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.