Excitebots: Trick Racing may not be the most innovative racing game ever made, but it’s zany, fun, and something I would go back to.

EA Canada has taken huge steps to create one of the most impressive and enjoyable basketball titles in recent years, and if they’re able to continue and improve upon the core mechanics they’ve instituted this year, Live just might usurp NBA 2K’s throne in another year or two. It’s not quite there yet, though. Despite the vast improvements, it’s a bit rough around the edges.

It's half the price of the PC version and comes with a few extra maps after the original campaign is over, adding even more value where, in all honesty, none was needed.

It’s a miniature version, a smaller, quicker Battlefield, and one that is better suited for a downloadable title. Even with its faults, 1943 is absolutely worthy of a purchase. You’d be hard pressed to find a better downloadable game thus far in 2009.

It's a sandbox, filled with exciting possibilities, and might feel more "next-gen" than anything else out there.

While I won’t go so far as to call DJ Hero the greatest thing to happen to music games since the first Guitar Hero, it certainly is one of the more exciting things to happen to the genre.

While it lacks the strong story of “Point Lookout” and “Broken Steel,” it’s much more enjoyable than “Operation: Anchorage” or “The Pitt.

Features an awesome amount of content for only $10.

The incorporation of satellite imagery, a leveling system, and new control mechanics are enough to make this most recent Tom Clancy title soar over the competition.

Bit.Trip.Core is a prime example of a downloadable game done right. It’s addictive, provides a challenge, and most importantly, it’s cheap.

If you're a fan of tactical RPGs, there's no reason not to pick this game up, as it's one of the best on the system. If you're not, than you're missing out, and it might be worth eyeing up the first game to get ready for the sequel.

No matter what people call it, the game is a simple, masterfully crafted title that shouldn’t be ignored, and with the incredibly well optimized system specifications, a $20 price tag, and an imminent OSX port, it’s a game that should be purchased by anyone with a working mouse. God knows you’ll need it.

It will absolutely help you become a healthier person, but you need to put in the work. There is no easy way out, and you're not going to lose weight or burn calories if you don't make the effort to actually exercise.

Even with the glitches, I absolutely loved my time with Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge. It's so good that I can't believe I missed out on it the first time around, but I'm glad that I got a second chance thanks to this reimagining.

It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed playing an NBA Live title as much as this one. EA Canada has taken huge steps to create one of the most impressive and enjoyable basketball titles in recent years, and if they’re able to continue and improve upon the core mechanics they’ve instituted this year, Live just might usurp NBA 2K’s throne in another year or two.

At a glance, WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011 doesn't seem much different from its predecessor, and in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't. A closer look, however, reveals a considerable number of smaller changes that make the game far more robust and enjoyable.

For anyone looking for an interesting and different puzzle game, I highly recommend And Yet It Moves.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle doesn't quite reach the same standard the first game did, but it's still a lot of fun to play. It's not without its problems, and the head-scratching, but in a bad way, ending may burn some fans hoping for answers to the series' questions. That said, games like this don't come around too often, and I had a great time playing it.

Not that the other games in the series were slouches when it came to their style, but the new season blows them all out of the water, with enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements that move the series in a wonderful direction.

The best in the series so far. The new area is a new world unto itself, and I would love to see Bethesda move further south in future installments if only to add more variation to the locales we’re allowed to visit.

In this third pack of downloadable content, Gearbox more than makes up for the missteps of Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot, emptying out Pandora's pockets onto the Vault Hunters in a big way.

With 400 original levels, new game modes and tools, and a robust level creator, Boom Blox Bash Party is in no way a cheap cash-in. It packs more content than most releases, and is a shining example of what developers should strive for in terms of multiplayer on the Wii.

No matter the reasoning, "Stolen Memory" is something every Mass Effect junkie should own, if not just to justify popping the disk in again.

It’s a miniature version, a smaller, quicker Battlefield, and one that is better suited for a downloadable title. Even with its faults, 1943 is absolutely worthy of a purchase. You’d be hard pressed to find a better downloadable game thus far in 2009.

This year's version of Madden doesn't take a huge stride forward, but it does take a few steps in the right direction. If Gameflow can be improved, and the defense is given the same level of attention offense received this year, Madden NFL 12 could be amazing.

It doesn't have better shooting than Far Cry 2, better destruction than Red Faction, a better story than Grand Theft Auto, or better graphics than inFamous. What it does have, however, is fun, and what Just Cause 2 does, it does well.

Its solid controls and wonderful presentation make this game an incredibly tough act to follow. MadWorld is easily a must own for anybody who has the system. If you don’t have a Wii… well… it sucks to be you because you’re really missing out.

While the “Broken Steel” expansion may have reopened the game world, and had its fair share of huge action set pieces, “Point Lookout” really stands out as the best in the series so far.

No matter the reasoning, "Stolen Memory" is something every Mass Effect junkie should own, if not just to justify popping the disk in again.

Not that the other games in the series were slouches when it came to their style, but the new season blows them all out of the water, with enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements that move the series in a wonderful direction.

Brad Wardell, CEO of the game's publisher Stardock, said it best: "Now right now, Demigod, as a game, is awesome. Demigod, as an on-line service, however, sucks ass." That couldn't be more true. With any luck these problems will be addressed quickly, because the gameplay is simply too engaging to allow a few network problems get in the way of an otherwise fantastic experience.

If you’re looking for a game to curb that racing fix you so desperately crave, or just looking for something new to give you a break from the endless array of shooters on shelves, MX vs. ATV Reflex will more than answer the call.

The developers took a huge chance by placing their game in a genre rife with games that did nothing but wash, rinse, repeat for years, but by creating an incredibly compelling narrative, coupled with some new strides in gameplay, Visceral Games set a new bar for the rail shooter. Not only did they prove that rail shooters could be more than generic shoot ‘em ups, they also showed that they were a developer to be reckoned with.

Just Cause 2 doesn't have better shooting than Far Cry 2, better destruction than Red Faction, a better story than Grand Theft Auto, or better graphics than inFamous. What it does have, however, is fun, and what Just Cause 2 does, it does well.

It may be a little too simple for most gamers, especially those old enough to remember the original, but it never stops being fun.

Darksiders starts 2010 off on the right foot, and sets the bar for the rest of the year in gaming.

There are plenty of games on the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network that feel like quick ports. Double Impact goes far beyond that, and features an awesome amount of content for only $10.

The HD versions are undoubtedly superior to the Wii's offering, and the core gameplay represents the best in the franchise. It's just a shame that the secondary game modes are so poorly executed, as better implementations of them would have added a lot of replayability, and made for a much better value.

To make things better, the episode has what is likely the best conclusion in the history of the series.

The racing is simple, yet intense. The graphics are top notch. The game's unique power play feature keeps every race fresh, and the thrill of blowing up other cars never gets old.

Without the Transformers license, War for Cybertron would be a capable, but utterly forgettable third-person shooter with some nice graphics. Setting the game on Cybertron, however, and re-telling the origin of the most beloved toy franchise of the 1980s makes it an experience that gamers will enjoy and recall fondly, and one that fans of the Transformers absolutely shouldn't miss out on.

If Killzone 2 is proof that the PlayStation 3 is the powerhouse of the console market, than Resistance: Retribution succeeds in moving that claim to the PSP.

If you're a fan of The Sims 3, High-End Loft Stuff is a no-brainer. It adds enough new items to build and decorate homes with a completely distinctive style, and brings back a few objects that were missing.

The six distinctly different modes, along with six main characters, add plenty of variety to Trauma Team while keeping it constantly feeling fresh.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is a lot like Marvel Ultimate Alliance; it just looks, plays, and sounds a lot better.

Though the idea of micro-transactions in a full-priced game might turn some people off, BattleForge provides plenty of content for the retail price, and doesn't require additional funds to stay competitive.

Even though there’s no online play, only leaderboards, this game is a great way to spend a night or weekend with a friend.

It could be incredibly easy to write Batman: The Brave and the Bold off as unimportant because it's been made for a younger audience. If you did that, you'd be missing out on a pretty solid title that's worthy of your time and attention.

Even with a few technical problems, it's hard not to recommend Jolly Rover to any fan of adventure games, especially those who remember the LucasArts games of the 1990s fondly.

A solid football title that won’t shock or amaze anyone. It’s a by-the-numbers EA football experience with some new online features and a thin, college-flavored candy shell. It’s in no way a bad game, or even a mediocre one; it’s just that it fails to innovate in terms of gameplay.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 may play pretty much the same as Marvel Ultimate Alliance, but it represents huge steps forward in presentation and technical fidelity.

While Personality+ and the ability to play as a goalkeeper are nice new touches, they feel like incremental additions instead of revolutionary overhauls.

While Personality+ and the ability to play as a goalkeeper are nice new touches, they feel like incremental additions instead of revolutionary overhauls.

It takes the basic framework and turns it upside down, ripping out the casual appeal and replacing it with fast-paced competitive gameplay. Though not for anyone who gets flustered under pressure, Uno Rush is a great addition to the Xbox Live Marketplace, and a must buy for fans of competitive action.

Wrestling games haven’t changed much since the Smackdown series started, but this year’s offering is easily the most robust and well-produced.

The entire package presents some of the best Borderlands' gameplay to date, and this first batch of downloadable content is more entertaining than any plot-arc on the disk.

Aion is a wonderful foundation to what can absolutely, positively become one of the best MMORPGs on the market.

It may not have been the most memorable point-and-click adventure of the 90s, but the remake of Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars is definitely a stand-out title on the Wii.

It should provide answers about the sequel to those who with mixed feelings about the original, and provide a nice mid-meal-snack for hardcore fans that can't wait for the full sequel. For everyone else, it's a gory, thrilling zombie massacre that costs less than lunch at Wendy's, and it's well worth picking up.

It’s easily the best game in the series, and well worth playing, but one has to wonder how many more times THQ can get away with ever-so-slightly improving what is, essentially, the same game.

All in all, WarioWare D.I.Y. is a worthy investment for anyone even remotely interested in the promise of level creation. For fans of more traditional WarioWare gameplay, there's... well... there's no such thing.

For fans of Darwinia, this game is an instant purchase, but I’d recommend waiting on the Arcade version for online play. For anyone on the fence, pick up the demo, and here’s hoping it gets the reaction on consoles it deserves.

While Dragon Quest IV doesn’t offer anything overwhelmingly new or unique, it’s a solid RPG experience that any fan of the genre will have fun playing.

Madden NFL Arcade provides a nice break from the more serious Madden NFL 10, and even though it’s not without its share of minor issues, none of them are detrimental to the overall experience.

Once again, EA finds some solid footing to build another strong sports franchise on, and even though FIFA Soccer 10 is geared towards a more casual audience, more serious fans looking for a change of pace will have just as much fun. Though there’s a lack of depth in the game’s modes, FIFA 10 does just enough right to keep you coming back for more.

While WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 doesn’t reinvent the genre, it may be the best game in the series.

The minor innovations and improvements aren’t flashy or particularly sexy, but they definitely enhance the experience and are all welcome additions to the series.

I was very surprised by how much fun I had with Rocket Riot. I generally don’t love two-stick shooters, but I was quickly won over by the art style, destructible environments, and humorous gameplay.

Neversoft did a good job of not dumbing the game down while trying to appeal to a younger audience, and as a result both new gamers and longtime fans will be able to enjoy Band Hero.

Nintendo played it safe this time, and it’s hard to blame them, but it still is somewhat disappointing that they didn’t go the extra mile and expand the game’s content. Nevertheless, Nintendo seems to have given fans exactly what they wanted, no more, no less.

This is the first chance Americans have gotten to see where this classic franchise got its start, and upon playing it, it’s easy to see how it became so beloved.

Tekken 6 doesn’t try to reinvent the fighting game, or even change the Tekken formula too much. It does, however, deliver a gorgeous, extremely solid 3D fighting experience with plenty of customization options.

Whether you’ve played through the other two downloadable packs, or you’ve been waiting them out in favor of “Broken Steel,” this new addition is well worth the time and money. Hopefully there’s more to come, but even if there isn’t, at least Bethesda gave gamers a much more satisfying conclusion for their character.

Between the local and online multiplayer, as well as the plethora of single-player challenges available, this is the kind of game that has a ton of replay value. No, it’s not an overhaul, but it is an extremely solid entry in the series that lives up to the Mario Kart name.

What was born in the arcades has moved to the home, and while the frights were replaced with winks, it still managed to retain all of the entertainment of the original. House of the Dead: Overkill is a must own for Wii owners looking to push a little more use out of their system.

GT5: Prologue is amazing to look at, and the game handles like a dream. And while I'm excited to have a full garage of cars unlocked once GT5 releases, I wouldn't have minded waiting a bit longer for a more complete experience.

The combat's hectic nature has a certain rhythm to it that's easy to appreciate, and the style, while simplistic, is worth commending.

A significant improvement and Neversoft’s best full band game yet.

With a huge amount of customization when it comes to which towers to buy and where to put them, you could find yourself playing through it over and over again. The lack of online co-op is deplorable, but the game is solid.

It may take a little more patience than other games in the sandbox and beat ‘em up genres, but you’re rewarded with one of the most interesting stories, characters, and fun to use combat in gaming today.

Though it has its silly side, and the side is definitely prevalent, the game is well balanced and has a good amount of depth that should keep fans of the series happy.

Nothing about the game really rings "Spielberg," so I am not too sure how much work he actually put towards the game. The multiplayer portion does bump up the value of the title, though, and the large assortment of different single player levels with different awards for completing it under different circumstances also goes far to make the game a definite purchase.

Castle Crashers reaches for the stars and actually manages to grab hold, but immediately stutters, lags, freezes, and drops out of the sky.

Despite the freezing, and the other minor complaints, Star Ocean: The Last Hope is still a great game that far exceeded my expectations. In my opinion, it’s the best game in the series, and I find myself actually sad that it is supposed to be the last.

There’s nothing there for people who don’t already like the game, but the transition was so seamless that it’s an absolute purchase for fans.

No More Heroes isn't an amazing game, but the experience of playing it can be described as such. From beginning to end it maintains its humor and will consistently surprise you with a new plot twist and imaginative characters.

Fans of modern fighting games may find the action (aktion?) a bit shallow, but for MK aficionados, this is the game we’ve been waiting for since the mid 1990’s.

With a short campaign and a few new characters for Mercenaries mode, there's really no reason fans of RE5 should skip this over. While it might not pack much more content than Lost in Nightmares, Resident Evil 5: Desperate Escape represents some of the best action in the series, giving a good excuse to pop the disk back in for another trip to Kijuju, even if it's only for an hour or two.

As a season closer, 8-Bit is enough is all that you could want from a Strong Bad game. Filled with references to earlier episodes, better and more polished gameplay, and as epic of a story as could be expected.

I don't think this game is a replacement for an actual gym, or an actual trainer, but for those of you, who like me, don't have the time or inclination for that type of investment, EA Active 2 is a great substitute.

Operation: Anchorage plays like a giant action movie taking place in the Fallout 3 universe, and those of you who enjoyed the main game but haven’t tried this out yet are really missing out.

There’s a ton of challenge there if your brain is up to it.

Luckily, this year, that’s not such a bad thing, as EA’s game has taken a huge leap forward from last year. 2K has some catching up to do once it decides to re-enter the college b-ball arena again.

Ghostbusters was almost the game we’ve spent twenty years waiting for, but it isn’t. The gameplay is just about there, the presentation is spot on, and the script has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but the lack of cooperative play seems downright wrong.

Borderlands is a fantastic beginning to what will hopefully become a great franchise. While it lacks certain elements that would have made it more memorable, the sleek gameplay and beautiful graphics represent a stellar example of genres melting together, something which too often fails in execution.

I never expected Wii Fit to be a miraculous overnight weight loss product, and anyone looking for such a solution should spend his or her money elsewhere. Just like any kind of workout, you will actually need to stick with this one if you want to see results.

Fans that have been clamoring for this NBA Jam's arrival since its announcement will be absolutely thrilled with the end result, in spite of the game's unevenness. To everyone else, the title will be nothing more than a slightly updated 16-bit era game that cashes in on memories of a day long gone.

It might not be the biggest MMORPG launch of the year, what with no new races or classes, but there's no denying the quality in The Siege of Mirkwood. It's a great addition to an already solid online experience, delivering more content for the loyal fan base and giving prospective players a great excuse to jump into Middle Earth for the first time.