Most troublesome of all is the timed aspect of the levels -- they suck all the fun out of fooling around with paint. I wasn't a fan of the timed segments in the first game, either, but at least those were optional segments and not required gameplay to advance the story.

All things considered, Blazblue Continuum Shift II is a serviceable -- though hardly spectacular -- port of a superb fighting game. It's nice to have if you ever feel the odd itch to practice combos while you're waiting at the doctor's office, but there's no way you'd ever choose to play this over the console edition if you had the two in front of you. Let's hope the next Arc fighting game to see release on the 3DS takes the system's functionality (and quirks) into more consideration next time.

The major bones of contention are the clunky controls, clumsy camera, and awkward targeting system.

Probably best appreciated by newcomers to the Yu-Gi-Oh game who want to learn how to play.

Ultimately, Naval Warfare is a decent arcade shooter. Unfortunately, the storyline is confusing and the levels are inconsistent in difficulty--many levels are maddeningly easy, while others are suddenly extremely difficult. This makes for a frustratingly uneven campaign experience, and because upgrades are level-specific, there's little reason to want to replay this title. Multiplayer isn't much better, as it's limited by the fact that you're unable to make custom maps or play online.

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

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.

I'm really looking forward to seeing if Activision can fix the bugginess of this initial release and, if possible, keep a steady stream of song packs coming in the near future.

The whole game feels bloated, like it’s trying to do too many things at once, and the new character-oriented career mode is uninspired.

Interacting with the animals and learning their different idiosyncrasies is compelling and fun, but it takes a backseat to the conventional platformer mechanics that the genre is slowly leaving behind.

With its sloppy controls and a total lack of online multiplayer mode - that's right, the Wii version has no "spies vs. mercenaries," battles, just a poorly implemented split-screen mode - it's tough to justify this version's existence.

Cute but ultimately disposable, the pretty Pac-age doesn’t take advantage of the Xbox’s visual prowess.

The game has its pluses, and for old and new Astro Boy fans, you could do a lot worse. And for those who just want to experience the unbridled power of shooting hundreds of bullets out the ol' poop shoot, you should know that it's not as fun as it sounds.

If you're looking for casual puzzling that gives you plenty of game time for your buck, Mini-Land Mayhem is decent for fans and great for newcomers. Let's just hope that next time, Nintendo does a major overhaul instead of a tiny tune-up.

This game is the definition of good, stupid fun, and I mean that in the best way possible.

For fans wanting a return to the franchise's classic roots, I feel like Kirby's Return to Dream Land is apt to be a bit disappointing. The charm is still there, but the creativity seems to have gone amiss.

With so many inconsistencies, Finest Hour just doesn't live up to its PC forefather. Alone on the consoles, this is one World War II moment that's better rented than bought.

It's a decent football sim thanks to its excellent Dynasty Mode; and the new tackling physics, custom playbooks, and other features are sorely needed additions. But we're deep into this generation, and expectations have been raised for sports games (and pretty much everything else). So why does it feel like I'm playing a game that should have come out in 2008?

Just don't expect to get too much fulfillment from the single-player game unless you've recently been lobotomized.

Triple Play's biggest new feature -- cursor-based pitching and batting -- is also its biggest shortcoming.

Rather than melding together the best aspects of the games which obviously influenced it, Urban Reign instead only manages a watered down stew of fighting elements that taste more like an appetizer than a main course.

It's a decent football sim thanks to its excellent Dynasty Mode; and the new tackling physics, custom playbooks, and other features are sorely needed additions. But we're deep into this generation, and expectations have been raised for sports games (and pretty much everything else). So why does it feel like I'm playing a game that should have come out in 2008?

There are much better action games out on the PSP than this one, so pass it by unless you're obsessed with Star Wars.

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t maintain any long-term interest: defusing problems and room-swapping tenants are more work than fun and the process becomes tiresome after the third stage or so.

Hit-or-miss, mushy controls mean you're dead more often than not even though combat with Deadites is a simple button-smashing slugfest.

Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 isn't the best series installment, but it's far from a disaster.

Efforts made to envelop you in Warhammer’s medieval yet technological world are undone by sending you hunting for the blue door’s blue key - only to reveal a red door with a similar keyless predicament.

An unstable mix of ambitious ideas and poor execution makes Aidyn a case of too little, far too late.

While I salute Flower, Sun and Rain for its innovation and uniqueness, its mind-boggling puzzles met with surreal gameplay makes for one hell of a trip in every sense of the word.

The combination of a mostly-uninteresting puzzle mechanic, and many missed opportunities make what could have been a great game, a good one.

It's certainly true that there are no official "endings" to these types of games, but once you've masterd all the songs and unlocked all the hidden features, there isn't much to do. [Nov 2004, p.106]

$2.99 for a portable version of a free web game doesn't sound too bad, but that better games exist on the iOS leaderboard shooter market (Geometry Wars or Alive 4 Ever if you're looking for a zombie fix) makes Zombie Wars a tough sell.

Hard to digest. The visuals are strictly low-budget with splotchy, blocky graphics.

Ultimately, while you can see the developer's good intentions, the lack of emphasis placed on some fundamental aspects mar what would otherwise be a solid sequel. Yet, the online battles are still intact and run and play well, so if one tires of the campaign, he can take out his camera/control frustrations on other Star Wars devotees who are also looking for some catharsis.

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]

Unfortunately, Dead to Rights II maintains its predecessor's graphics and camera glitchiness.

The core gameplay is great--the counters are brilliant and the energy stays high--yet it isn't enough to be chosen as more than a casual distraction.

This vivid presentation also brings immense charm to Hail to the Chimp. Clever political ad parodies and LOL-worthy faux TV spots are more entertaining than actually playing the game itself. Dropping $40 for a bunch of cartoons doesn't sound like a good deal though.

Though maddening at times, it's easy to see Another World's rigidly scripted cinematic nature as a precursor to modern linear blockbusters like Uncharted, making it a fascinating, albeit antiquated curio.

This game is not for the faint of heart and should be reserved for those that enjoy repetitive battles and watching badly built sprites bumble across their television screen.

A perfectly run-of-the-mill platform mascot adventure, Ty doesn’t do anything wrong, necessarily—it just doesn’t bring anything particularly new or exciting to the table.

Drawing favorable comparisons to puzzle legendary franchise Lemmings, Arctic Escape is a challenging game that tasks the player with saving adorable penguins from environmental hazards.

If shootem'ups are your thing, than you can't go wrong with Raiden III. If not, save your money for the arcade.

The main problem is that you will roam freely to the point that you’ll wander around, trying to figure out what to do for much of the game because your goals are not laid out in a clear and linear direction.

They’ve succeeded on the crude humor front—but with a high frustration factor and graphical glitches, BMX XXX fails to completely satisfy.

It's too bad that Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers had to sacrifice some of its progenitors strongest features to enact new and engaging gameplay changes because the new enhancements for Dust Strikers really do add something new to the franchise, however; judging the entire game as a whole leaves it wanting.

RR64 has all the bouncing, sliding, and action of the original classic, which is all just old hat. The new cars, new tracks, and somewhat improved graphics can't get this game beyond its quirky and outdated controls.

The drawback in executing these moves comes in the form of slow button response. It’s tough to pull off a counter if the buttons don’t register at the exact moment, and it’s hard to attack with a flurry of side-step combos when, in combination with a button press, the directional pad and analog stick just don’t react efficiently.

In its current state, Backbreaker neither matches Madden's polish nor overcomes its monopoly on the NFL license; in fact, its shortcomings highlight several reasons why Madden remains so appealing.

If you've played a Pokemon Ranger adventure before, just be aware that Guardian Signs isn't much of a departure from the last two titles in the series.

The game hasn’t strayed far from the original at all, except that you don’t die after one hit like the original, unless you fall in fire.

If the only system you have is a Wii and you need an RPG, this certainly isn't a bad title to settle for. For gamers with more console options, however, the enjoyment you'll derive from Arc Rise Fantasia will likely be tied to how much you like combat, since the story certainly isn't anything worthwhile.

A nice distraction with lengthy play value for dedicated fans of the series as long as they can deal with the slow pace and limited interactivity. However, anyone looking for a good virtual pet simulator should look elsewhere.

It's a fair package -- more expansive than Dead Money but not quite as rich as Point Lookout, which is the current gold standard for Fallout DLC. And, of course, it's a long way from the expansion packs of yore, where $30 could occasionally yield what amounted to an entirely new game. Ten dollars is a fair price for what Honest Hearts brings to the table, but its ultimate appeal is down to whether or not you're still in the middle of a campaign. As it is, this four hour romp through Zion National Park isn't quite worth dusting off your seven-month old copy of New Vegas.

A better effort than past installments, but it still needs a lot of serious work before it can truly compete.

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

A decent fight that has one arm tied behind its back. [Sept 2005, p.81]

Even an endless list of cars can't compensate for Gran Turismo's shortcomings.

Tracks are short, plus the extra game modes don’t do the game any justice.

Packed full of great content (more than 250 missions, unlockable illustrations, movies, and character models) and supporting local wireless play, this is a game that belongs on your PSP. [Oct 2009, p.83]

Like every other remake of Final Fantasy IV, the Complete Collection has its share of quirks. But ultimately, the quality of the 20-year-old original shines through.

Without the ability to play with more than two people, you’ll eventually have to resort back to playing the actual card game to get the full DBZCCG experience.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer DRIFT could have been a drift racing fans godsend, but the experience is soured by balancing issues and bad AI.

For fiscally responsible families looking for an enjoyable party game, Big Town Shoot Out may be worth a $5 investment. But for budget conscious gamers seeking a more complete gaming experience, there are other too many other alternatives available that would better serve your purposes.

Dedicated fans of the series will find a challenge, but the cumbersome controls and questionable AI remain most effective kill-joys.

Narnia is a cherished children's property that deserves a fully fleshed-out game, not a hasty cash-in. It's sad to see Prince Caspian's potential go to waste.

If the foes were cunning enough to make every encounter unique, or the game made better use of the verticality inherent in the premise, Dark Void would have fared a whole lot better, but ultimately, it's a disappointing title that never manages to leave the tarmac. [Feb 2010, p.78]

The terrible A.I. is a big culprit behind the sense of lackluster repetition.

Playing Otogi 2 not only reconfirmed our opinion of the original, but it also disappointed us as it's nearly just as constrained. [Nov 2004, p.108]

The beauty of Splinter Cell games has always been the flexibility and fluidity of their controls, especially on the Xbox. But Splinter Cell: Essentials fails to adapt the mechanics to the PSP, and the end result is a frustrating experience with lengthy load times -- an overall trimmed experience.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is a mindless blend of walking, jamming on the attack button, and repetitive objectives -- but it still ends up being a lot of fun, provided your patience can tolerate the crippling halt after a technical meltdown.

Isn't terrible, but it can't come close to those long summer days when all you needed was a sandbox and a little imagination.

If you're a more advanced player, dedicated single-sport Mario titles like Super Mario Sluggers and Mario Strikers Charged are far more substantial and enjoyable experiences. But if you want a colorful pick-up-and-play game to enjoy with your less gaming-inclined friends and family, Mario Sports Mix ought to work just fine -- just don't expect to dig it out too often otherwise.

The generic levels, poor audio, and sometimes downright confusing level objectives and bizarre CRT system become a little worse for wear.

Overall, the game fails to deliver the true Warriors feel you're looking for. In the 1979 movie, you get a much more beat 'em up and badass emotional rollercoaster. Here, not so much. But with plenty of multiplayer value with friends, it might just be worth your 800 MS Points.

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

While it makes the games a cakewalk for Mega Man veterans, it allows you to appreciate Zero 1-4 as pure action games. That the collection allows us to revisit the series free of its excesses makes it well worth your time.

Overlord II is a decent game that maintains its predecessor's greatness, but it doesn't show enough progression or improvement. The unforgiving checkpoints and host of other problems make it a frustrating experience, making for a sinfully fun title that forces you to a steep penance for your enjoyment.

A well-made, well-presented, potentially thoroughly enjoyable hack-n-slash-a-thon that’s plagued by a Frustrating Cheap Death spell and the lack of any mid-game save or checkpoint feature to combat it.

WackyLand's is a beat-em-up that comes wrapped in an excellent package. The graphics are crisp and clear, the customization options are vast, and a few minigames included alongside the campaign add variety. My only issue with the game is the actual combat, which consists of pretty much nothing but randomly tapping and swiping as fast as you can.

A deeper, more interesting game than its sequel, but the camera and collision problems hurt the overall experience. [June 2003, p.104]

Building textures look noticeably low-res even at blurringly fast speeds, and the cars themselves fall short of models seen in "Forza." Borrowing levels from previous games, the game's stages fail to excite you.

The camera is pretty awful, requiring way too much fussing by the player to maintain a clear field of view.

Goblet of Fire adds some interesting enhancements, like bonus-granting Collector's Cards that can be bought and equipped, but it's just too tightly wound to stale gameplay convention to succeed.

So while the campaign should only take you a few hours, a great deal of that completion time will be simply replaying particularly brutal encounters.

For Fable fans only, games require more luck than skill.

The actual gameplay of Gladius is innovative, but the execution is just as slow as the story telling.

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.

The journey across America is beautifully rendered, capturing the varied landscapes spectacularly as you travel over the Sierra, across the Great Plains, and head towards the East Coast. The quality of the movies is very good too, and the characters' faces are nicely rendered to convey emotion. But the story and the gameplay just don't hold up their side of the bargain, and the game ends up falling short of its considerable potential.

The journey across America is beautifully rendered, capturing the varied landscapes spectacularly as you travel over the Sierra, across the Great Plains, and head towards the East Coast. The quality of the movies is very good too, and the characters' faces are nicely rendered to convey emotion. But the story and the gameplay just don't hold up their side of the bargain, and the game ends up falling short of its considerable potential.

MS Saga is like a cake without icing: it qualifies as a simple dessert, but it's just not tasty enough to be memorable.

A surprisingly solid, fun game engine doesn’t quite counteract boring, repetitive missions...it’s kinda like driving a Ford Mustang around a Wal-Mart parking lot.

While Bandai's record with anime licenses is spotty at best, they always seem to devote ample time to the graphics—something fairly obvious when you see BattleSpirit in action.

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.

The game works and I got a minor amount of satisfaction completing higher level missions in the story mode. However, The clunky menus, gun fire that sounds like a woodpecker trapped in a metal trash can, and freeze-framing of the character in the middle enemy assaults are just more examples in which there just wasn't enough effort put into Contagion.

Moderately enjoyable with good replay value, but its many flaws really hinder what could have been a great romp in the snow.

If you're not a Mega Maniac, there's no point in bothering with this game. [June 2003, p.96]

PIQ2 provides a robust online environment for competitive puzzle solving, but unfortunately it does little to captivate or entertain with its core gameplay. Only those willing to dedicate a decent chunk of their day to what amounts to a standardized test in polygonal form need apply.