Controls are as sharp as ever, and the opponent A.I. is tight.

Not to say that Crash Bash can't be played alone, but when there's a room full of people, Crash Bash suddenly becomes ten times more fun.

If you're prepared for the deliberate nature of its gameplay, Sniper Elite is a rewarding way to fight WWII from the comfort of your couch. Just keep in mind the prerequisite degree of patience.

The A.I. is much brighter, and the difficulty levels are scaled more smoothly. The controls could use a crisper auto-aim and more efficient item management, but otherwise handle great.

Despite some irritating design elements, Trouble in Paradise is a fun game that retains the charm of the first Viva Pinata. It's sort of like trying to hit an actual pinata while wearing a blindfold-you'll be frustrated at points but it's still pretty awesome.

The game itself can be addicting, as with most puzzle games. The levels and bosses in Adventure mode get naturally more difficult and thus more addicting, planting a seed of competitive I-have-to-beat-this-level nature in any puzzle game enthusiast.

If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.

Pat Summerall does a good job with the play calling and the color commentary from Madden himself is amusing at times but quickly becomes repetitive.

The game is essentially a port of a decade old fighter and it can be hard as hell, but all the horsepower the PSP brings to the table can't keep this game from being at times mind-numbing frustrating when it comes to control. Put simply, the D-pad the PSP has just isn't cut out to be used for a fighting game, where fast fingers and accurate directional control is paramount.

Hours of it at once will make your eyes glaze over. That's why this title's so good for "casual" gamers-it's a blast in 15-minute spurts, and if you stick to that schedule, there's enough action inside to keep you engaged for weeks.

While it's pretty easy to do the minimum required to pass each checkpoint, getting special items will demand a flexible imagination that stretches far beyond simple 2D. [Sept 2005, p.81]

Thanks to the GameCube's unfriendly button layout, performing the new demanding dial-a-combos is harder than ever. Patient players, however, will uncover an almost overwhelming array of play modes and hidden features.

Despite the re-appearance of the game’s fresh visuals and unique play aspects, the lifeless narrative doesn’t provide the immersive experience that you’d expect.

Safe and insatiable, Pac-Man Collection delivers high comfort but low thrills.

The crisp graphics hold up fine on the small screen, but the music is standard, forgettable fare.

Though at times it comes across as a goofy amalgamation of NES titles, Ninja Five-O presents a highly playable and entertaining challenge.

MG2 doesn’t move the series forward far enough from its PlayStation roots, but if you’ve got a melodic itch to scratch, it’s still worth renting to make your own boogie-down productions.

Although the game won't make its competitors sweat, it will definitely make them keep an eye out for future World Tour Soccer games. [June 2004, p.86]

I really enjoyed my brief time with Ivy: it's a well-made game with broad appeal (unless you're a person who refuses to play anything that doesn't have bullets in it).

It is still far from revolutionary, but Tiger Woods PGA Tour '06 is the virtual golfer's best bet for a realistic round out on the links.

The feel of the controls takes some getting used to and there are several levels that will try your patience, but the excellent atmosphere and clever challenges make 6th Planet a space trip worth embarking on.

The Disney music isn’t quite as infectious as the DDR originals, and some people will cringe at “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “It’s a Small World (Ducking Hardcore Mix).”

Fable III is the better game when held up against the glitchy, twitchy gameplay of its predecessor, Fable II, but the heavy-handed moral of the game's story leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

The bottom line is, if you enjoyed Nintendogs on your DS, there's still plenty to love about its 3D debut. And even if you're new to Nintendo's pet sim series, you could do much worse for a 3DS launch title. There isn't an awful lot of new content, but what's here works as well as it ever has. And if you're like me, you'll have a much better shot at getting your apartment's deposit back if you opt for one of these polygonal pups.

A mix of average to good games, along with some classic stinkers that should have probably faded away in to obscurity.

I totally suck at bowling in real life, so I knew that this game had a pretty realistic physics engine when I sucked at it as well.

What it comes down to is this: if you have any interest at all in the strategy/RPG genre, Disgaea 4 is bound to please. It's less of a revolution than a (much-needed) evolution for the series, and it's still got a few dents in its armor, but there's just so much being offered here that you're bound to find something -- if not several things -- to explore and enjoy. And as a final note: if you see foreign minister Vanetha in your Dark Assembly, please bribe her nicely, okay?

There are predictable missteps--the driving sequences are awkward and twitchy, and the camera doesn't always behave itself--but on the whole, From Russia With Love is a convincing and enjoyable ride on the sixties Bond rollercoaster.

The bottom line is, if you enjoyed Nintendogs on your DS, there's still plenty to love about its 3D debut. And even if you're new to Nintendo's pet sim series, you could do much worse for a 3DS launch title. There isn't an awful lot of new content, but what's here works as well as it ever has. And if you're like me, you'll have a much better shot at getting your apartment's deposit back if you opt for one of these polygonal pups.

If I were to rank Double Fine Studios' oeuvre, Stacking would have a strong shot at nestling atop the list, given the game's impeccable humor and collectable-friendly gameplay.

By far the most ambitious and complete wrestling game in history...but its weakness lies in the attention to the game, not to the details.

Only two humans can play War at once and fight up to two CPU opponents. This is a distressing flaw—especially considering how repetitive the single-player adventure mode gets after a while.

While it doesn’t look bad, what was good-looking on the Dreamcast is mediocre by Xbox standards. The controls are also unchanged.

Although there is still work to be done, Showdown: Legends of Wrestling's new look and play style is a big step in the right direction. Fans looking for a walk down memory lane aren't going to be disappointed.

Zeno Clash features a world with exponential promise, great melee combat, and a completely unique setting; for players unfamiliar with Zenozoik's outlandish scenery, it's an easy recommendation.

The bottom line is, if you enjoyed Nintendogs on your DS, there's still plenty to love about its 3D debut. And even if you're new to Nintendo's pet sim series, you could do much worse for a 3DS launch title. There isn't an awful lot of new content, but what's here works as well as it ever has. And if you're like me, you'll have a much better shot at getting your apartment's deposit back if you opt for one of these polygonal pups.

This surprisingly deep turn-based strategy title charms with its sketchy style, but suffers from a lack of a single-player campaign and an inactive online community.

Ghost Master's truly bloodcurdling flaw is its lack of customization options: There are no character creator, level editor, or multiplayer options.

Despite not being as creative or purpose driven as previous offerings, Broken Steel is a must buy. Its natural transition from Fallout 3's original conclusion and its open-ended nature are just what fans wanted.

It will be yet another go-round on the same rollercoaster. And this time, to enjoy it fully, you won't have to measure up at a sign that says "you must be this obsessed with multiplayer to ride this ride."

NBA Jam is exactly what you'd want and expect from a NBA Jam game, even one being released in 2010. Everything that made the series great in the mid-90s is intact, yet just enough was modernized so that it doesn't feel too dated.

In an age when platformers are searching for the next gimmick, Wario World stays addictive by weight of sheer design innovation. Shame it’s so short.

The gameplay gets a little repetitive, but fans of "Pharaoh" will definitely have fun with Cleopatra.

This game dances down the sideline between football sim and football arcade game, and it scores.

Pleasantly surprised at not only the game's tongue-in-cheek presentation, but it's fun and oftentimes wacky on-screen antics.

It will be yet another go-round on the same rollercoaster. And this time, to enjoy it fully, you won't have to measure up at a sign that says "you must be this obsessed with multiplayer to ride this ride."

NFL Street 2 remains a ton of fun. It lays out more features, more gameplay, and more outrageousness than any other freaky football variation ever, and if it's not careful it might become as complex as a real football game.

It's instantly accessible, but lacks the depth and attention to detail that would give it any real longevity...[but] significantly better than BR3 on the PS2. [Apr 2002, p.106]

Fable III was released in October of last year and, somewhat bizarrely, is only now getting a PC port. The good news is that the PC version comes prepackaged with the contents of the Limited Collector's Edition and all of the DLC packs. The bad news is that the keyboard and mouse controller arrangement is awkward, with particular problems involving camera angles during combat. While you're manipulating the WASD keys to move your character, you'll also be utilizing the mouse to move the camera -- so you'll often find the camera is looking the one way you don't need it to. Using a console controller solves this problem, but PC purists will wish the game was better mapped to keyboard and mouse controls.

Urbz offers a nice, fresh twist on the Sims experience, for both veterans and newbies alike. Yet, despite seeing the goofy characters in a new fish tank, there isn't enough freshness throughout to keep you down wid it. It's not bad, it's just not baaad-you feel me?

Nintendo's got the party magic when it comes to four-player multiplayer good-times, too. No matter how you might manhandle the A.I., playing with your pals is the best way to enjoy this tennis match.

Space Marine's intuitive system will have you carving hordes of enemies with your chainsword, power axe, or hammer in no time.

A solid multiplayer offering, gore aplenty, a low price point, and general undead silliness make Zombie Apocalypse a fun diversion.

The main problem with Amazing Island is that in Story mode, there's too much downtime in between courses. Still, it's good to see a game that celebrates creation rather than destruction and puts playful competition above vomitous gore. [Sept 2004, p.85]

The fourth installment in the space-faring series, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, not only blows recent next-gen JRPGs out of the water, but proves itself a fantastic swan-song for the cult-favorite space opera.

It can be tedious to baby-sit both characters, but the game otherwise guarantees hours of enjoyment, even if it’s only to jump and flip around.

The adrenaline meter, however, hovers at medium until you reach the boss battles, and there's little replay value unless you're someone who can never get his fill of Naruto ninjutsu.

The game's intensely warm, orange-heavy environments and hundreds of glittery leaf-like particles that float along with the wind make Spirits feel like a walk through a forest on a late October evening, and it's hard not to become enamored with the game if you're a fan of Lemmings-style gameplay.

Space Marine's intuitive system will have you carving hordes of enemies with your chainsword, power axe, or hammer in no time.

The game veers just slightly away from being sim to drive more directly towards being fun.

Sure, the story is hinky, but the puzzles are excellent, and the game looks amazing on the retina display. Unfortunately, the fact remains that this should've been a free update to the existing version of the game.

Though this year’s GameDay is extremely fun and playable, Madden gets the nod for better graphics and more authenticity.

So while Star Fox 64 3D isn't quite worth a 3DS purchase on its own, it still has a place alongside Ocarina of Time 3D as one of the few 3DS games worth buying immediately. If you decided to spring for a 3DS at the newly-reduced price point, now is the time to make good on your purchase.

Aquila isn’t a must-play game, and many gamers can probably get their fix with a rental. But if your trigger finger’s itching for some challenging combat, it’s worth a tour of duty.

The fantastic FielderCam option shifts the gameplay view behind the fielders when a ball's been hit. This provides a much more realistic ballplayer's view of the action than other games. [May 2004, p.90]

While blatant, Pac'N-Jump is actually one of the better Doodle Jump clones out there, and for its 99-cent price, it's well worth a go if you have any fondness for the little yellow dude.

At $0.99, Karoshi is an easy recommendation. It's weird and inventive, and it's a game that I'll probably find myself showing to friends for a long time to come.

The title's refreshing accessibility also makes it a perfect entry point for those new to this under-the-radar franchise. [Apr 2009, p.84]

Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy is going to be a delicious, never-ending pit of treats for anyone who owns Advent Children, listens to the Black Mages on their iPods, or knows what Materia is. For anyone else, all I can recommend is giving the game a try if you're simply curious about seeing some awesome graphics and a unique battle system.

Doesn’t necessarily revolutionize the gaming experience—the game does, however, offer a fine continuation to the already classic series.

Even with some minor hiccups, 4 Elements HD is worth the price. If you're a match three-fan looking for a game that will bring back fond memories of turkey legs, flowing white beards, and pointy hats, you'll get your money's worth out of this title.

While not perfect, this game is still a lot of fun. The definition of easy to play and tough to master, SkyDrift is an addictive romp for those willing to take the time to learn how to become the Dominic Torreto of the skies.

Overall, if you liked the first GRAW, you can look forward to more excellent military shooter action, with excellent multiplayer features.

However, what it does right it does well, and it doesn't weigh you down with some of the more cumbersome aspects it shares with other titles in the strategy RPG genre. [Sep 2007, p.86]

Looks great, sounds great, and plays pretty well. It's the best of the PS2 crowd, but can't match "NBA 2K1" for the total hoops experience.

If you're a Monster Hunter fan, Gods Eater offers more of the same, but with enough trimmings to still be fresh beyond the futuristic setting. If those appeal to you, it's definitely worth playing. Alternately, if Monster Hunter attracted you in the past but maybe let you down, I'd still say to give Gods Eater a try.

FFVI will engage the player with its story and character development, but it will also test the same player's patience with its horrendously slow response during battles. [FFVI review]

One of the most lovingly crafted games in years, Painkiller looks awesome, sounds intimidating, and controls simply and smoothly.

While not perfect, this game is still a lot of fun. The definition of easy to play and tough to master, SkyDrift is an addictive romp for those willing to take the time to learn how to become the Dominic Torreto of the skies.

Despite its failings, Dead Man's Hand has enough character, style, and atmosphere to make it an enjoyable time killer. [June 2004, p.70]

What saves this game from being just another monster collection RPG is the compelling narrative and the unique environments.

A decent next phase for Turok.

For a DS title, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time sets a high bar for handheld RPG games. Lag-less action, wireless play, and a mind-boggling amount of items and customizable ways to outfit your adventurer are how most online RPGs should be built. With the Wii version, you've got the same good gameplay, just cramped and um, ugly.

Going backwards instead of forwards in the timeline was a masterstroke - it's totally satisfying for fans and does nothing but stoke the fires for the forward-looking, new GameCube tale coming in 2005.

For now, Angry Birds Halloween is a totally justified release at a reasonable price point, so there's no reason for fans of the original to skip this version.

Though I was ultimately somewhat disappointed by the flawed and fundamentally repetitive nature of my time as a green recruit, Ghostbusters' tight online component renewed my long-term enthusiasm for slam-dunking slimers.

If the level design had focused more on open environments and giving you the freedom to run, and if the combat wasn't such a roadblock, this would have been a near-perfect game. But it's still a great first step and I can't wait to see how DICE improves upon the formula for the sequel.

Take the time to learn the nuances and you will be suitably rewarded. [Jan 2010, p.81]

While the action in the DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is far smaller in scope than the Wii version, the addition of the Adventure mode and wireless multiplayer helps to up the ante.

While Neves Plus seems like its barebones there is actually a lot going for this package. The only letdown is a lack of an online mode.

A very fun game whose premise wears thin a bit too fast. However, you’ll have a blast with it before you reach the saturation point.

An interesting attempt to expand the limits of a tried-and-true genre - just anticipate some frustration for the awkward interface and time-consuming stretches of trial-and-error. [May 2004, p.66]

Hits a nice middle ground between realism and action.

Ultimately, AOE III has clearly won the battle for graphical supremacy, but for all its improvements elsewhere, it has yet to win the war for RTS dominance.

Between the cute 2-D graphics, the comfortable, nostalgic soundtrack, and the super addictive "Just one level further!!" game flow, my wander-lust is on full blast. Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer is a great way to dip a toe in the rogue like pool.

Spore is a good game held back from greatness by a few flaws and gameplay mechanics that won't appeal to everyone. But there is plenty to like about the game and if you dig its particular style of open-ended gameplay, you'll definitely enjoy yourself.

With solid gameplay and humor to spare, Rise of the Pirate God provides a fitting ending to a fun story. That leaves newcomers the task of doing what series vets have been up for since July -- getting on board.

The ability to upgrade weapons is what hooked me in the end, so despite the fact that the game has some slight framerate issues (which I hope to see fixed in an update), I'll be revisiting this one soon.