Accepting Enchant Arms' genetic flaws as part of the JRPG package is like saying that all comic books are about superheros or that all manga is about ninja schoolgirls.

It takes a little effort, maybe, but you can make a game for kids that doesn’t bore a more experienced player.

The fielding controls are slow and unresponsive, the baserunning interface is a mess, you can't check your swing, and-for a nice dose of creepy-the wispy-voiced but obviously adult announcer casually mentions that he's got to run because his mom is coming to pick him up.

The touch controls work well, and while Honeycomb Beat suffers from a dangerous amount of redundancy, the gameplay is relatively fun and original.

Disney’s Meet the Robinsons, with its solid look and feel, succeeds in being lot better than 95% of the film-based games you’re liable to play. However, it still doesn’t stand up to the better action/platformers out there, primarily due to objectives and levels that too often drag on to tedium.

An innovative and engaging game, provided you can get over the steep learning curve.

The missions feel boring and repetitive after a while, and the combat is a mess. While the story is solid, and the overall presentation of the game is pretty good, the floundering gameplay manages to sink the entire fleet.

There are more than a few problems with the game. But there are some really nice ideas suspended down there beneath the crusty surface.

If you’ve never played it before, you’ll find Blazing Angels a good, but not great game. It’s a perfectly acceptable time waster for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

While Silent Hunter’s harder-nosed target demographic shouldn’t have to wait for more patching to fix this flawed diamond, chances are they will.

For what it is – a colorful, action-packed dungeon hack – it’s as much of a credit to the Shining Force name as any 15-year-old strategy game.

Had the missions were more expansive, and the multiplayer broader, this would have been a must-buy—especially on the PS3. As it is, Armored Core 4 is the best in the series, and a decent action game.

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.

Cooking Mama: Cook Off, like a good meal, is best shared with friends.

It’s a fun game, wherever the credit is due.

Fix the navigation system, ease back on the creature auto-leveling, patch the game, and you’d be closer to something that rated three or even four stars than this unfortunate mess of a "Diablo" wannabe.

The Godfather: The Don's Edition isn't as fun as "Crackdown" and no amount of celebrity voice acting is going the change that.

While there isn’t enough in the Wii version to warrant a buy if you’ve played the game before, Blackhand Edition provides a much needed M-rated action game for the system.

UEFA loses traction with the actual gameplay, which is filled with more issues than a magazine stand.

So while the game doesn't go feature crazy like Sega's monkey handlers, it under-delivers, leaving players with a mile-long wish list of mini-games, activities and unlockables they long to see included in the sequel.

TMNT's uninspired brand of ninjitsu-fueled platforming won't be blowing any minds.

Somewhere buried beneath the game's bird-brained plot and overly-complicated controls are a pile of flying missions that are reasonably engaging. There's just a whole lot of unnecessary junk to wade through.

Wireless warriors should snap this one up – despite some flaws, there are lots of new options for showing off your skills against other human opponents. Everyone else may as well pick up one of the earlier (and likely much cheaper) games instead.

Lost in Blue 2 does prove rewarding down the back stretch, and fans of Harvest Moon and similar games probably won’t have as much of a problem with the early going. This is a game that expects you to pay your dues, though, and most players will probably find that too high a price.

You know what would be a perfect fit? Tetris on Xbox Live Arcade. It’s really hard to understand why THQ didn’t take that route for this game.

This is more in the line of a free Flash game on the web, or something Namco could have pitched at DS download kiosks.

If you’re into quirky stories, environments worth exploring, memorable characters, and a gameplay experience that doesn’t feel like a jumbled bag of puzzles, this is your game.

If you loved the first "God of War" more than your first born child, get ready to throw out your second child for this sequel.

Since the game’s storyline and restricted gameplay keeps you from ever just branching off and doing your own thing, what you’re left with here is basically a sub-par pirate-themed adventure game that offers some fun sea-based combat and some boring sword-to-sword stuff.

Each positive aspect is saddled with a few misfires, from the limited customization options to the frequent, boring cut-scenes to the rather basic play modes.

Only those gamers in it for the puzzles will get a kick out of this one--those who don’t get overwhelmed, that is.

But in the end, it’s just freaking sudoku. And the inclusion of one MILF-ish brit doesn’t go a long way towards making the whole package more attractive.

This isn’t the first time an RPG has had trouble with the challenge of team combat in real time, and to its credit, Spectrobes comes up with an unusual way of attacking the problem.

Icon is serviceable, but it’s not something you’ll be spinning in your disc tray for very long.

Icon is serviceable, but it’s not something you’ll be spinning in your disc tray for very long.

Though some will lament the missing crash mode and others will wonder why they can't compete online, the franchise's likely swan song on PS2 nonetheless goes out on a high note, cementing its reputation as the premier arcade racing series on a platform known for its racing titles.

Though Burnout fans might be disappointed to learn there's no substantial revision to the play mechanics, Dominator's fast-paced events and score-based challenges are a perfect fit for a handheld system, making it one of the best looking, best playing racing titles on PSP.

We’re way overdue for this series to let us issue direct commands to individual squad members, or split up teams in more ways than this awkward 3-on-1 business.

Master of Disguise is a textbook on using the touch-screen to revamp traditional genres -- fans of off-beat action games are going to love it.

This is clearly a port in the wrong direction. The PSP visuals that looked great on the small screen now look terrible, and visual glitches and shortcomings flood the screen.

A really classy expansion.

In general the mini games aren't entertaining or educational. Most of them involve a lot of running around and pressing a button. They're very short and basic but they all seem kind of pointless.

With great graphics and playability, along with a slew of cool characters, Dark Resurrection is an exceptional fighter—if you just want a familiar old school coin-op experience. The lack of the story mode, online play, and mini-games is disappointing.

The old school gameplay holds up nicely. Thanks to the incredibly sharp high definition treatment, the primitive animation style manages to still impress.

It has moments of inspired violence, and the story it tells is engaging, but there is too much monotony to the gameplay to make it addictive.

The initial focus on training and gently bringing novice players into the fold is definitely one of the biggest selling points.

Those who are already into this stuff, or already have a complete understanding of the rule set will love this game. Those who are trying it out for the first time will be overwhelmed very quickly, and should definitely rent before buying.

The tweaking and decent gameplay salvages things, but the caps the game's developers put on things leaves you struggling to have fun instead of it coming naturally.

We’re talking under a dozen hours to finish, tops. No multiplayer, a few lackluster achievements--it’s hard to recommend this one despite its considerable if occasional virtues.

Chili Con Carnage is short-lived, but incredibly fun. The complete focus on crazy, stupid gunplay, tons of enemies, and decent graphics and environment make it a guilty pleasure.

Although the controls feel slightly unwieldy and unresponsive at times, SSX Blur is still generally a lot of fun. The open mountain, tons of events and unlockable goodies, and motion sensitive controls go a long way to revitalizing the snowboarding genre.

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.

The same old Samurai Warriors game with a bit of strategy pasted between battles. The new features are not enough to draw strategy fans into the fold, but they might just be what longtime fans of the series need to keep going with the genre.

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.

For every impressive animation on the field or cool detail such as dirt staying on uniforms after a slide, there seems to be a negative aspect, from the frame rate suddenly taking a hit as a runner sprints toward first to an unflattering camera view that detracts more than it adds.

Sure, it’s more burger and fries than filet mignon. But it’s a really good burger and fries.

It’s difficult in a mean, nasty way. I’m sure there are some people out there who are up for a challenge like this. Those people are idiots who have no life. If you really like to be punished this much, I recommend checking out your local S&M bar. You’ll likely find the developers of this game there holding a whip with your name on it.

flOw has all the makings of a great game, with one major exception. There is almost no point. Just the same, for $8 PlayStation 3 owners will find a truly distinctive, Zen-like gaming experience.

KDV clearly went the “gameplay first” route, and the result is a surprisingly absorbing strategy mash that no one’s really heard about...but should.

Loose controls and repeating levels marred what could have been a break out hit for a series that desperately needed one.

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.

NBA Street Homecourt is cake without the frosting, or for those who hate cake, "Baywatch" without Pam Anderson.

A little bit of humor and a fun bunch of characters go a long way towards making all the dungeon-hackery go by smoothly.

As polished, sharp, and truly intense as Supreme Commander is, the heavy-duty hardware requirements and extreme difficulty level hinders the game’s ability to match the accessibility of its predecessor.

Players looking for another MegaTen may still be disappointed, of course – if you want more of those out-there visuals and dark fantasy themes, then go ahead and stick with Atlus’ own home-grown games. If a more grown-up Pokemon sounds like a good time, though, Jewel Summoner’s a great choice.

In terms of fun factor, it doesn’t get much better than this. The game is definitely rough around the edges in a number of places and its slim production values often show through the seams of the otherwise lovely game engine, but none of that really matters. If you like shooting stuff, you will love this game.

The concept of this game is quite interesting and it’ll be enough to make some gamers more tolerant than they should be about this game’s faults. But, the execution here is unfortunately too poor to forgive.

Despite frustrations and a tenancy towards the obtuse, Chulip manages to skate by on charm. The game is frequently funny and strange enough to keep players wondering what sort of nonsense the story will dish out next.

It makes a great game that much greater, and unquestionably deserves a long-term, dedicated spot on any fan of this genre’s hard drive.

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.

But this brief, easy, and repetitive experience never comes close to the games it’s emulating.

Wii Play may sound like some kinky German fetish video (our last Wii pun, we promise!), but it's actually good, clean fun overall -- aimed at those who either A) are in diapers, B) list Pac-Man as the last video game they played, or C) a twisted combo of both. It also caters to lazy bastards, with its ability to be played from a sitting position.

One of the first real surprises of the year. Fun and childish, yet bizarrely addictive, the mix of solid and interesting gameplay, crazy characters, and some great dungeons make this a great adventure for gamers of all ages.

The new modes and wireless multiplayer are as sexy as Chun-Li's squatty, super-deformed legs, but deciding whether to drop $30 for an old-ass puzzle game and a few rejects may be a losing fight.

With more time and a more powerful platform behind it, the DS sequel takes the notion of a weather-dependent adventure and makes a well-rounded game of it. There’s less frustrating randomness, less tedious stealth gameplay. Instead, there’s more fun – more depth, more action, and more cute ideas that actually work.

With an MSRP under thirty dollars, MVP NCAA Baseball 07's strengths outweigh its negative points, but players who already own 2006's game shouldn't expect anything more than some new teams, a new pitching interface and related mini-game, and new behind-the-pitcher and batting cameras.

Just consider it The Sims for Sims newbies. It so completely caters to its intended audience that it’s an enjoyable, if slightly too easy experience.

Basically, if looks aren’t important to you; if a great personality and big brain is your thing, this is the game for you.

If you like big-eyed cartoon girls and master/servant fantasies, go right ahead and grab this. They’ll even chirp at you in squeaky Japanese if that happens to be to your taste. Otherwise, though, you can rest secure in the knowledge that you’re barely missing anything here at all.

Final Fantasy VI Advance not only set the bar for RPG's in the 16-bit era, it sets a standard that few games reach in the modern era of gaming. This game won't win any beauty pageants, but easily makes up with any shortcomings with story and customizations.

The run-of-the-mill level grinding in Vanguard is no better or worse than any other MMO. It’s a little disappointing that we still have to deal with crap like this. But there are some neat ideas in Vanguard.

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.

For its ambition and tackling of two genres at once, Battlestations: Midway ain't half bad. Its duality means that not a lot of players will absolutely fall in love with it, but there's enough here for most gamers to find themselves happily immersed.

The best thing about Fuzion Frenzy 2 is that it’s an easy 1,000 achievement points (there are only 16 different tasks, and most of those are to play through a tournament with each player).

All told, Sam & Max fans have plenty to celebrate with three top notch (albeit brief) episodes.

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.

Strip away the license and it’s a by-the-numbers production – not irredeemably bad, but not remarkable enough to plow through for tens of hours.

Legend of Heroes needs more innovation in the areas that actually matter – scenario writing, game design, the tricky stuff like that – before it’ll spawn an installment worth playing.

If anything The Shield: The Game is true to the spirit of its source material. Much of the game may be poorly designed, cruelly difficult and obnoxiously unfair, but none of these flaws are necessarily show-stopping.

Heavy Weapon is a fun, if repetitive, game for one, but it is truly comical multiplayer diversion.

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.

It’s definitely a flawed game. But the experience overall looks so good, and blowing stuff up feel so good, that we just can’t help but recommend it.

Much of the game may be poorly designed, cruelly difficult and obnoxiously unfair, but none of these flaws are necessarily show-stopping.

While over a thousand cards may look good in print, picking through cards that wouldn’t be fit for the spokes of your bike five years ago seems like a let down.

All told, Sam & Max fans have plenty to celebrate with three top notch (albeit brief) episodes.

Most disappointing is the shoddy way this celebration of all things Metal Slug is presented.

It’s cheap, fun, and nostalgic, without being shoddy. Excellent action, superb dual stick controls, and plenty of fun for one or two players, this is one of the best traditional 2D shooters around.

If Mad Doc can fix the multiplayer somehow, there’s every reason to believe trekkers and even fussier trekkies could find something to desire here.