This game demands exact timing and precise inputs. In that sense, it's a much more challenging affair than the prior games.

The two-player mode doesn't deliver the goods. At times, the competition feels more like a festival of yawns than edge-of-your-seat action.

My wish list for future iterations includes night racing, variable per-stage weather, working in-car gauges, and crowds that aren't 2D pancakes, but I can't say I've played a more satisfying racing game all year.

Ultimately, if you have plenty of time to sink into it and enjoy building characters as much as uncovering storyline, this is one of the best games available today.

Pure Bond, perhaps even the best Bond, with something for everyone. The over-the-shoulder view is what 007 needed all along.

It's not there yet (with this version), but we look forward to the elimination of players running through each other, balls landing perfectly in gloves, and a more simplified swing system.

Irrational deserves kudos for recapturing the core "Tribes feel" that fans know and love: the high-flying, jetpack-powered combat is still as much a blast as it ever was.

All in all, the game features enough choices and entertaining kills to have you playing some missions more than once, striving for that elusive Silent Assassin rating.

Features like the boss battles, online play and co-op could have made Guitar Hero III a legend itself but end up feeling unpolished. Still, there's enough meat in Guitar Hero III to keep any would-be shredder happy for a long time... or at least until Guitar Hero IV comes out.

Unfortunately, the most fitting literary comparison is that several long stretches of repetitive gameplay will make you feel like you're wandering aimlessly through the woods of an unedited novel.

The soundtrack in particular won me over from the very start. But despite all the references to this beloved material, I also felt satisfied as a gamer, challenged by its unique blend of exploration, action and strategy.

On paper, it sounds brilliantly inventive. Nail-biting edge-of-your-seat conversation? That's practically unheard of in games. Unfortunately, L.A. Noire drops the ball.

If you're a fan of "X-Men Legends," then it's safe to say that MUA is right up your alley. If you dig either dungeon crawlers or some of the biggest icons in comics, you'll probably enjoy what Ultimate Alliance has to offer.

One of Bully's most incredible achievements is in the realm of sound.

The fighting is hard-hitting, intuitive, and satisfying, and the story-mode is well-developed enough to give it long-term legs despite it's lack of an online multiplayer component. On top of that, the manner to which the hip hop element has been realized is really impressive.

The combat is fun but tends to be short, but the physics are good and the game is forgiving.

If you are not a fan of "Myst," Myst III offers you an empty plate. For fans of the series it is an entire smorgasbord.

It is in many ways the best of the bunch, but somewhere along the line it has lost that cool edge that made the series so legendary.

LucasArts has added a ton of new features to an already great game, resulting in one of the best Star Wars games ever. The Force is strong with this one, indeed.

Building a thriving economy from scratch is immensely satisfying, and it'll take several games to really master the nuances of the elegant ruleset. Colonization might not appeal to everyone, but it'll definitely hit a sweet spot for many strategy fans.

Nintendogs is good, but after the novelty of the voice recognition wears off, there's just not a lot to do.

While last year's effort truly took my breath away, I can't shake the feeling that this year's effort is more of an engine tune up than a complete rebuild. It still remains the number one F1 game on the market, but that's more about the lack of any competition than the game pushing the boundaries of last year's winning entrant.

Warrior Within proves that it takes more than just good combat and platforming to make a great game. Bottom line: The Warrior Within simply didn't have enough "Prince of Persia."

Playing CS:GO reminded me just how much many of the new shooter features out there -- the Air Strikes, the perks, the tanks -- can help make up for a lack of core FPS skills. There's no faking it here, and if you really want to get right down to it and find out just how good of an online gunslinger you are, the crucible of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a great place to do it.

Throw away every pre-conceived notion you may have about games involving music mixing, as Frequency is not only strong in its fun factor, but intensely addictive as well.

The enhancements on the pitching side and the even funkier Career mode show that development isn't simply in cruise control.

While Boktai is a solid game in its own right, the game itself has been done before and whole sun thing (read: "The Point") undermines the game experience more than it enhances it.

It's certainly the best Harvest Moon game in recent years, and it really comes close to greatness -- if only it had been paced a little better, then everyone would be able to enjoy it.

But really, apart from the wooden voiceovers and the somewhat-blocky graphics, VC2 has everything going for it.

Not flashy, but it more than gets the job done -- the Jim Thome of baseball games.

This is the definitive version of Metal Gear Solid and it's only available on the PC. Go tell your console owning buddies and watch 'em cringe.

There's not much new in MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, but what's here works reasonably well.

The plotline is simple, the characters are instantly likeable, but more importantly, from start to finish, the action never lets up.

While the additions might not be enough for longtime Tony Hawk fans and gamers that played the hell out of "THUG2," there's no denying that this is the best action-sports game ever seen on a handheld system.

It's not perfect, but it's got enough unique style to create thirst for a follow-up.

Add to this equation a staggering variety of weapons (with accompanying cryptic icons) all capable of reducing your fellow competitors to fused hunks of flaming track detritus, a masterfully produced techno soundtrack and some clever online features and you've got a game that has essentially taken up permanent residence in our PSPs.

Sega Genesis Collection is a pile of awesome with whipped cream and a cherry on top. You have got to get it for your PSP and that's all there is to it.

It took me just under 8 hours to complete 90% of the game, and it's not a terrible stretch to imagine someone rushing through it in 5 or 6. It's a good sign for a game when players want more, and it's further proof that the Tomb Raider series is back in a big way.

Suffice it to say that if you enjoyed the first Rainbow Six: Vegas, then you will undoubtedly find considerable value in Vegas 2.

Despite its lackluster storytelling, Red Faction: Guerrilla is a whole lot of fun to play, thanks to its meaty campaign and well-rounded multiplayer offerings.

If you're a fan on the comics -- or the movies -- you'll be sucked in from the first frame of the visually stunning opening clip.

Even though design decisions like these can be frustrating, it's not enough to really detract from just how damn charming Unwritten Tales is most of the time, especially when it has a cast of such likeable characters carrying the load. And for only $20 it's a good value for those looking to scratch their classic-adventure-game itch.

A massive improvement over the original in pretty much every way imaginable: music, graphics, interface, customization options, and difficulty level. It's also a fantastic strategy game, and probably one of the last great GBA titles that will be released in the West.

If your dream garage has side-by-side parking spaces for an off-road K500 Pro Baja Duneracer, a Williams BMW FW27 F-1 machine, and a vintage Corvette L88 Sunray DX, this is the game for you.

I've never played anything quite like it, and I think I'm ready to retire my DDR dance pads permanently, because this is the real revolution.

Hands down the best overall simulation of real-world business economy around.

The more you play, the more techniques become available to help deal with the more challenging courses. The wide variety of unlockables is also a great incentive to keep playing.

Like Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Moriarty or He-Man and Skeletor, though, City of Heroes and City of Villains need each other in order to be complete. Having the whole package makes the City of... games what they were always meant to be -- one of the best massively multiplayer online games available today.

There aren't a slew of new ideas here, but the additions that were made -- a deeper pitching game, a funkier career mode -- all work. The result is another top-flight baseball disc that'll stay in sports fans' portables well into summer.

Even if you aren't interested in the story, Extraction is still one of the best-looking and most fun action games on the Wii.

Original concepts don't happen often in video games -- especially sports titles, and Ballers delivers. The more hardcore a basketball gamer you are, however, the more you may be brought down by the gameplay snafus. This is style over substance personified, baby.

Overall it shows how a rhythm game should be made: it's weird, witty, and addictive.

It's a tight RPG that offers plenty of variety and replay value. It's definitely among the best GBA titles I've played.

If you are the sort who grabs a baseball game to get down in the trenches and swing that bat, then MVP Baseball 2003 is going to be your game. On the flip side, if you prefer the intricacies of management, "World Series Baseball 2K3" is the better choice.

Volume 3 has more songs, better variety, more character, more costumes, and more venues than its predecessors. Most importantly, it adds a new twist to the series with duet modes.

In many ways, it's a by-the-numbers RTS, but a solid one, with a few imaginative mechanics built into it.

Most every mission is so unique that the core of the game fades into the background, instead replacing it with ever-changing objectives... Little stays constant enough to become an actual gameplay mechanic.

Even without some of its improvements, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise would be a solid sequel, but the more user-friendly gameplay, online features, and variety make it better in nearly every way.

Reality 2.0 marks a dramatic improvement in the pure "gameplay" portion of the game, and the storyline is certainly funny enough, but we'd love to see future episodes of the series have this level of interactivity with the kinds of incredible scripts we know that Telltale Games team is capable of producing.

Only certain people will appreciate it, but they'll love the hell out of it.

Pressure -- be it from the oppressive ambient noise, to the sense of speed, to the just-on-the-edge-of-control grip -- is what made the original Need for Speed Shift such a shock to the system. Pressure is what makes racing fun, and Shift 2 Unleashed is fit to burst.

A solid MMORPG, but feels like it's missing that special spark that will keep you hooked for weeks on end.

Particularly well done are the new "Hell in a Cell" matches, which finally allow you to perform aggressive moves like rubbing an opponent's face against the chain link fence, or throwing an opponent off the top of the steel cage.

Comes off as an uneven experience, but one with plenty of invigorating moments that make the whole thing feel worth it.

It's far from revolutionary, but as a mélange of elements that have proven successful in other action/adventure games, it's certainly entertaining and gratifying on many levels.

An unexpected technical achievement for the GBA, but that doesn't make it a fun game -- it most decidedly is not a fun game.

The game looks gorgeous (come on, what did you expect?), runs very smoothly, and features some cool new additions to the series. Sure, the single-player mode is hackneyed and contrived, but the multiplayer action is as good as ever. This is the best console Unreal game to date.

Just like its acclaimed spiritual predecessors, the game is wholly engrossing and begs to be explored. Rare is a game with such meaningful and varied character development, and the plethora of options available will guarantee that many players will want to indulge in its experience from the point of view of several different types of characters.

By far my favorite PSP game yet. Not only is it an outstanding remake of an already fantastic game, but there's an entirely new version of the game with tons of replay value thanks to all of the unlockable characters.

This game delivers where it needs to, offering the most realistic NBA experience to date. Heck, even free-throw shooting means memorizing the shooting styles of different NBA players (a feature we really like, by the way).

Barbarian Invasion isn't a must-have, but it definitely doesn't disappoint. It may not reinvent the original game, but it's certainly worth picking up for any Rome: Total War fan looking for some satisfying new challenges.

Combines best-of-class graphics with a surprisingly back-to-basics approach to the series' familiar gameplay. The result is a sublime shooter that not only does its legacy proud, but actually transcends it.

There's a lot of fun to be had with the slew of comic legends at your disposal. If you're a fan of X-Men Legends, then it's safe to say that MUA is right up your alley.

While Guitar Hero III is still an extremely solid game, there might as well be neon signs flashing in every venue: "isn't it time for you to get a new console?" You'll get your money's worth out of it, but it's hard to shake the feeling there's a better party going on somewhere else.

It's the closest thing we've seen to an HD-gen "Silent Hill," except that in The Darkness you get to play as that venerable franchise's ultimate evil monstrosity, Pyramid Head, clothed in the flesh of a mafia hit man.

Issues with spaceships aside, this is a terrific title. If you loved the Boktai games this is the best you're going to get for a sequel.

TDU is a game for driving enthusiasts, tailor-made for those who take long drives through the countryside for leisure, and maybe even subscribe to Road & Track magazine...If driving is your passion, this is the game for you.

The new modding tools are an excellent addition to any homebrew RPG designer's bag of tricks and the single-player campaign is worth playing simply for the terrific story.

The PS2 version is, unfortunately, the least graphically impressive of the bunch and does not support online play, unlike the Xbox. But no matter which platform you're playing on, Most Wanted is still a hell of a value for the money.

I do feel that $40 is a little steep for a stand-alone expansion after developer Ironclad's Vancouver, British Columbia neighbor Relic has spent years training me to expect a $30 price for its content-rich Company of Heroes and Dawn of War 2 expansions. But on the other hand, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is an outstanding and unique real-time strategy game that offers a welcome, slower alternative to StarCraft 2's intense pacing. As a life-long fan of sci-fi space battles, I simply can't help but strongly recommend it.

It's part turn-based strategy, part role-playing, and part action-oriented real-time strategy wrapped up inside a highly playable design. And best of all -- it's a lot of fun to play.

With many new elements to the strategy genre, RoR will be loved by many, while others accustomed to usual strategy gameplay will grow into it.

The desert settings are a great addition to the game integrating that all important immersive feeling of actually "being there."

Provides a lot of bang for your buck; it's loaded with additional features, tweaks, and is simply a more balanced game from top to bottom.

Doesn't change much of the [original's] formula, or the graphics, or anything really, but it does offer online play, some different courses, and some fun multiplayer party games.

The best old-school adventure gaming to hit the scene in years.

An adequate introduction to online gaming for console players, but it’s definitely not the killer app Sony wanted the world to believe it was; it’s just a slightly above-average first/third-person shooter with an online component.

Despite such minor setbacks, the overwhelming characteristic of the game is high-speed action of the fun (and generally not too frustrating) variety.

Sure, it's more than a little familiar at times -- and on more than one occasion I said, "I remember that from game X," -- but Darksiders is proof that what's old can truly be made new again.

It lacks some major features you'd expect, but this arcade racer still offers an immersive career mode, a beautiful presentation, and an insane sense of speed.

If you want outrageous arcade racing action, along with the chance to solve some puzzles and get creative, TrackMania Sunrise is a safe bet for your gaming dollar.

A wonderful platformer with a fresh gameplay mechanic and a great sense of humor.

With its serviceable single-player game and a gem like the new Defend mode, Island Thunder is a tidy little bonus juuuust worth the price.

If you're wondering if it's worth picking up, consider yourself warned if you're a newcomer -- it's a tough nut to crack. If you've been a long-time fan, close this browser window and head to the store.

It's a must-buy for anyone with even the slightest interest in the genre, presuming they can handle the lack of super-deformed character design.

With a great balance of realism and playability, NCAA Basketball 2K3 shines as a beacon for collegiate hoops fans.

While both the PS2 and Xbox versions do let you hook up with faraway X-Fans, the portability of the Cube console (compared to Microsoft's gargantuan console) and the ease of connecting up to four controllers (no need for a Multi-Tap) makes this the choice for the moveable co-op bash.

Multiplayer combat is quick and brutal, but straightforward and really nothing to get too excited about. It's really the single-player mode that shines here.