Crimson Gem Saga probably won’t win any awards for innovation, but it’s an enjoyable game from start to finish, and one I had trouble putting down.

For the first time since the original, Ubisoft has been able to recapture what made this new, strange series so popular: inanity, and boatloads of it. The newest title is undoubtedly the best, and despite some faults, Rabbids Go Home is a success, and easily one of the best 3D platformer to hit the Wii since de Blob.

Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is a giant step forward for the series, and the most fun it's been in years. There are still issues that need to be worked out, and I wish Traveller's Tales had fixed more of its problems instead of dancing around them.

Microsoft may not have crafted the finest RTS of the year, much less the generation, but they set out to make a fully functional RTS that is optimized for consoles, and in that, they’ve succeeded.

The PSP shelves at your local retailer may not be brimming with new releases, but if you’re looking for something new to play, and enjoy a good side-scrolling platformer, Hammerin’ Hero should be right up your alley.

While it doesn't quite encompass the charm and addictive nature of Mario Kart DS, it's still a strong game in its own right, and can offer hours of entertainment to kart racing fans.

Droplitz may not be perfect, but the promise of an addictive puzzle game experience has definitely been fulfilled.

With four game modes and six levels to unlock, there is a good amount of things to do, but even with different environments, Burn Zombie Burn can still be more repetitive than addictive at times.

Difficulty issues aside, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord provides Wii owners with one of the best strategy games on the system.

EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis is a great offering, and a fantastic first outing for the series. It isn't without fault, however, and isn't the casual experience some hoped it would be.

It isn't for everyone - it's in a genre of its own, halfway in-between an RPG, a simulation, and a tower defense. In the end, the main faults lie in the unpredictable AI, and not being able to control or accurately guide the dungeon dwellers' movements.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing may have been Sega’s answer to Mario Kart’s dominance of the kart racing genre, but it’s not a contender quite yet.

Despite the combat being flawed, and the "story" failing to live up to its potential, it's still remarkably fun to play.

There is enough content in Nostalgia to keep you occupied for a long time; the question is simply whether or not you will remain interested long enough to get there.

If nothing else, Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble is a quirky, unique experience that is certainly entertaining in small doses. I wish there had been more direction, and despite the new game plus, I’m not sure if a second playthrough is a compelling enough reason to buy it.

As enjoyable as Shaun White Skateboarding was in small bursts, the overall game doesn't really have much going for it.

While it runs into issues in areas it likely didn't realize it would, there's no denying that the sacrifices made are more than justified.

No matter how much variety is in each level, or how shiny the graphics are, the simplicity of the gameplay can become a bit redundant after about half an hour or so.

Though scaled back from the depth of a typical Final Fantasy adventure, there’s still a fair amount of value in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, but you need to really want it.

Puchi Puchi Virus is addictive enough that it should make a long car or plane ride go by quickly, and for $20 there's no reason not to pick it up.

The vibrant graphics take full advantage of the PlayStation 3's power, and while it might not be aimed at the right demographic, there's still a good deal of fun to be had.

It’s enjoyable, and brings back nostalgic memories of playing the original Space Invaders in arcades (because I was too young to know that the game was already fifteen years old). However, Space Invaders Extreme is easily overshadowed by two comparable XBLA games: Geometry Wars 2 and Pac-Man Championship Edition.

While online multiplayer is fun and the presentation is spot on, much of the enjoyment and skill in MtG is in deck-building , an omission that truly hurts the overall experience.

Most of the flaws are simply disappointments, and there's a good game in Deathspank, even if it isn't as good of a game as it should have been. The humor, thankfully, manages to hold strong, with non-stop jokes and constant fourth wall breaking.

Unfortunately, not every aspect of the game works as well as it should, and even though it's an enjoyable title, Disney Epic Mickey is far from the blockbuster it could have been.

Wolfenstein comes so close to being a really good game, but just falls short. The fact that it came near its former greatness is almost more disappointing than if it had been terrible; with a few original ideas, this could have been the must-have shooter of the summer.

Simply put, such a unique game deserves to succeed, and there’s no doubt that Deadly Creatures is worth looking into for Wii owners.

There’s quite a bit to enjoy with WET if you’re able to look past the flaws in the gameplay. WET had a chance to set a new bar for third-person action games, but it never has all its components working together at once to make a perfect package.

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.

WET had a chance to set a new bar for third-person action games, but it never has all its components working together at once to make a perfect package. Perhaps the best thing I can say about this game, other than the fact that I enjoyed it in spite of its shortcomings, is that I’m really looking forward to a sequel.

A good rhythm game that definitely exceeded my expectations. It’s fun and addictive, with plenty of venues, and though I would have liked to see less repetition in the tracklist, I still found myself saying “Just one more song” repeatedly.

There are a few different modes available, as there are in all of the Family Game Night titles, but none are really all that inventive or interesting past the ability to play more traditional modes.

The potential is there, and it would be a shame if this is the last time Axel & Pixel take the stage.

The fact that it came near its former greatness is almost more disappointing than if it had been terrible; with a few original ideas, this could have been the must-have shooter of the summer. Instead, Wolfenstein offers a weekend or so of entertainment, but will quickly be forgotten in the onslaught of triple-A titles coming later this year.

While The Pitt may be a tad on the short side, there’s certainly enough content here to warrant the price.

Even though Blue Dragon Plus is a lot of fun, it doesn’t really do anything particularly innovative.

Though I really enjoy this game, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is almost too retro for its own good. Even on the lowest difficulty setting, playing the game is at times a chore.

It's still very, very charming, and if you're not smiling while playing there's something wrong with you. Hopefully the upcoming episodes will continue to improve at a steady pace, because there's much more life to live in West Wallaby Street.

While multiplayer is a disappointment, the underlying puzzle game is one that is both challenging and entertaining. It's also pretty difficult not to fall in love with the adorable cast of characters.

The game's fun and all, but, to be honest, there are simply easier to get versions of the product for cheaper, and the changes don't make it worth the trip to the store for the game disc.

The allure of the online experience over Xbox Live should be tempting to fans of the game, especially with hopes that some of the issues might be fixed with future downloadable content to add further customization.

At times, it feels as though MySims Agents is like a film made for children that's filled with nods at parents to keep them awake for the entirety of the movie. It's also likely the best title in the series.

Stoked wasn’t exactly the brilliant snowboarding game I’ve been waiting for, but it was definitely entertaining. I may have gotten frustrated a few times, but I kept going back for more, and I loved the sense of satisfaction I got when I pulled off a particularly difficult challenge.

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.

It's not a total failure, and there are some improvements worthy of note, but the way it so callously steps on the toes of the previous title's story is a huge disappointment.

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.

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

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

While Cradle of Rome does have some unique additions to the formula, it’s not quite enough to make it really stand out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Overall, Legacy of Ys: Books I & II is a great value and will offer many hours of gameplay, but its appeal is limited.

It’s strange to think that a game with lackluster core game mechanics can make up for it with its variety of gameplay modes, most of which rely on those same core mechanics, but that’s exactly the case here.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Tenchu: Shadow Assassins isn’t a bad game by any stretch of the imagination. It gives gamers a unique experience that while not always successful, certainly gives its all.

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.

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.

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

Experienced gamers will have no problem playing through the game without even the fear of death, but kids will have fun playing alone or with a family member, and parents or older siblings can jump in without being bored to tears. Upping the challenge factor and fixing some of the technical issues would have expanded the audience for this game even further, but it’s a nice step taken as far as video game tie-ins go.

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

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 may not be for everyone, but for fans of old-school RPGs, especially those who are sick of spiky-haired, angstful teenaged protagonists, it's well worth the $50 price tag.

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.

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.

Despite its many flaws, Beijing 08 has a certain addictive quality to it. Some games, like many of the shooting and gymnastic events are a lot of fun, especially head to head, and it’s always a blast to wear out your thumbs in the many button mashing events.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re looking for something to play one weekend, and you’re in a racing kind of mood, definitely give this a look. I wouldn’t commit more than a weekend to it though. Why should you?

This lack of differentiation between the games and the various technical issues keep the collection from being a “must have,” but it’s still a nice look into the history of 2D fighters, and for skilled fighters, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

Those of you turned off by MLB Front Office Manager should try this game out to see what a proper management sim is like. I still find a game like Out of the Park provides a bit more depth than this game, but for the price ($20), you sure do get every penny out of Baseball Mogul.

It might be a little on the short end when compared to Square’s other JRPGs, but there is more than enough content to extend the game significantly. That said, anyone who isn’t already a fan of the genre will likely grow tired of the cliché locales and repetitive gameplay, as well as not being as forgiving of the game’s many other missteps either.

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

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

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

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.