If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.

Simply put, DDRMAX2 is the DDR that players know and love, but slightly flashier. Fans won’t be disappointed.

There's no sense in mincing words: Tekken 5 doesn't come close to capturing the full graphical potential of the PlayStation 3. In fact, as far as next-gen brawlers go, it's a bit on the homely side.

The crisp 2D art in Zombie Smash gives it a high-grade feel, but the music (composed by Chris Hülsbeck, who did the scores for the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron series) is the real highlight of the show.

Harvest Moon isn't for the impatient gamer, but those who stick with it long enough will discover its rustic charm.

If you're a stickler for time, or actually want to keep your REAL pets alive, then Seaman may find himself flushed down the toilet.

Catering to a portable game console and still keeping Resistance fans happy is a tall order, but at the end of the day Resistance: Retribution pulls off these difficult tasks with flying colors.

It's done a great job of balancing fun animation and serious gameplay.

Raven Software pushed the envelope with the amazing shadow effects in "Doom 3," but unfortunately Quake 4 lacks that same degree of pixel-shader pizzazz outdoors. From the blocky sky box to the drab terrain and buildings, the exterior details pale in comparison to the atmospherically cramped interior spaces.

Our first run through the game clocked in at little over four hours, which was quite disappointing. The game does have a ton of collectibles to find, including some cool Xbox 360 Achievement Awards, but just don't expect an epic 20-hour experience.

Battleheart is beautiful, well-designed, and does a great job of scratching my RPG itch. The repetitive grind offered by the battles is unfortunate, but even with a lack of variety it's a great, fairly-priced game.

Project 8 is ridiculously pretty. The overall graphics received a significant upgrade, but we were especially impressed with the character animations. The virtual skaters look and move just like their real-life counterparts... The best Tony Hawk game since "THPS2."

In the end, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is a solid golf game that should keep you interested for hours. [Nov. 2006, p.103]

The realistic fluidity of the water and the realistic properties of the fire (they spread if left unattended) are what makes this game different.

To the Moon is a rare treat in this current crop of game releases. It doesn't break new ground with its storytelling, and it won't drop jaws with its unfolding action, but that's exactly what makes it a different kind of game. It calls for a moment of your time, and your undivided attention. It involves a lot of reading and a very little strategy. It explores a human concept -- the dying wish -- and invites you to come along. It's simple, poignant, and full of heart.

Sims fans everywhere, from the casual to the hardcore, will absolutely love all of the new additions that are packed in here. World Adventures is guaranteed to impress -- it may just be the most ambitious expansion in the franchise yet -- and it will add hours upon hours of new areas to explore and new Sims to meet.

One of the most lovingly crafted games in years, Painkiller looks awesome, sounds intimidating, and controls simply and smoothly.

To date, Wario Ware Touched is the only DS game that fully utilizes the DS's unique functions and is a must have for all DS owners.

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

Having never played Torchlight on the PC before, I was floored by everything the game had to offer. The looting, the character progression, and the addictive combat -- all wrapped up in an attractive bow with a low price point -- make for one fun game that you shouldn't pass up.

Until we see how well EA Sports’ "NASCAR Thunder 2002" turns out, NASCAR Heat is the stock-car game to beat.

Bomberman Ultra is a must own for fans of the series but the lack of new features doesn't make this a must buy for fans of the 2007 XBLA release. However, if you do not own a 360 and are waiting for the classic Bomberman experience on the PS3, download this version immediately.

Though switching weapons with the directional pad and both shoulder buttons takes a little time to get the hang of, the control scheme is tight and simple.

By a fair margin, NCAA March Madness 2004 comes out on top in the showdown against "ESPN College Basketball."

But for a reasonably priced downloadable game where you're driving/flying around in tiny vehicles, Renegade Ops certainly doesn't feel small. In fact, it's genuinely one of the most entertaining and polished action titles I've played on a digital platform.

Saints Row's Xbox Live presentation is a colossal step in the right direction for the genre, with its live-action lobby, imaginative game modes, and an MMO-inspired element that allows you to amass and spend the money you win online.

Ultimately, the game amounts to a very extensive map pack with one new game mode, but because the great gameplay of the original is left intact, Lumines II is still a very enjoyable experience.

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.