Accidentally walking into enemies as they’re shooting at you grows very tiring, and nothing about the game’s characters or plot stuck with me other than the fact that each member has a special ability.

With a little more work, this could have been a stand-out casual title for the DS, but sadly this megamix is not as explosively fun as I would prefer.

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.

The Dark Spire is a challenging, unique, and well-made game that stands out in more ways than one. However, its old-school look and brutal difficulty make this a title that will only appeal to a small group of gamers. If you’re looking for something different on your DS, this is definitely worth a try.

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.

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.

Almost a solid game. There are some interesting concepts put forth this time around, but most of them are overshadowed by the lack of attention paid to the gameplay. I really wanted to enjoy playing this, but the longer I played, the more it felt like a chore instead of fun.

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.

WarioWare Snapped! might have set the bar for DSiWare, but it didn’t set it incredibly high. The amount of time it takes to set up the camera usually outlives the amount of time that can be spent with the game, and the limited number of microgames included is regrettable.

Awful controls, boring missions, a terrible camera, hideous characters, and juvenile, unfunny dialogue make Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust one of the worst games in recent memory, and, if there’s any justice in the world, will mark the end of this poor, abused franchise.

Lux-Pain is a game built on some interesting ideas that feel like they were never fully fleshed out, and the result is a half-baked title that most gamers will probably want to abandon after a few minutes.

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.

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.

For me, someone who tries to exercise as regularly as possible, it was something refreshing and new, and I’ll definitely keep it up; also, the discounted $30 price point is more than a fair deal for the hours of exercise you will get out of it.

Something about The Wheelman doesn't feel entirely finished. It could be the graphics, which look sloppy and fall victim to all of the downfalls of the Unreal 3 engine. Texture pop-ins are almost constant, and they don't even look that good once they are fully displayed.

The Wheelman promises high-octane action and it usually delivers; but the thrills are somewhat cheap and hollow.

Stormrise is an example of a good idea gone horribly wrong. It almost feels like Creative Assembly, the developer, became so enamored with the novelty of the Whip Select mechanic that they neglected to even attempt to make the game enjoyable.

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.

The biggest disappointment with Wanted: Weapons of Fate was how close they came to almost getting it right. The few shining gameplay features like the cover system and bullet curving just can’t overcome the numerous flaws the game has in just about every other department.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

I had to strain my eyes playing on a 42-inch television, so I can’t imagine what it would be like to play on a smaller set. Despite some problems, Cate West is still worth a try if you’re a fan of the genre, but if you’re not, this isn’t the game that will draw you in.

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

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

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.

It won’t entertain you for long, but the bite-sized games are perfect for killing time, and surprisingly addictive.

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.

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.

Like Connect Four, I likely wouldn’t have given Sorry! a second look if not for having to review it, but now that I have, I can’t stop playing it.

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.

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.

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

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.

It's charming, innovative, and although flawed, simply brilliant.

Rockstar has done a downright amazing job of bringing one of gaming’s most ambitious, innovative and expansive franchises to a handheld console that seems like it simply shouldn’t be able to handle it. It looks great, plays great, and feels every bit like a fitting entry in the series.

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

An awful game that no one should consider buying or even renting. You’ll get pretty much the same experience watching a bad boxing match on an old UHF TV while wildly swinging two turkey legs around.

There is stat tracking, but it’s not very in-depth, and with a game so basic that it’s commonly played with blocks of wood I have to think it could have been fleshed out into a different, though similar experience.

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.

It’s presentation, mixed with the absurd amount of polish makes it a must own. Resident Evil 5 is a great conclusion to the series, and an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

The cooperative gameplay might not be what some expected or anticipated, but it’s hard to deny that it adds something unique to the series. The fear is gone. Entirely.

Odds are if you have access to any other console, there are plenty of better tower defense games to enjoy.

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.

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.

Maybe by the next installment, EA will see that there’s an older audience looking for a solid party title, and give us a little more challenge. As of right now, I’m getting to old for this stuff.

It's a shame, because there's likely something deep within that's worth paying attention to, but it is surrounded so completely by problems that it simply cannot be worth the effort.

The price point is simply too high for what feels like a substandard product, and there are too games out there that are simply more feature-complete to justify spending more than the price of the board game on this version.

An incredibly charming adventure.

For the most casual of the casual gamers who also happens to own a Wii and be a die-hard Grey’s Anatomy fan, this game is for you. For everyone else, the game just doesn’t have enough to offer in terms of actual gameplay.

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.

Although on the surface H.A.W.X. seems like an Ace Combat 6 clone, a deeper examination reveals that it has taken the Ace formula, and improved upon it. 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. As a huge fan of the flight action genre, I can say that H.A.W.X. is this generation’s true ace.

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.

Visually it’s a success, with wonderful blur effects and animations accompanying the colorful world. The gameplay is even something worth paying attention to, as it shows that Sonic Team hasn’t entirely forgotten how to make a Sonic game. However, it falls apart, and the repetitive nature of the missions can become grinding.

Gamers deserve better than another mediocre effort.

It’s hard to believe that the same company that makes the absolutely stellar NBA 2K series is responsible for the travesty that is Major League Baseball 2K9. In all honesty, MLB 2K9 plays like it might have been a good game three or four years ago, but it’s graphical inconsistencies, lackadaisical AI, and gimmicky controls feel very dated in today’s gaming climate.

Despite a few flaws, this game is quite possibly the best baseball video game to ever grace a living room.

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.

Without the blu-ray disk drive and its ridiculous storage space, the textures couldn’t be as high-resolution and photorealistic as they are. Without the cell-processor and its amazing power, the game couldn’t support as many light sources as it does at once. Without the PlayStation 3, you cannot get the Killzone experience anywhere else. If that was the game’s goal, to prove that point to gamers, than they’ve done their job, and given PS3 owners one hell of a title in the process. The single player definitely hurts without cooperative play, but the multiplayer and overall stunning presentation should earn Killzone 2 a spot on any gamer’s shelf.

A bad shooter with worse excuses, and there’s little chance you’ll enjoy playing it as much as Vicious Cycle enjoyed making it. The developers relied too heavily on cheap laughs, and didn’t take advantage of the satire nearly as much as they should have. Instead, they used it as a crutch, explaining missing features and other problems on the game’s premise – an excuse that grows thin quickly, as far too often, it’s used to the detriment of the player instead of to their benefit.

A bad shooter with worse excuses, and there’s little chance you’ll enjoy playing it as much as Vicious Cycle enjoyed making it. The developers relied too heavily on cheap laughs, and didn’t take advantage of the satire nearly as much as they should have.

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.

Seriously, it’s a good game! The graphics are all right, the gameplay is addicting, and story is good, stupid fun.

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.

Aside from the ridiculously terrible story, the 6 year-old graphics, broken AI, and lack of replay value, ShellShock 2: Blood Trails doesn’t sound too bad does it?

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

The series remains the only true blending of the two genres, and Galactrix, if nothing else, proves that the Puzzle Quest definitely has room to grow. Hopefully inevitable sequels will be able to refine the tutorials, learning from PC strategy games in easing players into mechanics, instead of piling them on from the outset.

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

From the exhilarating single player campaign to the frantic multiplayer offerings, Relic has again achieved greatness, and it came from blending the ideals of traditionalist real-time strategy with the rapidly changing shooter market.

It’s an extremely tight, well-paced fighter that allows for widely varied fighting styles, but also serves as a fair and definitive test of skills for long-time fighters. Seth, the game’s biggest drawback, along with some long load times and a lack of variety in the Super and Ultra Combos are the only things keeping the game from receiving a perfect score.

In terms of new content, Lost & Damned is bursting at the seams.

The wonderful graphics and catchy music feel almost wasted in this release, and it definitely feels more like a series of side-missions than its own adventure.

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.

The main problems are more accurately missed opportunities, and much of the time playing the game will be spent wondering what could have been created if Monolith would have taken more creative risks instead of allowing themselves to craft a game too deeply within their comfort zone.

Sure, there are definitely hurdles to jump in order to create a cooperative game with slow motion, or to get the mechanic to work in a multiplayer sense, but that doesn’t excuse them for not trying. Then again, that's all nitpicking, and to be honest, there's really nothing "wrong" with the game at all.

The main problems are more accurately missed opportunities, and much of the time playing the game will be spent wondering what could have been created if Monolith would have taken more creative risks instead of allowing themselves to craft a game too deeply within their comfort zone.

Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers is not a great game. It’s not even a good game. But it’s fun, it’s cheap ($30), and provides players with some over-the-top action they might be able to enjoy.

LocoRoco 2 is a pleasure. It lacks the depth of some of its contemporaries, to be sure, but in terms of sheer enjoyment value few games come close. It’s euphoric, and there’s more than enough content and unlockables to justify the $19.99 price tag.

Even though NASCAR Kart Racing may not be the most innovative racer on the market, that shouldn’t turn you away. The game is an unabashed "Mario Kart" clone that, while not looking nearly as good, plays almost exactly the same.

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.

Onechanbara on the 360 looks terrible. I forgave a lot of the graphical problems the Wii version had since it was a game on the Wii. No next-gen game should ever look this terrible, even if it does only cost $40.

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

While I don’t recommend it for most things in life, in this case, judging a book by its cover works just fine. X-Blades is exactly what you expected it to be; a mediocre fantasy action game with a heroine that appeals to the basest of men’s instincts.

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.

At its core, My World, My Way is a very basic, repetitive RPG with a gimmicky twist that loses its novelty pretty quickly.

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

With its baffling design choices and shoddy controls, Rygar: The Battle of Argus fails to deliver as much fun and satisfaction as the original game.

It’s close to being amazing, and there are times when it is, but there are too many times where it just simply isn’t up to par with the current generation’s standards. The camera is too jumpy, the bosses are too frustrating, and the platforming just isn’t any fun.

It’s close to being amazing, and there are times when it is, but there are too many times where it just simply isn’t up to par with the current generation’s standards. The camera is too jumpy, the bosses are too frustrating, and the platforming just isn’t any fun.

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.

The best thing I can say about Coraline is that it’s not broken. It works, and just about anyone could play it from start to finish, but I don’t understand why anyone would want to.

To say MLB Front Office Manager was a good attempt at a console management simulation is like spitting on your dirty dishes and saying they’re washed.

To say MLB Front Office Manager was a good attempt at a console management simulation is like spitting on your dirty dishes and saying they’re washed.

Big Bang Mini is a tremendous success. It isn’t an incredibly deep game, but the mechanics work on a number of levels, and set a bar for what gamers should grow to expect from budget titles.

There’s just not much more to say about it; there was potential here, but it just didn’t go anywhere. The animals aren’t characterized at all, and look and act about as bland as the game feels.

Skate 2 may not have the jaw-dropping impact of its predecessor. It can’t. It is, however, a far more polished, robust and fulfilling experience than the original.