There's no silver lining or light at the end of the tunnel. The play experience starts and ends the same way, leaving the player extremely frustrated at what really is a broken game.

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.

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

The complete insanity that occurs and the hollowed-out wrecks that are left in its wake provide cheap thrills, and the online play extends the game's replay value just a bit. Also, while Crash 'N' Burn's music is positively awful, its graphics, special effects, and car customization options more than make up for it.

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.

While it captures the sweet essence of the film from so long ago, it fails to motivate with its stale gameplay.

This latest Party shows too many similarities to last year's part six, and not nearly enough improvements. Fans can dig in, but the rest of us need a livelier Party.

It's got some good ideas, and some of the level designs are outstanding, but the game's controls never really come together like they should, and some frustrating factors come into play, making The Incredibles a lackluster superhero adventure.

The title's still worth picking up with the classic Sonic CD game, as well as a few other fun titles that will provide hours of retro gaming joy.

Despite some serious sound issues and cheap AI, the game is still a winner because of its cool modes, blazing gameplay, and unique cast of characters.

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 wonderful looking game that really shows off the Xbox 360's horsepower yet at the same time it exposes Electronic Arts as a sloppy publisher that's losing touch with the definition of quality gameplay.

Alias the game almost grabbed my attention as well, but it just kept falling behind with too many gameplay flaws and not nearly enough innovation to stand in a league all its own.

You can get stuck in a particular section for quite some time, or unfairly snatched up mid--play. The design of the tables make up for this somewhat, and the price is nice at $20. Go and flip out for a bit.

Since the camera can be extremely infuriating, a low blood pressure might also be good.

Through the variety of single player challenges, multiplayer action, and sheer number of Micro Machines to unlock, there's a lot to do here, but the game may frustrate many with its slightly unhelpful camera and constant need to get the handling nailed down in several areas.

Skill-based character development is easy to grasp despite being amazingly complex in combination.

An ideal history lesson and a fun way to waste a few evenings with classic gaming as the focus. It's not as good as other collections, but still gets the job done.

The actual game is an uninspired snooze fest that not only insults the popular franchise but its target audience as well.

The gameplay has its setbacks and doesn't really evolve, but it still offers fun two-player beat-em-up action and has a better presentation than it deserves.

Something could've been done to spice up the presentation, and the AI could've used tightening to the point that it could barely breathe.

Because the fighting is slow paced and repetitive, playing the game is rather tedious, especially if you want to suffer through the single player mode to unlock playable characters.

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

It's a bit tedious at times, and single player isn't really that exciting, but it's still a fun poker game.

One huge complaint that really takes away from the gameplay is the bad camera angle.

If only these instances of charm were more frequent, and weren't interspersed by such tired gameplay, Legend of Heroes II could have been much more enjoyable.

Not only is it an excellent 2D side-scroller with a lot of content, but the best part of all is the number of fun weapons and vehicles you have in your arsenal.

A flawed, tiresome combat system and bland level design should be reason enough to stay out of Gotham.

It should be titled - "Aura: Puzzles for the Ages", because in all honesty this is a vaguely shrouded adventure game layered in a multitude of dizzying puzzles, wrapped in an enigma of conundrums.

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

Not only is that stupid and predictable shooting system back from those PSP games, but this title's developers have managed to suck out the very essence that is NBA basketball and discard it like a peanut shell.

The experience is over too quickly, and with barely anything to unlock it's a big question mark as to whether its $39.99 price is justified.

Finding Nemo was released three years ago, so by now, it can be had for less than $20, but you should save your cash, hard-earned or otherwise, for the many better kids' games out there.

There are a ton of great ideas here, but they were all executed badly. What we have is an utter mess of wasted potential.

Its horrible touch screen controls notwithstanding, Ridge Racer DS is a fast-paced thrill ride that's without a doubt the best racing game for the Nintendo DS.

While I would've liked to have seen a better realized multiplayer mode and more difficult achievements to unlock, the game remains a joy to play. The graphic and sound touch-ups are welcome as well, instead of just bothersome cosmetic additions.

It does provide some good action and has plenty of engaging multiplayer to keep you busy throughout the summer. But one can't help but think a little more effort would've been nice to capture some of the manic energy that made the show such a success.

A must-have for shooter enthusiasts, as its presentation is killer and its challenge heavy enough to drop you to your knees.

If repetitive gameplay, pop up, fog, and a corny story are what we're to expect from the Square Enix merger, they shouldn't have bothered. The game reeks first generation, and the failed attempt to mix genres only added to the game's overall sloppiness.

While the expansion improves gameplay in a number of important ways, including the inclusion of two new cross-classes, the actual campaign and story leave much to be desired.

Thanks to its lacking multiplayer features, it really just seems to be short-term entertainment, although that short-term can be a blast for one player.

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.

It brings the sport of soccer to life in vibrant detail and fairly solid controls, even though the lack of modes is a bit off-putting.

While the cel-shaded graphics are pretty slick, the drab environments, insignificant story, lame voice acting, and cheap gameplay keep it from being much fun at all.

Offers an exciting take on a stale genre, but I found it to be unnecessarily frustrating.

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.

This is far and away the best Pokemon DS game out there. It's just not the full-fledged sequel that I'm still anticipating.

The game has poor touch screen recognition (as in when I write 2 the game thinks it's 8) and the presentation is drier than Death Valley.

Metal Saga fails to innovate with a lackluster presentation, terrible pacing, and a quest that really doesn't nail down a narrative.

It's cool that Sega has continued the series, but sadly, the finished product is about three years too late.

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 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."

Northland would have been a great primer for new RTS fans if it wasn't so complicated. Population growth and logistical issues too often distract the player from the overall goal of the mission.

Kids are bound to have a good time with it, especially if they're fans of Zelda-style gameplay. Everyone else may be better served by something more complex.

The game looks good, although the sound is somewhat limited. The story is told through bright little static images lifted straight from the show.

Lacks the fun and diversity of the Viewtiful games before it. Dare I say it's a Henshin-a-no-no, baby.

This one is only for those who need clan-based pvp warfare very, very badly, as they will have to go through twenty levels of the most monotonous gameplay ever experienced.

The game has no significant changes, and the only things adding to its replay value are a few Achievements and an updated leaderboard. But if you loved the arcade classic, spend $5 and dig in.

The gameplay is very easy, so if you're looking for a challenge, this is one of the last games you should consider while GBA shopping.

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.

This is a game that has only one audience: players already in the world of Brittania. Anyone who has never played Ultima Online has absolutely no chance of grasping the momentous task of syncing with the various systems of the world.

This theme has been tried before with Microsoft's Zoo Tycoon, so what will Wildlife Park have to differentiate it from the rest of the field? Well, as it turns out, a more natural look and.....not much else, really.

It's like your grandmother getting some unnecessary plastic surgery- there's some value for the dollar, but underneath seems to be the same old thing. Still, it could have been worse.

Feels like a Rolex knockoff. It seems to have everything that a game needs to be an RTS, but it's simply not fun. The game is boring, from the uninspired characters to the lackluster plot.

The presentation hits the mark in terms of humor, and there are quite a few things to try in the game. However, it lacks in long-term enjoyment, and repetition sets in quickly. In the end, Leisure Suit Larry is like a one-night stand. You'll enjoy it, but the party ends a bit too soon.

Opting to play Gretzky NHL '06 instead of "NHL 06" and "NHL 2K6" is sort of like going around hungry for a steak dinner and settling for McDonald's.

It's still a solid game if you've never played it before, with a stirring storyline and a few shocks, but otherwise it's just the same old Evil.

Vendetta Online is not really worth the time or the money. It's boring a lot of the time, and most players will probably lose interest long before anything exciting happens.

Comic book fans will appreciate the inclusion of additional enemies and the ability to fight alongside a friend in co-op mode, but the game still comes up short.

While the game is well designed and looks pretty good, it is incredibly hard and has some performance issues. An adventure game should be challenging, but not require a Ph.D. in astrophysics to beat.

With a focus on realism, it's very difficult to have fun with Athens unless you have a group of people and a dance pad. Even with some friends and the right accessories, unless you're really into the athletics scene, your overall enjoyment of the title will be hampered.

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.

The problem here lies with the little things that don't add up. No checkpoints, a complete lack of Xbox Live support, the weakest soldier AI I've seen in ages, and voice acting so bad that even infomercial actors show more emotion keep this title from being a must buy.

While the game can't really hold a candle to the "Dynasty Warriors" games in terms of quality and exploration, it really isn't all that bad.

Digital Eclipse is a master of emulation and could've just made the game it was originally intended, instead of trying to spruce it up. However, the best aspects are still intact, and I suppose that's good enough to drop 400 points ($5) on a purchase.

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.

Another strong offering in an already thriving series. It is strongly recommended for gamers looking for a challenging and exciting experience with a strong lead character.

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.

It was so difficult to control.

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.

After all of the hype about the story, the Death Jr. comic book, and the upcoming film, one would think that the actual game would include a kick @$$ story, but that's just not the case. There's a neat opening cut scene, but past that there's nothing worth checking out.

Borrows many of the concepts of Metal Gear Solid and incorporates them into its own formula which works well for it, but doesn't offer enough of its own identity.

A while back I played a terrible FPS for the PS2 called "Fugitive Hunter," and within 30 minutes of playing Rogue Agent I realized that Goldeneye's almost the exact same game. It's an atrocious first person shooter that reeks of lazy development, and EA should be ashamed of what it's done.

The biggest part about Fantastic Four that makes it enjoyable is the multiplayer collaboration. Two players can work together side-by-side in the game's story mode, or can simply go at it in an Arena Battle against endless minions. It may be just the ticket for those eager to team up for clobberin' time.

It's not the speed that bothers me, it's the lack of depth and boring modes of play that kept it from being a keeper.

Basically, this is a solid casino game that is great for older kids (teens and up) and parents looking for a gaming fix or to enhance their skills before they hit the Vegas strip.

It's not really much of an Evolution, suffice to say. Capcom Fighting Evolution seems more like a potpourri of Capcom's fighting brands, mixing together different fighters with interesting results.

The lack of diversity in stages (no real space combat?!) hurts, and there's only so much to come back to. Not a total loser of a game, but the Force is not strong with this one.

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.

Beyond frustrating. It incites rage instead of happiness. Having to tell someone to shoot a monster that's right in front of them is just ridiculous, but telling Rio to run and watching her die because she did something else is just unacceptable.

If turning the third installment into a party game is Sony's idea of fun, then the franchise (if you can even call it that) is dead. I like the cel-shaded graphics and the music is all right, but the gameplay is a huge let down, especially when you consider the other party games on the market.

It feels incredibly hard to master, and at times the levels just come across as a little bit too overwhelming.

If you don't appreciate games with only so much to do and only so much to explore than ER probably isn't for you.

Unfortunately, the AI isn't so easily fooled, and what you'll have to do is repeatedly run about a room hoping that your attacker will wander into the right spot. It's really boring, yet the payoff is worth the time invested.

It's far from a disappointing cavalcade of games, as they'll keep you busy for hours, but it almost feels like a speedy effort through development, without actually delving into Namco's history. It's like walking into an arcade for five minutes instead of staying a couple of hours.

The mediocre level designs, awful voice acting, spotty controls, and the boring/mindless Story Mode keep it from being as cool as its box art suggests.

Most of the gameplay from the first game is back, but it's all wrapped around a dull storyline and some poor presentation problems. Worse yet, the excitement wears off after a mere couple of hours.

The presentation isn't spectacular but is faithful to the movie, and the inclusion of the arcade-like Thou Art Dead is a nice touch.