Kirby's latest adventure is an unabashedly adorable and addictive affair, even when suffering from a limited reward system and lacking difficulty.

It delivers more of what made Oblivion great: creative quests, a huge land to explore, and tons of things to do there, making this expansion is a solid purchase for anyone who was a fan of the core game.

Without a doubt, Supreme Commander is a game of epic proportions that will offer an outstanding RTS experience for the far foreseeable future, and for that it deserves an equally massive amount of praise.

Few RPGs provide so deft a balance between the wandering monster-slaying and the NPC interaction phases of role-playing.

One of SH's coolest features is its excellent Dual Shock support: The controller beats like a heart, thumping harder when you're close to death, and its responsiveness keeps you in command.

If you want a game that's more tailored to individual play rather than team cooperation, then NBA Live is a great choice.

Kinetically challenging and undeniably captivating.

At $0.99, Karoshi is an easy recommendation. It's weird and inventive, and it's a game that I'll probably find myself showing to friends for a long time to come.

I'm normally not so hot on stat-based simulation games like this, but Game Dev Story grabbed me and refused to let go. The game strikes a perfect balance between offering a large enough variety of things to manage while simultaneously avoiding a situation in which there's just too much going on at once.

Criterion pumps max performance out of the PSP and succeeds in delivering every last ounce of console chaos from the Burnout series in a handheld package.

Despite the shortcomings, ESPN NHL 2K4 is the Cup champ because it really plays and, aside from the rather sluggish-moving players, feels like a hockey simulation should. [Dec 2004, p.144]

Fight Night Round 4 lacks some of the wow factor of its predecessor, but it builds upon the strengths of Round 3 and corrects most of its weaknesses.

MVP retains the Gold Glove for controls, but the competition has made up ground. [Apr 2005, p.97]

Multiplayer-wise, Call of Duty 2 supports a whopping 32 online players with general FPS game types, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and CTF, and Call of Duty 2's own brand of Headquarters and Search and Destroy--all wonderfully smooth via online.

Start with an intense action/strategy game, add a remarkably easy-to-use interface, and wrap it in one of the most impressive 3D engines ever seen in a computer game, and you've got "Ground Control."

The extensive character techniques and engrossing story line will keep gamers glued to their controllers for hours.

A pack that responds to each race's events is an outstanding concept that should elevate the gameplay, but NASCAR 2005's execution of it is too unbalanced to create the hoped-for effect. [Nov 2004, p.142]

It's easily the best PS3 game available on launch day, and a highly playable action game that will satisfy even the most demanding FPS junkies.

As a multiplayer experience, Bash Party succeeds but it's less a party and more of a social gathering.

It's becoming increasingly rare for companies to release new and unproven titles that buck convention and focus on changing the current landscape but Clash of Heroes does so remarkably well, making for a unique and satisfying title that feels totally fresh. I recommend it to any RPG gamer looking for a unique take on the established genre; puzzle fans should take a look as well.

Kudos to EA Sports for not being afraid to juice the complexity factor of an already complex game. Rookies will have to pay their dues, but veterans get treated to a brand-new challenge. [Sept 2005, p.82]

But if you're looking for a unique fighting experience with tons of charm and wit then look no further than BlazBlue. [Aug 2009, p.80]

The great sound effects from the booming explosions and roaring jet engines from above greatly add to the war-torn ambiance, too.

That said, this entry is more challenging than previous Guitar Hero efforts, so newcomers should hone their plastic guitar-playing skills on World Tour before braving this one. Once you've learned to shred with the big boys, though, feel free to stage-dive into one of Guitar Hero's best encores yet.

The best thing you can say about The Lost Age, though, is that it's Golden Sun—except more of it. A good 35 hours more, even. If you've played the original, then this is a must buy.

This self-described "meandering, mytho-poetic adventure" is a gorgeous, if sometimes aimless, step forward for independent games on the iOS platform.

Just try and get the catchy "pata-pata-pata-PON!" chant out of your head once you've given this game a try. You won't be able to do it.

A spectacular experience from beginning to end, and with an enormous amount of choices to make, cities to visit, dungeons to crawl, NPCs to interact with, treasure to find, quests to complete and crafts to master, I feel pretty confident in saying that Dragon Age: Origins is, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable and immersive RPG experiences I've had since my Infinity Engine days. [Jan 2010, p.66]

Definitely a huge step in the right direction with all the improvements it offers. I would've liked more of a true story mode, like we've seen in the console versions or in the Stories series. And at times, I was reverting back to the mundane "eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work" cycle that I thought we'd be done with by now (though this micromanaging is way more streamlined now). But The Sims 3 allows players to play the way they truly want, way more than they ever were able to do before.

Alundra's off-the-hook action and challenging gameplay elevate it to must-have RPG status. Wake up and buy the game... missing out may cause you to have nightmares.[Feb 1998]

It may not be the flashiest RPG of the year, but it's definitely one of the best, with its solid combination of terrific gameplay and a compelling story.

Totally revamped from the ground up, and it shows. Great graphics and the best gameplay the series has seen in years.

Spending ten dollars (or 40 quarters) on Marvel Pinball is an easy decision for comic book fans and pinball junkies alike.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Enjoy the game for what it is and get better to beat your friends. It's entirely worth it.

The game is a blast and gave me a nasty blister on my left thumb, which to me is always a good, albeit painful sign, of a solid and addictive gaming experience.

This slick, retro-inspired platformer impresses with its responsive controls, addictive gameplay, and well-designed (if sometimes tough-as-nails) levels.

At $19.99 this game is the best steal in videogame basketball.

Improved in more ways than is physically possible to list.

Is RSG worth downloading? If you read everything above and it sounds intriguing to you, then yes, absolutely. If this doesn't sound like the sort of shooter you're looking for, you might want to think it over for a bit before committing to a purchase.

There’s never been a better action RPG for any system. Yes, it's even better than "Diablo."

I'd like to see new control options in an update, but otherwise this is a great platformer.

Visually, the game doesn’t disappoint—lots of shiny cars, detailed environments, and lighting effects that prove crucial during these after-hours races.

The 2D-animation cel-like graphics are simply gorgeous and animate smoothly. [Oct 2004, p.80]

Too many Japanese RPGs include tons of fighting at the expense of a believable plot and characters. KOTOR II bucks the trend by making every battle a natural progression of an engaging story--and just like the first game, it's a story you'll want to play twice, just to see how much insidious fun being a Dark Jedi can be.

It never really lives up to its title - a vision that could have benefited from a little more focus. It's a tired cliché but one that Beyond Good & Evil exemplifies: jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

Some may yearn for a more complicated gameplay, but for those who do not, Partners in Time is still as funny and enjoyable as its predecessor.

For casual fans who want to have a fun bloodbath, plus the hardcore crowd that carries the franchise with its gaming dollar, this definitely won't disappoint you.

A complicated beast. Is it the best Soulcalibur game ever? You bet...but not by as huge a margin as you might have hoped.

As much as it looks like a souped-up NHL 09​, the improvements to the engine, the A.I., Be a Pro mode, and the overall presentation really add up, and that's aside from the fact that it was already a pretty darn good sports sim to begin with.

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.

It’s repetitive and, at times, stupidly frustrating, but overall the insanely awesome outweighs the bad. You won’t find more intense action on PC, and no game will make you feel like more of a badass.

For the gamer that likes to live double or triple lives, or for an original Animal Crossing fan, this is a game to pick up. However, for the gamer that demands fast-paced action, storyline, and an imperative need for an ending, this may not be the best game to play.

With its high production value, smart level design, and impressive story, STVEF is simply one of the finest first-person shooters to come out this year.

Between the hot cars and tracks, in-depth Tournament mode, and thrilling cop chases, this excellent racer's got depth and style to spare. It's worth every cent.

Graphically, Dino Crisis 2 boasts some of the best work the old PS will ever have to offer, with great CG flowing near seamlessly into the action the player controls.

Another masterpiece from DreamWorks and EA. Captivating graphics and sound combine with relentless, addictive action to deliver one of the year's best games.

Still, $15 is a small price for a remake of a game that I always considered to be better than Street Fighter IV. Many 2D fighting games have outright borrowed or stolen wholesale from the Street Fighter III series' formula, and for good reason -- there simply hasn't been a been a better 2D fighting game since. If you want to see how good at Street Fighter you really are, step up.

There is more running back and forth than I would like but I still enjoyed the Unwound Future. It's a terrific title for fans of the franchise.

An art style similar to the one found in ngmoco's Rolando gives Plunderland an aesthetically pleasing visual style, and a dynamic physics system makes ship battles on stormy seas a ton of fun.

Combine the bizarre environments with the highly original, if a bit eclectic, soundtrack and a distinctly Japanese sense of humor and you have the makings of another classic.

A better dance game than Just Dance 3. The workout modes and campaign give you a reason to keep coming back, whether you're playing alone or with a group, and the mechanics behind the body tracking are second to none (even if the voice control commands are still a bit spotty).

Finely crafted and fun.

This is a beautiful puzzle game with loads of challenge and plenty of variety. Each level will force you to think differently and develop new tactics solve them.

Head-and-shoulders above other EA Sports Xbox 360 launch games, and is the first game in the sports genre to evolve beyond the current generation, and is worth a splurge, even if just for a few hard hits.

It’s supremely addictive, fun, and entrancing, and not just because of the flashing psychedelic tunnels of light. Plus, the feeling that you’re actually in control of a drum set or a base line is about as good as it gets.

Bastion isn't just one of the year's best title[s]. It's also one of the best stories you'll see in an indie game.

It's not necessarily a reason to go out and buy a bunch of Game Boy Advances and link cables, but it's definitely a reason to get them out of the closet again. [July 2004, p.72]

Stay for the story, characters, and the sights of Symphonia...but be wary of the action-heavy, automated battle system. The fate of the world may feel a little bit out of your hands. [Aug 2004, p.98]

RoK has slightly more stringent hardware requirements than the original EverQuest, simply because the new continent is much more visually complex, with its more detailed textures and animated environment.

Its visceral intensity is off the charts—other shooters seem frail and timid in comparison.

Blazing graphics and excellent controls, as well as a variety of play modes for a repeatedly enjoyable experience.

The feel of the driving is what earned the McRae series its reputation, and the controls remain impeccable in this PS2 edition.

If the offensive and defensive balance were just a bit more fine-tuned..., NBA Live 2004 would have the legs for multiple plays through the Dynasty mode and a clear shot as the top hoops game.

Disappointing gameplay will plague anyone who has ever experienced previous Rainbow Six games. On the other hand, if you’re new to first-person tactical shooting, this game is a perfect starter.

As always with the McRae series, the sublime handling of your car is what makes this game so appealing.

Okay, so maybe a re-release/upgrade of racing games from five years ago isn't something to cheer about -- but it sure is a slick retrospective, and a fun one at that. Daytona USA is an arcade classic, perfectly preserved.

"Outrageously hilarious" were the first words to come out of our mouths when we rolled into town with Katamari Damacy. Filled with a lot of wickedly demented humor, Katamari Damacy is a cure for the dull and ordinary.

Despite playing similarly, LOTRO is not "WoW," and that's perfectly fine. If you are into LOTR, you'll probably find this a more engaging experience than other fantasy MMOs because of the meatiness of Tolkien's Middle Earth.

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.

There's no question that Dawn of War will turn even the meekest, mildest players into bloodthirsty battle addicts.

If [you] live and breathe online gaming, GRAW 2 is undoubtedly a must-buy.

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.

As much as it looks like a souped-up NHL 09​, the improvements to the engine, the A.I., Be a Pro mode, and the overall presentation really add up, and that's aside from the fact that it was already a pretty darn good sports sim to begin with.

Days of Ruin is a great return to the classic turn-based franchise. The additions and refinements to the formula are stellar and it's yet another gem in the DS Lite's already impressive library.

The music really does most of the heavy lifting here and I'd gladly purchase the soundtrack if one was made available but the game's lack of polish left me a little flat.

Hilarious, perfectly paced, and just the right amount of difficulty. Very few puzzles are total stumpers.

MotoRacer nearly bursts with playability.

Shatter adds a lot of flavor to a traditional block breaker game. With definite influence from Geometry Wars and other HD remakes, Shatter is a must buy for almost anyone.

Ultimately, DJ Hero 2 is a solid and polished sequel, and hopefully an omen of even greater turntable-based games to come.

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.

An incredibly solid title with plenty to see, do and most importantly, rock out to. Brandishing some stellar new Competitive play concepts (Do or Die, Momentum) not to mention some incredibly creative new stages to play on, Guitar Hero 5 stays true to its franchise roots and rocks just about as hard as anyone could expect it to.

Blazing fast speeds with sharp graphics, pulsating sounds and good controls.

The touch-based lock-on controls work amazingly well, and as a result the game is a joy to play.

It lacks pizzazz and will quickly become wearisome to shooting fans. Still, first-timers and action addicts won't want to miss out on its tight combat and horrific fun.

Being able to focus on finding an open receiver without worrying as much about the split-second paranoia of protecting my player was a welcome relief.

Bumpy Road is a little light on content even for a $3 game, but what's there is finely crafted. Whimsical, melancholy, nostalgic, and beautiful, Bumpy Road represents a thoughtful approach to a well-worn genre.

Don't expect a re-invention of the wheel and you'll be provided for; otherwise here's hoping that the hinted-at third installment will be a bit more inventive.