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.

Lack of a lock on system can make the game frustrating, and I did suffer from a couple connection dropouts that weren't on my end. Still, to anyone looking for a new MORPG to play with their friends, try this out.

This game is ideally suited for players looking to relive Samurai Warriors, or who are diving in for the first time. For anyone who got their fill of Samurai Warriors the first time around, there isn't enough here to warrant your attention.

While both versions are comparable in most respects, the slow down and horrendous load times between areas that are apparent in the Xbox version are what sets the PC incarnation a notch above its console brother.

Eventually even the most diehard series zealots are going to begin to ask themselves why they are still in the same place playing the same game they were playing nearly a decade ago. While the genre has grown, the series that helped to spearhead games of this type into the public eye has stayed disturbingly static.

The problematic A.I. in Red Dead Revolver is the game’s biggest disadvantage.

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.

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

The problem with The King of Fighters 2006 isn’t depth. The issue is that the fighting itself is stiff and uninteresting, and feels like an odd bastardization of 2D and 3D, resulting in a fighting game that is not quite sure where it belongs.

Series fans will find a lot to love in this title, which offers an attractive, immersive, and most importantly, fun excursion into the world of J.K. Rowling's imaginative works.

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.

EA has finally managed to make a boxing game about skill and strategy rather than the random flailings of our opposable digits. And it's fun too. Unfortunately the game feels wildly incomplete in its overall presentation with a very short list of features, poor music selection, boring levels and no Xbox online component.

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.

Besides a few ideas that are executed poorly, the gameplay is varied, making it a fun experience. But its biggest problem is amount of gameplay, which is limited.

As an RPG it is only slightly above average, though considering the anemic state of the Xbox platform in terms of this genre fans have little choice but to dive in and experience it for all that it is worth.

While not a horrible game; due to camera issues, a problematic story and dated graphics, Tenchu strikes in at average.

Technically a good game, but what prevents it from being a great one is its lack of legs. The sense of accomplishment one gets from conquering season after season loses a bit of its shine when confronted with the same eight tracks and the same stiff AI, creating a lack of real replay value if there isn’t a stable of friends to multi with.

Sempai Legends is likely to be the first of many games in this franchise, and in that context it is an excellent start. All the important aspects of the original game are here, and work well.

It does a lot of things right, good graphics, multiple play modes, originality and solid on-court action. The pro tour mode is fantastic despite its frustrations. It is refreshing to see some originality in a tennis title.

Packs a lot of value, and is certainly something every fan of the city building genre should look closely at. It looks good, and is mostly a real treat to sit down and play with. However, it's overall difficulty is low, and occasionally gameplay touches on the tedious.

While the combat is not as novel as it first seems, what really hurts the game is the occasional forced backtracking. If you liked the first Legend of Heroes, this is a no-brainer to pick up, but JRPG critics or gamers looking for a breath of fresh air should pass it by.

The problematic A.I. in Red Dead Revolver is the game’s biggest disadvantage.

The largest problem, however, is how repetitive the quests become after extended play.

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.

Series fans will find a lot to love in this title, which offers an attractive, immersive, and most importantly, fun excursion into the world of J.K. Rowling's imaginative works.

An adrenalized version of the original, taking what that game did well, and then pumping it up to the point of sensory overload. It moves faster, the levels are bigger, has more story, and the action is over-the-top to an almost unfathomable degree.

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.

While fun, Crisis Zone is definitely the weakest game in the series. Its fast, over-the-top presentation comes at the loss of the series’ precision gameplay.

Swinging the remote with such precision will give her a better idea of what the Wii is capable of than anything else on the market right now.

There is a learning curve involved in figuring out not only how to attune your attention to the game but also in how to shift this from play to play. However this learning curve is far steeper than in other DS titles.

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 is sort of sad when a game bests its nearest competition simply by virtue of the fact that the average player can stand to play it the whole way through without smashing it with a hammer, but that’s really the best way to sell Conflict: Vietnam. Sure it has awkward controls, occasionally unclear mission objectives, and obtuse friendly AI, but it all boils down to player satisfaction.

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.

Besides a few ideas that are executed poorly, the gameplay is varied, making it a fun experience. But its biggest problem is amount of gameplay, which is limited.

It’s not the type of gameplay that’s going to attract a large audience, and players turned off by the slow-paced nature of trading card games will not find anything to like here, but it is an exciting game despite these shortcomings.

First, no Xbox Live! support. A game based almost entirely upon the multiplayer experience should certainly utilize the tools available on a system like the Xbox.

It offers enough frantic fun for any fan of the genre, and there are enough modes to entice anyone from the novice to the seasoned veteran.

A very interesting demonstration of the DS's capabilities, but it is not exactly a worthy successor to the classic puzzle games of the past.

Monster House looks good and sounds good, and combined with THQ’s attention to the film, the game has atmosphere in spades. That’s the real selling point of the title.

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

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

Its impact is muted rather significantly by the age of the engine, but it still succeeds in being rather unlike anything else released this year.

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.

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.

Perfect for a younger crowd, as the difficulty and ambience seem to be particularly well suited for those in the 5-12 age bracket.

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.

Besides a few ideas that are executed poorly, the gameplay is varied, making it a fun experience. But its biggest problem is amount of gameplay, which is limited.

Fails to stand up to typical console RPGs in terms of story telling and game mechanics. It simply does not offer the complexity that console gamers would expect and hope for in an RPG title.

The most redeeming factor of the Shrek 2 game is the story and dialogue. The entire Shrek empire rests strongly on the shoulders of the Dreamwork’s writing staff and this game benefits greatly from their abilities.

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.

With three race varieties available, grand prix, time trial, and one on one boss races, and unlockable racers and paint jobs, Cars offers a fair bit of replay value.

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

If we've learned anything with time, it's that it is much better to be pleasantly surprised by a budget title than to be underwhelmed by a full-price title, and Cold War is a pleasant surprise indeed.

Even with that lack of depth there is a lot of amusement here, as the characters are bright and vibrant and the game is actually rather funny as it unfolds.

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.

Fans of the previous games will love it, as it's really a continuation of the same game play, and has all of the same characters. It's got some solid mechanics, it can be quite a bit of fun, but it's very linear, and it can get fairly tedious once you've made a little headway into it.

Series fans will find a lot to love in this title, which offers an attractive, immersive, and most importantly, fun excursion into the world of J.K. Rowling's imaginative works.

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.

Even with that lack of depth there is a lot of amusement here, as the characters are bright and vibrant and the game is actually rather funny as it unfolds.

If you are looking at getting this game but have a PS2 or DC already, go with those versions. But if you’ve only got an Xbox, then this version is probably worth getting.

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

DMC3, predominantly, is not difficult. It is an exercise in patience—in passing through agonising roadblocks to reach the border between frustration and fun, and the former wins out.

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 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.

The nunchuck-only method, which has players tilting the device left and right to move, seems odd, takes some time to get used to, and really just comes off as clunky and inaccurate. The nunchuck/remote combo works well mostly, but aiming with the analog stick can prove bothersome when the action gets heavy.

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.

The implementation of the microphone peripheral is a huge misstep, but a limited number of players may still manage to eke some enjoyment out of its inclusion.

It's definitely a neat little game, but there's nothing about it that demands an immediate purchase. It has no real replay value, and the trading/collecting aspect isn't compelling.

This is yet another sequel for the fans of the series that don't want anything more than a comfortable dip in the same old pool.

It's definitely a neat little game, but there's nothing about it that demands an immediate purchase. It has no real replay value, and the trading/collecting aspect isn't compelling.

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.

Profoundly average. There's nothing really to dislike about it, but you've seen these gameplay mechanics so many times before the game boils down to going through the motions and seeing Animaniacs cameos.

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

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

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.

Provides one of the best Vietnam experiences. As a war game, however, it simply does not measure up to other offerings on the market today.

It seems likely the world will see more of DJ, and gamers should look forward to it; but maybe next time the movie should come out before the game.

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.

It is a marked improvement to the formula, but gamers turned off by the slow pace or average execution are encouraged to look elsewhere.

It is a marked improvement to the formula, but gamers turned off by the slow pace or average execution are encouraged to look elsewhere.

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.

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.

The mechanics are unique yet not so obscure that they alienate those players who are unfamiliar with the genre.

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

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.

There really isn't much in the way of replay value once the game is beaten, as players will see most everything the first time through, and spikes in frustration due to the technology – not game design – will keep most from wanting to make a return visit.

A decent, customizable racer that takes it to the streets.

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

It’s the type of game that begs to played in short intervals, as a lack of gameplay variety causes the game to wear out its welcome rather quickly.

The driving missions are decent but frustrating, as it is sometimes difficult to know where the game wants you to go without a map.

The single player campaign, while enjoyable for what it is, pales substantially to its online multiplayer counterpart.

Just mindless combat that amounts to little more pressing the attack buttons over and over from beginning to end.

Fans of the series should be able to jump right in and enjoy it. However, without a true tutorial for assistance, potential players will have a tough time getting used to the game.

Aurally Cold Fear truly excels in many areas. The sound effects fit the atmosphere perfectly, and the industrial soundtrack couldn't be better presented.

Determining the lay of the green is near impossible without the slope grid (with is brought up with the white button), and even then, the grid is a square, it doesn't cover the entire green, and is difficult to read.

What is there is well-done and highly enjoyable, just wish there was more of it. It's a good break for those getting tired of destruction and looking for fun, but not a "must-have" title except for the very hardcore DOA fans.

The game is limited to two players, maximum, and that's a crying shame.

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.