The main game ends up being the most fun, but it can be completed relatively quickly. As far as launch games go, Super Monkey Ball 3D ends up being an impressive one, simply because of the amount of content available.

MLB 11 The Show remains the best baseball game on the market and is a worthy upgrade for any baseball fan.

Tales from Space: About a Blob is a solid first effort from DrinkBox Studios, and I recommend not only buying this game, but keeping a close eye on their future titles.

That said, however, Pixeljunk Shooter 2 is an excellent game. With a fresh graphical style, tight controls, and innovative gameplay, it's everything a downloadable game should be. While there are some minor stumbles for the more casual, puzzle-oriented player, that shouldn't discourage anyone who's curious from picking it up.

And while some of the more unique aspects of Beyond Good and Evil might not seem so unique by today's measure – there is no denying that this game is a masterpiece that should not be missed. Get this game, it may be the best eight bucks you spend this week.

Ys I & II Chronicles may not be the first release of this two part adventure it is without a doubt the best version.

For players used to harder-core war games, or who can handle the game having a broader focus than the typical Command & Conquer or Halo Wars, it can be a great buy. For the average gamer, though, it's awfully hard to recommend the game, despite all its depth.

If you're still playing Dawn of War II, or if you're a fan of the Imperial Guard, Retribution is practically a no-brainer. If you're a fan of Warhammer 40,000 or the real-time strategy genre, now's a great time to get started, since Retribution is a standalone game with access to everything from the first two Dawn of War II games, save for their campaigns. Either way, it's a return for one of real time strategy's great names, and certainly worth your time and dollar if you've got any interest in following more of the story of Subsector Aurelia.

Obviously, I cannot recommend Knights Contract unless you are looking for a game that will punish you non-stop with horrible companion AI and frustrating boss battles. While the game has some ambitious elements in story, gameplay, and visual design, it also suffers from inexplicable bad choices in those same areas and more.

The game's sound is about what you'd expect, with announcers narrating the fight (albeit with a limited vocabulary) and meaty thumps, while the graphics are fairly good for the iPhone, though the limited facial expressiveness of fighters tends to result in some pretty goofy faces when the camera focuses on a fighter for a knockdown punch. Still, none of this gets in the way of the core gameplay, and can be pretty easily overlooked by someone who's eager to get at the punching.

I am a bit torn when it comes to Test Drive Unlimited 2. It is definitely not the worst racing game I have played, but it is marred with technical problems that really do affect the gameplay. I would be willing to overlook these issues if the storyline was either better or nonexistent, but as it stands the story is not even enjoyable in an ironic sort of corny way – it is just frustrating to not give a damn about the characters, especially your own.

Ultimately, Homefront a mixed bag. There's a lot of good in the single player game, weighed down by older mechanics and events that pull the player out of the excellent story. Meanwhile, the multiplayer is fairly terrific, but would have been served well by going a little further with the Battle Commander.

Owners of the original won't find any new gameplay levels, but they might enjoy the precise analog-based input the PSP and PS3 sticks provide.

If you're the type of gamer who only gets one or two games each year then Yakuza 4 will certainly keep you busier than anything else coming in 2011. I'm just not sure that the four-part story is strong enough and the gameplay diverse enough to drive all that content.

I love this game, and despite a few forgivable flaws Homefront is easily one of the most immersive and emotional campaigns that come to mind in my 30 years of gaming. Sure, the campaign is short. Deal with it. With that ending there is either going to be a sequel or some killer DLC. Meanwhile, you can reap the rewards and satisfaction of some of the best multiplayer combat we've seen so far in 2011.

I love this game, and despite a few forgivable flaws Homefront is easily one of the most immersive and emotional campaigns that come to mind in my 30 years of gaming. Sure, the campaign is short. Deal with it. With that ending there is either going to be a sequel or some killer DLC. Meanwhile, you can reap the rewards and satisfaction of some of the best multiplayer combat we've seen so far in 2011.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 might be a bit light in the gaming modes, there's no denying that the core gameplay is solid enough stands on its own and has something to offer for every type of gamer. Fighting fans of all flavors will enjoy the hybrid 2D-meets-3D gameplay, the smooth animations, and the excellent character special moves.

f this is the future of the Kinect, then the future is looking bad. Like post-apocalyptic bad. A bowling game could have been a must-buy for the Kinect. If Wii bowling has proven anything, it is that people of all ages and genders love virtual bowling, and pretending to do it can be a total blast. This is not the bowling game that the Kinect deserves, and I would advise waiting until somebody crafts one worthy of the Kinect's impressive abilities.

Killzone 3 is an amazing game that doesn't necessarily push any genre boundaries, but it does push the PS3 and the people who play it to new levels of immersion and realism, creating a revolutionary new gaming experience that no one should miss.

Bulletstorm was a perfect 10 while I was playing it, but when the ride was over and I had to sit back and honestly compare it to the past, present, and future of FPS games, the limitations of the repetitive gameplay worked their way to the surface.

Time Crisis: Razing Storm is pretty lame, which is sad because this franchise is the cornerstone of light-gun gaming and Sony really has the tech available to make it work. Namco really dropped the ball on this release.

Ace Tennis 2010 HD has the potential to be a seriously good tennis game for the iPad if Eurocenter can only fix the issues with the controls and tweak their online code for smoother Wi-Fi gameplay.

I definitely recommend taking Romance of Rome for the iPhone for a spin. It's a worthy addition to the App Store and the adventure genre.

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 closing, I really wish Namco would simply come up with one comprehensive disc that contains all of the classic games and put these yearly Namco Museum releases to rest. Instead they keep dishing out these cookie cutter compilations with only a modicum of changes and expect fans to bite. I, for one, have had enough. But I still love Namco's games.

It's a high-octane racing game with great graphics and energetic soundrack that is fun and captivating to play for as long as it lasts. If there were more ways to play or a possible way to add in app purchases for different weapon sets, more tracks, or better vehicles, you'd have a classic.

To go along with all those retro graphics is one awesome soundtrack ripped right from the days of Japanese-inspired coin-ops.

If you love action games that offer ample ways to kill your enemies then Predators is the game for you. While it doesn't tap into the film nearly as much as I would have expected, it does offer a quality Predator experience and one hell of a bloody good time.