Arms 4 breaks away and tries to be something wholly different, and in so doing succeed only in alienating existing fans.

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.

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.

While mind-numbingly boring in single-player, the game does inch closer to being fun when other players pick up a controller.

A solid and extensive compilation, though not without flaws and not without competition.

While mind-numbingly boring in single-player, the game does inch closer to being fun when other players pick up a controller.

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.

Pac-Man World 3 is average on just about all fronts. Most players will probably overlook this title during the Christmas rush, but sadly, no one will lament the fact.

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.

The game tries to do too many things rather than focus on perfecting a single facet of the gameplay, and as a result Mario Tennis: Power Tour just misses the mark and ends up serving up a shallow, forgettable game.

While good company can and does overshadow some of what the game does wrong, it cannot mask the fact that Dungeon Lords, on the whole, isn't very fun.

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.

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.