More than a decent scaling down of a seminal game, Jet Grind Radio is an accomplished and guaranteed time-killer.

Isn’t really The Sims as you know it - it’s more like "Animal Crossing" with human beings instead of sapient anteaters.

The strong story and voice acting make the game a must play, but the skimpy replay value leaves something to be desired.

Essentially the same game with a slew of slick improvements, and gamers will have an absolute blast throwing down dunks while exploring its new features.

It's for that rare breed of gamer who isn't afraid of inhuman challenge, who spends days practicing their routines, who will do anything to beat his last high score.

For every good aspect of the game there seems to be a bad one, and when you balance that out across the board (or ski), it just adds up to a game that tries to evolve a winning formula but falls prey to its own ambition.

A fun package that doesn’t tax your noggin the way "Halo" did.

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

Follows up last year's comeback player of the year with control tweaks and makes its formidable franchise mode even better. [Apr 2006, p.97]

Unless you're completely jaded or prefer games with darker themes, Rhapsody is a fun and whimsical RPG that definitely warrants a look. [Oct 2008, p.93]

I especially appreciate the numerous calibration option that the game offers -- finally, I have a game that I can play while attempting to accomplish a full 360 degree orbit on a swing set.

NCAA Football 10 is like an above average college football recruit: it plays hard, keeps its nose clean and eventually gets drafted in the second round. It doesn't make ESPN's Top 10 Plays segment on a weekly basis nor does it rack up the jersey sales but it works hard in the trenches and is a great locker room presence.

It might not strike anyone as exceptional, but with real-world car details, challenging A.I., and a nice upgrade system, 4x4 Evolution is worth checking out, especially if you’re an SUV fanatic in real life.

For veterans, it'll feel like the same gameplay found in all previous Ace Combat games--and that's not necessarily a bad thing considering this is a shooter that's still worthy of sitting in first class.

Mathphobes will still probably view Buku Soduku like a homework assignment, but if you're looking for a fun way to exercise your brain this game is for you.

A good combination of hazards (flying enemies, poisonous walls, crazy people with spears, etc.) and power-ups (invincibility orbs, magical flying mustaches, rockets, etc.) make this a perfect pull-out-and-play experience for the iPhone and ensure that things don't get stale.

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

Everything from the 22 on-screen players to the stadium they're duking it out in looks great, and for the first time ever I felt like I wasn't playing a compromised or downgraded football experience despite the limitations of the iPhone platform.

Even with its faults this game is a great value. Other arcade titles with fun, solid gameplay, simple controls, and this many customizable features will run you between $10-$20, but lucky you, you get Battlefield Heroes for free.

The graphics are clean and bright, but clearly representative of a first generation game, and the music, aside from a few levels, is uninspired.

The game is still a blast, even if you eventually get tired of it. If you're a PS3 owner who loves light-gun games then Time Crisis 4 is the only game you need; it's also the only game you can have.

It comes as a nice surprise to encounter a DS game brimming with originality and imagination.

Still, the control scheme is interesting and unique enough that I think some Wii owners will dig it.

There a lot to love about Peace Walker. Its visuals, non-critical quests and activities, the addictive-as-crack base management, controls, and even co-op options (if that's your thing), offer a level of polish and craft rarely seen in a portable title. Unfortunately, its boring, hard-as-hell boss encounters keep it a couple of notches below a perfect score.

Resident Evil 4 is still an outstanding shooter, but as I keep re-iterating with these recent high-def rereleases, your mileage is bound to vary.

But I have to reiterate: Child of Eden is awesome. It's impossible to not be taken aback by the brilliant orchestration of the stages, their intricate details, and their climactic boss fights, including the borderline inspirational ending sequence.

Homefront does a whole lot right, delivering powerful imagery and actions on the single-player side, as well as interesting multiplayer alterations, but neither end feels fully realized. But I won't hesitate to recommend Homefront on the overall strength of its stilted campaign, which consistently delivers strong set pieces and alluring atmospheric moments amidst the chaotic combat.

The missions themselves begin to feel repetitive and some can be overly challenging... Still, with over 25 levels and internet multiplay through Microsoft's Gaming Zone, StarLancer is a great space combat game.