A purchase is not recommended, however, due to the game’s short length and considerably degraded graphics and gameplay. After all, 50 smackers is a lot to invest in such a short-lived game, especially when it’s an inferior port of a PC title (largely the result of the PS2’s technical limitations).

With a familiar world to explore and many ways to do so, you play The Third Age over and over.

I find that even if the game is better I still find myself wishing I was playing the original instead.

H.A.W.X is flight action combat at its best and is served up nicely with a heavy dose of political espionage, intrigue, and betrayal, Tom Clancy style. Whether you rent or buy you’ll definitely want to take part in this supersonic ride of your life.

If you're looking for an awesome co-op experience then Crimson Alliance is a must have.

Scrapland creates a stunning new world, a setting of unique architecture and character design and hopefully marks the birth of a new franchise.

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.

It is without a doubt one of the best mobile music games out there.

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

A deceptively cool game in that it hooks you almost immediately with its approachable controls and intuitive building-block combos, not to mention the sheer artistry of the graphics and animation. Then once you are entranced the game gets harder, but by then your skills are more than up for the task.

When it comes to soccer on the PSP it's either this or World Tour Soccer 06. Only 2006 FIFA World Cup manages to capture all of that magic and recreate the pageantry of the World Cup better than any World Cup game before it, and it puts it in the palm of your hand.

Whether you are looking for a good 25-30 hour RTS campaign, or just the next big online RTS in the tradition of Magic the Gathering, Impossible Creatures has something inventive and fun for everyone.

With its awesome environments, outrageous creatures, powerful weapons, and insane level of challenging gameplay, there should be enough violent bloodletting to satiate the hardest of hardcore players.

Overall, WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2009 is a remarkable title for the PSP. While it might not win over the traditional fighting game fans with its slow paced action, the game features solid gameplay and impressive production values that would make most PSP owners proud – even if they know noting about wrestling.

Sierra has done a great job of keeping the turn based game going at a good clip and reduced the waiting times as much as humanly possible.

A tight, relatively deep gameplay system combines with classic styling and characters to create a time warp of a game that is still well worth a look for older gamers.

Overlord: Raising Hell is not the worst game of this ilk, but it surely does not match the work of Molyneux’s famed Fable for the Xbox, nor does it approach the work of the PS3 exclusive Heavenly Sword.

Tokobot shows some real promise with a totally original concept that can be expanded upon for what we can only hope will be more adventures on the PSP and if we are lucky, the big consoles.

A solid follow-up to "Raven Shield" and not only raises the bar on difficulty and mission design, but does so while adding some really great weapons and some creative new multiplayer modes.

A fun and highly challenging tactical game that will test your analytical skills as well as your undying patience.

Sure, it may be a dumbed down version of the card game, but by focusing on action and strategy the game becomes much more accessible to casual gamers and those who aren't already hardcore fans of the card game.

The ultimate evolution of the Tony Hawk franchise. It contains the perfect mix of next-gen technology while holding true to the core skating elements and quality gameplay that has made this the definitive skateboarding title for more than a decade.

Naruto Clash of the Ninja Revolution 2 is a great game if you’re a fan of the anime or previous games in the series (chances are if you are a fan of one, you’re a fan of the other.)

Mario Kart finally gets some next-gen competition. Cars 2 delivers a fast, fun, challenging, and completely family-friendly (and family focused) racing game. It might look like a kiddie game on the outside, but there is some serious racing and some serious fun lurking under the hood for anybody who wants to play as their favorite animated automobile. Cars 2 is one wild ride!

The thought of the possible controls had me very excited. Although I am not a fan of Dragon Ball Z, and never have been, the Wii’s controls could have turned this game into an instant classic for anyone.

A well-made turn-based strategy game with some interesting twists to give a different gameplay style to a sometimes overworked genre.

In many ways this might just be my favorite GBA title of 2004. The designers have combined some really inventive gameplay that mixes collection, action, and puzzles with a great story and stylish presentation.

It’s predictable, clichéd, and a bit lackluster in many ways, but it’s not flat out bad.

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames certainly lives up to its name. It's as if Pandemic made a game just to show of “hey look at the cool explosions we can do!” It's too bad the AI and graphical glitches bring such a promising game to a frustrating halt.

You have the coolest weapon to date in the glaive. When you incorporate the music, graphics, and game play style it is really hard not to get into this game and want to keep playing even if you can’t handle horror games, although I think of this game more as creepy than horror.

Just when racing sims got too deep and repetitive, Monster Games has given us an arcade game that makes being white trash fun. Demolition derby has never been so entertaining and certainly never this addictive.

Had it had an online feature or the split-screen action of Budokai 3, the verdict would have been different.

The combat system is totally unique but flounders in some clunky timing issues. The skill strikes are cool but few in number and lose their "wow factor" about six hours into the game.

But with so much content, miles of mountainside, hours of music, addictive mini-games, hilarious movies, park editor, online leaderboards, sleds, snowmobiles and even bathtubs, Amped 3 is in a class all its own.

For the most part Area 51 delivered a solid, fast, fun, and very challenging action-shooter, all set within a creative human-alien hybrid setting. Who wouldn't love the chance to get a peek inside Area 51?

While not perfect in execution, once you get past the balancing issues in combat and the overly complex game world with hard to find destinations, you will find a compelling adventure and some truly brilliant concepts at work here.

While not an epiphany of brilliance the game revives MK and makes the series at least relevant again. And if you’re a DC fan there’s no excuse not to get this game. This is the best game to use the DC license in years.

One of the most enjoyable titles that I've played for some time.

Much like the famed Deathrow, The Club is not going to appeal to every gamer. But I’m willing to bet that if any gamer worth his salt were to give The Club a good honest weekend session, that they would find themselves hooked on The Club’s high intensity gameplay.

The graphics, the sound, the music, and the effortless touch controls make this a highly addictive puzzle game that will appeal to just about anyone and the $5 price makes it one of the more reasonably priced launch titles.

From “console port” to delightfully entertaining diversion, SWON eventual won me over and vanquished my early skepticism.

The designers have managed to capture the charm and visual style of the films and recreate a small portion of that magic on the small screen – the very small screen.

All in all, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a highly enjoyable, creepy but enjoyable experience. That almost dead-end moment (thank god for multiple save slots) was a pain and I could have done without that.

Anyone can enjoy Shaman King: Master of Spirits 2 because of its great presentation, controls, music, and extremely fun gameplay mechanics. If you like action games and have been looking for a portable one, don't hesitate to pick up this fun, addicting, well-rounded game.

All in all, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a pretty solid title. With all the modes there are to do and the added online play I had plenty to keep myself busy.

The designers have nailed the graphics and sound presentation down to perfection, but the less-than-compelling story, and simplistic puzzles will have most adventure aficionados yawning after a few hours.

Wolfenstein is an awesome blend of old-school memories and next-gen ideas assembled into a rewarding game experience you can’t afford to miss.

The selection of vehicles, structured missions objectives, and rewarding bonus system will make this a favorite for anyone who plays it.

If you love Sudoku then this is the game for you, but I really don’t see why you wouldn’t go out and buy a Sudoku book ($3.00) and a pencil ($0.25) and save yourself some money.

From the moment I picked up my controller until I had to put it down due to wore out fingers, I was hooked. This is a title definitely worth picking up for yourself or any lover of pinball machines.

It’s not exactly a sequel, but more of a standalone expansion pack with improved gameplay. Get it!

Even with its online flaws Sega GT Online is a steal at $20, especially if the 2002 game isn’t already part of your game library... This is easily the deepest racer available on the Xbox. It’s a shame that it’s not the best.

While the games action and explosive atmosphere are fun to behold the repetitive nature of the missions and mainly the glitches keep happening so repeatedly that enjoyment is fleeting.

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic can either be an incredible fantasy romp, or a grueling, dissatisfying venture depending on what you’re expecting.

Zoo Tycoon 2 successfully acheives what it sets out to do and that's to let you build your own zoo.

In the Groove is loaded with original music, modes, and brilliant game design that is targeted toward the more advanced dancer.

The gameplay is challenging and enjoyable and I would spend 1200 MS points in a heartbeat for Rocket Knight.

If you are looking for something to keep you going until Diablo III or Skyrim arrives then Dungeon Siege III might be the RPG filler you are looking for this summer. Personally, I found it an insult to the Dungeon Siege name, lacking any semblance to the previous games in the franchise. Perhaps if they had changed the name they could have avoided comparisons and disappointment, but alas, this is what we got and if you're like me, you probably won't like it.

Crazy Machines 2 is a great game and a fun way to spend some time relaxing and puzzling through a few obstacles on the wall. Crazy Machines 2 also has a great fan based puzzle download section so there is plenty to do after you complete the levels of the career mode in building your own or puzzling through other peoples crazy machines.

The sloppy controls that hurt nearly every fast paced action game on the iPhone are present here, and the slowdown that occurs can really hinder the experience. When the game works though, it is an intense and rewarding zombie shooter.

Fate/Unlimited Codes is a title that I think will appeal to any Capcom fan due to its controls and options.

With a killer track list, exciting new Quest mode, social networking, and more challenges and star rewards than most of us could ever earn in this lifetime, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is easily the biggest and the best installment of the franchise to date.

Dungeon Siege III might not be the best dungeon crawler ever to have graces the world of gaming – but it is a very accessible introduction for those who might be new to the genre.

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

This is a title Wii owners deserve and every other game studio should aspire to match.

2006 FIFA World Cup manages to capture all of that magic and recreate the pageantry of the World Cup better than any World Cup game before it.

If you like politics, you will probably find this game is engrossing, if not fulfilling. It is the gaming version of snack food: it may not be good, but it is easy and you are likely to eat a lot of it when bored.

Does a remarkable job of simulating just about every aspect of the IndyCar season and the world famous Indianapolis 500 right up to the point where you get behind the wheel. The car setup, the schedules, the teams, the racers, everything is perfect and you won’t find a more authentic presentation of IndyCar racing - just don't drive this out of pit row.

Clank might not be as wacky as Dax, but he certainly looks better in a tux and his mastery of the English language as well as an insane arsenal of weapons and gadgets definitely puts him up their with the best of the secret agents.

Those who are interested in multiplayer gaming might want to stick with Nintendo’s first-party offering, but those gamers who simply want a solid single-player experience are bound to have a ton of fun.

There is some exclusive content and the PS Vita is certainly capable of bringing console-quality gameplay and presentation to the palm of your hands and the touch controls are interesting additions. Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a day-one purchase for newcomers to the series who enjoy insane ninja combat, but everyone else can probably wait for a price drop or just hang tight for a proper sequel.

I suspect this will be one of the first titles to take a price drop, so if this time of the year is really punishing your wallet, you might want to wait, but for those who never got to play GoldenEye on the N64 or even last year on the Wii, you can now finally experience a bit of gaming history, freshly wrapped in a next-gen package that is so challenging, so fun, and so addicting, you might have trouble deciding what to play when all those holiday titles start stacking up.

I think it is going to take a next-gen system to boost this game out of the pits, and if we can't get it on the 360, maybe we can look to the PS3 for a true NASCAR experience.

Basically, if you’re into speed and blowing a lot of stuff up, you’ll enjoy this game. It also has enough ambiance and an interesting enough story to hold your interest for a while.

Once you look through the cel-shaded visuals, professional voice acting, and graphic novel presentation and effects, you are left with a pretty standard shooter that doesn’t really innovate or improve upon the genre.

Battleship is a game of luck more than strategy.

The big draw for Need for Speed Most Wanted is the return of the cops, and while that aspect of the game works great on the console and PC where you can actually lose them with skillful driving, Most Wanted 5-1-0 on the PSP bashes you over the head with unrelenting cop chases that suck nearly all the fun right out of the game.

I really enjoyed the innovative rules and challenges in the Medal mode, and the World Tour offered just as much excitement (for me) as any official World Cup game.

As it is The Spore Wars makes for a pretty repetitive game for combat and exploring but the scenery is pretty good with plenty of variety.

I suspect this will be one of the first titles to take a price drop, so if this time of the year is really punishing your wallet, you might want to wait, but for those who never got to play GoldenEye on the N64 or even last year on the Wii, you can now finally experience a bit of gaming history, freshly wrapped in a next-gen package that is so challenging, so fun, and so addicting, you might have trouble deciding what to play when all those holiday titles start stacking up.

All said, Call of Duty Classic won’t win any awards 7 years later – but at $15, it’s not like the game is promising all that much. Still, given the fact that there are plenty of sub-$20 current games for sale, Classic is really only for those who truly want to relive 2003-era gameplay.

With a style that is one part Gears and one part Rainbow, Army of Two is without a doubt one of the coolest titles I’ve played in some time.

This is one of the best new multiplayer games and its exclusive to the Xbox, so you even get some system bragging rights to go along with your hack and slash adventures.

Simple to learn, easy to master, yet quite challenging to complete.

As you can tell, I really had a great time with Galactrix – it is well worth the price of admission, and a recommendation for any puzzle game fan.

The bottom line is you won’t find a more fun-filled multiplayer party game for the Xbox; one that rivals "Dungeons and Dragons Hereos," not in sophistication, but in pure enjoyment for the entire family.

It’s not much of a game, and it’s no Guitar Hero, but it’s a pretty decent instrument simulator for the aspiring guitarist.

Decades is an entertaining and challenging game that recreates the Guitar Hero experience as best you can without actually holding a guitar.

This is the surprise action game of the year, not that the arrival is any surprise; D3 has been hyping this title for nearly two years, but the sheer quality and originality of gameplay, mostly thanks to a single little throwing weapon, makes this a must-play title for any action gamer.

Super Swing Golf offers all the challenging gameplay of a game like Hot Shots Golf, and mixes that with charming and colorful Japanese characters and stylized locations that will delight kids and challenge adults.

A bold experiment that ultimately fails under the weight of its own ambition. There is nothing here that hasn’t been done in other games and done better, and while X2 might combine these elements, it fails to improve on any of them.

Overall I enjoyed the game along with the other people I played it with. The song list is good for the most part and it's easy to pop the game in, get to the song wheel, and start singing.

Does a remarkable job of simulating just about every aspect of the IndyCar season and the world famous Indianapolis 500. The car setup, the schedules, the teams, the racers, everything is perfect and you won’t find a more authentic presentation of IndyCar racing on the Xbox.

While many might argue that their “free” golf game controls better, there is no denying it lacks the structure and gameplay modes that Tiger delivers in full.

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a game that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It is one of the most addicting Wii games that I have ever played.

For fans of the films, you can hardly go wrong with the Back to the Future adventure games. If you've already bought the first, then you know the kind of quality you're in for. If you're hesitant and looking to see if it's maintained throughout the series, then you're in luck, because the Back to the Future games are still right up there with the gold standard that Telltale's set for licensed adventure games.

In the end, Dead Rising 2: Off the Record isn't a bad game by any means. It's just a game that pretty much everyone who's interested in Dead Rising's already played. While it'd be a good entrance point for new players, and it might be worth playing through with a friend, only the most fanatical zombie killers need to consider it.

Wolfenstein is an awesome blend of old-school memories and next-gen ideas assembled into a rewarding game experience you can’t afford to miss. Just don’t plan on heading online anytime soon.