It's a solid and enjoyable title with enough action and plot to keep you interested over the long haul. [July 2008, p.77]

Though its complexity comes nowhere near that of its PC and console relatives, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance steps up and represents for the Forgotten Realms.

The innovative Power Stone series debuts on the PSP and manages to retain every ounce of its appeal. [Dec. 2006, p.122]

As a multiplayer experience, Bash Party succeeds but it's less a party and more of a social gathering.

Keep in mind, unless you're really a devout fan of the series, much of what's contained in MGS: Digital Graphic Novel will probably confuse the heck out of you.

It’s a fun game that slowly grows on you, but like all MMO games, it takes a special kind of gamer to enjoy.

The controls are quite simple but a bit glitchy at times. Using the stylus, players can only move the lines vertically in their own columns. It feels more intuitive to be able to move them horizontally as well, but the challenge is in the restriction of the column.

The controls are tight, and the gameplay is on-target even if there’s a slightly frenetic, arcade, unMadden-like feel to player movement.

The sometimes ridiculous characters, anime presence, and engaging story line work together with intensely fun and strategic play mechanics to make this installment of the ARMs series the best yet.

While the control is tight and responsive, the typically reliable camera can be sluggish in a few places, but this can be easily compensated for manually.

With a ton of unlockables and dozens of classic wrestlers from the glory days of the World Wrestling Federation, Legends of WrestleMania is a fan's dream come true.

3bot is a fairly unique 3D puzzle game with a great aesthetic and gameplay that's legitimately challenging, and at its rock-bottom price point it's an easy recommendation, especially if fast-pace puzzlers are your thing.

It's fun for a while, but the overly simplified game mechanics and repetitive shoot-and-run gameplay wouldn't amount to much without the extraordinary visuals and awesome concept.

Its smart design takes full advantage of the DS' strengths and is put together in a delicious, ready-to-eat package that's sure to delight.

Despite the simple battles and plain story, .hack is addictively fun for the 15 hours it lasts. [Nov 2002, p.182]

Still, what Fire Emblem may hack off of your gaming ego in difficulty, it makes up for with good ol' fashioned beauty.

Control is crippled by the PSP's inherent lack of a second analog stick, so you won't be pulling off critical moves like circle-strafing.

Even multiplayer is a strange blend of inspiration and worn convention.

A simple, unassuming, and hard-to-dislike platformer...It's light on substance but high on charm - a creative spin on the generic. [May 2004, p.78]

Bomberman Ultra is a must own for fans of the series but the lack of new features doesn't make this a must buy for fans of the 2007 XBLA release. However, if you do not own a 360 and are waiting for the classic Bomberman experience on the PS3, download this version immediately.

If you enjoy spending time in the world of Fallout 3, Point Lookout is still a great value. While some gamers will whine about its brief play time, they just need to get over it.

The most impressive feature in Tapout 2 is the redesigned visuals. Dream Factory chose to completely redo the graphics to make them look more life-like and as authentic as the real deal.

The game is wrapped up in a professional-grade package that makes it stand well above nearly every other shooter on the App Store.

If you can keep your expectations in check, accepting that Lost in Shadow is essentially an old school Prince of Persia-inspired game with a clever twist, you will find it worth your time to try it out.

Some of its ideas are brilliant innovations, some are wisely appropriated standards, and some just flop - but the overall result is fun, action-oriented, authentic hockey with a few troubling flaws.

With its fluid gameplay and easy-to-learn controls, Rugby could convert some Yanks to the intriguing world of rucks, scrums, and grubber kicks.

One of the biggest drawbacks of Mana is the story. Any RPG—especially any RPG made in this day and age—had better have a great story if it’s going to keep your attention. But Mana’s tale is lacking conflict, its characters are dull, and its towns are full of…well, not all that much interesting.

Telltale hit it right out of the park with the first installment of the series. It has plenty of humor, fun gameplay, nice puzzles and wonderful music and voice work. The only real setback to the game is that the hint system can be too helpful.

2004 is the best ASB yet, and fans of the series won’t go wrong with any version. The game’s tunable to all tastes and skill levels; it’s baseball at its almost finest.

From planting explosives beneath enemy sniper nests to speeding over the lush Parisian countryside, there's so much to do and see in Saboteur that it's incredibly easy to lose sight of the game's minor quirks and frustrations. It may not be the most original title under the sun, but it is an absolute blast while it lasts, and an innovative and welcome addition to the overwhelming selection of World War II games.

Putting on a three-man aerial show is about as tough as it sounds, but making the Gamebreakers controllable definitely improves the strategic aspects of the game. [March 2005, p.84]

A limited camera, slightly wonky unit A.I., and a few absent unit-handling features seem like a retreat from ground already covered by other, older 2D RTS games.

It's a great game that makes you think before you act, a welcome change from all the fast action games of today.

Even though it doesn't push the envelope, X Squad is a unique and very entertaining ride.

One area where Guild Wars sets itself apart from other MMOs are the environments; they are flat-out the most impressive, especially when seeing that even lower-end rigs can run the game at a respectable frame rate.

A fine expansion with fun locations and seductive opportunities, but it needs a bit more gameplay balance before graduating to the "real" world.

Someone once called basketball a thinking man's game. NCAA March Madness 06 certainly got that right.

Much like its Kefling cousins, the Akimi provide a cute, safe environment for gamers to build a truly unique world. If you're looking for a break from the usual gaming fare, the peaceful Akimi Village makes for a great diversion.

The Bigs 2, like its predecessor, is bringing fans an action-packed experience with the same over-the-top gameplay that made the first so enjoyable - and it's doing it with far less glitches.

If you haven't played Cave Story before and want to see what the fuss is about, or are a die-hard fan who needs to have it in every form possible, you simply can't go wrong with Cave Story 3D.

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.

While some features make Ridge Racer 3D feel like it was produced on auto-pilot, they don't stop the game from being one of the marquee titles of the 3DS' launch-up. Its refined use of the 3D effect makes it worth showcasing to friends who have been on the fence in purchasing the handheld. And it has more than enough content to satisfy the Ridge Racer devout, even it will take a while to feel truly tested against the A.I.

Baseball fans might want to jump into all the new features, but really, this is the same basic game from last year, though a nifty online MLB news service is a nice added bonus for all those MLB fantasy fanatics.

The two-player mode isn’t all bad, but for such a solid game, it’s a flaw that’s keeping this otherwise plenary racing game below the ranks of "Mario Kart" and "Diddy Kong Racing."

The best thing that I can say about Chaos Rings is that, unlike other ports of RPGs that have been brought to the iPhone, (like the original Final Fantasy remakes or Korean cell phone games like Zenonia and Across Age) this is a game that was made for the platform, and it shows.

The controls, however, rain on the parade. They’re too intricate, and their fussy, challenging feel takes a while to master...If you have the option, play the Xbox version - it’s definitely superior.

A "Jedi Outcast" follow-up that feels more like an expansion pack than a whole new game... [It] won't bake your noodle or drop your jaw, but it's certainly a fine answer for those of you looking for more Jedi Knight.

The good news is that Halow Wars masterfully transports the series' best elements to an entirely different genre, and its unparalleled accessibility makes for an excellent introduction to real-time strategy. The bad news is that its self-imposed limitations take a meaty chunk out of its longevity.

It has its faults, and they’re similar to last year’s, but there’s no better game for getting the feel of being a WWE superstar.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is still a spectacle, but compared to the first time around, the hype feels far more subdued.

The player-creation mode is decent but not great. Those gamers who have mastered the art of rendering their likeness onto the small screen may have a difficult time here.

Reverie only lasts a couple of hours, and the motion comic cutscenes are a little disappointing. Still, Castlevania fans won't want to miss it -- even in spite of its quasi-cliffhanger ending.

That said, the suite of options completes what is a very nice package for strategy fans. Honestly, I'm a little shocked by the overall quality of the experience; in lesser hands, I'm sure it would have ended up being a mediocre port of the console shooters. Instead, we've been treated to a scrumptious strategy experience from one of the best designers in the business. It's not a turn that I was expecting for the Ghost Recon franchise, but I will definitely take it.

The titles also have difficulty levels that no company would dare set their games to today; nearly every encounter is a life-and-death struggle in the first two.

The newest Oddworlds feel rather canned, confined, repetitive, and contrived, and Munch and Abe control more stiffly than most characters put in similar situations.

Finely crafted and fun.

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.

A satisfying scrap that'll keep you mashing buttons, if for nothing else than to see Stacy Keibler in her bitmapped bra and pixel panties.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is still a spectacle, but compared to the first time around, the hype feels far more subdued.

For Pokemon fans, this is a wonderful game; for everyone else, it's likely a waste of time.

If you're looking for some racing-combat fun, this pod if for you.

Battestations: Pacific might not blow many players away initially but look beyond the middling graphics and fairly simplistic presentation and you'll find a complex and rewarding experience that both strategy newcomers and genre experts with an itchy trigger finger can embrace.

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.

Whether you plan to acquire it as a collector’s item or just want to get acquainted with Mega Man’s past, you can be sure it’s going to be one heck of a trip back into time.

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]

If it weren’t for the low frame rate—evident especially in the outdoor environments—and the really dumb A.I., the action would have been more pleasant. Even the sounds of weapon fire and panicking victims should have been refined.

There's a lot to like about Quake 4: vivid (and violent) visuals, comfortable controls, and a surprisingly addictive multiplayer mode. And as a cool bonus, Activision even threw in a gorgeously high-definition version of "Quake II." So what more do you want?

Though a few weaker points keep it from reaching amazing new heights in the B-ball genre, NBA 2K6 remains a fine example of what a high quality multiplayer launch title can be.

I'm still going to recommend you check out the title, though, because it shows that Capcom cares about its loyal fanbase and because it's such a well executed throwback to the series' roots.

With its light-hearted gameplay and silly graphics, Mario Hoops probably won't win over a diehard basketball fan but it's entertaining enough to keep most gamers glued to the on-court action. Nintendo definitely shoots and scores with this one.

Fighting is a blast, especially when you link up with a friend, but the cramped controls and tiny GBA screen occasionally make you feel like the computer is unfairly trouncing you in battle.

The biggest issue in the Ocean is boring and repetitious town and dungeon designs...The battle system is out of this world - the rest of the game is a little more grounded. [Sept 2004, p.108]

Heroes is a relatively simple game that, at times, feels like X-Men Legends with DC character models. Still, the chance to take control of some of the most beloved superheroes on the planet is one that you just can't pass up.

SledStorm's controls handle well. The only sore spot, however, is that performing stunts can feel sluggish due to the slow button response.

MLB 07 looks and sounds great. It's amazing how specific the announcers' comments are, players look like their real-world counterparts and stadiums have the intricate details that will make any fan proud.

Though heinous sitting-duck A.I. keeps the single-player experience a bit wan, waging galactic civil war over the internet with real live people destroys, despite slight technical flaws and cumbersome aerial vehicle controls.

This self-described "meandering, mytho-poetic adventure" is a gorgeous, if sometimes aimless, step forward for independent games on the iOS platform.

On the control side, Hunt mostly handles just fine. It feels a little funky when you try to rotate the direction he’s facing (to deposit a body in the shadows, for instance), and the item switching is a little clumsy, but neither issue is serious.

Atelier Totori is a hidden gem of a game. It's far from perfect, but it's so wildly, wonderfully distinct and different from the typical crop of titles out there that it's hard not to love it.

The gameplay is certainly realistic, but overall, the physics of how the ball moves feel a bit floaty at times. In the final analysis, ESPN MLB trails after "MVP Baseball" and "MLB 2005," making it a good choice for those who aren't satisfied with those league leaders. [Apr 2004, p.89]

Naturally lacks the novelty of the original, but it succeeds in correcting nearly all its faults... even if it creates a few in the process. [June 2003, p.112]

Even with all the unchanged flaws, Mobile Suit Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam is still the best Gundam game to ever come out, and is highly recommended to fans of the series.

The odds were stacked against GoldenEye 007 from the outset -- and it's unlikely to ever bear the same level of importance as the original -- but Eurocom and Activision have emerged with a Bond shooter that is not only a great Wii game, but one that does both the franchise and genre as a whole justice.

If you can forgive World Driver Championship's speed problems, you'll find a deep, addictive racing experience. It's not nearly as polished as the PlayStation's racing gem, Gran Turismo, but it's as close as N64 owners can get without buying a PlayStation.

Sonic's got the best portable pinball game on the market now—his tables are dead simple to get into, and there are enough extras to keep any Sega fan enthralled. It's also the closest thing to a new Nights game you'll ever get.

But the moral of the story here is, well-written scripts and addictive story modes never spell a bad time. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is impressive, hilarious and downright worth your money.

The Thing definitely provides, and the care the developers have taken to keep the tone similar to the film is icing on the cake.

The training levels are a little tedious, but serves it purpose to have you naturally thinking and reacting as if you're Batman by the heart of the game.

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.

Bigger, badder and better than the first, Resistance 2 improves upon the formula set by its predecessor in almost every way. Unfortunately, a handful of minor issues, such as less than stellar graphics, keep this game from reaching the high bar set by competing titles like "Call of Duty 4" and "Gears of War 2."

The most important aspect of any baseball video game is the controls, and while those found in MVP 07 will test your patience at times, they ultimately add to the overall experience. [Mar 2007, p.91]

If you’ve already built up a garage full of cars in Sega GT 2002, you can import your saved game and be online instantly.

The challenge with Groove is to make it feel less like a mechanical button-pressing game and more like you’re actually dancing, and that, my friends, is all up to you.

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.

With its spectacular graphics, awesome sound, and easy-to-use interface, "DR2" is a perfect example of how to make a great 3D real-time strategy game, but the gameplay may be too familiar for gamers who have grown tired of the genre.

The much-improved PS2 version flies mighty high with spectacular visuals and improved gameplay.

The graphics will suck you in and the audio is lovable too.

MVP earns props for looking good and trying something new while delivering solid baseball. "High Heat" is a much better playing ballgame, but MVP will appeal to baseball fans intrigued by its individuality.