The short animated letter boxed movies spread out throughout the story are smooth and look crisp for the DS but, performances were varied for the two actors who were taking on voice acting for the very first time.

Revenant Wings offers some fresh gameplay for the mammoth RPG series and while the dominant RTS element may not be for everyone, it’s certainly been simplified a lot to offer a good 30 entertaining hours or so.

Medical students, or those interested in the medical field, will be interested in this rendition of hospital life as opposed to the fictional storyline from Trauma Center. [JPN Import]

At the end of the day Bleach should have been the best fighting game to ever grace a portable, but there's just one major sticking point keeping it away from that goal: the d-pad. [JPN Import]

Blue Dragon's light-hearted charm and role-playing goodness fills a lacking aspect of the Xbox 360's lineup. [JPN Import]

By all means for you SRPG fans out there pick this game up! I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed! I myself have still yet to clear this game and it seems that there will be more than enough volume left to satisfy the casual to the hardcore gamers. This is one game that is worth its weight in gold. [JPN Import]

Beautifully presented with a fairly interesting story and fun cast of characters to interact with but it lacks a bit in terms of gameplay content. [JPN Import]

A fun new experience in the Mana series but sadly, bad AI and path finding really drags down the gameplay. [JPN Import]

A great game with an overwhelming amount of things to do giving you a lot of freedom to explore the little world and follow the main story at your own pace. [JPN Import]

Fans of the past Battle Network series may enjoy the little heightened difficulty. [JPN Import]

With the fairly large number of puzzles that come with Picross DS, the game will keep you occupied for quite some time. But with the addition of Wi-Fi features, you could find yourself picking up the game very often even after completing all puzzles.

It’s a boring ugly game with complicated controls and a B-Flick storyline. Who can’t wait for the US release!? [JPN Import]

There simply isn’t enough variety in “Shin Sangoku Musou Fighters Battle DS” to keep the interest going. And why the developers didn’t use the touch screen where the game could have benefited is beyond me. [JPN Import]

It’s a solid if shallow title that lacks in content and difficulty but has a really well implemented engine.

Parappa has aged well, with the storyline and music still as amusing as ever. The simplistic game play is still fun, although the game feels shorter now that it did in its original release, mainly due to all the other rhythm games released since that time offering more content.

Remains a classic refreshment to the way RPGs are played and anyone who has yet to play this should give it a shot. If you already own a previous version of this game, I don’t think the full voice acting and fifty extra illustrations are really enough to justify another copy unless you’re a hardcore fan of Riviera. No matter which version you have, it’s a great replayable RPG to add to your proud collection of games.

A very mediocre game from developer Artoon just like their last effort "Bullet Witch." If you love the genre then you might consider this one a rainy day at the bargain bin. [JPN Import]

It's a console RTS that controls well, looks great, sounds great, and is fun from start to finish. [JPN Import]

Graphically, this game is incredible. Physical attacks cause Pokemon to actually make contact, and Special attacks damage the scenery. The Pokemon themselves are rendered incredibly well, as are the trainers. [JPN Import]

The best playable disaster game you can get (though there isn’t much competition out there). Running through a city while trying to stay warm and alive presents some of the best thrills you can find in on the PS2. It’s not a perfect game by any means, and hopefully they’ll iron out the framerate issues by the time the series goes next-gen, but for those who liked the original or are just looking for a good disaster game, ZZ2 is it. [JPN Import]

It's good to have Sim City available when you’re on the move and if you ever want to go back to the game in the distant future, you don’t have to install the game again and deal with compatibility issues! [JPN Import]

Tenchu fans will definitely not be disappointed. Tenchu Senran is easily the best Tenchu game to date. [JPN Import]

Sorry old school Mana fans, this is nothing like that gem back on the SNES. This is a pure action game with a gooey artificial RPG coating. The controls are horrible, the level design is seriously lacking, bosses can be frustratingly difficult, and not even the story will keep you playing. [JPN Import]

It’s a fun game, no doubts about that. But the lack of good use of the DSs features is disappointing, and I’m sure they could have added use of the touch screen, maybe for power-ups or something. [JPN Import]

Raiden III is a good shmup. Its solid looking, has good bullet patterns/enemies, and the levels are set at just the right level in terms of fun and difficulty (there are also multiple difficulty options available from the start).

One thing that I must warn people about is that this games difficulty level at starting is rather high, with the amount of damage the monsters can do.

So the real fun of the game is when you’re playing as Mario and you tap A to switch dimensions. Dead ends suddenly become open roads as you swap between a flat wall and a paper thin backdrop. This really shows off the great 2D art and kills the 3D presentation. [JPN Import]

For the first 75% of the title, EM is pretty close to being the easiest rpg ever made. This is probably because the title was created as an entry-level Japanese rpg for western Xbox fans. Only during the final 25% of the game does the game actually require strategy. [JPN Import]

A beautiful game to look at with some fun replayable mini games. Don’t expect an epic story, though – just lots and lots of Chocobos! [JPN Import]

In the end the single player blows, online is fun, and the replayability is lessened by the lack of complexity. It’s a very uninvolved RTS.

If you want a taste of the same old Virtua Tennis or have yet to experience the best Tennis game mechanics ever created, then youll be fine with VT3. Although if youre a veteran of the series this is a rental at best. [JPN Import]

Overall the mission design is boring and repetitive, the graphics are so-so, the online is blah, the customization is awesome, and the overall experience isn’t worth the price of admission. Pass. [JPN Import]

It’s a niche game that most won’t like but a few will devour. [JPN Import]

I guess the biggest surprise of EDF3 is that the graphics are actually amazing. The character models, enemy models, the sprawling city, and all the textures look great. The effects are crap and the physics are laughable but the city as a static object looks amazing. [JPN Import]

The graphics look horrendous at ever[y] angle especially in HD and really made the entire game unplayable because I felt like my eyes were melting.

While the graphics fit the Wii version a lot better than the 360 or PS3 versions, the controls aren’t really worth the purchase.

Then - oh, as if Kororinpa hadn't lied to us about how much it has to offer - getting to the first 45 levels unlocks another 45 levels, but they're just the same levels reversed. Not played from back to front, just mirrored. It was about at this point that our heart broke, and we couldn't do anything but weep softly. [JPN Import]

The graphics of Wing Island are anything but stellar. They look like first generation Dreamcast graphics without any hint of animation. Wing Island is a sad sad place. [JPN Import]

The graphics of GoW II are just as beautiful as ever with some of the best art direction in a game to date.

What’s amazing about the multiplayer portion is the co-op. Not only is it completely unique content, but it mixes the greatness of the single player with the amazing new online competitive mode.

Motorstorm is pretty much the best off-road driving simulation ever to grace a console. The physics are so accurate, yet altered for arcade like effect, and feel so right that the development team must have had at least a couple Physics PhD’s on staff to pull off such a feat. [JPN Import]

Due to a few gameplay hiccups here and there and some rather boring gameplay in other spots Wario doesn’t quite approach greatness. It’s a good fun diversion for those who like the platformer/puzzle/Metroid hybrid but all others can probably skip it. [JPN Import]

Overall Bullet Witch is a bit short at 5-10 hours your first time through but its definitely worth a rental if it comes to your neck of the woods. [JPN Import]

Maybe it was the developer switch or maybe it’s just that the Wii controls don’t fit the game, but SSX Blur is unfortunately a clunker. That being said, if you can get past the controls there is a ton of content to experience and unlock.

Virtua Fighter 5 is downright incredible. Its a near perfect port from the Arcades and features some of the most engrossing gameplay and visuals ever to grace a home console. [JPN Import]

Sonic Team has taken Sonic, put him on rails, added a ton of variety, and made something that is definitely worth a rental. Some might find it too short to be a purchase, while others may just enjoy playing the levels over and over again with different setups in order to unlock the many goals available.

It’s a decent racing and dogfight hybrid that will appeal to some but leave many others feeling a bit let down by the repetitiveness and the lack of online play. [JPN Import]

The title may be a little too story heavy for some (the gameplay/story ratio is about 30/70), but otherwise the game is just what the PSP needed and hopefully a sign of what’s to come in terms of the system’s rpg future. For anyone looking for a great portable rpg, Monster Kingdom is where it’s at. [JPN Import]

So essentially Wii Play is a series of nine mini-games aimed at teaching people how to use the Wiimote and kind of use the Nunchuk. It costs next to nothing and is packed in with a controller, so for a few minutes of fun with a friend why not get it? [JPN Import]

Despite its flaws, Gurumin is the best action/platformer on the PSP (though many will still prefer "Daxter" most likely). It’s colorful, has a good battle engine, and nice Indiana Jones type levels for players to make their way through. [JPN Import]

Boktai DS is a fun little ARPG presented in pretty much the same fashion as the previous GBA games but, with the introduction of the new weather and team system, the game has added depth to it. [JPN Import]

Final Fantasy VI Advance may not offer as much as previous re-releases of FF titles in terms of extras but, it's still a classic to play through. [JPN Import]

When heading online you’ll find some much needed variety that wasn’t present in the single player game.

A game that's solid in its foundation, provides a standard rpg tale, and last quite a good length. Yet at the same time it lacks anything to make it distinct, exciting, and something that players should care about. While it is no doubt a technical masterpiece, in the current rpg state of the PS2, where quality rpgs exist in mass, it's tough to recommend Rogue Galaxy. [JPN Import]

When heading online you’ll find some much needed variety that wasn’t present in the single player game.

Not only are the voices horrible, as is the case for most Sonic games, but the story makes very little sense. Its like if you took any basic Nintendo story like Mario saving the Princess, lengthened it to several hours long, and filled it with mindless details that make no logical sense at all.

It's good for a few laughs, and it actually seems slightly better animated than the last two (at least to me, maybe Sam and Max made me crazy). If you liked the first two episodes, you'll love this one, i can assure you of that.

If you like interactive adventure games, noir murder mysteries, and the unique capabilities of the DS then this is a no-brainer purchase.

New 25 man limit dungeons in the end game open up things to most everyone but require a ridiculously expensive flying mount to get to them so there will still be some silly gold grinding when you get to 70.

More of the same courtroom drama so fans shouldn’t be disappointed. [JPN Import]

Minor gripes aside, this is a great game with a lot of innovation and fun to be had. [JPN Import]

From the well planned and executed single player campaign to the never-ending online battles, it’s one of those rare games where you feel like you got every penny’s worth and then some. [JPN Import]

The second episode features a few interesting characters, a fun story and the usual Sam and Max humor.

A solid title that uses the Wiimote and Nunchuk controls extremely well. If you're not in it for the offline 4 player multiplayer, which isnt all that great, or the level building then this is probably a rental. Though, if you want to get perfect rankings on all the levels youll likely want to make it a purchase. [JPN Import]

While there is an interesting mix between mini games and the alchemy system, the game is simply too short and enemies aren’t much of a challenge to beat.

Great characters, original courses, loads of items, and an intuitive control system, what more could you ask for? [JPN Import]

A game that stays true to the Castlevania series. [JPN Import]

The final big problem for Red Steel is its learning curve. You have to use the Wiimote + Nunchuk together in motion and in button pressing. This can lead most seasoned gamers to be thrown off for a good hour before picking things up. And with a short length of only 9ish hours, it’s a learning curve I’m not sure many will be willing to go for.

It truly is, in my opinion, the best and longest Zelda ever made. With nearly 70 hours of playtime committed and more still to do, I cant think of a better experience or value this holiday season.

Blurry textures, low polygon counts, and not much scenery to fill the background about sum it up. Fortunately you’ll be racing so fast you mostly won’t see this stuff.

For the hardcore there’s not much here that you’ll be playing for more than an hour other than the training mode which gives you a lot of challenges but ultimately falls flat.

A very fun game that has a lot of polish and a lot of sequel potential.

If you want Tony’s latest upgrade then go for it, but if you’re looking for complete reinvention of the series you might want to hold out until next year.

While a classic puzzle game like Tetris allows you to manipulate every block freely, Gunpey tries to limit you too much making the action feel rigid and slow and, the little variation it offers in the form of a few extra modes just doesn’t really make up for it. [JPN Import]

A solid shooter that fans will enjoy and a cheap way to show off some amazing effects on your new Playstation 3. [JPN Import]

Take one part Sonic, add in one part racing, mix with two parts cheap deaths, and you’ve got Sonic Rivals. Fans may like it but I think most should steer clear.

This is without a doubt the most fun DBZ game ever. Not only is it the only DBZ game that really recaptures the feel of the anime, but it is fun to play for DBZ fans and non-fans alike. The Wii controls are amazing when you get past the rough learning curve.

I challenge you to keep a straight face while playing Monkey Boxing... Which is what SMB:BB is all about, delivering a load of insane fun to keep you and your friends happy for hours and hours.

An excellent remake that remains very much true to the original game. [JPN Import]

Not only are the voices horrible, as is the case for most Sonic games, but the story makes very little sense. It’s like if you took any basic Nintendo story like Mario saving the Princess, lengthened it to several hours long, and filled it with mindless details that make no logical sense at all.

Take one part classic Call of Duty scripted FPS action, add in two parts improved level design, another one part updated graphics, and just about four parts upgraded multiplayer and you've got the ultimate Call of Duty stew.

Take one part classic Call of Duty scripted FPS action, add in two parts improved level design, another one part updated graphics, and just about four parts upgraded multiplayer and you’ve got the ultimate Call of Duty stew.

When you kill an enemy it doesn't disappear and when you blow up part of the near fully destructible environments the pieces don't go away either. The obvious power of the PS3 and the masterful coding work of the developers let everything stay on screen all the time while never taking a frame hit. This is an incredible accomplishment for a launch game on any system. [JPN Import]

A launch title in every sense of the phrase and you should steer clear of it. You might want to rent it just to see how it looks and impress your non-techie friends but other than that there’s no reason to put down $59.99 for this clunker. [JPN Import]

Best of all, the game is portable and gives gamers the chance to sit down and re-experience (or experience for the first time) one of the greatest titles known to man.

All this Action and RPG goodness doesn’t take place in a cell shaded world though as developer Cavia decided that realistic graphics were appropriate this time around. Fans of the series might be put off by this at first but after a while it’s easy to get used to. [JPN Import]

From the experience of killing bugs, to the last-gen graphics, and the unfinished gameplay I would say skip this one entirely. That is unless you’re an Action RPG freak who has the ability to play online.

Fans who played through Ridge Racer 6 will have to decide if six new tracks, a new soundtrack, slipstreaming, and car customization makes the game worth buying "again." Regardless, there's no denying that Ridge Racer 7 is a solid, fun arcade racer.

From the reused animations and gameplay mechanics, to the god-awful gameplay changes, and finally to the worthless new mini-games, DOAX2 is a steaming pile of Team Ninja excrement. [JPN Import]

From the amazing experience that is the single player to the well balanced and extremely fun multiplayer to the visuals and beyond Gears is the best game of the year hands down.

The game also has a high level of replayability because everytime you play any of the stages, the shapes and enemies never come out in the same sequence or places. Plus, you can always try to rack up your top score and get a better rank in each of the stages. A must have PSP title with a fun presentation. [JPN Import]

Take one part classic Call of Duty scripted FPS action, add in two parts improved level design, another one part updated graphics, and just about four parts upgraded multiplayer and you’ve got the ultimate Call of Duty stew.

Take one part classic Call of Duty scripted FPS action, add in two parts improved level design, another one part updated graphics, and just about four parts upgraded multiplayer and you’ve got the ultimate Call of Duty stew.

Create-A-Park is gone, Create-A-Skate has been downplayed a lot, some things are a bit too easy, and finally the whole world feels a bit stale.

Tony Hawk 8 is an incredible upgrade for the series but at the same time it lacks in some areas. Create-A-Park is gone, Create-A-Skate has been downplayed a lot, some things are a bit too easy, and finally the whole world feels a bit stale.

With a better song list, high quality audio for the most part, expanded and improved modes, and all the fun of the original, Guitar Hero 2 is one of this busy holiday season’s best games.

Take one part classic Call of Duty scripted FPS action, add in two parts improved level design, another one part updated graphics, and just about four parts upgraded multiplayer and you've got the ultimate Call of Duty stew.

Create-A-Park is gone, Create-A-Skate has been downplayed a lot, some things are a bit too easy, and finally the whole world feels a bit stale.