The game that "Doom 3" and "Quake 4" wished they could be. It's ruthlessly violent and action-packed, yet consistently subversive and innovative -- not unlike "Duke Nukem 3D," another 3D Realms-produced game. It's also one of the least frustrating games we've ever played.

Portable and pure, Namco Museum is an old-school must-own.

Inexplicably fun despite its obvious flaws.

Despite its technical achievements, the real star of Armed and Dangerous is the exhilarating and thoroughly challenging gameplay.

Buffyphiles will be pleased; Willow, Cordelia, Giles, Spike, Xander, and Angel are all voiced by the actual actors from the show, and the actress voicing Buffy does a fantastic Sarah Michelle Gellar impression.

So, while it doesn't eclipse the greatness of the original title that inspired it, Heavenly Sword is still a fun, engaging, and most importantly, exclusive PS3 title that Sony fanboys can brag to 360 fanboys about.

This interesting installment in the Tales series is probably best suited to hardcore RPG nuts and fans who loved the previous titles.

It's a great game that is a lot of fun to play -- that's not "great for a free to play game," but simply "great."

WackyLand's is a beat-em-up that comes wrapped in an excellent package. The graphics are crisp and clear, the customization options are vast, and a few minigames included alongside the campaign add variety. My only issue with the game is the actual combat, which consists of pretty much nothing but randomly tapping and swiping as fast as you can.

Even if you don't have a PlayStation Move, you'll get some use out of Extraction with the Dual Shock, as well as a damned good impetus to jump on board with Sony's motion controller.

Easily forgotten, Project: Snowblind delivers on the promise of an FPS game and nothing more. Were it the only option, it would be instantly snatched up; however in a crowded market, there's no reason to settle for "average" when you could be playing "great."

You know this gameplay: There’s been a lot of excellent tuning but no mammoth overhauls.

The anime-mech lover’s dream come true.

The graphics are a step above the others with multilayered background targets and cool transparency effects, especially underwater. The gameply is dated, however, and the techno-driven soundtrack tries to impress but comes up short. [Oct 1997]

Might not be real NHL hockey, but it might be all the hockey you really need.

Although HM: AWL has a mind-boggling array of options, it offers no relief from the monotony of the daily chores. In setting out to create the ultimate farming game, it seems Natsume has simulated the drudgery of farming in real life as well. [Apr 2004, p.99]

The game packs a punch, but the less-than-stellar visuals diminish the impact.

World Party’s simple goals and humor are universal, and can easily be enjoyed worldwide—but the game’s dragging pace and frustrating gameplay will have you swearing at the screen no matter what language you speak.

Might be the best version of the classic sports game to come out in recent years, but that's mostly because nobody has yet made a fantastic port of it (don't touch that hideous XBLA remake).

GGX’s solid and responsive control scheme keeps the fighting exciting, although some moves are difficult to execute and require patience to master fully…if at all.

Worthy of special mention is the original Iraqi-influenced musical score, which is both soothing and appropriate for the setting of the game.

Sparkle might be a copycat, but it's also a fantastic game.

Frog collecting isn't something that sounded appealing to me before playing this game, but NimbleBit has made it surprisingly addictive.

The second installment in Infinite Interactive's popular series of puzzle/RPG hybrids has finally hit iOS devices, and while it shines on the iPad's plentiful screen acreage, it struggles on smaller Apple devices.

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

For less than a dollar, Berzerk Ball is extremely full-featured for a homerun hitter. That said, if you hate extra features and you just want the hitting fun, there's also a free version.

Features all the addictive multi-player mayhem of its previous incarnations, but the impact is slightly diminished by limited one-player games and inexplicable load times.

Where Super Dodge Ball Advance really shines is in two-player link mode where all the most intense action occurs.

Hitz’s greatest hit is its fluid control, which makes the hockey fly by. It’s no NHL 2002, but Hitz should be a blast for arcade sports fans.

You can't beat the game's presentation-the glorious visuals, real cast voice-overs, and Howard Shore score are so faithful to the film it's frightening.

Just like the players of the sport it's based on, the series sees gradual improvement over time through iteration, though it's fair to say a figurative shot in the arm wouldn't be unwelcome from time to time.

If it's OK for Peggle to borrow heavily from pachinko, Kickin Momma should be able to take some cues from Peggle. In many ways Kickin Momma is the best of the three.

Where as playing Head-On alone has its moments, playing with seven other Twisted friends via wireless connectivity is a blast. Blowing up each other with an onslaught of weaponry from steroid-induced wheels never grows tired. There is no slowdown, and the pace is just as quick as if you're playing the computer.

You will play at every possible free moment, because Geometry Wars: Galaxies for DS is more awesome than you ever imagined it could be.

The hedgehog species is heavy on attitude but has a hard time with evolution.

With NHL 06, EA Sports is revisiting its roots to create a feature-stable game with both style and substance, and it all starts with the controls. Quite simply, they are the most responsive ever.

Classic arcade racing successfully ported to the Xbox 360, reasonably priced, smooth running online multiplayer, high replay value.

Now, the spine tingling sequel, Project Origin is here to continue the story of the psychic and psychotic Alma with damn good results. [Mar 2009, p.78]

Finally, finally, we have a game we can experience the same way baseball games are meant to be experienced: every night for several hours.

You'll have more fun cruising third class on a no name charter.

Less enjoyable is the amazingly blatant product placement—bike brands like Trek and Specialized make sense, but while you pedal, billboards for online auction sites and energy bars peddle under the guise of earnable sponsorships. Gamers will tire of it quickly.

Easily the best bargain for the PS2 this side of "VF4 Evo."

It's $.99, and it'll run on both your iPhone and iPad. Do you like Canabalt? Yes? Well, you'll likely enjoy Grim Joggers.

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.

An interesting “abridged retelling” of Lunar: The Silver Star that’s missing a couple of the original’s most charming aspects...but it’s still a darn good RPG.

The Xbox version of 2002 has the sharpest visuals of the three platforms...It would have been nice to have more teams and customizable modes.

Even the single-player mode is fun, but the Party really starts when the players interact with each other while competing in this hilarious game.

While N+ is a polished game, I am fine leaving N as a nice Internet distraction, even if the controls aren't quite as tight as when you play these handheld versions.

It's an incredibly original and ambitious project, but the weight of its problems, both old and new, keep it from being much more than a nostalgic love letter addressed to diehard series fans.

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.

Blue Dragon might not be sheer perfection, but it still delivers a truly exemplary console RPG experience by thoughtfully executing and expanding on longtime genre traditions.

Pure, unadulterated fun, especially when you’re playing the game with other people.

You'll play through the same environments in each campaign, and despite multiple enemy layouts, that lack of level variety lessens the replay value.

Sure, crashing is discouraging, but Burnout’s are quite a show, and you can even save your “greatest hits” to a memory card.

For those faithfully dedicated to Mega Man, such affronts will be perfectly forgivable, but for anyone else Maverick Hunter X proves to be a pretty, if rather pedestrian first outing on Sony's handheld.

A phenomenal addition to the Wii's library and will rival GoldenEye 64 in terms of the exhilarating multiplayer experiences that it offers up. Don't turn your nose up at it just because you don't like soccer or you'll be missing out on one of the best gaming experiences around. Now, bring on Super Smash Bros. Brawl!

Nothing new over the PC version, but StarLancer's thrilling space combat gives Dreamcast pilots a lot to get pumped about.

Madden NFL is as gratifying and frustrating as ever.

Because you rarely see the same thing twice, the game will be frustrating for some. Gamers are used to seeing patterns in puzzle titles and there aren't many here, but that's what makes Roogoo so addictive, and with 45 levels, a game with high replay value.

It was definitely a nice change of pace from the standard World War II/sci-fi settings and until someone does it better, Bound in Blood is, in my opinion, the best Western-themed shooter around.

While a multiplayer mode is sorely missed, with Zuma's Revenge PopCap has given gamers exactly what they wanted, a new title that's even better than the original.

Alien Hominids control scheme doesn't allow for players to fire diagonally. Also, the console version is intended for 2 players--single player games are frustratingly hard due to the cheap AI.

Yahtzee makes a smooth transition into the virtual world. Because you don't have to do your own calculations the gameplay is faster paced.

If you've never played a Disgaea title before, then head out and grab Disgaea 3. For veterans of the series... yeah, it's more of the same, but with this franchise, when has that ever been a bad thing?

With an uncharted single-player mission and a set of cool new weapons and demonic abilities, Doom 3 fans have another motherboard-melting adventure on their hands.

All things considered, though, Yakuza 4 is an excellent title that proves why this series, underappreciated as it is, is one of the crown jewels in Sega's current game lineup.

Although you have great control over the type of swing, the swing meter takes some getting used to, and its speed often seems arbitrary.

They've definitely provided you with huge maps on which to race and some tough opponents to race against, but the whole city looks drab and plain.

For those with dedication and a love for repetitive gameplay, DW3 gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It will take weeks to unlock everything, and you can even get chunks of historical info.

The quest is absolutely enormous, especially for this style of game, with tons of lengthy missions and a few character-specific side-quests. There’s also a great weapon-and-item customization feature that vastly increases the already impressive equipment possibilities.

Its combination of old-school shooter gameplay and high-end graphics makes it a blast to play.

Freekstyle is kept from achieving the classic status of Tricky, however, by some heinous rubber-band A.I.

Sticky controls sometimes mar play, and a temperamental camera makes for difficult combat. Sphinx showboats lush, densely populated environments, good texturing, and fantastic character animations.

After years of claiming that they have to get the "gameplay right" before moving on to other issues, it seems that Tiburon has, for the most part, done just that. So, the foundation seems to be in place, but as with the Detroit Lions, Madden 12 is probably still a year away (sorry, Lions fans). But take heart: it'll be a good year nonetheless.

Ultimately, whether or not Lost Odyssey is worth your time and money comes down to how absorbed in the broad strokes of this world you'll let your own imagination become, and whether you're willing to make the emotional investment asked of you. Ordinary suspension of disbelief simply won't cut it in the face of such overt melodrama and strained gameplay.

Ultra bass-thumping tunes that magically mesh with the game’s ever-changing sound effects will draw you in and keep you enthralled...Unfortunately, the game is super short and seems more like an experiment than a full game.

Don't get fooled by the cartoony visuals--this is one game that'll make you think long and hard in a good way.

A lot of people may be turned of by the childish themes and plot, but anyone who puts real time in with the game won't be disappointed with how it plays nor with the unexpected amount of depth there is to be found.

It's a solid game and should please any horror movie addict who owns a Nintendo Wii.

Talk about full-featured-Big Bang Mini is a $19.99 package that is hard to pass up.

This is a title worthy of your money. If you're a huge fan of survival horror titles, Blood Curse won't disappoint.

Hotel Dusk probably won't appeal to every DS gamer, as it requires a degree of patience and thoughtfulness that only the aged (and insane) are capable of. But anyone looking for a cerebral and deliberate challenge should definitely check out this cool and unique title; just be patient with it.

I can't wait to go play some more. I suspect that some people will find their enthusiasm drained more than mine by the shallow enemy gene pool, but even they're bound to get swept away by the myriad pleasures of tearing up town as a ghoulish and preternaturally fleet-footed shape-shifter.

I wish that the game had a slightly more consistent frame rate, and its learning curve is somewhat steep, but those awesome online features make up for the few niggling flaws.

Easily forgotten, Project: Snowblind delivers on the promise of an FPS game and nothing more. Were it the only option, it would be instantly snatched up; however in a crowded market, there's no reason to settle for "average" when you could be playing "great."

Seriously gory but realistic environments and an action-heavy gameplay mix make The Thing a satisfyingly disturbing must-play...Terrifyingly good.

MLB 2005 has a great tactile feel - in your first trip to the plate, you'll notice right away how much the ball moves like it should coming off the bat...Will have strong appeal to diehard baseball fans. [May 2004, p.88]

An engaging story, colorful graphics, a fine soundtrack (including solid voice-acting), and responsive controls means this sequel easily delivers the kind of solid adventure that fans of the genre crave.

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

Its sizzling-paced pugilism still favors button-mashing to true skill and finesse, which may or may not frost your Mini-Wheats depending on your taste.

It's an easy game to pick up and I would recommend it to RTS lovers who game on the go. [Nov 2008, p.104]

That being said, if you haven't yet played an Age of Empires title on the DS, Mythologies is without question the most competent turn-based strategy game available for the console, and if you're a fan of mythology, all the better.

The 8-bit soundtrack is a great fit, and I love the fact that more background music can be unlocked by accumulating a high overall score.

Though not quite a substitute for the SNES version, DKC is still higher quality than 90 percent of the GBA's action lineup right now.

Even with the game's strength is its unusual and original tone, players can rest assured that this game is just as accessible as it is odd. Featuring an overdose of quirky charm and a wide range of fun-filled gameplay, gamers who aren't used to playing titles outside of the norm will be remiss if they don't give Rabbids Go Home a chance.

I've generally been pretty fond of the "Mr." games, and this is by far the best one yet. Ponos knocked it out of the park with this simple game, and the extra modes round off the package and elevate it from a merely good game to a great collection of addictive, quickie minigames.

Unfortunately, the introduction of stuntmen adds even more micromanagement to the already-laborious game.

"SSX" is the better game, but Cool Boarders 2001 has a more lifelike—but still over-the-top—style plus more game modes that should appeal to real and wannabe snowboarders.