Those allergic to whimsy may react violently to the saccharine soundtrack and rosy world-view. But they'd be missing out on a rare experience – a game that honors classic game play while forging new ground in style.

The single player, as compelling as it is, isn't a very good reason to buy this game. Even four-player split screen isn't a good-enough reason. But for multiplayer on your Xbox, Unreal Championship can't be beat.

Even though it lacks the cooperative multiplayer feature, Halo: Combat Evolved retains the sharp graphics, heated action, and vehicle-based exploration that made the original such an awesome game.

The mix of ideas at play in Darksiders 2 could have turned out to be a disaster, but Vigil stitches it all together expertly. From the corrupted idyll of The Forge Lands, to the twilit expanses of The Land of the Dead, to the thin, broken line between Heaven and Hell, Death's grand adventure ranks among the best we've seen or will see in 2012.

The real triumph of Suda 51’s surreal, occasionally obscene romp is that behind all the cynicism, satire, and gory ultraviolence lies a true joy of creation that is too rarely seen in gaming. In playing No More Heroes, one gets the impression that the development team truly enjoyed making it, that no idea was thrown out for being too ridiculous or far-fetched, and that it is intensely aware of its own absurdity at all times. The excellent fourth-wall shattering ending is proof enough of that.

It offers up some solid improvement but doesn't stray too far from what made it so loved to begin with. It's not the groundbreaking title that the original was, but it's an excellent follow-up that delivers as promised.

If you can get past the terrible documentation and very steep learning curve, Galactic Civilizations will be not only enjoyable but also addictive.

Though it only takes five hours to beat, the overall package is so focused and addictive that most will want to play it more than once.

The new challenge mode and sub-divisions further enhance the "Command & Conquer"-style of gameplay, and the increased features, tweaks, and improvements make it an essential purchase for fans of the series.

It's accessible, fun, and technically impressive, making it one of the better strategy games we've played in quite some time. Plus, it has laser weaponry and an angry Scotsman.

Even after getting all the initial enjoyment out of the game, Pure is still definitely fun to pick up for short, satisfying bursts of speed.

In many ways it's the best the series has to offer, but it's still probably not enough to haul in a new audience.

Along with the huge single-player campaign and the various online modes mixed with the sheer variety of the racing on hand makes for one awesome racing game. And when you mix all that with the now-standard Colin McRae level of excellence, you have a game racing fans shouldn’t pass up.

It's leaps and bounds above the mediocre, movie-based Hulk game, and smashes itself a niche in the genre.

Even if you played through the Xbox version multiple times, there’s enough new stuff here for a look.

Resident Evil 5 is mired in poor design decisions that drag down the experience and render single-player campaign a tedious exercise in working around the game. It’s frustrating to see a game that I so looked forward to playing and carried with it such potential, sabotage itself in so many ways. Compared against the ambition of games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed; Resident Evil 5 seems timid, unwilling to move out of its comfort zone. It’s a shame.

Did we really need a third version of Dead or Alive 2? Probably not, and we definitely didn't need more DOA 1. But, for diehard fight fans and online junkies, Ultimate is worth a look.

A ton of work has gone into this game from top to bottom, and it stands as a real testament to the developers who didn't want to just coattail this one into the books. Nearly every system and aspect of the game has been tweaked or overhauled, and it certainly shows in the final product.

A fantastic throwback to those heady days, and hopefully a lot of other game developers will study what Crystal Dynamics has done here long and hard before sitting down to design their next platformer.

The game is a beefy excursion that pleases all your senses, and for that, it will be taking plenty of pink slips from other Xbox 360 launch games.

Lacks some of the technological prowess of other shooters, but its personality and extras keep its head above water.

This, then, is a game to experience. It’s a game to point to, and champion, as an innovator in what it presents to players. It’s one of the most novel games ever made. In bite-sized portions, it really should be played.

So the engine is clunky and the pathfinding is bad. Ultimately that doesn't matter much. This is a great RPG.

It's a little short, but with four difficulty levels there's plenty of challenge. And since the battles play out differently depending on your actions, there's a good amount of replay value here.

Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.

This is the kind of game that takes over your brain after long play sessions, leading you to scrutinize real-life buildings for handholds and leaping potential. It’s an absolute blast to play, and arguably one of the finest superhero games made thus far.

An undeniably polished game. It will offer you months and months of new things to do and experience.

The new commentating team, Backtrack replays, soundtrack, and improved graphics really packs that extra punch of realism making this game a must buy.

While the touch-screen interface is a downer, the amount of play options in Picross DS is uplifting.

The game's plot doesn't come together in any grand way, nor does it need to. The plot's just a latticework for the excellent, challenging missions.

The customizable difficulty settings make for an entertaining arcade racer, while the detailed career mode and tuning garage give gearheads plenty to tinker with. Ratbag has produced another outstanding sprint car simulator.

Xenosaga's failing is not its presentation, but its mediocre story. Merely putting a story in a game doesn't exempt the game from criticism that would be leveled at any other story-based medium.

Despite a few quirks here and there (you can bet into the negative chips during poker, you can’t split a hand in blackjack), Clubhouse Games is a worthwhile purchase no matter what sort of gamer you may be. This is the stuff the DS excels at.

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

The more I played NHL 13, the more I wondered how much previous installments were partially burdened with some drive to recapture the halcyon days of videogame hockey in the mid-90's. This new, genuine attempt at real ice skating physics makes NHL 13 the most worthwhile hockey in years.

With its fast-paced multiplayer, completely redesigned spellbook, and extensive replayability, I'd say if you enjoyed the original Orcs Must Die! then I'd highly recommend Orcs Must Die! 2. However, OMD2 is shorter than OMD in terms of the campaign and only seems to expand on the original rather than offer a new innovative experience for tower defense fans.

The omission of a co-op mode and the lack of longevity hurt Gunstar Super Heroes a bit, but overall it's still a fantastic game that deserves a spot in anyone's Game Boy Advance library.

In many ways it's the best the series has to offer, but it's still probably not enough to haul in a new audience.

The dialogue frequently doesn’t make sense, then, and the plot often makes even less.

The combination of Freestyle Control, improved AI, and super graphics have elevated this veteran's game by leaps and bounds.

Mixing a great single-player game and a variety of multiplayer events, Karaoke Revolution is a cool, original, and distinctive party game.

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.

It takes everything that made the original game so compelling and makes it feel fresh and relevant all over again. It’s simple. It’s elegant. It is Pac-Man reborn.

Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.

The action is unique, the world and characters are well crafted, and the game is generally well made. That said, the action does get a bit repetitive, the story is generic, the dungeons are incredibly dull, and the upgrade system is kind of weird.

If you're not heartless, Nintendogs will be one of the most innovative, inimitable, and impressive games you've come across.

My time with Tekken Tag Tournament 2 truly felt like an arcade without the frustration of losing my allowance in quarters.

Battlefield: Bad Company is the most console-feeling Battlefield ever produced.

WarioWare: Smooth Moves can’t quite conceal its lowly portable origins, but that doesn’t stop it from being a truly fun and innovative game.

Despite the knocks against rivals mode and the fact that the new controls are mostly borrowed from what many consider to be a more simple golf franchise, Tiger Woods 06 is still a solid game. Where rivals fails, the more realistic PGA Tour mode is still fun, as is skills 18, a set of target-based minigames.

With a couple tweaks to the gameplay here and there, Sega could have a perennial powerhouse on its hands.

Sonic fans will be in heaven, as will anyone who enjoys a good healthy adrenaline rush.

Not only is it an immersive and convincing gameplay experience, but it will undoubtedly be a bit of collector's item.

If you're not heartless, Nintendogs will be one of the most innovative, inimitable, and impressive games you've come across.

Despite the struggles of the combat system, the story of Kat and overall atmosphere of the game are extremely well executed and make up for the small misstep. Sure, Gravity Rush isn't the Vita's savior, but it doesn't really need to be. It's a competent action game with a unique mechanic that works well on a handheld.

It will also leave a vague air of dissatisfaction with Ninja Gaiden vets. It’s short, parts of it are sweet, but it never really gets firing on all cylinders, even though the hint of a promise for that level of intensity is present the whole time.

Rocket Slime’s charm and variety of gameplay make it one of the absolute best for the DS, even if you’ve never played a Dragon Quest before.

Between the wonderfully acted story and the tight car and gunplay, Sleeping Dogs is an exceptional open-world crime drama that ups the ante for cinematic story presentations -- and execution moves -- in games.

Die-hard console gamers may or may not appreciate the offbeat gameplay style, but there's no denying it'll grow the franchise's reputation as one of the most unusual series currently available for any platform.

If the online game had been at least as good as its’ predecessors, this title would have received top marks. Now all Tribes: Vengeance can boast is one of the best single-player story modes currently available on the PC.

The Wii version is a genuine improvement over the PS2 one. The extra content is solid, the controls are good, and the game itself holds up really well.

An incredibly fun game born of a fascinating concept that follows through on its potential in almost every way. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or of solid grapplers with a huge does of the old ultra-violence, you’ll find plenty here to keep you bouncing in your seat.

Inconsistent, though the good tends to outweigh the bad. Missteps aside, the game is genuinely fun, and at the very least worth a try via demo. If nothing else, Dust offers an intriguing promise of things to come: if Mr. Dodrill could craft a game like this on his own, what could he accomplish with more?

The onscreen heads-up display is a miracle of design, everything is easy to read, and a foldout cardboard keyboard layout makes sure everything is easy to do. Still, the game is extremely challenging, perhaps too difficult too fast.

Colonization adds a great layer onto the Civilization IV gameplay. If you like Civ-style games but also enjoy the trading and exploring aspects of games like Pirates! or, erm, Pirates of the Burning Sea, this is a game for you. However, if your strategic tendencies lean more toward building large armies than building thriving economies, just keep on sailing past this one.

If you're not heartless, Nintendogs will be one of the most innovative, inimitable, and impressive games you've come across.

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.

You're not paying for a full game when you purchase this title, and for $15 you're getting a lot of bang (literally) for your buck. The online matches are still just as addictive, and the new modes are very welcome and hopefully a precursor of more to come.

The trio of Matt Vasgersian, Dave Campbell, and Rex Hudler actually sound like they're watching the game unfold in real time, noting how many times a certain hitter has struck out, the number of consecutive hits allowed by a pitcher, and other milestones.

A fairly standard action/puzzle game. The environments are very detailed -- albeit with the minor visual hiccups endemic to the isometric perspective. The sunlight adds an unusual strategic challenge, but players must resign themselves to sometimes having to wait for the break of dawn to resume gameplay.

These improvements to the graphic engine come at a price. The frame rate slows down whenever multiple players are running the bases, and it experiences noticeable hiccups during the batting sequences.

The engine is a couple years old and not as cool-looking as contemporary games or even "MechAssault" for the Xbox... Also, the audio is unremarkable.

A challenging, yet rewarding experience that encourages players to explore every nook and cranny. New jacks might want to step back, but seasoned pros will find plenty of challenge.

Simply put, there are few launch releases that pack in so much content.

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

The visuals in Wipeout Pulse are a subtle improvement over Pure. Interestingly, the opponent AI appears a lot more aggressive which makes for a much more interesting race.

While Vegas 2 shows definite improvements over it predecessor, one cannot help but feel as though the title could have used another couple of months to get that Caesar Palace showgirl shine instead of coming out like a Caesar Palace cocktail waitress.

Players who can't stand "Diablo" won't much like Legends, no matter their mutant fanaticism. But for everyone else, the mutant madness will be addictive and appealing.

A competent massively multiplayer online RPG, but not a radical departure from "City of Heroes."

On the whole, any Minecraft is better than no Minecraft, and the 360 version is a full, satisfying game, when not judged against the PC version -- even in slightly-gimped form, Minecraft is better than most games on earth.

NBA Ballers gets better as you master it. Given the sheer amount of unlockable content, the replay value appears substantial.

The abysmal controls and resulting frustrations are unforgiveable.

While the graphics aren't especially mind-blowing, they complement the game's overall feel and make the unbelievable story that much more appealing.

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are the best-looking games in the series, but they don't hold a candle to technical marvels such as "Golden Sun." The graphics are hardly bad, though. They look clean and colorful.

A handful of tracks will have you scratching your head, wondering why they were included, but you’ll forget all about that once you’re centerstage, and the beat drops for Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”

PGA Tour 09 does not reinvent golf in the same way as "NHL 08" completely reinvigorated EA's hockey series, but it is nonetheless an extremely polished and surprisingly addictive title.

Its story is well told, its action is well presented, and though it is a very traditional real-time strategy title, it’s a very good one.

The combination of stunning graphics and frenzied gameplay make Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner a must-have for anime RPG fans or, heck, anyone with a functioning pair of eyeballs.

A good game insomuch as it’s about as realistic as you can get. But that devotion to realism can be an unforgiving master. If you’re new to the genre, stay far away from this game. It’ll only end in tears.

Despite the emphasis on monthly events and a dynamic story, there is no real solution to the twin problems of weak role-playing and the somewhat generic quests... [yet] an enjoyable, addictive game.

Quick, responsive controls do well to round out the positives here, but the time spent refining the countering-a-grapple system make Shut Your Mouth considerably more balanced and playable than some previous installments.

The graphics in Super Monkey Ball Jr. truly shine. Executed in the same style as its arcade/console counterparts, Jr. plays in full 3D This level of quality should surprise many.

The real meat is online though, and Unreal Tournament 3 doesn't disappoint. Rock solid framerates even during intense, large matches, and stable connections help make the game one of the best online fights out there.

This game, unfortunately, tries too hard to play true to its D&D roots to be able to offer much appeal to casual gamers.

Though the core game is obscenely short by modern standards, Capcom packed this title with a lot of extra content. And unlike so many retro-revamps, everything here is well worth your time.

While non-fans probably won’t dig in as much, this is still an exceptional example of the side-scrolling shooter. It looks great, plays better than ever, and the addition of a two-player option gives it significant staying power.

Where most super-hero games are satisfied with mediocrity, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance aims high and blasts its target into smithereens. 'Nuff said!

I was looking forward to it, but left very disappointed. It’s completely playable. Being about 7 hours long helps but I spent the entire game waiting for it to get good, to make sense, to make a case for all the incongruous elements of design, gameplay and story, and then it ended.