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.

A fairly simplistic game, an hour or even less spent with DDRMax2 will make even the most jaded gamer realize its charm. Even if it is not your cup of tea, I suggest you give it a try at least once.

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.

The addition of expansion sets raises the total card count to over 300, but it is the small improvements that bring life to the game and make it more worth playing.

There is a tremendous community established that is very helpful for the most part, and nothing quite surpasses the feeling of adventuring with friends throughout a world as vast as the one Square-Enix has put together here.

NFL aficionados can find a lot to love here as well because, while this is definitely an arcade-style game, there’s a bit of strategy involved in picking plays, improving your team and setting players at each position based on their skills.

University demands a lot from the player to achieve success.

Another facet of this title that makes it something of a catalyst for online euphoria is the ability to create your own modules through which you can play by yourself, as well as others.

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.

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.

A game that could so easily have been one of the greats, with its sense of beauty, scale and innovation helping it stand out from the platforming crowd. Unfortunately, it is also let down by restrictive level design and some missions which waste the advancements made by Raman's control system, which result in many dull and monotonous moments.

Touchy controls and a story mode that is over almost before it begins are the most glaring oversights to this game. However, the realistic AI, wonderfully stylish presentation, and overall fun to be had with R: Racing more than make up for any shortcomings.

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

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

While the "Power Stone"-esque gameplay would probably appeal to most people, an overwhelming portion of the experience seems to require at least a passing interest in the anime. Still, it’s a great package for what it is and I genuinely enjoyed my time with it.

The issue here perhaps that the SSX franchise was not yet ready for another sequel, and EA's attempt to further cash in on their past success has resulted in a game that is inferior to its predecessors.

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.

The music is pretty cheesy, but the sound effects are spot on perfect. From the radio chatter to the roar of the engines, the audio in Lethal Skies II is a rich tapestry of eardrum nirvana.

Fans of the first game have been clamoring for a duet mode, and – in spite of the great song list – a lot of stones are left unturned in the audio department.

If you like side scrolling shooters and are not put off by a little (read: lot of) hard work, this game is not to be missed. It looks good, sounds good, it plays good, and can be downloaded right this very second for an extraordinarily reasonable amount.

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.

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

As entertaining as the single-player portion of Big Brain Academy is, this budget title really shines in the multiplayer experience. Up to eight players can take part in a single-card multiplayer session, and the game selection mechanic is pure, unadulterated genius.

Players who were not bowled over by "Deadly Alliance" will probably find little here that will tip the scales. On the other hand, for those who loved the last game, Deception feels like an expansion pack to an experience that they already enjoy.

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.

If you are indeed intrigued then it's that sense of inquisitiveness that will, at the end of the day, carry you right through the slightly slapdash puzzles, past the occasionally repetitive combat, right through the final cutscene and, if you're anything like me, onto endless debate about the game's ending.

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 game pulls together quite nicely, but a bit more polish-such as additional work with the AI-would have propelled the game past above-average status into excellence.

Jaleco has brought a quality RTS title home, and the world may never look at these games as best suited for PCs again.

Touchy controls and a story mode that is over almost before it begins are the most glaring oversights to this game. However, the realistic AI, wonderfully stylish presentation, and overall fun to be had with R: Racing more than make up for any shortcomings.

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.

Golden Sun has a ton of potential, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Rogue Trooper has some brilliance behind it. The game is exciting, fun to play, and it encourages multiple ways of taking out your enemies.

The game controls are extremely tight.

A game that will delight casual and hardcore fans of hockey alike.

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.

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

The first time I hit the nitrous on the incline of a culvert and launched an El Camino over a short one-story building to win a race, I thought this was a great racing game. But, three hours later when I jumped a motorcycle over a six-lane expressway after popping a wheelie up the extended arm of a utility truck, I knew this game was pure gold.

Players who were not bowled over by "Deadly Alliance" will probably find little here that will tip the scales. On the other hand, for those who loved the last game, Deception feels like an expansion pack to an experience that they already enjoy.

The focus on realism obviously isn't for everyone, but the lengthy career mode coupled with the satisfying Xbox Live support, make for an overall great experience.

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 is fun, plain and simple. Any fan of racing games should give this one a try, at least as a rental. I promise a worthwhile experience.

It's easily the best tennis game ever produced, but it's marred by lack of long-term playability in single player mode, terrible load times, the lack of mixed matches and the ability to play doubles over XBL without having a second player sitting next to you.

While the "Power Stone"-esque gameplay would probably appeal to most people, an overwhelming portion of the experience seems to require at least a passing interest in the anime. Still, it's a great package for what it is and I genuinely enjoyed my time with it.

The storyline and backgrounds for the characters are very deep for a fighting game, which is an advantage of the small roster.

The only real problems are that the game is rather short and it can get really repetitive, as simply mowing down hordes of enemies for hours can start to bore. But it’s still a worthwhile way to spend your cash. I'm serious.

For twenty bucks this is a pretty great game, especially if you’re big into rally racing.

The issue here perhaps that the SSX franchise was not yet ready for another sequel, and EA's attempt to further cash in on their past success has resulted in a game that is inferior to its predecessors.

Players who enjoy the lore surrounding the Marvel Universe, as well as those who are looking for something different in terms of beating others into submission should definitely give this game a look.

There is enough difficulty, some intentional, some inherent to poor design, that will keep many players engaged until the end, but again, once it is over, Pac-Pix is likely to be shelved in favor of something more fun, and longer lasting - such as pizza.

In the end, how you receive this game will depend largely on how much weight you put on the X-Men franchise, because without it, Legends would be a very average brawler at best, and an overwrought, slightly clumsy bore at worst.

In the end, how you receive this game will depend largely on how much weight you put on the X-Men franchise, because without it, Legends would be a very average brawler at best, and an overwrought, slightly clumsy bore at worst.

In the end, how you receive this game will depend largely on how much weight you put on the X-Men franchise, because without it, Legends would be a very average brawler at best, and an overwrought, slightly clumsy bore at worst.

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.

After several years of completely mediocre showings, this is the first time the developers have produced something truly worth playing.

This is a tale of two definitely enjoyable but average games melded in a compelling, yet innovative manner. It comes with a reasonably interesting plot, moderate replay value with its four endings and bonuses on replays.

This is a game that will definitely appeal to those players who are already fans of the source material, or who simply enjoy playing with giant robots, as these players will be more likely to overlook the game's shortcomings and appreciate its potential.

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 use of physics brings a genuine uniqueness to the title, but it ends up feeling more like a gimmick than anything else. Without these physics, FlatOut would fail on all fronts to be memorable. With them, it only succeeds in being only slightly above average.

It's not the best FPS ever made, but it is one of the more action-packed and genuinely interesting titles to come out in recent memory.

It is different - no doubt about that - but rest assured months from now people will still be talking about that game that turned convention on its ear and showed that there are still some ideas left untapped. It's just too bad there isn't more of a game here of which to speak.

With only 10 maps, a lackluster new game mode, and the only interesting modification being the infantry system, it’s hard to justify the $50 dollar price tag. But if players enjoy futuristic large scale battles and they’re already a fan of the series, then 2142 is obviously their best option.

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.

It's disappointing that the developers have resorted to stuffing the series with such stupidity in order to fulfill popular culture's obsession with morons, but if you're willing to ignore this shortcoming, THUG 2 can be a lot of fun.

A good game. It does have several flaws that hopefully will be fixed up for any future installments in the series, but none truly distract from the game's deep and memorable story.

A few bosses, a few graphical tricks, and the game is over in about 2-3 hours.

It does everything it sets out to do very well, but it’s not very compelling beyond the obvious nostalgia value.

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.

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.

The use of physics brings a genuine uniqueness to the title, but it ends up feeling more like a gimmick than anything else. Without these physics, FlatOut would fail on all fronts to be memorable.

The most notable addition over the first outing is the aforementioned Mission Mode, though since it does not become available until completing the game once, many players are likely to throw in the towl long before even seeing this new content. Some might call it a feature, but it seems more like punishment.

A relatively short-lived experience lasting only ten or so hours, this is a game that, in typical Rare fashion, positions the entirety of its gameplay upon a single gimmick that, sadly, fails to carry to experience on its own. Kameo is a good game, but it reeks of missed potential.

There are still some minor control issues, and the game is still incredibly inconsistent in terms of visual acuity, but in spite of this Red Steel is still an unquestionably fun game to play.

The puzzles may not be very compelling once the initial stages are completed (i.e., once the developer’s design and logic tendencies are identified), but there are a handful of levels here that are genuinely brain-bending and rewarding.

In all, Daemonica is a stylish game which falls short in only two ways: length and difficulty.

Though hardcore 4X fans might stay away due to the game's melting-pot depth, DarkStar One is a fun career-oriented romp that deceptively allows for a lot of personal freedom in play style in a style similar to Privateer that not many games have been able to recapture.

Infected isn’t a game for everyone. For zombie fans and road warriors looking for three-minute bursts of intense action, it is an easy choice.

A good game. It does have several flaws that hopefully will be fixed up for any future installments in the series, but none truly distract from the game's deep and memorable story.

The voice acting is wooden, save points can be infrequent, and while load times themselves aren’t overly long, the game accesses the disc pretty frequently.

It’s not the best FPS ever made, but it is one of the more action-packed and genuinely interesting titles to come out in recent memory.

A good game. It does have several flaws that hopefully will be fixed up for any future installments in the series, but none truly distract from the game's deep and memorable story.

Earth 2160 is competent, and while it doesn’t break much new ground, it is nonetheless a decent game.

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.

Unfortunately, once players have spent much time learning to play the game, it reveals itself to be critically limited in content—there really isn’t much to it.

It brings the phenomenon to the GameCube, and while far from being the best the DDR the series has to offer, in the final analysis it could have been much worse.

Parents of these children will also enjoy this game--I laughed out loud more than once--but any experienced gamer will find it a transient challenge that is over much too quickly.

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

A game tailored for strategy gaming zealots that suffers from a few shortcomings and limited appeal.

Whether or not a player will like this game depends primarily on how they take to the humor, which is offbeat and playful, as well as his or her willingness to look beyond the game's lack of cohesive story.

It does what it sets out to do very well, without truly breaking any new or significant ground.

Its engaging mixture of game types and interesting graphics combine to create a fun ride, but one that is sadly over too soon.

As a member of a series that takes a treasured place in the pantheon of gaming greatness, it is a lackluster effort, more concerned with watering down the game's strengths to make it more palatable for the masses than in delivering more of what made its predecessor great.

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

The game offers enough deep gameplay to keep racing enthusiasts happy, but the problem is it's generally the exact same experience that was offered a year ago.

While Blinx 2 is nothing new, and definitely not brilliant, it is something that may be worth a rental for a few hours' worth of fun, if only to watch some of the FMVs and chuckle at the cats and their vacuum cleaners.

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.

Its combat has potential, it’s built upon a solid engine and the game has some exciting moments towards the end, but the experience just isn’t fulfilling and the game is far too simple.

The stages are challenging, the bosses are interesting, though a bit predictable, and the game is just about classic platforming fun.