It's not dramatically different from Mario Party 6 or, frankly, any of the other Mario Party games, but as a cheery collection of simple pick-up-and-play minigames that's well suited for younger and more-casual players, it still works.

World Championship Poker 2's offline play is the best you'll find amid this year's competition, and the online play is still pretty engaging.

A brief and generic action game that does nothing to distinguish itself from the glut of similar--and cheaper--games on the market.

A brief and generic action game that does nothing to distinguish itself from the glut of similar--and cheaper--games on the market.

Despite a solid combat system and a good presentation, this latest Castlevania is cursed with extremely monotonous levels that prevent it from being an engaging action-adventure game.

This hackneyed terrorist shooter is without story, without characters, without originality, and most importantly, without fun.

It lacks any measure of challenge, playing out more like a shooting gallery in spots than a proper action game. And above all else, it simply lacks that spark--that thrilling feeling that wasn't just one key part of "Everything or Nothing," but rather, was the entire essence of what made that game so enjoyable.

New space combat maps and playable Jedi represent some incremental improvements, but for the most part, Battlefront II treads familiar ground, which is great for Star Wars fanatics and fans of team-based online shooters.

Unfortunately, holes in the core gameplay mechanics and the lack of a standard dynasty mode leave NBA 06 as more of a curiosity than a must-have for basketball fans.

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.

Mutant Nightmare is a good beat-'em-up at heart, but it's totally bogged down by platforming elements, puzzles, and touch screen features that don't work, not to mention stuffy controls.

To its credit, Mutant Nightmare is a touch better than the last game, "Battle Nexus," in that it doesn't force-feed you a gaggle of terribly clunky platforming sequences to try to keep things interesting. But beyond that meager distinction, this still isn't a very enjoyable game.

While it offers an interesting and varied campaign, Big Red One doesn't quite nail down the intense feel of World War II infantry combat.

A fun experience that's unfortunately spoiled by a terrible frame rate that all but breaks the game. It can be entertaining to experiment with different traps, but after a few hours the game starts to feel repetitive, and it doesn't offer enough of a challenge to keep you coming back for more.

An easy game to pick up and play, but unless you're a big fan of the license there isn't much to keep you playing.

What makes Ty 3 unique and ultimately satisfying are the many instances within the game in which players get to step out of Ty's shoes and instead take the reins of a giant robot, helicopter, or fighter plane.

This hackneyed terrorist shooter is without story, without characters, without originality, and most importantly, without fun.

It lacks any measure of challenge, playing out more like a shooting gallery in spots than a proper action game. And above all else, it simply lacks that spark--that thrilling feeling that wasn't just one key part of "Everything or Nothing," but rather, was the entire essence of what made that game so enjoyable.

New space combat maps and playable Jedi represent some incremental improvements, but for the most part, Battlefront II treads familiar ground, which is great for Star Wars fanatics and fans of team-based online shooters.

While it's a definite improvement on Activision's last Call of Duty game for consoles, Big Red One still doesn't do quite enough to distinguish itself from numerous other World War II first-person shooters.

To its credit, Mutant Nightmare is a touch better than the last game, "Battle Nexus," in that it doesn't force-feed you a gaggle of terribly clunky platforming sequences to try to keep things interesting. But beyond that meager distinction, this still isn't a very enjoyable game.

Despite a solid combat system and a decent presentation, this latest Castlevania is cursed with extremely monotonous levels that prevent it from being an engaging action adventure game.

While it offers an interesting and varied campaign, Big Red One doesn't quite nail down the intense feel of World War II infantry combat.

To its credit, Mutant Nightmare is a touch better than the last game, "Battle Nexus," in that it doesn't force-feed you a gaggle of terribly clunky platforming sequences to try to keep things interesting. But beyond that meager distinction, this still isn't a very enjoyable game.

When played as a companion game to the original, City of Villains closes an obvious open loop in NCSoft's MMO world of heroic do-gooders and dastardly deeds, and remains a very fun game in the process.

New space combat maps and playable Jedi represent some incremental improvements, but for the most part, Battlefront II treads familiar ground, which is great for Star Wars fanatics and fans of team-based online shooters.

It's got some of the console and PC versions' concepts and mechanics, but the lack of both a story-based campaign and online multiplayer sucks a lot of the fun out of this PSP shooter.

It hits certain points well enough that fans of the genre who are willing to overlook the somewhat tired gameplay formula will be rewarded with good atmosphere.

Sniper Elite offers a lengthy single-player game full of tense and rewarding moments, but it requires a lot of patience to truly enjoy.

For the most part, Spartan: Total Warrior is a pretty good action effort. Unfortunately, the high production values and engaging gameplay of the Total War games are nowhere to be found here.

Sluggish controls and lifeless gameplay make Ghost in the Shell worth playing only for loyal fans of the anime, and even then it isn't worth more than a rental.

Land of the Dead fails to deliver even the most garden-variety of zombie-killing thrills, due to its inept combat, awful visuals, and cripplingly stupid artificial intelligence.

The Hustle gets overly cute with its story mode, and the pacing is achingly slow, but the pool itself can be fairly fun.

Heroes of the Pacific isn't going to win over simulation fans, but if you're looking for an easy-to-play World War II flight combat game, and you've got a decent gamepad, give it a shot.

An amazing achievement in a variety of ways: Its inspired, state-of-the-art cinematic presentation works extremely well with its relentlessly exciting, white-knuckle action, all of which is wrapped up in a decidedly lengthy adventure chock-full of hidden secrets and bonus extras.

For the most part, Spartan: Total Warrior is a pretty good action effort. Unfortunately, the high production values and engaging gameplay of the Total War games are nowhere to be found here.

Soul Calibur III is one of the best fighting games around. But it earns this distinction largely by playing it safe while most of the competition simply dropped off.

It doesn't really break any new ground, but the game nails the core aspects of first-person-shooter gameplay so well that it doesn't need to.

Still one of the best platformers you can find, with a clever story, unique and interesting weapons, and compelling multiplayer options.

It may have 16 solid arcade hits, but if you care at all about visual accuracy in your arcade compilations, this package most definitely isn't for you.

The lack of light gun support drags down Operation Wolf, but with games like Elevator Action and Bubble Bobble on board, Taito Legends offers good classic arcade action at a budget price.

Fundamentally, this is a much-improved version of the same Civ games we've all been playing and desperately trying to put down for years. And that's far from a bad thing. In fact, it's an awesome thing.

An easy game to pick up and play, but unless you're a big fan of the license there isn't much to keep you playing.

A decent attempt at a 3D brawler on the Nintendo DS, but the gameplay quickly wears thin, leaving you with nothing more than a somewhat dated license.

Its fast, furious action and brilliant visual style will appeal to any side-scrolling action fan.

For the most part, Spartan: Total Warrior is a pretty good action effort. Unfortunately, the high production values and engaging gameplay of the Total War games are nowhere to be found here.

An easy game to pick up and play, but unless you're a big fan of the license there isn't much to keep you playing.

The lack of light gun support drags down Operation Wolf, but with games like Elevator Action and Bubble Bobble on board, Taito Legends offers good classic arcade action at a budget price.

Traveller's Tales delivers a short but inviting adventure that makes deft use of both of its almost arbitrary licenses.

Modern Combat doesn't really look, sound, or play like any of the PC Battlefield games, which might be a little disappointing for those looking for more than just another arcade-style shooter.

While the game is definitely a fine technical achievement and one of the best PSP games to date, the dull storyline and basic mission design do bring the whole thing down a bit.

The Sims 2 loses something in translation from PC to consoles. Namely, its addictive, entertaining gameplay.

The idea that the game of pinball may be used to simulate virtually any other challenging struggle is a good one (since pinball is cool), and Metroid Prime Pinball pulls it off very well--both by being a fun and great-looking pinball experience, and by being a faithful spin-off of one of the best Nintendo games of the past decade.

Like its predecessor, Vietcong 2 offers up some challenging gameplay, though it's plagued by technical issues and short campaigns.

A thick, unsettling atmosphere fills this ambitious first-person action adventure, which makes up for some technical issues with plenty of chills, variety, and originality.

Modern Combat doesn't really look, sound, or play like any of the PC Battlefield games, which might be a little disappointing for those looking for more than just another arcade-style shooter.

The Sims 2 loses something in translation from PC to consoles. Namely, its addictive, entertaining gameplay.

With a short story mode that serves as a fun, linear introduction to sequential stomping, Mario Mix is suitable for a child, or for an uncoordinated friend.

The Sims 2 loses something in translation from PC to consoles. Namely, its addictive, entertaining gameplay.

Underneath the religious overtones is a mediocre party game that shouldn't get much play, even at a Catholic school retreat.

Land of the Dead fails to deliver even the most garden-variety of zombie-killing thrills, due to its inept combat, awful visuals, and cripplingly stupid artificial intelligence.

It's a long game whose simplistic but satisfying combat can be quite addictive, but mostly for meticulous players who don't get frustrated easily.

The racing isn't exactly the star of the show, but Crash Tag Team Racing's supplemental elements pull the whole thing together into a unique and mostly enjoyable experience.

Serious Sam II has a lot of levels and a few good laughs, but its simple shooting action is less likely to get your adrenaline pumping as it is to make you go numb.

This undemanding fighter may be good enough for anime fans, but the game is too simple for fighting fans and too self-referential for anyone else.

The racing isn't exactly the star of the show, but Crash Tag Team Racing's supplemental elements pull the whole thing together into a unique and mostly enjoyable experience.

The racing isn't exactly the star of the show, but Crash Tag Team Racing's supplemental elements pull the whole thing together into a unique and mostly enjoyable experience.

Those looking for a complex and interesting real-time strategy game with fantastic good looks and some historical flavor will find just what they want in Age of Empires III.

The game's fighting and pacing are in stark contrast to those of typical action games, but with a little patience and a taste for high-concept adventure, you'll find an experience here that's unlike any other.

A fun combat-racing game; the story will appeal to fans of the franchise, and there are a lot of cool secrets and unlockables. But there are some functional drawbacks--especially noticeable in the later levels--that prevent this game from being truly excellent.

The Con's fighting isn't strong enough on its own, but the betting concept is compelling enough to draw you in a little deeper than you might otherwise be drawn.

It's not for those with short attention spans, but patient players who aren't squeamish should enjoy Sniper Elite's tense and methodically paced action.

Spryo: Shadow Legacy is a watered-down action role-playing game that isn't challenging or engaging enough to sustain its brief campaign.

All of the problems that plagued the PlayStation 2 version of the original Brothers in Arms are front and center once again, making for a lackluster port of a great game.

It's impressive that Raven somehow managed to cram every little detail of the game onto a handheld, but aside from the portability, there isn't much new here. However, if you haven't played the game on consoles, you won't be sacrificing anything if you pick up the PSP version.

While the gameplay in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland is still sharp, and the game still looks and sounds just fine, this seventh installment just seems to lack that special spark that made the series so much fun in the first place.

Takes the basic concepts of the original arcade game and adds a few gameplay elements that, ultimately, don't fit together all that well. The game plays well enough, but anyone accustomed to the simplicity of Dig Dug might turn their nose up at this one.

World Poker Tour is the best of the console poker bunch--though that isn't necessarily saying an awful lot.

It has little in common with previous Budokai games, but there's still enough here to keep DBZ fans entertained.

Sk8land looks slick and controls like a Tony Hawk game should, but its skate park designs are weak and its story mode missions lack creativity.

It's not for those with short attention spans, but patient players who aren't squeamish should enjoy Sniper Elite's tense and methodically paced action.

Eating the brains of the living to form a massive army of the undead is extremely satisfying, often hilarious, and, unfortunately, almost painfully brief.

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.

The addition of the WPT license has given the game a level of focus and direction that the developer's previous effort lacked.

Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball Max'd captures the intensity and excitement of paintball, and in the end it's only limited by the confines of the sport itself.

This updated version of Fable is better than the original, since it extends the game's main quest, but the world of Albion isn't necessarily worth revisiting if you've been there already.

While the gameplay in Tony Hawk's American Wasteland is still sharp, and the game still looks and sounds just fine, this seventh installment just seems to lack that special spark that made the series so much fun in the first place.

It doesn't really matter if you're familiar with the film it's based on; The Warriors delivers as a completely stand-alone work, and any fan of beat-'em-up games is certain to enjoy it on some level. But if you have seen the film, all the better.

A shooter that captures the sensation of being in wild and desperate firefights like no other game before it, and it's an incredible, kinetic, almost exhausting experience from start to finish. More than that, though, is the fact that it's also one of the most atmospheric and creepy games ever made, as well as one of the most intense shooters that you'll play this year.

This is Blitz at its best, adding an even meaner, uglier spirit to the game that will have anyone with a strong stomach and a thirst for brutality jumping out of his or her seat in elation with every murderous tackle landed. Ladies and gentlemen, Blitz is back.

Despite some flaws with its strategic game, Shattered Union is a fun, turn-based wargame that anyone can pick up and enjoy.

Whether you're a staunch pigskin purist or arcade all the way, you really owe it to yourself to give Blitz: The League a look. It's easily the best football you'll play all year.

It doesn't really matter if you're familiar with the film it's based on; The Warriors delivers as a completely stand-alone work, and any fan of beat-'em-up games is certain to enjoy it on some level. But if you have seen the film, all the better.

Despite some flaws with its strategic game, Shattered Union is a fun, turn-based wargame that anyone can pick up and enjoy.

An incredible, epic journey well worth experiencing by Fire Emblem fans or by anyone who likes role-playing games.

Though the game is heavily text-driven and there's little replayability, it's a bright, rich, and lengthy adventure that could hardly have been improved upon otherwise.

Although the game borrows liberally from its contemporaries, Devil Kings manages to have fun with the formula by removing any sense of pretension or seriousness, leaving a game that's a lot of fun to play.

Minor frustrations and inconsistency compound a game that's not very good in the first place, making it one of the least appealing platformer choices currently on the market.