Suiko IV’s stilted pace and dated RPG idiosyncrasies leave a whole lot of slack. Whether you’re willing to bend over to pick up this slack is entirely up to you.

More about the story it presents than the game play used to advance the plot. Luckily, said story is so compelling that it largely makes up for the sins committed in other aspects of the title, keeping the game interesting despite the trial-and-error mission setup and sometimes-confusing objectives.

With a bevy of unlockables and a single-player freak-out well worth playing twice, there is much bang in this macabre buck.

The game deserves special props for its amazingly executed setting; the whole world is so visibly at war that every mission in the game feels completely natural.

The Minish Cap does virtually nothing wrong. It's an excellent and faithful Zelda game, and one of the best Game Boy Advance games to date.

It's hard to recommend a game that ultimately turns into running in circles while attempting to unload your weapons faster than the next guy.

Online quibbles aside, NFL Street 2 easily bests its predecessor in terms of depth, visuals, and overall fun.

Online quibbles aside, NFL Street 2 easily bests its predecessor in terms of depth, visuals, and overall fun.

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.

The die-hard giant robot fan may get some mileage out of the multiplayer modes (despite some lag in larger games) but even they will be disappointed by the poor presentation. Rarely has the future of combat seemed to be stuck so far in the past.

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.

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

Maybe our blue buddy needs to take a breather for a little while, replace his outdated circuitry, and make another run in a few years' time.

A poorly conceived, poorly executed mess. It’s an insult to the intelligence of gamers everywhere, and that’s no mean feat.

A fun arcade-style racing game that could have benefited from more features, like the ability to customize cars (you can only choose color and transmission type), compete in tournaments, or embark on a dynamic career mode with cash prizes instead of trophies.

The flimsy-as-aluminum presentation certainly doesn't help Battle Assault 3 earn any new fans.

Combines two much-maligned RPG staples, random dungeons and card battles, and somehow pulls it off with aplomb.

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.

Infuriating and boring.

It's unquestionably a great game, and certainly the best RPG on the Xbox this year, but the aging game engine and patchwork ending make it fall short where its predecessor excelled.

But compared to the last few games in the series, Mario Party 6 is definitely an improvement and hopefully is an indication of where this series will go in the future.

SNK has done a remarkable job of creating a new Metal Slug experience that feels nearly perfect on the small screen. Frenetic action, great graphics, and classic, refined gameplay are all highlights here.

The reliance on old school game mechanics does make the game dated. It’s a bit like playing a clone of the original Doom after you’ve finished Half-Life 2.

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

It may not have the same depth as other puzzle games, and it’s certainly not a showpiece for DS technology, but it will keep your heart racing and mouth smiling for short doses, which is often all you are looking for in a portable game.

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

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

Despite their simplicity, there's a lot depth here, and even those that don't remember their original incarnations will find a lot to like here.