Disney’s Sing It knocks it out of the park.

Disney’s Sing It knocks it out of the park.

You get the idea – this is by no means a “gamer’s game” and it strains to make the definition of “game” in general. It’s really more of a fitness tool – a fitness tool with an unholy dose of The Biggest Loser mixed in.

Midnight Club Los Angeles is an excellent game brought down by its maddening difficulty level. It’s unfortunate to see Rockstar San Diego fall back into that ditch with this game seeing as how the rest of the package is loaded with arcade racing goodness.

Midnight Club Los Angeles is an excellent game brought down by its maddening difficulty level. It’s unfortunate to see Rockstar San Diego fall back into that ditch with this game seeing as how the rest of the package is loaded with arcade racing goodness.

The game looks nice, albeit a little GameCube-y, but unfortunately, the pretty pictures and cute animations of the various course contraptions don't help what's really wrong with the game, namely the cruddy swing mechanics.

A fantastic game for families and casual players who may be interested in a friendly, gentle ‘my first music lesson”.

With that said though, I really can't think of a compelling reason not to recommend it to any space-sim fan - but only because of the depressing fact that there isn't anything else that really compares out there for the moment.

Now that some of the kinks have been worked out SOCOM Confrontation is worth the time and effort. I’m a big fan of the series and even with the lack of single player, the ancient match making system, and the launch server I am still playing the heck out of it.

The game's engaging story line, great voice acting and mix of humor and mayhem kept me coming back whether it was to spend some more time stealing ho's, or participating in Fight Club or simply chipping away at the gangs that took over my fair city while I was away. Add on an engaging multiplayer mode and seamless co-op and you have sandbox game that can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the GTA's of the world.

The game's engaging story line, great voice acting and mix of humor and mayhem kept me coming back whether it was to spend some more time stealing ho's, or participating in Fight Club or simply chipping away at the gangs that took over my fair city while I was away. Add on an engaging multiplayer mode and seamless co-op and you have sandbox game that can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the GTA's of the world.

Dead Space is most frightening when you’re backed into a corner and fighting for your life in the darkness, and absolutely awe-inspiring during the quiet moments of solitude. From major elements like the HUD-less display and the believably intricate machinery to the simplicity of a forgotten magazine, the attention to detail is absolutely staggering.

Dead Space is most frightening when you’re backed into a corner and fighting for your life in the darkness, and absolutely awe-inspiring during the quiet moments of solitude. From major elements like the HUD-less display and the believably intricate machinery to the simplicity of a forgotten magazine, the attention to detail is absolutely staggering.

A substantial improvement over the original game. It’s very fun to play and although you’ll probably finish campaign mode in a day or two, there’s enough online replay value to get you through the season.

A substantial improvement over the original game. It’s very fun to play and although you’ll probably finish campaign mode in a day or two, there’s enough online replay value to get you through the season.

FIFA 09 has two interesting features, and while they don’t always live up to their full potential, are exciting and intriguing enough to warrant giving the game a shot.

FIFA 09 has two interesting features, and while they don’t always live up to their full potential, are exciting and intriguing enough to warrant giving the game a shot.

World of Goo is a fantastic game, and without a doubt the best WiiWare title on the market. I’d even go as far as saying it’s one of the most enjoyable titles on the Wii, period.

And, for you PC gamers, World of Goo is without a doubt one of the best indie titles on Steam (or for other forms of digital distribution). The game features charming animate balls of goo, a refreshingly fun gameplay concept, and some of the best puzzling available on either platform.

It’s just enormously cool that this title exists, despite the fact that the only other title in the series is a 22-year old NES game. It’s stylish, fun, and offers a very solid retro experience.

Despite its uneven difficulty, Fracture excels in innovating with its dynamic terrain deforming combat.

Despite its uneven difficulty, Fracture excels in innovating with its dynamic terrain deforming combat.

While Crash's latest offering retains the same great sense of humor and voice acting the gameplay and technical issues drag down the entire package.

The Association mode is a very deep simulation experience that should satisfy most simulation fans. There's a wealth of information available and the ability to customize the league and determine how much control the owner has over the team.

Imagine the L.A. skyline during rush hour, condensed into the perimeter of a city block, and you have a good idea of how thick the trademark fog has become.

Imagine the L.A. skyline during rush hour, condensed into the perimeter of a city block, and you have a good idea of how thick the trademark fog has become.

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility is a cute little farm simulation game with some decent additional features. However, even with the new features, it’s still too similar to past games in the series so if you have played these games in the past and they didn’t take, this won’t recharge your farming batteries – but dedicated fans should get their money’s worth.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood isn't a bad game, it's just a disappointing one. If you're a diehard Sonic fan, it's probably the best outing containing your favorite blue hedgehog in years, regardless of how low a benchmark that may be.

Basically Hell’s Highway is a great example of a World War II shooter that isn’t just about running around and blasting Nazis. The squad command system makes for plenty of tactical thinking as you outmaneuver your enemy, and though the cover system has its flaws it still comes through in the end.

A sleeper hit.

A sleeper hit.

The final problem is one that has plagued the gameplay in this series for a long time—the pure sameness of everything.

With the new additions of online play and downloadable content, Sony has created a quiz game which will not only stay fresh and new, but will also make it easier than ever for friends and families to play with one another no matter where they are.

Disgaea DS throws the title onto a new platform, but it loses none of what made it so excellent in the first place. The gameplay is still deep and addicting, the story and subsequent writing are still fantastic, and the characters are some of the most memorable in recent RPGs.

Annoyances aside, LEGO Batman is arguably the best of the LEGO games. It’s certainly not revolutionary, but it represents a very smart, very fun evolution on a proven formula.

It truly is the story which carries Time Hollow. The gameplay itself is shallow, overly repetitive, and offers no challenge that a six year old couldn’t overcome.

What’s most impressive is the game’s physics engine.

What’s most impressive is the game’s physics engine.

Yes the controls can be imprecise and some may balk at the unfriendly save system but the colors, the whimsy and the style keep things entertaining. Most importantly, the game is just plain fun. Oozing with style and Day-Glo colored antics, de Blob takes platforming and transforms it with a beautiful new coat of paint.

The new Colonization walks the fine line between mod, expansion and remake.

The game sets out with a gorgeous anime/Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic that is as beautiful as it is fully realized.

More than just a classic with a new coat of paint. No, it's a classic with over ten new games, new CG movies, a bit of touch screen bonuses, and a splash of paint that will leave you smiling (and possibly a little hungry) afterwards.

After looking back at all these factors, it’s obvious to me that even when it faltered, Mythic poured every ounce of its soul into WAR.

As good as the game is - aside from the targeting issues and the falling to your death over and over - the story that unfolds is the definite high point.

As good as the game is - aside from the targeting issues and the falling to your death over and over - the story that unfolds is the definite high point.

If you like combat-heavy action games and don’t mind a little repetition, and you consider yourself a Star Wars fan, you’ll have a great time with The Force Unleashed. It’s far from perfect, but as the score up top reflects, it’s worth the ride.

The pacing is accelerated in comparison to the original game.

I thoroughly enjoyed the opening moments of each map, looking over the terrain for bonuses and counting moves to make sure that I engaged the enemy with the perfect formation. After that, it was back to 20 minutes of occasionally pressing one button to keep my little soldiers swinging in the most non-violent war this side of a NERF fight.

The only real problem with this in depth beginning is that it sets the expectation that the choices you make here are going to have some affect on the game’s story.

With great pacing, clever character development, and phenomenal presentation, this relatively forgiving RPG is likely to convert fence-sitters into fully-fledged RPG fanatics. Even though it might be considered “by-the-book” by today’s standards, Dragon Quest IV should be considered required playing for any role-playing fan out there.

Throughout the campaign, several missions require you to tackle mobile “Arms Forts”. These are tremendously large battle platforms, bristling with heavy artillery, missile racks, and other surprises.

Strong Badia the Free is a great follow-up to Homestar Ruiner. The storyline is easier to follow, the jokes are tighter, and the puzzles are more challenging and intriguing.

Strong Badia the Free is a great follow-up to Homestar Ruiner. The storyline is easier to follow, the jokes are tighter, and the puzzles are more challenging and intriguing.

On paper, the new features of the game may not seem like much, but the resulting effort makes it one of the greatest music games available today and destroys any need, or desire, to play the original.

Remember when Blitz and NBA Jam ruled supreme, and we all got our first taste of the notorious Midway Comeback AI? I’m sad to say that a close relative of that AI seems to be present here.

Remember when Blitz and NBA Jam ruled supreme, and we all got our first taste of the notorious Midway Comeback AI? I’m sad to say that a close relative of that AI seems to be present here.

NHL 09 is not a simulation of professional hockey. It’s a game. A fun game, no doubt, but it’s more like an entertaining movie based on a good book which was based on actual events.

NHL 09 is not a simulation of professional hockey. It’s a game. A fun game, no doubt, but it’s more like an entertaining movie based on a good book which was based on actual events.

Feels like a cell phone game; been here, done that; terrible use of controls.

Absolute fanatics will undoubtedly get more out of the experience than casual gamers or puzzle game fans but even they will probably end up calling it quits before playing every game. It's a shame because successful game show games means we'll eventually get the Card Sharks game we so richly deserve, but for now, take a pass on this one and remember, to always spay and neuter your pets.

As a Viva Piñata first timer, I was totally at home right from the start. The game is pure, well-paced fun, with a great deal of variation and customization available.

What we have with NHL 2k9 is a top shelf hockey game that still needs some tweaking to perfect the on-ice experience. That said, the impact on the authenticity of the game of having such unparalleled realism in the realm of puck physics cannot be overstated.

What we have with NHL 2k9 is a top shelf hockey game that still needs some tweaking to perfect the on-ice experience. That said, the impact on the authenticity of the game of having such unparalleled realism in the realm of puck physics cannot be overstated.

If you want a deep strategy game, this is certainly not what you want to play. Spore is more diversion than obsession.

Unfortunately, while the quests and mini-games vary from region to region, overall gameplay is rather repetitive.

Even at the reduced $49.99 price point Facebreaker must be avoided unless you like no-brainer button mashing boxing.

Playing it alone showcases how repetitive the missions are and without that second player it is just you versus an AI that is far from intense or tactical. The numerous bugs and crashes that plague the PC version are troublesome, as is the game’s refusal to really adopt any of the advantages of the platform.

No-brainer button mashing boxing.

Even with its quirks and bugs, NFL Head Coach 09 is the type of game that will silently siphon away hours of your free time. Sitting down at night after the family has gone to bed to get in an hour or so of game time only to discover that all of a sudden it’s the middle of the night and your eyes are straining.

Even with its quirks and bugs, NFL Head Coach 09 is the type of game that will silently siphon away hours of your free time. Sitting down at night after the family has gone to bed to get in an hour or so of game time only to discover that all of a sudden it’s the middle of the night and your eyes are straining.

The basics for a great rendition of Warhammer are there, but they’re buried too deeply in the mire of frustration to be appreciated.

What we’re left with is a reminder that no matter who you are, the most important aspect of a game being successful and enjoyable is what goes into the product, not the names that are on the display case.

An ideal starter MMO for children, but challenging enough for adults. Kids will love the cute characters, colorful world, and grandiose combat animations (as well as the Potter-like setting) while their parents may be drawn to the Magic: The Gathering inspired combat card mechanic and online safety measures.

The game delivers entertaining - although sometimes frustrating, sometime hilarious and sometimes jaw dropping gameplay, and with a small bit of patience, it ends up being an amusing and for the most part, an enjoyable experience.

Looking at the whole product on paper, Tales of Vesperia really doesn’t do anything new or exciting. Instead, Namco Bandai takes the components for RPG success—a serviceable story, stellar writing, combat which doesn’t become a chore, anime-inspired visuals, and a fantasy setting with some roots in reality—and puts them together so well that the game just works. Is the game groundbreaking? No. Is it fun? You bet.

Its multiplayer is disappointing, but the single player experience which is the real meat of the game is as solid as it ever has been and marks a great entry for the franchise onto the DS.

Idiotic menu issues aside, N+ still provides a great value and tons of fun for anyone who picks it up. With over 40 different levels and a near-endless supply of downloadable user-generated content, it's hard to not see the value in such a simple and fun game.

Are there enough improvements to warrant a purchase of 09 if you have 08? That’s hard for me to say. The dynamic ratings are fantastic, but with a majority of the courses being identical and the gameplay being almost identical it’s a tough sale.

Are there enough improvements to warrant a purchase of 09 if you have 08? That’s hard for me to say. The dynamic ratings are fantastic, but with a majority of the courses being identical and the gameplay being almost identical it’s a tough sale.

If you were waiting for a golf video game that completely changes the notion of what a golf video game can be, well, you're still waiting. If you want a well controlled game of golf that's both accessible to newcomers and challenging to veterans with tight, well implemented controls and more content then you can shake a 5-iron at then Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 All-Play fits the bill.

An incredibly enjoyable game. Cute, almost overwhelming in its depth, and bursting at the seams with value, Disgaea 3 once again demonstrates the care NIS America takes in catering to its gamers.

As long as you remember that Super Mario Sluggers is more casual entertainment than an actual baseball simulation game, you should find it enjoyable, if a bit simple, playing with friends and family.

While the gameplay is interesting at its core, with only the single player and a skirmish mode included, a multiplayer tank battle mode would have been an awesome and more than welcome addition.

However you choose to play, by yourself with the full, messy story unfolding in front of you, or with a friend, bereft of a narrative but beset by twice as many enemies and twice as much potential loot, Too Human provides and uneven and ultimately unsatisfying experience.

Ironically, the old Virtua Tennis continues to do the job for me if I need to play a tennis game; this one is at the bottom of the heap.

In the end the game just doesn’t work as an action or role-playing game and the result is an unfortunate black mark on the company’s resume.

This is a must buy for fans of the original Bangai-O, Treasure addicts looking for an excellent, sustained fix, and old-school shooter fans of all breeds.

What you are left with is a great 2-player game, a lot of features that the well established fan base most likely won’t care about (even though Backtrack and Rewind are both pretty good ideas), a half-baked online league system, and gameplay that is at times highly polished and entertaining yet also plagued by AI issues.

What you are left with is a great 2-player game, a lot of features that the well established fan base most likely won’t care about (even though Backtrack and Rewind are both pretty good ideas), a half-baked online league system, and gameplay that is at times highly polished and entertaining yet also plagued by AI issues.

Barring minor technical errors, The Homestar Ruiner is a great start for this episodic game. It’s funny, inexpensive, easy to play, and has replay value from the mini-games.

Beautifully crafted and wonderfully realized, it is a shining example of the intersection between art and technology, love and loss, desire and despondence. It is, in one word, beautiful.

GRID is absolutely your best bet if you’ve got a craving for racing on your DS (sans turtle shells and banana peels), and it’ll keep you busy for quite some time.

If the game only had a little more depth and online play, it would be easy to recommend this without question. As it is, it’s right up there with Power Pros as one of the more enjoyable Wii experiences you can have in a baseball game.

From the gorgeous arenas to the assortment of returning and new characters – even the Star Wars ones – found in the game, Soul Calibur IV is exactly what the series needed to step up and compete in the next generation.

Soul Calibur IV is one of the best fighters currently available on the PS3 and is certainly the best weapons fighter. The core fighting system is still there and the additions of online play and the Character Creation mechanic really bring more fun to the game as a whole.

Opportunities to get RBIs were very few, 80% of the time when the character was batting it was with the bases empty.

Unreliability truly is the recurring hallmark of 1942: Joint Strike. Like a used-car dealership, it seems to have a vehicle for every budget and lifestyle, and each one is covered with a thick sheen of low-grade wax. Yeah, they look tasty, but you have to wonder if even a single one can make it off the lot.

At least the game is humorous, with Izuna written as a died in the wool slacker.