Sega's Ghost Squad takes less than an hour to beat and features plenty of insignificant extras. But instead of overcharging you, the company budget priced its arcade shooter $30, $10 more that it's worth.

Occasional boss fights and tacked-on multiplayer/co-op modes do very little to liven things up. It's worth a rental, but it's hardly the stuff of Legends.

3-D environments look terrific, although the character sprites lack the same flair, and the soundtrack is classic Final Fantasy. Fans of the franchise or RTS games should definitely pick this up.

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

The intensity of the arcade game stays intact, whether shooting a slew of disease-carrying bugs or taking on a mad man across multiple screens.

Some of the operations will drive you nutty, thanks to wonky controls and increased difficulty, but working alongside a friend makes things easier, and the ability to upload your scores to online leader boards offers unlimited replay value.

The visuals are below average, even for the PlayStation 2's standards; the classic Godzilla theme music never plays, with a stale rock soundtrack in its place; the controls are mere tap-tap combos with little involvement; the game is horribly overpriced; and the fighter selection is paltry, with only a few monstrosities to choose from.

The high system requirements might turn some people off, but something has to power the jaw-dropping graphics and highly detailed environments. The new version of Unreal Tournament has a few things that long time players will need to get used to, but the one thing that hasn't changed is incredibly fast-paced and addictive action.

Although Revo offers a couple hours of entertainment, it doesn't have enough variety for long-term replayability.

The Sixth Man Advantage pumps the crowd up -- maybe too well. The unrivaled Legacy Mode is better than ever and the new Coaching Adjustments really make a difference, rather than being a cosmetic touch-up.

Sporting unintelligible artificial intelligence, a psychotic camera, redundant combat and visuals that look like a high-res version of an early PS2 game, Avatar turns out to be a disappointment.

The ability to score board items and extra puzzle games is a nifty bonus, adding to longevity. However, the Mario Party formula is too comparable to previous games, with dull artificial intelligence (except on Expert). Lastly, the absence of Wi-Fi support hurts the game's appeal.

So while Crossbow Training isn't a deep experience (it really needs online leader boards), it's addictive and justifies buying the Zapper.

An enjoyable cinematic experience complemented by the fast-paced fighting and Tomb Raider-inspired platform jumping.

The graphics are cheery and hilarious, with the Rabbids stealing the show from Rayman. The Wi-Fi Connection function is a nice touch, though it lacks online multiplayer. Invite these Rabbids to your next holiday party.

Sure, it moves fast, and the online options deliver a sweet community aspect, but the 1/4-mile drag events suck, the game at times looks jaggier than a shark's mouth and the drab presentation denies it much needed personality. It's a decent racer, but not sexy enough to rev our engines.

Gamers looking for the most technologically sophisticated game of the year should head directly for Crysis. The artificial intelligence can be quirky, but the open-ended gameplay, spectacular graphics and incredible nanosuit powers more than make up for it.

The in-game combat isn't bad either, if you can accept two things—there's not enough variety to the combat, and the extra effot to sneak around often isn't worth it. The guards can be real idiots, too. Past that, this Assassin cuts deep.

Artificial intelligence problems are present throughout, with squad mates continuously running in the line of fire. Furthermore, the promising co-op mode isn't available online, only locally through cramped split-screen.

The in-game combat isn't bad either, if you can accept two things—there's not enough variety to the combat, and the extra effot to sneak around often isn't worth it. The guards can be real idiots, too. Past that, this Assassin cuts deep.

The combination of Season and General Manager Modes into a single 24/7 Mode isn't entirely for the best. However, the gameplay executes well and the graphics, aside from the glitches, respectfully recreate the WWE experience. It's no champ, but this piece of wrestling mania still ekes out a win.

So while this latest Resident Evil offers up some mindless fun (especially with co-op play), don't expect a full-fledged adventure, especially with the absence of the second and fourth installment, as well as Code Veronica.

Now that it has moved to the Wii, however, Tomb Raider: Anniversary's magic has been lost due to crappy waggle controls. Although some of the Wii exclusive puzzles are mildly enjoyable, aiming and shaking the nunchuck leads to imprecise movements and lots of headaches.

Sure, it moves fast, and the online options deliver a sweet community aspect, but the 1/4-mile drag events suck, the game at times looks jaggier than a shark's mouth and the drab presentation denies it much needed personality. It's a decent racer, but not sexy enough to rev our engines.

The graphics look good and the multiplayer options (including Game Sharing) are acceptable, but the lopsided racing kills the fun.

Invest immediately – unless you're a wuss.

The bosses are somewhat cheap in single-player mode, but the game has multiplayer appeal to spare – and for $20, no less. If you love 2-D fighting, pay your respects to the King.

The graphics and sound are bland and lack party atmosphere; the shooting and dancing mini-games are lame; and even the spinner fails to function properly.

Its story makes us sleepy, but the hack-and-slash fighting has us hooked. Highly recommended.

The presentation isn't bad and the rhythm mini-games are neat, but overall, Beowulf crumbles under his own dead weight.

All of what made the original great is still here, with lots of new recipes and new additions like a multiplayer mode, but it's really just the same game reheated.

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.

The bland story mode, despite whisking you away to numerous locations, features lame brain artificial intelligence, a boring narrative, corny characters and the same point A to point B objectives, making it worth just a few hours of play.

Get it unless you absolutely despise wrestling.

With new characters, maps and modes, along with the ability to play against players who still play the original, there is plenty to enjoy assuming you like the first game.

With all things taken into account, Rise of Kunark provides the most comprehensive EverQuest II experience and offers a great deal to both new and veteran players.

The at-times awkward Wii-mote controls and a tacked-on co-op mode keep the game from reaching perfection, but gravity-bending levels still manage to keep the game fresh from start to finish, while familiar characters and soundtrack hit all the right nostalgic notes.

A decent shooter, jam-packed with targetable Black Ops soldiers and aliens aplenty and showing moderately good production values, despite a few hitches. However, it's lightweight fluff compared to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and The Orange Box, especially when it comes to the slapped-together multiplayer and lack of story depth.

The presentation and gameplay hold true to the MK standards, and the ability to track wins and losses is a nice addition, if you feel like boasting about your fighting skills.

New character animations and game improvements make the world more entertaining and lively, kicking off a very strong start to the new season of games.

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.

Despite a horrendously nonsensical title and some time consuming level exploration, Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker has everything a monster battling role-playing fan could want, including sassy accented text and tons of monsters to recruit and battle.

Units get stuck on the map, breaking armies apart, and unit responses are downright annoying. The trek from the Stone Age to the future is a painful one, and all players can do is wish for it to stop.

The events don't show much diversity, outside of a few creative "dream" events. Worse yet, the controls are haphazard, sometimes reading perfectly and other times barely registering. As a result, it earns a bronze metal, at best.

Being able to build your own Star Wars creations from other character parts is a hoot. Bottom line, Saga is excellent closure to the Lego Star Wars series.

The spread-out checkpoints infuriate, particularly since they take over a minute to reload. Despite some provocative multiplayer options and a likable presentation, this Tactical Strike lacks impact.

With upgraded graphics, exclusive campaign chapters and a handful of new multiplayer features (handled through Games for Windows Live), Gears of War is a very desirable shooter.

Although the action's decent and the games have a somewhat scary edge (thanks to Alma, a homicidal, ghostly little girl), neither held our interests for very long. Despite a handful of new enemies and weapons, you repeatedly slaughter the same foes, and the 2005 quality visuals can't compete with the 360's recent shooters, namely Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4.

Unfortunately, the new enemies aren't that much different from the original ones, and the additional weapons don't add much to the game. Veteran players will have a persistent "been there, done that" feeling throughout the adventure, while newcomers may feel a little lost, since Perseus Mandate makes so many direct references to the previous games.

If you love the antics of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, consider yourself warned -- Zombie Ninja Pro-Am is a bland affair. You get a subpar (no pun intended) golf game, a lame cart-racing game and heaping amounts of monotonous combat.

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.

This shooter is so addictive, gorgeous (both visually and aurally) and unrivaled that it demands your immediate attention.

One of the best military shooters to date, with enough realism to make you feel like you're right on the battlefield. The visuals look amazingly life-like, unmatched by other PlayStation 3 efforts. The gameplay feels familiar, and at the same time refreshing and exciting.

With superb graphics, excellent characters and superb multiplayer options, there's very little that Modern Warfare doesn't deliver.

While adult gamers might find a bee's life a bit on the tame side, children will no doubt love Barry's escapades, and with the somewhat charming wit of Jerry Seinfeld, the sickly sweet voiceovers won't make you nauseous.

Although it has a lot of fun parts, they don't fit together as nicely as they could. But the game complements the movies and offers a family-oriented online gaming experience free of charge, although the optional subscription has strong benefits. It just needs a little more time to grow.

With all its features and the charm from its wicked sense of humor, Hellgate makes for a very entertaining game, but it needs more depth.

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.

The game provides a decent alternative to average hack'n-slash role-playing games, but it doesn't take long before it becomes tiresome and boring.

With a convoluted plot that's difficult to follow and no motivation to achieve objectives apart from "because the random guy told me to," TimeShift doesn't leave a very strong impression.

Despite a few corny audio samples, Virtua Fighter 5 offers hard-hitting fighting perfection that no one should miss.

Even worse, the game gets boring quickly. It offers decent fun, especially with four players, but Buzz could've used more organization, spontaneity and humor to liven things up.

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

Party Animals completely lacks what made the first Viva Pinata so endearing.

The bothersome camera often gets stuck, thus obscuring your vision and two-player split screen messes with the game's speed, but the exclusive clips and humorous presentation make this a must play, especially for diehard Simpsons fans.

The bothersome camera often gets stuck, thus obscuring your vision and two-player split screen messes with the game's speed, but the exclusive clips and humorous presentation make this a must play, especially for diehard Simpsons fans.

It's a quintessential PS3 action game, even with its weak multiplayer option.

It's a sometimes great-looking, seldom spooky copy of its original that doesn't quite live up to the media buzz.

The lack of off-line multiplayer is a shame. The presentation isn't perfect either but holds together just fine, with lots of explosive pandemonium.

While we appreciate the new star power, the new too-difficult two-player Battle mode fails to impress and the new guitar, while sturdy and reliable, feels small in comparison to Rock Band's more realistic axe. Regardless, Guitar Hero still has that addictive quality. Combine that with an excellent soundtrack and online play, this mock rock simulator will have you jamming for months.

While we appreciate the new star power, the new too-difficult two-player Battle mode fails to impress and the new guitar, while sturdy and reliable, feels small in comparison to Rock Band's more realistic axe. Regardless, Guitar Hero still has that addictive quality. Combine that with an excellent soundtrack and online play, this mock rock simulator will have you jamming for months.

While we appreciate the new star power, the new too-difficult two-player Battle mode fails to impress and the new guitar, while sturdy and reliable, feels small in comparison to Rock Band's more realistic axe. Regardless, Guitar Hero still has that addictive quality. Combine that with an excellent soundtrack and online play, this mock rock simulator will have you jamming for months.

It doesn't push the horror genre forward, as most of its features pop up in the Resident Evil and Silent Hill franchises, but Dementium still offers up a few genuine frights, and stands out as one of the DS' most under hyped but entertaining video games.

Overdose gives the original 2004 game a new paint job along with new settings, but it's essentially the same game, which made extensive use of physics technology. Except, games since then matched and surpassed it, making it monotonous.

The game, while not as deep as something like Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh (thanks to fewer cards), transcends the competition, thanks to the cool technology. You'll still look like a dork playing it, but don't deny The Eye of Judgment's addictive pull.

Publisher Codemasters didn't complement Barker's original story with an enjoyable video game.

One of the best horror games to come out this fall, with horrifically imaginative creatures and dark, blood-covered environments.

Sure, it has annoying glitches, the cheap artificial intelligence will piss you off and Sony's God of War plays ten times better, but you don't play Conan for enlightenment or for a lesson in quality game design. You play because you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and because sometimes, it feels good to rip a fake person's arms off.

Sure, it has annoying glitches, the cheap artificial intelligence will piss you off and Sony's God of War plays ten times better, but you don't play Conan for enlightenment or for a lesson in quality game design. You play because you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, and because sometimes, it feels good to rip a fake person's arms off.

The real prize, though, are the game's unlockable goodies -- an improved version of the original Rondo of Blood and the best version of Symphony of the Night to date. For a $30 compilation bursting with content, Castlevania doesn't suck.

The presentation captures the essence of the show– even with its sometimes-squeaky character voicework. Revolution also has Wii-specific mini-games packed in, along with the option to fight against three other players – always a bonus for this type of game.

The single player game's story features poor voice acting and the game doesn't look as photo realistic as Namco Bandai wants you to believe, but AC6 successfully delivers the quality Top Gun experience, allowing you to live out your fighter pilot fantasies.

The puzzle design is fantastic, though it leans a bit on trial-and-error. The graphics are vibrant, even if the heroes don't have a memorable spark. The game has long-term replayability too, with a neat little co-op game and hidden treasures to uncover. No Wii owner should miss this.

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.

If you like the first two games (even mildly), there's no need to plead a case. Go get it.

The whole thing comes off like something Pixar would produce if it chose to add game development to their filmaking. The lack of an online multiplayer/co-op option keeps it from being perfect, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying this undeniable thrill ride.

With a simple multiplayer duel mode thrown in for good measure, there is enough to keep fans of the genre happy, but a few control quirks and a lot of time in the garage could turn off the average player.

With slick graphics, beautiful level design and of course, the puzzles and action that first captivated us completely, Anniversary lives up to the name of Lara Croft.

Gamers will need to get over the dated graphics and artificial intelligence, along with a few design oversights that spoil the Asian setting, but this expansion strengthens the Age of Empires III gameplay and makes it feel almost new again.

With rote levels, horrific graphics and a point and click interface that makes flash games look like next generation gems, Cake Mania 2's batter is a tad bit undercooked.

It may not contain the addictive "party" element of Nintendo's Wii Sports, but this Playground isn't a bad place for kids and their parents to hang out.

The puzzles are creative, but quickly grow repetitive. More so, Prism's presentation seems to have gotten very little love from the developers, and players can expect to see the same relatively dark visuals throughout the entire game.

Expanded multiplayer options would've made this even more remarkable, especially with online co-op. As it stands, however, Katamari's a ball.

While it contains some cool features in the form of three unique play styles and finely tuned audio, the game's timing is almost completely off, even with such simplicities as a serve or a ball return. The visuals also took a step backward.

The Video Editor will keep you busy for hours and the mixture of old and new gameplay components are more than enough to keep it from losing speed.

Nintendo simply grabbed a bunch of corny challenges and copied Brain Age's presentation, and the result is an average game that probably does nothing to replace our coke bottle lenses.

Some problems still exist, particularly with the SIXAXIS controls, the stunted flow of the game and a few ugly player models.

The artificial intelligence is a beast, scoring lots of points and reading offensive and defensive plays like a prodigal genius.