Pac-Land has never looked better, cartoonishly but lushly rendered, and full of bright colors and crisp 3D objects.

It may not be the breath of fresh air that the original Skate was, but Skate 3 still offers up plenty of innovation in its robust skate park creation mechanic, engaging multiplayer feature, and expanded move list.

The gameplay is diverse, and it’s backed by strong graphics and audio...The main downside is with the nontraditional controls.

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.

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?

Comes up like the Calgary Flames - a very close second - because "ESPN NHL 2K5" is the better game due to its overall complete package. [Dec 2004, p.146]

My suggestion: skip the single-player campaign and head straight to online play.

After I took a few deep breathes and stopped trying to play the game like something it wasn't, I discovered that it was something truly special. It's a clichéd but appropriate phrase in this case: they don't make them like the used to. Frozen Synapse is so enjoyable, it makes you wonder why.

A refreshing, original, and compelling twist on the 3D platformer, Herdy Gerdy rises above its potentially dull premise.

Boxing Fever isn't just a punchfest, however--it requires good timing and strategizing in order to move through the ranks.

There truly is a deep, rewarding, and splendiferous RPG behind Arcanum’s dated, clunky machina…but only the most intrepid RPG fanatics will have the patience to dig it out.

1-Bit Ninja's difficulty will likely cause plenty of blue streaks, but they're worth the catharsis of a job well done.

If you're not so keen on the more sim-like nature of Forza or GT, it's a great buy. And if you like either or both those games, but want to experience raw and exciting racing, Shift 2 certainly delivers enough frenetic action to make it a great additional purchase. In that respect, it's a winning formula.

For only $10, Fancy Pants Adventures offers gamers plenty of bang for their buck. If you are up to the challenge, and don't mind the game's occasionally derivative feel, you'll be pleased with your purchase.

Fun while it lasts.

Still, Justice For All demonstrates enough of the plucky spirit that made the first game so memorable. [Feb. 2007, p.82]

If the offensive and defensive balance were just a bit more fine-tuned, and the Xbox and GameCube versions had online support, NBA Live 2004 would have the legs for multiple plays through the Dynasty mode and a clear shot as the top hoops game.

The GameCube controller responds well, and both the silly speech quips and the Offspring punk tunes sound great.

The expansive environments are divided by too-frequent load screens, the story elements fall limp more often than not, and corralling idiotic survivors can try your patience, but the visceral thrill of taking zombies apart is so varied and enjoyable that such disappointments are forgiven. Dead Rising isn't game of the year, but it is a whole lot of mindless fun.

A huge, fun monster-whacker that would hold up pretty well even without its Tolkien license—it is mini-Diablo, after all.

Hardly pushing the limits of the PS2, Gradius III and IV is a shooter combo package that will appeal to retro gaming fans.

Ballers’ best perks are its astonishingly hi-res textures (almost too hi-res—seeing the pores in the faces of player models isn’t exactly a pleasant thing), its depth of customization, the wide variety of smoothly animated street moves, and the intriguing 1 vs. 1 vs. 1 mode.

Fun co-op play, fun weapons, short and sweet.

By taking two killer licenses and placing them in a real-time strategy setting, Zono Inc. has crafted a compelling, addictive, and challenging-as-hell game.

The controls are tight, the action is fierce, and the game is funny. And for only 40 bucks, that's definitely A Good Thing.

Schizoid has a slick, artsy look and is simple, yet elegant. This game is addictive and a lot of fun for those seeking a distinctive experience based on traditional top down shooters.

It's faster and nastier than most of the kindred of "Resident Evil" at the cost of losing a bit of edge. [May 2004, p.71]

Players who've wrung all they can out of Wii Sports will appreciate We Love Golf if they're not looking for anything too serious. But if you draw the line at pirate-themed golf courses, avert your eyes, matey.

HW:AR creates innovative and white-knuckled gameplay that will strain both your reflexes and your wits, not to mention your cool head.

Odama is imaginative and is proof that you don't need to be more annoying than Jessica Simpson, like Katamari, to be a successful whacky videogame.

More than a decent scaling down of a seminal game, Jet Grind Radio is an accomplished and guaranteed time-killer.

Isn’t really The Sims as you know it - it’s more like "Animal Crossing" with human beings instead of sapient anteaters.

The strong story and voice acting make the game a must play, but the skimpy replay value leaves something to be desired.

Essentially the same game with a slew of slick improvements, and gamers will have an absolute blast throwing down dunks while exploring its new features.

It's for that rare breed of gamer who isn't afraid of inhuman challenge, who spends days practicing their routines, who will do anything to beat his last high score.

For every good aspect of the game there seems to be a bad one, and when you balance that out across the board (or ski), it just adds up to a game that tries to evolve a winning formula but falls prey to its own ambition.

A fun package that doesn’t tax your noggin the way "Halo" did.

The controls are quite responsive, offering a wide assortment of combat moves, but the weak camera hinders them.

Follows up last year's comeback player of the year with control tweaks and makes its formidable franchise mode even better. [Apr 2006, p.97]

Unless you're completely jaded or prefer games with darker themes, Rhapsody is a fun and whimsical RPG that definitely warrants a look. [Oct 2008, p.93]

I especially appreciate the numerous calibration option that the game offers -- finally, I have a game that I can play while attempting to accomplish a full 360 degree orbit on a swing set.

NCAA Football 10 is like an above average college football recruit: it plays hard, keeps its nose clean and eventually gets drafted in the second round. It doesn't make ESPN's Top 10 Plays segment on a weekly basis nor does it rack up the jersey sales but it works hard in the trenches and is a great locker room presence.

It might not strike anyone as exceptional, but with real-world car details, challenging A.I., and a nice upgrade system, 4x4 Evolution is worth checking out, especially if you’re an SUV fanatic in real life.

For veterans, it'll feel like the same gameplay found in all previous Ace Combat games--and that's not necessarily a bad thing considering this is a shooter that's still worthy of sitting in first class.

Mathphobes will still probably view Buku Soduku like a homework assignment, but if you're looking for a fun way to exercise your brain this game is for you.

A good combination of hazards (flying enemies, poisonous walls, crazy people with spears, etc.) and power-ups (invincibility orbs, magical flying mustaches, rockets, etc.) make this a perfect pull-out-and-play experience for the iPhone and ensure that things don't get stale.

Regardless, Monkey Island 2 has aged gracefully, and the graphical facelift and extra goodies help sweeten the deal for diehard fans and newbies alike.

Everything from the 22 on-screen players to the stadium they're duking it out in looks great, and for the first time ever I felt like I wasn't playing a compromised or downgraded football experience despite the limitations of the iPhone platform.

Even with its faults this game is a great value. Other arcade titles with fun, solid gameplay, simple controls, and this many customizable features will run you between $10-$20, but lucky you, you get Battlefield Heroes for free.

The graphics are clean and bright, but clearly representative of a first generation game, and the music, aside from a few levels, is uninspired.

The game is still a blast, even if you eventually get tired of it. If you're a PS3 owner who loves light-gun games then Time Crisis 4 is the only game you need; it's also the only game you can have.

It comes as a nice surprise to encounter a DS game brimming with originality and imagination.

Still, the control scheme is interesting and unique enough that I think some Wii owners will dig it.

There a lot to love about Peace Walker. Its visuals, non-critical quests and activities, the addictive-as-crack base management, controls, and even co-op options (if that's your thing), offer a level of polish and craft rarely seen in a portable title. Unfortunately, its boring, hard-as-hell boss encounters keep it a couple of notches below a perfect score.

Resident Evil 4 is still an outstanding shooter, but as I keep re-iterating with these recent high-def rereleases, your mileage is bound to vary.

But I have to reiterate: Child of Eden is awesome. It's impossible to not be taken aback by the brilliant orchestration of the stages, their intricate details, and their climactic boss fights, including the borderline inspirational ending sequence.

Homefront does a whole lot right, delivering powerful imagery and actions on the single-player side, as well as interesting multiplayer alterations, but neither end feels fully realized. But I won't hesitate to recommend Homefront on the overall strength of its stilted campaign, which consistently delivers strong set pieces and alluring atmospheric moments amidst the chaotic combat.

The missions themselves begin to feel repetitive and some can be overly challenging... Still, with over 25 levels and internet multiplay through Microsoft's Gaming Zone, StarLancer is a great space combat game.

The GBA handles the humble graphics and Disney-sweet music without breaking a sweat, and the control—while less elegant than the Dreamcast’s—will feel comfortable to "Tetris" vets.

Resident Evil 4 is still an outstanding shooter, but as I keep re-iterating with these recent high-def rereleases, your mileage is bound to vary.

Although the game doesn't have a two player mode or the same "wow" factor that "Sega Bass Fishing" did when it hit the stores, Sega Marine Fishing is a fun diversion for those times when you'd rather carry a pole than a gun or sword.

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

While the first-person shooter levels are average, the third-person levels are substantially well balanced. The A.I. is very intelligent. [Apr 2004, p.86]

Still, Crimson could stand to be a little more robust and varied. Its comparatively paltry three classes beg for DLC, as does its four hour campaign; similarly, there are only a few enemy types per themed map, and the game doesn't seem to rebalance unit numbers for multiple players. Perhaps next time Certain Affinity should concentrate just a hair less on arcade simplicity; until then this is still a worthy note in a crowded genre.

If you never got the chance to play the original Crysis -- either because you didn't have a decent enough rig to power it, or you just never got around to it -- it is still a fantastic shooter that's worth downloading. And considering that it's part of a planned trilogy, now's a good time to get caught up on the story and experience the game that started it all.

Midway Games would be proud to see what Vector Unit and Microsoft have done with the Hydro Thunder franchise -- it's a really good example of how old-school arcade games could (and should) be updated for HD console releases.

For those of you who party religously, you won't be disappointed. [Jan 2006, p.80]

These flaws are mere minor annoyances. Anomaly: Warzone Earth gives you a flexibility I've never encountered with tower-defense games, allowing you to determine the strategy you think is best suited for the situation at hand. The game is a lot of fun--and I hope this isn't the last we've seen of Anomaly from 11 bit studios.

Heroes Over Europe--sequel to Heroes Over the Pacific--offers armchair aces yet another reason to climb back into the cockpit, provided you already have a love for the genre. [Sept 2009, p.84]

If you never got the chance to play the original Crysis -- either because you didn't have a decent enough rig to power it, or you just never got around to it -- it is still a fantastic shooter that's worth downloading. And considering that it's part of a planned trilogy, now's a good time to get caught up on the story and experience the game that started it all.

For serious motorcycle-simulation fans only. If you’re not interested in the minutiae of the sport, go dust off "Road Rash" and read no further.

On the whole, War for Cybertron is a solid, in-your-face shooter that goes out of its way to appeal to longtime fans of the franchise.

On the whole, the puzzle construction is logical and rewarding, but it has major lapses of logic that prove maddening. The multiplayer mode is where Chaos Bleeds really shines.

If you're really into your music collection and want to do something with it besides listen to it, you'll love AudioSurf.

If you're a fan of Naruto and his bizarre allies and enemies, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja will make you happy -- very happy. Besides finally making a debut on the PS2, this installment in the Naruto series offers up an enjoyable time whether you're playing by yourself or with someone else (the game supports two-players).

If you have been following the Tales of Monkey Island saga up to this point, Lair of the Leviathan offers a few more hours of swashbuckling adventure and knee-slapping comedy that is sure to tickle your fancy.

Its arcadey addictiveness and cinematic style successfully lands it in a sweet spot right between those two genres, taking players for a ride that's totally on par with the summer movie excitement it emulates.

It's solid proof that sometimes a game doesn't have to be overly complex and innovative to be great -- if it has solid fundamentals and executes them well, you'll still have an excellent product.

Trouble Witches Neo is a fantastic value for its price: It's easily one of the best shooters on XBLA, and offers a depth of play and wealth of content that will keep you coming back for more. While it's still a bit rough around the edges, the core game is so solid that you can't help but be charmed.

While it's light on content and features and isn't about to make anyone forget about the triple-A racing titles coming out this holiday, Daytona USA is an enjoyable ride that proves that great gameplay almost always ages well. For those who still long for the simplicity of old school titles and the challenges that typically come with it, this downloadable slice of gaming nostalgia is well worth a look.

But Jamestown doesn't get bogged down in its devotion to the classics of the genre, nor does it try to attract a certain crowd with its art style (yes, I'm talking about Deathsmiles and its ilk). It instead focuses on giving you as many ways to grit your teeth as possible, and doing so with a solid shooting base. It's easy to fuss about the missed potential of playing the game online (a genuine problem), but what you get here is plenty. It's also a decent excuse to get that group together, provided your friends are as crazy as you are.

A full-featured map editor and 16-player online play puts multiplayer at the forefront, and nearly every swaying piece of foliage and stunningly realistic body of water makes Instincts a technical treat, especially in 480p.

While it's light on content and features and isn't about to make anyone forget about the triple-A racing titles coming out this holiday, Daytona USA is an enjoyable ride that proves that great gameplay almost always ages well. For those who still long for the simplicity of old school titles and the challenges that typically come with it, this downloadable slice of gaming nostalgia is well worth a look.

But in the meantime, it's the only game in town, and it's certainly not a bad one at all. While it might be lacking some options to give it longer replay value, PES 2011 plays a sophisticated and subtle game of football, and delivers a terrific-looking 3D soccer experience.

Has all the realism most gamers will want, plus plenty of mini-games to keep you challenged.

As a highly competent, technically polished, but otherwise straightforward first-person shooter, F.E.A.R. is a safe bet for the Xbox 360 action fiend. It may not replace "Halo 2" in your FPS collection, but it sure as hell beats playing "Perfect Dark Zero" for the fourteenth time.

While there's occasional pop-up and clipping, those glitches are trumped by smooth animation and incredible explosions. When an enemy Mech is trashed, the bright blast lights up the screen and ripples the surrounding terrain in the most satisfyingly way.

A beautiful composition, but restless gamers will have a hard time sitting throught the constant cinemas... Perhaps next time developers will seriously consider integrating the story through an increased amount of real-time gameplay. [March 2005, p.90]

A pack that responds to each race's events is an outstanding concept that should elevate the gameplay, but NASCAR 2005's execution of it is too unbalanced to create the hoped-for effect. [Nov 2004, p.142]

Naruto: Clash of Ninja is an engaging, energetic, button-smacking workout--whether you're a Naruto fan or not. [Apr 2006, p.31]

Spending ten dollars (or 40 quarters) on Marvel Pinball is an easy decision for comic book fans and pinball junkies alike.

The character dialogue is well-written, and its 30 levels make it a fairly lengthy platformer, so at its $1.99 price point it'd be a shame to pass it up.

I had a lot of fun with both the HD and classic versions of the game. Once I put in the time to really get a handle on the controls, Gravity Hook became a high score-focused game that I could whip out and play any time, making it a title that'll be a mainstay on my Apple devices for a long time to come.

F.E.A.R. 3 has its flaws, and some of its scares come off more as loud and obnoxious than genuinely frightening. Overall, though, the game is a fantastic blend of horror and action that's armed to the teeth with extras.

In no way flawless, but once you get the hang of it, it's a fun game.

The game does a great job of continuing to reward you for your performance and because of that, SHIFT is an engaging and addictive sim racer. It sets a great foundation for future iterations but hopefully, the sequel won't suddenly throw the e-brake on the action and force you to the side of the road every now and again.

Like any generic Tycoon sim, The Movies gets a bit over-focused on the trivial aspects of simulation, specifically with studio upkeep and playing constant babysitter to bigheaded actors, though while somewhat satirical, is a continuous bother. But the main attraction here is making short movies, which, if you're willing to spend the time, can be oodles of fun.

Aside from the enhanced one-on-one, the five-on-five gameplay also gets a bit of a brain boost. Fast-breaks and transitions spread the court in a more realistic fashion than before, and the two-person motion capture technique makes for some very cool animations on defense.