Far from being revolutionary, and just shy of even being considered an evolution of the series, Carbon exists in that dubious realm of being simply a largely unnecessary annual update.

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

Blurry characters and environments, rigid animation, and overdone physics all add up to a package that comes off as rushed and uncared for.

Just when it seemed the industry had figured out how to turn some movies into fun gameplay experiences, with Reservoir Dogs, its as if they haven’t learned a thing since "E.T."

Die-hard Marvel fans can adjust the score on Ultimate Alliance about ten points higher. The character dialogue alone will cause numerous geek-outs, chock full of obscure references as it can be. All other comers will find a capable, high quality action RPG that offers a huge amount of customization and a lot of unique characters that are far more than sprite swaps of each other.

Unlike most handheld ports, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance offers more than most console versions of the game do, with more bonus characters and play modes than even the next-gen offerings.

It’s too focused on tricks to be a good racer, yet not not enough to be a competent skating game either. As such, fans of either genre are advised to give this one a pass.

Minor issues aside, if you don’t mind a short play time and you enjoyed the first, the expansion should subdue your craving until a true sequel is released.

It's also fun, with a story is further shows the potential of the Nintendo DS as the new home for adventure gaming. That's the good part. The bad part is that the game only features four cases and a handful of forgettable side stories, with very little replay value.

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.

Blurry characters and environments, rigid animation, and overdone physics all add up to a package that comes off as rushed and uncared for.

Magical Starsign is the role-playing equivalent to bubblegum. It's a fun diversion, but far from substantial, instead resigning itself to being an interesting holdover until something more worthwhile comes along.

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.

To sum up: Sam’s ability to quip is unparalleled and wanton destruction may, indeed, be Max’s forte. But humor is clearly Steve Purcell’s.

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.

In every sense imaginable, Splinter Cell: Double Agent was meant to exploit the platform on which it was designed, and it excels to an extraordinary degree.

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.

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

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

Its attention to detail and realism inevitably means that it will appeal to a smaller niche, but that simply means that it only sets out do one thing, and it does its job well.

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

While Evidence caters to a specific crowd and has some extremely difficult puzzles, the story, presentation, and feeling of actually partaking in some serial killer’s twisted game all add up to make this title - along with its prequel - still some of the most unique and highly entertaining adventuring to come along in years.

One hell of a fighting game. So to answer the question, Mortal Kombat has definitely gone out with a bang – for now.

Although controls are clumsy and some technical sacrifices had to be made, the added single player and multiplayer content makes Showdown a much longer-lasting game than its rent-worthy predecessor.

Though press-turn fans may be a little dismayed at the comparatively-simple battle system, there is a surprising amount of depth once players go deeper into the game, acquiring more and more varied demons.

What really pushes God Hand over the top, though, is the presentation and how fun it is. In other brawlers, you’re restricted to punching guys in the face or kicking them in the stomach. God Hand finally lets you kick that stupid demon that’s been giving you trouble right between the legs.

Even though it is still the same formula EA has gone with for years, Tiger Woods PGA Tour continues to be play home to a winning formula that has gone largely unchanged for a good reason.

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.