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

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

It's hard to ignore the game's addictive nature, however. By removing many of the needlessly complex details from earlier empire-building titles, developer Ironclad Games has placed the emphasis back on grand strategy over babysitting. Sins is one of the biggest surprises thus far in 2008, a game no self-respecting galactic grognard will want to be without.

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 short length and repetitive sequences make it more of a rental for non-believers, but overall, excellent gameplay, a great presentation, and familiar characters make this the best superhero-based game since, well, "Spider-Man 2."

Unlike "University," which takes you completely out of the Sim’s home environment for long stretches of time, Nightlife is expertly integrated into the core game.

Players who were burned by last year's NASCAR game should feel quite a bit better with 09. Although I personally miss the "Total Team Control" feature from a couple of years back, the new Rep and Career mode is compelling enough to keep you coming back for more. Solid graphics, solid racing, solid features.

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

Nothing new, but it's fluid and fun, with enough freedom and detail to satisfy newcomers and pros alike.

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.

For $10, serious fans of the original who are still playing regularly, or those who are itching to pick it up again, won’t want to miss this. But, if you’ve grown tired with the game and need something a little more meaty if you’re going to get back into it (like maybe a campaign), save your pennies; two more tiny enhancements are promised in the coming months, all three of which will then be bundled together to form one, proper expansion -- maybe even with a new faction!

Though casual fans might initially find the level of control to be more complicated than the average tax code, the best part of NHL 2K7 and the entire NHL 2K series is its depth, from the robust franchise mode to its online play over Xbox Live, fun mini-games, and diverse assortment of bonus content.

On the downside, deep as peripheral options are, the title doesn't feel like much of a step forward from its predecessor, "Hot Pursuit 2."

A Teen-rated, sanitized version of one of America's defining moments. And perhaps this substance is what's lacking, because while Battlefield Vietnam is a capable game, it doesn't have quite have the impact that its predecessor.

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

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.

While there isn’t a lot of innovation since the last version, there is enough action—both new and old—to assure the series’ place as one of the premiere online shooters on the system.

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

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

While Jeanne D'Arc lacks an in-depth job system found in titles like Final Fantasy Tactics, the pre-defined characters can be outfitted with four types of skill stones; granting your warriors with new spells, attacks, and more.

Far better than the Wii iteration, this is an engaging and good looking action game with classic gameplay and innovative controls. For Spidey fans on the go, it’s good stuff.

The big addition to the series, QB vision, is a love it or hate it proposition, and we're not convinced it even adds to the realism. Most of the other additions are the result of EA playing catch-up with the "NFL 2K" series.

Capcom seems unable to accept the idea of user-controlled cameras of any sort. You'll inevitably end up shooting at monsters you can't see thanks to lousy viewing angles...Otherwise remarkable.

Aside from the snub for online, Ace Combat X definitely makes the most of the PSP. It's mercifully not a port but does justice to its roots, and has enough G-forces to make you crap your pants.

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.

Crashing through flaming glass hoops while pulling off death-defying aerial stunts at 98 mph makes it a hard game to turn off once you've perfected it, and a thoroughly addictive two-player mode will help you get there.

The owners and dynasty one-two could make MVP a must-have for detail-oriented fans, especially those without a PS2 who are locked out of "MLB 2006's" equally strong offering.

Yet those who value realistic AI, tight matches, and deep franchise play will nonetheless appreciate what NHL 2K8 brings to the rink: enough technique and skill to compete with an Alex Ovechkin highlight reel.