Pointless minigames failed to hold our interest, while a horrid MIDI-based soundtrack, comprised of "hits" like Happy Birthday and Jingle Bell Rock, had us reaching for Guitar Hero.

Just as sweet as the original. The new Challenge mode, Battle of the Bands and tweaks to the World Tour mode will keep you playing for months.

Whereas Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour headline the music game genre, Rock Revolution is a scrappy cover band. Its presentation rips off Rock Band's, the scrolling notes are hard to keep up with, the career mode is unsatisfying and the song selection, while decent, is made up of lame cover tracks.

Whereas Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour headline the music game genre, Rock Revolution is a scrappy cover band. Its presentation rips off Rock Band's, the scrolling notes are hard to keep up with, the career mode is unsatisfying and the song selection, while decent, is made up of lame cover tracks.

The graphics and sound are great, and the numerous challenges and arena modes offer some diversity. If you're up for a quick hack-and-slash game, rent it. If you want a game with depth, however, this Axe needs sharpening.

The graphics and sound are great, and the numerous challenges and arena modes offer some diversity. If you're up for a quick hack-and-slash game, rent it. If you want a game with depth, however, this Axe needs sharpening.

Despite an arsenal of moves, the process of switching between weapons is labored and will most certainly result in your demise. The lack of a dedicated single player campaign mode hurts as well. Worst of all, Confrontation includes a ridiculous amount of technical bugs.

Saints Row 2, despite looking awful, is a guilty pleasure that'll entertain you for hours as you streak across town, blow up cars and slice gang members with a samurai sword.

Saints Row 2, despite looking awful, is a guilty pleasure that'll entertain you for hours as you streak across town, blow up cars and slice gang members with a samurai sword.

Gorgeous and horrifying visuals, combined with spine-tingling audio, immerse you in an interstellar nightmare of blood and bone. While it leaves a lot of unanswered questions, an obvious ploy to get you to read the enjoyable comics and watch the animated film, Dead Space is still a terrifying game, whether you're bathed in darkness or playing in sunlight.

Gorgeous and horrifying visuals, combined with spine-tingling audio, immerse you in an interstellar nightmare of blood and bone. While it leaves a lot of unanswered questions, an obvious ploy to get you to read the enjoyable comics and watch the animated film, Dead Space is still a terrifying game, whether you're bathed in darkness or playing in sunlight.

No, it won't topple EA's Madden franchise, but this Blitz is worth playing if you want a smash mouth football game with mature issues.

No, it won't topple EA's Madden franchise, but this Blitz is worth playing if you want a smash mouth football game with mature issues.

Unfortunately, the enemies lack anything resembling intelligence, something that is poorly remedied up by the common solution to such an issue -- adding more enemies. At least the multiplayer is interesting.

Unfortunately, the enemies lack anything resembling intelligence, something that is poorly remedied up by the common solution to such an issue -- adding more enemies.

The story is also flimsy and not interesting. Mutant is still a great game for kids and achievement junkies, but this series needs a reboot for anyone else.

Factor in the terrible menu navigation, and 2K9 has more problems than the Charlotte Bobcats. However, its five-on-five online play, updated Association mode and enjoyable hoops action still makes it a slam dunk.

Factor in the terrible menu navigation, and 2K9 has more problems than the Charlotte Bobcats. However, its five-on-five online play, updated Association mode and enjoyable hoops action still makes it a slam dunk.

Unlike NBA 2K9, you don't need to read the game booklet to perform sweet looking ankle breakers or run the reliable pick and roll, but there's more exciting features here than just playing exhibition.

Unlike NBA 2K9, you don't need to read the game booklet to perform sweet looking ankle breakers or run the reliable pick and roll, but there's more exciting features here than just playing exhibition.

It's damn near impossible, but you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to beat the final boss. The replay value is high, thanks to additional challenge and time attack stages, along with promising downloadable content.

Unless you've got nerves of steel, this game will at least send chills up your spine and at most scare the crap out of you. Sure, it feels similar to its predecessors, but the familiar mechanics and scares still give us hours of monster bashing fun.

Unless you've got nerves of steel, this game will at least send chills up your spine and at most scare the crap out of you. Sure, it feels similar to its predecessors, but the familiar mechanics and scares still give us hours of monster bashing fun.

Little of the BioWare magic for telling an engaging story through impressively written dialogue and deep characters was used, and repetitive battles and too many generic enemies don't help matters. And for a game about a speedy hedgehog, it too often plods along slowly.

While not a true sequel (Sony pulled its eight tracks, modes and vehicles from its WipEout Pure and Pulse PSP games), it feels fresh and exciting because of the gorgeous high-definition graphics, which run in 1080p and at a blazing 60 frames per second.

It's damn near impossible, but you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to beat the final boss. The replay value is high, thanks to additional challenge and time attack stages, along with promising downloadable content.

Your guys occasionally act stupid, the final stage is lackluster and multiplayer is your standard squad versus squad affair, but Hell's Highway is the most cinematic WWII game on the market and worth the 10-15 hours to complete.

Few World War II video games are as gripping and brutal as Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway.

The throttling gameplay, gorgeous presentation and sweet multiplayer options make it a ride you cannot miss.

The throttling gameplay, gorgeous presentation and sweet multiplayer options make it a ride you cannot miss.

The Wii remote and Nunchuk don't work as well as we hoped, which makes beating the game on a harder difficulty a chore. Once you get past this hiccup, however, Samba will keep you shaking.

This game has a fresh new angle to it, letting you throw batarangs and use different suits to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

This game has a fresh new angle to it, letting you throw batarangs and use different suits to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. Villains also have their own missions, which are just as entertaining as the hero ones.

The game has a fresh new angle to it, letting you throw batarangs and use different suits to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. Villains also have their own missions, which are just as entertaining as the hero ones.

Karaoke fans probably won't mind, but without more songs count and variety, this one can't hold the tune.

The visuals are wonderful, the music is happy and the multiplayer modes are as fun as the single-player campaign. No matter how old you are, this game will paint a smile on your face.

Somewhere within SimCity Creator is an ambitious idea, befuddled by a lacking control scheme and irritating features.

While not a technical marvel, it's a fun romp through five beautifully drawn continents full of peril.

Copying enemy abilities and working alongside helper characters is cool, and we dig the imaginative environments, but there's not enough to keep us hooked.

It's damn near impossible, but you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to beat the final boss. The replay value is high, thanks to additional challenge and time attack stages, along with promising downloadable content.

The fancy technology powering the experience is impressive, as is the performance by actors who lent their voices and likenesses to the game's pivotal characters. That's mixed with rote game mechanics -- hack, slash, fight big boss, level ends -- that can easily grow tiresome, and a leveling up system that's more distraction than a way to create a customized character.

The fancy technology powering the experience is impressive, as is the performance by actors who lent their voices and likenesses to the game's pivotal characters. That's mixed with rote game mechanics -- hack, slash, fight big boss, level ends -- that can easily grow tiresome, and a leveling up system that's more distraction than a way to create a customized character.

The fancy technology powering the experience is impressive, as is the performance by actors who lent their voices and likenesses to the game's pivotal characters. That's mixed with rote game mechanics -- hack, slash, fight big boss, level ends -- that can easily grow tiresome, and a leveling up system that's more distraction than a way to create a customized character.

The graphics look OK, although clumsy camera issues hinder gameplay.

Whether you enjoy role-playing games or simply crave a more mature experience, this patched up $39.99 version of the Witcher is bound to please.

The new Challenge and Battle of the Bands modes and tweaks to the World Tour mode will keep you playing for months.

An above-average dancing affair for the Wii that delivers familiar graphics, forgettable songs and no online options. If you liked the original, you might dig this one, but it's not worth our time.

At its best during four player matches, where everyone runs around the ring, bounces off the ropes and delivers bone-rattling special moves. Outside of its enjoyable multiplayer, however, the game isn't much fun.

At its best during four player matches, where everyone runs around the ring, bounces off the ropes and delivers bone-rattling special moves. Outside of its enjoyable multiplayer, however, the game isn't much fun.

Last year's race between 2K Sports and EA Sports' hockey franchises was almost a dead heat. This year, EA's NHL 09 takes Lord Stanley's Cup, thanks to a combination of what worked well last year and some sweet new features.

Last year's race between 2K Sports and EA Sports' hockey franchises was almost a dead heat. This year, EA's NHL 09 takes Lord Stanley's Cup, thanks to a combination of what worked well last year and some sweet new features.

It's not groundbreaking, but it is highly entertaining, and for players willing to give it some time, it will suck them in for hours.

There are three excellent control options available for both old-school players and precision shooters. They work most of the time, although realism takes a back seat with the excessive checking and occasionally dumbfounded artificial intelligence.

There are three excellent control options available for both old-school players and precision shooters. They work most of the time, although realism takes a back seat with the excessive checking and occasionally dumbfounded artificial intelligence.

It's a decent puck slapper, but hardly a Stanley Cup contender.

One of the best DS games of 2008. Combining the addictive, strategic fun of Tower Defense with an excellent tale spanning over 20 hours, brilliant animation and easy to learn controls, it should secure its place in the hearts of gamers everywhere.

New creatures added by users will continue to make the universe of Spore interesting but its lack of depth in the single player version of the game, along with linear storyline may be a sign of its eventual extinction.

It's not bad, although the game is plagued by severe balancing issues. Some boxers are more talented than others, and online match-ups are unfair, resulting in a Facebreaker finisher and a quick end to the match. At least the Create-a-Boxer mode is great, enabling you to scan yourself or a picture of someone into the game.

It's not bad, although the game is plagued by severe balancing issues. Some boxers are more talented than others, and online match-ups are unfair, resulting in a Facebreaker finisher and a quick end to the match.

It's a daunting video game, one that lacks a tutorial mode and assumes you know something about coaching, but if you consider yourself the next Bill Belichick (without the spying), NFL Head Coach 09 is an essential purchase and a good companion to the upcoming season.

The graphics are OK for a real-time strategy game and Jeremy Soule's musical score is outstanding, but that's not enough to salvage this mess.

It's not every day that Square Enix releases a game for Xbox 360, so we expected Infinite Undiscovery to be an original and exciting action RPG. What we received is a boring, by-the-numbers adventure that once again casts us as a weak and at times clueless young boy that must destroy evil.

The gameplay is about the same, but fans of micromanagement and virtual pet care will thoroughly enjoy it. Co-op mode is fun as well, in case a frustrated player needs a hand from a parent or a buddy.

The concept is solid on paper: a stealth action romp through the urban jungle as you battle hordes of undead night stalkers. There's also a variety of weapons and interesting features, like being able to see through the enemies' eyes. Unfortunately, none of these elements are fun or well executed.

World In Flames has a satisfying amount of destruction, whether you blow up an oilrig with a well-armed helicopter or bring down a building with C4 and gas tanks. It's engaging and exciting, especially if you play co-op.

A satisfying amount of destruction, whether you blow up an oilrig with a well-armed helicopter or bring down a building with C4 and gas tanks. It's engaging and exciting, especially if you play co-op.

Classic beat-em-up bliss, backed by a wonderful upgrade system, several new characters and weapons (like Alien Hominid bashing people's heads in with a lollipop) and memorable gameplay.

For creative types looking to craft new adventures and share them with fellow players, Galactic Adventures is a must play.

Sporting a robust real-time combat system, the most beautiful cel-shaded graphics we've seen (even topping Eternal Sonata) and a compelling story that will keep you coming back until you finish this lengthy quest, Tales is one of the best games of the year and it'll appeal to RPG fans of all kinds.

Although it lacks the convenient dual-screen set-up of the DS version, N+ is almost A+ caliber stuff, especially considering the $20 bargain basement price.

After a lackluster performance from last year, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 excels in every area imaginable. The addition of Woods' personal coach, Hank Haney, introduces a significant new skill improvement system with a series of practice drills and advice.

After a lackluster performance from last year, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 excels in every area imaginable. The addition of Woods' personal coach, Hank Haney, introduces a significant new skill improvement system with a series of practice drills and advice.

A major improvement on the formula first introduced in 2005 with "Mario Superstar Baseball" on the GameCube.

The visuals and sound are on the same level as Destruction, while the action-oriented gameplay keeps up the pace. There's nothing of long-term value, no Captain Quark minigames or arena missions, but the journey is worth it.

Multiplayer would've been cool, but these Legions will still keep you busy.

Its role-playing elements prove uninteresting, with an unbalanced upgrade system and no major differences between the five available classes. Its fighting is stale, with loose multi-directional melee combat and horribly broken long-range targeting. Finally, the presentation falls short, with unpolished visuals and bothersome glitches.

Smash Court Tennis 3 is infuriating, as you must use ultra-precision timing to hit the tennis ball to the lame-brained computer.

Everything you know and love from the classic NES Bionic game is back, including challenging level design, tons of shoot-em-up action and a bionic arm that requires some strategy to utilize.

Everything you know and love from the classic NES Bionic game is back, including challenging level design, tons of shoot-em-up action and a bionic arm that requires some strategy to utilize.

Unfortunately, none of them are fun because of horrible odds that suck your gold dry.

Bangai-O Spirits lacks a story mode, but it makes up for this with over 160 stages of explosive shooting action.

Madden NFL 2009 stumbles, but manages to regain its composure long enough to stiff arm critics and dive into the endzone.

A couple of the newer additions don't work as well as they should, such as the unbalanced Madden Test and the cheat-happy EA Rewind. Others, though, are spectacular, such as the Virtual Training Center and the new Online League play.

It comes up short in certain areas when compared to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, but that doesn't stop it from being the best Wii football game.

A Rookie mode simplifies the controls for beginners (don't worry, you still have Advanced controls) and there's Franchise mode and the Madden Moments from the console editions (called Superstar Challenge), but the on-field action looks and sounds too similar to last year's game.

This is worth picking up even if you're not attractive.

It looks gorgeous, with wonderfully drawn levels and a captivating soundtrack. It ends sooner than expected, but the ride Braid takes you on is worth it.

Fans of classic shooting games like Smash TV should endure this Madness.

Gorgeous, irresistible and a must buy, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 epitomizes fun.

Punishing artificial intelligence, unbalanced online play and annoying lag will have you chucking your controller. Those small issues aside, Soulcalibur IV is razor sharp.

Punishing artificial intelligence, unbalanced online play and annoying lag will have you chucking your controller. Those small issues aside, Soulcalibur IV is razor sharp.

Online play is missing, but these Power Pros still score a homerun.

Sure, it lacks some key games, (where's Super Baseball 2020?), but overall, this is one anthology you shouldn't miss.

Sure, it's not the deepest of shooters, but for $10, you could do a lot worse than 1942.

Sure, it's not the deepest of shooters, but for $10, you could do a lot worse than 1942.

It offers online play through Wi-Fi Connection, but it's strictly limited to ruled nine-hole match play. With the exception of amateur golfers, this Love simply doesn't last.

It just about looks, sounds and plays as it did before, solidly but without anything "wow"-worthy to justify your $60 purchase.

It just about looks, sounds and plays as it did before, solidly but without anything "wow"-worthy to justify your $60 purchase.