Plenty of new material.

Despite those minor problems, the "pick up and play" for a short while nature of this kind of gaming makes it all but perfect for portable pocket gaming system like the GBA.

Pride FC has one-upped UFC's efforts and is clearly the champion of MMA games. Though they are very similar on paper, Pride FC has more depth than its UFC counterpart.

It's a lot like going to your favorite restaurant, ordering your favorite dish, taking a bite and finding a hair in it.

While the gameplay could still use some refinement and focus, the overall Vengeance adventure is an engaging and entertaining one.

A refreshing, decidedly western RPG that could have been incredible with just a few minor changes. Nonetheless, Summoner 2 is lots of fun.

A bold and reasonably successful attempt to capture the total NASCAR experience.

Looks good, has plenty of tactical depth.

If you enjoyed the lethargic pace of Tropico, you will likely find Paradise Island a decent enough expansion, but if you couldn't bear the seemingly endless waits for each building to be constructed, this add-on doesn't provide enough to make it worth a second try.

Thanks to a mission-based, narrative design, fine control, and slopes that have a darker atmosphere, Dark Summit really manages to set itself apart.

A worthy sequel.

The kind of game that truly rewards skillful play, and like "SSX" before it, is a true joy to play once you've attained full mastery of the intricate controls.

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.

"Rallisport Challenge" may have the game beat in terms of multiplayer and graphics, but WRC PS2 gives a better representation of rally racing in the real world.

It’s short, it’s easy, but it’s also highly entertaining. This is also one of those titles that you could easily go back to and play in a few months and still enjoy it.

There will always be a place for simple violent diversions in gaming, and this is one of those that seems to balance a few contemporary technical features with classic gameplay to create an experience that is quite simply fun.

The excellent camera will thrill those whose stomachs are still churning from the dizzying "nausea cam" in "Mat Hoffman."

As a whole, Core has once again stepped off the beaten path to give a gameplay experience that few other games can touch.

The best of the Age of Sail series.

If you've ever wanted to venture "Beyond Thunderdome," look no further, for this is action driving done right.

Fun right out of the tiny box, Baseball Advance is more enjoyable than most offerings on actual consoles.

Brilliant looks and attitude (each new level starts with the message "Kick Their Ass!") only get you so far.

Let's not kid ourselves here, UC has little to offer a player without a broadband connection to the Internet.

Despite the at times questionable competition of Sled Storm 2, the actual racing is always fun and borders on addictive.

They still have a few problems to iron out, but the fascinating adventure is well worth giving it a try.

An excellent racing game, with tight control and great AI that transcends its gimmicky "storyline" angle.

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.

Fun and addictive, but the multiplayer mode displays so small that it limits the amount of gamers that can enjoy it.

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

On one hand, the simulator will wow train fanatics and will probably give them all they want. On the other hand, casual gamers would most likely be bored to tears.

It's a huge step in legitimizing surfing games, much like how THPS was for skateboarding games. The graphics are very impressive, the controls tight, and the wave physics accurate.

The interesting Shox Zone system and impressive list of unlockables make it one of the more addictive arcade driving games available.

The graphics won't amaze you and you may be under whelmed at the multiplay, but it'll put a smile on your face and give you something to do while you wait for the dude from EB to call to tell you your PS3 pre-order is in.

The new goodies aren't all winners -- the wingman concept didn't bowl me over, paying instead of playing to unlock extras bites -- but there are enough innovations that work to make this feel like more than just an updated version of an old and successful game.

It's a unique, well-realized action game that's like nothing else on the 360. If "EDF2" didn't exist, we'd like it even more.

This is a marvelous game in terms of artistry, sound, and yes, even gameplay, despite being hamstrung by the poorly implemented Celestial Brush controls. Despite the headaches you'll undoubtedly experience, it's still worth playing Okami on your Nintendo Wii.

MLB Power Pros is a lot of fun, and quite accessible. That the game has just enough depth to satisfy a baseball fan's need for stats and realism is just icing on the cake.

Games like "Shinobi III," "Phantasy Star IV" and "Gain Ground" are worth the cost of admission alone. While a real Genesis console can offer a better-looking and sounding experience, Sega Genesis Collection is the next best thing.

A well-polished sequel that lives up to, but doesn't necessarily advance, a real-time strategy classic. More compelling RTSs have come, and more are on the way.

The concept behind Closure is superb though, and well served by the wrapping. Everything is tightly bound, from the look to the music to the puzzles. With plenty of levels and some fiendishly hidden bonuses, it'll also last you a decent amount of time.

It's not a huge upgrade over last year's game, with nearly identical franchise modes, and most of the changes being made to one specific aspect of the offense (the running game) and the gimmicky Superstar mode.

Syberia is not a great game, but it tells a great story, despite its translation hiccups.

It's not quite up to the shining standards of Mega Man 2 and the extremely underrated Mega Man 5 (and I'm dead serious about that -- go play it before you knock it), but it's definitely nowhere near the bottom of the bin that Mega Man 4 and the non-NES installments so squarely define.

For a standalone expansion pack, Retribution does pretty much everything right; it has a ton of content, and it makes that content more accessible and more fun than it was in DoW2, although it's still probably not going to appeal to gamers who are fans of a more traditional, gather-build-rush RTS formula.

Of course, if you're like the vast majority of the folks who wandered by my desk during the weeks that I played Mortal Kombat, you want to see one thing, and one thing only: utter carnage. And hey -- it's here in spades. Just try to remember that for once, Mortal Kombat is more than the sum of a few flying body parts.

The game remains as excellent as ever, and at $19.99 the price is definitely right. While it's not for seasoned vets, Lumines Plus should be a great buy for folks who are wondering what the excitement's all about.

Older gamers will likely tire of this game in a hurry, although there may be those who enjoy it nonetheless. By and large, however, this is a game aimed at young children.

Good graphics, fun gameplay and acceptable control make the Xbox version of Spider-Man an excellent game for Spider-Man and 3D platform fans alike.

It's got plenty to recommend it, but apart from its unprecedented visual achievements this is not a life-changing, essential or fully "next-gen" experience. It's a good, solid RPG that doesn't break the mold but instead makes one that's bigger and shinier.

Of course, if you're like the vast majority of the folks who wandered by my desk during the weeks that I played Mortal Kombat, you want to see one thing, and one thing only: utter carnage. And hey -- it's here in spades. Just try to remember that for once, Mortal Kombat is more than the sum of a few flying body parts.

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.

Despite its kooky issues and demoralizing difficulty, Monster Hunter Freedom 2 has totally succeeded in becoming our go-to game for the PSP. Its huge world and endless supply of items and doodads are more than enough to occupy a player for months.

Where the game will put a huge smile on your face is in the number of mini-games you'll be able to play.

Thanks to one of the best storylines we've seen in quite a while (as well as a heaping helping of good old-fashioned violence), Gun isn't a gaming experience that we'll soon forget.

If you're new to the franchise and don't mind spending some quality hours shopping for mech legs, shields, and shoulder-mounted missile launchers, you'll have a game that'll keep you busy for a long time.

The game takes ample advantage of the DS' touch screen for some of the characters' unique skills, but fortunately it doesn't force you to use them.

With this game's gradually revealed story of deception, treachery, and heroism, the age of good storytelling has returned. It doesn't come without a price, though -- be prepared to read. A lot.

It's okay to be a little wary, but unlike the previous poorly conceived anime-based games you've played, this one's the real deal.

Overall I enjoyed Silent Hill 4 just as much as the previous games. Although the initially slower pace and more non-conventional puzzles might annoy some gamers, those who hang in there are in for a hellish treat well worthy of the creepy Silent Hill brand.

It's got more than enough fast-paced action to give gamers their adrenaline fix, and it does it with all sorts of visual style.

While it's undeniable that the age of the engine is showing (the flaws of the counter-reversal system in comparison to other wrestling titles really shows itself during online multiplayer), it's still a solid game to play.

The game clearly leans backward rather than forward in some respects, but it bears repeating: What it does in the tiny PSP world, it does well.

One of the best compilation discs on the store shelves.

When you finally master the photon system and can set just the right sealstones and break out the 100 hit combo to make what seemed like a near-impossible battle a relative piece of cake, you will feel good about it. If you enjoy console role-playing games for the gameplay, not the story, you and Silmeria may get along just fine.

It's nice to see that Hypnotix didn't miss a beat when it came to staying true to the attitude of the original.

It's a beautiful, poetic game that inspires creativity, despite its technical struggles.

Layered with outstanding gameplay, cutesy visuals, and spot-on sound effects. It's one title no self-respecting strategy fan should be without.

Surprisingly combining depth and simplicity, Konami will really have to up the ante on the next one.

An excellent alternative to the other baseball games on the market, especially friendly to those who aren't very keen on sports but who may enjoy the strategic options that the game offers up.

Although it's certainly not for everyone, Bangai-O Spirits is a well-made and extremely challenging game. It's great to see Treasure revive this title, and it works surprisingly well on the DS.

It's clear they had as much fun making The Legend of Dead Kel -- a big, bawdy adventure that's loaded down with loot -- as I had playing it.

If Donkey Kong Country 3 was released today as an original title, it would redefine 2D platform gaming.

A rare breed of FPS these days, as it's both high in quality and uniqueness. The mechanics of "Deus Ex" work tremendously well in a high-intensity atmosphere.

In my opinion, "Major League Baseball 2K5" is the better game. It's a close one, to be sure -- as each area that one game has a weakness in is a strength for the other title -- but I enjoyed the pitching and batting in MLB more, and fielding, one of its weak points, isn't as big of a deal to me.

It might not be as deep as its PC counterpart, but it's perfect for console gamers, who are generally looking for a more casual experience. By the end, my buddy was living the high life, and I was actually proud that my Urb was finally one of the popular kids.

The gameplay is tight and punchy, and the overall experience is so well-crafted that it's worth soaking up every last insane moment.

But I do know that, unlike most years, I really feel the improvements instead of just reading about them in a press release or seeing them on the back of the box. And when it comes to Madden, that's as big a difference as I've felt in half a decade.

And while the title may never be mistaken for the deepest game on the PS2, Destroy All Humans! could very well be one of the funniest.

One of the most gleefully "WTF" experiences you'll have in gaming this year. How many games offer you shadowy agency figures named after porn stars, obsessions with masked pro wrestlers, and a violent weapon that borders on copyright infringement, all while "Heavenly Star" from Lumines II plays sporadically throughout the game's shopping locales?

Though the level design is inconsistent and the combat gets repetitive, there's plenty to keep you entertained if you're into the world and the characters.

In many ways, Brain Age has become the ideal videogame gateway drug. The games are accessible to anyone, don't require any special physical dexterity or experience, and feature a regular reward system in their daily measurement of your brain age.

But I do know that, unlike most years, I really feel the improvements instead of just reading about them in a press release or seeing them on the back of the box. And when it comes to Madden, that's as big a difference as I've felt in half a decade.

Wii owners finally have the Tiger Woods game they should have had six months ago.

Everything is just as wonderfully crafted, over-the-top crazy, and mouse-crushingly intense as it was in the full game. It's more Painkiller, and that's what you'd expect from an expansion, right?

A beautiful example of how Maxis' long-running series can renew itself and even become appealing to console owners. There's plenty to do, a lot to discover and even when everything is done players can decide to stick around the islands and keep tinkering.

The team at Double Fine has managed to seamlessly combine sumptuous, mind-bending visuals and a downright funny script to create one of the most inventive games to hit the PS2.

Like peanut butter and chocolate, the combination of classic puzzle gameplay and RPG game mechanics results in something greater than the sum of its parts.

They've packed Sam and Max's world with so many great characters, locations, running gags and plot points that they seem to feel like they have to cram them all into every episode.

The excellent control and stage design mixed with the clever puzzles make this one of the better (and certainly one of the most thought provoking) platformers available on GBA.

While it won't be winning any beauty contests with its barebones 2D graphics, the play's the thing and the combination of solid controls and lots of content in the form of the technologies, units and variegated civilizations make Civ Rev an enjoyable and entertaining romp through the traditionally staid and somber realm of nation management.

The biggest drawback of this game is the inclusion of Venom as a playable character. He draaaags. He can't web swing (but he can cover vast distances with his leaps), he relies on brute strength rather than finesse, and you must also devour people in order to keep the suit from killing the man inside.

As long as you are aware of and accept Diablo 3's online limitations, I wholeheartedly recommend it. A week after launch, the servers are up and running smoothly, though "scheduled maintenance" still brings them down from time to time, usually in the wee hours of the morning. But solo players who would rather live their gaming lives offline -- or have less than perfect faith in the stability of their internet connections -- should probably hold out for the offline-friendly Torchlight 2 instead.

A wonderful title (with the kind of cerebral gameplay that seems to have taken a back seat to mindless shooters in recent years), which will keep you glued to your console for as long as it takes you to finish it.

What I'm not so sure about are the mini-games. These will help you practice your stroke/throw, but they're not much fun. The pitching mini-game is especially annoying.

It may not be hanging out in the rarified air that Madden and Sega's ESPN game breathe, but it finally deserves to be on the same playing field as them.

Hopefully next year will bring some real options for less arcadey play to satisfy a wider audience, but NHL 2K7 is still a reliably fun launch title for the PS3.

If you can approach GD2 on its own terms and conquer it, the utterly unique gameplay experience is simply, well, glorious.

As short as it is, Stubbs is an instant classic and should appeal to any gamer with even a slightly morbid sense of humor. It's the perfect Halloween rental.