Blood on the Sand is better enjoyed with a friend, and the well-implemented drop-in/drop-out Cooperative mode is a solid addition. It's easy to let people join your game, and just as easy to keep them out or boot them should they become a nuisance.

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

Dead Rising veterans might see a downsized port, but for newcomers this is an enjoyable horror-themed action game.

While the console versions are solid, the PC version of this unique strategy game is too stripped to stand out.

ShellShock 2: Blood Trails spices up Vietnam with a liberal application of zombies, but the controls and the generic shooter gameplay leave a lot to be desired.

ShellShock 2: Blood Trails spices up Vietnam with a liberal application of zombies, but the controls and the generic shooter gameplay leave a lot to be desired.

The sequel to Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords takes everything that was great about its predecessor and ruins it.

This epic role-playing game has great depth, but is hampered by a number of significant design flaws.

Noby Noby Boy lacks structure or challenge, but this whimsical little game is still a captivating delight.

The Blue Dragon franchise's penchant for blandness continues in this adequate but uninspired sequel.

Extraordinary online play makes it easy to overlook this strategy sequel's less-impressive single-player campaign.

Death Tank offers an exciting twist on tactical action, but its price tag will leave you feeling robbed.

RacePro is an incredibly in-depth racing game that's also an accessible and enjoyable driving experience.

Amazing presentation, intricate and enjoyable fighting gameplay, and long-term appeal with online play make this a must-have. Street Fighter IV is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of the fighting genre in this generation.

Amazing presentation, intricate and enjoyable fighting gameplay, and long-term appeal with online play make this a must-have. Street Fighter IV is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of the fighting genre in this generation.

This challenging, often-hilarious platformer provides a huge shift in the usually strategic Disgaea series.

Dragon Quest V’s compelling North American debut offers a gripping story and enthralling gameplay.

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

This top-down shooter with no shooting in it might just break your wrist.

ShellShock 2: Blood Trails spices up Vietnam with a liberal application of zombies, but it does nothing to liven up the generic shooter gameplay.

Flower is a gorgeously crafted fable, and though short, it's genuinely mesmerising.

This somewhat scary sequel is a solid shooter, but it can't keep pace with its lauded predecessor.

This somewhat scary sequel is a solid shooter, but it can't keep pace with its lauded predecessor.

This somewhat scary sequel is a solid shooter, but it can't keep pace with its lauded predecessor.

Onechanbara makes zombie-slaying women boring.

Still hands-down the cutest franchise on the PSP, LocoRoco 2 adds enough new ideas to its already unique gameplay to make it a great improvement on the original game.

The charms, variety, and authenticity of this unusual compilation of 8-bit-style games help it shine in spite of some flaws.

Even though it suffers from technical flaws, The House of the Dead: Overkill offers tons of entertainment with plenty of style.

So what reason is there to play Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad? There is none, so suppress any morbid interest you may harbor and spend your money elsewhere, because neither acrobatic temptresses nor legions of the lurching undead can make this game worth playing.

There is nothing like Deadly Creatures. The stars of this game are completely vile, and there is nothing done to make them the slightest bit endearing. However, despite presenting an unsettling world, this well-made game provides plenty of hair-raising moments and memorable duels.

This dark puzzle game will test your problem-solving abilities, as long as the design quirks don't kill you first.

X-Blades is a competent action game, but it lacks the fine touch that could have made it something special. It just cannot seem to make the most of its solid backbone.

The Ultimate Box brings many improvements to an already impressive game, and it's one of the best racing games available on the PC.

Tenchu: Shadow Assassins attempts to sneak in the footsteps of its stealthy predecessors but ends up a stumbling, bungling mess.

3 on 3 NHL Arcade is overpriced and annoying.

Another Code R is a pleasing adventure with a good story, but slow pacing, frustrating motion puzzles, and overwrought dialogue spoil it.

R-Type Dimensions is a faithful albeit somewhat pricey update of the coin-op classic with few surprises.

My World, My Way needs more than a charming exterior to sweep you off your feet.

Savage Moon offers a decent challenge for tower-defense fans, but some off-kilter AI and its trial-and-error nature won't make converts out of nonbelievers.

Rygar feels every bit as old as you'd expect from a six-year-old game, but it still has some really fun moments.

This gory, gorgeous action game has plenty of flaws, but it will still satisfy your thirst for blood.

This gory, gorgeous action game has plenty of flaws, but it will still satisfy your thirst for blood.

An obtuse interface makes MLB Front Office Manager bewildering even to baseball-sim veterans.

An obtuse interface makes MLB Front Office Manager bewildering even to baseball-sim veterans.

An obtuse interface makes MLB Front Office Manager bewildering even to baseball-sim veterans.

Niki is undeniably a ball, but this platformer does not rock.

After years of solitude, the world's most addictive management game goes multiplayer with great results.

Beautiful visuals, great music, exciting gameplay, and an innovative control scheme make Big Bang Mini one of the best DS games out there.

The presentation is slick, the controls are great, and at times you really do feel like you're skateboarding. It’s unfortunate that things get dragged down by the occasionally frustrating and buggy challenges; that walking on foot isn’t handled better; and that the game’s physics and artificial intelligence aren’t consistent and sometimes get in the way of the gameplay; because Skate 2 has so much to offer.

The presentation is slick, the controls are great, and at times you really do feel like you're skateboarding. It’s unfortunate that things get dragged down by the occasionally frustrating and buggy challenges; that walking on foot isn’t handled better; and that the game’s physics and artificial intelligence aren’t consistent and sometimes get in the way of the gameplay; because Skate 2 has so much to offer.

Average gameplay and an unforgettable main character merge in this short but endearing adventure.

Second Evolution is an engaging action role-playing game that's just as enjoyable as its PlayStation forebear.

Fans of the original arcade version will get a kick out of playing this PlayStation Network racer, but a steep price and limited replay value limit its longevity.

Magic Ball's short-lived thrills are anything but magical, but they make for a decent distraction.

This math-based minigame collection works well as a revision tool for reinforcing what you already know, but is unlikely to teach any new skills.

The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is an exciting and action-packed way to experience Middle-earth, provided that you have the patience and fortitude to shoulder a few frustrating burdens.

The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is an exciting and action-packed way to experience Middle-earth, provided that you have the patience and fortitude to shoulder a few frustrating burdens.

Moon is a well-crafted shooter that blasts off but fails to reach orbit.

Mirror's Edge is many things: invigorating, infuriating, fulfilling, and confusing. It isn't for everybody, and it stumbles often for a game that holds velocity in such high esteem. But even with all of its foibles and frustrations, it makes some impressive leaps; it just doesn't nail the landing.

After beating 17 races in less than two hours, you'll have seen everything that this miserable excuse for a racing game has to offer.

This interesting puzzle game is a great challenge but not a great value.

It's hard to mess up a hidden-object game, but Interpol tries.

The second Elebits makes its way to a new platform with a new focus, but it still makes for a very fun adventure.

Technical problems mar this delightfully crass, immature, and over-the-top sandbox game.

Lumines Supernova is well priced and brimming with great content, but the lack of online multiplayer is unfortunate.

It's not as fun fun as the real thing, but you can still have a good time with this minigolf game.

An awful frame rate and lackluster visuals make this version of Puzzle Adventure one to avoid.

Crash Commando fuses established ideas to create a wholly addictive side-scrolling multiplayer shooter.

Jason spends too much time talking and not nearly enough time fighting in this Greek mythology-inspired action-RPG.

Jason spends too much time talking and not nearly enough time fighting in this Greek mythology-inspired action-RPG.

Online play is a huge disappointment, but the frenetic action of the Meteos series has survived the journey to the Xbox Live Arcade intact.

Despite distinctive visuals and intuitive controls, PowerUp Forever still grows old before its time.

Terrible level design, unresponsive controls, and a poor camera are just the beginning of the problems in this awful adventure.

This stylish role-playing social-simulation game packs a great story, realistic characters, and dozens of hours of enjoyment.

While its lack of challenge may lull fans, its ease of use will delight newcomers and draw in anyone who appreciates a touch of magic.

DBZ: Infinite World fails to live up to the standard set by previous DBZ games on the PS2.

Like a poisonous mushroom, Rise of the Fungi looks good but makes you feel bad.

Mushroom Men's rich world is muted by bland gameplay.

Touch-screen controls prove to be a double-edged sword in this alternately compelling and frustrating side-scrolling adventure.

Nancy Drew makes her debut on the Wii with this PC port that adds some irritating Wii Remote minigames to the usual adventure-game sleuthing.

Performance issues prevent this lazy PC port of a superb console game from being the best Grand Theft Auto yet.

While its lack of challenge may lull fans, its ease of use will delight newcomers and draw in anyone who appreciates a touch of magic.

While its lack of challenge may lull fans, its ease of use will delight newcomers and draw in anyone who appreciates a touch of magic.

This remake is solid fan service, but recycled content and disjointed exploration limit its appeal.

SingStar Abba is a good addition to the series and a heap of fun to play, provided you like singing as a female Swede.

If you enjoy tedious objectives, racially insensitive humor, and ugly graphics, the latest Destroy All Humans is right up your alley.

If you spend the full $20, you get a mighty fine, if overpriced, single-player game. Since the majority of the gameplay is only available when you buy the downloadable content, Get Even feels like a demo with a price tag on it.

Overhauled visuals and overloaded features makes this redux a top-tier Street Fighter game.

Overhauled visuals and overloaded features makes this redux a top-tier Street Fighter game.

This perennial time-travel adventure is worth falling in love with all over again.

You don't need to be a Neopets fan to enjoy this puzzle/adventure hybrid.

Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine is a disgracefully bad attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Iron Chef.

This DS port of the classic PC adventure game is a pale shadow of its original self.

A mix of real-time and turn-based conventions makes Age of Empires: Mythologies an addictive venture into the ancient world.

Technical flaws mar, but don't totally destroy, this long and fascinating role-playing game.

Terrible level design, unresponsive controls, and a poor camera are just the beginning of the problems in this awful adventure.

The biggest draw of this skateboard simulation is the unique controls, which are intuitive but disappointing.

Intuitive controls and a lengthy list of features make Skate It a good choice if you want to go skateboarding on your DS.