A treat that is as deliciously unique as Rez or Okami comes around once every few years. That one has appeared for the handheld and lasts well over thirty hours is a feat in itself, especially for a $20 budget title.

"Tekken" fans will probably dislike the somewhat limited depth of DOA Hardcore, though the cool reversal system and tremendous graphics make it worth the price of admission for most.

Many people might be turned off to Rocksmith due to its lack of party game appeal, but that's not what it's about. It's about making a difficult instrument easy and fun to learn, and it accomplishes that.

Despite its niggling flaws, NCAA Football 2003 for the PS2 takes the managerial aspects of college football to new, unexpected heights. There's just a ton of stuff to fiddle with.

With great presentation and control to go along with plenty of challenging gameplay, "Ecco" still looks like a winner.

Those who enjoy it, like myself, will spend the next few months grinding through the game. However, many others will encounter the steep learning curve and stop playing after a couple hours, if that.

The unique combat is very addictive and a welcome aspect to the RPG genre. Some more innovative RPG elements and a few tweaks to the timing issue would turn this quirky gem into a very serious contender.

While it sports some classic RTS flaws, the speedy gameplay and dynamic strategy really push things forward. With Company of Heroes, Relic shows us once again that war is hell, but it makes for gaming heaven.

Even if you are one to scoff at how quickly LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias might last you, it's definitely one of the best games you can get for 1,000 Wii Points (US $10) on Wiiware.

RE4 for the Wii is the definitive edition of the game to own.

If you're one of those gamers with a predilection for The Creeps - you know who you are - Fatal Frame is simply a must-see.

So do you prefer probing or zapping? Our outer space friends gladly offer both!

A really good wrestling game. However, its superiority over "Wrestlemania 2000" is marginalized due to technical limitations.

A near PC quality experience without the patches and expensive hardware. MOH: Frontline is very linear and doesn't warrant much of your time after perhaps the third play through, but the ride is still very, very fun.

More of a refinement of the original game than an exciting new offering. While that’s not a bad thing, per se, it’s lacking the innovation that enticed people to play the game in first place.

Sure, the missions get repetitive and the vehicle handling stinks, but for all that, Just Cause 2 is just plain fun.

R.U.S.E. has a fresh perspective that few RTS games have tried, and even fewer have succeeded with.

The sound is wonderful. You can almost hear the gearshifts as your jet-ski accelerates. Do a barrel roll in the air, and hear the crowd scream.

The animations are so stellar, I don't know where to begin. Just about every action in the game has a well-implemented animation that will knock your helmet off.

If there's one area in which Hot Shots Golf 3 completely obliterates the competition, it's pacing. The loading times are nearly nonexistent...You can finish an 18 hole course in a half-hour, which is really great.

But while some will dig the new chaotic maps and aggressive traffic-checking, others may be turned off by the loss of precision and the dependence upon blind chance.

Occasional hiccups or no, having this much open-world freedom to come at the enemy any old way you see fit is just too much damned fun.

Althought wrapped in a mediocre package, Final Fantasy Tactics is a stellar game. If Square Enix had spent just a bit more time on the in-game graphics, writing, and user interface, this could have been one of the top titles for the PSP.

The biggest problem with my new game is the cinematography. I don't know what schmuck hired these camera guys, but they should have their pinkies cut off or something. Sometimes entire fight scenes are obscured by a curtain.

The enemy AI is great; perhaps the best part of the game. Enemies will roll, crouch, sidestep and run to evade your fire. They'll even attempt to sneak up and ambush you.

Does an excellent job on the ice, providing the best all around control that I've ever seen. Good physics and a solid presentation add to the show.

Item World is even more addicting.

It’s unfortunate that Street Fighter IV steals much of the would-be impact and innovation from Super Street Fighter IV, but when all is said and done, SSFIV is the best modern fighter in video games today.

I doubt you'll find a better co-op or multiplayer experience this summer. Don't plan on understanding a word of the campaign; just plan on playing and replaying for higher scores, better multiplayer times, and the enjoyment you can only have from pure, hilarious, scared-stiff stupidity.

Offers a freewheeling world, fuzzy-but-attractive graphics, overall elegant production values and a main character you can root for, making it one of the best things to happen to the pirate genre in a long time.

Fable II might be a shallow RPG that's a bit too easy (I have never died), and if you're looking for a challenge, it's not here. But that's because it's not really an RPG. Difficulty, stat-obsession, and death is as pointless in Fable II as it is in "The Sims."

Even though it could have done with a few more options for the lone wolf player, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars has a lot of replayability online and is quite simply the best fighting game offering on the Wii.

Starcraft may be good, but there's a big, nagging complaint I have: Starcraft 2 is Starcraft 1 with prettier graphics but fewer features.

Don't plan on understanding a word of the campaign; just plan on playing and replaying for higher scores, better multiplayer times, and the enjoyment you can only have from pure, hilarious, scared-stiff stupidity.

SOCOM 3 has the distinction of being the best online offering the system has ever seen. Those without a PS2 network adapter need not enlist, but for the rest this game is practically a tour of duty.

Don't plan on understanding a word of the campaign; just plan on playing and replaying for higher scores, better multiplayer times, and the enjoyment you can only have from pure, hilarious, scared-stiff stupidity.

It manages to work well on the Xbox...though the PS2 version is still probably the best of the three.

It's silly, it's outrageous, it's campy – and it's perfect at being so. And in that way, despite its futuristic sheen, Vanquish is a child of the '80s more than anything else.

At least the game makes you feel more like a quarterback than ever before, and that's reason enough for one hell of an end-zone celebration.

It sounds like a game doomed from the start, but ultimately turns out to be a stroke of genius.

It's silly, it's outrageous, it's campy – and it's perfect at being so. And in that way, despite its futuristic sheen, Vanquish is a child of the '80s more than anything else.

Though it doesn't add much to the tired genre, it manages to do everything well.

These are both high-quality RPGs that, for the most part, stand the test of time.

At least the game makes you feel more like a quarterback than ever before, and that's reason enough for one hell of an end-zone celebration.

An excellent addition to an excellent game, and ample proof that the RTS genre can be both accessible and complex.

The biggest problem is that you cannot die. Sure, your cars have shields, but I never noticed any difference from using a heavily shielded car as opposed to a light one. The penalty in the unlikely event that either your shield runs out or you fall off the track is that you have the start from a stopped position, losing a few places in the race. I'm sorry, but if you drive your car into a pit of molten lava, you're not getting back out again.

You have to hand it to Mario and Co. – they do what they do very well, even if they don't exactly take big risks. Mario Power Tennis is a reliable, fun game that puts some nice, new spin on an old sport. If you can look past its limited depth, you'll have a ball.

Despite the unfortunate lack of online compatibility in both the Xbox and GC versions of NCAA Football 2004, this is still the premiere college football game and is clearly the best of its breed. If you also own a PS2, though, I'd go with that version instead.

Fight Night Round 3 may not have a spotless career, but with such hard hitting graphics and intense Vs. action, we're willing to forgive its foibles and trumpet its unparalleled successes.

And while the gameplay and puzzles are streamlined, the unlockable content massive, and the flying modes excellent, the best part about the game is its snarky humor and feel-good satire.

But the realism of skate. has me sold.

Easy to handle control, a decent trick system, and the all important water physics are down pat.

An outstanding platformer. It looks sharp, it's easy to pick up and it's a lot of fun.

Kudos to Tecmo and Team Ninja for adding some great enhancements to an already great game. We just wish they would have released it like this in the first place.

In one swift blow, Mortal Kombat reminds me why I dressed up as Sub-Zero for Halloween when I was six: It's brutal, aggressive, and awesome. The blunders with the auto-difficulty, story, and online can be easily patched or passed over by the return of the franchise to its arcade roots - where it belongs.

The bevy of new moves and increased difficulty will surely please fans, though more work could have been done polishing the graphics and smoothing out some of the gameplay quirks. As it is, this is a solid drive to the basket.

With multiple playthroughs in mind, Dead Rising 2 may provide all the gaming you need this holiday season. There's no way you'll be able to do everything in one shot. Going back to Fortune City with a better grasp of the map is only going to make things more enjoyable. Kill, Chuck, kill!

This is the most complete NBA game out there, dominating the court with its new control options, good A.I. and strong delivery.

In one swift blow, Mortal Kombat reminds me why I dressed up as Sub-Zero for Halloween when I was six: It's brutal, aggressive, and awesome. The blunders with the auto-difficulty, story, and online can be easily patched or passed over by the return of the franchise to its arcade roots - where it belongs.

Although it has some technical issues and has some dated gameplay features, Suikoden III's enormous breadth, creative triptych storytelling approach and monstrous character list give it a distinct edge.

It’s not, however, a lot of new game. Tekken 5 is a hefty package, but doesn’t offer much in terms of original gameplay or modes. It’s a celebration of all things Tekken rather than a brave new step for the series.

With multiple playthroughs in mind, Dead Rising 2 may provide all the gaming you need this holiday season. There's no way you'll be able to do everything in one shot. Going back to Fortune City with a better grasp of the map is only going to make things more enjoyable. Kill, Chuck, kill!

The best part of Hordes of the Underdark turns out not to be the new campaign, but the extensive online support and terrific response to its dedicated fan base.

Best taken as what it is: an experience. It is a graphically beautiful, fully engrossing story that lets the player take the role of combatant and commander.

Plays a lot like "Doom," but with more enemies. Way more. Like, the most EVER. And they just keep coming and coming, like roaches to a donut.

For the many casual gamers wanting to subvert their non-gamer friends and significant others, Karaoke Revolution is among the best, edging out the "Eye Toy" and even the traditional "Dance Dance Revolution." It’s just about the best party game around.

Neversoft has refined the gameplay to the point of it being almost a meditation exercise, letting you grind, manual, revert and flip with a Zen-like calmness.

Psygnosis did a killer job with not only track design, but in giving the whole game a feel and challenge that usually only comes with good Formula One racers.

Smooth graphics and a slew of modes and features make this a game Xbox baseball fans won't want to miss.

The biggest problem with my new game is the cinematography. I don't know what schmuck hired these camera guys, but they should have their pinkies cut off or something. Sometimes entire fight scenes are obscured by a curtain.

Just as addictive as its crackhead father. Like any good drug, the entry fee has gone up (to $30, still fairly cheap), but you don’t get any significant gameplay additions for that. Instead, you get another mellow jaunt through one of the two weirdest and entertaining games released for the PS2.

Magical and special.

If this had been just a couple of hours longer and had the option to kill Gambit, I’d say this was a shoe-in for game of the year.

If ESPN wants to compete with an EA Franchise that has made some serious leaps and bounds this year, they’re going to have to buckle down in the off-season, tighten up their offense and maybe learn some new plays on defense.

The gameplay and presentation are perfect and approachable for those who haven’t been introduced to music video games, especially families with wide generational gaps who have at least a remote interest in the Beatles. Though it is short and isolated from the other Rock Band titles, The Beatles: Rock Band is much better than your average day tripper.

But the real reason to buy inFamous is that, regardless of your morality, it's just plain old fun being super-powered Cole in a city full of helpless mortals. And if you're a 360 owner lamenting the PS3 exclusivity, don't worry about it - just go pick up a copy of "Crackdown" instead.

The load of modes and options will keep you easily entertained until next season, and the new animations and context-sensitive controls add a never-before-seen layer of realism, even if you have seen everything else before.

While GT2 features over 500 cars, GT3 contains only a fraction of that number. In fact, the original Gran Turismo holds more cars (166) than the advertised 150+ cars of GT3. Enthusiasts will be sorely disappointed, but trust me, 150+ cars is still pretty hefty. Also missing is the used car lot.

Yes, the camera can be very annoying and the game is unquestionably difficult and at times frustrating, but the whole is much better than the sum of its parts. It's rare for an action game to get better the longer you play it.

MAG puts communication front-and-center in the online shooter genre. Using a headset isn’t just “useful” or “convenient”. It’s absolutely necessary. Zipper’s made a ballsy move—particularly on a console where headsets are sold separately—but it’s paid off. MAG is a unique experience and is sure to gain a dedicated fan-base all its own.

By the end of the game, I found myself left with a distinctly ashen taste in my mouth; the victories are left hollow and incomplete. Partially because the ending doesn't fully resolve the numerous sub-plots of the game, but also because the storyline felt arbitrary and disconnected.

It's a near-perfect traditional space combat game. I'm one of the most discriminating space combat fans out there, and StarLancer was just a joy to review.

Controlling these guys is a snap thanks to a simple and efficient setup.

Despite some missed opportunities, Medieval II: Total War is still, hands-down, the best strategy game you can buy today. The scope is epic, the battles look legendary, and the increased use of non-military units and the smart incorporation of the politics of religion are welcome additions.

Another great addition to the series. It's a little more geared towards the magic-lover.

Though it doesn’t quite match the intricate strategies of Lumines, it isn’t supposed to. Meteos manages to be interesting and engaging without feeling like just another Tetris clone. Not bad for a new drug.

Battlefield 1943 is an impressive feat - it's a fun and gorgeous-looking downloadable game. If its rigid online structure can somehow be made more user-friendly in future patches, it'll be even more of a sure-bet that many of us will be playing for a long, long time, especially if this type of co-operative unlocking of features becomes a standard in future content.

Like a fruit fly bred to eat other fruit flies, Far Cry: Instincts injects some really good genes into the morass of first-person shooter DNA. In its next evolution, we'd like to see more appendages and, of course, more tail.

This is free roaming BMX action, complete with dirt tracks, half pipes, empty pools -- just the goods to fulfill any BMXers dream.

Almost as interesting as the Force powers is the skill it takes to use them effectively.

Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics... Despite its small faults, NHL 2004 is still one hell of a hockey game.

Occasional hiccups or no, having this much open-world freedom to come at the enemy any old way you see fit is just too much damned fun.

The universe feels fully fleshed out and not just slapped together for a game. You understand the houses, the units, the motivations, and the raison d' etre. And of course, harvesting finally feels right.

An excellent start to the planned four-part series. It manages to capture everything that makes the Wallace and Gromit animated shorts so endearing, expanding it to the adventure game genre. Seeing it's just a two- to four-hour long slice of a bigger, fully priced pie, we cannot wait to see what craziness is in store for the folks at West Wallaby Street in the future episodes.

A great way to end the downloadable content run for Fallout 3. If it's indeed the final DLC we're to see for the game, it's surely an out-of-this-world way to close off our explorations of the Capital Wasteland, providing a thoroughly enjoyable ride that is likely to last almost as much as the longest of the packs that's come out so far - Broken Steel.

The vast-majority rest of the time, Valkyria Chronicles offers a unique take on RPG-strategy, a truly involving story, endearing characters, and a chance to reflect upon—or wonderfully, hopelessly anachronize— whatever sense of real-world history you may still have in your head.

The addictive gameplay, well-rendered graphics (even on an aged system), easy control scheme, innovative cooperative features and tons of replay value make for a winner.

Madden 10’s improvements also highlight just how rusty the A.I. has gotten over the years. Spit and polish have taken the series far over the last two decades, but this is the first sign that maybe a more substantial revision is due.