Despite some flaws, Rakulls is the best kind of downloadable title -- a humorous game with elements from well-designed classics, but integrated with a modern touch.

The game can be annoying at times--opening doors is almost always a hassle, for example--and the limited time you have to find the Elebits makes things a little hairier than necessary but this is still one of the more original and fun titles available for the Wii.

A decent addition to the handheld fighter genre, and if players can discipline themselves not to buy many of the all-powerful techniques, River City Ransom Ex can be a cool gaming experience.

What saves this game from being just another monster collection RPG is the compelling narrative and the unique environments.

Seemingly everything Magic players would want in a virtual adaptation of the now classic card game.

But while the game's storyline is focused on a far-reaching conflict, Frontlines ultimately succeeds because of all the attention that the developers paid to the small stuff.

"Fantavision" has prettier graphics, but the time-tested gameplay in Bust A Move makes the switch to the PS2 nicely.

Sadly, the controls in the Battle screen are totally counterintuitive, making it a slow, tedious chore to command your units.

If all you need is a good challenge and you have the patience for turn-based strategy games, by all means, pick up this game. If the inconsistent presentation and lack of multiplayer options have you unconvinced, then it may be a good idea to wait for another one to come along. [July 2004, p.102]

While the controls aren't as counterintuitive as many have claimed them to be, the game has minor draw distance problems when you're Katamari gets too big and there're too many big objects on screen. You'll find that the game doesn't load the smaller items and you're Katamari will pick up objects that aren't even represented onscreen.

The fantastic FielderCam option shifts the gameplay view behind the fielders when a ball's been hit. This provides a much more realistic ballplayer's view of the action than other games. [May 2004, p.90]

Take note, game developers: Loading and re-loading does not a fun play experience make. Give us quick-saving or give us death.

If playing the divine hand to a house full of simulated people appeals to you, this is as good as it gets.

While it is initially daunting, Culdcept Saga is a game whose potential grows the more you play it. [May 2008, p.84]

It's fun while it lasts, but it certainly won't blaze any new trails as far as virtual rockstardom goes, and diehard fans of Rock Band should hope that the devs return to their hard rocking roots for the next genuine installment. [Feb 2010, p.89]

If playing the divine hand to a house full of simulated people appeals to you, this is as good as it gets.

The player-creation mode is decent but not great. Those gamers who have mastered the art of rendering their likeness onto the small screen may have a difficult time here.

There's a lot to like about Quake 4: vivid (and violent) visuals, comfortable controls, and a surprisingly addictive multiplayer mode. And as a cool bonus, Activision even threw in a gorgeously high-definition version of "Quake II." So what more do you want?

The mini-game stages can be disappointing (the hamster-ball sections have completely unrealistic physics), but overall Crash is not a bad little platformer at all. Unoriginal but not bad.

It's got a good amount of polish and diehard KH fans should definitely get it. Casual fans will also find reasons to like it, even if the weird story doesn't really add up.

Darkwatch mixes its Western Roots with gothic horror and steampunk aesthetics, and the results are uniquely engaging...Just darned good fun while it lasts. [Sept 2005, p.64]

The game is fast-paced and simple (the only way to fail is to miss three fruits or accidentally slice a bomb), and the inclusion of online global leaderboards adds a little extra incentive to boot up the game when I'd otherwise be bored.

Chocobo Tales is about quick and easy fun. The Crayola art style, pop-up book style graphics and fable stories may make it seem like a kiddie title and technically, it is. However, the game is fun enough that and packed with enough nods to diehard fans that Final Fantasy fans of all ages should give it a look.

It’s a fast and furious action/adventure that oozes style (among other things) but still delivers all the gameplay goods.

And while you must have a mind for strategy and business to really enjoy it, you do get to see dinos bleed now and then—and that’s worth something.

It just doesn't feel like the Transformers. There's no character to the characters, no real reason to transform except to find a better battleground during a boss fight. [June 2004, p.69]

Wireless multiplayer mode (only available in the U.S. version) pits two players head-to-head, but this option is unlockable only after several hours of play (that may be too long for many players).

A game like El Shaddai is something that comes along only a few times in each console generation. The beautiful visuals, fantastic environments, solid (though slightly flawed) gameplay, and rich mythology combine to make a game quite unlike anything you've ever played.