It’s great at what it does: giving casual users an in-depth and easy way to create their own songs and mess around with others. It’s worth a look, at least, and could even become a nice party game with friends.

The best version of Street Fighter available, and the ability to play it online further justifies the purchase.

While some of the complaints I had with Culture Shock – puzzle difficulty, for instance – have been addressed, the novelty has worn off ever-so-slightly.

Even though it is still the same formula EA has gone with for years, Tiger Woods PGA Tour continues to be play home to a winning formula that has gone largely unchanged for a good reason.

It’s easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time.

The game’s pinball mechanics, save for the somewhat inept table-tilting feature, are expertly implemented, and the numerous flavors of Metroid have been liberally sprinkled throughout the experience the ensure fans of the franchise will come away both smiling and humming a familiar tune.

Sometimes you just want to blow stuff up with extreme prejudice. It's for these occasions that Black was made.

Prey offers impressive visuals, a decent story, and high-octane action to bring players the equivalent of an outstanding summer action flick.

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.

A great visual stunner and full of action packed fighting sequences that will keep you going even if the pitfalls kill you more than your enemies do. Great for rental.

One of those games that blindsides you and defies expectations. What could have been just another First-Person Shooter instead proves itself to be one of the most fun times to be had on a home console this year. It isn't the most innovate game on the block, but it is one of the most entertaining.

It offers a unique take on the giant robot game type, and pulls off this new spin while still offering an enjoyable gaming experience.

Old fans will certainly appreciate it, and it has enough charm to compel those looking for something new, but newcomers should certainly be warned that it’s an unusual taste. It is time-consuming, repetitive and dull, yet it is also relaxing and vaguely satisfying.

MTX brings all of the excitement of the motocross circuit home in an arcade/simulation racing title that comes bundled with an absolute abundance of features and options, not the least of which is online game play.

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.

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.

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.

The developers traded some atmosphere for a faster pace, and their compromises worked well. Less impressive and immersive than the original—yet much more than just a package of extra levels—this expansion doesn't disappoint.

A wonderful example of how to craft a fun and exciting game out of a genre that is ageing poorly. This game shows that there is still some life yet in the hack and slash RPG, and for that I am grateful.

You spend too much time learning patterns, and not enough just running around blow stuff up.

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

Madden NFL 07 for the PSP has many of the best play updates from this year’s console versions, and despite some clunky controls, manages to be the best handheld footballer to date.

A class act. It may not be a cake walk the first time through, but for those who can deal with the occasional head scratching bouts of frustration, this game is another winning addition to the Nintendo DS library.

What could have been just another First-Person Shooter instead proves itself to be one of the most fun times to be had on a home console this year. It isn’t the most innovate game on the block, but it is one of the most entertaining.

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.

Players who played through the original back in 2001 won't find much ado with the single player, since things have hardly changed at all, and the multiplayer component in Conker Live & Reloaded doesn't quite stand well enough on its own to warrant a purchase.

New scenes, sets, vehicles and costumes expand the boundaries of what creative minds can accomplish, and the breadth of this new content is very generous.

With a ton of side quests, the game easily takes 30+ hours to complete, and it stands as one of better choices for gamers interested in a new role-playing experience this time of year.

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.

The new first-touch control, the games biggest innovation for 2005 and the catalyst for this change in attacking emphasis, is brilliant. It’s logical, easy to use, works as it should, looks realistic and can blow a game wide open.

Blatant lack of innovation and anything particularly new.

The game is insanely addictive, but it will only truly appeal to those with a modicum of patience.

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.

This collection is possibly the most remarkable of its kind to come along. The sheer quality of titles, which range from classic shooters like "Legendary Wings," to notable action titles such as "Ghouls 'n Ghost" and "Commando," raises the benchmark - and consumer expectation - of what a collection such as this can bring to the table.

"Third Strike" is, arguably, the definitive 2D fighting game on the PS2.

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.

The lockdown stick is a terrific addition, and is a step in the right direction for future basketball games to include in making the defense more player-friendly. However, the slow tempo and the blurry graphics completely bring down the in-game experience, which are really the meat and potatoes of any sports game.

The humor level here is really high, though, and I got more genuine laughs from the cutscenes than from any other game or movie in recent memory. For that reason alone, Armed & Dangerous is absolutely worth playing.

Easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time.

The game has its flaws- some of the platforming areas are a pain in the neck- but Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is probably the best thing to happen to Kombat fans in the past five or six years. If you're a fan of the series, or even a fan of fighters in general, pick this one up.

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

A deep and imaginative addition that anyone addicted to the Sims 2 will want to pick up. If you're not in that category, this expansion offers very little to you.

They took the issues that were problematic from the first title and did away with them. More importantly, Mercury Meltdown breathes new life into a handheld machine that is beginning to look more and more like an asthmatic reaching for his Albuterol.

Basically the same as the first game, but with enough improvements to warrant a second outing.

It's even possible, with a little effort, to unlock everything here in the time span of a rental. While it is an elegant game, Lego Star Wars' simplicity is an unavoidable weak point and it would be negligent to recommend this game wholeheartedly to the average gamer.

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.

Republic Commando feels malnourished, lacking in the fundamentals of both first-person shooting and squad-based command, and it is crippled by its simplicity and tactical hand-holding.

What it all boils down to is a game worth playing if only to see how great the GBA can look and sound, but an average player shouldn't expect to get more than two or three long road trips worth of play out of this one.

The game play of this title is superb, if a bit difficult at times. It has a distinctive "Metal Gear" style of stealth action (indeed, you can even tap on walls ala Solid Snake and distract enemies) blended with fast paced hand-to-hand combat and some mildly amusing block puzzles.

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.

This is the best offering EA has created in many years. The gameplay isn’t perfect, but the addition of superstar moves makes it extremely entertaining.

One hell of a fighting game. So to answer the question, Mortal Kombat has definitely gone out with a bang – for now.

While it may not add much to the core game mechanics, the addition of varied and entertaining minigames make this a worthwhile purchase for fans of dance games such as DDR.

The gameplay here is a truly unique and realistic experience, seamlessly blending elements of adventure, stealth, and first-person shooter games into an intriguing and coherent package.

It's not the prettiest game on the console – in fact in some ways its downright ugly – but what it lacks in visual fidelity it makes up for in fun.

Entertaining, addictive, and hard to put down. Next thing you know I'll be watching the sugary sweet anime on Cartoon Network. Just don't tell anyone I know that you heard me say that.

Merely an average action platformer. There are some bright points, such as an abundance of moves, and some interesting levels, but this is overshadowed by bland presentation and disjoined gameplay.

The whole game plays faster than FIFA 2006, as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

Repetition, weak A.I., and a general unpolished fell keep this title from meeting the lofty goals one might place on a game based on such a great film.

A very good game, but a difficult one. Fans of the series will have no problem pummeling their way through the various settings, until they unlock the harder difficulties, but new or less skilled players may have a bit of trouble with it.

The whole game plays faster than FIFA 2006, as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

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.

With a better A.I., more realistic enemy spawn points, and improved presentation, Modern Combat is a welcome addition to the Xbox 360's library.

Despite the unnatural and unexplained control system, some graphical anomalies and downright terrible voice acting, True Crime: Streets of LA does manage to expand upon the open-ended style of Grand Theft Auto and others like it in some considerable ways. It’s a shame that the complex default control setup and strange camera behavior give such a negative first impression.

Fast paced, easy to play and addictive.

The game, while fully localized, is rich with Japanese iconography that gives it a decidedly Asian feel. The dog/watermelon/drum characters that dominate the on-screen activity are so bizarre that they cannot help but be endearing. The rest of the game's cast of characters is just as off-the-wall, and it is this offbeat cast that helps to further separate it from the competition.

The game is packed to the gills with content – the story mode only accounts for about half of the included features, and players would be hard-pressed to find much at fault with the game in terms of value.

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.

Once players start to acquire more and more interesting jobs, allowing a varied number of party customizations, the game begins to come into its own as yet another enjoyable, well-polished Final Fantasy title that any Nintendo DS RPG fan would be proud to own.

The new first-touch control, the games biggest innovation for 2005 and the catalyst for this change in attacking emphasis, is brilliant. It’s logical, easy to use, works as it should, looks realistic and can blow a game wide open.

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.

With a little more variation in the combat, and a few less chases, Ultimate Spider-Man could have been a fantastic game. As it is, this is a fun title that stands on the cusp of greatness, one step away from achieving something special.

Sometimes you just want to blow stuff up with extreme prejudice. It's for these occasions that Black was made.

The depth of the game encourages players to try all kinds of different playing styles. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that once you’ve beaten the game, you’ve pretty much seen everything there is to see, and the only incentive to go back would be besting a high score or attempting a higher difficulty.

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

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.

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.

Though quirky and enjoyable, slight hiccups in the game's challenge, physics and firearms system let this title down somewhat, although a varied raft of psychic powers and an accomplished narrative go some way towards compensating.

The creatures of The Suffering are abstract, bizarre, and downright grotesque, and there will be more than a few times where players will quietly curse at themselves for attempting to play the game in the dark.

The online play keeps the game fresh and the franchise mode, while obviously a far cry from those present in other more realistic baseball simulations, is still an admiral effort and a nice side order to an already delicious meal.

F-zero GP Legend, despite its awkward bumper car-style physics and shortcomings in AI difficulty, is an entertaining game for anyone looking for a portable racer.

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.

The only real problem is that the game can and does feel very restricted, almost claustrophobic in how it drags you along from area to area, and plot point to plot point. There is next to no sense of getting to explore on your own.

Diligent players should be able to blast through the entire game in around five hours, but there are plenty of secrets to watch out for.

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.

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

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.

The story is interesting, the dialog is hilarious, and the game is fun. NIS did their best to pull out the best elements of their previous games – those mechanics that people seemed to enjoy the most – and funnel them into this new game, while still exploring other novel ideas.

One of the best action games to come along in recent memory. It's unfortunate that the experience ends so quickly, but few games twice as long leave behind such a lasting impression as remains after completing this adventure in the Old West.

It does not tax the brain too much, and it is also a fairly short-lived ride. However, it manages to take the franchise, and deliver an experience that feels every bit as compelling as the source material.

One of the best action games to come along in recent memory. It’s unfortunate that the experience ends so quickly, but few games twice as long leave behind such a lasting impression as remains after completing this adventure in the Old West.

If you can get the multiplayer to work for you, or have friends in the room with you to play with, the game can really show its colors. Still, with the single player campaign only taking 8-10 hours to complete, this may be best played as a rental.

Budokai 3 will rev your engine if you're willing to forgive it for its colourful, crazy, and unserious premise.

Even so, the mini-games are excellent and really do provide a quick, painless focus for the mind.

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.

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.

For players who are in the market for a good single player and multiplayer game that is easy to pick up and play, this game is ideal.

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.