Donkey Kong Country Returns is maddeningly frustrating. In fact, I've never been happier that I didn't have to play a game anymore than when I finished playing Donkey Kong Country Returns.

If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy, don’t let my little multiplayer rant deter you from picking up this game; it’s definitely a fun and interesting title, especially if you’re actually going to utilize the multiplayer modes.

Fans of the original game owe it to themselves to pick up this extremely challenging remake, if only to test their skills.

Since there is no multiplayer, and much of what Vanquish does has been done before, I was a bit disappointed.

EA touted that you would be able to download the names and positions of the actual players in the NCAA, but this hasn’t worked since day one.

When races go well, it's white knuckle action from beginning to end. Sadly, issues often make it so "going well" isn't always in the cards, and anyone ever upset by a Blue Shell in Mario Kart will spent a lot of time huffing and puffing during Blur races.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena is a suitable sequel to one of last generations best action games, but it fails to innovate in any way. With all the exact same controls, the disc feels more like an expansion pack than a proper sequel, but the graphical upgrades and multiplayer modes ensure that it’s not a rip-off in any way. It’s not nearly the eye-opening experience that its predecessor was, but it’s still a solid stealth title with excellent presentation that’s worth checking out.

Strong Badia the Free has some great gameplay ideas without proper implementation. As soon as it starts to get into a proper rhythm there’s a confusing portion that drives it to a deal halt, and some of the best sections of the game don’t pay off as well as they should, especially considering the Homestar Runner license.

It might be worth it for those who really want to see items added into a traditional racer, but for everyone else, it's likely worth trying before committing to a purchase.

It's not bad, per se, there just isn't enough of it.

I generally like games to focus as much on story as they do on the fighting, but the fact that this is so mission-heavy is one of the things that distinguishes it from its predecessor.

Considering that Tiger Woods ’09 is being hailed as the greatest golf game ever released for the 360 and PS3, it is truly depressing that the Wii port is such a mess.

Some of the dialogue had me laughing hysterically and some of the puzzles had great payoffs. I may sound negative, but it is just because of my expectations.

There’s no questioning Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny’s technical acumen; it’s a brilliant fighting engine that looks amazing, sounds great, and plays just about perfectly. It’s just a shame that there’s really no good way to play it.

Being closer to the action gives each game a more intimate feel, and having Power Meters for each and every pass gives a more complete feeling of control.

It's not bad, per say, there just isn't enough of it. The inclusion of new characters for Mercenaries mode is good, but hardly worth picking up the pack for, unless, again, you happen to be a complete loyalist to the series.

Baddest of the Bands is a much better episode than the previous was. The plot is humorous, the writing is spot on, and the puzzles are fun when the game is cohesive, and it is more than it's not.

If you didn’t like the previous Trauma Center games, there’s nothing that’s going to draw you in now, but for long-time fans or those who have been mildly curious about the series, Under the Knife 2 is a good choice.

Dissidia Final Fantasy offers an enormous amount of content for Final Fantasy fans, but fails to deliver an engaging or satisfying fighting experience.

Even more so than the other Hasbro Family Game Night titles, this is really for fans, and should please anyone who considers Yahtzee to be fun.

What was once the be-all-end-all of baseball video games on the PSP is quickly becoming a shadow of its former self. Like so many storied professionals, age is finally catching up to the series.

Sadly, after playing this year’s other solid platformers (Braid, Lost Winds, De Blob), Wario Land Shake It! just doesn’t grab me by the shirt collar and demand I play it.

Raven has, yet again, fallen just short of brilliance. The game is flawed in a number of areas, many of which detract from the overall experience and come across as sloppy or lazy.

Metro 2033 has a lot going for it. The game may not tread any new ground in its narrative, but there are a lot of interesting concepts to play around with. Unfortunately, the mechanics behind those concepts often lead to more frustration than they do elation. A strong story and world will only go so far.

The gameplay is strong, though it's not enough to really lift the product above its other issues for too long.

The story never draws you in, battles take forever, diminishing the game’s allure as a portable experience, and the fact that you play as a ball of light introduces a layer of separation from the game’s characters that ensures your disinterest in their fates.

Completionists will love the amount of things to find and collect, and with the unlockable Free Play mode and extra characters, the game has a fairly decent replay value. This game is a lot of fun, especially if you have someone nearby to play with.

Despite having every opportunity in the world to triumphantly succeed, Singularity, instead, falls right in line with previous titles by the developer. Raven has, yet again, fallen just short of brilliance. The game is flawed in a number of areas, many of which detract from the overall experience and come across as sloppy or lazy.

However, it appears that they weren't able to perfectly hit their stride in terms of puzzle creation, and this episode definitely has some of the early-season jitters that the first few episodes of Sam & Max had.

A fun, if shallow and mindless shooter. For those looking for quick-hit action without worrying about things like story or a sense of purpose, it’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Toy Story isn't just a game for kids; fans of the trilogy should have no reservations about picking this one up.

The writing, acting, and graphics are stellar. If only the gameplay, camera, and lack of variety weren't so stifling.

Supporting up to 16 players, online versus battles tend to be extremely chaotic and fun, while still requiring a decent amount of strategy for success.

It's kid friendly, but has enough witty gameplay to make any fan of the genre giddy.

The most upsetting thing is the fact that it feels like there really is a good game in Underworld—it’s just masked by all of the game’s technical difficulties.

I’m still willing to give the other games in the series a try, but my patience for this franchise as a whole is wearing thin.

If you’re a fan of rail shooters or of the Resident Evil franchise, Umbrella Chronicles is a solid, if not deep title that offers about 4-5 hours of mindless fun.

NCAA Basketball 10 is a satisfactory college basketball game, but its AI and gameplay issues keep it from being a standout, the lack of game modes keep it from being a great value for the money, and the absence of any “hook” to catch fans’ attention may make it a financial failure.

NCAA Basketball 10 is a satisfactory college basketball game, but its AI and gameplay issues keep it from being a standout, the lack of game modes keep it from being a great value for the money, and the absence of any “hook” to catch fans’ attention may make it a financial failure.

TrackMania DS is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best racing games on the DS.

If you can look past the fact that Dante’s Inferno is a very loose adaptation of the classic poem, the game offers eight to ten hours of fun occasionally interrupted by unnecessary annoyances. Though it’s an entertaining game, it doesn’t do anything original, and feels like it never quite reaches its full potential.

Lego Rock Band, while not a bad game, is easily the weakest in the series.

It's hardly one of the best games on the Xbox Live Arcade, but it might be one of the strongest in terms of providing an actual "arcade" experience without the need for quarters.

A somewhat addictive action title that should please fans of the character and action gamers alike. The lack of replayability means you'll probably get your fill of the game in about a week, but it's definitely worth a playthrough.

Sorry! Sliders is entertaining, and it’s certainly hilarious to ruthlessly knock your friends’ pawns off the board while steadily moving towards victory. However, it felt a little lacking for ten dollars; it almost seemed like it should have been part of another game, not a standalone title.

It's truly a shame this game falls so flatly on its face, as there was so much potential in the title early on. Disappointingly, that potential is never realized, and Medal of Honor is just another average shooter.

I truly feel bad for all the non-PS3 owners who are also baseball fans who have no choice but to play this game if they want to play video game baseball.

Fans of the series will likely still find plenty to enjoy here, but may have trouble getting into it. Covenant is not a bad game, but on a system overwhelmed with RPGs, this one really needed to be exceptional to stand out. Instead, it falls a bit short of greatness.

The biggest problem I had with Army of Two as a whole was the game’s seeming inability to ever raise the stakes...Even in the middle of an intenese firefight, you never feel any more in jeopardy than in those first training models.

It’s a good-looking game that can be fun or frustrating, but it may just keep you coming back for more.

Despite there being an incredible amount of content in UFC Undisputed 2010 on the PSP, the actual in-ring action is a bit of a work in progress.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is a decent first attempt at giving the speedy hedgehog a new genre to explore, but the game lacks the addictive and challenging elements that make RPG fans want to keep exploring and progressing.

It has some issues that at this point in a generation are pretty much unforgivable, but if you are willing to look past them, you’ll find there’s a decent cooperative shooter there.

Gran Turismo was most definitely not worth the wait. It’s a good looking game that plays well, but the lack of game modes, the poor car acquisition system, and the absence of more online features completely deflate the experience.

It's always great to see someone present their passion for comics in a new way, and Twisted Pixel has shown their love in spades. Were the gameplay a little tighter, and more forgiving, I think Comic Jumper could have been a great title. Instead, thanks in large to its unevenness, it's simply a good game with the occasional fault.

Mafia II isn't a bad game, but it's an extremely uneven effort that fails as often as it succeeds.

Star Ocean: First Departure is a solid game that has made me want to check out the other installments in the series, but the battle system kept me from really falling in love with it.

After Prince of Persia got a fresh start in 2008, The Forgotten Sands feels like a giant step backwards for the series.

Yggdra Union is by no means the definitive tactical RPG experience, nor is it a perfect game. However, for all of my qualms, I found myself continually going back for more—and not just because I had to in order to review the game, but because I felt myself drawn to the strategy and enjoyed the satisfaction of victory.

It has some issues that at this point in a generation are pretty much unforgivable, but if you are willing to look past them, you’ll find there’s a decent cooperative shooter there.

While there may not exactly be a shortage of RPGs available on the DS, Luminous Arc 2 does just enough right to warrant a playthrough.

The Saboteur could have been one of the year’s most impressive games. Sadly, Pandemic tries to do too much, and players are left with a game that never becomes more than the sum of its parts.

I'll end with this, if you're willing to put the effort in, and the realism aspect sounds like it will appeal to you, the $30 price of Arma II: OA is an easy entry into the series.

For fans of the series or the genre the purchase shouldn’t even be a question.

Aligning yourself with special interest groups, hiring different political aides, and participating in television interviews add even more depth to the already somewhat convoluted experience, but without these options it wouldn’t really feel like politics.

The lack of replayability means you'll probably get your fill of the game in about a week, but it's definitely worth a playthrough.

With an overwhelming number of party games already on the Wii, including the two previous Raving Rabbids titles, it’s hard to justify spending fifty bucks on this game.

But no matter how enjoyable it might be, the fact remains that Animal Crossing: City Folk is a sloppy, lazy port of a Nintendo DS title to the Wii.

Savage Moon isn’t a bad game, but a good one with a number of technical and focus issues.

There's no doubt that playing Earthworm Jim with updated graphics and game modes is a treat. Even though I had a lot of fun reliving my younger days, the game shows its age, and despite all the additions made in both the single and multi-player, I have a hard time recommending this game to newcomers.

For anyone who considers themselves a fan of the series I would recommend a purchase, there is definite replay value in repeating earlier levels with newly gained abilities, and many of the game’s flaws fade into the background when your character is powerful enough to dominate a level.

It might be a jack of all trades and master of none, but that’s better than sucking.

If you can look past the fact that Dante’s Inferno is a very loose adaptation of the classic poem, the game offers eight to ten hours of fun occasionally interrupted by unnecessary annoyances.

It's oddly addictive, which feels like it should clash with the repetitive nature, but never does.

While it's not a bad episode by any means it definitely doesn't feel like the ending Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures needed to end a success. A grand adventure this was not.

With its threadbare narrative, unlikable characters, uninspired combat, and myriad technical issues, Mercenaries 2 is a huge disappointment. There’s some fun to be had blowing up buildings with a friend online, but playing through enough of the game to unlock these weapons is more of a chore than it’s worth.

It comes across as more of a toy then a real game, and with a budget price of $29.99 it is well worth the purchase for anyone seeking a way to wind down that won’t numb the brain.

The Saboteur could have been one of the year’s most impressive games. Sadly, Pandemic tries to do too much, and players are left with a game that never becomes more than the sum of its parts.

Credit should be given to the developers for turning the game into something more than a gigantic commercial, but that doesn't mean it's a must-buy.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games isn’t going to surprise anyone with its gameplay, graphics, controls, or concept, but it’s a perfectly serviceable party game for the Wii.

A subpar entry in a normally solid franchise. Lousy story, terrible audio, and inconsistent design combine to make what is, in my opinion, the weakest game under the Ratchet and Clank banner.

Sonic 4: Episode 1 is a train wreck for Sonic fans. It makes Mario look good, and remember, Sonic was a character made to compete with a short, fat, ugly plumber.

Mevo & the Grooveriders isn't a great idea executed poorly, but a good idea executed passably.

The problem is for as fun as Battleship might be, its longevity is very limited. After a game or two, odds are you’ve played enough for one day, and very few will find themselves coming back for more. For $10, though, it might be worth picking up for a rainy day.

Once again, EA has managed to innovate in a genre that had grown stale and tedious. With its numerous graphical glitches, control issues, and overall lack of polish, it’s obvious that Skate It is a first effort. Still, pulling off big tricks (and even small ones) can be very satisfying, and there’s a real feeling that this is a series that will benefit greatly from further iteration.

It’s a real shame, too, because NIS America has brought some great games to our shores, and I’m sure they will do so again in the future. Ar Tonelico 2 would have received a higher score if not for a technical problem that easily could have been avoided with proper testing.

Sadly, due to the lack of a compelling narrative, the frustratingly boring gameplay, and the poor camera, Lost Frontier becomes a forgettable experience almost immediately after playing it.

Despite its many imperfections, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is a surprisingly addictive action RPG.

What once was an incredibly fun set of games has become a monotonous experience that’s more about going through the motions than it is about having a good time.

Overall, there's some fun to be had swinging around the ruins of Ascension City, but don't be fooled - it's a flawed experience. The game's campaign is fairly entertaining, but lacks any real depth or originality, falling short of living up to the Bionic Commando name.

While Guitar Hero: Smash Hits is a solid option for fans of music games, the short and inconsistent tracklist alone makes it not worth the price.

Outside of the lack of songs, I had one major issue with Guitar Hero On Tour: portability. I tend to buy handheld games to play on train rides, or while flying. The combination of the cumbersome Guitar Grip, the non-ergonomic angle at which you hold the DS, and gameplay interface make this a game I was actually embarrassed to play in public. And if a handheld game can only be played at home, what’s the point?

It’s a fun game, and a good option if you’re in dire need of an all-ages music title, but longtime fans of the series probably won’t find this as satisfying as any of the other Rock Band games.

There may be plenty of better options for anyone looking for an online shooter, but for the price Combat Arms is among the best around. It's fast, fun, brutal and addicting - what more could you ask for from a free FPS.

The microphones themselves are worth commending for their sensitivity and overall appeal, and even if karaoke isn’t your cup of tea it might be worth splitting the game with a friend in hopes that Rock Band and Guitar Hero might have a compatibility patch with the microphones down the road. It might not be the best game in the genre, but as far as a casual singing experience on the system you’d be hard pressed to find one better than Lips.

Forty dollars is a little steep for a cookie-cutter game with bad camera control and repetitive levels.

Just as is the case with prequels, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed provides insight into the dark areas of the Star Wars Universe while being flawed in many ways.

Overall, there's some fun to be had swinging around the ruins of Ascension City, but don't be fooled - it's a flawed experience. The game's campaign is fairly entertaining, but lacks any real depth or originality, falling short of living up to the Bionic Commando name.