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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Marty O'Donnell has done an incredible job with the game's audio, and it may stand alongside the multiplayer component as the game's best achievement.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The retail version of UT2k4 works on both Windows and Linux, with a Mac version of the game also available. This is something that I personally wish more companies would do with their games.

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

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.

The controls in Soul Calibur II are nearly flawlessly executed.

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.

If you're already accustomed to suffering under "Everquest" or "Dark Age of Camelot," WoW will be your familiar stomping ground minus a heaping helping of the stupid stuff you've already grown accustomed to putting up with. If you've never played an MMO before, WoW is the least of many evils you could start with.

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.

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.

The PS2 controller provides a much more intuitive fighting game experience than either the Gamecube or Xbox.

Everything, from the flawless animation and stunning visuals, to the addictive yet intuitive gameplay screams for this game to be labeled an instant classic.

It&#146;s the kind of game that can be played indefinitely and a player&#146;s performance will continually improve. The tasks ahead look daunting at first, but the depth of the game quickly becomes a player&#146;s best friend as each new play session introduces new surprises.

It features outstanding visuals, tremendous gameplay, and enough options to keep even the most meticulous players entertained for hours.

I defy there to be a better football game 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.

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.

It&#146;s the kind of game that can be played indefinitely and a player&#146;s performance will continually improve. The tasks ahead look daunting at first, but the depth of the game quickly becomes a player&#146;s best friend as each new play session introduces new surprises.

The controls in Soul Calibur II are nearly flawlessly executed, and considering the Xbox and Gamecube controller configurations, just making a fighting game playable, let alone as fluid as Soul Calibur II, is a miracle unto itself.

We've seen the Final Fantasy epic take us on a memorable journey, but now it all seems like it's been done before. 10 is good, great at times, but it is no longer original.

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.

Despite the multiplayer faux pax, and the odd dispersion of items throughout the game, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes still comes out on top as one of the premier titles to experience not only this holiday season, but rather throughout this entire console generation.

The effects used in the game are as good, if not better, than Super Metroid on the SNES. The sound effects are also excellent, boasting superb music and clear voice effects during much of the game, along with the normal bleeps and booms from constant enemy killing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ninja Gaiden, despite one of the year's worst camera systems, still manages to be one of the year's best action games.

Burning Crusade's most grievous crime is that it totally invalidates the years of work you've put into pimping out your toons, but if you can handle looking like you can't dress yourself in the morning, the new equipment you'll be earning will be a salve on the wound.

There are only two things that keep Battlefield 2 from online perfection. The first and most formidable of the two is the terrible browser used to navigate the game’s servers. It’s slow, inaccurate, and downright frustrating at times.

An excellent game. If you don&#146;t own 2004, it is a fantastic purchase, however, if you do, you may find too much of the same thing again. It&#146;s time for EA to rehash this series, as each year&#146;s offering is getting more and more stale.

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.

With all of its unique features and amounts of item/soul collection, Aria could be considered second to only one other game in the Castlevania series &#150; the masterpiece, "Symphony of the Night."

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

Soccer nuts will have hundreds of hours of gameplay at their fingertips when they jump into Master League, which easily matches any other sports game on the market in depth, sheer fun, and balls to the wall realism.

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.

You know what, man? I really like this game. Maybe it's cause I been drinking, but now that I think about it, this is a damn fine racing game. It might even be the best racing game I ever played.

Despite all the whiz-bang innovations however, the core gameplay remains the same. The interface in general has changed little, and you'll find that the game from minute to minute is played in the same manner. The schticky retro charm also carries through from the original.

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.

CPU management is unbelievably horrid. The CPU controlled teams all have 15 pitchers and 10 batters, which only leaves them with one or two backup fielders. The stats are questionable at best.

The game doesn't stray much from the original formula, but it certainly improves upon it in every imaginable way.

Revenge really fumbles the ball with the addition of traffic checking, and its overt attempts at aggression are ultimately ironic counterpoints to a system that has lost many of its teeth. On its own, it's still one of the best racers available, but it is also a spectacular step backward for the series.

Another aspect of the controls that could have been painful, but instead turned out flawless and elegant is the camera.

Peerless as a simulator, no doubt about it, but as a game it has its failings. Despite the efforts of the developers, it is doubtful that anyone who is not at least partly interested in the simulation aspects of the game will enjoy it at all.

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.

Its addicting gameplay, and massive replay value make Viewtiful Joe well worth its $30 price tag.

Revenge really fumbles the ball with the addition of traffic checking, and its overt attempts at aggression are ultimately ironic counterpoints to a system that has lost many of its teeth. On its own, it's still one of the best racers available, but it is also a spectacular step backward for the series.

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

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.

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

Sure, Jade Empire isn't "KOTOR" (despite so many similarities), but that's a rough peak to meet. It's still an easy contender for the title of second-best RPG on the Xbox.

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

The controls are spot on. The graphics are solid, and the dynasty mode will keep you playing for a long time.

A great game. It has a few problems, but the gameplay is fun, the PvP combat is balanced and refreshing, the storyline is engrossing, and the entire experience is superb.

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

Burnout Revenge is still not the equal of 2004's Burnout: Takedown, but it is a wonderfully visceral racing experience nonetheless.

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.

If players can ignore the overly cheesy plot and horrid voice acting, and focus simply on killing bad guys and blowing things up amidst a wonderfully crafted environment then they will be in for a treat. The first person shooter has never looked so good.

An astounding game. It appears to be ahead of its time visually, and it couples this accomplishment with game mechanics so solid and well conceived that future titles will have a lot of work to do if they wish to compete.

While the game excels at being a simulator, it falters a bit in being enjoyable. The game can feel a bit boring at times.

I have spent well over 50 hours with this game thus far, and I find myself still revisiting it. It has deep, rewarding gameplay, as was as an immensely satisfying multiplayer experience.

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.

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.

Although it is one of the silliest game concepts in years, these 5-second games are somehow able to hold your attention for hours on end.

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.

Offering vibrant graphics backed by precise controls, this iteration in the Wipeout series gets everything right. Sony should be applauded for executing subtle improvements on the original Wipeout formula, instead of "updating" all the fun out of a classic.

Games this close to perfection within a genre do not come along often enough.

It has the looks, it has the thrills and holds an undeniable charm. If you're sick of not flying 1100 feet in the air and feel embarrassing posers who bring it weak to your home court, pick this one up.

Therein lies the major problem with Brothers in Arms gameplay mechanics; it uses the whole tactical element as a crutch, but there's nothing really "tactical" about the way the game ends up playing out.

There are hundreds of hours of gaming wrapped up into 2006, and even more if you get a group of friends who know how to play.

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.

A combination of the impossible, a game that will in one moment make you sweat with the intensity of the elaborate set-piece firefights and make you shiver in nervous fear the next.

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.

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

It’s the premier racing franchise on the console, one of the best graphical showcases there is, and one of the best online components you can find anywhere.

The control of the characters in the game could not be tighter.

An excellent college football game. The controls are spot on. The graphics are solid, and the dynasty mode will keep you playing for a long time.

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

Overall, TimeSplitters 2 has a great deal to offer anybody willing to put in the time and effort to gather the bonus features, and offers a lot of replayability afterwards.

All and all, WarioWare: Twisted! doesn't do anything drastic to the series, but the creativity and variety of gameplay make what otherwise would have been a dreary rehash into a respectable game that stands on its own.

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

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