This charming rhythm game is especially good for first-timers, but it's a little light on content.

This undead-themed dual-stick shooter is good, dumb, retro fun.

It's a tracklist that gels brilliantly with the stark visuals of the game, creating an air of cool and a sense of style that few games can match. Sure, it's a style you've seen in countless iterations of Wipeout, but it still works brilliantly. Coupled with the exciting racing, lengthy campaign, and multiplayer modes, Wipeout 2048 is fantastic fun and a great addition to the series.

This enjoyable anime-inspired fighter nails the look and feel of the source material but places too much importance on mediocre minigames.

Lots of variety and funny cutscenes make the second Madagascar game a good reason to escape to Africa.

This shallow but rambunctious arcade racer may have only one trick up its sleeve, but it's a really good trick.

Unfortunate technical problems bring down what is otherwise the freshest new take on a console Sims game yet.

While pure innovation may not be king in the Mario Party world, Hudson's dedication to solid, addictive puzzle gaming that makes for a wholly enjoyable multiplayer experience is apparent.

NASCAR is a deep and enjoyable game that sacrifices little in the transition from consoles to the PSP.

Derivative as it is, Conan is still a viscerally satisfying adventure.

So even if bawdy caricatures of rednecks and dominatrices don't sound immediately appealing to you, Outlaw Golf 2 offers a tight, challenging game of golf with some unique gameplay ideas, and it comes at a price that makes it a terrific value.

Feels like pretty standard fare for the extreme sports genre, although it moves at an unusually high speed.

The PlayStation 2 version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is the most fully-featured version of the game, but it still suffers from a broken online mode.

Namco's incredibly accurate GunCon is optional in Elemental Gearbolt, but it's not necessarily needed, as the enemies are quite large, and shooting in their general direction seems to cap them fairly easily.

Capcom Classics Collection 2 isn't as hit-driven as the first game, but the hits that are present hit very hard, indeed.

SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 successfully returns to the fundamentals of realistic WWE action and impressive creation tools.

Some of you may be in for a shock when you dive into TMNT2: Battle Nexus and discover that it's just as much a puzzle game as it is a Turtles-inspired beat-'em-up.

Fun combat and crafty puzzles make this a good companion to the blockbuster movie.

While it doesn't spring any surprises, Green Day: Rock Band packs high-energy rock into a solid package.

By adding a sorely needed feature--namely, the ability to sing duets--Karaoke Revolution Volume 3 is most definitely a worthy addition to the rapidly expanding franchise.

Fun combat and an intriguing story make up for the dull detective drudgery in this atmospheric period adventure.

For fans of the original Earthworm Jim games, this is a real treat that provides an exercise in nostalgia while still being legitimately fun.

Myst IV still offers a one-of-a-kind experience for the Xbox, and it's available at a budget price, for good measure. But you'd be better off playing the PC original if you have the means.

Engrossing gameplay and rich environments make Dead Nation an enjoyable romp through the zombie apocalypse.

Pokemon Ranger has a similar look and feel to all the other lighthearted Pokemon games, but invites you to capture all those critters in a rather exciting new way.

Despite its relative simplicity, there's something pretty compelling about the gameplay. Regardless, what really makes E4 so entrancing is the presentation, which looks and sounds like a space rave that exploded in your Xbox 360.

The prince's high-flying adventure is marred by camera issues and weak combat, but the excellent platforming is still loads of fun.

Although rage-inducing difficulty spikes exist, The Bridge generally offers a middle path that should appeal both to newcomers and to expert puzzle solvers.

It's not quite as unlimited as its subtitle might suggest, and it's got a pervasively aimless feel, but Test Drive Unlimited still succeeds by creating a fun, leisurely world to drive in.

Even if the new bells and whistles aren't enough to bring back established fans, this is still Lego Star Wars at its finest.

Figuring out these tactics and tricks makes Starhawk a lot of fun to play, but it's a shame that the transitions between modes are so rocky. Learning harsh lessons and recalibrating your approach isn't a pleasant process, but it's well worth pushing through. These online battlefields are unlike any others.

Capcom's superdeformed puzzle game benefits greatly from the inclusion of online play.

PixelJunk Monsters may not look like much, but you'll quickly get hooked on its simple, strategic gameplay.

In the cute and clever Cubetractor, simple mechanics give rise to fiendishly difficult situations.

At this point, though, it's likely that only those players who have already acquired a taste for Metal Slug's rich blend of crazy, manic violence and goofy humor will fully appreciate this package.

Solid gameplay, challenging platform puzzles, and a touch of wacky humour make Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier a good addition to Sony's much-loved series.

The gameplay comes up short in terms of variety, so it doesn't have the same kind of staying power as games like "Yoshi's Island" or "Sonic Advance." Still, it's a fun ride while it lasts.

Universe at War has three engaging factions and some interesting ideas, but it's also saddled with some annoying issues.

Race Driver pushes the DS hardware to its limits, and the result is a deep and enjoyable racing game.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon rejuvenates Marth's 18-year-old journey with tactical dexterity and finesse.

This ambitious racing game delivers a rewarding off-road experience provided you make it past the initially steep learning curve.

Taking a page from the Civilization handbook, SimCity Creator offers an enjoyable evolutionary building experience.

Still has a few rough spots on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball that would make any fan of the sport throw his or her controller in frustration.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue may be only a practice lap for the real thing, but it's a beautiful joyride while it lasts.

Capcom has taken what was already a decent role-playing game on the GBA and made it better on the DS by taking advantage of the system's unique hardware features.

Toki Tori is a fun and challenging WiiWare puzzle game. Its cute graphics, simple control scheme, good difficulty curve, and challenging gameplay will keep kids and adults alike amused for hours.

Festival of Blood offers a taste of the Infamous experience--great exploration hampered by frustrating combat.

The older console versions of Madden 08 offer a few control upgrades and a couple of bizarre new modes, but otherwise, this might as well be last year's game.

Even with a handful of new tricks, simply skating around and grinding out huge lines only goes so far, especially when the levels are set up to make doing so incredibly easy.

A few problems keep it from being a classic, but Ring of Fates is still a capricious caper whether you're on your own or playing with pals.

Dark Pulse may owe heavy debts to Portal, but its combination of magnetism and Cthulhu make it an enjoyable game in its own right.

Penny Arcade Adventures is slick with rain, hobo stew, and all sorts of awesome, but it's for fans of the comic's brand of humor only.

A number of Xbox Live-compatible multiplayer modes for up to eight players (or four players on a split-screen) round out a good, solid Star Wars game that should appeal to anyone who'd care to relive Episode II's large-scale action scenes.

The rerelease of this classic brawler will gladly take you for a ride, but the trip isn't without its share of potholes.

This undead-themed dual-stick shooter is good, dumb, retro fun.

This sequel goes light on the role playing but still presents a compelling puzzle experience that's as enjoyable and addictive as the original.

You can do more fun things with your minions, but Overlord II hasn’t shaken some of the issues which held back the first game.

Few offseason improvements mean that Madden 12 is another fun but flawed entry in the stagnating series.

It may not have the same magic as its lauded predecessor, but Journey of Dreams is still a fun, if inconsistent platformer that positively drips with style.

F1 2010 is a good first attempt at bringing the wonder of Formula One to current-generation consoles.

Cleopatra is both more difficult and more complex than "Pharaoh," but it also makes the game seem new and fresh.

Few offseason improvements mean that Madden 12 is another fun but flawed entry in the stagnating series.

Capcom's superdeformed puzzle game benefits greatly from the inclusion of online play.

A smart, challenging strategy game with tons of depth.

F1 2010 is a good first attempt at bringing the wonder of Formula One to current-generation consoles.

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

Prophecy significantly improves upon the original Hydrophobia, but not all of the issues from last year's Xbox Live Arcade game have been resolved.

Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls is a good revival of the old-time dungeon crawler.

A few aspects of Test Drive Unlimited have been lost in translation from the Xbox 360 to the PlayStation 2, but even still, the game is an impressive piece of online-racing technology.

This entertaining strategy sequel is a big improvement over the console original, and bridges the gap between complexity and accessibility.

It's ultimately a pretty basic beat-'em-up, but the strong production values and a solid combat system make for a gratifying experience.

Gunpowder brings more tactical options to the fun and interesting Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword.

This tactical military shooter delivers tense and engaging action, competently completing its objective in the face of AI blunders and occasional bugs.

This prequel is another fun and pleasant mash-up of Final Fantasy sensibilities and Disney tales.

The PlayStation 3 version of this intergalactic quest has a few extra surprises that fans of Japanese role-playing game will appreciate.

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

Serious Sam: The First Encounter may be a little dated, but this HD remake is still a great way to revisit one of the craziest arcade shooters ever made.

If you are still enjoying Left 4 Dead 2, or have a hankering to get back into the apocalypse, spending 560 Microsoft points ($7) on The Passing is a good bet.

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

Tetris' first appearance on the PlayStation 3 is also one of its best.

Cold Winter isn't the best in its class, but it's definitely worth playing if you're looking for a solid single-player shooter with a decent online component to back it up.

This entertaining puzzle game requires quick reflexes as well as quick thinking, but it's rarely as challenging as it looks.

Even if the new bells and whistles aren't enough to bring back established fans, this is still Lego Star Wars at its finest.

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

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

Despite a slow start and some lingering issues, Revenge of the Fallen really makes it fun to be a Transformer.

From Dust provides a rich world full of engaging challenges, though there are some frustrations even a god must suffer.

An addictive, strategic combat system makes Star Ocean: The Last Hope worth playing despite its cliche storyline and annoying characters.

Despite some drawbacks, this satisfying adventure is just what you'd want from a Ghostbusters game: it's funny and it's fun.

This 3D fighting game can be enjoyed by newcomers to the DBZ universe and Super Saiyan wannabes alike.

Welsh spooks, ancient myths, and subtle scares abound in this stylish point-and-click adventure.

Fun combat and crafty puzzles make this a good companion to the blockbuster movie.

Death comes early and often in this extremely challenging and realistic tactical shooter.

You get a reasonable amount of game for your $9.99. This endearing tribute to the future of the past is a rewarding game that challenges your wits and your reflexes. Despite the game's title, you can stop the Gorg; and although it isn't easy, it's certainly worth doing.

Guncraft doesn't get high marks for originality--it's a pretty obvious mash-up and one that has been done before, albeit not as successfully--but the developers do layer lots of cool ideas onto the core ingredients they borrow from other popular games.

Sticker Star falls into a rut at times and may even drive you crazy, but in the end, Paper Mario's unwaveringly cheerful attitude, and fond memories of the game's many great moments, will be what stays with you.

Sensible puzzles and an adventurous story make Destination: Treasure Island a treat for all ages.

Vibrant visuals and agile action help Shattered Dimensions capture the excitement and appeal of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.