Gameplay mechanics and controls are pretty solid, but there're a handful of missions where after a cut scene my shooting button actually ceased to function for a minute or two. Additionally, the ally AI is pretty dumb.

While the controls make handling your snowboard a breeze, executing the automated tricks becomes boring quickly in this lackluster simulator.

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.

A fairly enjoyable game. With introductions to new characters and enemies in every mission, the option to customize and improve your weapons, and a hardy plot, there should be enough to make a rental worthwhile. [June 2004, p.71]

The game does a surprisingly good job of going up against Madden '08. It isn't going to unseat the king of all video football games this season but that's the beauty of sports: there's always next year.

Hard Corps: Uprising is built for a very specific type of gamer. If you fit that description, you won't be disappointed with your purchase. But while many aspects of Uprising are appealing, without endearing characters to root for or an effective save system, it feels more like a missed opportunity than a tribute to the classics.

Call of Duty 4 for the DS provides some decent--if watered down--first person shooting action. It doesn't live up to the standard set by Metroid Prime: Hunters or do a terribly good job of replicating the efforts of its console and PC bigger brothers, but it's a decently entertaining game for any DS owner who needs a FPS fix.

More than any other launch title Feel the Magic was conceived and constructed to fully express the unique technological potential of the DS, and its Wario-inspired mini-games require quick reflexes, pinpoint accuracy, a steady hand, strong lungs, and a healthy sense of the absurd to successfully complete.

Ace Combat Zero is, without a doubt, the most fun I've ever had with a flight simulator, and it's the best one in the series yet.

While the game does have a few drawbacks – it’ll only take you 3-4 hours to beat and the camera is a bit inflexible – you’ll certainly have fun with this title. With adorable characters that fit perfectly into its retro style of play, The Maw offers XBLA fans something new and unique.

Despite some flaws, Rakulls is the best kind of downloadable title -- a humorous game with elements from well-designed classics, but integrated with a modern touch.

The game can be annoying at times--opening doors is almost always a hassle, for example--and the limited time you have to find the Elebits makes things a little hairier than necessary but this is still one of the more original and fun titles available for the Wii.

A decent addition to the handheld fighter genre, and if players can discipline themselves not to buy many of the all-powerful techniques, River City Ransom Ex can be a cool gaming experience.

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

Seemingly everything Magic players would want in a virtual adaptation of the now classic card game.

But while the game's storyline is focused on a far-reaching conflict, Frontlines ultimately succeeds because of all the attention that the developers paid to the small stuff.

"Fantavision" has prettier graphics, but the time-tested gameplay in Bust A Move makes the switch to the PS2 nicely.

Sadly, the controls in the Battle screen are totally counterintuitive, making it a slow, tedious chore to command your units.

If all you need is a good challenge and you have the patience for turn-based strategy games, by all means, pick up this game. If the inconsistent presentation and lack of multiplayer options have you unconvinced, then it may be a good idea to wait for another one to come along. [July 2004, p.102]

While the controls aren't as counterintuitive as many have claimed them to be, the game has minor draw distance problems when you're Katamari gets too big and there're too many big objects on screen. You'll find that the game doesn't load the smaller items and you're Katamari will pick up objects that aren't even represented onscreen.

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]

Take note, game developers: Loading and re-loading does not a fun play experience make. Give us quick-saving or give us death.

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

While it is initially daunting, Culdcept Saga is a game whose potential grows the more you play it. [May 2008, p.84]

It's fun while it lasts, but it certainly won't blaze any new trails as far as virtual rockstardom goes, and diehard fans of Rock Band should hope that the devs return to their hard rocking roots for the next genuine installment. [Feb 2010, p.89]

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

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.

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?

The mini-game stages can be disappointing (the hamster-ball sections have completely unrealistic physics), but overall Crash is not a bad little platformer at all. Unoriginal but not bad.

It's got a good amount of polish and diehard KH fans should definitely get it. Casual fans will also find reasons to like it, even if the weird story doesn't really add up.

Darkwatch mixes its Western Roots with gothic horror and steampunk aesthetics, and the results are uniquely engaging...Just darned good fun while it lasts. [Sept 2005, p.64]

The game is fast-paced and simple (the only way to fail is to miss three fruits or accidentally slice a bomb), and the inclusion of online global leaderboards adds a little extra incentive to boot up the game when I'd otherwise be bored.

Chocobo Tales is about quick and easy fun. The Crayola art style, pop-up book style graphics and fable stories may make it seem like a kiddie title and technically, it is. However, the game is fun enough that and packed with enough nods to diehard fans that Final Fantasy fans of all ages should give it a look.

It’s a fast and furious action/adventure that oozes style (among other things) but still delivers all the gameplay goods.

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.

It just doesn't feel like the Transformers. There's no character to the characters, no real reason to transform except to find a better battleground during a boss fight. [June 2004, p.69]

Wireless multiplayer mode (only available in the U.S. version) pits two players head-to-head, but this option is unlockable only after several hours of play (that may be too long for many players).

A game like El Shaddai is something that comes along only a few times in each console generation. The beautiful visuals, fantastic environments, solid (though slightly flawed) gameplay, and rich mythology combine to make a game quite unlike anything you've ever played.

Easy isn't easy and difficulty levels above that are just stupidly tough.

Vice City Stories is a fun game that lets you jump into right into the action, but don't expect anything special or new from this game.

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.

If you love adorable Nintendo games that are meant for eight-year-old little girls, then give Chibi-Robo! a try. Otherwise, steer clear of this mind numbingly droll title.

The combat sequences are the undisputed highlight, and much of the game puts on a great show...just be prepared for stretches of frustration while sneaking around. [Feb 2005, p.74]

The tendency toward newer tracks, and the neglect of excellent older ones, is a bit disappointing, but as a whole, Green Day: Rock Band plays like a big, wet kiss for its fans.

Road of Devastation may not be quite as robust of an expansion to Dead Nation as fans had hoped for, but there's enough new content here to make it worth the price of admission.

If you can get past the quirks of the AI, Hidden and Dangerous 2 still is a fun game to play. Sure, stealth doesn't really work out well, but the action is rewarding when enemies don't space out.

A wild, chaotic, and intense strategy game as much as it is an action title, so those of you who've always wanted to be a war hero can strap on some armor and get to it.

Hardcore fighting fans will find depth within these hallowed halls, and casual brawlers will find the controls forgiving and fun.

It’s the same exact game as the PlayStation version with little more than cleaned-up graphics and faster load times—not good or bad, just the same.

The only ailment of Super Princess Peach is its severely easy difficulty, but that doesn't take the fun away from the game.

Better suited for the GBA format than most of the muddy faux-3D titles out there.

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.

Yet these nitpicks have but barely interfered with the fun I'm having with Lego Star Wars III. With all of the additions, it's the biggest and most enjoyable Lego game yet, and even better, it shows that something good can indeed come out of the awful Star Wars prequel trilogy.

A skillfully crafted work of art that delivers a high level of entertainment from start to finish, especially in high-definition and Dolby Digital audio (highlighted by great western music). But Gun won't jump out at you as a next-gen technological masterpiece--it's just too early for that.

Its repetitive gameplay, mundane puzzle design and eye-twitching platforming segments really cuts into Origins' fun and yet, for fans of the franchise, it's a solid title that's worth playing through. It will even make the most jaded comic fan smirk every once in a while. However, if you're not a huge fan of Wolverine, I'd suggest you sink your claws into something else.

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.

Regardless of its flaws, the depth of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 gives fans good reason to dust off their PS2s and jump around.

No multiplayer, boring sound and graphical design, lack of variety.

I love that owners of both the iPad and iPhone version can play together regardless of which device they're using, and I think that the game's mix of old and new will make this a game that plenty of people will be able to get into.

Right now I think Telltale's created a very good game, and I have a feeling it's going to have an even greater future.

A diminutive price tag doesn't make the strange dearth of meaningful map and weapon selections any more palatable. Worth the cash for its frenetic pace if you've got friends lined up to play, but more disposable than memorable.

Leaning on the selling power of its namesake, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 limps its way through a mediocre round of golf that's less fun than its proud PGA predecessors, and doesn't even dent the PS2's graphical capabilities. Worst of all, you must hit the ball with analog controls.

Triple Play's biggest new feature -- cursor-based pitching and batting -- is also its biggest shortcoming.

Improves on the first "Red Faction" on almost every level. The graphics are superb, the action is relentless, and the Geo-Mod aspects play a more integral role in the game.

Those not so enamored by the 'toon may not get past the game's repetitive missions, chintzy AI, and sluggish maneuverability.

There's decent action and above-average variety of gameplay.

Not all the missions are wildly inventive, but the majority are satisfing and entertaining, and each is more fun than the original title's simplistic collection quests.

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.

Ultimately, I think MoH is an interesting attempt to address war in a respectful way, and it should find its niche as a legitimate alternative for gamers who don't want to jump on the Call of Duty bandwagon.

If you can get over some of its geriatric issues (I'm not an ageist, I swear), you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of Sam & Max Save the World. Its quirky fun and offers gamers a change of pace from traditional XBLA fare.

You have to dig a little deeper, but that Patapon goodness is still overflowing in Patapon 3. It's just too bad its creators are starting to forget what made it so great and special in the first place.

Still, Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom has enough uniqueness in its execution that it's not forgettable. At a good 10 to 15 hours, there's plenty of gameplay for the budget price that the game is offered at ($39.99). It's definitely better for younger gamers, but still a solid choice for anyone looking for a good adventure.

Awkward controls may impact the fun a little, but Edge's fascinating romp through block-filled worlds is one well worth indulging in.

If you haven't picked up Tetris in a while, this isn't the best or the cheapest version available, but if it's really is all you can find, it's impossible not to recommend playing a few matches.

Radiata Stories has its share of hilarious moments and never takes itself too seriously, inspiring a perverse sort of curiosity as to what the characters will get themselves into next.

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]

Its powerful story, great cast of characters, gorgeous graphics, and one of the most inventive battle systems in a long time all work together to create an instant classic.

Despite these imperfections, though, UFC: Tapout still reigns victorious.

A truly dazzling, inspired game that mixes a riveting story with a stylish look and absorbing gameplay.

A nostalgia trip worth taking.

Not all of the games have aged particularly well. Pit Fighter, Kozmik Kroozr', and Primal Rage are almost unplayable, and the obnoxious taunts of Wizard of Wor will send you scrambling for the mute button. [Dec 2004, p.116]

The premise of Guns'n'Glory is ridiculous and I'm fairly confident that there are many people out there who'll find the game to be offensive and tasteless, but it's still a ton of fun.

Longevity aside, it's only a dollar, and if the concept of a sea-based mammal blasting robotic sharks with a laser cannon strapped to his back appeals to you in the least, I'd recommend taking the plunge.

The big feature missing, which also made Underground innovative, is the ability to draft other cars. Without it, Rivals is just another racing game. Additionally, the Drift mode, which was addictively fun on the consoles, is now water downed to a flat, frustrating way of trying to skid your car in an unfashionable manner.

Marble games aren't everyone's idea of a thrilling adventure, but Marble Saga: Kororinpa may very well sneak up and show the curious a good time.

Even with the clever new “missions” and spruced-up visuals that make watching a ball go back and forth worthwhile, control is the most important part in tennis; and in this game, Smash Court faults once again.

While there's still fun to be had in slicing, bludgeoning, and shooting zombies, the surrounding elements in Case West are far less conducive to amplifying it. Die-hard Dead Rising completionists need only apply.

Sega should seriously consider monkeying around with the formula because it's starting to feel incredibly stale.

An interesting minimalist art style and full voice acting makes the game feel like an interactive cartoon at times, and overall fantastic writing supports a genuinely engaging story.

Sure, if you can grind through numerous random battles without losing your patience, the experience can be rewarding when you finally succeed. But for the rest of you, I'd recommend something else if you're not ready to devote some serious study time to the hardcore, incredibly unforgiving trek through this steampunk city.

Clearly, the power of the PS3 has been successfully harnessed because the game's speedy gameplay does not come with any sacrifice to graphical quality. The cars, environments, and race tracks all look close to photorealistic.

Space Pirates and Zombies still has a few minor bugs here and there, and its collection of throwback gameplay components isn't likely to appeal to everyone. For those looking to invest themselves into a fairly robust adventure on the cheap, however, SPAZ is a worthwhile investment old-school gamers may want to check out.

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.

While the series has strayed from its hardcore sim roots pioneered by Coach K College basketball way back in the Genesis’s heyday, it at least has defined an identity and found a fun formula as well.

If you’re an RPG fan with tons of free time and patience, or if you’re an EQ fan dying to see what Norrath was like hundreds of years ago, EQOA is a great time.

It's a flawed-but-fascinating curiosity and addictive despite itself thanks to the truly awesome monster generation. [June 2003, p.113]

Not all of the games have aged particularly well. Pit Fighter, Kozmik Kroozr', and Primal Rage are almost unplayable, and the obnoxious taunts of Wizard of Wor will send you scrambling for the mute button. [Dec 2004, p.116]