The only disappointment is the somewhat static AI and unbelievable damage model. But the fast and fun gameplay and the diverse missions make up for any of these shortcomings.

The game could've benefited from online play and maybe just a little more touching up on some problems with the moves, but overall it's definitely got the thing for bling-bling.

Has the kind of creativity and zaniness that makes for a good spot in your game library, and its gameplay can't be beat when it all comes together during the duration of the game.

Now THIS is how all adventure games should be made! Quantic Dream has developed an absolutely brilliant game for a genre that was on its deathbed. This sucker gave us goose bumps, sweaty palms... the works!

2002/2003 will please the hardcore brawler in you.

Challenging opponents, extended "tate" combos, and difficulty settings for any skill level make for extensive replay value and plenty to like in Nightshade.

RRT3 provides a good time with no stress- drop away the menus and just follow a train, meandering through the plains, mountains or forests through day and night, and you'll see what I mean.

It's fast, it's fun, and full of quirky dark humor, over-the-top violence, and honest-to-goodness car-rending amusement.

The quest itself is one of the longest found on the GBA to date. Gamers will be keeping this cart in their GBAs for a long, long time.

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.

Those expecting a representation of complication might be disappointed, and cruise to another game, but everyone else will want to sit back and enjoy the ride.

While some of you may be annoyed by the title's difficulty adjustment, namely, the inclusion of a power bar and unlimited continues, you'll still be amazed by the intense action that the game offers, and its collection system is pretty sweet as well.

The games are very entertaining and the wireless multiplayer has provided hours of enjoyment, especially since up to eight people can play using a single copy.

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

It suffers from the single player experience coming up so short and the lack of really stepping forward in the series, but I won't complain because it's still nothing but a good time for FPS fans, complete with a heavy load of arsenal and just enough butt to kick.

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.

It's by no means a fantastic game, but it satisfied my urge to blow stuff up, and even though it didn't necessarily last long, I was entertained for most of the time.

A treasure trove of 2D beat-em-up goodness and fighting fans should buy it immediately.

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.

Despite the fact some entries are missing, the collection here is still varied and show how much the series has evolved over the years. The number of options and bonus goodies that are available are nice, and the jam-packed action of the games themselves should enthrall fans of the series and gather up a flock of new ones along the way. This is simply a must-have retro collection that should keep you plenty busy until the PS3 Gradius that's been hinted at arrives.

Incredible and impressive, perhaps closer to the ideal sequel fans wanted.

Still, regardless of what might be missing, or the overall lack of anything incredibly new and unexpected, Heroes of Might and Magic V is still a very addictive game that easily sucks players in with its strategic gameplay. When you get right down to it, this is still HOMM, and it's still great.

A must have for the PSP, simply for its gameplay and number of items that you can get as you make your way to Golfing God or Goddess.

There's not much in the way of weapon or enemy variety, and the game is pretty short, but just about every minute of it is action packed. The dynamic difficulty system works very well.

The gameplay is refined better than before, the presentation is mostly sharp, and there's lots for hockey fans to do. Here's the Stanley Cup contender right here.

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

The gameplay picks up right where "Phantom Brave" left off with a few new additions that change the gameplay from leveling up to strategy.

If you're a Mega Man fan, Zero 2 shouldn't disappoint, just remember that it's still just as difficult as it ever was.

Worms 4: Mayhem has drawn me back in, revitalizing the gameplay a bit and throwing in a number of modes and customization options that'll have you blasting worms through the night. It's not an essential, but fans will want to worm their way into it.

If you love chess, Ubisoft's Chessmaster is an essential selection, as it is a genre defining title that features a high level of polish and satisfying gameplay.

One of the most beautifully crafted digital creations of any sporting event - period!

I seriously dig this game's up tempo style, and this is still the only basketball series that makes playing defense fun.

It's got a unique blend of gameplay quirks between its stealth, telekinesis, and shooting, and the presentation is well done, even by the standards of Free Radical Design. Sigh...but if only they fixed the game's general difficulty and replayability.

The addition of Mario and company never hurts either, as they feel more natural than they did in "NBA Street V3." Definitely hit this Tour.

I think the package could have benefitted from the inclusion of the Street Fighter Alpha games, but that's more than made up for with the Xbox Live play and the extras.

It offers multiplayer that's quite addictive, as well as a single player experience that really helps you get better at the game.

Metal Slug 3 is hard. It's a bit outdated in comparison to the newest chapters. And it doesn't really look like a next-generation Xbox title. However, we can't help but recommend it because it just kicks so much ass.

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

If only it had done something to keep the story mode a little longer, then it would truly be perfect.

The lure of playing Cantha and experiencing this world, plus the challenge of playing as either the Assassin or Ritualist are plenty of incentive by themselves to enter the world of Factions.

The fact that the game looks as glorious as it does and plays wonderfully makes Colin McRae Rally 04 a must-have. The fact that it's available for a small $20 price tag would pretty much say it's a crime not to own it.

It runs into setbacks with its graphics and controls that make it a distant second-place choice behind the superior competition.

One of the strongest advancements in real-time strategy games to come along in a long time.

Its sweet symphony of particle effects and rock solid gameplay put Otogi 2 in a class all its own. Yes, the slow down gets annoying, but that's a small quibble compared to this game's majesty.

A thunderous b-ball effort that's almost every bit as good as its NBA brethren. The modes will have you tunneling for hours of enjoyment, and the gameplay is smooth like butta.

Bigger and definitely badder, with a more enhanced combat set-up, deeper levels and puzzles, a neat time travel gimmick, and a darker tone that works wonderfully.

A great piece of work, a kick-ass rush of lightning-fast swordplay garnered around the already breathtaking graphics.

Unfortunately, this game still isn't as good as Super Mario 64 due to the fact that there is no substitute for the controller built around that classic. It is the best game Nintendo DS has to offer, though, and hints at the possibilities for the future of the system.

The AI has been fixed up a little bit so that they react and take cover quite often, and will even act aggressively to encourage you to push forward.

It's a little bit difficult to forgive lackluster multiplayer, especially since the single-player will eventually come to an end, leaving only it to carry the game through.

What Animal Crossing: Wild World does is an amazing job of pulling you into the experience. A majority of the game is crafted with so much authentic human precision, detail and personality that the end result is something that makes you feel inadequate if you don't return the same effort when actually playing.

The complete package has a bit of a sour aftertaste because of the great potential the visuals failed to reach. DKC is a perfect example where gameplay triumphs over graphics, but it's a shame that the capability was there but not taken advantage of.

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.

An intense cinematic masterpiece that's good to the last bullet.

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.

Hands down the best DBZ fighting game released in the last few years on console or GBA.

The game is a bit short if you try to breeze through it without doing any of the side quests, but when you take everything into account, it should take about 40 hours or so to complete.

Those expecting next-gen brilliance will only find a modified port. At least it's a good one.

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.

Significantly better than the previous installment, and it's one of the best baseball titles I've played in years.

A painstakingly polished product that plays magnificently and has plenty of delicious eye candy to sweeten the deal. It's a racing game that has both beauty as well as the brains to match.

A very solid racing game for the Xbox 360 launch. However, long load times and visuals that could have been better (although not too bad) do detract a bit from the title.

The graphics and Mode 7 effects are stunning, the music is epic and superb, and there are tons of options to choose from, including over 20 fighters to unlock and 160 attacks to master!

The gunplay and unique physics have been perfectly recreated and the game is still one of the best that you'll play, but the inferior hardware means that none of it looks nearly as good as it does on the PC, and some unsightly frame rate hiccups mar the ocular experience.

Great on looks, but low on gameplay. Players generally have little motivation to go through the single player campaign more than once, but the first experience is certainly a great one. However, the multiplayer is very disappointing.

The single player campaign is so challenging and engrossing that it's easy to forget about the game's shortcomings.

The pure bottom line is this is the best soccer game currently on the market.

If you actually manage to track down a copy of this game, know that your effort was really worth it since It's Mr. Pants is one of the best puzzle games you'll find on the GBA.

The most tightened, thrilling, and entertaining MX game to date.

The most impressive aspect of GC2 comes from its multiplayer capabilities. The support of drop-in gaming, which allows players to join in while games are already in session, completely changes the multiplayer dynamics around.

Even though the missions may sometimes seem like an exercise in patience than of strategic might, this is still a great looking game that is a great experience to play.

Battlefront II easily conquers the first game with wise detailing on the levels, as well as fun modes with Conquer the Galaxy and lots of multiplayer options.

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.

Bursting at the seams with variety.

The gameplay feels fine, the numerous modes are a blast, the graphics are mostly smoothed over, and pursuit is as good as it gets.

A blast! The online virtual arcade is the best possible setup for an online fighting game to date. In addition, the sheer number of gameplay modes and unlockable content is outstanding.

Despite a rather startling difficulty increase in worlds 5 and 6, the initial six worlds can be cleared in just a few days of regular playing. Thankfully, the game isn't nearly as brief as it initially seems.

The game definitely oozes cool and the special effects are top notch, and although the combat does become repetitive, the enormous amount of skills you can collect, missions to embark upon, four-player deathmatch via Xbox Live, and Phantom Dust's $19.99 price tag make it a must buy for those of you looking for a different kind of experience that's normally found on the PS2.

The repetitiveness may get to some of you, and there are components in the graphics and audio that are annoying, but they're minor problems.

There's not much to differentiate Viewtiful Joe 2 from the first, as new VFX power and the ability to switch characters mid-level are the only major gameplay changes. That's why it is so disappointing that the new powers are so limited and under-utilized.

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.

Hmmm, I guess in the catalog of poker games that are on the market, Stacked does manage to be one of the best when it comes to its thinking opponent system and the inclusion of Negreanu himself, putting some personal touches on the product.

While the difficulty level won't be for all gamers out there, it contains a great wealth of RTS elements combined with being able to rip through armies with your squadrons.

I couldn't help but notice it struggled in parts, namely with the game's basic nature or its lackluster sound features.

The action is fun enough to endure for a few hours, alone or with friends, and the presentation is actually pretty good. But there's some moments of cheese that reek the overall product when they didn't need to, especially when the storyline is concerned.

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

While it's certainly fun to play and one of the few reasons (currently) to even bother with the Nintendo DS, it just doesn't feel all that special.

While it's great to build your own hunter and create weapons and armor with creative aspects, and some of the monster hunting is thoroughly enjoyable, the game runs into some slight problems with gameplay and camera control that keep it from being in "freedom" of flaws.

Some will enjoy this new method of play, while others will struggle as they go from offensive to defensive moves in frustrating transition.

It's not the most original game in the world, and some of the game's unbalanced difficulty will leave you kicking up more than dirt, but in general, it's still a focused, entertaining ride, offline and on.

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.

The game suffers from things like a simplified feeling in terms of the ability to develop the characters, poor music choice, and lack of updated graphics.

There are still some nagging flaws, like questionable AI and the poor soundtrack, but you'll still get your money's worth out of this bloodsucker.

If you're looking for some quick fun, or the ultimate Double Dragon experience, by all means pick this one up, but for anyone else, it may not be enough to keep you entertained.

It's a good game overall, but it does have a tendency to become quite repetitive, and the gameplay isn't exciting enough to propel this title into the must buy category.

It's hampered by some level design issues, but that shouldn't stop you from picking the game up. Gorgeous and fun to play, your spidey senses will definitely be tingling.

A thrilling experience that, despite its lack of features, is a great game to play in short bursts.

If you're new to this series, The Room is a great place to start, and if you're a fan, at least find comfort knowing that Konami has employed the same successful formula without taking any damaging steps that could've ruined it.