A scoring system that completely alters the visual style of the game adds to the unique flavor of Pix'n Love Rush, and the fast gameplay makes it a perfect "pick-up-and-play" sort of game.

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.

Overall, Tetris Party is very impressive with all of its modes and things to do.

The AI personalities still offer a diverse range of difficulty and play styles though, making Quarrel one of the best options for wordsmiths on the go.

A game that not only reaffirms the series' greatness, but is easily once of the best handheld games released this year.

Why Sam has stepped out of the shadows and is on full out attack makes complete sense in context with the story, so if you can accept it for what it is and not dwell on the fact that it isn't what you've come to expect in a Splinter Cell title, you'll no doubt agree that Conviction rivals Chaos Theory as the best title in the franchise's history.

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

Enjoyable enough that it warrants a look but it just doesn't play to its strengths well enough to stand toe-to-toe with the current champions of the next-generation racing world.

Tiny Heroes is an excellent game, but with a few caveats: there's no iPad version (and this would be perfect for an iPad), placing traps/weapons precisely can be difficult, and sometimes the levels are just too hard.

This years best hockey game offering. Adding vastly improved gameplay to last years impressive control scheme ensures EA's hold on the title of Best Hockey Game Yet Devised.

The voice acting is downright hideous, but Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones wraps up in a tight PS2 package that is, quite possibly, the best game in the series.

The controls, however, rain on the parade. They’re too intricate, and their fussy, challenging feel takes a while to master...If you have the option, play the Xbox version - it’s definitely superior.

Despite its flaws, Abe’s delivers a combo of innovative, strategy-filled gameplay and eye-popping graphics that makes tolerating these problems worthwhile.

Hits a nice middle ground between realism and action.

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

Madden's controls are so sophisticated and complex that I'm surprised more fans of shooters and other action games don't play.

Everything just screams high production values, which is pretty awesome. The song list is also impressive and features a good mix of the old and the new.

While Tatsunoko vs. Capcom isn't nearly as deep or as "technical" as Capcom's other offerings, it's still an excellent fighting experience, especially for Wii fighting game fans that don't have a wealth of options available to them.

Completely skip the multiplayer aspect of Daxter, and you'll be pleasantly surprised to the game's accessibility and simple ways it draws you in for an all-around enjoyable adventure. Daxter finally proves that he can hold his own without Jak.

While Unreal Championship 2 is amazing on a technical level, it's short on creativity and personality. [May 2005, p.88]

Minor niggles aside, Champion stands alone as the most polished and playable boxing simulation ever released, with the new adjustments and additions easily prolonging Fight Night's relatively uncontested reign over the genre.

Street Fighter IV 3D is an excellent fighting game that packs a reasonable challenge in one-player mode, but truly excels in multiplayer mode, where its lag-free fighting is surprisingly effective and fun.

With so many EQ-me-toos out there, it’s refreshing to play something new, and to have it be this good is like finding a cooler of lemonade in the middle of the desert.

Whether you're a long time fan or Pokemon newcomer, this is a solid, fun game. [July 2007, p.86]

But whether you venture out with a pal or on your own, Guardian of Light is like a breath of fresh air in a corpse-cluttered tomb, and it signals a triumphant return for one of gaming's most iconic heroines.

The bar for online gaming has not so much been raised as obliterated. For once, a game lives up to its expectations.

The single player career mode is surprisingly short, and after a few missions starts to feel repetitive. Though it won't blow many minds, SWAT 4 is a pick-up-and-play tactical shooter with a solid pedigree.

Although it lacks the ultra polish of "Need for Speed" or the outrageous wrecks of "Burnout," its high challenge and huge tracks will keep your hands glued to the controller.

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

The A.I. has also gotten smarter to the point that if you are caught out in the open, you're as hosed as Brittney's post K-Fed career. Sure, you can try to forgo the use of cover and concealment but bloody wounds and humiliation will be your only reward.

A full-featured map editor and 16-player online play puts multiplayer at the forefront, and nearly every swaying piece of foliage and stunningly realistic body of water makes Instincts a technical treat, especially in 480p.

Some gamers will no doubt hate the new direction they've taken but the game is much improved and definitely deserves its fair share of love. While it still early, I wouldn't hesitate to nominate it for PC Game of the Year honors come December.

Combines a wealth of visual power with extra gameplay modes, creating hours of intense gameplay.

A sloppy single-player campaign met with matchless multiplayer makes for an unbalanced first-person shooter experience.

Aside from the Leon bait-and-switch, there are few surprises in Onimusha 3—it’s a great game that fits like an old glove, so the old saying goes. A soul-sucking, flesh-leeching glove with one creepy, blinking, hollow eye.

Though the game has a few faults, such as some occasional background pop-in and a few minor AI issues, the whole experience is a blast (literally), and you'd be missing a great action experience by not checking this one out.

Regardless of its shortcomings, FFX-2 is an engrossing RPG that’s worth the extensive time investment, although it may be a bit too awkward and saccharine for hardened FF vets.

Tiberium Wars does what the series has always done best; providing the most enjoyable RTS experience around via excellent storytelling, enjoyable campaigns and a lasting multiplayer experience.

There's a noticeable focus on keeping you actively involved in the game and it's an effort that succeeds in spades.

With over 16 levels, three levels of difficulty, and an engaging plot-oriented story rivaling most in-depth RPG games, Astroy Boy: Omega Factor is highly recommended to all. [Sept 2004, p.92]

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.

Excellent A.I, sharp graphics, and addictive gameplay combine for an unabashed good time. Sim freaks need not apply—Rumble Racing is pure, unapologetic arcade goodness.

It sucks you into its weird world and doesn't let you go.

The utterly perfect soundtrack delivers exactly the mood you want, from the smooth coolness of the Predator’s snarl to the eerie silence of the Marine’s pinging motion tracker.

Delivers the goods for a perfect arcade-to-home port, while the game’s console-exclusive features deserve a gaming medal of honor.

The gameplay is on-the-money with great baseball that ought to attract Xbox sports gamers and just plain baseball fans alike.

A nice middle ground between realism and action.

If looks could kill, DOA4 would be called Murderer's Row. This game is beautiful; even while you're beating the tar out of your opponent, you'll notice that your surroundings are among the finest you've seen in any fighting game... Hands down the best installment in the series. [Jan 2006, p.38]

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.

Still, with its quirky presentation and interesting gameplay, LocoRoco 2 makes some fantastic improvements over its short-but-sweet precursor that should attract fans of the series and newcomers alike. [Mar 2009, p.80]

It's fundamentally the same game as "Soul Calibur III", only with more fighters, an online mode, and more create-a-character customizations. It's remarkably well produced and visually sumptuous, but its appeal remains limited to hardcore fighting veterans and casual button-mashers. This is a good game, but not a great one.

Oh, if only those Gummi Ship segments didn’t exist! They’re the only blemish in what’s otherwise the best action/RPG since the two N64 Zeldas.

It's fundamentally the same game as "Soul Calibur III", only with more fighters, an online mode, and more create-a-character customizations. It's remarkably well produced and visually sumptuous, but its appeal remains limited to hardcore fighting veterans and casual button-mashers.

This speedster is definitely much better [than "Metropolis Street Racer" for the Dreamcast] in every respect.

The freewheeling surprises are where Fable really shines, but even within the surprisingly short main story there exists a diversity of challenging obstacles and enemies.

With splendid visuals, new fighting innovations, and a snappy sense of humor that anyone can comprehend, Shadow Hearts: Covenant dazzles you every step of the way. [Nov 2004, p.156]

Some of its ideas are brilliant innovations, some are wisely appropriated standards, and some just flop - but the overall result is fun, action-oriented, authentic hockey with a few troubling flaws.

The controls are tight, and the gameplay is on-target even if there’s a slightly frenetic, arcade, unMadden-like feel to player movement.

The slam dunk matchup is a slick game within the game, but let's not forget what got you to the gym in the first place. NBA Live 2005 is an all-pro caliber b-ball game that continues to show improvements. [Dec 2004, p.140]

With a creepy, excellent story and perfectly paced, complex action, Undying oozes freaky atmosphere.

Regardless, Monkey Island 2 has aged gracefully, and the graphical facelift and extra goodies help sweeten the deal for diehard fans and newbies alike.

A great little game that instantly sucks you into a deep fantasy world of conflict and combat. The learning curve is average for an RPG game, but the rewards are well worth the study time.

A retro game that combines classic Pac Man game mechanics with shooting... in a truly authentic old-school style.

Developer Treyarch did a fantastic job of not reinventing the wheel with World at War. Rather, they took the best elements of Modern Warfare and expanded upon them. The end product is a thrilling experience that injects some of the visceral punch back into World War II.

While Hot Shots 3 doesn’t revolutionize the series by any stretch of the imagination, it delivers sweet PS2 graphics and loads of slick refinements that make it another must-play game.

How about a Bra & Panties mode where WWE Divas rip off each other’s clothes? It’s the raunchiest Teen-rated action you’ll find anywhere.

Expectations for its follow-up were lofty, and though Viewtiful Joe 2 is a total blast, the new features it introduces don't stack up against its reliance on rehashed ideas enough to keep you from feeling you've tread this path before.

Lives up to EA Sports' tagline by re-creating soccer completely.

Accurately re-creates the series’ addictive gameplay, so most classic strategies and combos are intact.

The story ramps up the difficulty gradually, so you build skills as you go, but there are now four difficulty levels, making THUG totally accessible to newbies.

The classic 1982 dungeon-crawler finds new life on the iOS with updated graphics and a clever use of the iPhone's touchscreen.

All in all, MvC3 is undeniably a fine product, the result of a labor of love from its creators, and, indirectly, the fanbase that supports them. I'm sure some will be dissatisfied -- if you're expecting to play MvC3 like tournament MvC2, you'll likely wind up disappointed

After I took a few deep breathes and stopped trying to play the game like something it wasn't, I discovered that it was something truly special. It's a clichéd but appropriate phrase in this case: they don't make them like the used to. Frozen Synapse is so enjoyable, it makes you wonder why.

It's gorgeous, long, deep, and fun, and that extra level of challenge should whet the appetites of gamers bored with typical hack-n-slash. [Mar 2004, p.84]

The ambient music and low hum of your engine perfectly invoke the feeling of being out on your own in space, while radio chatter around the various planets and bases only enhance the realism.

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. With its astounding variety and tried-and-true formula, it's truly hard to find fault with Guitar Hero 5 without resorting to nitpicking.

The lighting is gorgeous, the textures are detailed, and the way your vehicle interacts with the environment is all too realistic.

Once you get a game going with friends or online fodder, though, On Fire Edition shows its best side, and could easily turn "one more match" into hours spent cracking jokes and laughing at every comment the announcer makes. And for a b-ball know-nothing like me, that's more than enough justification to find yourself playing a sports game. Just don't take it too seriously.

In addition to a well-laid out story, the pixel art is incredible, the gameplay is sensible, and the music is enjoyable. Final Fantasy IV is possibly one of the best, if not the best, game of its series.

Virtually everything you come into contact with during your time spent with this game is laden with a truly warped sense of humor.

Instantly engaging and packed with an awesome four-player mode, F-Zero X delivers high-powered racing with that immaculate Nintendo touch.

For all its frustrations, Professor Layton does have its merits. The overall vibe of the game is charming and immensely likeable and the basic game mechanic is solid. There is also a ton of things to do: aside from the puzzles, there are other neat extras that I'll let you discover on your own.

If you're really into your music collection and want to do something with it besides listen to it, you'll love AudioSurf.

You can never get enough of a classic. Super Mario 64 is essentially here with enough DS goodies to make a compelling dual-screen package.

The expansive environments are divided by too-frequent load screens, the story elements fall limp more often than not, and corralling idiotic survivors can try your patience, but the visceral thrill of taking zombies apart is so varied and enjoyable that such disappointments are forgiven. Dead Rising isn't game of the year, but it is a whole lot of mindless fun.

Make no mistake; this is the definitive version of KOTOR II.

Approximately as big as Metroid Prime on the GameCube, it's hard to imagine how Nintendo squeezed Hunters into a tiny DS cartridge. Metroid Prime: Hunters is a very polished game, suffering more from small quirks than actual flaws.

It is the quintessential Nintendo party game, and a recommended purchase if you happen to have a friend or two with a 3DS, which should be a bit more likely now that Black Friday is over.

To say that Sonic Team has added a lot of new stuff to PSO would be the understatement of the century.

Unlike a lot of the shovelware on the App Store, Gesundheit! feels like its developers were very passionate about their idea, which, married with its overall level of polish make it a must own title.

Still, what Fire Emblem may hack off of your gaming ego in difficulty, it makes up for with good ol' fashioned beauty.

For many, Final Fantasy XI will be the Holy Grail of nonlinearity: a wide-open RPG universe with Final Fantasy flair, defined by its players as much as its developers, beloved for all its flaws. Love it or hate it, there’s nothing like it on your PS2.

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.

A sports gamer's dream come true. The potent combination of smooth fast graphics, excellent gameplay options, and a tough as nails AI, makes this hockey game king of the rink.

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

If you're the kind of hardcore NASCAR fans that will revel in the challenge of Career mode, you'll have an absolute blast with Thunder, particularly now that Tiburon has included a ton of in-game help and redesigned the interface to be massively more usable.

You'll either immerse yourself in truly mastering one of the world's most powerful sports cars, or you'll find this about as much fun as taking your driver's test.

Boom Blox offers a great gaming experience with a ton replayability; you'll have to excuse the pun but this is one title that truly does qualify as a "summer blockbuster."