Those who loved the original should at least try the game to experience how having the Wii-mote has changed the feel of the operations.

R & C's innovation comes in the form of all those crazy, non-gimmicky weapons and tools. This is a complex, polished platform gaming machine.

The best Spider-Man game yet made. From the rich combat system to the simple, inexhaustible joys of swinging through the city, Spider-Man 2 delivers the experience web-slinger fans have been begging for since time immortal.

While Decades isn't revolutionary by any means, it's still an absolute blast to play.

The lack of multiplayer options is a shame, but TTOEE is the best D&D title in recent memory, especially since parties of different alignments (good, evil, neutral) all face unique plots. This all adds up to one monstrous nonlinear RPG packed with plenty of replay value.

Homecourt has the flashy moves of a superstar but it needs to work on its fundamentals. Maybe then it'll elevate its game to true legend status.

The player models and animations in NBA Live are simply jaw-dropping.

Slowdown, in this day and age? Believe it—it comes and goes, depending on the environment and how it’s populated, but it’s definitely noticeable during some vert tricks, and it’s simply not there on the PS2 and Xbox versions.

JPB has less extremely frustrating platform-hopping than the original, but an important part of the newest incarnation still involves pinpoint leaping that occasionally verges on maddening.

When I start complaining about a lack of stat-tracking in a Total War game, however, it's a sure sign that its hooks have sunk pretty deep. The campaign is repetitious, but that's partly because I'm playing a lot of it. I want more multiplayer features because it's good enough to be taken seriously. All these complaints stem from one central fact: while Shogun 2: Total War could be a better game, it is nonetheless a great one.

Although a full-fledged single player campaign would have been nice, Crash Commando still provides hours of gameplay at the bargain price of $10.

Add in the ingenious PokeWalker, and it's clear that this is a perfect experience for both old-school trainers and the newest generation of Pokemon fans.

At the plate, the cursor-assisted hitting is solid, but base-running can be a button-pressing adventure with multiple runners on the bags.

It's a simple, straightforward game: go fast and pull out your best tricks. Fortunately, there's depth to be had if you're eager to invest the effort.

All in all, Star Ovean: First Departure has aged very well, and remains a unique and innovative RPG full of life and personality. [Nov 2008, p.104]

Packing pretty much all of the major features of its bigger console siblings, FIFA 11 does a remarkable job in bringing the world's most popular sports game to iPad.

An entry worthy of its big brother, complete with its own set of smooth controls, elaborate play modes, and sharp A.I.

While the Time Sweeper platformer aspect of the game is tight, the Tom Tom pig gameplay is where Blinx 2 really shines.

Whereas small refinements dominate the single-player mode, the new co-op game revolutionizes the multiplayer mode. Co-op takes on a whole new meaning in Chaos Theory as two spies must literally work together to accomplish a mission.

But as good as the action is it's the replay value of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon that makes it unbelievable. There's so much to do outside the main arcade mode that you'll feel almost overwhelmed with choices. [Dec. 2006, p.115]

Edges out "NASCAR Heat" as this season’s top stock-car racer. Slick A.I. and a great Career mode make this game addictively playable.

One of the messiest, darkest, and most amoral titles to come along in some time. If that doesn’t bother you, you’re in for a treat.

At $19.99 this game is the best steal in videogame basketball. The top-rated basketball action offers just the right mix for players, coaches, and budding athletic directors alike.

Exit's gameplay - you're a slick wannabe superhero rescuing innocents from dangerous situations - is deceptively simple in that it has a relatively low learning curve, but once you get further into it, it proves to be far from simple.

Bonsai Barber has a lot going for it. It’s a fun title with unique gameplay elements, solid controls, and a soothing presentation. The only drawback to what seems to be a great WiiWare title is its price.

San Andreas for the PC has the most to offer. But considering the steep system specs and the key binding headaches, casual players may find that it's more trouble than it's worth. [Sept 2005, p.52]

It's a quick and challenging puzzler that delivers gameplay we haven't seen before on the App Store, and I'd call it one of the best original puzzlers I've played on my iPod Touch.

While never quite proving itself as the penultimate virtual rock experience, Guitar Hero: World Tour is a blast in its own right that definitely deserves a look from both veterans of the series and newcomers alike.

A demanding port of an excellent game, GTA IV PC is only worth a look from gamers that missed Niko's venture to America the first time around.

The sheer scope of this game (to repeat it again: 12 races, 33 classes, 3 realms) and its incredible quality level make it a shining star in the MMORPG sky.

But what separates UT from Quake 3 is its glossy presentation...Audio in UT is also superb.

The challenge may be too steep for some, but it’s ultimately rewarding for determined gamers.

The real joy of Samurai lies in the replay as you repeat the game, experimenting with characters and conversations armed with what you learned last time around in a Groundhog Day–style effort to try to get things "right."

Jetters may not have the multiplayer diversity of a Mario Party, but for primitive addiction, it plays to form.

Yet these nitpicks have but barely interfered with the fun I'm having with Lego Star Wars III. With all of the additions, it's the biggest and most enjoyable Lego game yet, and even better, it shows that something good can indeed come out of the awful Star Wars prequel trilogy.

The pixelated graphics won’t immediately rock your world, but the more you play the more you’ll marvel at the smooth animation, cleverly designed levels, and awesome infrared effects.

For the first rollerblading game on the Xbox, Aggressive Inline sets one hell of a standard.

Immensely playable...Easily the most enjoyable first-person shooter available for the PS2. [June 2005, p.74]

As fun as these excursions into petty theft and extortion might be, the essence of The Warriors is combat, and it's the first game in ages to truly nail it.

Wrap up the tight gameplay in gorgeous graphics and solid sounds, and Pitfall has never been better. [May 2004, p.69]

An excellent all-around game.

Fights are fast and furious, and there’s no shortage of splashy, flashy special effects.

Best of all is the vicious melee attack, dealt out with a forearm blade. It's enough to make the Fett family green with envy.

Playing Dead or Alive again has been a highly enjoyable journey of rediscovery. The more time I've spent playing it, the more I've remembered why I've really enjoyed the series over the years. It's a really fun fighting game that's easy to pick up and play, features some great characters, and delivers some very satisfying moments, especially when you pull off a huge series of moves that look spectacular, or punch someone off the top of a particularly high area so they fall to their death.

Anyone looking for a classic AD&D gaming experience to hold them over until "Baldur's Gate II" arrives should definitely check out Icewind Dale.

Features immense replay value.

It's still a winner - but this time by a very narrow margin.

Peggle is a game that everyone should play, even if you've already done so on multiple other platforms.

Space Invaders Extreme is an addictive trance-like experience, and no PSP or DS owner should be without it. Even if you've never heard of Space Invaders, missing this game would be a tragedy.

Revenge of the Titans is a nearly perfect game. It will annihilate all of your free time for as long as you're consumed by it. It will also make you want to punch your screen at least once. If you missed out on the opportunity to get it in the Humble Bundle, you can get the game on Steam for $14.99, or check the official website for special deals. Either way, it's worth your time, money, and occasional frustration.

Aside from the usual jump-trick combo gameplay, Inline contains innovative character actions that make virtual roller skating even more enjoyable to play.

Even with its minor faults, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-feeling, better-looking, jack-of-all-trades action game on the market today. [Mar 2008, p.82]

The game's greatness lies in its intuitive interface and ease of use. Just about anyone can sit down and make music in a matter of minutes. [Aug 2004, p.68]

The game is not perfect, but at the end of the day it's still a very satisfying experience.

Despite some screen layout flaws, Nintendogs is infectiously cute, and pretty addictive. It's really easy to form an emotional bond with your puppies--they're so life like. Who knew rubbing a pixilated sprite could be so enjoyable.

Although it doesn't break much new ground and the series' vibe has become more mainstream with age, Wipeout Fusion is simply an excellent, action packed racing game. [July 2002, p.73]

Delivers in modes what it lacks in next-gen flash.

Throw in some wild game-rule-altering "mutators" and pleasantly brief loading times, and Unreal Tournament delivers a high-speed, high-adrenaline package that never even has the chance to be boring. It packs more personality than "Quake III Arena."

A great title for the price. It offers a ton for the family and can make for a good drinking game as well if you tweak it right.

Madden 07 PS3 is lightning-fast and silkily fluid. In fact, after playing the two versions back-to-back, we're inclined to say that the PS3 version feels a smidge faster and more responsive than the Xbox 360 version.

Everything’s been upgraded and/or redone to make tactical team gameplay as cohesive and fun as the series has always been. Just make sure you have a powerful machine to enjoy every aspect of the game.

A perfect port of the PC version of the third installment of the Myst trilogy, and nothing is lost in the translation.

Deep and engaging puzzle action with a heaping tablespoon of RPG elements on top. Should come with a warning label--it's that addictive.

A gorgeous rendition of the old Castlevania tale. Castlevania’s a 3D platform spectacle that definitely warrants a good look from N64 owners everywhere--you won’t find better hauntings than this one.

Right now I think Telltale's created a very good game, and I have a feeling it's going to have an even greater future.

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.

Aside from its unfortunate lack of two-player options, this is a complete package that controls beautifully and has production values that could easily rival that of the Wii version's. Even if you're not a huge NBA fan, this is a basketball game that can stand on its own based purely on the fun offered by its mechanics.

A fun game with some very noticeable flaws and some less-than-stellar presentation, but in the end it's a memorable adventure I'd certainly recommend to any aspiring roadie. It comes pre-packaged with its fair share of issues, quirks and bugs, but all of the near-misses in the world can't take the fun out of this inspired adventure.

It gives serious golf fans a deep sim while offering casual fans an approachable, gorgeous game with tons of play modes.

Lost Kingdoms may not have much of a plot, but the battle system makes it a fine game worth the attention of all action/RPG fans.

Still, despite a few obvious limitations, it's still Rock Band, which means it's a fantastic gaming experience that's great played solo or with friends.

While it may start slow, its got enough action and new content to make it well worth the wait.

While Guitar Hero 5 doesn't re-invent the wheel (or the guitar, for that matter) it does offer up a bounty of new rockin' features that puts it above a "yearly update." With an eclectic set list, 85 playable tracks, and some DLC content sure on it's way, GH5 will keep your fingers strumming for a good while until the next inevitable installment arrives. That is, if you can get over the creep factor of seeing Kurt Cobain in GH form.

Online FPS fans who like the heat of tactical team action will really dig the constant squad-level action of PlanetSide.

While this kind of slow, patient "stealth" gameplay has obviously been done before, it's never been done this well or been so throughly entrenched into every nuance and layer of design. [Aug 2004, p.64]

The weak Story mode is the only blemish on what's otherwise the best DBZ game yet.

Wrap up the tight gameplay in gorgeous graphics and solid sounds, and Pitfall has never been better. [May 2004, p.69]

PixelJunk Monsters's only drawback is the throw-your-controller-against-the-wall frustration found on some of its more difficult levels. Still, considering everything it does right AND the fact that it supports PSP remote play, it's certainly worthy of a download.

Pokémon fans can't go wrong with Stadium 2. You can work out your home-grown Pokémon in N64 color, and the Transfer Pak enables you to play any Game Boy Pokémon game on a big screen.

Thanks to a wealth of sim-style features and topnotch gameplay, it narrowly establishes itself as this year's must-have hockey title.

Overall, it's a must-have and a keeper in your PC collection. With crystal-clear visuals and addictive gameplay, not to mention loads of replay value, you'll be telling your friends about this one. Unscramble some words and get going. Lex is waiting for you, giant lenses and all.

The word "charming" never described a game more aptly. You could play Animal Crossing 30 minutes a day, every day for a year, and still not discover everything the game has to offer.

It's a mindless button masher and that is all it needs to be, that's what makes it so fun.

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is pretty much a picture-perfect port that won't disappoint fans or newcomers to the series.

Capcom has managed to amaze, astound, and confuse with this new entry into the console party/fighting game genre.

Tekken: Dark Resurrection is proof that the PSP is powerful enough to handle a super-speedy, high-resolution 3D fighter without breaking a sweat.

This is the best kind of game: easy to pick up, hard to put down; simple to learn, difficult to master.

Hardcore fans may be disappointed by the departure from the traditional survival-horror roots but trust me, the game delivers enough thrills that you probably won't care. [Apr 2009, p.68]

While "SSX" offers more arcade-style gameplay, Konami wants to slam you into the snowboarder's world harder than a botched Frontside Indy.

I loved Osmos' ambient soundtrack, and I was impressed with the scope of some of the game's larger levels, especially when pinching to zoom out as far as possible.

The visuals are flat out gorgeous with environments that are both intricately detailed and quite enormous...[though] it’s short for an RPG (about 11 Hours) even if its main focus is action.

Reclaims the crown "Wipeout" stole from F-Zero with lots of stuff to unlock, a stout Story mode, and lots of group fun - but it can be frustratingly difficult, too. The chemical response of your adrenal gland could be hazardous.

The kind of huge game that's easy to lose yourself in for weeks and months on end, sparkling with a ridiculous array of ways to play, great controls, and more unlockables than you can count. [Nov 2004, p.138]

With beautiful graphics, well designed maps, and user-friendly features like the ability to speed up the flow of time to minimize downtime make this an easy contender for the honor of best TD game on both the iPad and iPhone.

Oddly enough, the AI is probably the best part of the strategic game.

Given a few caveats, Great Little War Game fills the void once filled by Advance Wars, and that's honestly one of the biggest compliments I could pay it.

Each web action has its own distinct sound, and swinging through Manhattan on a web line is feels and sounds just right.

Because of its genuine old-school vibe and high difficulty level, gamers new to the Bit.Trip series may be immune to Flux's charms. But if you're up to the challenge and are looking for a downloadable title with a true retro feel with some stellar, rave-inspiring music, you will have a blast with Bit.Trip Flux.