The varied missions, near photo realistic visuals, real world planes, and live action cut scenes have been mixed to produce a thoroughly enjoyable combat game, and the addition of aces, these skilled NPCs that can take forever to destroy, and a two player mode, only add to the product's rain slick sheen.

The quintessential gaming flick it is not, but Advent Children still satisfies, both to fans and casual viewers.

While the game continues its multiplayer mayhem on a new platform, one can't help but think it's the same old thing all over again.

The game controls well with the Xbox 360 controller (aside from the d-pad issues), so if you can get over the lackluster graphics you should be able to enjoy yourself.

It needed a bit more work with its action and stealth elements, and it probably won't catch on with those unfamiliar with the series, but fans will enjoy the freefall into pure genius.

It's no doubt a solid fighter, and if you absolutely adore SNK and this series then by all means, but I think this is truly the nail in the coffin. It has to be, because I'm getting tired of playing the same game every month.

I'm not sure whether my brain's actually benefiting from this special treatment, but I do know that Brain Age is fun to mess around with for several minutes a day.

Auto Assault has undergone a massive overhaul from last year. In it's current state it looks fantastic, and plays with the kind of adrenaline-rushing glee that all games hope to aspire to.

So if controlling virtually every aspect of a baseball team, not to mention the entire history of baseball - even down to the concessions at a ballpark, is your thing, then this game will be right up your gap to left field.

My main problem with Tomb Raider: Legend is that Crystal Dynamics made it a wee bit too accessible for the public. The game, while a lot of fun and adjustable for difficulty purposes, is still pretty easy to beat.

Grasshopper Manufacture, best known for its work on the underappreciated "Killer 7," has done a great job capturing the essence of the show while incorporating its own signature elements, and the result is an entertaining hack and slash adventure that serves up plenty of action that's been marinated in tasty Samurai Champloo shenanigans.

This frantic and wildly intense FPS is clearly the superior version because of its slight graphical enhancements and its improved online component, but these changes are too cosmetic to influence me to purchase it.

What we basically have here is a glossed-over version of the game with very little addition and a $20 price drop, not to mention some horrible freezing problems that send this game to the showers.

Odama takes the hard way and really makes you work to see every one of its twelve levels. This will fascinate many looking for something new from Nintendo's camp, but the whole thing seems a bit done in by a clunky, uninteractive control scheme and a cramped presentation.

The handling is downright beautiful and innovated over a series of bikes, and the presentation rocks. However, the game's incredible difficulty curve, somewhat average career mode, and complete lack of online play may leave some less than satisfied with the ride.

The presentation is solid but lacks the zing of the ESPN license, the commentary gets a little bland, and the presentation skips a bit online.

The game is missing several things, including a crucial control scheme during a majority of the shootouts, the car and speedboat chases that threw in diversity in previous versions, and a multiplayer mode that generates interest.

The presentation is solid but lacks the zing of the ESPN license, the commentary gets a little bland, and the presentation skips a bit online.

A first-person shooter with a fairly interesting premise, but uninteresting gameplay. This is as straightforward as games can possibly get.

The career mode is loaded with challenges, the online play is suitable (if a bit average), and the create-a-player mode is off the charts in design features.

The gameplay itself hasn't really evolved that much, and those who didn't feel the vibe from the first game will certainly not feel it here either.

As an Action-RPG the storyline is outstanding, but the gameplay falls a bit short. This is primarily due to how overly easy the game is. You can run through the entire game using nothing more than the basic attack button, and your assistant characters suffer from poor AI.

The only problem, though, is that this isn't the best edition to find a release, as the displays are above average at best, and the music selection is wayyy lacking.

A meaty first-person shooter with lots of action and some great features, especially with its multiplayer components.

The adventure that the programmers originally had in mind is finally at hand, complete with multiplayer options galore, a lengthy adventure, and a presentation that's stellar.

If you're looking for some quick and easy fun, it's here. However, if you're looking for some depth in the wrestling engine, you'll need to wait for a next generation "Smackdown."

The game still comes up short, with only two main modes (Free and Empire Mode) to play around with, an almost completely lacking sense of multiplayer, and repetitive, cheesy audio.

Multiplayer's worth a go, and the game still has a mostly killer presentation, but, really, it's an acquired taste, just like the first game. If you loved that, have a field day.

A real sequel would have been spectacular, but, for $30, this isn't too shabby.

The game takes a little while to get going, and the AI is practically non existent in the RTS sequences, but Space Rangers 2 is a game that I highly recommend if you're willing to invest the time.

You know, there's a crowd out there that Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII was built for, and it's spelled out in clear letters- ARCADE.

Some of the game choices clearly could've been avoided, but, otherwise, you've got coin-op gold in the palm of your hand.

The fast paced music helps in getting your blood pumping and gets those blocks moving.

The battle system has some merit to it, as does the story, which has sagged a bit in the last couple of chapters.

But the lack of ingenuity and appealing new level designs simply spell this out as Katamari Portable instead of a blazing new experience.

Despite the fact that this latest edition of Revolution really doesn't stray from the formula the games are known for, it's more fun than it lets on, thanks to a bit of customization, some fun mini-games and the Duet Mode, and a song selection that's stronger than a bull chasing a rodeo clown.

The new graphics and 3-D gimmick with the Solid Eye peripheral are nice as well. Metal Gear fans should definitely deal into these cards.

Stylus control would have been a perfect way to ape the original's mouse controls, but using the d-pad to move your cursor and A to select feels good and works well. The building menu is opened with R and is equally painless to navigate.

But too many things come up short, like the haphazard combat and gun systems and the fact that most of the missions run the same, with the dumbest cops in the world getting outran and you getting the best of goons.

Bethesda's "Morrowind" is a great videogame, but its successor, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, does exactly what every sequel should do, which is taking its predecessor, beat the hell out of it, and leave it for dead.

Bethesda's "Morrowind" is a great videogame, but its successor, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, does exactly what every sequel should do, which is taking its predecessor, beat the hell out of it, and leave it for dead. This absolutely marvelous videogame is not only the premier visual show piece for the Xbox 360 hardware, but it's also tremendously enjoyable to play.

Tetris DS is a monster of a game, filled with more features and modes and options than any previous Tetris iteration.

The game's controls take a bit of time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, you'll realize NST has done an extraordinary job in bringing Samus to the Nintendo DS...You'd be hard-pressed to find a better online title for the Nintendo DS.

The primary appeal of this booster come from the maps, which provide a nice variety of gameplay and justify the download even though they don't support 64 players.

Sadly, this Wand of Wishing grants players only an average game.

A welcome comeback for the series, packing tons of superb gameplay quirks amidst a gorgeous presentation and multiplayer options that, while slightly limited, still offers hours of brutal, fun play.

Daxter is a superb platform adventure that I highly recommend, and Ready at Dawn is to be commended for coming to bat for the PSP and filling the void that's plagued the system for almost a year. Purchase it immediately.

One of the most entertaining value packs in videogame history.

The ability to control bosses later on is a bit floundering, but, otherwise, what we have here is a kick-ass ride that delivers on presentation, gameplay, and challenge.

But even if card battling has slightly gotten your interest, Ultimate Masters is worth a look...although it's far from ultimate.

Taking place in two entirely different eras, the 1970s and 2006, Parallel Lines bleeds style, but the most important aspect, the gameplay, is actually fun.

The game scores better than expected because it carries over the personality of its material, and also mixes in a little variety during the game to keep things a bit lively.

Sure, it's a little itchy at times in terms of its single-player redundancy, the graphics could've been a little bit more detailed, and there's something to be said about actually struggling to control a tank, but it still delivers some satisfying team-based action, with different soldiers at your command and the ability to really blow anything up.

As definitive as the street racing brand gets...at least, for this generation.

Pushes the brand further with exciting, realistic combat action, either solo or with a squad; outstanding graphics that put the 360 to good use; and multiplayer options for both the co-op crowd and those who just want to shoot everything.

The game still plays incredibly well and manages to capture the manic energy of college hoops, and the Legacy mode is recommended for dunk-alites, but the presentation is clearly in second place behind NBA 2K6, thanks to fuzzy graphics and a lame commentary duo.

A balls to the wall action adventure game that's one part "Twisted Metal," one part "Burnout," but unfortunately, it lacks the replay value of those two games.

It could've used some touching up with the AI and a couple of tedious puzzles, but no matter. These samurai are back on track to deliver a thrill ride.

The 360 version does have a couple of new goodies going for it, including a nice twist in the online play, a few new crash scenarios, and a high-resolution gloss that brings out the best in the 360.

Shin Budokai works itself on the road to redemption, thanks to gameplay that refuses to complicate itself and a presentation that's pure DBZ all the way.

It's a good reminder of everything that once was in terms of the smacking-around-everyone-and-staying-alive gameplay, but the fact is, the gameplay hasn't really aged well itself.

The game won't keep you in terms of any kind of longevity, but it's an engaging enough fighter to keep you busy until the next hot GameCube title comes tumbling into stores.

A solid pick up for Pokemon fans, but I strongly suggest that you check out "Zoo Keeper," "Polarium," and "Meteos" before purchasing Trozei.

Some of the new features, like The War of the Ring mode don't play out as nicely as they should, and the single player campaigns are a bit generic, but overall this is a great, fast-paced game.

I think Criterion could've done so much more with this game to turn it into an instant classic. As is, it's a great sugar rush that's worth a few hours of your time, but doesn't really justify the full $40 price tag like it should.

It hits on almost every front. Present are the adventure elements of high fantasy, the mysterious magical elements of the war-torn world of Eberron, and the deep-rooted numerical elements.

The game features a number of scenarios and a gripping storyline that will suit fans of the series rather nicely. It still comes to an end way too soon, follows a bit of the basics at times, and doesn't really offer anything for the casual fans in terms of innovation, but it could've been a lot worse.

If you're looking for a capable role-playing adventure with plenty of hack n' slash action, it still delivers like its console brethren did. However, it has its share of flaws, like loading time that grows abundanting into being a pain and mini-games and a Media Player that seem better suited to the hardcore fans of the series.

A flat tire of a game, with non-compliable controls, non-working gameplay, and a dull pace that indicates racing tractors would've been speedier.

The online component's enjoyable, King of the Diamond is fantastic, and the game's various bells and whistles, including the commentary which I absolutely love, are superb.

MLB 06's addictive gameplay, phenomenal commentary, and sharp graphics make it the best baseball game on the PSP and a front runner for sports game of the year.

During your time with the game, you'll enjoy the adrenaline rush and the constant action that it brings. However, I just wish Criterion thought about the long-term, as the game can only survive so long on such a short push of action.

Trying to find enjoyment out of Final Fight: Streetwise is kind of like trying to find a minty Tic-Tac in a dirty ashtray. All you'll find is gritty, unenjoyable substance that unfairly buries a classic gaming franchise.

Fans of the series will love the additional features, but newcomers may be footing it off in favor of something more their speed.

Kudos to Nintendo for giving us a glimpse of how things would be on the flip side of the world, with Peach saving the day for a change...even if she's crying or storming through it.

TOCA Race Driver 3 continues to set a trend all its own, literally opening up a driving universe that's just primed for exploration.

This empire-building strategy encompasses everything that makes the genre great.

Despite little annoyances and a bothersome soundtrack, the game still delivers quite well in terms of beautiful graphics and fun D-pad-moving gameplay.

If you love your RPGs cliched, tired, and boring, then MS Saga will keep you busy, but personally, I can't stand it.

Sonic Riders tries to put some zesty racing action on the line here, but suffers due to inadequate gameplay and the kind of AI that makes you want to bash your controller into pieces with a hammer.

Fight Night Round 3 is an amazing leaps-and-bounds production that puts the excellent Round 2 to shame, if that's even possible.

Plays more like a lifeless copy of the thousand arcade shooters that came before it, rather than anything even remotely strategic.

Empire at War has everything. The graphics, sound, and overall presentation are each near perfect. Gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with very little repetition, and fans of the setting will be amazed with the attention to details.

At least it's not as purely unbearable as the first, packing a few neat ideas like the ability to use vehicles to mow down enemies and the balancing between different freedom fighters in your crew.

Full Auto can easily be recommended to those who don't mind a heavy amount of vehicular carnage in a racing game, along with the high speed thrills that come with it.

Drakengard 2 is sort of like a dentist trying out a new drill. It's got a different method to bringing forth the action over the original attempt, but you still can't help but feel the same old pain after a little while.

The result is a collection of good intentions and ideas that sound great in theory, but play poorly.

It could've used more in the two-player mode, as well as a customization feature, but it's still a game that clearly gets its message across, and doesn't hide behind an artistic license. Respect!

All in all, this game is a lot of fun, and young and old gamers alike will have a blast playing as their favorite characters from the movie.

Tales of Legendia's unique battle system is extremely appealing, but as far as RPGs go, it's a bit too cliche for its own good.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max kind of reminds me of a Ferrari Testarossa with a somewhat sluggish steering wheel. It's jam-packed with features and a damn fine product to look at, but its handling takes a little bit of getting used to.

But the game certainly hasn't aged well, and what worked ten years ago (ink ribbons, that zany control scheme) isn't so attractive these days.

Fans will find plenty to enjoy, as the frenetic, pounding action of the sport seems to be intact, but many might find themselves left out by the tacked-on presentation and season mode.

The gameplay's solid, but the story's disposable, the music's forgettable, and everything is just a bit too easy.

Chibi-Robo is the first official disappointment of 2006, a game that is so monotonous and annoying that not even this Nintendo fan can put up with its BS.

Curious George is just challenging enough to be a lot of fun for young gamers, and the game is so good they'll play to the end.

A reminder of everything that was great about the series, including the superb control and beaming visuals and sound presentation, and it throws in some new goodies to keep fans shooting well into the future.