Cool power-ups and a lot of charm make TNT Racers a bunch of shallow fun.

They may not win best in show, but the adorable animals of Nintendogs + Cats are sure to win your heart.

They may not win best in show, but the adorable animals of Nintendogs + Cats are sure to win your heart.

They may not win best in show, but the adorable animals of Nintendogs + Cats are sure to win your heart.

Super Monkey Ball 3D's one enjoyable mode can't compensate for the other two stinkers, making this a disappointing showing for the sphere-bound simians.

This familiar Lego-themed adventure has flashy 3D effects, but predictable gameplay and a lack of challenge keep it from flying high.

A disappointingly bare-bones remake of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.

This tedious underwater adventure is as short on content as it is on thrills.

Pilotwings Resort is fun while it lasts, but it fails to reach the same heights as its predecessors.

Frequently frustrating combat and an annoying central character prevent The 3rd Birthday from making the most of its unusual mechanics.

Crysis 2 doesn't make as strong of a mark, but in a sea of me-too shooters, it feels unique and offers an exciting journey that's as much your own making as that of the developer. The wow factor is undercut by a few issues--the bargain-bin AI and some unfortunate bugs among them.

A short campaign and the lack of online multiplayer hobble this ambitious puzzle adventure.

The wow factor is undercut by some AI and multiplayer oddities. But while the lows are inescapable, the highs are intense, and the more you play, the more extraordinary they become.

Terrible motion controls and poor visuals sap all the fun out of this poor excuse for a tennis game.

With a wealth of content to explore, tight controls, and great visuals, Top Spin 4 is a fantastic tennis simulation that caters to pros and novices alike.

With a wealth of content to explore, tight controls, and great visuals, Top Spin 4 is a fantastic tennis simulation that caters to pros and novices alike.

Class flexibility, a solid infrastructure, and an element of unpredictability keep Rift from feeling like just another online fantasy game.

In a sea of me-too shooters, it feels unique and offers an exciting journey that's as much your own making as that of the developer. The wow factor is undercut by a few issues--the bargain-bin AI and some unfortunate bugs among them. But while the lows are inescapable, the highs are intense, and the more you play, the more extraordinary they become.

The Wii version of MLB 2K11 is dated, ugly, and adds virtually nothing new to last year's game.

Short, unremarkable, and overpriced, Battle: Los Angeles is a shooter to be avoided.

On its own, no one element of the game would be remarkable, but combined and buoyed by the juicy story and the excellent cast, they make Yakuza 4 much more than the sum of its parts.

Flawed motorcycle physics and lackluster graphics hold back the potential of this official MotoGP racer.

Flawed motorcycle physics and lackluster graphics hold back the potential of this official MotoGP racer.

A number of small changes make MLB 2K11 better on the field than its predecessor, although the majority of the new game is identical to the old game.

A number of small changes make MLB 2K11 better on the field than its predecessor, although the majority of the new game is identical to the old game.

Artistic, formidable, and action packed, this remarkable strategy game is the best Total War yet.

Homefront's engrossing vision of the future and gratifying competitive multiplayer outweigh its squandered potential and workaday game mechanics.

Homefront's engrossing vision of the future and gratifying competitive multiplayer outweigh its squandered potential and workaday game mechanics.

Homefront's engrossing vision of the future and gratifying competitive multiplayer outweigh its squandered potential and workaday game mechanics.

This huge, time trial-based driving game is let down by budget production values and frustrating difficulty spikes.

Okamiden doesn't distinguish itself from its revered predecessor, but great visual design and well-developed characters make it engaging nonetheless.

This sequel is slow to show off its best features, but once it does, you won't want to stop playing.

Absorbing gameplay and an epic plot make this Dragon Quest remake worth the wait.

Great online options and an innovative experience system make this poker game difficult to put down.

Not every mission is a success, but charismatic characters and a great final stretch elevate this enjoyable add-on.

Even though MLB 11: The Show is an undeniably great baseball game, it is stuck in a bit of a rut with just subtle refinements setting it apart from its predecessor.

The second episode of this clever adventure series is even better than the first.

It's a shame that these intricacies were tempered by unnecessary simplification and unfocused storytelling. Nevertheless, Dragon Age II makes a strong impression, pulling you through with the promise of another fun quest, another character to meet, and another beast to slay.

It's a shame that these intricacies were tempered by unnecessary simplification and unfocused storytelling. Nevertheless, Dragon Age II makes a strong impression, pulling you through with the promise of another fun quest, another character to meet, and another beast to slay.

It's a shame that these intricacies were tempered by unnecessary simplification and unfocused storytelling. Nevertheless, Dragon Age II makes a strong impression, pulling you through with the promise of another fun quest, another character to meet, and another beast to slay.

This stand-alone expansion is the best iteration of Dawn of War II yet.

This downloadable content provides plenty of reasons to return to Albion--just don't expect it to veer far from what Fable III offered.

Enjoyable combat and a great loot system make this hack-and-slash role-playing game hard to put down.

What it lacks in originality, Pokemon Black more than makes up for with a vast world to explore and an absorbing battle system that's heaps of fun.

What it lacks in originality, Pokemon Black more than makes up for with a vast world to explore and an absorbing battle system that's heaps of fun.

An oddball attitude, some decent variety, and a dip into the surreal spice up Rango's otherwise tame action.

An oddball attitude, some decent variety, and a dip into the surreal spice up Rango's otherwise tame action.

A focus on intense combat makes this brief return to the Sprawl a satisfying one.

A focus on intense combat makes this brief return to the Sprawl a satisfying one.

A delicious mix of arena fighting and bullet-hell chaos wins out over weak presentation in this action battler.

The only serious drawback with Cities in Motion is the single-minded nature of the simulation. You need to have--or at least be able to develop--a real love of mass transit to get much out of the game.

This hypersexualized role-playing game degrades the console war with questionable gameplay mechanics, choppy animation, and some truly awful music.

Imaginative puzzles and explosive boss fights are the most exciting elements of this sequel, but a new emphasis on shooting brings some frustration to the mix.

Prosaic puzzles take the edge off this point-and-click adventure's absorbing melodrama.

Trial-and-error frustrations diminish the impact of this add-on's great characters and dialogue.

This fast-paced boxing game improves upon its predecessor in just about every way, and adds an entertaining story mode to boot.

This fast-paced boxing game improves upon its predecessor in just about every way, and adds an entertaining story mode to boot.

Gratifying, gory combat contends with aggravating design flaws in this intriguing adventure.

Gratifying, gory combat contends with aggravating design flaws in this intriguing adventure.

It comes with a few annoyances, but Gods Eater Burst's monster hunting is enjoyable enough to differentiate itself from the crowd.

De Blob 2 is a splash of easygoing, side-scrolling fun.

Despite its short length and easy puzzles, this episodic adventure still captivates with strong storytelling and compelling characters.

De Blob 2 has an infectious feel-good vibe, but some frustrations cramp this platformer's funky style.

De Blob 2 has an infectious feel-good vibe, but some frustrations cramp this platformer's funky style.

De Blob 2 has an infectious feel-good vibe, but some frustrations cramp this platformer's funky style.

Trial-and-error frustrations diminish the impact of this add-on's great characters and dialogue.

Unique time-travel mechanics and a creative combat system make this RPG a refreshing change.

Unspectacular online play, an abundance of shooter cliches, and forced vulgarity keep it from joining the shooter elite. But the creativity of the skillshot system paired with the engrossing nature of moving up the Echoes leaderboards gives Bulletstorm some muscle and will inspire a dedicated following of talented players eager to show off their incredible mastery of its gratifying mechanics.

Unspectacular online play, an abundance of shooter cliches, and forced vulgarity keep it from joining the shooter elite. But the creativity of the skillshot system paired with the engrossing nature of moving up the Echoes leaderboards gives Bulletstorm some muscle and will inspire a dedicated following of talented players eager to show off their incredible mastery of its gratifying mechanics.

Unspectacular online play, an abundance of shooter cliches, and forced vulgarity keep it from joining the shooter elite. But the creativity of the skillshot system paired with the engrossing nature of moving up the Echoes leaderboards gives Bulletstorm some muscle and will inspire a dedicated following of talented players eager to show off their incredible mastery of its gratifying mechanics.

There isn't much to do in this lengthy action role-playing game aside from fight, but at least the fast combat will keep you engaged throughout.

Though it offers few thrills, About a Blob serves up plenty of palatable platforming action.

Cool power-ups and a lot of charm make TNT Racers a bunch of shallow fun.

Tedious quests and dull, infuriating combat make this one fantasy adventure whose monsters you won't want to hunt.

The freedom of open-road driving, backed by beautiful landscapes, is like few other games, and the huge, shared world of races and missions can be as addictive as a good MMORPG. The catch is that TDU2 isn't best in any class; it doesn't do any one thing better than a number of more specific, less expansive driving games. It does do an awful lot, though, and won't be kept down by its faults--which are hardly few, but aren't deal breakers.

An eclectic mix of platforming and combat mechanics help compensate for Explodemon's mundane inclinations.

Despite its many cheap shots and frustrating moments, Uprising is a highly creative animal that changes constantly and keeps you on your toes.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a blast to play, despite losing some of the high-level intricacies found in its predecessor. It's an exceptional synthesis of cohesion and chaos, and shows real improvement over its predecessor.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a blast to play, despite losing some of the high-level intricacies found in its predecessor. It's an exceptional synthesis of cohesion and chaos, and shows real improvement over its predecessor.

Though shallow and flawed, Body and Brain Connection has some neat minigames that engender a satisfying sense of progress.

Key new features make this the definitive version of Tactics Ogre and the best tactical role-playing game on the PSP.

An enchanting world seamlessly combines with fun gameplay and rewarding puzzles to make Stacking a magical adventure.

The brash trivia franchise returns to the stage for a very successful new outing.

There are groanworthy puns and crude jokes, to be sure, but the large amount of legitimately clever and surprisingly funny writing make You Don't Know Jack one of the most entertaining trivia games on the market.

Though it has some shortcomings, You Don't Know Jack does deliver on quantity and quality for a reasonable $19.99, making it very appealing for those who like to test their knowledge and have a few laughs while they're at it.

An enchanting world seamlessly combines with fun gameplay and rewarding puzzles to make Stacking a magical adventure.

The brash trivia franchise returns to the screen for a very successful new outing.

This basic brawler fails to capture the unique character or high-speed action of its televised counterpart.

Mario's latest athletic endeavor lacks the sort of skillful competition that could have made for a compelling challenge.

Dungeons' mind-numbing, repetitive gameplay never reaches the greatness of Dungeon Keeper, its classic inspiration.

Unresponsive controls and confusing level design make Rad Spencer's latest adventure an exercise in frustration.

Unresponsive controls and confusing level design make Rad Spencer's latest adventure an exercise in frustration.

Majesty 2 embarks on its best expansion yet, adding monster sidekicks and softening the difficulty level to the real-time king simulation.

Killzone 3 isn't the game it could have been, but when it comes to capturing the madness of larger-than-life planetside battles, few games do it better.

This role-playing sequel's big world and seemingly countless quests make it easy to overlook its wrinkles.

Jolly Rover is a swashbuckling canine adventure full of colourful characters and plenty of laughs.

This role-playing sequel's big world and seemingly countless quests make it easy to overlook its wrinkles.

This role-playing sequel's big world and seemingly countless quests make it easy to overlook its wrinkles.