I started to get bored with everything but the game's music after a while, but a good number of crazy power-ups kept things moving later into the game.

Touches gloves and starts swinging with terrific controls and deep, exciting gameplay. It's too bad that the lackluster graphics and sounds prevent it from becoming a truly memorable champion.

A certifiably insane party game that is a must buy for any Wii owner and just further proves that the Wii is the must-have console for when you have friends over.

Your teammates at times don't respond to enemy fire and don't take cover when necessary. Enemies are just as brainless: They rush through doorways without even noticing you and your men, or run right past you unflinchingly as you're firing off rounds.

But if you're looking for a good, simple RPG that you can pick up and play without chaining yourself down, you should definitely choose Dragon Quest IV this fall. [Oct 2008, p.91]

If you like Transformers, buy this game. Even if you don't (or you just hate Michael Bay), you should still give Optimus Prime a try.

There’s a great side-quest-and-story-packed game underneath the not-so-luscious surface.

Miles better than "Kakuto Chojin," but it’s still a few short steps behind "Dead or Alive 3" and "Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance."

If you're a fan of the original Excitebike then chances are you'll certainly enjoy World Rally on the Wii. Its new look and refined gameplay offer a fresh take on a timeless classic, but be prepared to share a controller.

Overall, SvR 2009 has plenty of good points that encouraged me to overlook its sore spots.

An excellent set of unique-mini-games. [Jan 2006, p.99]

Strong voice acting and sound effects (listen for the subtle heavy breathing when running), and a patriotic score set a believable mood, while the dark, detailed, war-torn streets of New York City are almost too tangible.

There are some great innovations, like the lead pass from this year’s ESPN NBA game, that are sorely missed in the College version. This becomes a crucial factor considering rival March Madness bases its game engine on basically the same one as its newest NBA Live installment.

Though most of the songs are poppy club music, there’s a surprising amount of variety and the tunes serve their purpose perfectly. For the truly extreme, dancing across two pads offers the ultimate challenge for your skills.

The RTS genre's notoriously slower pace and complex controls can be a bit snooze-inducing to newcomers, but Red Alert 3's smooth interface, fast-paced action, crazy-ass weapons, and endlessly entertaining cheesy style should keep even the most short attention-spanned gamer engaged.

After a few plays, though, the game becomes tiresome—mostly due to repetitive gameplay and lack of balance.

To-Fu 2's difficulty can ramp up pretty quickly, but thanks to precise controls it's never a source of frustration.

DiRT is by no means for everyone. Most racing games are difficult at first, but you eventually master them. In DiRT, you are always on the verge of totaling your car. There's never a moment to screw around, because you will crash.

Rise of Nations’ biggest weakness—lack of variety—becomes obvious. Every nation is the same, except for some bonus modifiers; there really aren’t that many units; and in the end, you wind up wielding them as a jumbled horde.

The consistent mental challenge of tackling each mission is what makes it so captivating, relying on strategy over spectacle. That's not what everyone is looking for in their games, but those who are will find it in droves in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

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 Wii version of Geometry Wars is a great port and the developers overcame the one potential hurdle--the controls.

But expert scribblers will no doubt find Super Scribblenauts' enhanced approach a major net positive over simply receiving a larger batch of levels, while the rest of us finally have a user-friendly way to experience this immensely creative idea.

It's a solid Dreamcast racer, but advancing to the next level can be frustrating. Access to more cars in the beginning, customizing, and level advancement should have been tweaked.

No real levels have been added to the original arcade version, so the game ends just when you’re revving up.

The consistent mental challenge of tackling each mission is what makes it so captivating, relying on strategy over spectacle. That's not what everyone is looking for in their games, but those who are will find it in droves in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

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

A refreshing multiplayer showing overshadows the humdrum single-player game.

Instead of trying to retell the story of the movie, Cars 2 evokes the experience of the film through gameplay.

Art students, old-school gamers, and people with wild imaginations (and lots of free time) are going to love making their own masterpieces in WarioWare D.I.Y.., but if you have trouble drawing stick figures, you'll at least be able to enjoy a sizable new crop of fun, quick mini-games with tons of personality.

We praise the designers' decision to make Adol a speedy little devil, so darting around towns and inevitably retreading terrain isn't such a tedious chore.

It's a fun little title that will prove especially pleasing to those who can't wrap their heads around Rock Band or Guitar Hero. It doesn't have the addictive staying power of those two heavyweight franchises but it's an accessible rhythm game that's perfect for the casual gamer and younger rock-god wannabes alike.

Sports the best lighting effects you’ll ever see on the Dreamcast. The overall graphic quality is topnotch with sharp prerendered environments and good-looking characters.

To be sure, it's not a must-buy if you own last year's edition. (Well, unless you're a hardcore Masters fanboy. Do such things exist?) But it's another step in the right direction for the series, and an easy recommendation if you've missed a year or two.

Instead of trying to retell the story of the movie, Cars 2 evokes the experience of the film through gameplay.

Dynasty Tactics makes the sometimes slow and daunting challenge of launching grid-based military campaigns fun and entertaining.

It’s puzzling that this game could look better on the Dreamcast than on the PS2, but it does.

GGX2’s stunning anime-inspired graphics more than compensate for the lack of a Z-axis.

I'm quite taken with this roguelike; it feels like a game that came out of nowhere and hits all of the dungeon-crawl buttons -- steep challenge, lots of loots, and a ton of monsters. Throw in its humor and soundtrack and you've got a roguelike that should appeal to anyone who likes a good dungeon-crawl.

But as pretty as the game is, and as great as the soundtrack might be, the game's real draw lies in the eight amazingly detailed rumble locations. [Apr 2007, p.83]

Once you get a game going with friends or online fodder, though, On Fire Edition shows its best side, and could easily turn "one more match" into hours spent cracking jokes and laughing at every comment the announcer makes. And for a b-ball know-nothing like me, that's more than enough justification to find yourself playing a sports game. Just don't take it too seriously.

One of the biggest surprises in Orcs and Elves is the clever game design, which keeps the game engaging and fresh.

But if you've got a choice, spring for the darker, freakier Xbox version.

It's obviously aimed squarely at the hardcore DS gamer; and while the intense action and high difficulty will probably turn off the casual crowd, it's a solid shooter for anyone who's looking for a challenge. [Sept 2008, p.84]

The learning curve is steep and takes time, but the replay value in MHF is very high as there is easily 40+ hours of fun things to do.

I expect many fans will be disappointed thanks to all of the hype that's built up around the game, but the inevitable complaints about the control scheme will be warranted. [Sep 2007, p.79]

However, don't expect too much more content than new tests and more Sudoku grids. [Sep 2007, p.80]

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

Fans of the Conan books will likely be disappointed by the disjointed narrative and surprisingly dispassionate vocal performances, and most gamers will see the button-tapping mini-games and bare-breasted maidens as the hollow window-dressing they are, but Conan is still an agreeable diversion despite its obvious faults.

Hotel Dusk probably won't appeal to every DS gamer, as it requires a degree of patience and thoughtfulness that only the aged (and insane) are capable of. But anyone looking for a cerebral and deliberate challenge should definitely check out this cool and unique title; just be patient with it.

But despite all of the control issues, for my money, this is one of the most fun games I've played in a while.

As fun as hurling dozens of rockets at a time into a swarm of giant alien ants is, it will get boring after a few hours. If you're up for a shallow yet addictive and gratuitously violent shooter, you can't go wrong with Earth Defense Force. Just take a break every few hours and read a book to rebuild some of the higher brain function you just lost.

A fairly simple racing game with tons of extra content and options that keep the game fresh and challenging.

The cool platforming elements make this one worth at least a rental--if only so one can revisit the days when "Cowabunga" was a socially acceptable thing to say.

A solid title that boasts some amazing production values. It's single-player campaign tends towards mindless hack-and-slash gameplay and there are some noticeable slowdown flaws, but it's still offers up a good dose of fun, especially if you're looking for a dungeon crawler with a bit Final Fantasy flavor.

Turok is a solid enough shooter that won't wow you the way triple-A titles like "Call of Duty 4" or "Bioshock" will. [Mar 2008, p.85]

All in all, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is a pretty short game and it's not terribly challenging, but for those who appreciate the humor of the series it's likely to be an enjoyable romp. [Apr 2008, p.84]

A lot of people may be turned of by the childish themes and plot, but anyone who puts real time in with the game won't be disappointed with how it plays nor with the unexpected amount of depth there is to be found.

Tremendously fun. The subtle nuances and sheer competitiveness still make it the best realistic golf experience out there. There are nagging issues that continue to get overlooked, but whether or not you've been playing the game in years past, Tiger 07 is a must-buy for cyber golfers.

But the real fun lies in the mini-games. It's just a tad unfortunate, though, that the game really doesn't have much depth besides that. Granted, it's fun to play with another person and it's cool to play through the unique Brain Massage mode. But, if you're looking for a DS game that's going to provide hours of entertainment, you'll have better luck elsewhere.

For those looking for a nostalgic adventure game experience, you'll be pleasantly surprised, at least in function. For anyone else, Touch Detective offers a quirky and off-kilter, albeit short and at times frustrating, adventure.

Battlefield, in its best moments, is one of the most perfect and pure online experiences around. It's too bad 2142 isn't a major evolution over the titles that came before it but it's entertaining enough, and as the old saying goes, you shouldn't look a gift hovertank in the mouth.

Mario Party DS is actually a pretty good Mario Party installment, but it's ultimately meant for gamers who regularly get together with their friends for some DS gaming.

Still, it's a fun title and one worth getting for the little Star Wars fanatic in your life. [Dec 2007, p.127]

2K Sports is relegated to a distant second-place, plagued by overly complicated controls, a badly designed interface, and subpar gameplay.

Phoenix Wright fans who loved the past games and want nothing more than another docket of crazy cases to tackle will no doubt love Apollo Justice. It's a solid distillation of the franchise formula and if you haven't yet had your fill, I wholly recommend the game, because you will no doubt enjoy it. But I personally couldn't get over how derivative the game felt.

The sound becomes annoying because the same track plays on loop. Trash Panic's graphics are impressive for a pretty simple downloadable game. Maybe that's why the game is more than 1GB!

New tools and enemies are introduced throughout the adventure mode's more than 80 levels, which helps keep things interesting. [Apr 2008, p.84]

The game is also rather short, but when every outrageous environment is so chock full of goodies, and the atmosphere so relentlessly positive, it's still hard to resist playing just one more time.

Enjoyable enough that it warrants a look but it just doesn't play to its strengths well enough to stand toe-to-toe with the current champions of the next-generation racing world.

It's quick to pick up and easy to put down which is everything a portable game should be.

The saving grace in this title is the level design. A living breathing world has never looked so good.

While the tapping for some reason can occasionally be imprecise, leaving the gameplay feeling a little less tight than it could've been, Mister Slime is definitely solid enough (despite being...yeah, slimy) to warrant a look for the puzzle adventure set.

This is a good first step but the graphics need to be improved upon, the control scheme needs to be tightened up, and little things like the character creation system and the mission types need to be expanded upon.

Stuntman: Ignition isn't for everyone, and even enthusiastic wannabe performers will occasionally cry out in frustration if they play for too long at a stretch, but it's still as good an execution of this offbeat concept as you're ever likely to see, and a welcome online departure from straight-laced racing purism.

The game is gritty and dull to a fault and it doesn't have the same sense of humor that made the past titles so entertaining. What humor there is tends to be painfully blunt - the first four hours are like one long un-funny redneck joke, for example.

For what it is, with voiceovers from the actors, what I imagine is probably movie soundtrack, and some excellent-looking, swift racing with seriously fun combat stunts, Speed Racer: The Videogame is awesome.

No online multiplayer! Not like we generally expect that from Wii games, but we should be able to by now.

The game's youngster charm ultimately ends up as its greatest strength and weakness. Off the Rails does a great job in appealing to a younger crowd, which is encouraging for those looking for a good holiday gift; however, its cheesy style is lost on anyone over the age of 12.

While it lasts, though, the game is a fun and enjoyable way to blow off some steam; light-gun junkies should definitely take a look at this one.

However, Liberation is a worthy new chapter in the Killzone series and does more right than it does wrong. [Dec. 2006, p.122]

What works about Excite Truck? Simply put, its use of the Wii Remote provides a more tactile feel to an otherwise straightforward destruction derby racer. Without the Wii's controller, Excite Truck would barely be worth a glance.

The time travel themed story is ineffectively told and the enemy AI is rather brain-dead. You'll also face overwhelming numbers during most battles but the good thing is that your time powers provide a nice edge.

Thankfully, one of the earlier problems with the game - the lack of tables - has been somewhat resolved with the release of two new tables since Pinball FX came out several months ago, though players will undoubtedly take issue with the rather tardy release of new tables.

Battalion Wars 2 is a solid title with a hearty single player mode, a decent amount of unlockable content and a fun online component.

The courtroom antics of Phoenix Wright are well worth the trip, even if the formula hasn't changed.

You'll laugh out loud in your time spent with Work Time Fun. You'll even become thoroughly immersed in what you're playing, despite its ridiculousness, and for thirty bucks, this is a game you should definitely consider adding to your PSP collection.

As I said, Chocobo's Dungeon isn't perfect but it still manages to offer up enough fun to make you keep going. [July 2008, p.83]

We were also dismayed at how quickly the game lost its appeal; a few levels of the same old, same old and we were ready to call it quits. Beyond a few interesting boss fights, it rarely strays from its simplistic "kill everything and move on" formula.

There were definitely moments when I wanted to chuck my controller across the room because one of its minor design flaws sent me to a cheap and unfair death. And yet, there were also moments when the game clicked for me and I really did feel like I was a damaged super spy on the run.

Despite some glaring flaws. the game is worth a look if you loved the novels and the movie. [Feb 2008, p.78]

Old Digimon fans will absolutely love this game; it's a repackaging of the older Digimons, but with much more to do. However, new fans may be a bit wary approaching a game like Digimon World DS.

For all its frustrations, Professor Layton does have its merits. The overall vibe of the game is charming and immensely likeable and the basic game mechanic is solid. There is also a ton of things to do: aside from the puzzles, there are other neat extras that I'll let you discover on your own.

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

Still a blast to play, and with online multiplayer and CPU controlled bots readily available from the get-go, you'll never find yourself fighting a battle alone. It may not be deep, but it sure as hell is fun.

Its steep learning curve and the overly convoluted quest system makes it fall short of what could have been a first-rate title.

Guitar Hero 3 for the Wii rocks. While the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are easier on the eyes as well as the ears, the Wii version is home to the best guitar controller of the lot, features an engaging online mode, and plays just as nice.

Age of Booty is an admirable attempt at making a fun RTS game on consoles. While its simplicity might be a turnoff for some, it is at least worth a look.