You know this gameplay: There’s been a lot of excellent tuning but no mammoth overhauls.

Half-Minute Hero may be "JRPG-lite," but even if you're not a fan of the genre there's plenty of great gameplay to be had. A clever game with plenty of humor and personality, Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax is certainly worth your time.

I've generally been pretty fond of the "Mr." games, and this is by far the best one yet. Ponos knocked it out of the park with this simple game, and the extra modes round off the package and elevate it from a merely good game to a great collection of addictive, quickie minigames.

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

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."

This is a Triple-A game, but it's also a difficult and stubbornly old-fashioned one that may be great unto itself, but does nothing really to reinvent the genre it now dominates.

Visually, Tony and friends have never looked better. The frame rate runs super fast, even when you're busting out multiple combos.

I love that owners of both the iPad and iPhone version can play together regardless of which device they're using, and I think that the game's mix of old and new will make this a game that plenty of people will be able to get into.

All in all, despite the less than stellar PC graphics, Metal Gear Solid remains an intense gaming experience with a gripping story and heart-stopping action.

Despite at least one glaring yet superficial flaw -- some awkward Engrish that's more embarrassing than funny -- HungryMaster is an excellent blend of old and new gameplay design.

If the cute characters don’t hook you, the gameplay definitely will.

Rochard the man may be ordinary, but the adventure he stars in is anything but.

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

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.

With a veritable buffet of racers, courses, modes, and multiplayer options, Mario Kart DS is a must play for any Nintendo fan and a requisite for any DS owner.

While Pokemon Platinum may not be a completely fresh RPG experience, the rock-paper-scissors gameplay remains every bit as engaging as it's been for the last 10 years.

Damn fast, damn challenging, and thoroughly addictive, F-Zero: GP Legend dominates the handheld circuit. [Oct 2004, p.90]

Aqua Globs HD is just another enjoyable game that could only be possible on an iOS or touch-screen device, and I highly recommend it.

It's a great game that is a lot of fun to play -- that's not "great for a free to play game," but simply "great."

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]

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.

A solid mix of story, action, and adventure, Sudeki does just about everything one would expect. The main quest could have been longer -- it clocks in a bit shy of 20 hours -- but the length is more than made up for by the complete immersion factor of the world.

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]

The new real-time battle mode seems abortive at best, and the AI can sometimes seem a little too easy to manipulate, but the core turn-based gameplay can't be beat.

Heavy Metal FAKK 2"will give you a good dose of fun while you're playing, although it is a bit short and there isn't any multiplayer to extend the game value.

Groove Coaster is a textbook example of how to make an iOS game correctly. Simple one-finger controls and quick play sessions belie a game with a considerable amount of depth and replay value.

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.

I can't wait to go play some more. I suspect that some people will find their enthusiasm drained more than mine by the shallow enemy gene pool, but even they're bound to get swept away by the myriad pleasures of tearing up town as a ghoulish and preternaturally fleet-footed shape-shifter.

Absolutely. Bangai-O is similar, but not quite like a typical arcade-style "bullet hell" shooter, since you have more effective ways of fighting back. So if that brand of insanity doesn't appeal to you, perhaps Bangai-O's will. Not to mention that it's better and cheaper than its DS predecessor.

Pure, unadulterated fun, especially when you’re playing the game with other people.

The mix of true physics, newbie approachability, gameplay depth, and even a sly sense of humor makes Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 thoroughly enjoyable.

Everything about Dominator's gameplay just feels right. The welcome return of burnouts has infused an even greater sense of recklessness to a game that certainly wasn't lacking it to begin with.

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.

The outstanding online gameplay is just one item on a long list of reasons to play ProStreet. The great visuals, solid racing mechanics, lengthy career mode and customization options help make this one of the most deep and enjoyable racing titles around.

Luckily, novice joystick jockeys can rest easy knowing that Capcom has graciously inserted a new "Easy" difficulty setting while also adding Devil May Cry's Dante as a selectable character in this Playstation 2 version. [Oct 2004, p.80]

Stellar cell-shaded graphics, excellent voice acting (with Patrick Stewart reprising his cinematic role as Professor X), and multiplayer mayhem that make Legends look and feel like the A-list game that it is.

As original in gameplay as it is in visual design.

The best and most substantial addition, however, is the new Jungle mission in which Fisher must maneuver through a beautifully rendered Indonesian forest of death.

This is one of those horrifically addictive games that'll drain your battery and your free time faster than you realize, so only pick Deep Deep Dungeon up if you don't plan on accomplishing anything of importance in the near future.

BioWare has fabulously succeeded in taking a very PC-like title and making it palatable (not to mention obscenely addictive) to the console audience. The result: the best RPG on the Xbox and arguably the best Star Wars game to date.

Chaos Rising is a great first expansion, and while new players looking to try the single-player should start with the original game, it's an instant purchase for those of you looking for some good online RTS mayhem.

To say that this game is "fast" is an understatement - it absolutely blazes, so much so that blinking becomes a liability. [Nov 2004, p.96]

Add in the eye-catching, and retina burning graphics, the clever use of audio cues to alert you to events and problems, the elegant control and menu interface and a design philosophy that doesn't unfairly penalize you for mistakes, and you've got a recipe for fun that's simple and enchanting.

It’s a huge, sprawling, wonderfully involved game that makes you feel as though you’ve read a fantasy trilogy by game’s end.

By virtue of simple, solid gameplay, Starcraft has managed to rise above a predictable approach and been-there-done-that mechanics, and the final product (much like "Warcraft II" in 1995) seems fresh and new.

Nothing new over the PC version, but StarLancer's thrilling space combat gives Dreamcast pilots a lot to get pumped about.

If you haven't yet played a Donut Game's release, this is an excellent place to start.

While the gameplay remains the same, the new features and improvements make Cataclysm even more enjoyable the original.

It shows depth, talent, and imagination. Everything any winning team needs.

When you buy Lilt Line you're essentially getting a full electronica album and a solid game for the price of a bottled drink and pack of candy. It's easily worth your $2.99, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, overlooked indie iPhone title.

A killer Hot Pursuit mode challenges you to evade marauding cops, and while the two-player split-screen mode suffers from a little slowdown, it's definitely playable.

Nevertheless, Sin and Punishment: Star Successor is a worthy successor to the N64 classic, and probably the best shoot 'em up on the Wii period.

An admirable success from Storm Eagle Studios. In comparison to their first game, Jutland is more appealing to its potential audience with a better setting, a more engaging campaign not to mention filled with more interesting and identifiable ships for the war gaming community. There are issues with Jutland to be sure. If she was a ship she'd be lacking a new coat of paint and some of her basic amenities might be missing, but her guns are all in place and she'd be ready for a fight -- and during war, that's the most important aspect.

The combination of "Thief"-style sneaking with smart enemy A.I. and the use of realistic weapons-piano wire, silenced pistols, sniper rifles, and even M-60s-creates an intense experience, though many gamers will be frustrated by the lack of in-game saving.

Not only is the multiplayer game addictive as always, but you also get an RPG-ish one-player adventure to boot.

The immense depth of strategic planning and historical accuracy combine for an intensely addictive experience.

The most striking change is in the innovative control scheme--where you use the right analog stick to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts--which has now been slightly altered to enable you to fight more like a professional pug in the ring.

The game successfuly builds on accomplishments of the series' earlier installments without becoming stale and outdated (thanks mostly to the awesome new play modes.) [Sept 2005, p.84]

If someone asks me to recommend them a good action-RPG for the iPhone, Dungeon Hunter 2 will likely be my chief suggestion. Sure, it has a few issues, but overall it boasts some major refinements over what was already a fun game.

While the game does have a few drawbacks – it’ll only take you 3-4 hours to beat and the camera is a bit inflexible – you’ll certainly have fun with this title. With adorable characters that fit perfectly into its retro style of play, The Maw offers XBLA fans something new and unique.

Beautifully drawn and animated, not to mention surprisingly involving, Revenge of the Sith should please any action gamer, Star Wars fan or not.

A magnificent example of fine-tuning, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando sculpts the successes of the first one to near-perfection...but too many similarities to the original make it all seem just a teensy bit stale.

A solid, riveting story combined with refined gameplay set this game firmly in the outstanding (or should that be "uncanny"?) category.

For the most part, though, Spyro is a graphics bonanza with blasts of color and eye-catching nuances, such as rippling water, glowing flames, and shimmering portals.

As for the overall gameplay, it’s challenging and realistic with a sim-style feel much like Gran Turismo’s.

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.

If you can get past the War Mage's obnoxious personality and the repetitive and equally obnoxious Gothic metal soundtrack, which isn't asking for much, you'll find endless hours of good times in Orcs Must Die.

Overall, this game is for you. Intimidated by a tower defense? Don't be. It requires some heavy thinking and brain power, which is good for everyone. Since no one reads books anymore, you mind as well play a game that requires you to think on your feet. Defense Grid: The Awakening will love you if you love it.

A solid simulation of the sport that offers more teams and unique options not available in its main and only competitor on the PS2, "Winning Eleven." Some minor control issues remain and the depth is still not where it needs to be, but it delivers a highly worthwhile experience nonetheless.

What this FPS game lacks in antagonistic aliens and demons from hell, it more than makes up with good old-fashioned gunplay and an unbeatable theatric presentation.

As a "comic-to-movie-to-game" of sorts, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a resounding triumph, and well worth its measly $10 price-tag.

For puzzle action, Puzzle Fighter has the goods - especially in the two-player mode.

A little too short, but the secrets are bountiful, and the addition of power-ups that potentially fight back is sublimely ingenious.

Might not be real NHL hockey, but it might be all the hockey you really need.

Where Super Dodge Ball Advance really shines is in two-player link mode where all the most intense action occurs.

NBA 2K10 continues its legacy of dominance! 2K Sports delivers one of the finest basketball experiences since the glory days of the Dreamcast.

Thankfully, Isaac's shmup-like approach makes the game a little easier than the nightmare of a melee-only roguelike, though it's still no cakewalk. Like the Souls series, you'd best keep on your guard, since death is permanent and there are no saves. A playthrough can be as short as an hour, but with randomized loot and boss encounters on top of several unlockables, you'll want to put Isaac through hell multiple times.

Worthy of special mention is the original Iraqi-influenced musical score, which is both soothing and appropriate for the setting of the game.

Despite its technical achievements, the real star of Armed and Dangerous is the exhilarating and thoroughly challenging gameplay.

The Story Mode is decidedly different in that it doesn't feel like a rehash of THUG and the inclusion of Classic Mode is brilliant-that's without accounting for the expansive customizable and multiplayer options. Simply put, this game is skating nirvana.

Blur has the potential to be a game that will be spinning in many a gamer's consoles for a long, long time. There seems to be an unlimited number of goals to shoot for at any point, and the core racing gameplay that Blur offers has enough depth to it to remain satisfying after hundreds of races.

Polished, intuitive, balanced, and fun, this is one of the best RTS games ever made, but if you’re bored with the genre this isn’t going to suddenly make you a believer again.

What makes Ape Escape 2 rule is that it simply feels like no other game, thanks to an intuitive analog control scheme in which pressing or rotating the right stick both aims and activates your various gadgets.

An engaging and action-packed title filled with the type of old-school arcade action that you just don't see too much in this day and age.

Its premise is straightforward, yet there’s so much to do and see, along with some sizeable challenges that will test even the brightest adventure veterans.

The series could use a bit more depth and original features, but its pedigree as a top-ranked fighter remains intact.

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.

The Incident is quirky without trying too hard, and its core conceit is a concept that's both wholly original and immediately engaging.

What might be most impressive about The Club is that despite the many disparate elements that it cherry-picks from genres as diverse as racing, skateboarding, and first-person shooters, the whole never bears the disjointed feel of a Frankenstein creation, instead ebbing and flowing with a satisfying smoothness that's accessible without being overly simplistic, and action-packed without being nerve-deadening.

A butter smooth online FPS experience with finely balanced gameplay.

The tone might be almost overwhelmingly saccharine sweet, with even the caricature Nazis of the films stripped of their insignia and leering malice, but all gamers, young or old, are virtually guaranteed a great time. [July 2008, p.78]

Across the board, the slick environments, cut-scenes, and character faces shine, although some of the animations are awkward, particularly when 007 runs. A great title song by Mya, strong voice acting, and booming sound effects complete the package.

Not all the missions are wildly inventive, but the majority are satisfing and entertaining, and each is more fun than the original title's simplistic collection quests.

The graphics are beautiful, the sound effects forceful, and the between-challenge sports anchor schtick light and amusing, but the way these elements mesh forges a rich consistency greater than the sum of its parts.

If you've ever wanted to be a monster fighting for its soul, or if you've ever had designs of creating your own RPG, then let "Vampire" seduce you to the dark side.

"Virtua Fighter 4" was easily the best in the series, and also one of the best hardcore fighting games ever released. While it doesn't represent as huge a step up as say, "VF4" did over "VF3," it can still claim the crown as the best Virtua Fighter to date. It's a rousing success on all fronts.

Few expansion packs come loaded with as many new features as Relic has seen fit to put in - two entirely new sides, an equal number of expansive campaigns, and enough potential multiplayer action to keep any player occupied for months.

A game that finally does the Western action genre some tough justice.