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.

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.

A fun, challenging, and addictive game. The levels are short, and easily digestible, making this the perfect game to pick up and play for a few minutes on the go, while this very nature makes it difficult to put down.

New songs, new dancers, new videos- basically more of what makes us treat each new DDR game like a badly needed heroin fix.

The expansion only changes the game on a strictly superficial level, although it does this extremely well.

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.

And while the difficulty will turn away those who either don't have the time to invest in learning how to pilot an aircraft properly or were simply looking for an arcade-style flight-sim, it shouldn't turn away many and the learning curve, while extremely steep, is also very short.

A faithful take on the original comic by Jeff Smith, and showcases the art, wit and humor wonderfully. It also provides a reasonable degree of difficulty to the adventure gaming uninitiated, and graphics that are more than easy enough to look at without pushing your system to the limits.

The game is unique, intelligent, attractive, and altogether well-designed. Above all, though, the game is fun.

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.

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.

It's not going to satisfy if you're in the market for another "Golden Sun" game or a new "Tactics Ogre" game. Despite the screen shots, it is not a tactical RPG, and it breaks a number of genre conventions associated with traditional RPGs. It could be argued, however, that this is the best reason to buy Riviera, as it certainly allows for a very interesting and unique experience with an emphasis on strategy and a wonderful story.

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

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.

This one’s for the hardcore only. Those who already own FIFA 2004 and are happy with it, or are only casual soccer fans, shouldn’t waste their time because you’ll notice little different between the two titles.

With the exception of the very first level (the Battle of Stalingrad) you hardly get the sense of urgency that you should feel while playing this game.

There are enough things that feel distracting to keep this from becoming a classic game, but a strong enough foundation of gameplay and direction to make it a worthy addition to the console library.

While "Samba De Amigo" (the most similar thing to it) had graphical and stylistic touches that kept the gamer going, Donkey Konga feels languid, and lazy. While at first it is fun, you will find that any long experimentation with it will lead to boredom, or tears. Or both.

Shadow Hearts has proven itself to be one of the most rewarding and polished series of RPGs in years, if not ever. In this vein, From the New World continues this tradition, with entertaining characters, a lengthy quest, a healthy does of character-specific side-missions, wonderful dialog, and more than a few chuckles along the way.

The game is non-stop action, with smooth, screen filling sprites, lots of color, expressive and often very funny animation and lots of challenge.

Though certainly not without its flaws, the most problematic of which being the somewhat mismanaged combat system, this is nonetheless a terrific game that delivers a fun quest, stellar presentation, and an added incentive to revisit the game after it has been completed.

Though some of its design is questionable, the game is still one of the best Star Fox branded titles in years. The varied and branching single player campaign will keep you glued to your Nintendo DS for multiple playthroughs.

While it happens to have an deceptively inconspicuous title, the same cannot be said for the experience it provides.

Everything about the game's gameplay is entertaining.

While it delivers much of the same experiences as before it is its refusal to evolve past its original makeup that proves to be its biggest hurdle.

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.

Players looking for a true Lemmings sequel may be let down by the PSP version, which offers little more than a port of the original, although it does boast improved graphics, 3D rendering, and a few new levels created just for the PSP.

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.

The game is very short, extremely linear and somewhat repetitive. However, none of these faults really hurt the game's appeal. Its presentation is top-notch, and the humor, visuals and characters really help to sell the experience.

It is incredibly easy to screw up and get killed in this game, which sometimes forces you to repeat lengthy and difficult sections of each level. Thankfully, there are mid-stage save points that allow you to restart there instead of at the beginning of the level.

If you’ve liked any Mega Man game ever, Mega Man ZX is a must buy.

The chief problem with Battalion Wars is the AI, or more specifically the lack thereof. Units will do exactly what they are told, to a fault, oftentimes standing firm and getting peppered with enemy fire instead of moving to safer ground.

The game is fast and fun, and while far from annoyance free, it is the best sports title to star Nintendo's familiar mascots to come along in a good long while, if not ever.

The developers at Namco didn't quite have a grasp on how to marry Mario-esque simplicity with a game that can survive under heavy play.

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.

This one’s for the hardcore only. Those who already own FIFA 2004 and are happy with it, or are only casual soccer fans, shouldn’t waste their time because you’ll notice little different between the two titles.

This is a simple game about simple fun, and everyone owes it to themselves to try it out to get a taste for what the Wii may in fact have in store for us all very soon.

A fun title that stands on the cusp of greatness, one step away from achieving something special.

It’s definitely better than most of the role-playing games out right now, but due to the Suikoden V’s quirky nature, I’d recommend trying one of the previous installments before picking this one up.

The only real reason to actually buy the game other than if you are a "King of Fighters" fan is to get the Xbox Live play out of it, which brings the competitiveness of the arcade to your home.

Of course, no amount of polish can change the fact that this is still a Pokémon game, and it carries the same flaws consistent to the series. It's certainly a respectable time sink, but-despite the evolutions to the core gameplay-it continues to offer extremely little to win over holdouts. However, it is an ideal starting point for new initiates to the Pokémon franchise.

If you want to spend hours twiddling with option screens and menus, there's Gran Turismo. But if you want some of the best get-up-and-go vehicular carnage since "Twisted Metal" and "Burnout," Jak X: Combat Racing is the most adrenaline-pumping racer you can find on the PS2.

Nothing here will leave a strong impression one way or the other, and perhaps that in and of itself is a negative.

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.

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.

Sporting some exceedingly sharp sharp, audio that will leave a player with beads of sweat on their brow, a story that could make their head feel as if it might explode (yet is still enjoyable to watch unfold), and solid frantic shooting mixed with duck and hide combat tactics all blend together to create one fantastic gaming experience.

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.

So is it worth your 50 Messetas? If you like shooters, or are a collector of Atlus titles, I’d have to give a resounding yes. For anyone else, I’d call this one a renter. It’s easily completed in a weekend.

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 developers clearly have a lot of passion of the material this game immerses players in, and even if you don’t go ga-ga for cannons and grog you can’t help but feel that affection come through the game play experience.

It really would have stood on its own without constructing and elaborate void of an overworld, and it seems like a shame that Rare spent so much effort on such a meaningless frame on which to hang an intriguing game play experience.

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

There's fun to be had, and those looking for yet another racing game have an option in what EA has put together here, just don't expect to be floored by what is essentially just a rehashing of ideas we've all seen before.

With better visuals, more side quests, and an enthralling story, Baten Kaitos Origins will keep most role-playing enthusiasts glued to their controllers until the very end.

There are enough things that feel distracting to keep this from becoming a classic game, but a strong enough foundation of gameplay and direction to make it a worthy addition to the console library.

Naruto is an unapologetic button masher, but its single-minded combat is a perfect compliment to the game’s always comical, sometimes hilarious wit.

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

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.

Minor issues aside, if you don’t mind a short play time and you enjoyed the first, the expansion should subdue your craving until a true sequel is released.

Ultramix 3 adds some new content in the way of new gameplay modes, but none of the modes are really any better than vanilla DDR-which means there's really no added value.

Should be one of the best racing games available, yet on the xBox it just comes off as slow and clunky.

Possesses one of most engaging stories to grace an action title since "Metal Gear Solid."

It is short, yes, but it is priced low to match. It is even more stylish than the original campaign and engages your attention much better than the original game. Compared to other games in the genre, this is a real treat.

For what it does right, the game can’t seem to keep from dropping the ball. Combat is a key component in many RTS titles, and here the whole concept just falls flat.

While the game banks on the same fun, though admittedly repetitive gameplay for the entirety of the experience, the key word is fun, and with more than enough style with which to coat the experience, Pursuit Force should make any action junkie on the go very satisfied.

SiN Emergence is a decent game. It's just uninspired, relying too much on the technology upon which it is built, and as such brings little new to the table.

A decent game, but it is best described as an interesting diversion that serves as a showcase of things to come for the new console. Unfortunately players will have to decide if they want to drop down the money for an experience that, while unique, is over far too quickly.

The amount of intricate detail found on the planes is astounding, as the developers obviously put a lot of time and effort into making the aircraft as realistic as possible.

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.

Lastly, and most disappointing, there is no co-op mode. There is a link mode, which allows you to trade character data and techniques, but there is no two-player mode to speak of at all. This is very disheartening.

While the game is difficult during parts, there was many times when enemy AI would do nothing.

Mercury has tons of potential, but it doesn't realize much of it. A sequel that added an autosave feature, perfected the puzzle designs and smoothed out the uneven difficulty would be an utter blast.

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.

While many adherents of The Sims franchise will lament changes to the Story mode, The Sims 2 for the console market is a seriously strong entry in the series. It simply doesn't get better than this when it comes to playing god from a La-Z-boy.

While many adherents of The Sims franchise will lament changes to the Story mode, The Sims 2 for the console market is a seriously strong entry in the series. It simply doesn't get better than this when it comes to playing god from a La-Z-boy.

An excellent title and is one that everybody should try out – provided they have access to the Xbox version. It's a wonderful and unique experience that really shows a lot of polish.

It’s fast, attractive and fun, and only a few shortcomings mar its presentation. The poor integration of the vehicular aspect of the license is the biggest disappointment, but sluggish controls and a weak story are also valid, if minor, gripes.

With its accurate presentation of World War II, and difficult game play, Burning Horizon is a game that only the most skilled strategists will get the most out of.

The experience is analogous to an elaborate board game in which the board and architecture change from mission to mission—much like Hero's Quest (fantasy setting notwithstanding). It may not be a typical Metal Gear title, but it is a very robust game and it is worth a look for those yearning for something different.

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.

An experience that you can truly get lost within. In truth, numerous pages could be written on the intricacies of what make this such a wonderful title, but that still would not get the sense of wonder across, or do the game its true justice.

An above-average adventure game with some very well done elements, but it’s nothing revolutionary, either. If you want the best this genre can offer, go out and buy "Syberia 1 & 2" instead of Still Life.

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.

The thing Myst IV does so well, just like its predecessors, is completely pull you into the game world such that you are only dimly aware that you are sitting on your couch at 4 a.m. in "real world" hours.

It reminds us all of the magic Nintendo can cast when it comes to 2D platforming, and whether you are a seasoned player breezing through the game, or a newcomer just getting your goomba-stomping legs, this is an instant classic that is sure to impress.

It features a deep storyline with a few memorable characters set amidst a lengthy and challenging adventure. Still, the game is hampered by an inconsistent AI, and difficulty that can, at times, render the game more frustrating than fun.

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

For anyone who hears the name Abobo and is instantly harkened back to a simpler, better time, Double Dragon Advance is a must buy.

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 it's job incredibly well, creating a hard core totally realistic flight sim that puts the player in full and total control of everything. Perfect for a flight sim enthusiast, or someone who wants to become a pilot. However, the game losses a point for having such a difficult learning curve due to an over-abundant number of options and controls, and the lack of a nice training mode to get players accustomed with the game.

Everything about Missing: Since January drips atmosphere and everything contained within the game plays a role in driving the atmosphere home for the player.

The mechanics are solid, and while not as deep as Lumines - Mizuguchi’s previous PSP outing – the game is easy to learn, difficult to master, and best playable for short periods of time.

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 gameplay found in Zoo Keeper is both simplistic and addictive.

Add in the co-op mode, and it comes down to the fact that if you've ever liked any first-person shooter, you should pick up Serious Sam II.

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.

Beyond the P.E.C. mode and faster gameplay, not a whole lot has changed since Black Arrow, which disappoints even the most meager expectations for change.

While the world, characters and dialog are all of top quality, the game's story never manages to be compelling.