While it is precious about distinguishing taps intended to boost rather than switch junctions, Tiny Invaders achieves a triumphant victory thanks to its Bizarre-like charm, challenge, and clever design.

Though the story's perfunctory and flat nature doesn't help when later levels become monotonous, Beauty of the Fall managed to wring enough from an established formula to make stemming yet another alien invasion worth your time.

With Wii Fit Plus, I won't be utilizing the calorie-counter or custom workouts--both are done better in EA Sports Active--but I will enjoy the many new, well-produced minigames.

LocoRoco Midnight Carnival is more than worth the sub-$20 price tag. Fans new and old will enjoy the hours of gameplay provided. But be warned: although the controls are simple and the levels short, this is by no means an easy game.

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]

As much as it looks like a souped-up NHL 09​, the improvements to the engine, the A.I., Be a Pro mode, and the overall presentation really add up, and that's aside from the fact that it was already a pretty darn good sports sim to begin with.

Bejeweled 3 takes a few risks, and the result is essentially Bejeweled 2 plus a handful of both worthwhile and throwaway modes. If that's enough to warrant a purchase, however, is up to you.

To be frank the game is just very lacking and very bland. With all the great summer titles hitting high numbers it's a safe bet that this one will make the scratch list in the next few months.

From the moment you begin playing both the open-ended campaign and individual scenarios, it's clear that Firaxis used this expansion to fine-tune and upgrade the game's Artificial Intelligence. A.I. opponents are noticeably more aggressive now, particularly towards the end of a game.

Succeeds where "Rollercoaster Tycoon" and even "Sim Theme Park" failed—it gives you the true sensation of riding a rollercoaster, the logical tools to build them, and the ability to show your work quickly and easily.

As much as it looks like a souped-up NHL 09​, the improvements to the engine, the A.I., Be a Pro mode, and the overall presentation really add up, and that's aside from the fact that it was already a pretty darn good sports sim to begin with.

A fantastic marriage of styles, somewhere between "Beetlejuice" and "Tron"... It's a satirical, sardonic does of mind fun. [May 2005, p.96]

Some may be put off by the somewhat sluggish controls, which make you feel as if you’re actually manipulating a towering behemoth, but the rumble adds a nice effect whenever you’re struck or take a nasty spill.

A solid, enjoyable snowboarder with a fairly high difficulty factor and lots of gameplay.

Capcom really did a great job of walking the fine line between paying homage to the classic and moving in a new direction. Of course, Rearmed isn't perfect: the controls take some getting used to, the hacking mini-game's sort of lame, and the game is still brutally tough--curse you spiked floors!--but it's a great update that I heartily recommend to old school NES fans and new gamers alike.

Ultimately, the game amounts to a very extensive map pack with one new game mode, but because the great gameplay of the original is left intact, Lumines II is still a very enjoyable experience.

Accurately re-creates the series’ addictive gameplay, so most classic strategies and combos are intact.

The good news is that piecing 'coasters and parks together is easier than ever; between the flexible camera controls and the effortless new terrain-building tools, RCT 3 squeezes tremendous functionality out of its elegant drag-and-drop interface.

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.

Raven Software pushed the envelope with the amazing shadow effects in "Doom 3," but unfortunately Quake 4 lacks that same degree of pixel-shader pizzazz outdoors. From the blocky sky box to the drab terrain and buildings, the exterior details pale in comparison to the atmospherically cramped interior spaces.

If you're playing alone, or looking for a competitive online rampage, Army of Two teeters between middling fun and frustration, but if you take the time to give the meaty co-op component its due you'll find yourself sucked in by one of the few gun-obsessed romps worth playing through again and again.

There are no continues and no in-game saves, a turn-off to anyone without the time to memorize boss patterns and an effective way to kill the point of that whole “portable” thang.

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.

Z.H.P. is a great introduction to the roguelike genre for those unfamiliar with it, as well as a solid title overall. It still won't appeal to those with a severe dearth of patience -- or those who hate the idea of any sort of permanent penalty for failure -- but if you're looking for a fun (and funny) trip into one of gaming's more underappreciated genres, Z.H.P. is a great time.

I hated geometry in high school, but Slice It manages to be fun in a similar way to the heady puzzlers found in Brain Age for the DS.

If you absolutely love the game and plan on playing for a while longer, you'll want to spring for this just to make sure you don't miss out on the experience. But if you are a casual player, you can probably pass on it and just be happy with the maps that came with the game.

There's a dozen different enemies to add some variety, which is good because the fast-paced nature of the game makes that a necessity.

Queen's Crown is a fun and soundly constructed adventure, even if it does little to push the genre forward. Still, its enjoyable combat and responsive controls make it one of the App Store's better action-RPG picks.

And the game always feels centered. It has a persuasive, persistent style and each of the missions has a distinct focus. I've played eight so far, and not one felt routine or incomplete. This adds up to fun, and Hidden & Dangerous is beautifully, sonically, tensely fun…for as long as it works.

The graphics look crisp, but the slowdown on parts of Glitter Oasis is a major disappointment.

All this action is powered by a load of good-looking, intricate, new animations and improved character models to produce a great little NBA show. NBA 2K6 has great appeal for that gym rat inside all of us.

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.

Raven's crafted a more than competent FPS, combining some great, if underutilized, ideas with a narrative that's a cut above most in the story-starved genre.

Surprisingly solid and fun.

The control scheme is sublimely genius, letting you perform midair attacks and dash around foes with poetic ease. The manual camera is still a bit too loose, though, and leaping and running against walls isn’t as reliable as you’d like it to be.

You can never get enough of a classic. Super Mario 64 is essentially here with enough DS goodies to make a compelling dual-screen package.

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.

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3DS is a lot of fun. It doesn't make great use of the 3D, but it doesn't mess it up, either.

Sure! Collision Effect's core puzzle mode isn't really worth putting time into, but it's one of the more interesting action-puzzlers on the App Store, and is easily worth the price tag.

Where the original sold itself at least partially on the "wow" factor of its then-impressive pre-rendered visuals, Donkey Kong Country Returns is all about what matters most in a high-quality platformer: Inspired, challenging, and inventive level design, backed up by a delightful, cartoon-like atmosphere.

Blacksite is a decent enough FPS title that's the gaming equivalent of a summer action blockbuster: it sure as hell won't win any Oscars but it delivers just enough thrills to make you feel like you got your money's worth.

The way of the samurai is a lengthy road that rewards those who show patience and persistence. [Aug 2004, p.66]

Last Raven is the seventh and last Armmored Core title for the PS2, and it's definitely the best of the bunch. [July 2006, p.78]

Endless variations on battles and the ability to customize characters make this game a good value for serious fans. People looking for less involvement and hack-and-slash may want to rent or avoid this title altogether.

The formula still needs a bit of work, to be sure, but Age of Pirates is definitely a potent breath mint fit for the mangiest of pirates, if only for the seaworthy ambience and ability to play in full pirate regalia without feeling silly.

The Xbox version of MS3 is a brilliant translation of its arcade parent that, in some ways, surpasses the source material. [Aug 2004, p.66]

This is Final Fantasy like you've never played it before.

The soundtrack is soothing. The gameplay is simple enough for casual jaunts, while offering enough complexity to leave you tearing your hair out in the best sort of frustration. And it's only $10 - go buy this.

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.

Fans of Double Fine's most unique game yet will enjoy their time in Camelfoot, but those who never saw Stacking to completion probably won't be satisfied with this new tale.

If you remember the days of Game and Watch with fondness, or are intrigued to see what gamers played back in the day, this is definitely a fabulous gaming curiosity!

If exploration’s your thing, this Raider is for you. Have no fear about entering this Tomb.

Features stupendously well-animated characters and a boopy-yet-catchy soundtrack. The control's spot-on, too.

A wacky, wonderful meditation on the Mario phenomenon. As for the game itself: The combat system is clever, nicely varied, and wickedly fun, but a little more depth to the adventure would have sealed the deal.

There's plenty of fun to be had but the title falls just a little short of the hurdle that it's trying to leap. [Oct 2007, p.83]

A complicated beast. Is it the best Soulcalibur game ever? You bet...but not by as huge a margin as you might have hoped.

Cross Fingers is a challenging tangram puzzler that combines problem-solving, creativity, and reflexes. From the beginning levels to the brutally difficult later missions, this digit-twisting game is great for puzzle fans of all abilities.

Despite showing its age, MDK2 is a great port. Ahead of its time when it was originally released, this updated model of an off-the-wall third-person shooter is well worth a look.

From its hilariously campy dialogue to the fantastic seventies vibe, Tokyo Beat Down is worth checking out for on-the-go rumblers, and with it's almost non-existent learning curve it's absolutely perfect for first time brawlers as well. [Apr 2009, p.77]

It's a smaller world than HeartGold and SoulSilver's Kanto and Johto, but it's a new world that should be explored by any Pokemon fan, young or old.

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.

Due to the fast-paced action, the controls will leave you with aching hands and thumbs...Of course, this level of intensity means that there’s a good game underway, and you’ll want to keep at it despite the pain.

Afterburner is addictive and fun, but best played in short bursts. Though the game is sometimes challenging, it never gets frustrating if only because it no longer requires a stream of quarters to keep the action going.

Light years better than its ugly-as-sin predecessor and is already worthy to compete against Sony's Offroad Fury series.

The weather effects are beautiful (the storm sequences are downright scary), and pulling off a successful ship capture is an exhilarating experience once you manage it.

If there are any complaints, it’s that the range is a bit too wide this time and some crooners will not find as many songs they know. Konami definitely needs to release more song discs to satisfy the fans.

Variety in mission types and two different worlds in which to fight keeps "Air Combat" from getting stale, and the easy controls make flying toy missions a simple pleasure.

It's a smaller world than HeartGold and SoulSilver's Kanto and Johto, but it's a new world that should be explored by any Pokemon fan, young or old.

Despite its averageness, WinBack: CO is fun, satisfying stealth/action fare. If it were the only game you had, it’d be great.

Ultimately, MMX6 will appeal to fans of the series, but gamers looking for more than strict jump-n-shoot fare should look elsewhere.

In short, it's a very good, highly flexible game marred only slightly by an occasionally inconsistent difficulty curve -- and for some people, the lack of narrative progression might put them off progressing through the single-player campaign. Despite these minor issues, however, Sanctum remains a high quality game which the developer remains committed to -- and at the price, it's a complete bargain.

If you're just looking for new songs to play, you should probably just wait for more downloadable tracks to hit the 360 version.

Big Time Gangsta is a successful sim with a gritty, urban aesthetic. Likely to offend, this addictive game has a familiar gameplay mechanic but an unfortunately short shelf life.

Splodes are magical little creatures that fill the world with color and music whenever they pop, so instead of feeling terrible whenever you end their sad lives, you'll end up inexplicably happy.

I'd recommend it in an instant to fans of the developer's past works, and just as fast to those looking for a fresh, fun shooter with a penchant for the eccentric.

SC isn't easy to get into. Its drawbacks hit you immediately. But after that rocky start, the background art, ingeniously devised monsters, simple interface, and clever combat and magic systems make this a tough RPG to toss aside.

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.

I'd recommend it in an instant to fans of the developer's past works, and just as fast to those looking for a fresh, fun shooter with a penchant for the eccentric.

One of those "universally fun" titles that gaming fans of all genres can take to instantly.

The conclusion the plot hurtles toward you may not be one you saw coming (I didn't), but the satisfaction of getting there cancels out all the tufts of hair you ripped out along the way working out the tougher puzzles.

Crimson Gem Saga is as classic as modern RPGs come, but it also stands to remind why this genre has been so steadfast throughout the life of gaming.

With some work on A.I., animations, and a deeper Franchise mode, Konami’s game has a shot at spoiling the establishment’s party next year.

While the prospect of controlling a sheepdog to guide sheep into a truck may sound excruciatingly dull, the frantic puzzles, large range of clever mini-objectives, and the fact that each sheep in the herd quietly acquires its own unique personality as the game goes on are what make these Sheep worth checking out.

Similar to Peggle, what Block Breaker 3 lacks in gameplay depth it makes up for with an endorphin overdose of bright colors, dance music, and huge high scores that mean nothing but make you feel like an accomplished human being. It's pretty dumb. And awesome.

The disturbing visual style and complex play mechanics may overcome any minor deficiencies to result in a game that is surprisingly engrossing. [June 2005, p.90]

Lengthy and well crafted.

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.

It's an enjoyable and well-crafted continuation of Rocketcat's series, but Hook Worlds never really innovates beyond the series' token grappling hook gameplay gimmick.

An absolutely ridiculous game that's only good because it's so unique and bizarre, Incredible Crisis is best enjoyed with a group of friends watching, pointing, laughing, and furrowing their brow in confusion and horror.

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.

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.

If you can't fathom the appeal of 2D old-school revival, save your cash; otherwise, grab a lance and skewer some flying eyeballs. [Oct. 2006, p.93]

No one says that a game has to move fast to be entertaining, and those blemishes are easily made up for by the title's creative use of strategy when attempting to solve its numerous platforming-puzzles. This again is a credit to this game's ingenuity and is something it shares with the original A Boy and His Blob, whose legacy is only strengthened by this great title.

With a lighthearted story, stellar graphics and an all-around solid presentation, New Traveler has a lot going for it.

The repetitive combat won’t wow hardcore action fans, but committed zombie-hunters might enjoy the challenge and the attitude. Hail to the king, baby.

Good, but it never really lives up to its title - a vision that could have benefited from a little more focus... Jack-of-all-trades, master of none. [Jan 2004, p.110]

Capcom really did a great job of walking the fine line between paying homage to the classic and moving in a new direction. Of course, Rearmed isn't perfect: the controls take some getting used to, the hacking mini-game's sort of lame, and the game is still brutally tough--curse you spiked floors!--but it's a great update that I heartily recommend to old school NES fans and new gamers alike.

Casual twitch gamers may be turned off by the flying learning curve and amount of strategizing required to complete each mission, but you can’t deny the hedonistic thrill of buzzing over a desolate desert landscape and letting loose!