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.