Kirby Mass Attack rewards you for replaying it many times over, with several impressively polished mini-games (my favorites being the RPG and pinball ones), big fruit bonuses, and very frequent references to past Kirby titles.

Super Street Fighter IV is just more of a good thing and fans of the original have plenty of reasons to invest in it. But seasoned players who didn't care for the original SFIV won't have any reason to like the update because, despite the improvements and additions, the fundamental gameplay hasn't changed. [Jun 2010, p.88]

If you're forced to choose, take this version over the more frustrating Xbox one.

The game provides an astonishing amount of playability, unique player interface, and covers nearly all of the 20 odd years of the Dragon Ball Saga. This game is a definite buy for both Wii gamers and DBZ fans alike. [Dec. 2006, p.113]

This isn't a title for the casual gamer, but if you're a fan of the franchise or just really love throwing half-naked men off ladders and pinning them to the ground, then SvR 2008 is about as good as it gets. [Dec 2007, p.124]

A non-stop adrenaline rush, and as a multiplayer game, it is dangerously addictive.

Global thermonuclear war has been a popular topic for decades, but few things have managed to capture the spirit of the subject and present in both a digestible and utterly unforgettable form as Defcon.

But it's now clear that Dungeon Siege II is now undeniably one of the action RPG stars. It makes many, many welcome tweaks and improvements--far to many to list here--and is sure to thrill any action RPG fan.

The game's dynamic difficulty adjustment keeps frustration to a minimum, and Battle for Naboo is so much fun that it's possible that the Midi-chlorians were involved.

While it would be nice to have more available characters, Capcom vs. SNK will keep you busy for a very long time, mastering the nuances of the fighting engine and unlocking the huge amount of hidden features.

There’s just one problem with The Sims Online: It’s almost not a game. The slow-paced activities rely so heavily on social interaction that in some ways it feels like a glorified chat room.

The nonsensical setup and steep difficulty makes this a game that wouldn't have felt out of place in an arcade 20 years ago, so it's a good thing that this is just a $0.99 App Store download; otherwise I'd be perpetually out of quarters.

Torment's graphics and sound are paradise. Gorgeous, hand-drawn backgrounds look sumptuous, even if they're overcome with dark, moody, colors.

The tight, intuitive controls, thankfully, help you carve the curves with smooth precision in this year's Rally. [Nov 2004, p.108]

Sure, it's not a real Angry Birds sequel, but it's more of a good thing for only $0.99.

Solid characters, cool environments, tight control, and a funny storyline, Fur Fighters comes highly recommended.

Elements of Destruction can get a bit repetitive, mostly because you only have 3 elements at your disposal - a tsunami, flood, or avalanche wouldve been cool - but the enjoyment gamers get from laying waste to a wide variety of environments and EoD's oddball humor (Doc Herbert sending cows flying at a farm in Canada while singing the country's national anthem) more than makes up for its shortcomings.

While it doesn't change much from Layton's previous adventures, the small tweaks (and the generous extras) make this my favorite Layton game to-date. The series is one of the few remaining champions of the graphic adventure, and, fortunately, they're doing a damn fine job of keeping that genre relevant for a modern audience.

An outstanding single-player game coupled with an innovative and addictive multiplayer mode makes Pandora Tomorrow one of the premier titles available today on any console. [Sept 2004, p.82]

If playing the divine hand to a house full of simulated people appeals to you, this is as good as it gets.

This addictive side-scrolling shooter is a pitch-perfect port of an SNES classic, and works tremendously well on iOS devices.

After 12 years, Duke still kicks ass. He may not be as good looking as he used to be but he continues to prove that the adage - its not the graphics that make a game great, its the gameplay - will always be true.

An improvement on just about every aspect of the original game, with the exception of one tiny aspect; the very final battle. Mass Effect 2 sees BioWare's approach to the role playing genre evolve beyond anything they've worked on previously, and gives us a glimpse of how both RPGs and shooters will begin to merge in the years ahead.

It's fun, fresh and innovative, and much better than the predecessor, Magic Pengel. [June 2005, p.90]

Translates very well to the home. Boogie down!

My only criticism is its price – while I hate quibbling over bucks, $5 does feel a bit steep. Then again, I bought the app with my own cash, and so far I've spent hours on it – so I can't complain too loudly.

Whether through it's trademark music or unique take on the film's plot, The Godfather does something that licensed video games have tried and failed to accomplish in the past - give gamers a good time and an experience worthy of the film it's emulating.

The most complete multiplayer console package to date--an absurd, wild, and wickedly fun game with lots of variety, unbelievable visuals, and more longevity than most of the gods of Olympus.

Approximately as big as Metroid Prime on the GameCube, it's hard to imagine how Nintendo squeezed Hunters into a tiny DS cartridge. Metroid Prime: Hunters is a very polished game, suffering more from small quirks than actual flaws.

Even after suffering through the grueling battles, the repeated deaths, the campy dialogue and the head-numbingly bad plot, I still had a hell of time thanks to the immensely satisfying combat, the inspired level design and the memorable boss encounters.

The prerendered scenery would be stunningly beautiful if it wasn’t so darn creepy—it’s some of the best scenery on the PlayStation.

The Dual Shock organizes controls logically and offers the sharp response, especially considering the cool Bullet Time and Shootdodge aspects, which slow down time for Matrix-style gunfights.

An enticing blend of action and RPG adventure. The game mixes the best elements of both genres, resulting in a title that is just a hair away from greatness. Musashi may not be Zelda's equal, but it sure is close. [Apr 2005, p.84]

In an incredibly cool turn of events, you'll also be flipping your DS upside-down and side-ways, as some of the mini-games flip the top and bottom screens around in some innovative ways.

Nothing but a journey full of wild discoveries, intense battles, and fun gameplay. To date, this is the best Dreamcast RPG that no one should miss.

If you're the kind of hardcore NASCAR fans that will revel in the challenge of Career mode, you'll have an absolute blast with Thunder, particularly now that Tiburon has included a ton of in-game help and redesigned the interface to be massively more usable.

The e-Reader functions (new levels, cheats, gameplay elements like capes and hurlable veggies from other Mario titles) are very promising and help make up for the fact that this is a bit of a baby step back from "Super Mario World" and "Yoshi’s Island."

An absolute blast from start to finish with plenty of trademark Liberty City locales ripe for exploration, not to mention a cast of incredibly memory characters (Chan Jaoming, I hardly knew ya.) If you're looking for a good action adventure experience that harkens back to the more cartoony Grand Theft Auto days, then Chinatown Wars is certainly worth the investment.

a solid simulation of the sport that offers more teams and unique options not available in its main and only competitor on the PS2, "Winning Eleven." Some minor control issues remain and the depth is still not where it needs to be, but it delivers a highly worthwhile experience nonetheless.

With a great variety of levels, tons of things to smash and collect, and a loveable cast of iconic heroes and villains, LEGO Batman is a fun and enjoyable title that will appeal not only to younger gamers but to Batman fans alike.

This is a well-made physics puzzler that only costs $.99. This rock-bottom price and the sheer fun that you'll derive from knocking down pins makes this absolutely worth it.

Its slick style, amazing graphics, and dark atmosphere really make it stand out.

The briskly moving plot and the unique battle system adds up yet another winner for Square Enix. [May 2008, p.82]

As a genre bending title that straddles the divisions between action, fantasy, adventure and puzzle games, Shadow of the Colossus pulls off a titanic feat by creating an immersive and highly entertaining experience that doesn't collapse under the significant weight of its own lofty ambitions.

The control feels tight and fairly responsive on the analogue pad, making passing and scoring easy feats. Your teammate's friendly A.I. is also mostly reliable, save for the occasional hiccups that leave your buddies staring stupidly at rebounds and loose balls.

It's one of those games that I shouldn't play on the toilet, because I wind up squatting on the throne for far longer than necessary. Yes, Donut Games, that is a compliment.

What makes Fable II so thoroughly absorbing, despite a few notable shortcomings, is the heady illusion that every choice you make sends ripples through the world, its people, and your own simulated heart.

But when you step back and consider the entire package, you start to appreciate Dark Athena for what it truly is. Instead, look at Dark Athena as a flawed yet enjoyable way to extend the thrill ride that is Escape from Butcher Bay.

May not have the best control scheme or huge production values, but it does have heart - this one pays like a labor love. Crazy, wacky, weird, mad love. [Oct 2004, p.110]

At $3, you're getting a near perfect port of a PSP Mini game that was originally six dollars.

Sector3 seems dedicated to supporting Fumes post-launch, so fans of physics-driven racers shouldn't hesitate to pick this one up.

The Wii advantage is that even with just one remote, you can invite a pile of people over to party and have a really good time together.

Great game, minor faults, a lot of fun to be had, terrible story but the gameplay holds up despite it. Maybe this "sleeping on it" thing has some merit, after all.

The real star of this game is the gameplay, which alternates between great and brilliant.

A nicely executed adventure worth fighting for, just be prepared to suffer inglorious defeats until you get used to the game cam.

Maybe the option that tips the scales for you is Madness's all-mascot teams. [Jan 2005, p.106]

Astronut's developers clearly understand how to design for a touch-screen device. All the menus are well-organized and easy on the eyes, as is the actual in-game art. I particularly liked the collection mechanic.

Granted, it’s a very short game that certainly won’t mesmerize you for weeks, but the value of its multiplayer side as a killer party game makes it a very worthy addition to your PS2 library.

It's easily the best PS3 game available on launch day, and a highly playable action game that will satisfy even the most demanding FPS junkies.

The arcade gameplay retains the Ace Combat trademarks: tons of firepower and a simple control scheme.

And while you must have a mind for strategy and business to really enjoy it, you do get to see dinos bleed now and then—and that’s worth something.

Melodramatic monologues and clunky controls aside, there isn't a whole lot else I can say about the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection outside of this: if you loved these three gruff, gravel-voiced games on their original releases, or missed them the first time around, they're certainly worth adding (or re-adding, or, if you're like me, re-re-adding) to your library.

Delivers the goods for a perfect arcade-to-home port, while the game’s console-exclusive features deserve a gaming medal of honor.

But as a rhythm game, Unplugged is a wonderful portable title. [July 2009, p.84]

Serious Sam has some of the most exciting and addictive shooting action in years.

Unlike a lot of the shovelware on the App Store, Gesundheit! feels like its developers were very passionate about their idea, which, married with its overall level of polish make it a must own title.

In short, it's one of the best value PC games you'll ever buy.

Simply the best air combat action the PC has to offer.

The game lives up to its lofty goals, providing a tight, smart tactical game along the lines of the combat in Baldur’s Gate.

The game wisely fights the urge to simply build upon the thick feature set of its predecessor, and by focusing on striking a fresh tone and delivering some of the most intensely memorable encounters in recent memory, it's transformed a pretty great system exclusive into an essential genre experience.

Its visceral intensity is off the charts—other shooters seem frail and timid in comparison.

While it's not an instant classic, it is a cathartic and chaotic speed-based wreck-em-up, and motor-mayhem fans will love it.

Developer Treyarch did a fantastic job of not reinventing the wheel with World at War. Rather, they took the best elements of Modern Warfare and expanded upon them. The end product is a thrilling experience that injects some of the visceral punch back into World War II.

Dark, brutal and hilarious in just the right way, MadWorld is a title that has rocketed to the top of every staff member's must buy list. Don't let the fact that it's on a "kiddie console" fool you-this is one title every "hardcore" gamer needs to play, provided you're over eighteen years old, of course.

The gameplay may be a little convulsive but Yakuza more than makes up for that through engrossing story and attention to details.

Ultimately, if you're not a Pokéfan, this game won't change your mind…but if you don't mind the adorable monsters, there's lots of unusually satisfying gameplay here.

While there are some noticeable blemishes in the game such as graphical pop-in and broken cut scenes, Destroy All Humans succeeds where many have failed. This is truly a refreshing way to experience an adventure that you wish would never end.

Aside from a few minor frustrations, this game is definitely one you should put some time into.

I'm normally not so hot on stat-based simulation games like this, but Game Dev Story grabbed me and refused to let go. The game strikes a perfect balance between offering a large enough variety of things to manage while simultaneously avoiding a situation in which there's just too much going on at once.

Its sad, slightly twisted tale probably isn't everyone's cup of tea either. But how often do players get a chance to be immersed in an engrossing story in a downloadable title, especially one that looks like a painting and has haunting music straight out of an art museum?

Parasite Eve will leave you thrilled, chilled, and a little hungry, but it’s well worth the price of admission.

Gives serious golf fans a deep sim while offering casual fans an approachable, gorgeous game with tons of play modes.

Complete with a unique visual scheme, engrossing story, and vibrant characters, the effect of Retro Helix will be felt for quite some time.

Simply put, DDRMAX2 is the DDR that players know and love, but slightly flashier. Fans won’t be disappointed.

Tiberium Wars does what the series has always done best; providing the most enjoyable RTS experience around via excellent storytelling, enjoyable campaigns and a lasting multiplayer experience.

New races and units aside, the unexpectedly impressive campaign mode is perhaps the best surprise put forward by Relic. Distancing themselves from the linear structure of the previous campaigns, Relic has instead outdone itself once again, putting together a turn-based strategic level campaign that brings to mind the dynamic feel of Rise of Legends.

There's no doubt that Patapon 2 is as graphically stylish and addictive as the first game. It retains the core gameplay that you love while adding a ton of new features and concepts.

It delivers more of what made Oblivion great: creative quests, a huge land to explore, and tons of things to do there, making this expansion is a solid purchase for anyone who was a fan of the core game.

The mix of true physics, newbie approachability, gameplay depth, and even a sly sense of humor makes Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 thoroughly enjoyable.

Alundra's off-the-hook action and challenging gameplay elevate it to must-have RPG status. Wake up and buy the game... missing out may cause you to have nightmares.[Feb 1998]

Kairosoft's follow-up to the ultra-addictive Game Dev Story retains its predecessor's innovative gameplay and sees the introduction of some nifty new flourishes.

It's not perfect, but it's a polished, exciting ride.

If you're a gamer who isn't' into twitch action, but you want something a little more intense than an RPG, step into Tenchu's dojo.

It's done a great job of balancing fun animation and serious gameplay.

The depth and design of each stage, in fact, is what makes this game addicting to play—there’s so much to see and do in each level.

Multiplayer-wise, Call of Duty 2 supports a whopping 32 online players with general FPS game types, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and CTF, and Call of Duty 2's own brand of Headquarters and Search and Destroy--all wonderfully smooth via online.

The real star of the game is the stellar A.I. No game rewards you so much for playing smart basketball or punishes you so badly for playing high school ball.

After playing Crysis 2 for 20+ hours in the span of just two days, I'm still not sick of the game. Crysis 2 is a riveting first-person shooter I highly recommend to fans of the genre, as well as those looking for something to showcase the might of their 3DTV. It ain't perfect, but Crysis 2 has plenty to offer both fans of multiplayer and gamers who prefer a well-crafted solo campaign.