Providing solid gameplay throughout the duration of the game and the incredibly fun online modes, Ace Combat 6 ups the ante and more than makes up for the minor failings of previous versions.

It looks amazing, sounds great, and most importantly, it's a lot of fun. What's even more impressive is that all of this entertainment is offered at such a reasonable price.

Sure, Order of the Phoenix is a little rough around the edges, but it's still the best Harry Potter game yet. Fans will get a huge kick over how well it recreates Harry's world.

Unadulterated run-'n-gun goodness. Future Perfect is packed with so many features that even the most jaded FPS fans will find something they like on offer; decimating everything or hosting a multiplayer kill-a-thon, this game can accommodate all comers.

It's a bit rough around the edges, but powerful psionics, extensive gun combat, and a great story make up for whatever polish the game is missing.

For fans of the series, ATV Offroad Fury 4 is just about everything they could ask for in an ATV game. There are extras on top of extras, rounding out what is already a great arcade racing experience.

If you are used to "running around and blowing everything up," Hitman will give you some problems. You can't play the game as though it were a fast and furious game of "Quake."

I'm bummed that the game is much more menu-driven; I really am. However, it's still an amazing racing title.

An excellent basketball game, with more features than you can exhaust in months of play.

Chibi Robo: Park Patrol retains the fun and charm of its console predecessor even if the gameplay is noticeably different.

Without question, it's one of the longest games available on the 360, clocking in at roughly 60 hours depending on how quickly you blaze through it. For huge anime/JRPG geeks like us, Blue Dragon is a fantastic game as long as you can make it through the first few plodding hours and don't mind the hyper-cute character design.

Now, if the story mode were the only thing available, you'd find a noticeably lower score up at the top there. As it is, though, so much is here for both players and creators, that it's impossible not to praise the whole package.

It also helps that the game looks and sounds great, so if you can deal with the random battles and repetitive turn-based combat, you're in for a treat that should entertain for months to come.

The first time was rapture, the second time's been solid, but a third visit to the depths would make me wonder if creativity's been lost to the abyss.

Despite the audiovisual grandeur of the rest of Generations, the shortcomings make it feel like little more than a "popcorn game" -- exhilarating, not very serious, and over before you get a chance to take it all in.

It may not be the prettiest game to look at, but in its third year of being the exclusive holder of the NASCAR license, EA Sports and Tiburon refuse to rest on past successes.

The main problem though, is that this game was made as a single player experience and cramming a two player mode into it feels awkward. The stages and balance just aren't designed for multiple players.

As a gameplay dynamic, the dark prince is great, and works on multiple levels.

What's here is good stuff, though, and even if it never got another piece of content Forge would pull its weight.

Graffiti connoisseurs will love the real-life taggers that make cameos, as well as the actual art that Trane puts up. The game also features a fantastic soundtrack, as well as one of the most impressive collections of celebrity voices in recent memory.

A great multiplayer game with a ton of depth: you could spend months learning all the ins and outs of all the maps, the classes on both sides, and all the weapons and vehicles.

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.

While the lack of an auction house hurts the game, the awesome combat, intense battlefield action, fun missions and interesting character progression is more than enough to keep players coming back for a good long while. A well-realized science fiction setting in a genre overflowing with elves and orcs doesn't hurt either.

It's not as phenomenal as "SSX 3" on consoles, but for a handheld, it certainly beats the crap out of "SSX 3" on Game Boy Advance.

Having #Reload on the go is a tasty proposition, one that 2D-fighting fans would do well to consider.

Sure, FireRed and LeafGreen are retreads, but they're stylish retreads.

The easy difficulty setting and lighthearted tone might cause older gamers to scoff, but there's no denying that Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is a quality game that the whole family can enjoy.

Although it's true that the QB Vision system changes the game dramatically, it's not always for the better, especially when you're still trying to learn how to use it properly. If you can get over the steep learning curve (and trust me, it's a doozy), you'll probably learn to love it, as it makes the game feel much more realistic.

As the series gears up for its conclusion, in which even formerly "safe" characters' fates will be up for grabs, Episode 4's cliffhanger ending sets a new tone of urgency. At this point, I won't even hazard a guess as to what's around the next corner for our survivors, but don't count on a happy ending.

If you are new to the series, and interested in the off-the-field workings of Major League Baseball, I recommend it wholeheartedly.

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.

Graphically, it can be too impressive for its own good at times, and the online experience doesn't quite measure up to that of the consoles, but it does more than enough things right to make it worth a look.

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.

A long-lasting experience that's simply a lot of fun. Part guilty pleasure, part blazingly successful experiment in game design, Scarface: The World is Yours is definitely worth a shot.

But as the third game in a trilogy, it feels too much like a common scene presented uncommonly well. The Zone is still as ashen and eerily alive as ever, the NPCs still sling out more "bros" than a frat boy, and the Major's path through the carnage remains largely unchanged from Strelok's, complete with the apparently requisite oddly abrupt final sprint through a horde of well-armed opposition.

There's a ton of new goodies to like -- new races, new gameplay options, a trading economy model and new interface options. It's certainly a good game, but now the dilemma before me was whether I preferred the original game or its sequel, in terms of interface and game play.

If you're looking to experience the world of the caped crusader (and walk a mile in his boots), you will surely have bat-barrels of fun with this title. Those gamers interested in more depth of gameplay other than punch, jump, destroy and rescue should look elsewhere.

It's by no means the end of the Ace Attorney series, but in regard to tying up loose ends and leaving the game's rabid fans happy, it's the best in the series so far.

European Assault represents the high point for the series in terms of graphics (not counting the PC titles, that is), as it features some nice environmental textures and impressive looking character models.

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.

A self-assured but largely unambitious game, content to refine the experience of the previous games in the series without deviating very far from the standard that they set.

Bringing a friend along is probably not such a bad idea, because Killzone: Liberation will sprain your thumbs with its difficulty level.

DiRT 2 is extraordinary sensory overload. It's gorgeous, it's thoroughly addictive, it mends past problems, and it's fun. Really fun. But it won't please all the realists out there, and it may not feel quite so perfect over the long haul. At $60, maybe it should have.

Whatever your inclinations, Tropico 3 is an enjoyable city simulator that offers the same sort of replayability that others of its kind do; this one just emphasizes experimentation with moral behavior rather than perfecting a building grid.

Combining a sequel with a backstory fill-in, it's still as weird as ever, but it's just what fans of this cult classic will be looking for.

While it may lack the ridiculous depth and complexity of "SMT: Nocturne," arguably Atlus' deepest RPG, Digital Devil Saga 2 makes up for it by having the most compelling plot, a swath of subtle refinements, and fleshed-out, addictive gameplay systems.

Longtime fans of games like "Rome: Total War" may fault the game for not adding more, but if you're looking for a solid strategy title, Medieval II: Total War delivers.

JRPG fans should really enjoy Star Ocean: Second Evolution. Sure, it sticks to the formula in ways we've seen many times before, but at the same time it also deviates in ways that make it more than just another RPG.

Like Borderlands 2 itself (and the Captain Scarlett DLC), once you defeat the final boss, you unlock an all new set of missions and many more hours' worth of stuff to do. It's the type of surprise that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy -- like Gearbox appreciates my continued patronage of Pandora.

If you're looking for a full dose of FIFA action, replete with glorious presentation, exciting gameplay, and plenty of online challenge, 2006 FIFA World Cup should be at the top of your playlist.

At around 10 to 15 hours, The Bourne Conspiracy isn't exactly a brief experience, but its addictive and gratifying combat can certainly make it feel so.

For those of us who enjoy a little less seriousness in our golf game's appearance, but don't want some dumbed-down baby's toy, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is a uniquely accomplished solution.

Are you going to play multiplayer on Xbox Live? If you are, rush out and pick this game up right now. It's got just about everything you could want from a multiplayer game, including plenty of competition and a solid netcode implementation.

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.

The steep learning curve for Pirates of the Burning Sea is a shame, because underneath that crusty exterior is a brilliant naval combat game and one of the more interesting economic models ever introduced to the online gaming scene.

MLB's fielding model exhibits smooth animations and transitions into secondary animations. Guys throw across their body, take their crow hops, and dig balls out of the dirt. It's all über-realistic looking and complements the pitcher/batter duel perfectly.

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.

While it may lack innovation, it makes up for it with narrative effort. Sam Fisher needed a change, and this will suffice. However, it's tough to look at this game and say, "Being on next-gen has allowed this franchise to take itself to the next level." That's just not true.

What really makes the game shine is its main character. There really hasn't been a protagonist like the Bard.

Roogoo Attack! is a great little puzzle game. It has a stupid story, but with a ton of levels -- several more which can be unlocked by linking the DS version with the Wii version once -- and some great single-cart multiplayer play, it's a fantastic choice for any DS owner who's up for one heckuva challenge.

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.

Is this game head and shoulders above Tiger Woods '06? We'd venture to say yes. The annoying gamebreakers are gone, more flexibility is in, and the gameplay is as tight as ever.

Even with its somewhat anemic multiplayer, Colin McRae Rally 2005 is one of the best rally games on the market. Anyone who enjoys the idea of frantic racing in harsh conditions owes it to themselves to check it out.

Soul Bubbles does a magnificent job of feeding its unique approach to strategy and puzzle-solving at a constant yet measured pace, never leaving you with one bubble manipulating technique for long.

Hamilton's Great Adventure is a good, solid puzzle game that's a refreshing midpoint between mindless casual tile-matchers like Bejeweled and antagonistic platform games like Super Meat Boy. Hamilton can hook you, but the routine of dealing with slow restarts and fine-tuning the camera to your liking puts a hamper on your quest for fortune. Then again, what's a great adventure without a few setbacks?

We do wish that the changes that worked so well in Dual Strike hadn't been so casually tossed aside here. In fact, looking at the two out of context, we'd presume that Dual Strike was the later game. But the quality of design here is as phenomenal as ever, and we expect to be playing Days of Ruin for quite some time.

Nicely presented, features a variety of tasks and puzzles, and brings enough unique flair to keep you interested beyond the first switch/tile/door thingamabob. Its multiplayer co-op hook is also a nice hook for getting brothers and sisters or moms and dads involved as a sidekick for a little family game action.

While it's not perfect, Road to India is a stylish and imaginative adventure game.

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

If you're looking for a nice, simple time-killer, this is a good way to go. It gets even more fun when you have a friend join in. It's just a shame that there aren't more people to play against online.

MX vs. ATV Untamed isn't the greatest motocross game ever, but it's so much damn fun that you probably won't care. Note to Rainbow, though: fire that janky, poorly rendered blonde you have carrying the sign before races and insert some live-action shots of two beauties in your commercial. You'll sell way more games.

By moving the game to the PSP, EA managed to keep most of the console experience intact and give gamers a robust basketball experience that fits nicely in the palm of their hands. If you're a fan of the game, this is by far the best portable experience you'll find to date.

There are no PGA courses or players, but what it does have to offer is a gameplay style so simple it truly is good for everyone.

The PlayStation 2 version of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords comes highly recommended, even if it's not the most attractive version available. The Xbox Live version, and even the PSP version with its annoying bugs are better looking versions of the same game, but you can't lose with any choice you make.

This game still overflows with adult themes, excessive violence, vulgarity, mild racism, and everything else that draws so much attention to the series.

Naruto fans will most definitely not be disappointed by this sequel, and even fighting game fans who can't tell a Hokage from a Dragon Ball could do worse than to check it out.

The folks at SCE Studios San Diego have once again brought their A-game. They've somehow managed to cram an incredible amount of action into their fourth PSP hoops release.

F1 is a tough sport, but it's a wonderful one. Championship Edition captures that astonishingly well, although it stumbles with fully implementing the online features, and the lack of force feedback is murderously noticeable.

It's still a fantastic update to an arcade classic, and it's hard to argue with its low $20 price tag -- if you happened to miss the first installment, don't make the same mistake twice.

My biggest gripe with NASCAR 2005 is the lack of polish in the graphics department. The framerate was a bit sluggish at times and I had a hard time getting past the jagged appearance of the cars.

It's better than the last game but not all that innovative. Of course, until somebody else steps up and makes a great party game, Mario Party's the only gig in town.

Chocobo's Dungeon isn't a traditional Final Fantasy game, but it's still loads of fun and very addictive.

The inclusion of the ridiculously over-the-top mini-games instantly helps this game move ahead of the pack, and the online action is highly entertaining.

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.

If you loved the classic OutRun and happened to miss OutRun 2, you definitely need to give Coast 2 Coast a try. It's a prime example of how to update a classic video game for a modern system.

It's true that F1 2012 will never compete with iRacing for hardcore driving realism and authenticity, but it doesn't need to. It's a lovingly rendered and refreshingly accessible game that gives racing fans of all backgrounds a prime seat in the world's fastest and most exhilarating form of motorsport.

It's a game that asks a lot up front, but offers some incredibly rewarding moments for those who are willing to stick around. Be patient and just take it all in -- you won't be disappointed.

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.

The game's minor tweaks here and there do a lot to smooth out some of the weakness from before, and the new gameplay features add just enough to the game's familiar formula to make things interesting.

After nine versions, there is no question that OOTP is firmly atop the baseball general manager simulation heap. For new players this is stellar material despite its issues, but longtime fans and especially those who own last year's game need to weigh their options a bit more closely. OOTP 9 is worth the $40 upgrade, but just barely.

It takes a special breed of player to appreciate the team-based aesthetics of the series, but for those who do it can be a wicked addiction to shake.

I had a blast playing Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and I expect to keep that feeling alive through many more single and multiplayer dustups.

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

Rare is to be commended for the technical prowess on show here, but get it for the co-op and multiplayer experience rather than the diluted story mode.

While it might fall short of championship material, it's still an excellent game that will get fans through the upcoming season.

With so much going on at once, you'll occasionally lose track of your character (especially during four-player matches), but you'll probably be having too much fun to notice much.

While there are some definite issues, the single-player game is a lot of fun and the story is engaging (though it could be a bit confusing to new players). Unfortunately, we were a bit let down by the multiplayer, which wasn't as good as it was in the previous games.

Many of the new features are gimmicky and unnecessary, but they don't really impact the core experience too much either way. Everything that is good about Ace Combat games is still here, only some things are a bit better and a few things are a bit worse.