The game has its weak points, and there's nothing strikingly original about the gameplay, but it's definitely an interesting experience for action gamers looking for a unique atmosphere and story.

The action get repetitive very quickly. The game really doesn't introduce any new gamplay mechanics once you learn how to roll and jump, and the levels are far from challenging. It's a solid game, but it feels like one that could have used a bit more attention paid to the gameplay.

All In seems like Crave's attempt to bet the farm on nothing more than a high card. The few improvements the game makes over last year's entry pale in comparison to its shortcomings.

More of a hassle than a pleasure to play. The glitches, poor controls and shabby visuals leave Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run without much to offer, even if you're an avid fan of the series. It's such a departure from what the series is known for, it could easily be called "Generic Action Game & Car."

The Takeover packs just about everything a fighting-game fan could ask for into a nice, compact little package. And while the game's long load times and lack of online play leave an unsightly bruise, the smooth controls, great presentation and sheer magnitude of content are more than enough to make up for it.

Turns out to be a well-made game, but is so blatantly unoriginal that it may actually inspire resentment in players who are tired of the same old thing.

It's a rare old-school follow-up that furthers its roots without selling out.

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.

SMBA's biggest flaw is that it expanded the scope of the series' traditional gameplay without retaining its laser-like focus on solid game design.

Act Zero isn't a bad core game, fundamentally. But the overhaul is terrible, the gameplay is dated, the features are few and you can't play against people you're sitting next to. This makes every other version of Bomberman better than this one, and Act Zero a candidate for worst Xbox 360 game ever.

Fans of Eiichiro Oda's comical pirate epic will certainly get the most out of the game, but if you like chaotic action and bizarre characters, just about anyone can enjoy it.

For the right kind of player, the multiple endings, secret characters, extra bosses, and obscene potential for stats and damage (a Japanese strategy guide published a record of over two billion points) could provide a pleasurable diversion that can literally last hundreds of hours. It is, however, something that's definitely not for everyone.

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.

Fans of Eiichiro Oda's comical pirate epic will certainly get the most out of the game, but if you like chaotic action and bizarre characters, just about anyone can enjoy it.

Star Fox Command isn't a return to the glory days or a flawless project that redefines the series, but it's a solid and interesting title that takes on new ideas and comes up with something entirely worthwhile.

One of the best new features is the NFL Network mode, which provides you with excellent tutorials for some of the NFL team's most recognizable plays.

The Superstar mode alone is almost worth the price of admission, although we wouldn't mind seeing it fleshed out just a bit more before next year's game.

Despite the fact that Madden still has its warts and its share of oddball design decisions, this is the best version of Madden in years -- and the PC showcases it more than any other platform.

You're getting just about what you'd expect from this purchase: a fun, generally working version of Madden for your handheld, impressive graphics and some nifty bonus features to boot.

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.

Sword of the Stars is full of solid ideas and offers interesting strategic challenges and fun multiplayer action to those willing to weather its quirks, frustrations and obscurities.

It's lacking in originality and refinement, but Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII ends up as a playable and occasionally interesting experiment with traditional action gameplay packed with cutscenes, story and fan-pleasing cameos.

From here on out, next-gen games are going to be separated into two categories: those that have evolved, and those that have not. Even though N3: Ninety-Nine Nights gives us literally 1,000 onscreen opponents, I'm afraid it sits firmly in the latter section.

For a game that's humble and not especially innovative, Deep Labyrinth is a title that, strangely, really feels like it belongs on the Nintendo DS. It's a little different and takes a few risks that don't pay off, but it ends up being a successful game in its genre.

D1 fans will be able to look past the game's numerous flaws and appreciate the fact that there's a game tailored to their specific tastes. The average gamer, on the other hand, will have a hard time getting the hang of the controls and will be a lot less forgiving of the game's flaws.

It's enjoyable for a few brief moments to blow away vessels in a manner that harkens back to the classic Wing Commander. The thing is, without a robust economic engine, an interesting and dynamic universe to explore, or even a decent storyline to follow, DarkStar One is destined to sink into the black hole of gaming obscurity.

One of the most uniquely imaginative horror games ever created... Despite the fact that there are some frustrating elements (namely the save system and AI), Dead Rising is a straight-up blast from start to finish.

Underneath the stylized art and strong anime-bent of Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation lies a glowing core of light strategy gameplay with some very gratifying customization elements.

If there's one thing that should have been fixed with the expansion and wasn't, it's the map and quest marking system. The mini-map in the corner is still fine, but the map screen is so useless, it actually takes away from the fun of the game.

FlatOut 2 drives a fine line, but manages to come out on the good side more often than not. It might be a good idea to tether that controller to your wrist, though, because it's possible you'll send it flying just as much as your driver.

Unless you're very forgiving, impervious to frustration, or blindly love all things Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball Adventure probably isn't your idea of a good time.

It's no modern-day classic, but Barnyard is still a good choice for young gamers, with a nice unhurried design somewhat reminiscent of "Animal Crossing."

Every facet of the core gameplay is plain, making Barnyard for the GBA the most forgettable kind of throwaway entertainment. It's too bad, because it had the potential to be more than the usual mediocre film tie-in.

FlatOut 2 drives a fine line, but manages to come out on the good side more often than not. It might be a good idea to tether that controller to your wrist, though, because it's possible you'll send it flying just as much as your driver.

Anatomically incorrectness notwithstanding, Barnyard is a perfectly fine family-friendly film tie-in that you won't absolutely love, but has plenty to like anyway.

Unless you're very forgiving, impervious to frustration, or blindly love all things Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball Adventure probably isn't your idea of a good time.

It's not exactly a stellar game, but the capable story and unique battle system make it a solid addition to the GBA library.

The game knows about a dozen different ways to kick ass and just about all of them happen to be pretty entertaining.

People who play mostly single-player games and aren't interested in scenarios won't find much new stuff in Warlords. At the end of the day, the expansion pack brings some great new stuff to the table. We just wish Firaxis could have taken some chances and offered us more of it.

An enjoyable variation on city-builders, and it certainly makes for a pleasant trip down memory lane for Caesar fans like me. The problem is, the game's flaws will keep it from being little more than a nine-day wonder on players' hard drives.

It's impossible to recommend a multiplayer shooter that no one plays. If no one's playing now, just after release, rest assured no one will be in a month.

The biggest problem with Miami Vice is that it's composed of too many parts, and too few individual parts really do anything well. The closest that the game comes to being rather fun is in the Drug Wars-inspired segments, but they're not enough to carry the game alone.

A great RPG with an unorthodox design. There are amazing design elements here. The art and sound direction are unmistakably original, amplifying what could be the game's best asset -- an incredibly active and technical battle system. There's a lot to like, but at times the game is bolder than it is balanced or practical.

The Heisman difficulty level seems really balanced for the first time in years. The running game is great, with grind-it-out yardage available inside and game-breaking moves to be had outside.

While it's not quite as strong as its current-gen iterations, NCAA Football 07 is a great next-gen kickoff for one of our favorite sports series. The developers nailed the feeling of being in the middle of a rockin' stadium on game day, and the game looks as good as anything we've played on the Xbox 360. The online play is a bit disappointing.

NCAA Football 07 works very well on the PSP, and controls flawlessly without some of the analog-stick issues that have plagued other games on the platform.

A worthwhile romp for RPG lovers that don't mind the hackneyed story and characters. The backtracking and endless travel are a chore, but once you get all four characters on board, the combat and crafting systems make it almost worth it.

There aren't as many playable characters as we'd like, and the visuals really aren't up to snuff, but the voice actors from the series bring the characters to life, and there's plenty to unlock and accomplish. Best of all, it's good fun for head-to-head competition.

Knowing THQ could have done worse isn't a glowing compliment though, and at forty bucks and four hours, the little side-scrolling mini-game included (played by spending tokens you find in the main game) and lame unlockables add no real value.

It does well what it means to do: provide some action-packed amusement for a younger crowd. Yet if you're an old-school parent grabbing it for your kids, you might want to sneak some time in too, as long as you don't expect anything more than light entertainment.

Older players will recognize its obvious inspiration, and some pre-teens may balk at the surprising level of difficulty, but Zelda knock-off or not, it's a fine game and proof that movie cash-ins on handhelds don't always stink.

The Heisman difficulty level seems really balanced for the first time in years. The running game is great, with grind-it-out yardage available inside and game-breaking moves to be had outside.

Knowing THQ could have done worse isn't a glowing compliment though, and at forty bucks and four hours, the little side-scrolling mini-game included (played by spending tokens you find in the main game) and lame unlockables add no real value.

The story isn't much to speak of, and the combat feels somewhat dated, but the gravity tricks and spirit abilities provide plenty of memorable moments, and the addition of the Death Walk keeps the game from succumbing to the frustrations that so many other shooters fall, well, prey to.

The online performance still has a lot of kinks, often making it tough to join games. It can be difficult to experience the game properly as a functional squad. Still, Chromehounds is a game that has a lot of potential.

Prey is undoubtedly one of the most interesting games to hit the Xbox 360 so far. It introduces some unique gameplay mechanics in the wall walking and portals, and the Death Walk stuff ensures that you'll be able to sit and play the game for hours on end without getting frustrated.

I'm very pleased with how TBfM-eII on the 360 turned out, and while it does have some issues, it's a shining example of how persistence and well-constructed game design can bring a classic genre of games to the unlikely console platform in true style.

There isn't anything strikingly bad about the game, but it's an ultimately flavorless one that leaves us hoping the upcoming CivCity: Rome and Caesar IV pack a bit more of a Roman punch.

Plays like hundreds of other action fighting games, and looks worse than half of them.

It's too bad the core driving model is so flawed, since Juiced could have been a lot more fun with either tighter handling or more spacious course designs.

A feature-rich mediocre game. I can't really recommend it to anyone other than people with a scary obsession over Mr. Depp and fans of the movie that are willing to bear any hardship to play as Jack Sparrow.

The cars are simplistic, out-detailed even by their real life plastic counterparts. The tracks are colorful and filled with interactive objects, but this won't be mistaken for next-generation gaming.

The cars are simplistic, out-detailed even by their real life plastic counterparts. The tracks are colorful and filled with interactive objects, but this won't be mistaken for next-generation gaming.

Visually, however, it stumbles terribly, as it's not a particularly good-looking game, although its framerate could be a lot worse.

About 10 years too late. If it had come out around the time the films first started appearing (1995), it may have set the gaming world on fire. As is, it's just another freestyle also-ran.

The package isn't incredibly fancy, but Sudoku Gridmaster offers an easy way for the uninitiated to learn the ways of Sudoku.

If you're just a casual fan of the fighting genre, there are certainly better choices out there that would provide a better overall experience.

The game is long, its systems are well done, and it's quite nice to look at. And most importantly, it has legs.

Night Watch's main element -- combat -- is fun and engaging, especially once the characters reach higher levels and have more options. But to call it an RPG is a bit disingenuous, because you truly have very few options to individualize the characters, and the story continues in a linear fashion.

All in all, we recommend Tomb Raider: Legend to fans and non-fans alike, but you might be better off picking up a copy of one of the console versions. Either way, it's nice to see Lara back in action, and we're hoping that we'll be seeing more of her tomb-raiding exploits in the future.

It's not the strongest competitor in the field, but MotoGP 4 is a solid contender in the genre.

Playing NFL Head Coach and having a good time while doing so is a daunting task, one far more challenging than taking the Browns to the Super Bowl.

If you've never played an RPG before, then perhaps this'll make for a memorable adventure. It's certainly competent. However, those who are well-versed in the ways of herbs and leather armor would do well to save their money for a more invigorating, less blatantly soporific quest.

Playing NFL Head Coach and having a good time while doing so is a daunting task, one far more challenging than taking the Browns to the Super Bowl.

The online multiplayer mode is worth playing, and it's a fun game to play when you want to give your thumbs a break from Madden. However, Head Coach should have learned a lot from the two-dimensional predecessors and web-based fantasy football games whose audience it's attempting to appeal to.

If you're looking for a brutal campaign requiring every ounce of military strategy and luck, one that requires you to throw your best general right into the thick of things while laying waste to everything you touch, you might want to give Rome: Total War -- Alexander a whirl.

Some will take Urban Chaos at face value and feel good inside with the game's many nods at the every day heroes of Americatown, USA. Others will take in the game's blatant sensationalism and wonder if it's not-so-subtle satire. Regardless, Urban Chaos: Riot Response is lots of fun, and merits a look from anyone who enjoys shooters.

So, for those wondering if it's worth their time, Street Fighter Alpha Anthology is a great game that compiles all of the super-popular Alpha games from the PlayStation era.

If you're willing to devote serious time and effort to a harsh and unforgiving series that jealously guards its goodies from the uninitiated, there's a chance you could pick up Lost Raven and eventually get into it.

If you've never seen the allure of the Mega Man Battle Network series, this latest installment isn't going to win you over. Even if you are a fan, the heavy sense of déjà vu might have you feeling a little apathetic by now.

If you've never seen the allure of the Mega Man Battle Network series, this latest installment isn't going to win you over. Even if you are a fan, the heavy sense of déjà vu might have you feeling a little apathetic by now.

Some will take Urban Chaos at face value and feel good inside with the game's many nods at the every day heroes of Americatown, USA. Others will take in the game's blatant sensationalism and wonder if it's not-so-subtle satire. Regardless, Urban Chaos: Riot Response is lots of fun, and merits a look from anyone who enjoys shooters.

While Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War has some great concepts behind it and a few enjoyable moments, it's not really worth the gas it takes to drive it home from the software store.

If you own the very similar Moto GP 3 you may resent coughing up cash for an incremental improvement (keep in mind the game retail for 60 bucks), but serious sim-racing fans that can overlook the minor technical issues will find a highly rewarding racing game with depth, a lot of options, and plenty of potential competition.

Unless you're desperate for a baseball game on your 'Cube, MLB 2K6 is probably worth passing up.

It's competent, and weird, and will be infamous in a couple years. That's gotta count for something, right? Even Young Lady With Full of Troubles could appreciate that.

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.

It's hurt by the PSP's awful controls, but that's not unexpected. Fix that d-pad and you'll be set for more Moai-shooting action than you can shake an option at... and that's a good thing.

By no means a terrible game. It's just a very slapped-together title that shows that direct ports of handheld games to PS2 probably aren't a great idea.

If you're into The Movies for the strategy sim, there's nothing noteworthy added in Stunts & Effects. But if you enjoyed building your own films, the freecam and the improved prop placement options alone are worth the price, while the props, sets, costumes, and effects merely add to the moviemaking experience.

The best thing that can be said about Cars is that it lays down solid racing gameplay without feeling generic.

If you're going for sheer quality, the PSP version of Cars is the best of the handheld games based on the movie.

There's no real story to hold any of this together, so in the end, Cars for the DS amounts to nothing more than some disjointed mini-games that are either too drab or too long to warrant unnecessary replays.

Despite the somewhat limited multiplayer mode, Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure is still top notch. The Dragon Ball fans will love it, of course, but even if you're not into the series, it's definitely worth checking out.

The extra unlockable characters don't make replaying races a worthy use of time, and the credits roll long before you expect them to, even for a GBA racer. It's too bad, since it could have been a cute family-friendly title, but thirty bucks it's a complete waste of money for an hour's worth of gameplay.

The best thing that can be said about Cars is that it lays down solid racing gameplay without feeling generic.

The best thing that can be said about Cars is that it lays down solid racing gameplay without feeling generic.

Big Brain scores points for its friendly and colorful art style and variety of activities, and there a lot of reasons prospective students will want to enroll. The problem is there's not much to keep you from dropping out after a few days.