Don't waste your time with the Order of the Phoenix unless you just can't get enough Harry Potter, no matter how low the quality.

If you want to try the game rent it first and see if you like it before you buy it. Then again, if you’re a hardcore Potter fan with a PSP then this game is definitely worth picking up.

Maybe it is not the best game in the Wii library, but it is definitely the best Harry Potter game yet released.

At best this would be a good hand-me-down game, passing from one kid to another to try to impart a lesson or two about natural history before he or she moves onto something a whole lot more fun. But that’s a stretch of Biblical proportions. Darwin probably wouldn’t approve.

Brothers in Arms DS pushes all the boundaries of technology while delivering a solid action war game whose only fault is that it is over all too quickly.

If you enjoy intense racing, against the clock or against other cars, realistic scenery, and the occasional fender bender, you won’t find a better racing game than DiRT. Rally racing has been reborn...welcome to the next generation.

Obviously, this is a game targeted to a specific audience, and while non-Transformers fans will find a few moments of fun, I can really only recommend this game to diehard fans or perhaps new converts after this summer’s movie. With some serious control issues, casual gamers may lose their momentum before the story and gameplay can capture their interest.

Obviously, this is a game targeted to a specific audience, and while non-Transformers fans will find plenty to like it might be best as a rental. But for those who thrive in the world of high-tech morphing robots, the Battle for the AllSpark is a most tempting gameplay feature that will have thousands of gamers making daily contributions to the ongoing war.

It's hard to beat a classic; it’s even harder when that classic is really good. But sometimes a sequel can make a difference and completely redeem some of its forerunners mistakes.

Obviously, this is a game targeted to a specific audience, and while non-Transformers fans will find plenty to like it might be best as a rental. But for those who thrive in the world of high-tech morphing robots, the Battle for the AllSpark is a most tempting gameplay feature that will have thousands of gamers making daily contributions to the ongoing war.

Puzzle Scape seems to try too hard at imitating other games, especially Lumines with its addictive gamplay.

It was a nice alternative to a lot of the other “mindless” games I play on the PSP and other game system, and I really believe it did sharpen my brain, at least from a mental awareness level, each day I played it. I don’t think it really improved my language or math skills, but that’s also not the purpose.

A great puzzle game with a decided twist in its presentation. It may not be accurate in telling your intelligence but it is a fun game and quite a challenge.

The game only takes six hours to beat but yet it costs nearly 60 dollars. I’ll let you do the math.

Fans of the comics and the films will be sorely disappointed, so if you feel obligated to purchase this game out of fan loyalty, at least wait until it hits the bargain bins.

I am not going to lie to you, I got so bored playing this game by myself that I didn’t finish it.

I really loved Prince of Persia Classic. It was more than just your typical “enhancement” we find in so many other XBLA titles, yet it remained totally true to the source material while cleverly working in a few elements from the more recent console games.

I totally enjoyed the new characters, new parallel storyline, new locations, and exciting gameplay. Sure it was too easy at times, but there were also some areas where things got downright nasty, but in the end, Vegas on the PSP is a great addition to the Rainbow franchise.

If you liked the predecessor Tenchu games, then you’ll like Tenchu Z, at least a little. FromSoftware and K2 must have obviously not devoted a lot of their resources to this game, though.

But for whatever reason, the game just feels a tad rushed, and while enjoyable at times, there was just too much frustration and repetition to make this more than a rental, at least until it hits the bargain bins.

I liked the game and did become semi-addicted to it. However the game does loose it pizzazz the further you get into it.

The White Wolf of Icicle Creek is a better and longer game than either of the last two Nancy Drew titles and is probably worth getting if you enjoyed the other games in the series.

For the generous collection of fashions (and re-skinnable clothing meshes) added, as well as the modern retail décor and fashion runway, it’s not a bad addition to Sims 2 for the fashion-conscious player.

It's hard for me to completely hate You Are Empty, but then again I'm a sucker for those really bad horror movies the Sci Fi Channel churns out on a weekly basis.

The gameplay and action do get intense but it does not break any new grounds for video game enthusiasts. [*only Single Player considered]

Some of the aspects of the game that were frustrating to me also make the game more suitable for younger players: the challenge of earning enough money to care for your pet can teach kids responsibility and the value of prioritizing and planning their spending, and the factors that limit daily game time (like your pony’s stamina) can help build good habits of taking breaks between bouts of gaming.

Hardcore racing fans would be remiss to not pick up Forza Motorsport 2 immediately. While it could use a few more tracks and possibly a few less jaggies around the edges, it is definitely the most in-depth racing simulation found on any of the current-gen consoles.

The name, Shadowrun, comes with its own legacy, but this game really trashes that history and leaves us with a slightly broken and totally incomplete multiplayer element, and when multiplayer is all your game can offer, you had better get that part right. Unfortunately, FASA didn’t.

Overall Shadowrun is worth the expense as a first person multiplayer game but some extra content would be nice.

Puzzle games have always been on the boring side to me. Most puzzle games follow a certain standard. Crush starts its own standard, and I have a hunch that many games will try and replicate it.

Armageddon is just another fighter these days. It may have been one of the most popular fighting games of the mid-90’s but that time has long passed.

Legend of the Dragon is a disappointment for a fighting game. There is a general lack of anything that stands out to make it worth paying attention to or purchasing.

It is not all that bad a game overall. But the simple fact that it carries the full purchase price compels us to judge it against other full-priced titles, and it that case it just doesn’t make the cut.

Everything it offers is either totally standard (the gameplay) or a failed gambit (the 1930s atmosphere).

Die hard fans of the Diner Dash series or simply anyone welcome to the idea of casual games will be nothing short of satisfied, but players wanting more than just a 15 minute game break may just want to ask for the check.

While I appreciated the Cliff’s Notes abbreviated style of gameplay, I still wish there had been more use of the school locations and more periods of interaction between the characters.

This game shows incredible potential, but anyone besides platforming purists will probably want to call their local exorcist as soon as possible to rid their DS of the vile corruption that is Death Jr.

Card battling games have a very distinct target audience, and as so games like Marvel Trading Card Game will not appeal to everyone. But for those gamers who have been raised on Pokemon and Magic, Marvel Trading Card Game will fit right in to their collection.

Diner Dash is a pretty addictive game and stands as one of those easy to pick and play games for fun. If you want a simple to play game that only requires reflexes and little thinking Diner Dash: Sizzle & Serve may just be for you.

With a unique and deep battle and level system, a good storyline, interesting characters, well balanced gameplay and plenty of eye and ear candy, Odin Sphere is an awesome game that will most likely go on any action and RPG fan's list of favorites.

Whether you are on land, sea, or the white sands of Davy Jones Locker, there isn’t a more swashbuckling time to be had and Jack Sparrow is the quintessential pirate hero.

Whether you are on land, sea, or the white sands of Davy Jones Locker, there isn’t a more swashbuckling time to be had and Jack Sparrow is the quintessential pirate hero.

While the controls might not be a perfect as they could be, just the fact that you can swing your arms like a real pirate gives the Wii version a ton more mileage than the button mashing console versions.

A decent enough game for short bouts of zombie slaying, but at its brief length, players may want to wait until it shows up in their local bargain bin, or simply save your money and blow some quarters on a true light gun game.

Part of me wants to recommend Soltrio Solitaire because it does offer 16 unique variations of the popular game, makes an attempt at online play, and comes with 200 built-in Achievement Points. But the shoddy controls, irritating music, and dull gameplay are sure to turn off a majority of seasoned gamers.

This game blew away any expectations that I had. Every second something caught me off guard and really brought me into the game even more.

The power of the 360 brings the world of Shrek right into my living room with lush graphics, rich sound, and challenging, entertaining gameplay that makes this title a perfect complement to what will easily be the blockbuster box-office event of the year.

The unique design for the Wii console brings the world of Shrek to life with a physicality unmatched by any other action platform title, and the entertaining gameplay makes this title a perfect complement to what will easily be the blockbuster box-office event of the year.

Poorly slapped together in some aspects, awkward dialog and delivery noticeably mar Shrek the Third.

Shrek the Third takes a great 360 title and compacts it down into the palm of your hand while maintaining all the great gameplay at only a small cost in visuals.

A charming title that is fun, challenging, and perfect for the entire family. It mixes action and combat with a bit of puzzle solving and does a great job of promoting teamwork, an important value for the kids this game hopes to target.

The gameplay and value are pretty decent but could have been much better with a little effort.

Even taken as a standalone game and not a movie tie-in, this latest Shrek adventure is a charming title that is fun, challenging, and perfect for the younger kids.

While Double Dragon might not turn the heads of today’s youngsters, aging gamers will definitely enjoy the quick stroll down memory lane.

Sure, Driver ’76 isn’t the end-all-be-all of PSP racing games, but you can’t help but have a fantastic time once you climb behind the wheel and explore one of the best handheld recreations of New York City.

For me, I loved the music, loved the visual style (despite the last-gen graphics), and really got into mastering all the ins and outs of the enormous tracks.

Winx Club: Join the Club is a bad game and really not worth your time to look at much less subject your child to.

Some of the features may feel like a throwback to the original Operation Flashpoint, and many of the mechanics may overwhelm more casual shooter players, the sheer amount of extra content and military accuracy make ArmA: Combat Operations difficult to not recommend to a military enthusiast or fan of the Flashpoint series.

The game has plenty of problems and if you have a gamepad controller that is the preferred control device, as the keyboard and mouse just don’t cut it.

New York has never looked better and the increased size and complexity really bring the Big Apple to life, even if the framerate chugs from time to time.

If you really, really love Spider-Man and have a high tolerance for dismal graphics and repetitive gameplay and the PS2 is the only game system you have in the house, then go ahead and check this out...maybe as a rental. Or get the NDS version. You'll have infinitely more fun.

It almost becomes a rhythm game as you perfect the block-counterattack system, especially for the boss fights. And when you aren’t fighting some crazy mutant or saving the city from serial bombers, a casual swing through Manhattan at night is almost therapeutic.

A very cool Wii-exclusive gameplay features is the enhanced integration of the black suit. It was more of a visual concept on the PS3 and 360, but in this game it really becomes part of the strategy.

I loved the new control scheme that literally allows you to draw your moves, zip to buildings, and engage in exciting combat. There is a great story, colorful graphics, and just a fun time to be had with this latest Spidey title.

A deep and rich strategy experience, and for a mere handful of Microsoft points, it can be a welcome addition to any player’s arcade who is willing to spend some time learning the few simple rules of this timed release gaming experience.

Heatseeker is certainly not a game for everyone, and even the flight sim enthusiast may be a little turned off by it’s over simplification of aerial combat. But, for short bouts of intense and mindless arcade action, this game definitely fits the bill. Because unrealistic as it may be, Heatseeker is not a game that tries to be.

There have certainly been far worse games in the extremely well-traveled FPS genre. For what it is, Alpha Prime delivers the goods and ends up being an engaging experience.

If you like 3D games in the same vein as Mercury Meltdown then you'll find plenty of challenging gameplay, strategy, and even a touch of reflexive action lurking in Cube, a game that proves it truly is hip to be square.

One of the most visionary XBLA titles since "Alien Hominid."

I really enjoyed Pinball FX. Granted, pinball is fairly simple and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s great for a quick break from the normal game routine.

Like the book it was based on, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is poised to become an enduring classic in its own right.

A by-the-numbers RTS that offers few surprises.

We all know that sex sells, especially when it comes to nerdy, dateless, video gamers. But when you use sex to sell a totally broken and dysfunctional game built on a sport that I truly love, well, you have gone too far.

A rather uninspired XBLA release. Sure, Digital Eclipse put all the bells and whistles on the enhanced version, but when the classic plays better than the enhanced you have to wonder what went wrong.

Despite being sandwiched between two high-profile music games, Boom Boom Rocket offers a unique and vibrant gameplay experience that is really unmatched by anything else out there.

In my opinion, this is by far the best Mario game currently available.

Its lukewarm gameplay unfortunately suffers from consistently atrocious spelling problems, some questionably sexist overtones, and a badly designed interface. Other than that, Hot Dog King had some entertaining moments, and I’ve certainly played worse.

The unique blending of 3D gameplay elements blended seamlessly with exquisitely rendered 2D backgrounds works extremely well, and there is so much Egyptian flavor I was half expecting to see the National Geographic or Discovery Channel logo in the corner of the screen.

I was anticipating control issues due to the lack of a second analog stick but they weren’t as bad as I had imagined. In all, this is a fairly solid handheld port of the console version.

Expect 8-12 hours to unlock the content (on medium) and 8-12 months to master it. By then, it will be time for Guitar Hero III and the insanity can start anew.

It is becoming too easy for developers and publishers to just add minor things to games and then port them to other systems, especially the Wii.

For those who really enjoy the new items and outfits, though, and especially for players who tend to stick to Maxis-released items just to play it safe, The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff can add a lot of much-needed flavor to your Sims’ social events.

Similar games can easily be played online for free via the Internet.

Penumbra remains a mediocre adventure game with a small handful of interesting elements, and pee your pants moments.

For me, Arcade Hits was a great trip down memory lane. Sadly, younger gamers probably won’t want to deal with the primitive graphics and sound, or even worse, fighting dad for their turn on the DS.

It’s great fun in a non-traditional game setting where you actually feel good about obeying traffic laws and driving safe, rather than running from the police and driving like a madman.

Test Drive Unlimited was a bold experiment in seamlessly blending the solo and online racing experience and it worked great on the 360 and PC, and to some degree you get a small taste of this on the PSP, but I wouldn’t recommend this game to anyone looking for the next big thing in PSP online gaming.

The future of Xbox Live Arcade starts here and today with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

When a game can’t hold your attention past the tutorial you should probably leave it on the shelf.

One of the rather useless parts they have added to the game was the clothes, accessories and being able to change your character. I found this to be something that seemed like an addition thrown in to try and add value to the game, but who wants to spend time picking out a new outfit when you could be racing.

Genesis Rising makes a small leap forward in terms of an interesting tech system based on genetics, but then takes two huge leaps back in terms of playability and user experience.

Shining Force EXA is most likely going to be enjoyed by fans of Shining Force Neo, as it is essentially a sequel. If you're not one of those gamers, then just skip it.

After Burner: Black Falcon is much more exciting, colorful, and just plain fun. It delivers addictive arcade aerial combat requiring almost instinctive reflexes, all at the speed of sound.

Puzzle Quest uses a very good balance of the puzzles and the RPG theme to create an overall well made game that is interesting and yet challenging.

Silverfall is a title that had some potential, but suffers from a lack of quality control and an abundance of poor development decisions.

If Earth Defense Force 2017 were a movie, Ed Wood would have directed it. It would star Bruce Campbell. The folly artists would be hard at work with the pots and pans of your average kitchen. The special effects would come courtesy of the cheap toys and props of your garden-variety dollar store. This is a “B” movie from start to finish, it’s about as cheesy, hokey and ridiculous as they come and it’s totally awesome!

Even if you have already played this game on another console, I would recommend at least renting this game on the Wii to see how the subtle little details can really add a lot of enjoyment to a slightly cliché gaming genre.

This is the game that "FIFA 07" should have been. Despite the little annoyances, this is the best soccer game on the 360.