The advances in gameplay, graphics, and features are quite noticeable as GameDay is a solid, enjoyable football experience; however, it’s still not yet ready to take the starter position.

The controls are quite responsive, offering a wide assortment of combat moves, but the weak camera hinders them.

Exigo's multileveled gameplay is a good first step in an interesting direction, but unfortunately, that's not always enough to compete in the brutally competitive RTS genre. With more tweaking, Armies of Exigo could definitely give Blizzard a run for its money. [Dec 2004, p.126]

By combining solid pixel animations with awesome scaling and rotation effects, the developers have achieved an impressive, psuedo-3D effect.

The gameplay blows minds. The lush, detailed graphics and driving sountrack are the icing on the cake. [Dec 2004, p.108]

With its deep Clan system and 400 missions worth of downright addictive quests, I can't help but recommend it. [July 2008, p.82]

The game does a great job of continuing to reward you for your performance and because of that, SHIFT is an engaging and addictive sim racer. It sets a great foundation for future iterations but hopefully, the sequel won't suddenly throw the e-brake on the action and force you to the side of the road every now and again.

It represents Mega Man doing what he does best-beating bosses with cool themes, collecting their weapons, and overcoming well-designed levels that are difficult…but not stupidly-super-frustratingly difficult.

The addition of two-player modes makes PaRappa more of a party experience and extends the game's life beyond novelty. The story is just plain weird, but it's still a great hoot.

If it weren’t for the sloppy handling, Rogue III could have flown a perfect flight.

Much like Chibiterasu, Okamiden faithfully does the job of its predecessor, although it lacks much of the grace and poise that we saw last time from Amaterasu's adventure. Still, the feel of the franchise is intact, and that's what really matters here. With extra post-game content and plenty of quests to complete before and after the final battle, Okamiden is a solid closing entry in the original DS's history.

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.

In short, you'll have a blast but you'll pay a heavy price for it sooner or later.

Without its surreal mix of worlds and characters, Disney Universe would be little more than a fun, but forgettable LEGO game rip-off. However, with enough charm and personality to fill Cinderella's Castle, it's hard not to recommend it to those who make annual treks to Disneyland or catch every Pixar flick on opening day. If that doesn't describe you, but you're an adult looking for a fun interactive romp to take with your kids, Disney Universe is still a great place to visit.

As one of the first budget-priced GameCube-to-Wii upgrades, New Play Control! Pikmin is a perfect example of what the series is capable of.

In the end, while Critter Crunch might not be the most unique puzzler available on PSN, the game's charming characters, stunning animation, and variety-packed gameplay makes it well worth the paltry asking price. Just don’t ask Biggs for food…you won’t like what he gives you.

Without its surreal mix of worlds and characters, Disney Universe would be little more than a fun, but forgettable LEGO game rip-off. However, with enough charm and personality to fill Cinderella's Castle, it's hard not to recommend it to those who make annual treks to Disneyland or catch every Pixar flick on opening day. If that doesn't describe you, but you're an adult looking for a fun interactive romp to take with your kids, Disney Universe is still a great place to visit.

Classic RPG elements (like turn-based battles, item stores, and a rich plotline) flesh out classic Mario elements (like star/coin collecting, pipe travel, and jumping on things' heads as a means of violent retribution) to create a thoroughly enjoyable gaming experience (as long as you can tolerate the cuuute!).

It's just the kind of game for people that thought NBA Hangtime, Open Ice, and WWF Arcade were as real as they need in a sports game.

It's unique and memorable, and with two new enjoyable multiplayer modes, fans of puzzle games are sure to get their money's worth with Chime Super Deluxe. If you didn't catch the original Chime when it came out last year, be sure to check out this latest iteration. The definitive version is not to be missed.

But honestly, it's the puzzling that makes Clash of Heroes tick. Even without the online multiplayer and superior graphics, I would still recommend this game to RPG and puzzle fans, as not nearly enough people played the original. Here on high-definition consoles, it's cheap and accessible, meaning that it demands a look. If you missed out on the original, consider this a second chance. Go and take it.

At $14.99, About a Blob is a bit on the high side for what it offers. If you're thinking of playing this game just by yourself, it may not be worth it. But if you have some Robins at ready to follow your gelatinous Batman, About a Blob is a good deal.

To me, this game is well worth the dough -- Cave's superior development quality is more apparent to those who play these games a lot.

A great game...But if you're looking for the best jet-skiing game this fall, keep an eye out for "Splashdown" for the PS2...it has the potential to smoke Blue Storm.

Quirky and not for everyone, but it has an engaging charm and an addictive pitcher/batter interface that make it stand out.

Far more frustrating, though, is the pedestrian level design, which delivers frequent ambushes that rely on memorization and replay instead of stealth and skill.

Age of Empires: The Age of Kings beautifully leverages the DS's unique strength--its interactive touchscreen--to create a truly worthwhile handheld strategy game. With any luck, we're looking at the dawn of a golden age in DS strategy games.

A lengthy career mode is Skate It's highlight, as it sees you building your skills through increasingly difficult challenges.