The game's Achilles' heel is its lack of any online play. But if you're more about the single-player game than about smacking some faraway Kansas or Duke fan, it's hard to find much not to like.

Codemasters' Race Driver 2006 will hook you up with dozens of hours of both single and multiplayer gaming that'll test your wheel skills in just about every type of motorsport racing there is.

The multiplayer action is fairly solid, although it doesn't seem like it'll be one of those games that people will still be playing on Xbox Live in a few months. Even worse, the netcode is spotty, with some matches running flawlessly and others lagging horribly.

The Sequencer mode is a welcome addition to the series, although it still feels like it isn't fully realized. Ultimately, however, if you love Lumines, it's a safe bet that this new edition should be a new addition to your PSP library.

If the original game didn't originally hook you, Forged Alliance won't do much to bring you into the fold, but it's a must-have for those who spent 2007 fighting the Infinite War.

One of the better platform games that I've played in some time. You may get though it without a ton of effort, but you'll have a heck of a time doing it.

For the most part, the look of the game is very clean. Unlike "DOOM," which could be occasionally muddy and hard on the eyeballs, the levels in Advance tend to be bright and easy to maneuver.

May be a slight letdown to fans of the series that enjoy a more well-rounded platformer, but it will thrill those looking for fast action, plenty of weapons, and killer online play.

Far too hardcore to serve as an introduction to the genre, but fans of the genre are in for a treat once they accustom themselves to the game's mind-bendingly unique and tactical paradigms.

Its kiddy facade hides some terrifically fun gameplay with a lot of meat on its bones.

Saints Row 2 offers up a shooting and driving experience that is plenty of fun. Its story isn't as engrossing as that of Grand Theft Auto IV, but it's not that kind of game. It's self-consciously funny in its irreverence, and its low-brow humor will definitely appeal to much of its audience.

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

The game is slicker than snot on a cold doorknob when you get a few friends together for some serious fragging.

Better than the original in every way. It even manages to trump the GameCube triumph, "Rogue Leader," in at least one key way as well -- it has a cooperative play mode.

This game remains thoroughly addictive and is worth picking up if you're interested in a fun diversion with a reasonable shelf life.

It faithfully reproduces the classic action series, and the handful of modern conveniences are a nice addition. However, the display method the game uses looks bad and the extras are not quite there.

This is the over-the-top, pick-up-and-play fighter that's we've been missing for so long. It's far less complex than its top-rated contemporaries, but that's part of the fun.

The production values for Frontline are way up there though, and with great voice acting, cool FMV cut scenes, and more atmosphere than most other FPS titles, the game is a winner for WWII action fans and newbies alike.

With excellent controls, graphics, sound, and a huge variety of gameplay modes, this one is a game you should pick up.

Lone Survivor, then, made me feel a lot of things. Frustration, rage, stress, exhaustion, fear, joy, hope, pride, sadness, wonder. Four hours and twenty-six minutes – plus some trial-and-error-based change. But this game's going to stick with me much, much longer than that, and there are few higher forms of praise I can offer.

Sure, some fans will question the exclusion of some of Capcom's other hit games (where's "Strider?"), but this is still a great place to start. For old-school gaming fans that spent all their free time and money at the arcades, this is an experience not to be missed.

There is so much packed into this game that it's a steal at twice the price.

The Witcher simply works -- its refreshing setting, engaging combat and potion system, and long, well-conceived campaign is a recipe for single-player greatness. It's the kind of game that actually makes you want to track down some of Sapkowski's stories to learn more about this refreshingly bleak world.

Despite its daunting start, in the single-player mode, MMZ2 plays very much like an enhanced version of its predecessor, which is a good thing.

Speaking of online, MLB 2K5 is one step closer to what we dreamed about for online sports games. You can play a full 162 game season in an online league, or stick to tournaments or single-game contests.

The storyline and characters are as rich as they ever were, but advances in both action games and RPG design can't help but make the game feel a bit old-fashioned and highlight flaws in the combat and ethics system.

SWAT3's multiplayer, while nothing groundbreaking, is something special to behold.

It's fun, easy to get into, and quick to master...While it is smooth and the overall graphic effect is done very well the game lacks a lot of substance and is hard to replay.

Codemasters takes an above-average racer and puts it over the top by involving the gamer in a drama.

NFL Street can't be beat for multiplayer fun on any console, and tweaking rosters will keep fantasy fans up late at night for weeks.

You'll likely never see a better utilization of the DS' touch-screen, nor will you play a pseudo-sim this engaging.

Despite its camera problems, its visual deficiencies, and the fact that it does some things worse than the original, I'm having lots of fun with Toadstool Tour.

The best arcade racer to hit the PC in years.

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.

An absolutely fantastic title with superb graphics and tight gameplay. Single-player or multiplayer, no matter what your skill, you'll get hours of joy out of this sucker online or off.

I can say, though, that Darksiders 2 plays really, really well on a decent PC, so what it lacks in fidelity it at least partially makes up for in smooth framerates.

Instead of a true stealth engine, you have awkward "hide spots" to accommodate the free roaming. Combat is either too easy or too hard, lacking the brilliance of a dedicated action title. And the free-roaming, bound as it is to mission objectives that would be fine in a more linear game, is just unsatisfying. Each element of the game is individually interesting, but as a whole the package feels incomplete and patchwork more than innovative.

Frustrating moments aside, Vessel is another shining example of how the independent games scene is flourishing with creativity and originality. At just $14.99, Vessel is around a quarter of the price of a AAA game, but it contains more flair and ingenuity than most blockbuster games can muster. Do yourself a favor and invest in this indie gem, because Vessel is a rich, fulfilling and splash-tastic journey.

If you don't mind using your brain as you play, then approach this bench. Court is now in session.

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

The environment, the quests, and the huge world you're in overcomes some of the technical issues with the game.

While there are a few small issues with the game, you're not going to find a better chess player -- or tutor -- on the market. Add to that all the options you're given, and Chessmaster 9000 is the perfect product for new players and veterans alike.

The basic gameplay is rock-solid, and fans of multiplayer RTS games will get far more than their money's worth out of it.

A fantastic game that will keep you enthralled for hours and hours. There are some annoying bugs, but even those can't derail this exceptional gaming experience.

Easily the best NASCAR game available... until "NASCAR 4" comes out in February.

It faithfully reproduces the classic action series, and the handful of modern conveniences are a nice addition. However, the display method the game uses looks bad and the extras are not quite there.

This was my favorite version of Bustin' Out. Although the graphics are sharper on the Xbox version and the PS2 version boasts online multiplay, the GCN-to-GBA connectivity feature gives this one a notable edge.

Veteran shooter fans and adrenaline addicts might find it a bit too slow for their taste. For others, though, PlanetSide may be the perfect fit to fill a genre that's been waiting to explode for a few years.

Deep RPG elements combined with the intuitive action mechanics immediately establish 38 Studios and Big Huge Games as a duo to be reckoned with (sorry, couldn't resist). Like its reanimated main character, Reckoning starts slow and creaky, but give it a chance. Once you start sampling its many action-role-playing flavors, you'll discover a new franchise that delivers like a series that has been polished and tweaked for years.

While it offers some nice additions to an already winning franchise, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is the first game in the series that doesn't fully deliver the goods. One can't help but feel like the series needs a shot in the arm to get players excited again.

The accessible nature of Borderlands -- with its relatively non-punitive deaths, constant checkpoints, and convenient fast-travel systems -- makes it a fantastic game for introducing FPS fans to some basic RPG tropes. And, most importantly, the killing and looting never ceases to be fun.

A perfect example of how to bring a fleshed-out console sport onto a handheld, and all of the seemingly frivolous extras only help to enhance the experience when you're tired of battling the A.I.

While the strategic level is an admirable attempt at something halfway between the elegance of Civilization and the historical specificity of Europa Universalis, it doesn't have the benefit of letting a human player take over. Here, once again, the game falls apart when it breaks out of the strict scripting of the story-based missions.

The single-player experience is pretty sparse and really only worth playing to gain more characters, Achievement Points, and practice. Multiplayer is at the core of this game.

An interesting, exciting, and fun city-building strategy simulation that will surely stay on many hard drives for a long time.

For a truly surreal experience, take Hot Shots out to the course during your next 18, and play a hole or two in between real holes. The only danger there is the rest of your group might become too hooked on what you're doing on Open Tee rather than finishing the real round.

Tripwire can take a lot of pride in Red Orchestra: Ostfront, a game for history buffs and FPS aficionados and, more importantly, a shooter for adults.

Where development did put in the time was in coming up with a logical and intuitive new control scheme that lets you showcase all the moves that Street vets expect.

While Karnaaj Rally might not have the staying power of a truly classic game, it is plenty of fun in small doses -- playing it for 15 minutes at a time is fun.

With multiple squadrons to command individually or all at once, a thorough system for upgrading skills and equipment, and personality at every turn, Kingdom Under Fire strikes a great balance between mindless action and careful strategizing.

Very fun and very funny; it deftly satirizes "Grand Theft Auto" while being almost as entertaining, and even improves on several gameplay aspects of GTA (instant mission restarts, a superior guidance system, and an easily accessible collection of vehicles).

Of the three versions, this is clearly the sharpest.

Since just about every trail is unlocked from the beginning, you won't get to feel the satisfaction of making your way to a new mountain (one of the best parts of "SSX 3") and exploring it for the first time. Still, there's no denying that this is yet another stellar entry one of the most consistently excellent series around today.

It's just that compared to the original, it's nowhere near as polished.

Not only did it need to live up to the standards put forth in the first game, but also the standards of the U.S. Navy. Thankfully, it's safe to say that the frogmen of Fireteam Bravo have excelled in this, creating a new must-have for Sony's handheld.

The qualifications -- short length, lack of replay value, and control issues -- knock the game down value-wise, even though I think anyone who's attracted to quick, violent squad play will have a good time.

Online or offline, GoldenEye is easily one of the better first-person shooters on the Wii, and its online experience is great by any console's standards.

Unless you want a mega-dose of pink cotton candy, you'll likely be bored stiff.

It's got an entertaining story that skewers our reality show-obsessed culture, equal-opportunity offensive humor that could make a Marine blush, and a dazzling visual style. It evokes the better elements of early '90s brawlers and updates them with a sensibility tailor-made for the Wii.

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

A surprising number of serious bugs damage what is otherwise a highly addictive game.

The very soul of an annual update, this Tiger is all tweaks -- but none of these are new to the PS3 version, 360 fans. This was one title that really could have shown the power of the Sixaxis and the PS3, but fails. Instead, it's arguably worse than its current-gen versions and is no better than the competition on the 360.

As a complete package, then, Sims 2 University delivers in a big way. There's a staggering number of new things to do and new ways to interact with your Sims. While bugs occasionally crop up, they're not quite enough to spoil to party.

Instead of a true stealth engine, you have awkward "hide spots" to accommodate the free roaming. Combat is either too easy or too hard, lacking the brilliance of a dedicated action title. And the free-roaming, bound as it is to mission objectives that would be fine in a more linear game, is just unsatisfying. Each element of the game is individually interesting, but as a whole the package feels incomplete and patchwork more than innovative.

On its own merits, Madden 07 for the Wii is as exciting a development in sports games as I've seen in a long time, and should be experienced by anyone with even a passing interest in a good game of football.

It's so faithful to the PS2 version that it's almost terrifying. On second thought, the terror comes from the load times, which are abysmally long. Between that, the sync issues in multiplayer, and the mediocre Arcade Mode, keep this game from nearing perfection.

Though it has a few blemishes, Revenant Wings still manages to be a good deal of fun. The way combat is handled is logical and enjoyable, making up for the missteps.

An excellent macro-insight into running a railroad empire. Simple to learn, completely absorbing, ultimately challenging.

While not offering much for players below level 46, The Planes of Power, with its smorgasbord of content, is a very good expansion pack for higher-level players as well as veterans who have been around since the beginning.

A much worse persistent problem is the A.I., which is still so bad that at times it's hard to recommend Combat Mission as anything other than a multiplayer game.

A quirky and sometimes frustrating puzzle action title that fails to do its two famous mascots justice.

Despite how oddly compelling I found many of the diversions found herein, I couldn't get too into this game's dated fighting mechanic.

Muramasa is frustrating because it's a game that should be great, but its compounded faults result in it merely being good. If you can overlook the repetitive combat and boring backtracking, then you'll get a kick out of slicing up ninjas and monsters for a few hours -- and you'll certainly like ogling one of the best looking titles on the Wii.

Elegantly designed, challenging, beautiful, and one of the best games released this year.

While the majority of the game holds its own, presentation-wise it definitely plays the part of little brother when compared to 2K's NBA game.

It does manage to be a solid RPG, but to get there, you have to grind through some monotonous stuff that really detracts from the game.

If you invest the time in tricking out your ride and mastering the more challenging difficulty levels, you'll be rewarded with an adrenaline rush that you won't find anywhere else.

The PlayStation 3 version is feature complete by comparison, but it doesn't run at the silky smooth frame rate of the 360 version. It's a no-brainer decision if you own both systems, but early adopters of the PlayStation 3 should still have a good time with this one.

There are just too many doors that don't open, or containment field barriers that can't be lowered, giving the rat in a maze feel to many missions.

What impresses us the most is the sheer size of it -- each epoch feels fleshed out and playable, and every era has its own nuances, so it's almost like getting 14 games in one.

Its rubber-band AI is staggering in its cruelty.

Things appear and disappear out of the corner of your eye, and you're never completely sure of what you've seen. Nothing has to say, "Boo," because there's an underlying Boo-ness to the whole experience.

With its intuitive, intense gameplay and rich atmosphere, Secret Weapons Over Normandy is the best flight-action game for the PlayStation 2.

The game is a blast, possessing excellent pinball basics, surprising depth, and an addictive collection overgame.

Ridiculous brawling aside, the game's control is smooth, with a good button layout and a responsive feel.

I couldn't ask for much more with MX Unleashed. A few more challenges in freestyle would be nice, but this really is the total package for race games -- which is no surprise, coming from Rainbow.

It's actually excellent.

Culture Shock marks a great (if not perfect) start to what will hopefully be a long run for the pair.