It’s great for a while, and then takes a steep nosedive into the realm of mediocre shooters. The potential was there, but the sloppy implementation of features is ultimately Lost Planet’s downfall.

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

Metal Slug Anthology does nearly everything right, however, those without GC controllers may not find a perfect control scheme.

Elebits is original, addicting, easy to pick-up and play, and comes highly recommended. However, because of its relatively short length, a rental might be in order to decide if the extra features are worth the money.

Personally, we can’t deny our thirst for some unique touch-screen play, a deeper storyline, and a less-linear experience all around.

With a great story, fun gameplay, a dearth of modes to keep you busy for months, and an overall package that’s reminiscent of what you’d expect from a console Metal Gear Solid title, there’s just so much here that other developers need to pay attention to in order to compete on this level.

The complete lack of an online community makes half of the reason to even pickup the game worthless, leaving single-player and ad-hoc multiplayer modes, which are futile when you have a computer or chessboard on hand.

Capcom Classics Collection volume 2 is not the hit-loaded package one would expect, but it is still a must-own for fighting gamers and fans of old-school co-op gaming.

The true Capcom hardcore might wonder about the omission of Saturday Night Slam Masters, unless a third package is on the way, but that's just one gripe against what is otherwise a very well structured collection.

As a multiplayer game it shines, when ignoring the uneven playing field the weapons provide; but its offerings on the single-player front simply don’t do much for it. It’s short-lived and unsatisfying.

It delivers some of the most thrilling, realistic gunfights in any shooter, and sports impressive visuals and above-average online multiplayer—all of which make it into one of the must-own titles for your Xbox 360 this year.

The game is not perfect and certainly could have been improved with updated visuals and sound effects, as well as possibly even a little more variety than the already interesting dungeons.

It's worth spending some money to play, but with its incredibly limited content and potential for a much better sequel, there's no real reason to pay the full price for this game.

With the exception of Boxing, everything in Wii Sports is entertaining, and there's a little more depth than the simplistic presentation might lead you to believe.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

To be blunt, Sega Genesis Collection is the definition of essential gaming, and it has a rightful place on the shelves of any PSP owner looking for an inexpensive and high-quality addition to their library.

The game’s more frustrating than fun after you find that game doesn’t care to give you an idea of what you need to do to succeed.

The fact that you can play the game using just the stylus and touch screen just adds to the new feeling, and after playing this way—it’s hard to think that eventually someday players would have to go back to pressing buttons when playing RPG’s.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

Madden 07 for the Wii may be just innovative enough to require a second purchase of the game.

Call of Duty 3 could have been more than just another copy of previous installments, but with unnecessary gameplay mechanics, dumb AI, and a terrible control scheme, it brings nothing new in terms of enjoyment.

While the game really does not do a whole lot to innovate, it is a very solid FPS with an interesting story and an immense online aspect.

It does enough justice for the license to appeal to noobs and the elite alike.

If you're looking for a fun demonstration of what the Wii controller can do, a strong party game, or just a game to have a good laugh over, Rayman Raving Rabbids is a great choice.

Despite the repetitive nature of the operations by the end of Trauma Center: Second Opinion, it manages to be a worthwhile single-player experience, and more than any other launch title, it’s a great showcase for the Wii Remote.

It’s not great by any means but it certainly doesn’t come anywhere near the point of being bad either.

A decent racer that doesn’t really do anything different enough to warrant passing on any of the quality racing experiences that the PSP offers.

The price tag of $50 seems almost insulting to anyone who buys this game, as it has too many problems to even consider warranting a run-through.

Simulation hardliners need not apply, but pound-for-pound, this game makes a very good case for itself as the top title of the PS3 launch.

A game that can be enjoyed for its unique charm and accessibility. Viva Piñata is a friendly game with a startling amount of depth - you just have to take out your controller and take a whack at it.

It's a solid arcade title, but those people that were expecting to find the NES version will be disappointed.

Visually, Gears is astonishing. It undoubtedly breaks all previous technological barriers with the use of the Unreal Engine 3.0 and raises the bar to a stunningly unprecedented level.

Call of Duty 3 could have been more than just another copy of previous installments, but with unnecessary gameplay mechanics, dumb AI, and a forgettable storyline, it brings nothing new in terms of enjoyment. Gorgeous visuals and a great multiplayer simply could not save Call of Duty 3 from being just a different battle in the same tired war.

Call of Duty 3 could have been more than just another copy of previous installments, but with unnecessary gameplay mechanics, dumb AI, and a forgettable storyline, it brings nothing new in terms of enjoyment. Gorgeous visuals and a great multiplayer simply could not save Call of Duty 3 from being just a different battle in the same tired war.

While a few purists may want to grumble over the new nail the trick feature, once you’ve tried and mastered it, you’ll never want to go back to the way things were.

To be blunt, Sega Genesis Collection is the definition of essential gaming, and it has a very rightful place on the shelves of any PS2 owner looking for an inexpensive and high-quality addition to their library.

The game has been so well-made that it’s hard to even think of what can be added or improved to Guitar Hero III outside of a new soundtrack.

You should do your best to stay as far away from this game as you possibly can.

Call of Duty 3 could have been more than just another copy of previous installments, but with unnecessary gameplay mechanics, dumb AI, and a forgettable storyline, it brings nothing new in terms of enjoyment. Gorgeous visuals and a great multiplayer simply could not save Call of Duty 3 from being just a different battle in the same tired war.

A great game and a great value that's marred – but by no means ruined – by some poor development choices such as licensed music and certain skin designs. It is the biggest Lumines game to date, and the gameplay from the original is still in place, plus the game doesn't end at 999999 points.

The moodiness of the game's atmosphere, the intensity of the pacing, the original infection mechanic and the overall quality of the gameplay combine into what may be the best game of 2006 you haven't heard of.

Since the game is actually a dungeon crawler, Children of Mana may disappoint those looking for their traditional RPG fix. But if it really counts toward opinion, the game just might be the best and most beautiful dungeon crawler ever created.

Like FFX, it does not fit in that well with the rest of the series from a gameplay or stylistic standpoint, but it stands up beautifully alongside the likes of the Chrono and Seiken Densetsu franchises as a high-quality Square Enix RPG in its own right, even if it isn't one of the greatest of all time.

A marked improvement over its console inspiration, and provides an entertaining and challenging experience to those who pick it up.

The pacing could use some work, but the short nature of the levels and the game itself works in its favor to not dawdle too long with the boring areas.

A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it’s a fun game.

A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it’s a fun game.

A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it’s a fun game.

FIFA 07 represents the best soccer you can play on the Xbox 360, but falls short of the bar set by Konami and, ironically enough, EA itself.

An impressively intense handheld game that may garner too many Metroid comparisons for its own good.

A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it's a fun game.

A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it's a fun game.

The irony that the gameplay isn’t so tactical is quite apparent after you realize you haven’t been fighting your enemies so much as you’ve been spinning around in circles at them.

What was wrong in the series’ first attempt on the PSP has been almost entirely fixed here, which could make Pro the game that "ATV Offroad Fury" fans have wanted all along.

Universe is a strong and worthy sequel to the 2000 Dreamcast classic, but key absences – specifically the offline multiplayer – make a very good case for waiting.

Universe is a strong and worthy sequel to the 2000 Dreamcast classic, but key absences – specifically the offline multiplayer – make a very good case for waiting.

Universe is a strong and worthy sequel to the 2000 Dreamcast classic, but key absences – specifically the offline multiplayer – make a very good case for waiting.

Action fans will revel in as much recycled intensity as they can squeeze out, and it’s for them that Arkane Studios built Dark Messiah.

The lack of multiplayer and online co-op, as well as less-than-average visuals makes this game only worth a rental, with almost no redeeming replay value.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

It may be underappreciated just for what it is, but those who pick it up and really play into it will quickly find that this one is something special.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you're definitely getting more than what you paid for.

Splinter Cell Double Agent is a solid game with an excellent multiplayer component. Fans of a gripping storyline which includes intense action and "stealthy stealth" will no doubt enjoy this game.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you're definitely getting more than what you paid for.

It is the high point of the Mortal Kombat series by light years, but that just makes it all the more depressing that the Live Arcade port is brought down by so few, but so severe, problems.

Sadly, Lumines Live's interesting but misplaced focus on microtransactions hurts its value, and thus, kills the very legitimate shot it had at perfection.

Fortunately, you don’t get any mind-numbing puzzles that can only be solved by luck either.

While some hardcore fans of the genre may find the schoolboy setting a minor lack of interest, others will see Bully as simply a GTA for kids, and there is really nothing wrong with that.

Splinter Cell Double Agent is a solid game with an excellent multiplayer component. Fans of a gripping storyline which includes intense action and “stealthy stealth” will no doubt enjoy this game.

There’s some great multiplayer action to be had here, but depending on your familiarity level with the series, you might have already experienced the best that this title has to offer.

If you have an Xbox 360, this version is much improved over last year’s offering.

The humor just oozes out of every orifice that the game has, which just has to be seen to be appreciated if you’re into this kind of stuff.

Ultimately, there’s something completely satisfying and entertaining in creating a real-life house in a Sims world and finding out what truly does happen when pets stop being polite and start getting real.

The end result is a game that will satisfy neither hardcore fighting gamers nor casual players outside the core MK fanbase. This is a fan game to the core, and can only be recommended to the most devout of the MK faithful.

The current-gen versions offer a solid golf game with a ton of content. Whichever version you choose, you’ll be getting a great golf experience.

If you're looking for a fun, deep, and relaxing game that also lends itself very well to short play sessions and the PSP's sleep function, you really can't go wrong with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07.

It plays well, has a fantastic create a golfer mode, and has a host of different ways to play.

The end result is a game that will satisfy neither hardcore fighting gamers nor casual players outside the core MK fanbase. This is a fan game to the core, and can only be recommended to the most devout of the MK faithful.

Perhaps the most notable improvement this year is the AI's adaptation, finally, to the new NHL rules.

A solid game of basketball, but not one worth your money if you have Live 06.

A solid game of basketball, but not one worth your money if you have Live 06.

There are a couple of nice new features, but none of them make this installment a must buy.

Despite the game’s many faults, however, it’s a hell of a lot of fun to play the Conquest mode, and that coupled with the mini-games offer enough value to make it a worthwhile purchase as it’ll stay in your PSP for a long time to come.

A solid game of basketball, but not one worth your money if you have Live 06.

The world of Baten Kaitos is a place of luscious and beautiful color that anybody would want to visit in a fairy tale. But is that enough? If you've played the first game, you're bound to be disappointed with the way the first half of this title turns out.

The mixture of the strategy genre and the third person action gameplay makes for a simple yet enjoyable experience. It’s sad, though, because the Godfather franchise almost works against a serviceable game for the barren PSP landscape.

What Okami ultimately offers is a satisfying adventure with memorable characters, intuitive play mechanics, and an astonishing visual presentation. Simply, it’s a ton of fun to play.

If you really liked the potential held by The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, The King of Fighters 2006 is the realization of that potential. It's not going to change the mind of anyone who is fervently anti-3D KOF, but it's the most solid “alternative fighting game” we've seen in a long time.

To put it in the simplest terms, this is an example of real-time strategy done right. It’s a blast to play, and a game whose merits any gamer or WWII buff can appreciate.

The wealth of content available here, regardless of whether you're playing Single Mode or Battle Mode, makes it essential old-school playing for those who can appreciate it.

The sound is shockingly good.

Perhaps the most notable improvement this year is the AI's adaptation, finally, to the new NHL rules.

Clocking in at less than six hours it’s hardly entertaining, hardly funny and hardly worthy of your time. In fact, it’s a dreadful disappointment.

A few missteps here and there doesn’t hurt the enjoyment that the game offers, but they should be a focal point for EA Tiburon to focus on for next year’s game.

The way it blends single player and multiplayer together into one package is nice, and is something that hasn’t been done in a console racing game to date. The game plays very well; it looks pretty, and sounds alright.