In a nutshell, Mega Man Star Force is an okay game, but it's just too much like the Battle Network games to really warrant a purchase. The story is all over the place, the graphics and sound look virtually unchanged, and the attempt at making a new battle system just seems a bit lazy.

In a nutshell, Mega Man Star Force is an okay game, but it's just too much like the Battle Network games to really warrant a purchase. The story is all over the place, the graphics and sound look virtually unchanged, and the attempt at making a new battle system just seems a bit lazy.

In a nutshell, Mega Man Star Force is an okay game, but it's just too much like the Battle Network games to really warrant a purchase. The story is all over the place, the graphics and sound look virtually unchanged, and the attempt at making a new battle system just seems a bit lazy.

That said, Strikers probably isn't the best sports game on the market, but it sure is a fun, arcade-like frolic through Mario's wild world – Strikers style.

If you’re looking to spend some money on new Guitar Hero and you’re expecting something more substantial, Guitar Hero III is only a few months away and may very be worth saving the money for a full-fledged sequel.

While NASCAR 08 may be a fine game for the most part, it's the repetitive workload required to get into the meat of The Chase mode that'll drive people away quickly, if not the loose steering controls that require adjustment to get a good grip on the in-race gameplay.

While NASCAR 08 may be a fine game for the most part, it’s the repetitive workload required to get into the meat of The Chase mode that’ll drive people away quickly, if not the loose steering controls that require adjustment to get a good grip on the in-race gameplay.

For Civ IV fans, Beyond the Sword is a must-own game.

The gameplay could have been enhanced a bit more, but the same great football game you have come to enjoy over the years is still the best any fan can hope for.

The gameplay could have been enhanced a bit more, but the same great football game you have come to enjoy over the years is still the best any fan can hope for.

It’s not going to blow anyone away with the features, but Hot Shots fans should definitely check it out along with fans of tennis games in general.

For a remake, this version of Parappa the Rapper feels a little rough around the edges to suggest for a $30 price tag.

A lot of fun. It’s just that there’s not much here to keep the fun going unless you head online for the leagues or tournaments. While for the latest installments in an established series, it’s a bit of a disappointment. For the first installment of a promising, new series, it’s a pretty good start.

A lot of fun. It’s just that there’s not much here to keep the fun going unless you head online for the leagues or tournaments. While for the latest installments in an established series, it’s a bit of a disappointment. For the first installment of a promising, new series, it’s a pretty good start.

Project Sylpheed is a game that only die-hard anime or Square-Enix fans should consider at all, even for a rental. It’s so short and needlessly complex with its controls that it hardly warrants playtime whatsoever.

For those of you who haven’t experienced this title in any of its iterations: now is as good a time as any to get with the program and play the game. You won’t regret it.

There isn’t too much else to be said about Vampire Rain, other than semi-mindless ranting about how bad the game is (only semi-mindless because you begin coherently, but the ranting consumes too much of you and you might forget what you’re talking about).

It’s about on par with all other movie licensed games: relatively short, decent graphics, decent gameplay, and not much value to it.

It’s about on par with all other movie licensed games: relatively short, decent graphics, decent gameplay, and not much value to it.

It’s about on par with all other movie licensed games: relatively short, decent graphics, decent gameplay, and not much value to it.

It’s about on par with all other movie licensed games: relatively short, decent graphics, decent gameplay, and not much value to it.

It’s about on par with all other movie licensed games: relatively short, decent graphics, decent gameplay, and not much value to it.

Overall, Overlord is an exciting romp through a twisted fairy-tale land. While it lacks any incredibly difficult challenges, it delivers a laugh-a-minute story that is very well executed.

Overall, Overlord is an exciting romp through a twisted fairy-tale land. While it lacks any incredibly difficult challenges, it delivers a laugh-a-minute story that is very well executed.

The Darkness isn’t all that long and clocks in at about 10 hours, but it feels fresh the entire way through and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

The Darkness isn’t all that long and clocks in at about 10 hours, but it feels fresh the entire way through and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

The Bigs puts tons of great ideas to life to give players a much more fast-paced and turbo induced game of baseball that everyone will surely enjoy. While the fielding and base running could have used a little more fine tuning, the overall package is fun enough for all fans to enjoy a game of baseball without having to labor through hours of gameplay.

The Bigs puts tons of great ideas to life to give players a much more fast-paced and turbo induced game of baseball that everyone will surely enjoy. While the fielding and base running could have used a little more fine tuning, the overall package is fun enough for all fans to enjoy a game of baseball without having to labor through hours of gameplay.

The Bigs puts tons of great ideas to life to give players a much more fast-paced and turbo induced game of baseball that everyone will surely enjoy. While the fielding and base running could have used a little more fine tuning, the overall package is fun enough for all fans to enjoy a game of baseball without having to labor through hours of gameplay.

The Bigs brings tons of great ideas to life and gives players a much more fast-paced and fun game of baseball. While the problems are apparent, the overall package is solid enough for fans to enjoy a game of baseball without having to labor through hours of gameplay.

Order of the Phoenix is without a doubt the best entry in the Harry Potter game series to date.

Order of the Phoenix is without a doubt the best entry in the Harry Potter game series to date.

Order of the Phoenix is without a doubt the best entry in the Harry Potter game series to date.

Order of the Phoenix is without a doubt the best entry in the Harry Potter game series to date.

So in all, DiRT definitely stands out as a premiere racing game. The gameplay is great—though it may take a bit of getting used to for those you stick to common racing games—and the graphics help push it along as well.

So in all, DiRT definitely stands out as a premiere racing game. The gameplay is great—though it may take a bit of getting used to for those you stick to common racing games—and the graphics help push it along as well.

It's just that this game really isn't meant for on-the-go gaming. In fact, no Sim game is. Sim games are for the couch potato-type gamers, and playing SimCity DS while on the road will lead to problems, not pleasure.

The Wii version of Resident Evil 4 is undoubtedly the best there is. It’s a great value at $29.99 for what you’re getting, considering it’s one of the best games around and that it adds some remarkably refreshing new controls that are far superior to the previous versions.

Everybody that wants this to be a Brain Age for the PSP will be ultimately disappointed, but those desperate enough can just take the cheaper route and rent the game.

Still, it’s a solid rental and a good way to spend some time having a bit of fun. If you really want to kick ass as the Fantastic 4, go play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Still, it’s a solid rental and a good way to spend some time having a bit of fun. If you really want to kick ass as the Fantastic 4, go play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Still, it’s a solid rental and a good way to spend some time having a bit of fun. If you really want to kick ass as the Fantastic 4, go play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Still, it’s a solid rental and a good way to spend some time having a bit of fun. If you really want to kick ass as the Fantastic 4, go play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Still, it’s a solid rental and a good way to spend some time having a bit of fun. If you really want to kick ass as the Fantastic 4, go play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

It’s definitely worth a rental at the moment until it drops in price, where it’s definitely a better buy at $20 or $30. That’s an unfortunate circumstance for what is an enjoyable game that goes beyond being just a port by bringing a new story and campaign to the table.

It doesn't do anything that hasn't been seen dozens of times before and fails to inspire the player to push forward. You can get this kind of stealth action elsewhere, and for a cheaper price.

So in the end, Call of Juarez isn’t a title worth much more than a rental.

It has more of what made the first one great, and lots of new features that set it apart from the rest of the games in this genre. With its deep customization and hearty online component, Forza 2 will keep you playing for months.

On the whole, Shadowrun could’ve been packaged at about $20 cheaper rather than leave gamers wondering where the majority of their paycheck went.

On the whole, Shadowrun could’ve been packaged at about $20 cheaper rather than leave gamers wondering where the majority of their paycheck went.

Like a good song that got overplayed on the radio, Mario Party 8 is simply too much of a good thing. The series is in desperate need of a revival and one can only hope that Nintendo looks at this title as reference of what not to do in the future.

There’s a lot of content here to keep you busy for a long time while you strive for the perfect grades.

Odin Sphere does a lot to show you that with the proper attention to detail, 2D can still provide for great-looking games that can stand out amongst the myriad of 3D games that occupy the shelves today.

Ultimately, between the short campaign and the rather bland combat, Pirates doesn’t do a lot to separate itself from the heap of other action games just like it.

Ultimately, between the short campaign and the rather bland combat, Pirates doesn’t do a lot to separate itself from the heap of other action games just like it.

Ultimately, between the short campaign and the rather bland combat, Pirates doesn’t do a lot to separate itself from the heap of other action games just like it.

Tiberium Wars is just an excellent example of how a strategy game off of its native platform should be.

Alpha Prime is a very average game. It might have nice visuals that make it look comparable to other games of its ilk, but in the end it suffers from being a truly derivative and under-developed game.

In all, Raving Rabbids is a decent game at least worth a rental.

For those who zip through Pokémon games, you can become the League Champion in a little more than 30 hours, but it should take everybody maybe 40 or more hours to complete. Rest assured, the game isn’t anywhere close to over after the credits roll.

For those who zip through Pokémon games, you can become the League Champion in a little more than 30 hours, but it should take everybody maybe 40 or more hours to complete. Rest assured, the game isn’t anywhere close to over after the credits roll.

It’s unfortunate that the game ruins the nice sense of pacing in the gameplay with an overemphasis on story that makes you want to skip it, despite knowing that it’s not wise to do so. Luckily, the game is fun and creative enough to overlook these issues and it’s easy to get drawn into the game for hours at a time.

If you own the PS2 version of Guitar Hero II the ten extra songs and the downloadable content are still reason enough to look into the 360 version. The new guitar controller is also definitely worth owning.

The single player component in Chocobo Tales is roughly 10 hours long, so while it won't keep you busy for a month, the game's pure fun factor is just enough to make it worth a purchase.

But as a cool little party game you pop in from time to time, you can’t beat the features, the fun, and the price.

It’s a near-perfect concoction of speed, style, nostalgia, and fun.

Bethesda Softworks wisely followed the “if it ain’t broke” axiom and left much of the core gameplay unchanged, opting instead to toss on oodles of new content and leaving no stone unturned as to how to make the game that much better.

Bethesda Softworks wisely followed the “if it ain’t broke” axiom and left much of the core gameplay unchanged, opting instead to toss on oodles of new content and leaving no stone unturned as to how to make the game that much better.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night packs a lot of value into its relatively small package. It has multiple endings, a second inverted and more difficult castle to unlock, as well as the ability to play as Richter Belmont once the game has been fully cleared.

Audibly speaking, the game, like the first one, is nearly flawless. The voice work is executed with such grace that they make you feel as if these characters are believable and a part of the time period.

Homecourt looks, sounds and plays greatly, but it seems they lost the essence of what made V3 so phenomenal.

Hip-hop fans will almost certainly have one hell of a time with this game, with the focus on building label and the extensive soundtrack.

Hip-hop fans will almost certainly have one hell of a time with this game, with the focus on building label and the extensive soundtrack.

The new modes do a good job of forcing players to think during every race, but the lack of popular modes and online play really hurt the overall value of the game.

The new modes do a good job of forcing players to think during every race, but the lack of popular modes and online play really hurt the overall value of the game.

The lack of multiplayer that was so proudly distributed on the PSP is long gone on the PS2 version and players who already played the previous version will see no reason to pick up this title as well, as it offers nothing new in terms of actual gameplay.

Consider picking it up if mystery games are your genre, as it is a decent sort of game for a sleuth, even if it does sometimes feel rather barren. For others, however, this game is probably not worth its admittedly modest price.

To get an idea of what exactly Bullet Witch is all about, try to imagine a game in which Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, and Resident Evil are all rolled into one...except that game turned out to be complete trash.

Don’t let the controls drive you away from this game, as there are more goodies to be had if you just spend some time with it.

The game feels, sounds, and largely looks like a really solid baseball game. From the wealth of deep single player modes to the enticing online package, there’s really no reason to not pick up MLB 07: The Show if you’re looking for the best baseball experience around.

What may be one of the year’s sleeper surprises, though, is the way in which War Front: Turning Point picks and combines elements from all these franchises, presenting a final product that ultimately incites the senses.

The classic sensation of speed, coupled with some of the best locations, makes this Sonic game one of the best additions to the series in a long time.

The visuals have a sort of cell-shaded look to them, but they’re also fully textured. The look of the game resembles that of a modern graphic novel—fitting with the game’s sci-fi setting.

Homecourt looks, sounds and plays greatly, but it seems they lost the essence of what made V3 so phenomenal.

This is a game that will make you work, sweat, and pry every ounce of its considerable enjoyment from several dense layers.

The entertaining story, great, varied, gameplay, and the impressive package that surrounds the single-player makes the negatives, like long load times, boring multiplayer, and the sometimes awkward camera controls, a necessary evil to have a great game like Size Matters.

If you have no need for a Wii Remote at this time, it may be more feasible to find a friend who’s in need of the Wii Remote to split the cost or just hit up your local used game shop for cheaper, used versions of the game.

In the year 2007, subscribers shouldn’t have to worry about sever stability and debilitating amounts of lag, nor should they have to suffer through a substandard interface or bargain-bin audio.

Even with some recycled content, and the bland menus, Winning Eleven boils down to one key aspect that no other soccer title has; great core gameplay.

The gameplay has evolved nicely, but the wrapper that is the rest of the game seems to be wasting away as sloppy rosters and a little change elsewhere is a sign that something major needs to occur next year for the MVP series to rise out of the ashes forming around it.

It is extremely difficult to be shooting things with your stylus and at the same time maintain control of your vehicle; humans were only born to have two hands.

It mostly fails to deliver standout action sequences, but fans of the real-time strategy genre should find their place in this game.

It mostly fails to deliver standout action sequences, but fans of the real-time strategy genre should find their place in this game.

The game's lack creativity, the presentation is terrible, and some of the features never work properly which makes Fuzion Frenzy 2 hardly worth recommending to anyone.

If they can find enough substance for the continuing chapters we’ll continue to advocate their creations. Valve and Ritual, follow Telltale’s lead.

Like a good book, Hotel Dusk is a satisfying experience that you'll likely find yourself returning to beyond its initial fifteen hours. If it can be classified as a game, Hotel Dusk is one of the best on the DS.

It’s quick to pick up and play, and All-American difficulty will make you strain for a win, but with a $60 price tag, this is only for the most die hard of fans.

It’s quick to pick up and play, and All-American difficulty will make you strain for a win, but with a $60 price tag, this is only for the most die hard of fans.