If you plan on seeing everything the game has to offer, which includes six separate endings, as well as Overtime and Infinite modes, you've got a lot of zombie killing ahead of you. It’s been a long time coming but Dead Rising has been worth the wait.

If you’ve got three other players, the game becomes a blast to play—though it does border close to insane.

I think that even those that hate on Madden for being too mainstream would find a lot to like about the Superstar mode because of how similar it is to more traditional role-playing fare.

Hearing your squad yelling in victory at a hard-earned tactical win or laughing at an unlucky shot in battle is a great feeling, and the best battles can create a story that people will be talking about days later.

The game is different enough from other RTS's to keep even the most jaded of fans interested, and the game looks and feels so spectacular that those new to the genre will fall in love immediately.

Area Wars brings a fresh and interesting concept forward into the RTS field, and implements it superbly. Lamentably bad AI, and a sketchy online community prevent it from being a must-have recommendation.

There are more than a handful of genuinely entertaining titles found here that will return your investment ten fold in fun.

This is the space exploration equivalent of solitaire or hearts; indeed, this game would be a perfect accessory for every PC sold. It is a simple delight that scales to all levels of player and never, ever overstays its welcome.

An excellent game. If you don’t own 2004, it is a fantastic purchase, however, if you do, you may find too much of the same thing again. It’s time for EA to rehash this series, as each year’s offering is getting more and more stale.

If you like shooters, you would be a fool to not own this game. It's not the best Metal Slug - its easier, has less branching to the levels, and the animation is not as smooth - but it's still awesome.

Precisely what the second volume in a saga should be. It continues the story, and it develops the characters involved with the story... Hopefully, the next installment will propel the story forward a bit more.

A winning combination of arcade-style mechanics and rich, engaging presentation. Of course this game is not going to win over players who have little taste for manic aerial combat, or those who were looking for something really different from the previous games.

Visually, Call of Duty 3 absolutely trumps the previous game. While profound launch titles like "Call of Duty 2" always strike a special cord, it is exhilarating to see the console mature and develop so far after only a year.

Sadly, the games’ graphics did not get a similar treatment. In fact, some of the games seem surprisingly worse then they did on their original consoles.

The best thing about this release, though, is that the gameplay for both titles is some of the best the King of Fighters series has seen since "King of Fighters ’98." Both games are exceptionally fast paced and offer a wide variety of characters.

For all the good in the game, there’s a fairly steep learning curve that may make some gamers recant their stubborn ‘no FAQ’ tendencies, especially in order to see the game’s multiple endings.

The graphics are excellent, and it's a ton of fun to play through some of the best levels from "Twisted Metal 2" in online deathmatch.

Despite its flaws with pacing and the emphasis on role-playing clichés, Tales of Legendia is a very enjoyable game. The disappointment here stems largely from the fact that many fans hold the Tales series to a relatively high standard and expect a certain consistent level of quality across all facets of the experience.

It’s a simple, if utterly engrossing game with a concept that appeals to the kid in all of us.

It’s well-paced, fun to play, and has some chuckle-worthy dialogue at times.

All and all, WarioWare: Twisted! doesn't do anything drastic to the series, but the creativity and variety of gameplay make what otherwise would have been a dreary rehash into a respectable game that stands on its own.

Dominions 3 pretty much stands alone at what it does, and its central gameplay is well balanced and extremely fun. However, it undoubtedly is burdened by a huge learning curve and archaic graphics.

Missing entries and control issues aside, Gradius Collection is still a great compilation of several notable titles from one of the longest running shooter franchises in videogame history.

The PC version is clearly the superior version and those with a choice in mediums should certainly consider it their first choice. It is more fun, less awkward and far more forgiving for young children.

This is the definitive version of The Godfather, and it is a tremendous accolade for EA's reputation that this respects and honors the original material so well.

Besides the multiple endings that can be reached, defeating the game on a number of different difficulties will yield extras, some of them being playable ones (such as the Adventures of Heihachi) to alternate costumes (yes, Samanosuke’s killer panda suit is back).

A deep, enriching, attractive, and extremely fun game to play, online or offline.

When considering the $20 price tag, the game length issue can easily be ignored because Counter Punch is great boxing fun.

Though it did lose a bit of Nocturne's charm with the replacement of the Fusion system, the game is still a blast to play.

Luckily, despite the linearity, the story, characters, and dialogue is compelling enough to keep you going.

With the camera and control issues of THUG2 corrected, a fresh, compelling story mode, and the highlights of the series up to this point in tow, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland stands as the best game to bear his name thus far.

It really is impressive seeing Street Fighter Alpha 3 running on the GBA hardware.

On its own merits it’s a fantastic cinematic achievement and exceptional precedent for license-based games.

A solid action title with just enough creepiness to set the mood. It also isn’t much of a challenge, so players looking to beat their controllers against the wall in frustration need to look elsewhere.

Those looking for a fun and easy game for themselves or their children to enjoy however, have an undeniable winner on their hands.

The Nintendo DS shines and is probably the perfect piece of hardware for games of this type. The stylus and D-Pad compliment each other to allow players to quickly navigate the battlefield and switch between status screens.

With tons of costumes, character information, CG stills and a plethora of extras you'll want to play this game for a long time to come.

It faithfully recreates the included games, and it also offers plenty of options to tailor the game to meet individual needs. A couple of bells and whistles help round out the package, but the 17 classic games are the real draw here.

Animal Crossing is simple and that is its strength. It is also engrossing, addictive, and really, really fun.

Pretty standard fare, but Rave Master handles the traditional health bar system in a completely unique way.

Burnout Revenge is still not the equal of 2004's Burnout: Takedown, but it is a wonderfully visceral racing experience nonetheless.

Nintendo comes through with a stunning combination of genres to deliver an Action/Puzzle game that has just enough extras and attention to detail to make it worth the slightly higher launch price of $34.99.

It is still a patient game that will punish those overeager to engage the enemy. If you know you don't like that sort of play, there is nothing here to change your mind. However for those that like it, this is a powerful and compellingly priced offering.

It exudes a sense of style that perfectly accentuates the game's over-the-top racing maxim. Still, players and fans who are hoping for something new or different are apt to be disappointed. Beneath the gorgeous exterior lies a game that, while fun, is a bit archaic.

This is definitely a game action fans, Aliens enthusiasts, as well as players who enjoyed classic games such as Alien Syndrome – a real classic in the top-down genre – will enjoy immensely.

It presents itself as one of the best shooters to be released in a long while. It brings itself to the table as a purely fun game, modeled after a true classic, and doesn't try to impress with flashy graphics or a deep story--because it doesn't have to.

When push comes to shove, Rise of Legends is a lateral step for the Nations franchise. The game is sound mechanically and brilliant visually, but it lacks the staying power that kept Rise of Nations in players’ disc drives for so long.

Revenge really fumbles the ball with the addition of traffic checking, and its overt attempts at aggression are ultimately ironic counterpoints to a system that has lost many of its teeth. On its own, it's still one of the best racers available, but it is also a spectacular step backward for the series.

It is very addictive and challenging, and offers two additional difficulty levels if the default is not challenging enough.

The frame rate issues are annoying, and the aircraft are nigh uncontrollable, but it really does offer a welcome change for people tired of resource building RTS games that are less about strategy and more about how much gold you can mine.

Bottom line, if you can look past the technical gripes, Act of War: Direct Action is a very solid RTS game with a fantastic story.

Boasting two discs worth of content, this is the longest offering yet from the Onimusha team, and there’s a lot to like about it. The only caveat would be that gamers tired of the series won’t find much to rekindle their interest here. It’s bigger and a bit more complex than before, but it’s still Onimusha.

Anyone who puts a few minutes with Rayman will have a hard time walking away without having smiled or laughed, and given that the bulk of the gameplay is so incredibly infectious simply adds up to one of the best launch offerings for the Wii.

For what it is, Sprung dishes out a worthwhile and memorable experience that is both entertaining as well as quite funny. I only wish I had known some of these lines when I was dating.

In all, Hearts of Iron II may attract a few new players – the price is right, and it does allow for a longer campaign which alleviates some of the abruptness inherent in the original. However, for those who just couldn’t handle the original, this expansion isn’t going to cut them any slack either.

While far from perfect, this game exudes the same charm that made Wild Arms such a cult phenomenon, and those who can look past its occasional shortcomings will find Alter Code F to be a classic to be treasured for years to come.

Even without the ESPN presentation, the core gameplay continues to shine boldly through – and with the retail price of $20, the game is a steal for just about anybody.

Excite Truck is a very fun, fast, and – dare I say it – exciting return to grass roots arcade style racing. There no tuning to worry about, no license tests, and no underground street cred here. All of those things can be found elsewhere. Excite Truck is just about racing, and it excels in this regard.

Revenge really fumbles the ball with the addition of traffic checking, and its overt attempts at aggression are ultimately ironic counterpoints to a system that has lost many of its teeth. On its own, it's still one of the best racers available, but it is also a spectacular step backward for the series.

One the best examples of a series which makes you feel like you are a part of the war rather than the most important member of the war, which is perhaps the game’s biggest draw, and rightly so.

Elebits is fun because it tries something new. Tossing things around in the air and demolishing bedrooms and kitchens is more fun than it ought to be, and the controls in the game are usually spot-on.

For the most part, Maniax holds true to the KoF design, but it's also missing some of the style and heart that made previous iterations so successful.

Even without the ESPN presentation, the core gameplay continues to shine boldly through – and with the retail price of $20, the game is a steal for just about anybody. Every hockey fan should have it. Period.

If you can handle the teeth-grinding, sweaty-palmed and cramped fingers difficulty, you'll be richly rewarded by a game that is as strategic as it is fast.

It is a very fun title, offering gamers a well-planned story with excellent graphics and enough simulator aspects to keep it fun but also make it a serious contender as flight sims go.

Heroes of Might and Magic V is certainly a good game, but it's flawed. That said, fans of the series, as well as those who simply enjoy turn-based strategy, will definitely enjoy it.

While the core gameplay here is considerable, and is head and shoulders above most other imitative offerings from other developers, it is still exceedingly bare-bones.

Urban Reign succeeds because it does what it set out to do: it is a fun, engaging brawler. The fighting system is deep and intriguing, the voice-acting is thankfully on-spot, and the game has a lot to offer, particularly for anyone looking for a quick, aggressive free-for-all.

Far from being revolutionary, and just shy of even being considered an evolution of the series, Carbon exists in that dubious realm of being simply a largely unnecessary annual update.

A fun game that does a really good job of making you feel as if you are taking part in a classic-era Bond film. Unfortunately, the overall linearity and lack of a significant multiplayer mode ensures that this is a game that will be played through once, and then left on the shelf.

If you can stomach or even master the unforgiving battle conditions, it's a good game with an okay story and good combat.

As it stands, it feels like the exact same multiplayer game that was offered a year ago. While a great deal of fun, this does little inspire existing players to jump from the equally entertaining SOCOM 3 to this latest game in the franchise.

In spite of missteps, if you can find yourself enjoying what Lost Planet does well (which is a lot), you’re bound to experience one hell of a ride that at times gets close to perfection, but just happens to miss its mark.

With the camera and control issues of "THUG2" corrected, a fresh, compelling story mode, and the highlights of the series up to this point in tow, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland stands as the best game to bear his name thus far.

Meatbags should be pleased with the continued storyline, but might find the amount of bugs, loading and framerate issues overshadowing the limited improvements offered.

Therein lies the major problem with Brothers in Arms gameplay mechanics; it uses the whole tactical element as a crutch, but there's nothing really "tactical" about the way the game ends up playing out.

Space Hack brings the hack-and-slash genre back to its roots. There is never a dull moment as the character hacks, slashes, and shoots his way through alien hordes while trying to save the colonists living on the ship.

A fun game that does a really good job of making you feel as if you are taking part in a classic-era Bond film. Unfortunately, the overall linearity and lack of a significant multiplayer mode ensures that this is a game that will be played through once, and then left on the shelf.

Graffiti Kingdom seems, like its predecessor, to be destined for cult status and niche appreciation.

The action comes fast, the plot is exciting, and you couldn’t ask for a better brawler near the end of the PlayStation 2's life cycle.

Call of Duty 3 on the Wii is one of the best examples of the system’s ability to make up for substandard visuals with really engaging control. The Wiimote is a fluid and, mostly, precise method of directing all of the carnage, and there’s no denying the fact that pointing and shooting is infinitely more fun than weaving around with two analog sticks.

Quake 4 brings an engaging single-player challenge with a refresh of some of the genre’s most popular online play. Still, this is an incremental step, not a leap in design.

Realistically, very little of the series’ gameplay dynamics were changed for Ridge Racer 6. The nitrous system is an evolved form of the one found in the PSP version, but beyond that, it is still a good old-fashioned Ridge Racer at heart.

In fairness to games out there that are sequels, and actually bring something new to the table, to call this game a sequel is to do those other games an injustice. Champions: Return to Arms is an expansion pack, if anything.

Putting it on the DS was an excellent decision. The touch screen abilities go a long way to keep the game innovative and fun.

Not content to rest on the laurels of its lengthy name, World Championship Poker: Featuring Howard Lederer – All In distinguishes itself on the strength of its poker/RPG hybrid gameplay, it’s sleek, thematic atmosphere, and an AI that understands how to play the game correctly.

In all, Keepsake may not redefine the genre; the graphic adventure genre is definable by its tenets and only its mechanics seem to change from game to game. Still, this game is fun, very attractive, offers an excellent story and a ton of puzzles.

An extremely viable alternative to the otherwise monolithic DDR franchise.

If Pac N’ Roll had been on any other system, it would still have been a fun game, but the way it plays out on the DS is just magic.

It’s considerably derivative and it doesn’t bother with experimental gameplay or ideas.

It is a bit of a shock to return to the franchise’s roots after all the improvements that have been made across two sequels in the past year, but the addition of Live support may render many of these complaints moot within the next few months.

A good arcade-style basketball game to pass the time. Just keep in mind that the loading is atrocious.

Project 8 doesn’t push very far beyond its previous boundaries. Most of the gameplay is very similar, and players familiar with the series will not find many surprises. However, the new coat of paint and the “Nail the Trick” mode help make the game seem at home on the next-gen consoles.

It's certainly nice to have a real focus on multiplayer this time around-especially since that's when the game will see the most use, anyway-but the loss of the campaign mode is a real downer.

It's considerably derivative and it doesn't bother with experimental gameplay or ideas.

A surprisingly well made game, especially when compared to its boring counterpart on the PS2.

The graphics are far from superior, but the environments with the ambient noise and activity allow for a unique experience which other action-oriented war titles have not been able to completely or adequately emulate.

A modest upgrade from last year’s offering. However, for fans of the series, the changes made can drastically affect the way the entire game is played.