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.

There might not be any innovation here, but there's still some fun to be had. Just don't expect much more than what you're used to getting.

There might not be any innovation here, but there's still some fun to be had. Just don't expect much more than what you're used to getting.

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.

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

The best reason to pick up this game isn't in the extra content that it delivers over 2K6, which was itself a feature-rich game, but instead in that your money will be well spent on what is a much better looking and playing version of baseball than what was presented last year.

If you own a PS3 and an Xbox 360, then go ahead and opt for the 360 version. It has better online support, sharper visuals and richer colors. But if you only own a PlayStation 3, rest assured that you'll enjoy this version anyways.

A collection of good ideas with muddled execution.

It's the best in the series so far and a harbinger of great things to come. Honest.

It's still a Meteos game, and it's still lots of fun. However, the changes made to ease up the difficulty make it less fun to this seasoned veteran.

For gamers who've mocked their PS3-owning friends, it's time to suck up to them and hang out at their crib for this one. One taste of this, and it's going to feel like a long, long wait for the summertime release on Xbox 360.

One of the first fun Sonic experiences in some time. The overall experience of navigating through Sonic and the Secret Rings doesn't manage to bring the series back to glory, but at least it gives it some life.

I have to play a lot of games at this job, so when I tell you that I'd rather play Crackdown than just about anything else on my 360, I hope that carries as much weight as I intend.

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

Let's not mince words. Supreme Commander is "Total Annihilation" on steroids...An incredibly fun RTS. The massive tactical scale, the zoom function, the mega units and even the nostalgic resemblance to "Total Annihilation" make this game a must-have for RTS fans.

It's an improvement over last year's effort, but it still remains a strictly niche product.

Dark Avatar does much more than just add new units or new maps, it revisits the very underpinnings the game itself and adjusts them to make the whole experience richer.

One excellent thing about the single-player campaign is that there is no penalty for death. You just get set back at the nearest checkpoint.

The level design and longevity just isn't there to make this more than a rental or a bargain-big pick-up -- especially with God of War II's release closing fast. This rider is anything but the leader of the pack.

Ghost Rider isn't the best action game on PlayStation Portable, but it's slightly ahead of the comic- and movie-license curve.

Given how much potential this character and his weapons have for 2D gameplay, it's a little depressing just how lame the final game's turned out.

It's a near-perfect port of a killer game. In fact, I'd go on a limb and say that The Warriors is that console generation's best pure brawler.

On one hand it's very simple and addictive for non-gamers, but on the other hand it's more of a novelty for core gamers. The price is high, although the "free" controller makes it more than worthwhile if you're looking for a second controller and a cheap set of mini-games that are fun for a few hours.

Suffice it to say that I was completely captivated by this game from start to finish. Of course, it helps that I'm a fan of the JRPG genre.

Get a friend with a PSP to pick the game up as well and you'll see why "Super Puzzle Fighter II" destroyed lives when it released originally.

One of those games that's much more enjoyable in small doses. A quick race while you're sitting on the bus or with your kid brother/sister in the doctor's waiting room is a great way to pass a bit of time. When played in longer stretches, though, many of the game's annoyances start to really grate on you.

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.

It's still not the prettiest game on the block, and frankly, the lack of the German league is a huge peeve, but the core gameplay is very much intact, and razor sharp as ever.

Between the mini-games offered and the challenge of facing lots of different opposing styles, online remains an attractive diversion.

Whether you'll like Ar tonelico or not is dependent on how much of a sucker you are for a cute damsel in distress. These aren't helpless girls, mind you, and your relationship to them will provide the bulk of enjoyment that Ar tonelico has to offer.

Beyond the graphics and design foibles, the difficulty ramps up in an unsettling way, with races going from child's play to infernal bloodsport in the span of a single race.

If video game history were ever to be taught to children, then Final Fantasy VI should be part of the curriculum's required playing. Its characters are among the genre's most unique and memorable, while its villain is quite possibly the most well-crafted embodiment of evil in RPG history.

There's potential for a very good game here, and we've had our share of both highs and lows with the gameplay, but the sheer number of gameplay bugs, graphical issues, and poor technical performance make it difficult to recommend in its current state.

Rogue Galaxy's greatest triumph, the brightest gleam in its eye, is that at sixty hours of play I've got another sixty I could easily pour in.

If you're willing to put a lot of time and effort into learning the various intricacies of the game's multiple controls, you're likely to get more than a little enjoyment out of the title. For the standard gamer though, the game's steep learning curve and hit or miss multiplayer experience may deep six most of the fun.

It's the only real four-player, easy-to-learn game in the 360's library. If that's what you're looking for -- or you're a seven-year-old whose parents won't buy you Gears of War so you can use potty-mouth online -- then by all means rent Fuzion Frenzy 2.

While the script is the best so far of any of the episodes, Episode 3's abbreviated length makes it less of a bargain than the earlier installments. That being said, the entire Sam & Max experiment is shaping up quite well.

Just don't be surprised if you quickly become frustrated by the copious battles and find yourself merely slogging though the adventure out of loyalty to the franchise.

Far from a bad game, but it seems content with being merely adequate, and nothing more.

Though it is slow and subtle, it works out in the end, providing a great story that holds its own against the vast majority of current games. Now all you have to do is manage to find a copy.

Online, it was worse. There were times when we really felt like there was a 2-second delay between button push and the resulting action.

If you played World of Warcraft to level 60 and enjoyed it, you'll enjoy Burning Crusade even more. And if you never stopped playing WoW, the expansion isn't an option, it's mandatory.

You'll easily clear all four cases in a weekend play session, but the suspend-anywhere save system allows you to easily play it in bits and pieces during commutes, on lunch breaks or while waiting for the previews to finish at your local theater.

I had a great time with Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, and you'll get a lot of value out of the game if you're the type that hosts parties or if you have a group of friends or family already that are enjoying games like "Wii Sports" or "Rayman: Raving Rabbids" together.

A unique vision, a mix of NES gameplay and cutting edge graphics, with some great multiplayer to boot. Pick it up to see what happens when one of the industry's biggest companies actually takes one of those "risks" we keep asking for.

This is one game that should have never been let out of a holding cell.

It's a bit shorter than Episode 1 (mostly due to slightly easier puzzles), but the script is much sharper and funnier this time around, which makes it a more than adequate trade-off. Telltale Games is finally hitting its stride with this series and we couldn't be happier.

Another victim of the quickie DS action blues. The star isn't very likeable, it's not much fun to play, and it's as ugly as a Jack-o-Lantern on January 9th.

Here we have a game that compiles seven barely-different shoot 'em up games into one Wii disk, so the only way you're going to like it at all is if you like the original Metal Slug. None of the sequels have done anything particularly different, and every one of them has a ton of throw-backs to the original.

There was great potential with Star Trek: Legacy, and the foundation has been laid for a truly stellar game. But the end result feels rushed and that potential still remains untapped.

While the cute little Elebits may not pack quite enough power to shine a spotlight on the game, there's at least enough juice to warrant some attention.

Scant fun portions aside, if Far Cry: Vengeance cost the same as a soft-shell taco, I'd suggest you run for the border. I know Uwe Boll got one of his tentacles on the Far Cry movie license; I'm wondering if he directed this game as a warmup.

Blazing Angels wasn't a smash success on any of the platforms it was released on in 2006, but its release on the PS3 is undoubtedly the best version of the bunch.

I just have to issue one small warning: if you're out of shape, you'll find that swinging the Wii Remote through 18 holes of virtual golf can actually be a workout. It didn't take long for me to realize that quitting the gym was a big mistake. I was tired, I was sore, but I still wanted to keep playing. That's a good sign.

It's an amazing epitaph to the GameCube's life and it's certainly the best game from Nintendo this year. If you've been on the fence in any capacity, then please rest assured that you'll not be disappointed. Nintendo's flagship game has arrived in style and you better damned well appreciate it. It's ultimately fantastic.

A significant improvement over its predecessor on the 360.

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance does little to differentiate itself from the herd of third-person action games on PlayStation Portable. The Star Wars inclusion is too subtle to be considered a benefit and the action is ho-hum.

Given that Ice Age 2 is intended for a younger audience, it's not a terribly long or challenging game. Don't be surprised if the adventure is finished after about four or five hours.

This game could have been the be all and end all for Trek fans and action gamers alike instead of the sad capstone to a long history of crappy licensed video games.

That attitude pervades Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin: the idea that a definitely well-done safe idea is better than a possibly flawed risky idea, no matter what stagnation may follow.

Portable Ops feels like one of the few games to live up to the PSP's promise, in part because it translates the entire Metal Gear Solid experience into something that can be easily digested in small amounts...inarguably one of the best games to release on the PSP, let alone one of 2006's best.

One of the first absolutely must-own titles for the PS3. While the graphics are undoubtedly amazing and manage to outshine the 360 version, especially in the exclusive first-person mode, it's still got the same problems as the other game, and more.

It's definitely a great-looking and playing title, but its simplicity might turn off a lot of players.

The overall integrity of the game has remained intact. So if you're jealous of your DS-toting friends walking around with those giant swollen craniums of theirs due to all of that brain-boosting gaming they're doing, do yourself a favor and give your own melon a workout with a healthy dose of classic chess.

An excellent expansion that does exactly what an expansion pack should do -- add in new stuff while improving the core gameplay. The game remains a bit over- reliant on micromanaging special powers and hero units, but for fans of The Battle for Middle-earth II's gameplay style, the expansion pack is a must buy.

Monster Bomber's gameplay is too picky and arbitrary-feeling to really develop a flow, and it ends up feeling like a once-simple concept has gotten stretched to the point of distracting complication.

While longtime Tony Hawk fans may be initially turned off by the simplified controls, they'll still likely appreciate the nostalgic feel of the game.

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.

Of course, the combination of sim and action game is sometimes a bit jarring, making the game seem like it doesn't really know what it wants to be. Regardless, Thrillville is a fun game, and if you're a fan of sim games on the PC, this would be a good way to introduce the genre to a child or younger sibling.

One big advantage that the PSP version has over its console big brothers is that it allows you to use Ad Hoc to trade your custom coasters and racecar tracks.

If you look past the movie license when playing the game, there's just no way to avoid feeling like this is the same basic platform game you've played time and time and time again.

Of course, the combination of sim and action game is sometimes a bit jarring, making the game seem like it doesn't really know what it wants to be. Regardless, Thrillville is a fun game, and if you're a fan of sim games on the PC, this would be a good way to introduce the genre to a child or younger sibling.

The controls are great, but with nothing to do in terms of content, things ultimately fall short.

The cover mechanics, the lethal firearms, the satisfaction of working with a smart team, plus maps that couldn't get done in time for the single-player game and some returning classics make multiplayer golden...I can't overstate how good the multiplayer is here.

The most painful realization will come to owners of "College Hoops 2K6," who will be hard-pressed to find a major improvement in the core game, outside of the roster update. It's hard to justify paying full price for such a similar game.

An uneven difficulty level, not much variety in quests and battles, clunky and temperamental controls, and the lack of any type of multiplayer will all quickly frustrate you.

It's a broken, buggy game, and if the statement about learning curves were true, it would still take far too long to gain wings before the average gamer would grow disenfranchised. The game feels completely rushed to retail in time for the launch.

An excellent addition (and homage to "Ocarina") to the franchise, and you'll have an enormous amount of fun playing it from start to finish. Get over the fact that the Wii's hardware is simply not as powerful as the other next-gen machines and get into the fact that Twilight Princess is one of the best games you'll play this year.

The lack of decent multiplayer and total lack of online play hurt the longevity, but if you absolutely need a racer to play at launch, you can't really do any better than this one.

It's a game you can play with your friends and family, and it perfectly highlights the direction that Nintendo is taking with the platform. It's not the best-looking game on the system, and it's definitely not the deepest, but it may well be the most fun.

Skip it in favor of more traditional means of control. Mastering it is just too big of a hassle, and every other platform's offering has better multiplayer options anyway (a little thing called online).

If you dig either dungeon crawlers or Marvel comic icons, you'll probably enjoy what Ultimate Alliance has to offer.

I wish that I could say that the PS3 version of Tony Hawk's Project 8 felt like a next-gen game, but it doesn't even have online gameplay, an element that was crucial to solidifying Neversoft's current-gen games as a blockbuster franchise. Combine that with the flaws already plaguing the game, and it's very difficult to recommend.

Only the most hardcore Tetsuya Mizuguchi fans will be able to put up with Gunpey's repetitive gameplay for long.

Unless you're a hardcore fan of Tetsuya Mizuguchi, there's not much to hold your interest here.

Unfortunately, the decision to split things across two titles makes each game feel like an overpriced demo, proving the old adage that the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Unfortunately, the decision to split things across two titles makes each game feel like an overpriced demo, proving the old adage that the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.

TMU is a fine diversion for quick game breaks, but not much more. In a way, it's like popcorn, enough to be a snack or even an appetizer, but you won't get a full meal out of it.

What it lacks in options and complexity, it makes up for with good old-fashioned mass destruction action. It's simple enough for anyone to pick up and get into, but it still manages to offer a lot to hardened genre fanatics.

Luxor remains a quality take, if mostly derivative, on its little piece of the puzzle genre. While the lack of options make the game's $29.99 tag a little much, Luxor provides the kind of pick-up-and-play gaming that's not as common on PSP, especially compared to what's commonly available on DS.

A fun but shallow game. The graphics and speed-based level design are great, but the game's short length and lack of truly compelling replay value are cause for hesitation.

There's not much here to differentiate the PS3 version from current-gen consoles besides the sweet high-resolution graphics (and in the case of the Xbox 360, not even that), but if you have a PS3, there are worse games you could play on it.

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 looks good, it's clever and upbeat, and it's well-balanced for the target audience. The remote just doesn't add much to what's already come out on other platforms, and in fact brings down the overall game in some areas.

If anything, the integration of posing like show characters to unleash their powers will have DBZ haters grinding their teeth louder and longer than they would for the PS2 version. Certainly, the actual fighting mechanic is just as so-so as it was there.

The presentation is passable, but the gameplay itself is an exercise in pure tedium. The pervasive sense of overwhelming boredom is what really kills it, since a competitive, group-oriented game should ideally be the exact opposite of digital Ambien.

Lots of fun as you're mastering the unique strategies of Star Trek: Tactical Assault, followed by a crushing tedium once you realize that it doesn't really get any better, or even any different.

The karaoke system works very well, both in single-player and in multiplayer, and the original music videos improve the overall presentation of the game. The only problem I can see in this title is that 30 tracks won't be enough for whoever buys it, just because it's pretty addictive.