Fans of the genre will find a lot to like, but if you want an edge-of-your-seat arcade experience, Blazing Angels will inevitably disappoint. However, for those who simply want to shoot planes out of the sky, especially online, Angels has all of the ingredients for a good time.

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.

The 4½ hours I spent on Ghoulies (yes, I played through the entire game), I’m starting to wonder if the Rare I truly loved is gone for good.

Fans of the show and the associated card game will surely enjoy Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller, but everybody else is bound to confused by the game’s steep learning curve and lackluster presentation.

Like any other sports title, NASCAR 07 isn’t going to make converts of the uninitiated, but it’s a remarkably immersive game experience for the stock car racing faithful, and that lands NASCAR 07 for the PSP on victory lane and not pit row.

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.

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.

Ace in Action fails to be fun, a tragedy considering how attractive it looks. The game is nothing more than a trite shooter attempting to cash in on the Chicken Little franchise, with a control scheme is just too bothersome for this to be a recommended purchase to anyone.

While it features a deep involving story alongside some incredible art direction, the fact that the game is just so tedious to play kills the experience before it even gets a chance to begin.

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

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.

Feels more like doing chores than saving a world. Combat is both clunky and unengaging, and hearing the story just isn't worth trudging through the slow gameplay.

It's frustrating, to say the least, when fights are often won by whichever player was able to mash the attack buttons the fastest during a power struggle, or when a powerful attack misses because the opponent randomly guessed the proper escape button.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game's presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

This brings me to my main complaint about the game: the ridiculous level of difficulty. Even on easy mode, the CPU will trounce you, and there's almost nothing you can do about it. This is due, in part, to the highly aggressive AI, but it's mostly the game's weak interface and awkward gameplay mechanics that hinder you.

It lacks multiplayer, so long-term playability is questionable, but with 60 missions, 130+ planes, and an interesting story to work through, you’ll be spending a good, long, time with this game.

Offers a decent gameplay experience as an action title, but doesn't live up to the Contra name. It's short, easy, and far too sparse on epic boss fights.

As a role-playing game, Children of Mana comes up aces, with an intriguing story and characters that you'll recall long after the game is shelved. Sadly however, this game counts itself among the popular action segment of the role-playing genre, and it is in that addendum that it falls short.

Unfortunately, while all of this was very exciting 5 years ago, it just hasn't evolved since then.

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.

Budokai’s forte is in it’s presentation – it manages to keep practically every bit of flavor that makes the Dragon Ball Z so popular.

There are times when the frame rate staggers at an almost sickening pace. Couple this with a camera that moves like it’s suspended on a strand of stringy taffy, and you can quickly see why this game is so hard to look at, let alone play.

An average adventure game, plagued with some awful bugs.

Many will tire of the repetitive game play involved in the single player modes long before unlocking all the secrets. And without friends to play with, there's a lot of content missing.

Another problem is the game's terrible collision detection and absurd recovery times after throwing a punch or ducking to avoid a blow.

It may not inspire players to sing praises of its innovation or unparalleled gameplay, but it is nonetheless an entertaining foray into the world of monster collection.

If I were in EA management, I’d bash some heads to try and get the console branch of this franchise back on track, because frankly, it’s headed the way of the USS Arizona.

Not only does it accurately reproduce the movie experience, but it also matches it without missing a beat.

If you’re a fan of the genre, it's possible that you’ll have a good time with this title, but you'll still have to overlook some significant flaws. By contrast, if you’re looking for an entry point into the hack-and-slash genre, it’s hard to recommend such a below average formulaic adventure.

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

Delivers in terms of pure excitement and plain and simple fun. The game packs in more than enough challenge to keep even the seasoned RTS veterans gritting their teeth, while the online component is sure to keep most any player giddy.

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

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game's presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

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

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.

It’s a solid package with tons of content, and it is very successful at giving players lots of options for playing poker.

The game is fun. Frustrating at times, absolutely, but for a budget-priced title, players can't really go wrong with Crash 'N' Burn.

Though the game does have its quirks, both in its interface and the overall congruity of its various gameplay elements, it is overall a very tight game and offers gamers of any age an enjoyable experience.

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.

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.

This game just sullies the name of Fallout, and cheapens it.

As a game it is well below the current bar that has been set by other titles in the stealth action genre, and even casual gamers will most likely be bored to tears with Sydney Bristow's exploits.

It won’t win any awards for the way it looks, plays or sounds. But, the devil really is in the details this time. A lot of work went into crafting a game that is considerably different in style than anything else on the market, even if the gameplay itself is stale.

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

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.

An interesting idea, yes, but perhaps more interesting in its failures rather than its much-too-rare highlights.

It’s too fast with not enough panache behind it to make it worthy of your time, compared to the now cheap "Soul Calibur 2." It has nothing that you cannot find elsewhere, and done better.

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

Feels more like an elaborate tech demo for HD televisions than it does a complete gameplay experience. Lacking all the gameplay modes and tweaks that one would expect from a yearly release, this version of the game is incomplete.

As a game it is well below the current bar that has been set by other titles in the stealth action genre, and even casual gamers will most likely be bored to tears with Sydney Bristow's exploits.

NFL head Coach is obviously targeted toward a very niche group of extreme football enthusiasts, but the game, such as it is, has been made into such a laborious, oftentimes arduous affair that even the target audience is likely to be turned away.

Visually it fails to impress, and often it comes off as embarrassing, especially when it is being played on a console that we all know is capable of so much more. As I have said earlier, this game is dated, and it appears as if the developers have put little effort in giving this game the facelift it so sorely needs to stand toe to toe with the rest of today's Xbox offerings.

The action is too slow, the camera is poorly implemented, the gameplay is repetitive, and the story is clichéd. The only redeeming qualities are nifty “manga” shaded graphics and an interesting combo-learning system.

Batman Begins doesn't have a genuine bone in its body.

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.

Basic reading ability is required-which is a bit disappointing, as voice actors would have made this a slam dunk for children too young to read-but it's an otherwise simple and straightforward title that should provide hours of enjoyment for the adolescent set.

A disappointment on all ends. Failed potential seeps from every area, and as the game drags on, the realization that it doesn't get any better starts to sink in.

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

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.

Stripped of its license, Avatar would be easily dismissed as yet another run of the mill hack-and-slash action RPG, but given the game's at least competent portrayal of the series, this is certainly a game that fans of the television show could enjoy, gripes notwithstanding.

While there is a lot to enjoy about the game, the lower production values, simple gameplay, and campy story will put off people looking for a gripping adventure.

While considerably longer than the PC game of the same name, it is really not a lot of fun to play, whereas that game made me laugh out loud a handful of times.

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.

Given a more robust fighting engine with more variety, coupled with visuals that didn’t make you want to turn away, this could have been a breakthrough game for the PSP. What it is instead is merely passable.

The limited interaction with the environment gets to be frustrating. Glass windows crack and crumble magnificently, but not always. Bodies fall into walls and disappear. Saving is unreliable.

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.

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.

Nothing can save Pac-Man World 3 from feeling simply average, and that extends to the game’s presentation as well. This is not helped by some crippling technical issues, which are highlighted by an unmanageable and nearly-broken camera.

It may not inspire players to sing praises of its innovation or unparalleled gameplay, but it is nonetheless an entertaining foray into the world of monster collection.

Those who have played the games up to now and are somehow not burnt out on the gameplay could have some fun with what Capcom has put together here.

It can be really hard at times, but this difficult really does add to the atmosphere in this game, almost to the point where you will feel the flames licking at you.

At a mere twenty dollars, the game may just be worth the frustrating elements and rather awkward beginnings just to get to the juicy core of the game. And with a bevy of features, the game does offer quite a lot for its price.

Bottom line, one can conceivably see a platform on which Fantastic 4 is a solid 3D beat-‘em-up, but the PC is not it. Players who feel they must spend their hard-earned gaming dollars on a Fantastic 4 game are urged to get a console version, not the PC’s rushed-together heap.

The game is mindless, shooting mayhem that is extremely evocative of sprite based shooting games of yesteryear.

Curse: The Eye of Isis does do an admiral job of pulling off drama, thanks in part to a very well done camera. Much like the camera systems in "Alone in the Dark" and "Resident Evil," Curse utilizes a fixed placement camera that captures the action from just the right angle in each location.

A solid and extensive compilation, though not without flaws and not without competition.

Sure, it's a bit slow compared to Mario Kart, and yes the lion's share of the tracks are fairly forgettable, but the potential is there. However, there is just so much extra flotsam that the game forces you to navigate through to get at even the marginally fun bits that it hardly seems worth it.

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.

Far from perfect and a mere shadow of its potential, Drakengard gives players only fleeting glimpses of brilliance and these are spread far to thin for this game to carry with it any real merit.

At no more than 7 hours from start to finish, I’m sure most players can spare an evening.

If you’re as attracted to the prospect of a Western shooter as I was, don’t let the ho-hum score detract you. Just don’t come crying to me when you’ve beaten it in a weekend, can’t stand the multiplayer, and have since found other uses for that $40.

Given everything the game has going for it, the thing that makes the meat of any racing game - the races - are a huge letdown.

Not only did EA fail to put in any significant new features; not only did they serve up a plate of castrated game features; not only has the core gameplay taken several measurable steps backwards for the genre, but the graphics, conceivably the most basic measure of the game’s prospective success, are not only unimpressive, but buggy, distorted, and ugly. Color me shocked.

A repetitive game that is bound to bore a large majority of gamers after just a short time of playing. It reeks of old school gaming, but not in a good way, and in an age where innovation and longevity are all that keeps a game from falling into the bottomless pit of obscurity, Crimson Tears already seems doomed.

A pleasant surprise. Whilst not without it’s flaws, (some features, or lack thereof, give away the game’s obviously low production values) Wings provides a decent-looking arcade flight sim which, if sampled for small periods at regular intervals, can actually prove very enjoyable.

It's painfully obvious Monster House was a cheap, easy cash-in attempt on the movie, and while other platforms might not fare so poorly, buying Monster House for the Nintendo DS can't be seen as anything other than a mistake.

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

One gets the feeling that the developers couldn't come to a decision as to which particular aspect should carry the most weight, be it pinball or strategy, and in the end Odama ends up feeling like a game without focus. The game can also be punishingly difficult

With a decent story, interesting play mechanics, and a novel link/rescue system, it’s hard not to recommend this title for DS owners looking for a good RPG fix, especially since it’s got considerable longevity as well.

With "Brain Age" on the market already, which offers not only a large selection of puzzles, but also more variety of compelling content, there simply is nothing that makes Sudoku Gridmaster stand out as a worthwhile purchase.

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.

And that is perhaps this game's only saving grace: it is one damn fine looking game. Both arenas and the ladies are visualized exceptionally well.

The slow pace, even at heightened settings, is horribly boring. The graphical issues make things even worse, especially for owners of newer video cards.

The quick changing of gameplay and many minigames should be highly entertaining for a young kid, and the simple puzzles are easy to complete, though the controls can be frustrating. But if you're looking for a quality platformer or puzzler, look elsewhere.

There are enough bells and whistles to make Alter Echo appeal to some, such as the title’s unique combo system that serves to make combat quite entertaining. Sadly, however, the game is far too short to be considered anything other than a weekend rental.

The four-player game is impossible to enjoy, and in this genre, that may be the most important aspect of all.

Those who have played the games up to now and are somehow not burnt out on the gameplay could have some fun with what Capcom has put together here. Newcomers, on the other hand, might be better advised to pick up one of the earlier titles rather than jump into this newer release at full price.