Too bad the slow-as-molasses combat (and too-savvy computer-controlled opponents) keep this fighter from rivaling classics like "Tekken," "Street Fighter" and "Soul Calibur," but the innovative use of music, as both an aesthetic and a weapon, adds depth.

For its budget $20 price, this is a great introduction for those who missed the glory days of gaming or a pleasant welcome back to those who loved the original.

Exteel provides a worthwhile experience for competitors looking for a quality free online game.

It's just like last year's game, but with very few changes.

The lack of downloadable content is a shame, especially with certain Aerosmith tracks like "Amazing" and "Chip Away At the Stone" missing. The guitar-strumming gameplay is what you would expect from a Guitar Hero game, catchy and entertaining, although there's nothing new.

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

As for the gameplay, it does just enough to outdo previous Gundam games, though its repetitive nature won't please everyone, and the lack of online play hurts. Still, it does offer a few hours of robot smashing fun.

Darksiders has an engaging story, beautiful visuals and plenty of badass characters, but THQ/Vigil Games' reliance on tired concepts prevent it from being a must buy.

It's good but not great, occasionally running into camera problems that result in a lost life from a mistimed jump or getting "stuck" behind a wall. The multiplayer is good too, consisting of salvaging and shooting levels where you can compete with up to three other friends in offline split-screen action.

While the multiplayer mode limits the action to AdHoc sessions, the single player campaign feels just as robust as the console games. The controls feel great, and the presentation shows outstanding potential.

For the first time since taking over publishing duties for the series, Electronic Arts has released a Burnout racing game that fails to achieve must buy status.

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.

Guitar Hero Van Halen is fun, just not the best in the series. The song selection will keep you and your friends happy (just skip Third Eye Blind) and the options are acceptable. Still, with a little more effort, this could've been on the same level as GH Metallica. The band deserved better.

Ratatouille won't astound those looking for something more original. On the other hand, it still gets by with a healthy portion of fine content, enough to be worth a rent – or a purchase to those with young kids. This rat hasn't quite produced a prime rib, but at least the meal didn't stink.

People willing to put in the effort will certainly be rewarded, since each level in every mode feels like a major accomplishment. Vanguard, with vast opportunities and size, requires time to grow on players. Patient gamers who enjoy tons of options will find many riches and glory here.

Unfortunately, it also requires a lot of battling to keep characters learning new abilities, and the frequent encounters are often tedious in their simplicity.

Offers a few hours of decent shooting at $10 less than the average Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 video game.

We would've liked more character customization, the ability to complete puzzles out of sequence and online play, but we had fun flipping tiles and beating opponents.

Those gripes aside, Fossil Fighters doesn't have what it takes to beat Pokemon, but it's still a cool game for kids who love thunder lizards.

Between the missions, the tightened gameplay, and the various fighters scattered in the game, there's fun to be had for hours on end...especially if you bring over your fighting fanatic friends and get some old-school SNK brawling on. 2-D, 3-D, who cares? It's about the power of the punch, and King of Fighters 2006 packs a pretty good wallop.

The controls require some getting used to, but the game's biggest problem comes from the fact that it only has LAN multiplayer, and lacks any kind of online player match-up capabilities.

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.

Its online and offline modes make it an ideal purchase for karaoke nuts.

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.

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 game's numerous quirks and weak voice acting might turn a few people off, but the non-stop action, superb graphics and excellent physics makes it worth playing through at least once.

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.

NASCAR 09 doesn't change the pace of the popular motor sport racing series. However, EA Sports deserves praise for the inclusion of two handling styles, Pro and Normal, which make the game more playable than previous releases.