What the game lacks in the bells and whistles department, it makes up for in its insane depth.

It's twisted fun for a while, but then it starts to get old.

A decent next phase for Turok.

Overall, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is a good game for its target demographic -- children who will use the game's many unlockable codes to access various digital goodies on the Neopets website.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Hardcore Super Mario fans no doubt know that the collection could have had more value, but they've likely already picked up the game based on the nostalgia factor alone. The other crowd that will probably purchase this collection is the Wii owners that have enjoyed the plumber's other Wii adventures, but aren't internet-savvy enough to plumb the depth of the Wii Shop Channel. The middle ground -- gamers who respect the franchise, but aren't exactly fanboys for it (Genesis owners, I'm looking at you) -- should be aware that the collection is a few bucks too high (or a few games too short) of being a worthwhile purchase.

Even with these minor additions, Modern Hits never really justifies itself as an upgrade from the stellar Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades. Still, any on-the-go rock star is bound to have a blast with the ageless GH gameplay, not to mention the return of plenty of classic characters and brand new venues.

A very standard platform game marred by a wonky camera.

If you're willing to look past the game's numerous flaws and use it as a nostalgia engine for a good time with a pack of friends, it's absolutely worth the money. But if you want a skillful, fun beat-em-up to play seriously for high scores and brag-worthy single credit completion, then you'll want to look elsewhere.

While this shooter hasn’t been a total hit in the arcades, Confidential Mission is right on target for the Dreamcast.

Fun at first, but soon becomes repetitiveboth in terms of the Punisher's actions and the criminals' voice responses. Add to that weak graphics and animation, as well as not enough opportunities to "enjoy" Punisher's originality, and you end up with an adventure that turns a bit stale too quickly.

The levels are sparse and yawn inducing, and the storyline just isn't that attention-grabbing.

This charming shooter packs an endearing visual style and a solid control scheme, but some glaring flaws make it hard to recommend over the App Store's other great action titles.

Ultimate Band DS won't suit anyone looking for a hardcore music experience, even on the DS.

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.

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.

A refreshing, original, and compelling twist on the 3D platformer, Herdy Gerdy rises above its potentially dull premise.

Developer Novarama deserves praise for what they've accomplished with "augmented reality" gameplay on the PSP. Even though the actual game isn't anywhere near as engaging as it could be, it definitely brings more to the table than what I've seen from most other Pokemon knock-offs.

Military strategists will certainly enjoy the close-up and personal tactics you must employ in the game. But for action shooters, Ten Hammers might be a bit too slow-paced--there's more running around than actual bullets-flying situations.

While the game's aesthetics and design is spot on to the franchises distinct style, gameplay teeters between fluidly fast-pace action and insanely difficult and tedious game segments.

I liked the deep strategy but I was as frustrated as I was entertained. [Aug 2009, p.83]

What really counts here is the gameplay, and in that sense, Regeneration is a fitting tribute to the films. It's great, gory fun to hack limbs off your Deadite foes, and the targeting and combo system are up to the challenge...even if the camera angles suffer from time to time.

Between the cute 2-D graphics, the comfortable, nostalgic soundtrack, and the super addictive "Just one level further!!" game flow, my wander-lust is on full blast. Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer is a great way to dip a toe in the rogue like pool.

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

For diehard Potter fans and those who walk away from the movie with stars in their eyes, the game will hold some value, especially in the unlockable videos and interviews with the cast and staff members of the movie and games. However, the rest of you Muggles should definitely stick to the novels and the power of your imagination to get you in a magical state of mind.

A good college football package that doesn't dazzle, but makes the grade.

The GameCube controller responds well, and both the silly speech quips and the Offspring punk tunes sound great.

The pistol is one of the most satisfying I've handled since scoring head shots with Halo's popular handgun, and when you're shouldering the rocket launcher, your character fills nearly a third of the screen with an impressively threatening presence. Most of the gadgets and features from the online conquest mode carry into the solo campaign, too.

Fusion: Genesis is an ambitious title that is well presented, but I can't help feeling XBLA is the wrong platform for it. The slow pace of gameplay is more suited to a PC title, and the interface, which is cumbersome and unclear to navigate with a controller, would work just fine with a mouse.

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

There's some good fun to be had in Destruction Derby Raw, just don't expect it to blow your tires off.

Has all the realism most gamers will want, plus plenty of mini-games to keep you challenged.

Inexplicably Fun.

Prisoner of Azkaban’s faithfulness to the book, mesmerizing graphics, and captivating score are a treat for Potter fans.

Taken with a healthy dose of tolerance, D-2 really shouldn't be a bad game to add to your collection..

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.

Though sometimes slow and laborious, .hack//G.U. Vol.1 Rebirth is a well thought out update to the series, and is a welcome addition to the growing dot hack family.

Trouble Witches Neo is a fantastic value for its price: It's easily one of the best shooters on XBLA, and offers a depth of play and wealth of content that will keep you coming back for more. While it's still a bit rough around the edges, the core game is so solid that you can't help but be charmed.

WET's sassy style and minimalistic gameplay give it a tasty enough flavor that you won't find anywhere else, but like movie theater popcorn, you can only consume so much of it before you're hungry for something with a bit more substance.

To be blunt, The Conduit is a by the numbers shooter that offers a couple of thrills but ultimately doesn't make much of an impact.

A very brief but worthwhile addition to any Castlevania fan’s collection, but the uninitiated may find that the game’s platform-hopping techniques are behind the times.

The controls feel stiff at first and aren't configurable (lame!), but racing pros will like learning to finesse tight responses from the controller.

The retooled pitcher/batter interface has some cool options, yet the defensive controls—this year’s big addition—are infuriatingly hit-and-miss.

Playing Downhill Jam is like watching an infomercial at three in the morning: it's sort of amusing and it passes the time but you're not enthralled by what's going on, either.

BloodRayne: Betrayal is a lot like how I'd imagine being a vampire would be. Initially my newfound powers would be awesome and invigorating. Eventually though, immortality would inevitably lead to weariness. Thankfully, Rayne's six hour jaunt requires less commitment than a vampire's unholy contract, and while it may not be a life-changing event, its seductive pull is worth having a taste of.

When all's said and done, MagnaCarta 2 isn't terribly unique, and you won't remember much about it a few months after you're done with it. But what lies at the game's core is an appealing, well-crafted charm I found very fun. MagnaCarta 2's twisting road doesn't tread much new ground, but it's still an engaging ride regardless.

But with so many better looking and better playing b-ball games available, it's tough to recommend NBA Ballers: Phenom for anything beyond a kitschy weekend rental or a late night study break.

Blitz is no work of art. It's quirky, bizarro entertainment that grabs you like a swift kick to the testosterone sack and is best played live with guys in an M-rated atmosphere.

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.

Despite the intended scope of the game, Haven’s sights and sounds are barely average.

Things get frantic quickly, so it'll be challenging to last for more than a few minutes for most players.

Visually, all three games have been retouched to look much sharper, while the audio remains standard fare: cool gun effects and hokey voices. [Mar 2004, p.63]

Sadly, the game falters during certain combat segments. While the control mechanics enable locking in on an attacker, at times, there are so many charging that it’s difficult to target a particular one.

If you can get over the fact that you might be using hints often, even if you're an old hand at adventure games, City of Secrets offers a few hours of cute 'n' clever entertainment at a respectable price, though younger kids will probably get the most out of it.

Fortunately, checkpoints are doled out steadily -- which is good, since missions can last over an hour. Along the same lines, you have to reconcile your play style with what the mission calls for in your loadout: In an escort mission, say, would you rather stay close to the front lines, or provide more backup? You can only carry two guns, and the default pair never felt ideal for me. Here's where you're encouraged to truly experiment, because your performance affects how much you can upgrade stats like combat-readiness or how long you can run without getting winded. It's just too bad that your performance will suffer because you had to babysit your wingmen.

Even with its faults this game is a great value. Other arcade titles with fun, solid gameplay, simple controls, and this many customizable features will run you between $10-$20, but lucky you, you get Battlefield Heroes for free.

The game is tough, and not in a good way. You better tighten up that Wii Remote strap because you will feel the urge to throw the controller through the television, especially early in the game, before Sonic gets a lot of his abilities. But once you get Sonic up to speed, the game is fun, but still really challenging.

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.

Frequent glitches and game engine freak-outs contribute to an overall less-than-mediocre graffiti/fighting/platforming hybrid.

Shoot'em up purists won't be deterred by these issues as "Joint Strike" does have something to offer, especially when playing with a partner. But for most gamers, who after buying the game have already put their 40 quarters on the arcade cabinet glass, some continues should have been included.

Golf: Tee It Up! loses points for its minimalist approach (only 2 courses and limited character customization doesn't help) but because it still has a full-game-for-the-price-of-an-arcade-game feel, attractive visuals, and holds the promise of more downloadable content in the future, it's a great value.

However, I realize there is indeed a market for this kind of game, and for those looking for a fun (albeit masochistically hard) old-school RPG, there is no better place to go than The Dark Spire. [Apr 2009, p.80]

SWAT’s action isn’t of the highest caliber. But with 21 levels, some cool concepts, and great multiplayer support, it’s a fine rental for most and an enjoyable mission for FPS fans.

You can easily beat the game in one sitting -- pretty disappointing, especially for "Strider" veterans.

A poor fighting system + awkward cameras + endlessly respawning, cookie-cutter bad guys = (it turns out) hours of frustrating, ruin-your-day gameplay.

Even if you're new to the series, this is a nice, easy way to get the gist of Monster Hunter without going through the motions of the main games' early quests and other tutorials.

In the end, Order of War is a typical World War II RTS through and through. It does what its supposed to do, namely provide two campaigns and some skirmish play, but that's about it.

Something else that blindsided me was the killer sense of speed. Dropping behind the wheel of a Charger or Cobra for a quick race was immediately satisfying and while NITRO definitely suffers from low-res car models and building textures, that doesn't stop the game from feeling frighteningly fast.

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.

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]

The inability of this series to learn from its mistakes is baffling. You'll often find yourself fighting enemies you can't see because some decorative element in the foreground entirely blocks your view, and you've zero control over the camera.

Ghosthunter's main flaw is that it fails to develop a cohesive and believable internal logic; abilities like astral projection are accessible only at specific locations and only useful in highly contrived situations. [Sept 2004, p.85]

A great start for this sequel to FFIV. The bad part is that while 800 and 300 points sound small you’re going to be spending roughly 3700 points ($40) to get the full experience. That’s a big chunk of change for a DLC title, so being a fan of Final Fantasy is a must.

Oni looks bad, sounds bad, and plays even worse -- all of the anticipation for this game is left unfulfilled.

Enough options to keep off-road enthusiasts tearing up the dirt for quite some time, and the physics and damage modeling is a nice surprise. However, Insane, never really makes you say "Wow!" It's a solid, but not exceptional racing game that won't lock you up in an asylum (as the title suggests).

There’s nothing wrong with Mario Party 5 as it stands, but the next installment sure could use an overhaul to freshen the formula.

While Runespell: Overture is a solid first attempt from developer Mystic Box, it ultimately feels more like an appetizer than a main course.

I really enjoyed my brief time with Ivy: it's a well-made game with broad appeal (unless you're a person who refuses to play anything that doesn't have bullets in it).

The minigames will wear thin quickly for adults, while the management will prove too confusing for the little ones. If you love building roller coasters or playing party games with your buddies, you'd be better off with Rollercoaser Tycoon or Mario Party.

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]

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.

At first, combat seems too twitchy and simplistic, while the training sequences last too long, but as you grow in power, and unlock your substantial latent wealth of special moves and combination plays, the rich combat possibilities reveal themselves.

Silent Line’s claim to fame is the new first-person view, which looks very cool but ups the practice requirements, too.

Far from a bad game. Stellar art and a darkly unique stage help set it apart from the brown and bloom of this console generation, and Spicy Horse should no doubt be commended for their approach to an underfed genre in the HD-gen platformer.

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.

Poor controls, frustrating gameplay and a repetitive single-player mode mean it's three strikes and you're out for Mario and his friends.

By the last level of the first world the game had become absolutely brutal. Don't get me wrong -- I think it's an excellent game that's perfect for the platform, but I wound up more stressed than anything else while playing those more difficult levels.

Despite it's aesthetic weaknesses, Sempai Legends is a good trading-card game and definitely a match for its competitors.

While the mini-games are cool, you will sadly spend most of your time fighting to control your drunken gun sight, and practice only yields marginal improvements.

The strong story and voice acting make the game a must play, but the skimpy replay value leaves something to be desired.

While CNK may not break new ground, it does a quality job of delivering another kart racer in Crash’s universe. It will put gamers' mettle to the test and offer hours of "wait, one more time..." gameplay.

This top-down arcade game based on Burnout's Crash mode is addictive, but it could've used a little more focus on mindless carnage and less on planning and repetition.

Even if the missions are lousy and the combat sucks, there's undeniable appeal in bumping into a real-world actor playing Morpheus or the Architect.

Graphics and sound alone can't save sub-par gameplay, however, and even the most staunch WWII shooter fan won't find much to enjoy with Heroes 2.

I was amused by Bloons TD 4 at first, but after a while the game's nagging balancing issues became more and more apparent.

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.

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.

Fans of Conan will appreciate this game as much as hack-and-slash fans who've never heard of the franchise. It's a lot of fun, challenging without being frustrating and all in all, a great example of its genre.