The PS3 version suffers, however. The outstanding visuals shine, but the frame rate has a tendency to jump around.

As always, Tiger's a fun game but the 08 version comes up short of earning green jacket status.

Even though it doesn't address the original's faults or expand the gameplay to new heights, there's more than enough new content (talents, characters, terrain to explore) to keep you swinging your sword.

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.

Its instruments work well, there are plenty of songs to rock out to and the multiplayer component is irresistible. It may not have the greatest stage presence, but it still puts on a heck of a show.

Despite its simplistic characters and repetitive announcer, the game offers content galore with its near countless modes and fun gameplay.

The game looks gorgeous, featuring dark, seedy locales and superb special effects. The gallons of blood. The tentacle detail. The characters. It's without question one of the best looking video games...That notwithstanding, it's not the deepest of adventures.

Bottom line, The Bigs 2 is everything a sequel should be, a game that adds to the previous edition while retaining its magic. Unless you despise unrealistic and arcade style sports, we highly recommend it.

People with a strong drive (no pun intended) and imagination will find an infinite playground here.

A game that features numerous upgrades guaranteed to please hoops fans who love rainbow threes and rim rattling dunks. On top of that, it has one of the most impressive sounding crowds this side of FIFA 10, and those 20,000 screaming maniacs make all the difference.

Geometry Wars: Galaxies takes everything good about Bizarre Creations' download hit and expands upon it.

We'd like to see more of these quirky games, and the more traditional exercises, while challenging, will likely get old in short order. Lack of a serious multiplayer or party mode is the biggest omission, but since the game installs a Wii Fit channel on your system, we can only hope that means regular updates are in the works.

You'll get more than your $30 worth from this nifty little package. Nearly two decades later, Genesis still does what Nintendon't.

Several new modes and weapons add tremendously to the game, including an entertaining new Puzzle mode that really puts wormy minds to work.

It could've used better visuals and artificial intelligence, but Skate 3 lives up to the hype. It plays well, offers a lot to do both online and off, and its team-building and park creation modes will keep you busy.

Although a few items remain unchanged from Flatout 2, what's here still works impeccably well.

Instead of reinventing the franchise, THQ merely tacked on some additions to the formula. That's not enough to wrestle away our $59.99.

This jaunt away from the Capitol Wasteland is a welcome addition to the three adventure add-ons that build on Fallout 3's awesome adventure.

Even for $5, we expected more creatures to blast, rooms to explore and weapons to fire. Those glaring omissions make Lost in Nightmares a good, but not great journey into the world of survival horror. Good luck.

Hardcore gamers who grew to love grand adventure games from a decade ago will have a blast. The game mechanics are tired, but there's nostalgic value to it. Fans of the series will also enjoy learning more about the characters. None of this negates the fact, however, that a fresh coat of high definition paint can't mask the fact that the Yakuza series needs to end or change with the times.

The customization shop is one of the game's biggest features, letting you create cars and planes any way you see fit. The gameplay is quite entertaining, even though the steering controls aren't as tight as we expectedare loose.

With a fun Career Mode, online play and an incredibly addictive mini game (Homerun Pinball) round out this enjoyable package that, although it cannot compete against the much deeper MLB 2K franchise, deserves some playtime, if for nothing else than to rob someone of a game winning grand slam.

Scribblenauts stands apart from the usual assortment of puzzle games, thanks to its charming design and wealth of possibilities. Don't let it fly under the radar. Go out and buy a copy right now.

The game has plenty of quality moments, ranging from battles with humongous aliens to beautiful scenery and animation. Unfortunately, sloppy controls and a boring multiplayer mode keep Lost Planet from dominating the Xbox 360.

Although 1701 A.D. doesn't feature any new gameplay concepts, it remains a solid economic strategy game that's easy enough for most players to pick up and get sucked into.

It's by no means perfect, but with an enchanting story, a fairly unique combat system that is both real-time, turn-based, and gorgeously colorful landscapes to traipse through, most players will find more than enough in the roughly 30 hours of play time to justify the $60 purchase.

It's certainly mind-bending at times, but also relaxing. With a level editor in tow, there's more than enough here to warrant a purchase.

The controls are great, as you can chain together Soul Charges and attacks without difficulty. Its graphics, despite a lack of widescreen support, look excellent.

You'll get more than your $30 worth from this nifty little package. Nearly two decades later, Genesis still does what Nintendon't.

Though they may lack the depth and complexity of the modern games they inspired, Final Fantasy 1 & 2 are still quite enjoyable, and definitely worth playing if you're a fan of RPGs.

Tekken 6 is still a quality fighter, from its straightforward and amusing gameplay to its rich presentation and huge roster. It falls short of Street Fighter IV, but it's still got enough power to knock you on your butt.

Thanks to excessive fog and pop up, we struggled locating collectibles. As for the upgrade system, there's so much to level up/moves to acquire that we quickly became overwhelmed and abandoned it. In addition, missions eventually grow repetitive, the story failed to hold our interests and cheap computer opponents killed us more times than we care to admit.

Sam & Max never claimed subtlety, and this episode throws in a clear clue for future journeys. Audiences simply need to stay tuned for the next episode to see what zany adventures come down the line.

Dodging bullets and narrowly escaping capture (as well as an addictive Time Trial mode) make Mirror's Edge worth playing if you have the patience to survive its concrete jungle. Yet Faith's limited punches and kicks result in tedious combat, linear routes make the city surprisingly small and accidental deaths force you to restart numerous times.

This episode has all the humor we've come to expect from a Sam & Max game and some challenging puzzles. Unfortunately, there are a few pacing snags, and we spent some time running back and forth trying to figure out what to do, even with the hint system set to maximum.

The presentation is top-notch, with tight level design and no shortage of jump-out-of-your seat moments. Multiplayer is somewhat empty, with only a few modes that all feel the same. There's no reason you should avoid F.E.A.R. 2.

It suffers from a few issues (sloppy lip-syncing, repetitive music, unbalanced difficulty), but Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a must play for fans as well as gamers in search of a new shooter.

Even with its faults, Guitar Hero III is still a wildly addictive music game that works just as well, if not better, on the PC.

Some visuals could have been cleaned up, and the SIXAXIS controls won't appeal to everyone, but for those who love a satisfying hockey experience will be happy with the thrills NHL 2K7 provides.

Despite the strong presentation and excellent voice acting, Kratos and his mythological pals have nothing to fear from Heavenly Sword. The game doesn't quite match "God of War"'s sense of pacing, character control and after plowing through another room of identical enemies, button-mashing until your thumbs are sore, you may eventually lose the urge to see what's around the next corner.

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.

The introduction of hooks and slices results in shots that veer off too easily to the left or right, even for the steadiest hand. That's too bad, because the rest of the game lines up nicely.

Although Prophecies players will benefit the most from playing the expansion, plenty of challenges await other gamers, including deep multilevel Dungeons providing near Master Quest level difficulties.

Even though it has less content than the first two games, we still enjoyed the ride.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 is a thoroughly enjoyable sports game with accessible controls for hardcore players and newcomers.

The multiplayer and co-op modes, through both Wi-Fi and local play, are superb.

If you haven't played the latest Guitar Hero or are looking for something that all ages of players can get into, it's a respectable choice. However, its mostly flat song list and almost complete lack of anything significantly new may have you feeling a sense of deja vu that can't be shaken.

The presentation is top-notch, with tight level design and no shortage of jump-out-of-your seat moments. Multiplayer is somewhat empty, with only a few modes that all feel the same. There's no reason you should avoid F.E.A.R. 2.

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

Although some minor bugs pop up, the game captures the essence of baseball.

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.

Here's what you will recognize: a convoluted plot involving a missing daughter and rampant, depraved ghosts; frequent switching between the "real" world and a ghastly nightmare realm; and many locked doors with craftily hidden keys.

Dodging bullets and narrowly escaping capture (as well as an addictive Time Trial mode) make Mirror's Edge worth playing if you have the patience to survive its concrete jungle. Yet Faith's limited punches and kicks result in tedious combat, linear routes make the city surprisingly small and accidental deaths force you to restart numerous times.

Mario Strikers Charged features enough modes to keep players entertained, as well as a top-notch presentation that really shows off what the Wii can do.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 is a thoroughly enjoyable sports game with accessible controls for hardcore players and newcomers.

Thanks to a gripping story, furious gunplay and cool multiplayer, Call of Juarez makes for a smart rental.

A marvelous addition to the PSP library. Gamers with an overflow of talent but a lack of funds and musical equipment should pick it up immediately and get to work.

Once you discover the game's deeply flawed combat system and bland storyline, you'll question if it's a journey worth taking.

No matter how delightful main character Parin and her amusing dialog, dull combat amounts to little more than frequent taps of X and most gamers will breeze through the simple puzzles.

It's a decent update featuring more the same.

A digital slaughterhouse full of carnage that'll make you happy to be an adult Wii owner.

The beautifully sketched graphics give Room 215 a unique style. Although the game grows tedious, thanks to what seems like endless, scrolling text, surprises pop up every few minutes that further the plot. Definitely play this game.

Thanks to excessive fog and pop up, we struggled locating collectibles. As for the upgrade system, there's so much to level up/moves to acquire that we quickly became overwhelmed and abandoned it. In addition, missions eventually grow repetitive, the story failed to hold our interests and cheap computer opponents killed us more times than we care to admit.

We're glad that Shaun finally got an excellent snowboarding game worthy of his talents.

The only severe flaw is that it ends too soon with only four cases and no option to download new ones. Still, it's a legal champion.

The music disappoints and the new characters lack that certain Sonic Team charm, but they don't slow down an otherwise very fulfilling adventure.

While it's rough around certain edges, this ninja's Rise stays on the up-and-up.

The extensive create-a-player mode, online play, and deep Career Mode that offers countless challenges and tournaments will likely keep players occupied until Tiger 08. However, putting is as frustrating as ever, a problem compounded by the PSP's analog nub, which takes some time getting used to.

It's not without its flaws, as the combat is still cumbersome and the puzzles can be very difficult, but if you crave a scary game for your portable, you can't go wrong with Origins.

The visuals still look great a year and a half later, but the controls are still sluggish and the campaign is over too quickly.

The game still leans heavily on the "it's the journey, not the destination" theory. Tomb Raider: Anniversary provides a meaty enough adventure to be worth a purchase. Crystal Dynamics has done well meshing the nostalgia of the old game with an all new experience.

Instead of reinventing the franchise, THQ merely tacked on some additions to the formula. That's not enough to wrestle away our $59.99.

Throwing in some quality animated scenes and voice acting, on top of two interlocking campaign modes and some fun mini games for two players, makes this one of the better games in the long running franchise.

Slowdown and ugly bit mapping occur (especially during cut-scenes) and the game doesn't really feel exceptionally different from last year's. Nevertheless, MotoGP '07 is a fun and addictive racing game.

The characters are great, but the numerous cliches throughout the story may leave some feeling tired, and it's curious the way the game almost seems to punish those who want to watch the optional skits.

Although it doesn't entirely change the game around, this expansion makes enough improvements, allowing gamers to get lost in Middle-earth all over again.

It satisfies, even if its basic set-up doesn't make specific use of the Wii. The graphics are fantastic and the soundtrack, from Yuka Tsujiyoko, is a must-listen. This series has never burned brighter.

More tables would've been ideal, but this Pinball Hall of Fame is still worth multiple visits.

Changing seasons provide great visuals for the passage of time, as sims grow up and mature. The effect is subtle, but it makes raising a sim family a more enjoyable and memorable experience.

To some, SingStar 80's is pure nostalgic bliss, but it needs more content.

The system of ducking behind cover and maneuvering to shoot above or around it works perfectly, delivering non-stop action and excitement.

The immensely satisfying micro-level gameplay far outweighs the minor difficulty problems in the game -- if you're looking for a new timewaster on the PC, 360 or PS3, definitely give Droplitz a spin.

The game has long loading times, collision detection and some displaced momentum. But the end result hits with all the authority of a steel chair to the face.

It suffers from a few issues (sloppy lip-syncing, repetitive music, unbalanced difficulty), but Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a must play for fans as well as gamers in search of a new shooter.

It will appeal to both hardcore gamers who want to spend hours exploring every square centimeter of this immense world, as well as the casual gamer who only wishes to play for 20 minutes at a time yet feels like they accomplished something.

Not much has changed in the gameplay, outside of enhancements to the Hit Stick and the distribution of "weapons".

A steep learning curve, however, may impede their progress, especially without the benefit of a tutorial. Aside from that huge omission, Grand Slam Tennis is a well-made and fun game appropriate for wannabe tennis stars of all ages.

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

The presentation is mostly excellent and the gameplay effectively blends puzzle solving with action. While there are no scenarios from the latest Indy film, these Adventures still provide a worthwhile Jones fix.

For the dedicated, it can provide several hours of fun, but its unbridled quirkiness may turn off others.

The game's 40 cars look disappointingly familiar. However, this game successfully brings arcade racing home, fully loaded with fast rides, excellent drifting, the ability to customize vehicles, and 14 person online play.

We dig the Career and Tournament modes, and the ability to create your player from the ground up and play online tournaments is cool, but Top Spin 3's inaccessible and sloppy controls killed our high expectations.

Get it unless you absolutely despise wrestling.

It may lack the features in other racing games, but Excitebots will keep your hands glued to the remote.

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.

The wonky voice and touch screen recognition annoys us, but we always give Brain Age 2 another chance, probably because we buy Nintendo's line that it makes us smarter.

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 controls click almost perfectly, the multiplayer options are through the roof, there's plenty to do on the single-player front and the characters and levels are like a treasure trove of Sega history.