And perhaps even more than "DDR" or "Samba De Amigo," Karaoke Revolution is a game that will be embraced by non-gamers, since it requires no physical dexterity or interaction with a controller.

Despite the recycled enemies and the never-ending labyrinth of steel grates, catwalks, desks, and elevators, F.E.A.R. delivers some of the best action this side of Paris Hilton's cell phone.

LEGO Indiana Jones may not be quite as engaging as LEGO Star Wars, but it’s still a lot of fun to play through. That’s doubly true with a friend. The quest isn’t particularly long, but there’s plenty of incentive for a second run-through (or a third …), and Indy fans will definitely have a blast re-living the original films -- LEGO-style.

The added scenarios, especially the alternate history ones are just icing on an already sweet, sweet cake.

An extremely refreshing puzzler that should find a huge audience on Nintendo DS. It may not have the legacy of Lemmings or the multiplayer gaming of Worms, but its stages are brilliantly crafted and the creator can't be beat.

A solid and extremely fun game that will probably be overlooked by many in favor of more high-profile titles. It's a shame really, because Moonbase Commander's simple focus and gameplay is an excellent example of substance over style.

Keeps a tight formation between fun and realism and is a great start to the year's run of PS2 air-combat games.

Two words for Eurocom and THQ, though, concerning the next installment in the franchise: more Tutankhamen.

What this title does, it does well. But to introverted Yanks like us, it makes about as much sense as putting mayonnaise on french fries.

Such a vast amount of data has been squeezed into this tiny cartridge that it is nothing short of technical wizardry.

Places its emphasis on subtle refinements over sweeping changes, which is what tends to happen when the gameplay is seasoned enough to already be considered a class act.

You don't need to be a golf fanatic to get hooked on this game, which is really the only thing that matters. Not only is it a showpiece for the system, but it's one of the best games available for Sony's portable.

Go ahead and rewrite history if you can. It’s fascinating stuff that’s reason enough to play this game. Good thing, too. Because there’s little else in this package that will probably entice you to play.

This is undoubtedly the best Puyo title yet, giving you both old-school gameplay and new, along with well-rounded multiplayer and challenging difficulty.

The limited units and resources make for tight, intricate matchups, and there are few models of the RTS that can claim to be as accessible.

Really a nice game that continues to surprise and delight the more you play.

It does drag on in a few spots, and its sci-fi bent may betray the original premise, but it brings gamers a deep, compelling story told in a clever way -- both in terms of narrative and gameplay execution.

One thing 2K Sports continually proves, however, is that it can bring the game even when it doesn't look as sharp as the competition.

As close to a full-blown sequel as we've seen to the original "Sims," and is sure to hold most gamers over until 2004. More immediately enjoyable than "The Sims: Online," it's the type of open-ended game you can intensely play over time or just spend a few hours with here and there.

Probably the game's biggest flaw is that it doesn't do anything new to woo over gamers who don't like platformers. But it does take a waning game style and pump it so full of energy, humor, and near-psychotic malevolence that you may have to play something tame such as "Ty the Tasmanian Tiger" just to come down afterward.

The graphics are sharper and more vivid, and some of the backgrounds are jaw dropping.

Between all the ship battles, alien spiders in dark caverns, and action-movie challenges, Mace Griffin delivers a good-looking and constantly engaging experience that is equal parts cinema, all-out combat, and skulk-and-kill infiltration.

A standout Xbox title that not only kicks butt in its own right, but gives the console a niche it was previously missing.

We almost never find games that play as good as they look. But set a few friends in front of Rallisport Challenge 2 on the widescreen with the digital sound crashing, and they'll immediately be hooked not only by the A/V, but by the racing. For sheer playability, fun, and visual appeal most other models don't come anywhere close.

Hardcore fighting fans may turn up their noses at Dead or Alive 4's user-friendly engine, but there's no denying that this game is just loads of fun--especially online.

Perhaps unfulfilled potential and a hard-to-learn layout detract from the product's charm. Details be damned.

The animated sequences are less than stellar, the plot is trite, and the game feels like it was pared down at the last minute. Despite all those flaws, the running-based gameplay makes you want to forgive everything else. No other game is quite as exhilarating and uniquely exciting, and it’s this part of the game you’ll remember most.

Fez is a flawed work of genius, in a way. The base mechanics are lacking, glitches abound and yet the world -- so full of secrets and hidden puzzles -- is an utter joy to explore.

Its original plot and setting, polished visuals, and overall high production value make this a must-have for any skilled console gamer. It's unfortunate that its seemingly complex control scheme will alienate most casual players.

Just about everything good about the original has improved. The repetitive dungeon crawling, however, will not appeal to everyone.

Xbox strategy fans will surely have a great time reuniting our great homeland.

Outside combat, unfortunately, the game drags a bit.

Though it has some faults, Brothers in Arms: D-Day retains the heart of what made the console versions stand out, and it's an excellent choice for tactical war game fans looking to exercise their brains as much as their trigger fingers.

In some cases, notably in the variety of bosses and in the unlockable bonuses, the first title is better than the sequel.

Hard-core gamers might find the gameplay too forgiving and simplistic, but everyone else will be delighted to discover a land of beautiful graphics, intuitive and entertaining gameplay, and plenty of cool characters.

There’s no feature bloat, and there are no dud missions--just quality gaming from start to finish. That’s just about all we can ask for.

Compelling visuals, competent acting, totally appropriate music, and amazing animation married to great controls make The Two Thrones a strong action game. It might not be the king of the genre, but this Prince deserves respect.

It’s been a long time coming, but Dawn of War finally has a proper successor. It’s not perfect, as anyone who enjoys the resource management side of strategy gaming will be turned off by the gung-ho style here, but it’s no different than most of the earlier Warhammer 40,000 titles out there.

It doesn't take new hardware to crank out good-looking graphics, and you definitely don't need to buy a PSP or DS to find memorable handheld gameplay.

With tons of secrets to uncover, and a surprising array of different gameplay options, Mortal Kombat: Deception is a surprisingly fun package.

Owners of both Prophecies and Factions will eat up the Asian-themed landscapes and ability to travel between both games. For new kids, if MMOs freaked you out because of their overwhelming commitment, Factions will reward for your hard hours quickly.

It's a visceral experience that too often falls back on tired shooter clichés. But occasionally, it does rise above the mediocrity to deliver a truly compelling experience. That, coupled with the best graphics available.

Though it's disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.

The entrancing music and compellingly complex but accessible gameplay are still unparalleled, making minutes transform into hours as your nights are dominated by the story of your civilization.

We’re happy to report that since applying the patch, we have not encountered any more crashes.

This is far more than just a port; it's a comprehensive console-specific retooling. The thought of that may make some fans sick to their stomach, and yes, some of the more detailed options for taxation and civilization management have been automated to a greater or lesser degree, but there's still plenty of strategy here for even hardcore fans to appreciate.

There’s a little Crimson Skies, a little Starfox, and even some Diddy Kong Racing. They took a bunch of good ideas from those titles and assembled a rock solid action game for the younger set.

Portrait of Ruin delivers a solid, exciting trip back into the walls of Dracula’s Castle without too many new systems to learn first. However, for the casual fan, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin delivers little more than its handheld predecessors. A fun experience, certainly, but the same experience they’ve had before.

It may not be the best-looking soccer game on the market, but Winning Eleven 6 is, hands down, the best to play.

A truly great party game -- both on and offline -- and is a terrifically original and energetic diversion from the dirge of shooters and other serious games that comprise the majority of the Xbox lineup. Just don't get caught playing alone.

It's a perfect game for the times, and one that doesn't bother with Asimov-inspired tin cans running around spraying bullets.

It delivers a payload of pick-up-and-play fun, a goofy story and unlockable do-dads without resorting to overbearing plot contrivances or busy work.

An invaluable addition to an already great game. The driving missions are a fun and sometimes useful diversion. But the real winner here is how you can more easily deal with their traffic problems.

If you can still hum the theme to "Gigantor" and the line "I'll form the head!" means anything to you, Robot Alchemic Drive was made for you.

The attractive visuals ride the line between dark and cartoony with expressive characters. It's all tied together with its unique combat and restart schemes, which will either inspire you or drive you mad.

For Potter fans of all ages, Chamber of Secrets is a must-have.

Those expecting a completely revamped sequel will likely find the additions to be slight, but NFL Street 2 is nonetheless a great-playing game that's an unqualified blast with a few trash-talking, chest-thumping friends in tow.

Some may find that Secret Agent doesn't quite have the same biting sense of humor as the original games. It definitely holds up in the gameplay department, though, which is more than enough to make this a successful solo outing.

There’s something pretty telling about a game that can suck away hours of your time before you know it. That’s just what Endless Ocean did to me. Despite not being a game in the classical sense, Endless Ocean is a solid and fascinating diversion.

While Syndicate's sense of atmosphere leads to rare shining moments, they are thwarted at every turn by a stilted storyline, unlikable characters, and numerous pacing issues that make the experience difficult enjoy. The co-op, however, surpasses almost anything else available in the genre.

The single-player game has a few rough spots, but multiplayer is flat-out fantastic. And let’s face it; the incredible graphics don’t hurt either.

With the Xbox 360 version, you can gawk at Jennifer Morrison on your TV instead of on your computer monitor. And that’ll make you look slightly less loserish. Right?

It’s a game about the fantastical, but it’s grounded in reality. And that’s refreshing. We wish more developers would try it sometime.

If the next installment once again offers only incremental improvements, we're knocking somebody's lights out.

The quality of the action and the intuitive controls will not disappoint wrestling fans.

So many excellent ideas are incorporated into this last outing, you'll be feeling the title's influence on similar products years hence.

Aesthetic quibbles and longish load times aside, Project Gotham Racing 3 strikes an excellent balance between arcade and sim gameplay without alienating fans of either.

The type of game that makes you want to dust off that green felt cloak and curl up with a sack of dice.

Not only adds more stuff to the Sims canon, it improves and more importantly expands the game in subtle but far-reaching ways.

The game's soundtrack mix of classic football marches combined with hip-hop and drum loops...gets almost annoying by game two.

Though gameplay is really one big scavenger hunt though a diverse set of worlds, there are so many memorable moments, from racing down corkscrew slides to surfing lava on a koopa shell, that you can’t help but grin with giddy delight.

Everything from the stylized presentation to the tiring yet satisfying controls to the hours of playtime added by hidden treasures and bonus challenges just screams, “Love me!” And despite being relatively short and the shaking can be exhausting, there isn’t much that fans of good old-fashioned Nintendo platforming won’t like here.

Other than its lighthearted approach and whimsical characters, what sets Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters apart from similar titles on PSP is the amount of depth and variety.

Though hardly a tactical marvel, Battle for Middle Earth delivers an exciting, fast-paced experience that successfully captures the feel and mood of the films.

The intense strategic gameplay alone makes it one of the better RTS titles released in recent years.

The bottom line is that Hitz, the fun fast-paced and frantic arcade-style hockey game, made itself deeper. The result is a more satisfying game overall.

The trial-and-error nature of gameplay and the repeating loops of the plot require certain degrees of patience and repetition that not everyone will want to pony up. In our opinion, however, the game's well worth the effort.

The reflex-driven gameplay is almost hypnotic, and the included options are sure to satisfy most hard-core tennis fans and casual players looking for something new.

Hits all the whoops with just the right speed. It has a solid career mode and a potent mix of open freestyle tracks and classic lap-based indoor/outdoor tracks.

Doom 3: BFG Edition is, without a doubt, the definitive collection for fans of this series. The package brings together virtually every Doom offering that has ever existed, with additions like the "duct tape" mod and The Lost Missions amounting to delicious gravy.

Rides the line between story and "freedom" well.

This console version makes enough changes to the original game that even hard-core "Sims" purists will want to give it a spin.

Although the graphics engine chugs along at times, this is an excellent arcade racer that manages to raise the bar in the overcrowded, clichéd street racing genre.

It's nowhere near as groundbreaking or accessible as the impeccable "Resident Evil 4", but when you look at other PS2 action game releases this year like "Tenchu" or "Nanobreaker" you see just how far above average this game is.

Whether or not you’ll like this game really boils down to whether or not you like the decidedly Bejeweled-inspired core gameplay mode, because regardless of what you’re doing in this game you’re never more than a few clicks away from it.

It’s a pinch of innovation in a comforting stew of well-worn RTS conventions. And there’s a whole lot of blood. What more do you want?

Despite lacking some tweaks that could have made the most horror-jaded gamers wet themselves, Dead Space delivers scares, gore and a truly disturbing gem of a game.

Other than the addition of co-op campaigning everything feels more or less like it did 12 years ago, though prettier of course. Even so, with the new faction and new units those old game mechanics still make for a good time.

One issue that only seems to get worse throughout Odin Sphere is the endless amount of inventory management.

It's what's on the field that counts, and even with some AI hiccups, the gameplay predominantly delivers. This is a solid, fun ball game. If the same forward leaps are made for the next outing, it will be batting cleanup.

Some players may not like the pacing or the style, but by any objective standard Final Fantasy IV is as much a success now as it was on the first day of release.

It hits the right notes in so many ways that it would be a shame for the game to go unnoticed. So go bulk up you PC, install this game, and get ready for a dark, gritty, and very engrossing ride.

Harmonix's own "Guitar Hero" is still tops--mainly due to its cool factor--but if you need to entertain a rowdy group at your next gathering, nothing says hours of good times like Karaoke Revolution Party.

Quake 4 delivers fast, brutal shooting action, and it looks good doing it. Sometimes, that’s all that’s necessary.

Overall Battle for Middle Earth II is not a drastically improved game when compared to the first, but it does deliver more high-budget and engrossing RTS gameplay.

It’s taken all the best bits of the first game, dressed them up, and created a game that both rookies and veterans will enjoy.

Beenox's previous Spider-Man titles were pedestrian at best, but The Amazing Spider-Man is a stellar installment that gives me hope for future games.

A great expansion pack to The Sims 2. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s the best one out there. No, it doesn’t have the volume of changes and additions that some of the other ones have, but everything in Seasons fits so very well with The Sims 2 that it’s hard to imagine playing the game without it.