In spite of not being dramatically different, Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA is a good game. As they say, it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it. And really, that’s all that matters.

While its simulation dreams don’t match competing games, it offers enough of a varied experience to be considered a good, solid combo of the two sports game styles.

Unsurprisingly, the Xbox version is a bit cleaner and sharper than the PS2 and has some more detailed textures. It's a noticeable difference, but not a big deal.

A downgrade in the look and sound combined with increasingly annoying platforming and camera issues get in the way of this warrior's ultimate victory.

There’s plenty of room for improvement, since there isn’t much in the way of creative ability or battle variation, but the diverse track picks and simple control scheme help put together a game that will definitely keep the crowd hyped.

A predictable and challenging sequel. It has a nonchalant appeal that can capture anyone’s heart. And good news, as far as the sequel... wait, solve this puzzle first.

If brainteaser addicts are looking for a game that will pacify their logic fix, Picross 3D is more than a suitable solution that will have fans coming back for more.

More than anything, it's just very cool to play a part in a massive, real time strategy epic in which everything, save for the miners and constructors, is piloted by real people.

The game makes good use of many DS features. It has fun sound effects. It has competent, though not infallible, handwriting recognition. You have to speak to it, and most of the time it understands you - and it asks you before you begin your Brain Age Check if you are in a place where you can speak freely.

It's nice to spend a few minutes getting some goals knocked out while waiting for the bus, and while the world may be tiring of Hawk style, now you can have a respectable version in your pocket.

The gameplay improvements were a welcome change and the new split screen is an essential new addition to Lego games. However, without the characters or story to hold it up, the game doesn't reach the height of its predecessors.

Compared to the other recent volleyball games, Outlaw Volleyball focuses more on traditional gameplay, leading to probably the best of the bunch.

While it doesn’t have the complexity or depth to compete with the likes of Burnout 3, it easily holds its own in the arcade race arena. Looks like the glory days still have some glory left in ‘em after all.

What the game does, and the sheer amount of what it does, is done with solid mechanics and considerable style. Also, the ability to review previous game/story progress (to keep track of what’s gone on before) is handled well.

A solid game that, on all platforms, performs admirably, draws you into the story, takes itself (and you) seriously, and does the genre proud. It's too thin around the waist to really tangle with the big boys.

The addition of goals and plenty of different unlockable locations and items does breathe new life into this old game, and slower meters and a more responsive interface lead to a good version of The Sims. However, this game is very similar to the original PS2 version and might not feel filling enough for those who already made that purchase.

Green Day: Rock Band is a respectable game, but you don't need a review to tell you whether you should pick it up or not. If you like Green Day, you don't need to ask any more questions: Go pick up Green Day: Rock Band today.

It's a good thing the game is all about speed, because the framerate is rock steady. The various mountains are bursting with creativity. Rider animations are oddly cartoony and occasionally you'll get snagged on an object, but for the most part the physics make sense and the game looks good.

And it's nice to see the PS2 getting some good material before it's finished... it's how I'd like to be put down, in the end.

Thunder 2002 opens to the rhythms of "Sweet Home Alabama," giving the game a touch of atmospheric country twang and setting the tone for the rest of the game. Get used to it, because it will be heard through most menu screens.

A lackluster second offering when so much more could be done with the Command & Conquer universe, but just see how much damage I do to you if you take it away from me.

If you already own the original and Volume 2, it makes sense to expand your horizons and grab this one, too, if only for the cool multiplayer modes.

If you get a chance to buy it after the inevitable price drop sale in the future, you can't go wrong with Zeno Clash, but at fifteen bucks (and one huge 1.5 GB download), it might be worth holding on to that red pill for later.

Let's hope that Raven Software can put some creativity together and bring forth more of an expansive multiplayer for a possible sequel or download; I would hate to see such potential be forgotten and aged to dust.

The sheer variety of games will entertain most any party for hours on end (or at least until the beer runs out.)

Otogi's somewhat repetitive action is not entirely compelling, but this one is really all about style and looking cool. It might not suck you in, but it should satiate your hunger for both fast-paced action and eye candy.

Little Nightmares 2 succeeds in building on the foundation that the original game laid out. The folks at Tarsier Studios have expanded on the story and lore with new characters and settings, added gameplay mechanics that don’t overcomplicate the action or bloat the pacing, and proven themselves worryingly imaginative when it comes to thinking up dastardly denizens of a perfectly grim world.

Has enough class to disguise the numbers game of golf, and clears enough distance left by its predecessor for an easy lay-up for next year's installment.

The cinematic sequences are easily skipped at the press of a button, and what remains is a tremendously engaging Western romp.

The contrast between your deranged nightmare apartment and the seemingly normal world outside gives it an especially tense feeling of psychological terror and uncertainty.

What is most appealing about Singstar 90s is that the 90s are a familiar decade. Unless you’re playing with your parents, everyone will know about every song on the list.

It's so unique, revolutionary, and positively delightful that it more than makes up for all its shortcomings. And with a built-in level editor and the ability to share levels with others, the challenges are nearly endless.

Dungeons Runners is a solid MMORPG that doesn't try to be more than it is and that anyone with a sense of humor can enjoy.

It's not a whole lot of replay value, but it's something — and for a $10 retro-inspired arcade-style game, that certainly doesn't suck. Or blow.

Rift's potential is what's most impressive about it. Here's a game that's already accomplished more than half of what all those "WoW-killers" ever did, and it's still in its infancy. Does it have its issues? Of course. Would I rather play WoW? Right now, yes I would. But Blizzard's had over seven years to develop its product, and Trion's just getting started.

The tone is sweet but cynical, a refreshing departure from the usually saccharine Muschroom Kingdom. Lots of humor, lots of character, and lots to do.

Armed with a healthy Internet connection, this game will hold at bay the forces of boredom for months. Switch off that connection, though, and witness the biggest turn to the lame side since the new Star Wars movies.

If you’re into the anime series and have coped with some of the more lackluster titles in the franchise, you may want to consider giving this one a shot, and like me, even if you don’t like Naruto, you may want to check it out.

Even if there’s no particular reason for it, Prince of Persia is a fun romp through a desert temple. The parkour-heavy gameplay looks impressive and is satisfying without being too frustrating. So head on over to your local store and pick up a copy of Princess Elika and That Nameless Drifter Guy Looking For His Donkey.

A decent game in its own right and it should temporarily satisfy two groups: EQ junkies who just can’t get enough, and Warcraft junkies who’ve already played the hell out of "The Frozen Throne."

A more deeply developed plot and some tweaks to the control would have given more heart to this tin man.

A solid if unspectacular start for EA Sports' next-gen hoops. Fans of the series will be genuinely pleased. But compared to what Visual Concepts is doing with the "NBA 2K" games, Live has a long way to go before it makes it to the Finals.

Trauma Center: Second Opinion may showcase a few beginner's mistakes, but they're nothing to scream 'malpractice' over, and you're far better off mastering the scalpel than any other blade currently on offer for the Wii.

Manages to breathe new life into an old formula. I love the new rules and hope they show up elsewhere in the Bomberman series.

The fighting mechanics have been enhanced and edited to the point that any room for improvement is nearly all in the extras (and if TNA iMPACT! has anything to say, in the animations and the clipping). WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW 2009 is the strongest next-gen title in the franchise, no questions asked.

And as much as we wish the whole thing was bigger, stronger and faster, we’re happy with it just the way it is and recommend recruiting it for your PSP collection.

While the unlocking system is a pain to get used to, the unlocks make it worth suffering through, for the most part. And like the first Worms, Armageddon supports DLC, so there's a good chance extra content will be showing up by the time you are through with everything it has to offer. Worms, assemble!

Its fluid gameplay, loads of content and decent multiplayer makes for a pretty solid fighter. It's still a port of the most rehashed franchise ever, but at least this old student has learned some new techniques.

A solid game and a good Adventure/RPG in the style of "Deus Ex" or "System Shock 2." Like those games, its real strengths lie in allowing multiple styles of play and multiple solutions to problems.

The ability to explore and choose how you want to approach each obstacle is great, albeit a bit simpler this time around. It’s also much shorter, clocking in at around 15 hours, but again, you can play each level in various ways.

A solid mission pack, adding a whole new team element. Team organization is something that is evolving in online multiplayer gaming, and it's nice to see Quake join the fray.

Unpolished and unsure – too long for an epilogue, too short for a stand-alone title. Still, an enjoyable romp with an intriguing story can be found somewhere between the two, and you won’t have to be wide awake to see it.

This year they tried to futz with the gameplay, but the changes are so minute that most veterans will seamlessly transition from last year’s game to this one. Whether or not it’s worth the green fees depends a great deal on your love of the game, but chances are you’ve already aced this course.

The repetitive nature can wear on you if you play Puzzle Quest 2 for more than a few hours, but it's still one of the best pick-up-and-play, zone-out-for-a-while titles the Nintendo DS has to offer.

The campaign, though, keeps you occupied for at least eight to ten hours and is suited for everyone: the cheesy and quirky characters will have children enamored and even the witty humor will make adults chuckle.

Future episodes will likely have to introduce deeper gameplay, since it's easy to master Episode One. But on its own, Penny Arcade Adventures is a very solid game with a unique and refined take on role-playing gameplay that would stand on its own even without the Penny Arcade brand of humor.

There’s plenty of game happening in Tactical Assault, comfortably framed in adequate writing and a fair look and feel.

Still funky and fun, but not altogether fresh anymore. It almost feels too soon of a release after "Konamix" earlier this year.

Kudos to Neversoft and Activision for creating an amazing game, the sole competitor in its self-created genre, and curses upon them for distilling it to the point of absurdity.

After playing Kung-Fu LIVE, you'll hope Finnish developers Virtual Air Guitar get a lot of notice for their game, but you won't want them to step out of this inventive, fun little indie nitch they've found.

In a genre full of stinkers and throwaways, the care the developers put into making this game special is notable. While it won't change your life, it's a suitable distraction.

Releasing Mario Party to the smaller screen has turned many of its ho-hum qualities on the console into considerable assets.

It’s a quirky, refreshing mix of action, sandbox, and mini-games with enough style and charm to Trotmobile past its aggravating technical flaws.

And what I really appreciate is having everything spoken to me in Japanese. It does wonders for authenticity.

Left 4 Dead 2 may have lost some of that new zombie smell, but its cooperative play is still among the best.

Though improvements are obvious in the looks, the controls leave a bit to be desired.

The only major gripe I have is the targeting system. You often have an enemy two feet behind you, but the game refuses to target it since it tends to only target things in front of you.

The frustrating linearity, at times crappy AI and dated graphics keep it from snatching a place in history as a markedly innovative title.

I found it innovative and engrossing, and I think it's a great new direction for both the genre of light gun games and the Resident Evil series. At least until they finally let you play as a zombie...

It makes an excellent addition to households with a wide age-group of gamers, but is entertaining enough that younger siblings aren't needed to justify owning a copy.

Buggier than Missouri in July, and I don’t want to see you go bat crazy again like you did when I tried to change the save settings or save highlight film at the end of the game. By and large, these bugs are probably just growing pains, but you better work those issues out with the team therapist before I catch you organizing dog fights.

For such a funny-looking little game, it's actually difficult to get 100% on every level.

It makes an excellent addition to households with a wide age-group of gamers, but is entertaining enough that younger siblings aren't needed to justify owning a copy.

These movies was pretty good, but after the first ten bloody murders I was like, "Eh, seen it all." The more you watch, the more it just looks like what you just watched. The murders even got a little thin for Cash after a while, I think.

Suffice it to say that if you are a first-person shooter fan who is not sold that multiplayer is the best part of the genre, Metro 2033 was designed for you.

Basically a chance for those who have never played a true old school RPG to see where it all started, as well as how things have evolved. The two games still hold up remarkably well, serving up a steaming plate of nostalgia.

Interesting rope dynamics, solid control and creative levels make up for the redundant goals and challenges, leading to a worthwhile dip in the water.

Despite several artificial restraints, Guilty Party is proof that you can turn a board game, a detective story, and mini-games - if just by combining them all together - into a title that doesn't incite collective yawns.

This might be the highest number of gameplay hours you can get out of a single RTS.

While it doesn't provide the graphical flash of "Final Fantasy 8," it delivers a different graphical beauty that feels warmer than the all too familiar polygonal experience. It's got a good story that sadly weakens at the end; though there's just enough steam left to get you through.

This version might very well be the best of the series since the original Red and Blue, with a completely engrossing world, ability to link and trade to earlier versions as far back as the GBA (no version of the DS reads the original Game Boy carts, so SOL on that front... but do you really want that Missingno you caught so badly?) and a few amusing – if lackluster – online games on top of being able to battle any of your friends anywhere.

Suffice to say, Asheron's Call is a fun, semi-addictive game with a fantastic interface for people new to the genre. However, some drawbacks and the lack of complexity may drive "Everquest" and "Ultima Online" fanatics bonkers.

Yes, it feels extremely stiff and archaic at spots, but it's still playable and totally worth diving into.

There's no question that The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures handily trumps "Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles" as the best example of Nintendo's connectivity plan and serves up some fun multiplayer gaming.

If you’re a fan of mindless destruction, you’d be hard pressed to find a game as immediately gratifying as Painkiller. Just don’t expect it to be a cure-all.

Building a Label isn’t deep, but it’s fun and silly, the engine makes for some nail biting fights, everything looks great, and the musically-timed catastrophes are worth the price of admission alone.

While FFIV has a geriatric story and presentation - the 3D graphics and enhanced soundtrack are impressive for the DS but they still look old - its challenging battles and nerve-wracking bosses make up for it.

In its effort to contend with the Rock Band franchise, Guitar Hero World Tour takes several leaps forward, though it falls in some holes already made by the first installment of Rock Band.

Oni manages to compensate for dull graphics, empty interiors, lengthy load times and unfriendly saves with intense action and impressive enemy AI. The game is fun, challenging, worth the frustration and is a splendid addition to your PS2 collection.

Better than average combat through exotic locales is always fun. Just steady that camera, grab your wetsuit and don't eat the monkey brains.

It may not be the most open ended theme park on the planet, but it’s full of different ways to have fun, and that’s what matters most. Buy the ticket, and take the ride.

A fun game. It's classic Mega Man, a formulaic game that sticks to the same ground rules, but still works. And getting back into the familiar 2D groove just felt really good, especially with the gameplay refinements.

The City could have been much larger with more to explore, Garrett could have used a lot of new moves, and the optimization issues will almost certainly drive you a little nuts. Even though Deadly Shadows is a fun game.

As unbalanced as the offense and defense are, this game is clearly all about the big offensive play which, in my opinion, is very diggable. However, Street does still leave plenty of room for another good scrub-tackle football game, particularly one without so much style or so many stars.

This year they tried to futz with the gameplay, but the changes are so minute that most veterans will seamlessly transition from last year's game to this one. Whether or not it's worth the green fees depends a great deal on your love of the game, but chances are you've already aced this course.

As long as the online community holds up, this downloadable title will certainly be worth picking up for anyone looking for a little conquest and domination on the side.

It is a slightly different angle on the same thing, but it's all good fun.