It’s the kind of game that can be played indefinitely and a player’s performance will continually improve. The tasks ahead look daunting at first, but the depth of the game quickly becomes a player’s best friend as each new play session introduces new surprises.

In the end, Metroid: Zero Mission is not just a new snapshot of where the series began; it is a panorama of where the series has gone over the last two decades. By combining elements from several Metroid installments, Zero Mission unifies the overarching story of Samus Aran and sheds new light on her unusual childhood.

A highly addictive and entertaining game, with hundreds of hours of depth available. The animals are cute, with their own personality quirks. And if they annoy you, just remember they can't read.

This may be the best adventure game you have ever played, or will play in a long while.

On a technical level, I believe the game may be entirely without flaw. On top of that Ubi Soft has introduced us to a whole new breed of online gaming that did not exist before Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow hit the shelves. Their ability to pull that off has solidified them as the developer of the year and has made Splinter Cell an instant, must own classic.

These are by far the best console versions of the games (and are arguably better than the PC version). People who have an XBox and haven't picked these up yet for any other platform are in for a treat.

It's certainly the closest I've ever gotten to a perfect gaming experience with an RTS game.

The delivered promise of video games to stand alongside cinema and literature as works of art. It accomplishes this through extraordinary graphical and audio prowess, wrapped around a riveting story and conveyed by unsurpassed gameplay...It is, bar none, the finest game I've ever played.

It’s the kind of game that can be played indefinitely and a player’s performance will continually improve.

Have you ever played a game that's so good that the simple knowledge of its existence is enough to put a smile on your face? This is one of those games. Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon is a shining example of what this genre is capable of, and it comes as close to perfection as any recent adventure game has.

Analog stick feels and moves much better than the N64's, so moving Link is pretty easy. Lastly, the famous "Z targeting" system has been replaced with the L shoulder button taking on the targeting duties. All in all, the control scheme is near flawless.

The control is tighter than ever before and the entire exercise proceeds under a fluid sheen of reciprocal interaction: Input from the gamer equals output on the screen, religiously.

It’s the kind of game that can be played indefinitely and a player’s performance will continually improve. The tasks ahead look daunting at first, but the depth of the game quickly becomes a player’s best friend as each new play session introduces new surprises.

The action comes in waves, giving you time to catch your breath between massacres while catching up on the foreboding story. But once in a while, there are those marathon levels where you're shooting for 10 minutes straight, and loving every nerve racking second.

There are no clumsy cameras or complex controls to encumber the gameplay here. No, Viewtiful Joe is a video game made manifest into a work of art, and it stands as a shining example of what games should aspire to be.

This is not the Metroid you may remember, but this is the best game to come along on any platform in a long time.

It has raised the bar and raised our expectations of what an action/adventure title can be. This is one instance where the inevitable copycats from other developers will not only be welcome, they are highly encouraged.

Everything a player could want in a game: the story mode is of the perfect length and difficulty, the game is extremely replayable, and the multiplayer offering is both fun and robust. And, arguably most importantly, there are negligible loading times.

It is quite possible to blow through the game in 30 hours, but it is equally possible to play for 400 and still not have done everything there is to do in Cyrodiil.

If you buy no other action game this year, spend some green on big, green and ugly.

It may not be revolutionary from a gameplay perspective, but everything Radical has accomplished here is done with such care and expertise that the game should be recognized as the wonderful achievement that it is.

The story, graphics, speech, and every other aspect make this game an addictively fun title that no true RPG fan should pass up.

It's slower, scarier, and altogether one of the best offerings in the genre for any console.

From its characters and epic, if somewhat predictable story, to the gameplay itself, Twilight Princess is a terrific extension to one of the most timeless and important franchises in video game history.

The controls are brilliant, the presentation is spot-on, and the game is without a doubt one of the most entertaining titles to be released this year.

This is absolutely my favorite Final Fantasy title, a claim I probably would have laughed at two years ago when rumors about the game’s battle system began to circulate.

Guitar Hero II is what being a sequel is all about. Taking the core gameplay from a solid game and making improvements and sharpening until it can cut through steel like a hot knife through butter.

If Snake Eater were likened to an exquisite pie, then Subsistence would be that pie with ice cream, a cherry, served with a bottle of fine wine.

GalCiv 2 features all of the accessibility and addiction of the higher profile Civ IV, but it also boasts an arguably superior A.I. and a killer theme. Even non-fans would be well served to check this title out—it’s that good.

It is a shooter of unparalleled grandeur and scale, featuring graphics that put the PlayStation 3 launch lineup to shame.

Probably the finest first-person shooter to ever grace a console, Resistance: Fall of Man is easily worth your $50, and may be considered by some to even be enough to justify the $650 investment alone.

Chaos Theory offers a ton of replay value with the solo mode alone, and the multiplayer games are a blast. With additional bonuses like great graphics, sound effects, voice acting, and a great soundtrack for any console, it's a must-own for any fan of stealth/action.

The greater sense of immersion provided by the crisper graphics and big improvements to pedestrian combat make this a vastly superior version of the game.

Classic. There really isn't any other word to describe New Super Mario Bros., Nintendo's latest, and dare I say greatest game for the Nintendo DS.

The game is extremely rewarding, and would be for anyone – whether they’ve played Aria or Sorrow or not, or even if they have never played a Castlevania title previously. This is a must-own title for any Nintendo DS owner.

Currently possessing the finest animation ever seen in a football game, detailed graphics, speedy gameplay, great commentary, more game modes then ever, and an improved online game, NCAA 2006 has no competition...literally.

Its principal accomplishment is the fact that it allows complete guitar idiots to play legendary rock classics without a lick of practice and come away looking like a real pro. At the same time, it packs enough depth—with higher difficulties that require an insane amount of speed and precision—that very skillful players will be able to impress in their own right.

This reinventing of the wheel, so to speak, results in a fresher, more fast paced, and most of all more rewarding experience all around. Truly, everything old is new again... Resident Evil 4 is not only the new benchmark for the franchise, but for the genre as well.

Nothing like this has ever been played before, and like a true classic will probably never be reproduced. Even if a player finds the gameplay uninteresting, or if the lack of anything other then sixteen boss fights makes them uncomfortable, this game can still be enjoyed for the art direction alone.

A must own title for the Nintendo DS. The combination of classic puzzling, new twists on the Tetris theme, seamless and lag-free online play, and classic Nintendo touches (including a nice collection of remixed NES tunes), makes Tetris DS a keeper.

Such games are rare, and I consider Contact to be a triumph of development. But, putting aside my assessment of its artistic merit, Contact is really just a fun, engaging RPG that Nintendo DS owners have been waiting for ever since the system was released.

What I love about Nocturne is that the game forces you to play intelligently all throughout. At no point do you feel as if you are taking a backseat to the story or the occurrences on-screen. Absent-mindedly progressing through every battle will bring you straight to the Game Over screen. You have to strategize to be able to get through the game.

It trounces "Madden" in nearly every in-game and out-of-game aspect. And since "Madden" is a newbie to the Xbox Live arena, ESPN's Live support, replete with fully customizable leagues and comprehensive player profiles, it is simply unmatched.

This dedication all shows through in the game’s many puzzles, which are both ingenious and challenging. Adventure game enthusiasts looking to test their gray matter have a lot of work with here. It is a bit unfortunate that the ending is not more satisfying, but taken as a whole the entire experience that is Darkfall: Lights Out is simply wonderful.

Speaking of unlockables, diehard players will find it near impossible to get everything.

In a few years, people will look back and recognize this as the game that drove the fast-paced shooters that followed.

The game is pure joy right from the start with its bizarre opening sequence (imagine Monty Python doing the intro for a quirky Japanese game) and continues to be a blast all the way to the delightful interactive end credits.

There is a strange depth to Link, a seemingly simple, shallow hero of adventures, which all Zelda fans recognize and fall in love with. That depth has never been more physically apparent in Link, despite the cell-shaded graphics and childish look.

There is so much here that evokes what we know and love about Mario, as well as an equal share of what is genuinely new, and all of this is bundled together in such a wonderful package that this game is destined to be a fan favorite for a long time.

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.

Okami effortlessly perfectly captures each and every facet that it sets out to accomplish, while giving the player a fantastic fairy tale experience - there simply isn’t any other way to describe it than amazing.

We’ve been driving computerised cars around virtual racetracks for years now, but in Burnout 3 you do it so <I>fast</I>, and the enjoyment from going so fast comes so easily, that playing another racer is going to feel like driving a bus after taking a spin in a Ferrari.

Reason alone to own the DS platform. All of the fun that has been intrinsic to the series is intact, and the much-anticipated online component simply seals the deal. This is best game in the series by far, and perhaps the best kart-style racing game ever to come along.

Alida is simply gorgeous. There are some minor flaws, particularly when the backgrounds are in motion as part of transitions between scenes, but, by and large, the visuals are eerily beautiful and surprisingly immersive.

Everything about this game has it positioned to be an instant hit among fans of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, as well as tactical RPG enthusiasts in general. Deep game play, an endearing story, likeable characters, and stunning hand-drawn backgrounds round out this experience.

It's everything the first game achieved, but improved, and with more. If you're an RTS fan, you owe it to yourself to play this game. The only possible downside is the GameSpy browser for online play, which can occasionally be buggy and difficult to use.

Probably the most impressive part of the game is that the story manages to weave this smorgasbord of gameplay into a single cohesive story.

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.

Players who are looking for one of the most charming, addictive, and challenging shooters to come along in a long while should waste little time in picking up Gradius V.

Web Swinging is brilliant and it truly is one of those things that you have to experience for yourself. I can just load up the game and swing around for a few minutes and still have a great time before shutting it off, which is a testament to Treyarch’s great work.

A work of wonder and magic that reinforces the idea that innovation and originality are both still alive and well in the world of video games.

Doom 3 is excellent. It isn’t revolutionary, but it does bring a simple and exciting gaming experience with near-flawless precision.

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.

Space Rangers 2 has a ton of content on its own, is extremely replayable, and is one of the most addictive games in recent and nostalgic memory. If that weren’t enough, it includes Space Rangers 1 which is definable by the same list of attributes.

Anyone else with a heartbeat, a DS and forty bucks should pick this game up immediately.

It is easily the best squad combat game ever released, and the fact that it serves as such a great showcase for the software-hungry 360 is just icing on the cake.

It has all of the elements of a blockbuster movie mixed with the interactivity of a video game, resulting in an experience that is both invigorating and intriguing. In other words, this is game is a work of art, and needs to be experienced.

More than just a well-designed puzzle game, Lumines has that rare spark that turns a simple task into a trance-inducing experience. It is a game with lasting appeal, and it is arguably the best title of the PSP's launch.

Ridiculous. Infectious. Simplistic. Just plain fun. Saddling Elite Beat Agents for the Nintendo DS with any one description is difficult, as the game marries absurd comedy, entertaining music, and classic rhythm mechanics in a way that is both new and altogether different from anything else available for the platform.

Luckily, the level design is fantastic, making every repeat through a level bearable, as many sections are just fun. Who doesn't love getting launched out of a barrel into the sky to swing from post to post while grabbing bananas only to land in a mine cart which travels the worst kept track in existence? Everything flows beautifully.

There are some great touches of humor throughout the game, especially when you encounter Mysterio (I haven't laughed out loud at a game in quite a while).

We've been driving computerised cars around virtual racetracks for years now, but in Burnout 3 you do it so <I>fast</I>, and the enjoyment from going so fast comes so easily, that playing another racer is going to feel like driving a bus after taking a spin in a Ferrari.

It’s simple without being easy, and it’s fun without being frustrating.

Psychonauts may not be particularly innovative in any of its undertakings, but it breathes new life into a stale genre by virtue of its humor and creativity alone.

Anyone, whether they gravitate towards platformers, adventure games, or role-playing games will find something to enjoy here, as Square Enix's latest release includes all of the hallmarks of a classic, and comes highly recommended.

A fantastic example of what fun games should be like. Never mind that it makes some of the most gorgeous scenes you're likely to find on the PS2, the game itself is so good the eye and ear candy is just extra.

On the other side of the presentation scale, the music is absolutely brilliant. The Star Wars films have set a high bar for any derivative material, but, thankfully, this game lives up to the challenge.

It is innovative and uses almost all of the handheld’s non-standard features without seeming the slightest bit gimmicky.

This is the best online action on the PS2, period. Nothing else is even close. Whether you want to gun down terrorists, hop in a tank and blow stuff up, smuggle goods across the border, or extract hostages from hostile territories, SOCOM 3 is where it’s at.

If you've ever bought a Ratchet & Clank game, (and anyone who's a PS2 owner would be remiss to not have at least one) this one's a no-brainer.

Put simply, Meteos is solid game and is worth every dime and second spend overing over the system's dual screens.

Psychonauts may not be particularly innovative in any of its undertakings, but it breathes new life into a stale genre by virtue of its humor and creativity alone.

Let me just conclude by defending this game against those that would say it is a Grand Theft Auto clone. While the free-form functionality and mission hierarchy are similar (as well as the ability to steal any vehicle or man any weapon or turret in the game), Mercenaries is its own, unique title and offers quite a few things that Grand Theft Auto doesn't – like the ability to devastate your surroundings.

If you own a GBA or SP, there is absolutely no reason not to own Mario Party Advance. Heck, even if you don't own one yet, this is the perfect excuse-a true, must-own killer app.

Square Enix finally gave Final Fantasy II the treatment it deserved in Final Fantasy IV Advance, and whether you've worn out two of the old carts from overuse or have never even played a 2D Final Fantasy, you should pick this one up to see what made the Final Fantasy series such a powerhouse of the role-playing genre.

Bully takes the previous GTA structure, puts it to use in a school setting, and in the process Rockstar has created one of the most original and fun titles on the PlayStation 2.

The incentive of unlocking new characters, minigames, and even the occasional collectible and interactive toy further serves to make WarioWare Touched! one of the best games on the platform. However, players who are still uncomfortable using the stylus need not apply, as using your finger is far too inaccurate for a majority of the games, and many require the touch screen in one form or another.

Boasting another large assortment of popular tunes, Volume 3 also sidesteps the pitfalls of its predecessor with the inclusion of duets—a seemingly simple addition that changes the entire face of the game and elevates the series to a new high.

Daxter is one of the best experiences to be had on the PSP, and an excellent platformer on any system.

Winning Eleven is the single most realistic soccer game ever produced.

The game’s presentation is second to none, and serves as a new benchmark for role-playing games in general.

It’s clear that Tekken 5 is a great game, but the lack of online play is a significant disappointment. There is quite a bit of replay value in the offline package, but the ability to take the aggression online would have made for an astronomical value and elevated the series beyond the contention of its peers.

Clearly the best game of its kind.

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.

Make no mistake, you should play it just for Sucker Punch's wonderful story and those fleeting moments of excellence as Sly, Murray, and Bentley, but don't expect the near-flawless execution of "Band of Thieves."

The gameplay, the story, the graphics, the music, the voice acting ... it's all imbued with such a central sense of style that the game just pops.

The gameplay, the story, the graphics, the music, the voice acting ... it’s all imbued with such a central sense of style that the game just pops.

Crack has been refined and made anew with EverQuest II. It’s an addicting game as well as being very deep. It probably won’t be for the casual gamer, but anybody that enjoyed EQ will pick this up, and find the game more enjoyable then the original.