For some inexplicable reason, it’s addictive. These types of games are perfect for portable systems, too…simple and endlessly replayable.

Clumsy computer A.I. and awful multiplayer games nick this game to only a single-player and a nice rental adventure.

Combine the dull career mode, spin-out crazy physics and average graphics, and you get a ride evoking the same emotions when DX Civics buzz down the street late-night with coffee-can mufflers.

Does a fair job of showing off the PSP's technical prowess. As a fairly straightforward hack-and-slash RPG, Untold Legends fits the bill. Just don't expect it to match the bliss that is "Diablo II."

It's as mindless as they come, and combing over the uninspired levels looking for needles in haystacks isn’t particularly fun, but if you're looking for a PS2 meatgrinder of a game, Wayward’s a top candidate.

The result, though a little awkward, is a hybrid with neither the depth of a true RPG nor the frenetic pace and art design of a pure-bred shooter. Both sides of the experience are fun, but less than stellar.

There are minor disappointments - the vehicles can't compare to those of Halo 2, and some of the environments are a bit bland amid the stylized design and saturated colors of others - but the end sum experience is so engaging and empowering that you'll easily forgive the shortcomings.

Schizoid has a slick, artsy look and is simple, yet elegant. This game is addictive and a lot of fun for those seeking a distinctive experience based on traditional top down shooters.

Flock! packs a mean graphical punch, as the animals are adorable even when running for their lives. The sounds are cute for the game, even in the idea of abduction. But even with loads of replay value, something seems off, whether it's your general control over the game or ability to master it and feel like you conquered and defeated it. That's just not there. But maybe for you, it is -- only one way to find out.

Beyond the fantastic gameplay on the battlefield, Grandia Xtreme doesn’t offer a complete RPG package.

While still basically a Pokémon clone, Robopon 2 is a far better game than the short and unsatisfying Game Boy Color original.

As a bonus (although some would see this as a reason to buy the game), TRON 2.0 also includes the full versions of both the original "TRON" arcade game and the "Discs of TRON" arcade game. Control in both is spot on, with "Discs of TRON" using the shoulder buttons for targeting.

Raw has all the pomp and circumstance of the WWF without all the good gameplay and fun that drove older WWF titles.

A strong four-player Season mode does not a great wrestling game make. Raw 2 is a poor showing for a decent franchise. Its detailed Season mode is its only real virtue, and even that isn’t half of what it could have been.

Helping out the younger GameCube fans with its “easy operation” system and keeping all the arcade trappings for the older crowd sounds like a good idea, but Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO comes up short.

I would recommend this game to experienced RPG fans who want something light to play on the side but anyone expecting a worthwhile journey through Dorothy's adventures will walk away disappointed.

In an incredibly cool turn of events, you'll also be flipping your DS upside-down and side-ways, as some of the mini-games flip the top and bottom screens around in some innovative ways.

For all its simplicity, there's no denying that Serious Sam HD has enough old-school charm and addictive gameplay to make it a worthwhile purchase for gamers that just want to get some killing done the old fashioned way: with a portable ship cannon, gatling gun and four-barreled rocket launcher in your pocket.

This zombie hero would have been better off left for dead.

True-blue Medal of Honor fans will still enjoy Rising Sun’s cinematic style, respectful and historically accurate atmosphere, and heavily arcade feel. But for many, the game will feel too familiar in a fast-food way, lacking that old Medal of Honor magic.

With its martial arts action, Kung Fu Chaos is a bit like "Mario Party" with a mean streak.

Reverie only lasts a couple of hours, and the motion comic cutscenes are a little disappointing. Still, Castlevania fans won't want to miss it -- even in spite of its quasi-cliffhanger ending.

There isn't much originality in the tower defense genre, but browser-port GemCraft adds RPG elements and additional modes that help separate it from the masses.

I can't imagine playing it top to bottom, but as a discounted novelty to pop in every now and then, We Ski is a good time.

Despite its shortcomings, Operation: Anchorage is a must own for Fallout 3 owners. It may be short and sweet, but anything that can add life to a title this good deserves needs to be played.

Being the mother of rhythm games, Beatmania has been around before Dance Dance Revolution ever got popular. It took a long time, but it's finally here, and rhythm game fans everywhere should be rejoicing.

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.

Kain’s modus operandi of grim human slaughter is so distressingly delightful.

The graphic and sound departments could have used just as much depth. Instead, the visuals are reminiscent of how the first-generation PS2 games look—not refined with average detail.

This will definitely fit the bill when you need your free-roaming Guilt trip, but there are better GBA fighting games on the market.

Zombie Apocalypse 2: Never Die Alone is far from terrible.

For $5, you get a great-looking game as finely-tuned as any of Cave's other arcade-style games, making it more than the sum of its parts. Anyone into platforming action should give Nin2-Jump a go.

For only $10, Fancy Pants Adventures offers gamers plenty of bang for their buck. If you are up to the challenge, and don't mind the game's occasionally derivative feel, you'll be pleased with your purchase.

I can't really recommend Metal Slug XX if you're not already an established fan of the franchise, and in all honesty, I have a bit of trouble recommending it if you've already purchased Metal Slug 7.

This latest HD collections doesn't hit the high-water mark set by similar releases, such as the amazing Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection, but those craving a classic stealth-action romp will want to don the night vision goggles for this three-for-the-price-of-one package.

In the process of being brought to the PSP, Legends changed into an occasionally enjoyable though altogether disappointing title that mimics much of Laura's older works than the material it supposedly draws from.

It only takes a few minutes of playing Mario & Sonic at the Olympics to understand that this isn't so much a game as it is a marketing tool to promote the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The orchestral score and voice acting are good, and the detailed graphics are incredibly well animated, but those features and Tolkien’s story aren’t enough to distinguish this game from all the other strategy titles out there.

The targeting system is well executed, but the camerawork is not. In enclosed areas it can go ballistic, often pointing in a direction that obscures your enemies.

Quotation forthcoming.

If you want a battle simulator with support roles and a grand tactical battlefield, play MAG. If you want an old-school test of reflexes and headshot-ing skill, SOCOM 4 is just what the grenade spamming sniper doctor ordered.

A solid racer, but it is definitely not for everyone. Take it out for a spin only if you're familiar with rally racing. Otherwise, this niche sport is worth passing up.

Series fans'll eat it up , but others may want to contemplate whether learning the Digiropes is something they're really willing to invest in.

Awesome action makes up for several shortcomings including a spastic camera and random technical glitches. Web of Shadows delivers the best combat system of any Spider-Man game to date and intense boss battles to go with it. An imperfect effort, but an entertaining one nonetheless.

This is one solidly constructed action game that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's called "camp" man. Check it out. [Mar 2002, p.98]

Fans of the Battle Network series will delight in the further adventures of Lan and Mega Man, but everyone else is warned to stay clear. [Aug 2004, p.78]

Frustratingly difficult, and even knowing what you need to do to succeed doesn’t mean you will, thanks to a horrible in-game map and unintuitive and difficult controls.

Chaotic, fun Dynasty Warriors–style action that lacks DW’s up-front variety (only four characters) but makes up for it with a more complete battle system and a fantasy setting that’s easier to get into.

Unless you're completely jaded or prefer games with darker themes, Rhapsody is a fun and whimsical RPG that definitely warrants a look. [Oct 2008, p.93]

I had a lot of fun with both the HD and classic versions of the game. Once I put in the time to really get a handle on the controls, Gravity Hook became a high score-focused game that I could whip out and play any time, making it a title that'll be a mainstay on my Apple devices for a long time to come.

Pick it up if you're buying it for the original experience of PaRappa the Rapper, for the classic gameplay that is still...classic. Think of it as retro--not the next hot thing--and enjoy it as an episode of games gone by.

Those able to play Shadowrun with an open mind and invest the time to learn the game will find one of the deeper online FPS games to date.

Non–Dragon Ball Z fans, however, may have a hard time not only grasping the quirky DBZ story, but also wrapping their fingers around the repetitious controls.

Could this game be any slower?

The sound is purely 8-bit NES quality; in short, the music needs to die. The control interface, however, is quite inspired.

Merely an interesting take on The Lord of the Rings license instead of the great game it could have been. [Jan 2005, p.103]

Gamers who are used to contemporary titles may find this one a little too simplistic and old for their tastes but if you can look beyond that, you'll be treated to an amazing rendition of a classic console RPG. [July 2007, p.86]

Clearly, this version of Spider-Man 2 looks and plays better than on Nintendo's DS. But with some control wonkiness plagued throughout the game, Spidey doesn't spin an entire web of delight.

Wacky camera angles that can be frustrating and difficult to adjust during heated battles plague every level.

Delivers a burly extreme experience that doesn’t feel like it was cloned.

Even though a better BMX game—"Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX"—has been released since the first Dave Mirra, the core gameplay of Mirra hasn’t been much improved, just expanded.

Compared to the price of the console game, for 3 dollars, Battlefield 2: Bad Company HD is a bargain, yet one banking heavily on its multiplayer for replayability.

An RPG classic revitalized and re-engineered from the ground up, this decades-old adventure holds its own in this remarkably solid remake.

A mediocre title that won't exactly leave you bragging to your friends about your shiny new toy.

While Resident Evil Code: Veronica X remains an interesting (and difficult) side-story in the Resident Evil franchise, an impressive coat of HD polish just can't make up for terrible controls and archaic game design.

Mahjong Cub3D is intriguing and unique, but the concept doesn't quite work that well.

If not for the low price-point, I'd recommend Robot Unicorn Attack: HME for the hard-rocking sountrack alone.

In this case, I think simpler would have been better. Stripping out some of the needless camera angles and the slow-mo would make it to focus on Kill Team's strengths, like the fact that it's impressively fun to annihilate a horde of Orks with a rocket launcher. As it is, Kill Team is a reasonably fun promotional vehicle for Space Marine, but a sloppy one.

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.

The addition of two-player modes makes PaRappa more of a party experience and extends the game's life beyond novelty. The story is just plain weird, but it's still a great hoot.

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.

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.

If you just wanna run around and bust heads, this mindless, Mature-rated game is for you!

Is $8 a bad price for a game like Spaceball: Revolution? No. Is putting the game on a console rather than a mobile device such as the iPhone or iPod Touch limiting its appeal? I think so.

Sadly, when considering this game's origins, Trials and Tribulations on WiiWare looks and sounds like nothing more than -- yet another -- lazy port to the console.

Graphic adventures have a fairly set audience, and if you haven't liked other games that force you to scan a screen, pixel-hunting for clues, then Red Johnson is nowhere near different enough to change your mind. But fans of the old-school definitely won't find another game like this on PSN.

Despite a few fresh ideas, Haunting Ground is no classic. The thin story relies too often on clich? and titillation, the villains aren't terribly frightening, and the gameplay becomes too predictable too quickly.

It becomes especially maddening when you're trying to navigate a heavily developed city where one errant mouse click can banish an otherwise productive structure to the ether.

Harmony of Despair is a beautiful achievement, but the poor gameplay and frustrating design is a huge stain on an otherwise colorful canvas.

Astonishingly average. Tsugunai scores for hosting some original ideas…but then compensates with truly boring presentation.

Though the story has a great moral, how it’s shown through gameplay and style doesn’t earn this RPG big points.

I realize that what I liked most where the DC characters and comic book cut scenes at the end of missions. But $15 a month is a lot to pay for only one or two of those -- and if the developer tried to make five or more for content updates every month, I don't know how the company could keep up the pace.

Sticking to a basic and virtually flawless RPG format isn't necessarily a bad way to introduce X and his frieinds to a turn-based style of gameplay. [Nov 2004, p.156]

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.

In no other game, however, will you be cleaved in half by a bull who screams, "Long live vegetarianism," and love it like in Cel Damage.

In the end, East India Company is a game that manages to merge effectively its twin themes of trading and naval combat. Unfortunately its also a game that is plagued with several important interface issues that make the game more frustrating and tedious than it really should be.

It isn't the best open-world game out there, but it does a sublime job of capturing what it feels like to be the head of a virtual crime family. [Apr 2009, p.81]

The total lack of a cluttered HUD, the animation, and the graphic detail are all good points, but lazy mistakes and no palpable sense of fear make Extermination more annoying than alarming.

Despite these minor gripes about the camera and the game's A.I., Treasure of the Sorcerer King is a good gaming experience and an exhilarating encounter for any fan of Lupin the Third. [Mar 2004, p.64]

But aside from a boring narrative and some excessive backtracking, the cute art aesthetic and challenging platforming make this a satisfactory experience.

Full Auto 2 is certainly worth a rental, if only for the high-resolution destruction, but it's plagued by too many other irritating issues to be a true candidate for purchase.

As it stands, it's the third best next-gen off-road racing title I've played and while third place won't get you the checkered flag, it still gets you onto the winner's podium.

The collection itself is great, but the way it's been fleshed out is really impressive. The full-fledged treatment of each game makes this edition of Namco Museum really feel like a museum.

For Warhammer 40k fans, this game's a no-brainer but even if you're unfamiliar with the franchise, Squad Command is a quality turn-based strategy game that deserves serious consideration.

Despite the flaws in some of the camera angles, Blood Will Tell is still an enjoyable game. Even if you have to gruel out some time with the local monsters in between, the boss fights are really what this game is about as they come plentiful.

You have to wonder if games like this are best left to the Wii. As consoles become more sophisticated so should the games.

Fragile Dreams is touching at some moments and irritating at others, but taken as a whole, it's an adventure that's worthy of your time.

Unfortunately, for all its charm and interesting controls, the game is seriously hard. It requires a large degree of precision and finesse in your movements--a single misstep and you can wave goodbye to Dewy.