This challenging minigolf game boasts well over 100 different holes as well as tools to create and share your own.

Pure Football may be an arcade take on the sport, but that doesn't excuse its repetitive gameplay and general lack of game modes.

Pure Football may be an arcade take on the sport, but that doesn't excuse its repetitive gameplay and general lack of game modes.

This set of sophisticated maps is a must-have for Splinter Cell: Conviction fans.

Online connection issues diminish the value of this add-on's excellent maps.

A unique concept only goes so far in this frequently frustrating game that combines puzzle and action elements with uneven results.

Doom II provided a crucial step in the evolution of the first-person shooter, but its outdated level design and gameplay mechanics don't entirely hold up today.

This fast and exciting racer continually finds a way to keep you circling around for another lap.

This fast and exciting racer continually finds a way to keep you circling around for another lap.

This fast and exciting racer continually finds a way to keep you circling around for another lap.

Much like last year's game, this mixed martial arts fighter impresses inside the octagon but doesn't do nearly as well outside of it.

Much like last year's game, this mixed martial arts fighter impresses inside the octagon but doesn't do nearly as well outside of it.

This kart racer has excellent creation tools and sharing capabilities, and thanks to great online integration, is both fun and easy to play with friends.

Tetris Party Deluxe keeps a decades-old formula fresh with new mechanics and strong competitive multiplayer.

Tetris Party Deluxe keeps a decades-old formula fresh with new mechanics and strong competitive multiplayer.

This role-playing adventure strikes an enjoyable balance between classic and new elements, risk and reward, combat and crafting.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is simply an outstanding game. It never rests on its laurels for a second, constantly presenting new objectives and mechanics to push you to never before seen places. Even the two-player mode offers new abilities and delights, making it even more fun to play with a friend by your side.

This side-scrolling shooter has its moments, but it never rises above being a quickie port of a handheld game.

Aqua is a pretty but uninspired dual-stick shooter on the high seas.

Creepy atmosphere, fantastic combat, and clever storytelling make Alan Wake's quest thrilling from beginning to end.

This is an outstanding game that tells a great story with memorable and occasionally laugh-out-loud-funny characters. Think about great moments that you remember from spaghetti Western movies, put them all into one 20- to 40-hour epic feature, and picture yourself in the starring role. Now you have some idea of what's waiting for you in Red Dead Redemption.

This is an outstanding game that tells a great story with memorable and occasionally laugh-out-loud-funny characters. Think about great moments that you remember from spaghetti Western movies, put them all into one 20- to 40-hour epic feature, and picture yourself in the starring role. Now you have some idea of what's waiting for you in Red Dead Redemption.

Though the characters and the activities have their flaws, the whole comes together impressively, making Trauma Team a great bet no matter what your specialty is.

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

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

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

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

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

Boring combat threatens to ruin your fun, but exciting platforming and strong artistic design make the prince's latest adventure well worth playing.

Rocket Knight is a retro platformer with outstanding gameplay, even if it is overpriced and a little short.

Absolute Power adds great new scenarios and buildings to Tropico 3, along with some welcome fixes and frills.

Simplicity, complexity, and difficulty work in harmony in this marvelously scored entry in the Bit.Trip series.

The well-designed levels in The Forgotten Sands do a good job of sucking you into this 2D world, but minor control issues and lame combat distract from the fun.

A lot of little flaws suck most of the fun out of this take on radio-controlled car racing.

Rocket Knight is a retro platformer with outstanding gameplay, even if it is overpriced and a little short.

This sci-fi sequel seems like it should have everything you need in a shooter, but a shocking number of design missteps suck out much of the fun.

EA's latest skater caters to newcomers and experienced boarders alike, and features a robust system for creating and sharing content.

EA's latest skater caters to newcomers and experienced boarders alike, and features a robust system for creating and sharing content.

It's not too much to ask for a game to deliver both fan service and solid gameplay. It's just more than this particular game can manage.

3D Dot Game Heroes is a pleasant retreat for anyone who pines for the good old days, but even those without nostalgic links to the past will find an enjoyable experience.

This sci-fi sequel seems like it should have everything you need in a shooter, but a shocking number of design missteps suck out much of the fun.

The campaign adventure is a colorful and exuberant affair. There's a lot to explore, and the 2D racing and the monster-rearing elements quickly become the most addictive aspects of the game.

Despite a touch of monotony, Age of Conan's atmospheric first expansion is an absolute delight.

Lots of comparable options come cheaper and offer more fulfilling shoot-'em-up action than this retread.

Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition adds a new multiplayer mode to this strange action game, but it's still an average beat-'em-up at best.

This gory and gruesome shooter improves upon its predecessor in almost every way.

Iron Man 2 bungles its improvements and neuters its thrills, taking all the fun out of being a high-tech superhero.

No voice chat and an over-reliance on stupid bots take away much of the joy in this silly take on capture the flag.

Lead and Gold's straight-shooting multiplayer action is good fun, despite a few drawbacks that tarnish its appeal.

Get ready for one of the most absorbing puzzle games on the DS.

Like the source material it was ported from, Armored Core: Last Raven Portable is esoteric and difficult, with limited controls that don't help matters.

Shallow and repetitive gameplay, dull visuals, and overused poor-quality film assets put this game in the failed-superhero category.

The same shallow combat that plagued the original release keeps this feature-rich pack from being absolved.

Tecmo Bowl Throwback is a surprisingly enjoyable blast from the past.

This is the best version of one of the best gonzo shooters ever made, although it doesn't stray too far from its seven-year-old inspiration.

Bugs, connection issues, and other basic flaws dampen Conviction's great storytelling and violent executions.

While it sometimes feels as rough as a Grant City alley, Dead to Rights: Retribution's vigorous combat system and brutal energy make it an entertaining tale of corruption and vengeance.

This dreary action role-playing game has its worthwhile moments, but they're separated by countless hours of fetch-quest tedium.

This dreary action role-playing game has its worthwhile moments, but they're separated by countless hours of fetch-quest tedium.

Character rebalancing, strong online multiplayer modes, and an updated roster help Super Street Fighter IV expand on its predecessor in every way.

Character rebalancing, strong online multiplayer modes, and an updated roster help Super Street Fighter IV expand on its predecessor in every way.

This tournament-specific soccer game doesn't offer as much content as FIFA 10, but it does improve upon that game in a number of areas.

This tournament-specific soccer game doesn't offer as much content as FIFA 10, but it does improve upon that game in a number of areas.

This accessible arcade-style soccer game eschews realism in favor of fast-paced fun and features some great multiplayer options.

This sexed-up strategy role-playing game boasts some interesting ideas, but falls short of realizing its full potential.

Dense dialogue and illogical puzzles get in the way of The Whispered World's outstanding artwork and surreal atmosphere.

FIFA returns to the PSP for World Cup 2010, capturing the carnival atmosphere of the tournament but offering few improvements over its predecessor.

This sexed-up strategy role-playing game boasts some interesting ideas, but falls short of realizing its full potential.

Morbid investigations of murders compete with bland adventure-game staples in this uneven adventure game.

Hyperballoid HD's brick breaking is competent but far from compelling, and most of its levels are a grind to get through.

The sleek, superficial action of After Burner Climax is thrilling in short bursts but not deep enough to last.

A hectic cooperative mode and two new maps add more fun content for Uncharted 2.

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.

If you've got opposable thumbs, a sense of humor, and a brain that you're not afraid to use, this puzzle-filled adventure is one well worth taking.

The sleek, superficial action of After Burner Climax is thrilling in short bursts but not deep enough to last.

Exciting online play and beautiful visuals help Monster Hunter Tri finally make good on the series' enormous potential.

Buckets of whimsy and oodles of puzzles make this a satisfying adventure, despite the sometimes steep difficulty.

Authentic arcade presentation and a smart assortment of challenges make this a great way to experience two very enjoyable Capcom arcade classics.

This dual-stick shooter gives you a fun new way to listen to your favorite bands.

Authentic arcade presentation and a smart assortment of challenges make this a great way to experience two very enjoyable Capcom arcade classics.

It's hard not to feel a twinge of disappointment if you're a fan of the series. Sam's newest adventure doesn't offer the challenge you may be expecting, and recent stealth-action hybrids like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Batman: Arkham Asylum provide much more satisfying single-player experiences. Yet stellar storytelling, fantastic co-op play, and rewarding executions make Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction a legitimately great game that delivers frequent surges of excitement.

Lead and Gold's straight-shooting multiplayer action is good fun, despite a few drawbacks that tarnish its appeal.

The combat is fun and the references are clever, but this incredibly short downloadable add-on lacks character.

The combat is fun and the references are clever, but this incredibly short downloadable add-on lacks character.

This beautiful, gravity-defying multiplayer action game is a robot-killing blast.

There is little reason to play this disappointing prologue to Heavy Rain.

You're better off reading a book than playing this flawed interactive crime novel.

This stealth game takes all the fun out of life in prison.

The 10th installment in this long-running franchise proves that some formulas don't need to change.

Combat is a bit lackluster and more interactive minigames are sorely needed, but those who enjoy zanier, simpler strategy RPGs should appreciate the game's casual tone.

This stealth game takes all the fun out of life in prison.

This stealth game takes all the fun out of life in prison.

Exciting multiplayer battles make Mount & Blade: Warband a strong addition to the open-world role-playing game.

This slapdash role-playing game shows some promise early, but quickly becomes tedious and frustrating.

This microgame collection includes dozens of games, but its focus is on empowering you to create your own.

Kingmaker is a more-of-the-same expansion for Majesty 2 that adds little to the original game's formula aside from intense difficulty and a map editor.

This generic-looking shooter may not turn the genre on its head, but it has enough dynamic objectives and satisfying combat to entertain.

Crazy stunts, a huge gameworld, and a playful attitude make Just Cause 2 a lot of fun despite its annoyances.