A solid and engrossing basketball game that may lack the high quality presentation and panache of EA's NCAA franchise, but holds its own with an engaging and fairly deep set of options and selectable play modes.

Shaolin Monks certainly has its problems, but the action at its heart is the most enjoyable the series has offered in ages.

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

A solid mix of visual flair, musical excellence, and story-driven gameplay.

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.

The shifty A.I. and the blistering enemy fire aren't the only things that make Euro Assault the toughest MOH to date. Health power-ups and revives are at a premium and if you die you have to restart the mission from scratch.

Arc I is too short; Arc II is rewarding but drags on a bit; and Arc III looks bland. The overall story, though, makes all three worth playing in the long run.

Although it’s essentially a port of an arcade game that’s two years old, this is one matchup that’s a pleasure to kill hours with at home.

The missions are bipolar: either incredibly easy or insanely difficult. Smithers is a boss for cryin' out loud!

Luckily, Treasure Seekers blows open the genre's doors for idiots like me with a fantastic hint system that requires a bar to fill up over time before you can use it to cheat your way to victory.

Although the scriptwriters are straight from the show, Marshall and Vaughan's dialogue feels a little forced; otherwise, the large cast of participation and television soundtrack give the game exactly the authentic audio flavor fans would want. [May 2004, p.70]

Solid play mechanics, combined with an in-depth story mode (complete with cinemas) and other play facets, give R a solid edge over the competition.

The great sound effects from the booming explosions and roaring jet engines from above greatly add to the war-torn ambiance, too.

With a slick visual style and fast-paced, finger-banging combat, it’s an impressive display of power and polish.

Though it's not as scientifically challenging as Victorious Boxers, KK 2002 is still a vast improvement over the last one and a satisfyingly addictive slugfest for pro boxing fans.

Some frustrating A.I., however, causes Shrek 2 to suffer badly as a single-player game (or any time the computer controls a party member), and switching between the characters to overcome the menial obstacles feels like a chore when playing solo. [Aug 2004, p.68]

An addictive and undeniably daring game that feels more urgent and less epic than most RPGs, and the battle system is masterful. But it’s nothing like previous Breath of Fire games, and the forced repetition might kill it for you.

A cohesive game with the sum of all of its parts adding up to a frightening whole.

Whether you're playing against the challenging AI or your friends, tChess Pro gets every knight and rook right.

LIT is a puzzle game wrapped up in a 3D candy shell and delivers a fun, creative experience that many will enjoy.

Bomberman is the rare game that feels as natural after a round of Uno as it does after a Gears of War deathmatch. The action could come a bit quicker, but when it does, it's still a thrill after all these years.

If Black was created to produce an adrenaline-induced euphoria of maddening guns going wild, then it is a total success. In the sequel, as the end of the story sets up, let's hope the AI is improved and includes at least some type of multiplayer.

The first game’s take on noir was fresh and powerful; the sequel has the same haunted spirit with less surprise value. While Max Payne’s rain-soaked world is a weary one, it’s also undeniably compelling.

Some lazily designed levels and trite puzzles keep Fox's first planetside excursion from being the classic it could have been.

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.

Dragon Quest IX is like a classic car that's been recently restored: There might be some new stuff under the hood and additional bells and whistles, but it's still the same vehicle from years ago. That's not entirely a bad thing. Dragon Quest's appeal lies in its sense of warm, welcoming familiarity.

Still, Dungeons has enough humor and variety to overcome its shortcomings, and the campaign throws enough curve balls at the player to make up for its strategic shallowness. It could have better pacing and a little more variety, but as it is, Dungeons is a very witty, very enjoyable surprise.

Still, Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors offers a unique blend of game genres that coalesce together into an interesting game experience. [Mar 2008, p.84]

The resulting relaunched game is worthy of its weighty legacy. "NBA Street" has a better all-around arcade-style game, but if all you care about are big dunks and big points, NBA Jam will deliver you to highlight heaven.

There’s nothing particularly special here for classic TV fans, but classic shooter fans will find a battle worth fighting.

Is PGR 3 the best racing game ever? Not quite, but it sure stands out as the most visually captivating. Even if you aren't a racing fan, the game is worth a try, just to see the Xbox 360 flexing its muscle.

If you have the patience to play a methodical strategy game wrapped around an action game facade then Acid 2 is for you. However, if you prefer direct control of your characters and disdain sorting through decks of cards then you're better off checking out the home console versions of the Metal Gear series.

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

Even though it's slightly hampered by some clunky presentation, Blue Dragon Plus is still intuitive, interesting, and has enough character and charm to set itself apart as an engaging SRPG.

Far from the best entry in the "Resident Evil" series but is an entertaining fright-night nonetheless.

Even if you don't own a 3D TV, there's value in this high-definition makeover -- even for those who've already played both Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. At the very least, the reasonably priced Origins pack should make the wait for God of War IV (of whatever the next God of War incarnation is) more bearable for fans of the series. Plus, now you can own all five God of War titles (not including the non-iOS cell phone game, Betrayal) on the PS3.

Wallace & Gromit: The Last Resort is a bit tougher than Telltale's usual adventure offerings, but if you're up for the challenge, this is one of the more quirky and adorable games in the developer's lineup.

Once the action's underway, however, ESPN NHL is old school all the way in its approach to passing and skating, but it offers the most extensive array of moves, and everything just handles butter-smooth. For sheer playability, its controls rule.

It's a sweet package for your permanent library, bu tif you've played any earlier version and aren't a Tony junkie, you can get by with a rental to check out the new stuff.

The campaign mode, however, does sport enemies with better A.I. that make the missions much tougher this time around. [Sept 2004, p.83]

If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.

A creative stab at reclaiming the essence of hog; if it only had a little more faith in its own clever idea, it probably would have broken the sound barrier.

Will only get better. And while it might not be the best WoW expansion, what it has done is helped make World of Warcraft a much better experience for beginners, while providing more than enough to keep its hardcore fans happy.

For some shooting action with a twist, Cannon Spike is a ripping good time.

It's outlandishly short (10 hours if you're good), the controls take getting used to, and the multiplayer mode's limited to only two players, but the whole of Baldur's Gate is still far greater than the sum of its parts.

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.

Has just enough new features and improvements to make it the best Hot Shots game yet. [Nov 2004, p.140]

Offers a great mix of easy accessibility, straightforward style, and pants-wetting excitement.

Dead Island probably won't redefine the survival-horror genre, but it's putting a fresh spin on things by demonstrating how online multiplayer can be used to make a fantasy world really feel inhabited by those with a common goal: survival. And the freedom to explore, exist, and eviscerate the undead the way you want is what makes Dead Island worthwhile.

At just $19.99 and probably the most engrossing story of the Resident Evil series, neither veterans nor newbies should miss RE2.

Pop delivers on its promise of providing a bubble-popping game for the Wii, and it somehow turns the premise into an unexpectedly satisfying experience.

Lara's latest riveting adventure plays like her others, and if you're a fan, you'll be instantly hooked. The control and severity of the puzzles will drive you insane at times--but no one said it would be easy.

The addition of an extended two-player mode and a vast assortment of collectible enemy-trouncing Power Jewels give it a big bonus edge.

Dead Island probably won't redefine the survival-horror genre, but it's putting a fresh spin on things by demonstrating how online multiplayer can be used to make a fantasy world really feel inhabited by those with a common goal: survival. And the freedom to explore, exist, and eviscerate the undead the way you want is what makes Dead Island worthwhile.

Some lag issues and controller preferences are the only strikes against it.

Unique and engaging in every respect—and for highbrow types who crave a challenge, this is as good as it gets.

While the visual depiction of the demons is easily Doom 3's strong point, the A.I. driving them is perhaps its weakest -- and the one thing that keeps the game from becoming a true masterpiece. In short, these guys are dumb.

Skyward Sword​ is absolutely packed with content. There's hardly any fluff to be found in the 35 hours or so it takes to complete the main quest, outside of the typically sluggish opening scenes. But I feel like Zelda should be going back to its roots and becoming less linear, rather than moreso. It's a curious decision, and I'm not sure it'll sit particularly well with longtime Zelda fans.

The auto graphics shine throughout. Whether you're into tuning or just customizing your ride, Midnight Club 3 is more than roadworthy.

A deep and engaging title that makes a worthy capstone to the epic series. Like Return of the Jedi, it brings the trilogy to a satisfying close; here's hoping that they don't mess it up by releasing a bunch of prequels.

Probably the single most annoying element, however, is the interface: a maze of endless menus. Let's just race already!

With such amazing aesthetics one would expect some other technical areas to take a few hits, notably the load-times and the sound. Yet neither is diminished, with load-times being fairly short and easily endured, and with a dramatic score that is well done and fitting.

The one-player game is a lot of fun, if perhaps a little on the short side, but at least there are plenty of side missions and things to do after you've completed the main game to help round out its lasting appeal. But I do think it's the multiplayer mode where most people will get their kicks.

The realistic fluidity of the water and the realistic properties of the fire (they spread if left unattended) are what makes this game different.

Get past the frustrating difficulty and you'll find a beautiful, rewarding game that is easily the best yet in the series.

It's juvenile, it occasionally objectionable (I'm sorry, I just don't like blasting away at bikini models, even if they are trying to kill me too) and sometimes after playing I feel like I should go take a shower. But I can't remember a game I've played recently that was so dedicated to letting the gamer have as much fun as possible any way they want to. And when it comes to having fun, Saints Row: The Third is like a big party that you don't want to see stop.

If you throw a lot of parties or have people over often, this is a good game to have on hand, especially if you're just looking to have a night of casual fun with some friends. [Feb 2008, p.82]

The real standout feature that sets this game apart is how players must manage their forces not only on the planet's surface, but also in the asteroid orbit above, and in the deep tunnels and caverns below.

Rather than being unfocused, Catherine is probably too focused, with its binary split between light adventure gameplay and challenging puzzles. But it clicks.

The one-player game is a lot of fun, if perhaps a little on the short side, but at least there are plenty of side missions and things to do after you've completed the main game to help round out its lasting appeal. But I do think it's the multiplayer mode where most people will get their kicks.

But for a reasonably priced downloadable game where you're driving/flying around in tiny vehicles, Renegade Ops certainly doesn't feel small. In fact, it's genuinely one of the most entertaining and polished action titles I've played on a digital platform.

Final is a difficult game, even with its multiple skill settings, and it relies on a gamer’s patience for trial-and-error and memorization as it does deft skill and trigger-finger firing.

Pros: Easy, accessible fun. Song list is varied and interesting. Cons: You can't sing and dance at the same time, there's no online play and the replay value is low.

It's juvenile, it occasionally objectionable (I'm sorry, I just don't like blasting away at bikini models, even if they are trying to kill me too) and sometimes after playing I feel like I should go take a shower. But I can't remember a game I've played recently that was so dedicated to letting the gamer have as much fun as possible any way they want to. And when it comes to having fun, Saints Row: The Third is like a big party that you don't want to see stop.

The great sound effects from the booming explosions and roaring jet engines from above greatly add to the war-torn ambiance, too.

If you're a Mr. Bill fan you'll undoubtedly love the senseless violence on show here, but it's worth noting that even haters like myself will get a kick out of it as well.

The solid tilt controls matched with the crazy ways that the undead jerk your van around make for an inherently enjoyable experience, and should earn Zombie Driver a solid spot in your undoubtedly expansive undead App Store collection.

Not only is it in on the joke, but it's willing to take the punchline-accompanying prat-fall and mandatory pie to the face.

As the best realization of WWII in a game to date, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway explains why war is hell - with loads of "hell yeah!" moments along the way.

It pretty much amounts to an add-on level pack, so you’d have to be ultra-hardcore about Time Crisis to spring for your own copy.

Rather than being unfocused, Catherine is probably too focused, with its binary split between light adventure gameplay and challenging puzzles. But it clicks.

A first-rate challenge for anyone with a mind for military strategy.

Despite the sluggish controls, the beautiful presentation and groundbreaking team building mode make for a very rewarding experience that Soccer fans shouldn’t miss.

Square Enix's iOS iteration of a role-playing classic is a slick upgrade on its predecessors, but this remastered port does show its age.

If you want a novel little shooter with an interesting hook, this is definitely worth the price of entry.

Clothing rippling in the wind is just one of the smooth graphic touches, and the aggressive punk/hardcore soundtrack matches Palmer’s bad-boy persona—but the sound effects aren’t terribly impressive.

It’s a fun mixture of high-speed racing with a tight balance of racing and tricks.

The game may not have the depth that some are looking for, but regardless, it'll still provide loads of fun.

A refreshing surprise—it puts back the “miracle” into the Miracle Boy’s reputation by being a top-notch freestylin’ cyclist for the PS2.

But for a reasonably priced downloadable game where you're driving/flying around in tiny vehicles, Renegade Ops certainly doesn't feel small. In fact, it's genuinely one of the most entertaining and polished action titles I've played on a digital platform.

It’s no secret that the Xbox looks the best of the bunch.

At first, I found ModNation's uneven racing to be a letdown, but what I've realized is that the game is more interesting as an open-ended content creation game; it's more LittleBigPlanet than it is Mario Kart, and if you put some effort and time into the game, you'll be rewarded with a garage full of interesting creations that will invariably bring you back to the track.

If you value gameplay over graphics, there's no just beating the standard Xbox version of Legend -- it's just much, much smoother than its Xbox 360 counterpart.

After the completion of each level, the game further reveals its plot through storyboard-style cinemas that are usually very entertaining and funny. In fact, this is probably the game's strongest suit: it's brimming with personality.

If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.

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]

Most WipeOut race fans will play Extreme G3, say, "wow, cool," and just drool over how potentially cool "WipeOut Fusion" is gonna be.

What makes this Star Fox even more appealing besides frantically avoiding asteroids and out maneuvering opponents is the outstanding visual presentation. Space never looked so sharp.