A perfectly satisfying way to quell your hunger pains for a long-form, hardcore RTS.

Though there are a few interface and gameplay quirks, "Shadow Magic" is immensely satisfying. Whether you're new to these games or a grizzled veteran, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic"will keep you playing late into the night.

The inclusion of online racing and the frenetic pace of the races will leave players with a dirt-eating grin.

The frustration factor, however, runs needlessly high in SOCOM as a one-player adventure.

While the "car" portion of TrackMania: Sunrise is indeed shallow, the focus on wild, custom race tracks and unique modes of play really puts this game in a class by itself.

It's a great platformer with a lot of the strong, fun play mechanics that are simply missing from a lot of the PlayStation 2's platformers these days. However, if you played the first game, Ape Escape 2 won't be a shining gem but just a fond reminder of the first time you played this series.

SOCOM 3's entrenched community is huge, so it's a safe bet that you'll always have someone to trade fire with no matter when you connect.

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.

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

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.

The overhead camera feels constrained. We simply want an isometric view to get a better perspective.

There's enough in here to keep the hooligans entertained until the next World Cup, or at least next year's game.

Sonic Rush is the best hedgehog game since the beloved Sonic CD, and platforming fans will have to be taking some serious downers to not get a rush from what Sonic has to offer on the DS.

There’s something almost absurd about paying for a game that inundates you with a constant stream of ads.

The Williams Collection is a top-tier set of pinball tables that fans should not pass up.

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.

Although exploration is the core of the game—and like every game in this series, the best part—combat happens frequently and will likely be the main cause of frustration. Still, if you can stick it out through the hard bits, Prince of Persia Classic is definitely a worthwhile download. It’s a welcome walk down memory lane—when it’s not causing shouts of pain and anguish.

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.

Take it all together, though, and it's a pretty clear snapshot of what made Sega's 16-bit console worth remembering. It's a great nostalgia trip, an even better history lesson, and hopefully the first in a long series of Genny revivals.

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

The control scheme is bound to scare lots of people away before they see what it has to offer. And it has a lot to offer. It's not pretty, but it's deep.

A technically impressive racing game for the GBA, but even more impressive is that underneath the pretty images sits a racing game that would be great on any platform.

Digital Devil Saga 2 brings the strange story started by the first game to a spectacular, dramatic, and bizarrely calm end.

A magnificent game.

This is the first baseball release in years that smartly walks the line between reality and fantasy.

It’s a WWII shooter that will teach you about what your grandpappy went through with the same gritty verve as "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan." This is the kind of game that proves war is truly hell.

Everything that made SOCOM one of the PS2’s few standout online multiplayer games has been wrapped in a streamlined package for PSP.

Everything in the game remains true to the source material, and Revelation is the best Myst sequel yet released.

Behind the cool art and bizarre story is a fun, addictive and challenging RPG with great gameplay systems and a lot more variety and choice than most of today’s, cinema-heavy RPGs. Games rarely stray this far off the beaten path and actually work out so well, making Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne a must for the adventurous RPG fan.

Madden NFL 09 is a big improvement over last year's version, if only because it's more playable. The new features aren't earth shattering, and it's hard to fathom why the five-on-five mode wasn't juiced up to provide an even more arcade-like experience.

The expansion adds more wonderful charm to the game while not exactly taking the huge risks that we've seen in past expansions, and that's okay. As a returning player, there's plenty to do to keep me busy thanks to all of the end game content, and there will be more to come when Blizzard implements the game's upcoming 10 and 25 man raid encounters.

There’s something almost absurd about paying for a game that inundates you with a constant stream of ads.

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?

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.

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.

Remains the best of its genre, with its ball physics, ease of play, and wonderful online community. However, aside from the fantastic new control method and character models, not much has changed in the series in five years.

Despite the absence of much role-playing, or perhaps because of it, Westwood has created a game that is quite a lot of fun to play. In fact, it's one of the few MMORPGs that is enjoyable even if you choose not to interact with any other players.

The huge leap in quality and playability from last year's version qualifies it for one of the most improved sports games available.

A New Day is an exceptional start to a five-part series that has me completely hooked and engrossed in a world that I can't even begin to imagine, let alone speculate about where it will go next.

It’s a decidedly different take on a massively popular franchise, but it’s one that ends up achieving what so many console RTSes have failed to by stripping away cumbersome control schemes and giving console players (and in this case Halo players) something that feels like it was made with them in mind.

MotorStorm, both past and present, is also one of the best looking racing games around, though it’s not as photorealistic as a "Gran Turismo."

EA Sports has itself one expertly designed and well put together game with SSX. The huge, multi-path runs and silky smooth controls more than offset any minor stumbles.

A top-quality production on every level, and is arguably the best hack-and-slash game since the original "Golden Axe."

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

College Hoops 2K7 is a big improvement over last year, though it's still overshadowed by "NBA 2K7."

When other downloadable games offer a similar experience for the same price or less with a more streamlined experience, tenfold the content and just as much replayability, it becomes hard to recommend Joe Danger 2: The Movie, no matter how cute and competent its design is.

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.

There is no comparison to Grand Theft Auto IV in terms of gunplay, presentation, story, ambient city life, or driving. Rockstar has this beat by a country mile. But while Row’s lack of polish and rough exterior make it the less attractive choice from a technical standpoint, for those who felt shortchanged by GTA IV's scaled-back features (especially when compared to San Andreas), Saints Row 2 will help fill the void.

The result could be the best "Star Trek" game ever -- maybe not in terms of pure strategic or simulation gameplay, but certainly in terms of being true to its license.

The best version of the game so far...It's also the best starting point for anyone who still hasn't gotten into the DDR phenomenon.

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.

In addition to an in-game instant replay feature, FIFA provides a neat highlight package at the end of games that shows the top six plays of the game.

Ultimately, Retribution doesn’t usurp the PS3 entries in this franchise, but it doesn’t undermine them either. Instead, it’s as solid a side story as God Of War: Chains Of Olympus was to that series. Though, we must admit, your enjoyment all depends on your perspective on the PSP’s ideas of FPS-style controls.

The game is solid, if a bit short on content, but it’s more fun than it’s ever been.

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

Nearly every game area we encountered was more realistically lit, which often meant fewer places to hide. New motion-captured moves supplement Fisher's already impressive range of actions, and watching him clamber over a railing is simply one of the best animations in gaming.

Many will say the game ends too abruptly with its nine-hour length, but there's no other experience like Condemned: Criminal Origins for those who can handle its savage disposition.

Casual players may find the game entirely too complicated. It’s not an easy game to pick up if you haven’t been playing the series since day one.

Painkiller is pure adrenaline. If you don't feel the rush while playing this game, you're probably dead.

It lacks the replay value of the first game, but it's the perfect tech demo for your new handheld and its off-beat humor is as strong as ever.

A damn good game of hockey, and one that shows tremendous promise for the next few years.

Tactical RPG enthusiasts should pick this one up no questions asked. If previous games in this genre have left you cold, there’s enough unique about Growlanser: Generations to recommend.

The graphics, though pixilated, are well done and utilize the GBA hardware competently. The monsters still look as threatening as ever, and the action animation is solid.

The presentation is excellent as well. Though not as sharp as the PS2 version, the graphics look excellent, the audio is solid, and overall, this is a very well-rounded racing simulation with plenty to do.

The game goes overboard, too, when it attempts to be clever or creative. When Row tries desperately to outdo "Grand Theft Auto" in terms of its in-game radio stations—accessed when players hijack cars—it fails miserably.

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

True, those newcomers are going to have a rough time of it for a little while, but they’ll have a good time if they stick with it a while.

It's a really well-crafted game that features a fun and diverse vehicle as well as clever level design. Though it has some minor flaws, they're not enough to keep this gem from shining.

Not-too-bright enemies coupled with garish graphics are both a lesson in frustration and an eyesore. It takes a lot of the fun out of blasting a floating brain type when the aforementioned baddie looks more like a smudge than a foe.

You'd think such an impressive technical base would allow the game to take more risks, but that assumption doesn't prove true.

With so much personality and gameplay depth, however, no true tactical RPG fan will be able to resist braving this phantom.

But it would take a very hardcore Star Wars fan to actually plod on and replay the same levels again and again. As such, LSWII might be best rented.

There is no comparison to Grand Theft Auto IV in terms of gunplay, presentation, story, ambient city life, or driving. Rockstar has this beat by a country mile. But while Row’s lack of polish and rough exterior make it the less attractive choice from a technical standpoint, for those who felt shortchanged by GTA IV's scaled-back features (especially when compared to San Andreas), Saints Row 2 will help fill the void.

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.

While the gameplay is still overly derivative of games like "Colony Wars" and "Wing Commander," and doesn't quite capture the "Star Wars" feel in the same way the "Rogue Squadron" games do, it's a massive step in the right direction.

For pure dollar value -- 10 total games for $29.99 -- Mega Man Anniversary Collection is a great buy. That is, if you can make your peace with the atrocious button-swapping snafu.

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.

In some ways, the Xbox equivalent of "Katamari Damacy."

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.

This is the first baseball release in years that smartly walks the line between reality and fantasy.

Setting PRD apart from other games in the genre, the AI is intelligent, responsive, and unforgiving. Seeing a group of opponents jockeying for position as they approach a bend is not uncommon. Players must earn every win, as the AI cars will take advantage of every mistake.

Delivers only so much replay value. But unlockable game modes and novel bonuses minimize such limitations. While far from perfect, Time Crisis 3 has been a long time coming, and brother, take it from us, this sucker's been worth the wait.

While Doogie Howser may have a better chance of returning to television than you have in learning any real medical knowledge from Trauma Center, the frenzied pace and slick controls easily make this one of the most “infectious” DS games yet released.

Its swing mechanism is sitting in the light rough, but veteran golf gamers will drive it out without leaving a divot. If anything, it's odd that a golf game with so much color is so not wacky. But between all the unlockable options and excellent multiplayer mode, this is one golf game that won't leave you screaming for a mulligan.

Fans of the series will be quick to pick this one up and will likely get much enjoyment. New players might find more to love in the newer games in the series. Either way, Shadow Dragon is a good move for tactical strategy gamers.

Top it all off with a delicious graphics engine and you’ve got an Age of Empires game for modern machines that sports daring new design ideas for the modern strategy gamer.

Vessel brings art, music, and some great puzzles to the table. Though messy and not always perfect, anyone who loves playing around with water will want to get their hands dirty with this title.

If you can live without the slightest bit of action and can forget anything you know about the law (suspension of legal belief is definitely required) then there's a lot for you here to enjoy.

Certainly the most mature and well-balanced of Goodman's titles, and it succeeds more often than not.

For pure dollar value -- 10 total games for $29.99 -- Mega Man Anniversary Collection is a great buy. That is, if you can make your peace with the atrocious button-swapping snafu.

And if the thought of cleaning up virtual garbage and keeping your sim familiar with the toilet isn't your idea of fun, steer clear. Love it or hate it, this is still "The Sims."

If you've grown accustomed to 16 on 16 battles in other shooters, nothing, we repeat, nothing, will prepare you for combat in Planetside.

Remarkably lacking.

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.

Thanks to next-gen graphical flair, elegant controls, and a sparkling sheen of packaging polish, Rockstar Presents Table Tennis manages a near miracle.

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.

If effort counts, then Red Orchestra is not a bad game, and it might even be a very good one. But playing games is about having experiences, and the experience of playing Red Orchestra will leave 95% of the gaming community out in the cold. That other 5% will have the time of their lives though.

By far the best of the "Yu-Gi-Oh" games to make it to American shores. Fans of the card game will most likely love it.