While there are quite a few parts in the game that bring down the game in value, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword should remain as the prime example of what a third party can do with the Nintendo DS.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a game that should surprise everybody whoever plays it for all the right reasons. It’s terrific fan service to those who love Final Fantasy VII and the series in general.

As it is, Condemned II is a scary, clichéd, sometimes engrossing videogame, with good relay value, personality and, darkness permitting, an enjoyable single-player mode.

While Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds doesn’t really do anything that will change anyone’s opinions about the series, it does feature enough improvements in gameplay and online play that hardcore and casual fans of the series will find a lot to like about the game.

The game relies too heavily on the events and effects of the previous title, and although there are plenty of neat new features to whet your appetite, the game hardly feels like a sequel and more of a downloadable add-on.

The game relies too heavily on the events and effects of the previous title, and although there are plenty of neat new features to whet your appetite, the game hardly feels like a sequel and more of a downloadable add-on.

As it is, Condemned II is a scary, clichéd, sometimes engrossing videogame, with good relay value, personality and, darkness permitting, an enjoyable single-player mode.

Ring of Fates does what Crystal Chronicles couldn't do (make the game worth playing alone).

Insecticide had a lot of great things going for it (former developers from LucasArts, intriguing investigation sequences, a terrific art-style, and hilarious story), but ultimately the game comes down as a dire disappointment.

In the simplest terms, Brawl makes Melee look like a demo sampler.

Army of Two didn’t exactly deliver as a cooperative experience much better than Gears of War, but it made up for that by being a solid shooter in its own right.

Army of Two didn’t exactly deliver as a cooperative experience much better than Gears of War, but it made up for that by being a solid shooter in its own right.

While Rocketmen: Axis of Evil doesn’t give off the best first impression, those that take the plunge and buy the game will find a good game that worships the old-school shooters a bit too much at times.

While Rocketmen: Axis of Evil doesn’t give off the best first impression, those that take the plunge and buy the game will find a good game that worships the old-school shooters a bit too much at times.

Chains of Olympus has been the most anticipated PSP title for quite a while now and while it feels like God of War-lite, who cares? No handheld adventure will ever compare to that of a console, but the PSP-adaptation is still pretty damn sweet.

So the verdict is simple: If you’ve never played it, buy it; just don’t expect an engrossing experience. Simply expect to be entertained with a few genuine laughs.

So the verdict is simple: If you’ve never played it, buy it; just don’t expect an engrossing experience. Simply expect to be entertained with a few genuine laughs.

With a dearth of features and tweaks that make this experience the best out there, gamers will have plenty to do before and after the first pitch of the season.

With a dearth of features and tweaks that make this experience the best out there, gamers will have plenty to do before and after the first pitch of the season.

With a dearth of features and tweaks that make this experience the best out there, gamers will have plenty to do before and after the first pitch of the season.

It’s unfortunate for baseball fans without a PS3 that MLB 2K8 is their only choice.

PS3 owners should be grateful that MLB 2K8 is not their only choice.

After playing through just a bit of Turning Point, we were completely disappointed. The old feeling to it completely ruined the original concept.

After playing through just a bit of Turning Point, we were completely disappointed. The old feeling to it completely ruined the original concept.

After playing through just a bit of Turning Point, we were completely disappointed. The old feeling to it completely ruined the original concept.

When it comes down to it, Patapon is a great game that is quirky, charming, and addictive at the same time.

Despite its shortcomings, Naruto: Ninja Destiny surprisingly handles itself real well and sets itself up for a follow-up that should knock everyone's socks off.

For now, though, Frontlines is just another average shooter with a political slant.

For now, though, Frontlines is just another average shooter with a political slant.

It’s worth trying out but it’s hard to recommend it at full price.

So it’s not really anything about N+ itself that will turn people off, as it’s a fun game in its own right with a ton of content in this one little package.

The Club offers a great experience for all gamers who are looking for non-stop action while giving fans of old-school shooters something to talk about.

The Club offers a great experience for all gamers who are looking for non-stop action while giving fans of old-school shooters something to talk about.

While Dragon Quest fans can rejoice in a good game to enjoy, it just doesn’t offer the same kind of quality experience that its roman numeral brethren have pulled off so well.

The Club offers a great experience for all gamers who are looking for non-stop action while giving fans of old-school shooters something to talk about.

Despite what may be setbacks with the lack of true blue changes to the graphics and sound, Apollo Justice looks to be everything the Phoenix Wright trilogy was and more.

While slim on modes, the sum of FIFA Street 3’s individual parts makes it recommendable to anyone, including those who aren’t too hot for soccer.

While slim on modes, the sum of FIFA Street 3’s individual parts makes it recommendable to anyone, including those who aren’t too hot for soccer.

AudioSurf is very good value for money. It’s fun, fresh, and addicting.

Conflict: Denied Ops could have been a huge step in the right direction for the series. With so many years spent on one series, it’s a shame to see Pivotal Games at a lost of how to enhance the future of the franchise.

Conflict: Denied Ops could have been a huge step in the right direction for the series. With so many years spent on one series, it’s a shame to see Pivotal Games at a lost of how to enhance the future of the franchise.

At no point will this be a boring game for any fan of the genre, and it’s a game that really could push Xbox 360 sales overseas. It really is an absolute delight and a real surprise.

With the sheer quality of these puzzles alone, Level 5 could've just released the game as another brain teaser compilation, but they went the extra mile by relating every single puzzle to an event during the adventure which makes the game that much more interesting.

So while this Turok may not be of the same quality of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter on the Nintendo 64, but it will leave you will an enjoyable experience. Still, dinosaur throat-slitting can only go so far, and that along with some other cool features isn’t enough to warrant a definitive purchase.

So while this Turok may not be of the same quality of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter on the Nintendo 64, but it will leave you will an enjoyable experience. Still, dinosaur throat-slitting can only go so far, and that along with some other cool features isn’t enough to warrant a definitive purchase.

In the end, Devil May Cry 4 really does nothing new, but damn, if it isn’t fun to play.

In the end, Devil May Cry 4 really does nothing new, but damn, if it isn’t fun to play.

Although some slight problems exist, Altair’s latest adventure is more of the same while offering new challenges and innovative segments.

Though it is in some ways flawed, Sins of a Solar Empire remains one of the best strategy games to grace store shelves in recent times, and is sure to be one of the sleeper hits of 2008.

What Rez HD offers is an old-school feel with modern touches.

While PixelJunk Monsters may not look like the most addictive game in the world, it’ll hit you in the face with its challenging depth and simple gameplay.

Just be warned, like the Mario Party series, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is better with a few friends rather than playing solo—that way, it won’t be just you beating the hell out of the touch screen.

While Burnout Paradise is certainly an addictive game that offers a ton of value for anyone to enjoy, it definitely won’t please everyone that gives it a shot.

While Burnout Paradise is certainly an addictive game that offers a ton of value for anyone to enjoy, it definitely won’t please everyone that gives it a shot.

Somehow, in spite of this laundry list of faults, No More Heroes has some mystic element about it that makes it worth playing.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is a risk that Nintendo didn't have to take, but they did, and with that, they've made the most interesting game in the series.

Whatever your experience with the genre, you’re likely to be hooked on the addictive gameplay and dazzled by all the shiny HD sweetness.

Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom is still a great game in the classic series, but die-hard fans might find the lack of strategy in favor of all-out slashing too much of a change to enjoy.

So, NFL Tour is a $40 mess for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

So, NFL Tour is a $40 mess for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Either way, at a measly four hours or less, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law is barely an okay rental.

Either way, at a measly four hours or less, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law is barely an okay rental.

Either way, at a measly four hours or less, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law is barely an okay rental.

No exaggeration, a straight-shot playthrough of Journey of Dreams’ story mode yields about three parts fluff to one part legitimate gameplay, which is pitiful by today’s standards.

It is a mind-numbing experience that will leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.

When it comes down to it, The Orange Box is a must-have no matter what system you have, but if you’re a PS3 owner that has yet to play the game on either the PC or Xbox 360, there’s no reason to miss out on it now.

Universe at War delivers a unique, fresh gaming experience with factions that have truly innovative concepts sewn intrinsically into them.

There’s not really much more to say about the game other than just ranting about our horrible experience with it. Surely, that would bore you, our respected readers. We’re actually somewhat sorry that you’re being exposed to this game in the first place. Please, look elsewhere for gaming if you want to do yourselves a favor.

There’s not really much more to say about the game other than just ranting about our horrible experience with it. Surely, that would bore you, our respected readers. We’re actually somewhat sorry that you’re being exposed to this game in the first place. Please, look elsewhere for gaming if you want to do yourselves a favor.

There’s not really much more to say about the game other than just ranting about our horrible experience with it. Surely, that would bore you, our respected readers. We’re actually somewhat sorry that you’re being exposed to this game in the first place. Please, look elsewhere for gaming if you want to do yourselves a favor.

There’s not really much more to say about the game other than just ranting about our horrible experience with it. Surely, that would bore you, our respected readers. We’re actually somewhat sorry that you’re being exposed to this game in the first place. Please, look elsewhere for gaming if you want to do yourselves a favor.

There’s not really much more to say about the game other than just ranting about our horrible experience with it. Surely, that would bore you, our respected readers. We’re actually somewhat sorry that you’re being exposed to this game in the first place. Please, look elsewhere for gaming if you want to do yourselves a favor.

So if you have some spare time on your hands, Draglade is worth picking up to get your fighting fix. Fighting based around beats is interesting but not enough to carry the game the way it’s supposed to. Mortal Kombat will probably be able to suit your fighting needs better, but Draglade is a decent addition to the DS’s fighting catalog.

When it comes down to it, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is certainly a good game that could probably use a fresh, new developer’s perspective on the series since this action fighter is starting to get a bit stale.

Geometry Wars: Galaxies is the definition of portable fun.

On the whole, Speedball 2: Tournament is a solid game. It may have a few visual and aural quirks that may annoy some, but it makes up for it by doing what the original did all those years ago.

All this comes wrapped in what is arguably the best audiovisual package on Live Arcade, with lighting and water effects are so smooth and nuanced that it’s easy to forget, maybe even hard to believe, that this is a downloadable game and not a fully-realized retail release.

It may be difficult for some to overlook the new combat system, but once you get a grip on it, and look past the shoddy vehicular combat, you’ll find a game worthy purchasing.

So if you have some extra time on your hands, Kane & Lynch is just barely worth a rental. Were it not for its story, we would undoubtedly give it a “Skip It” recommendation. However, it should be able to tide you over for a small while. Don’t expect anything great out of it though.

When it comes down to it, Rock Band is a definite must buy game. If you’ve got friends to play with, it’s an amazing multiplayer game that is as much fun to play as it is to watch.

When it comes down to it, Rock Band is a definite must buy game. If you’ve got friends to play with, it’s an amazing multiplayer game that is as much fun to play as it is to watch.

The battle system isn't perfect by any means, but it works out a lot better than it did in Heroes of Mana. A lot of the DS strategy games lack the ability for the user to turn the map around to view things from a different angle, and that's where all of these games, including Revenant Wings, falter.

Geometry Wars Galaxies is an excellent transition from old to new with a bevy of extras that will keep fans engaged for a long time.

When it comes down to it, Trauma Center: New Blood fixes the few flaws of Second Opinion while creating a few of its own that hurt the game more than it helps.

If you’re a fan of the Unreal series and have a computer that can run it, there’s really no reason for you not to own this game.

This is one of the best Mario Party games to come out in a while--but if Nintendo just took the liberty of making it online, this really could have been the best one yet.

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune really shines by borrowing elements of other games and making an experience all to its own that can be enjoyed greatly by those that give it a shot.

Crysis as a whole is really a phenomenal game. One of the richest and most visually striking games ever made combined with a fantastic single player campaign that really never lets up after it picks up until it ends.

Assassin’s Creed is remarkable in every aspect it performs. From the sprawling city life to the dual-vision storyline, everything blends together to offer one of the most complete and satisfying experiences so far this year.

So if you have some extra time on your hands, Kane & Lynch is just barely worth a rental. Were it not for its story, we would undoubtedly give it a “Skip It” recommendation. However, it should be able to tide you over for a small while. Don’t expect anything great out of it though.

Assassin’s Creed is remarkable in every aspect it performs. From the sprawling city life to the dual-vision storyline, everything blends together to offer one of the most complete and satisfying experiences so far this year.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw could have been a great game and a step into making the best wrestling game to date. With so much potential that could have been used, the game just feels a bit too unbalanced at times.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw could have been a great game and a step into making the best wrestling game to date. With so much potential that could have been used, the game just feels a bit too unbalanced at times.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw could have been a great game and a step into making the best wrestling game to date. With so much potential that could have been used, the game just feels a bit too unbalanced at times.

So if you have some extra time on your hands, Kane & Lynch is just barely worth a rental. Were it not for its story, we would undoubtedly give it a “Skip It” recommendation. However, it should be able to tide you over for a small while. Don’t expect anything great out of it though.

Be that as it may, it's great to see Contra go back to its roots for this very impressive entry into long-running series. If you enjoy challenging titles that require every bit of skill you can muster, Contra 4 is just the perfect purchase.

At a measly 5 hours, Orcs & Elves is a short game that is meant to be beaten through brief sittings on the commute to work, school, or back home. But at its core, this isn't a game that's actually worth anybody's money.

Now, with all that said, this game isn’t awful but, really isn’t worth playing and is extremely hard to recommend since there are much better handheld titles out on store shelves.