This time around, you'll play MGA 2 not for the name on the box, but for the content inside -- and you'll leave much happier.

The game is basically a watered down version of everything we've seen before in better console games. And it's also a case study in developers' overindulgence when dealing with new technology.

It's an amusing homage to the '90s, and too likeable to hate, but it's impossible to recommend to anyone but die-hard SimTower fans.

While it features an innovative, easy-to-use melee combat system and some interesting campaigns, it's ultimately hurt by boringly repetitive side missions and some underwhelming environments.

Assuming one has a system with the muscle to run the game and the player is willing to accept some technical glitches, there simply isn't a better RPG experience available.

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.

Tetris DS does a remarkable job of reminding us why Tetris was so great in the first place, and it gives us tons of extra reasons to love it as well.

The controls are varied in style; thankfully there's something for everyone in play, although sometimes the touch screen jumps feel strange in stylus mode.

As much as I love Euro Force (and its budget price), I can't bring myself to give it a higher recommendation. At this stage in its life, Battlefield 2 should be lean, mean, and free of bugs. Its faults should be forgiven no longer.

The real downside to this is that you can't fail. You'll always uncover the real criminal, and you never have to worry about contaminating evidence using incorrect procedures.

This game simply doesn't belong on the PSP; it's too early for a game of this caliber to show up on Sony's little portable system -- hell, it took nearly five years before "God of War" showed us what the PS2 can handle. Not only is Dark Mirror a damn fine game, it may very well be the best game on the system.

Where GTA used humor, masses of distractions, OTT violence, and a giant game world with a real sense of space and depth to mask the unimpressive visuals, Driver is the opposite, using an impressive physics engine and city to hide repetitive and languid gameplay that's becoming increasingly difficult to enthuse about.

This is the action/platformer we've pined for on PSP. With amazing graphics, an entertaining story and uber-accurate control, it's virtually flawless and its appeal knows no bounds.

A terrific update of an already excellent game. The new camera gives the single-player a new lease on life, and the multiplayer mode and classic games are worth the relatively low ($30) price of admission for veterans of the original Snake Eater.

By far my favorite PSP game yet. Not only is it an outstanding remake of an already fantastic game, but there's an entirely new version of the game with tons of replay value thanks to all of the unlockable characters.

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 "GTA" used humor, masses of distractions, OTT violence, and a giant game world with a real sense of space and depth to mask the unimpressive visuals, Driver is the opposite, using an impressive physics engine and city to hide repetitive and languid gameplay that's becoming increasingly difficult to enthuse about.

Sweet in that the title boasts a massive, fully destructible environment with an impressive arsenal of weaponry and some really fantastic and innovative multiplayer. Sour in that the single-player experience grows repetitive and boring over time, and the broken vehicle mechanics really drag down gameplay.

If you've never play MC3 before, or if you're the best MC3 player in the world, you owe it to yourself to snag Remix, pimp out some rides, earn some phat cash and experience one of the best racers for the PlayStation 2. It's really that simple.

If you've never play MC3 before, or if you're the best MC3 player in the world, you owe it to yourself to snag Remix, pimp out some rides, earn some phat cash and experience one of the best racers for the Xbox. It's really quite that simple.

This is the Xbox 360's first "Halo"-style killer app, and it's one that we'll all be playing for a long time to come.

The problem with Advanced Warfighter isn't that it's a lesser beast than the 360 release; that's to be expected. It's that the game fails to stack up against the better recent Xbox shooters like "Far Cry" and "Black."

While I enjoyed the game very much, it's best suited for role-playing game enthusiasts who have a sense of humor and don't mind a bit of a mish-mash when it comes to their epic world-saving storylines.

This is simply an adequate basketball game. What's not so simple is justifying the price tag: $60 compared to $30 for the Xbox and PS2 versions, when you really don't get much extra for your cash.

More than a gimmick but less than a broad, full-featured experience, Pursuit Force might not be deep or addicting enough to become an actual pursuit, but the satisfying arcade-style gameplay and high marks across the board for audiovisuals make it a great distraction or diversion.

With a lengthy quest (about 20 hours), a fun multiplayer mode, and scores of unlockable goodies (including some of the coolest alternate costumes ever), there is a lot to enjoy here. And don't let any talk about rejuvenating the franchise scare you away. This game more than lives up to the Onimusha name.

The whole rival presentation really gets your blood boiling for revenge, and this is where Revenge on 360 really shines through.

Solid as a means to satisfy most players' desire for combat. It's not too complex, but the strategy of moving across the board requires just a bit of thought and enough combat skill that you'll actually lose more than a few fights.

Though this game does manage to shine in some aspects of the presentation, the actual gameplay doesn't manage to pass higher than ordinary.

It's definitely fun and easy to get into, but the game lacks any real technique that will keep you coming back to it after the initial thrill has worn off.

Tales of Phantasia ends up looking like a fossil -- and not one of the cool ones with spikes and sharp teeth. More like a fern or insect, existing mostly to study the past and gauge evolution. RPGs have evolved far beyond this port.

My biggest concerns, though, rest with how multiplayer is balanced. The heroes are simply far too powerful; in one game, three heroes utterly destroyed an entire enemy army. Things get even worse when playing with One Ring enabled.

As is the case with even the best action films, BLACK probably won't stay with you long after the closing credits have rolled. That's not to say, however, that you won't be on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

I think we all kept focusing on the negatives because so much in D&D Online works so well, that it could have been absolutely great.

It's really a bummer to see 24: The Game fail so miserably at being a competent title. It seems that the main focus of the game was on making it look cool and impressing fans of the show when they looked at it.

While Final Fight: Streetwise isn't broken to the point of being completely unplayable, it is absolutely not worth your time.

Just be warned that you'll be sitting through a lot of black screens before you get to the good parts. And even then, they might run a little slow.

If you're playing for the satisfaction of building up power and conquering territory, or for the unique experience of, say, creating a badass platoon of headless knights and running across a friendly vampire bat to stick by their side in battle, you'll probably be able to ignore the game's problems and focus on your accomplishments within the game.

The artificial intelligence is improved and ball physics are much more realistic than in the first game, but while FIFA Street 2 makes a good first impression, it gets bogged down by unresponsive player controls and repetitive action.

There's ostensibly a big game in here, but it gets old quick, so your best bet would be to borrow FIFA Street 2 from a friend rather than drop any dough on it.

Luckily, after spending some time with Street Supremacy it's easy to see the loser: anybody who buys this game.

It plays great, has all the online options you could hope for (though more lag than you'd like), gives us a few really cool new ways to play, and wraps it all up with slick presentation and admirable audio.

It's a shame the online stutters so horribly and we have to wrestle with the analog nub to get our pitches where we want them to go. Yankees or BoSox, everyone can agree that MLB 06 is worth picking up on PlayStation Portable.

By itself Open for Business may not be a must-have, but paired with "NightLife," the two packs together will probably add hundreds of hours of gameplay to the series. Running a restaurant, building a trendy nightclub, creating a megastore, opening a cozy little coffee shop -- these kinds of challenges will keep you entertained for months to come.

Perhaps with a more DS-specific control scheme, this game could have been far better, but as it stands, it's the weakest of the bunch and entertaining only in short spurts.

As is the case with even the best action films, BLACK probably won't stay with you long after the closing credits have rolled. That's not to say, however, that you won't be on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

While Final Fight: Streetwise isn't broken to the point of being completely unplayable, it is absolutely not worth your time.

The artificial intelligence is improved and ball physics are much more realistic than in the first game, but while FIFA Street 2 makes a good first impression, it gets bogged down by unresponsive player controls and repetitive action.

The artificial intelligence is improved and ball physics are much more realistic than in the first game, but while FIFA Street 2 makes a good first impression, it gets bogged down by unresponsive player controls and repetitive action.

In terms of platforming gameplay, what's on offer here is pretty basic and simple, and certainly not anywhere near as deep or rewarding as "Super Mario Bros. 3" or "Super Mario World."

Being able to carry around so much gaming goodness is a boon, particularly since playing in small chunks is so rewarding. It's too bad that gamers looking for a great online race will have to search elsewhere.

The gameplay is far more balanced than the previous two games, and the graphics are excellent for current-gen and have more detail than their predecessors.

If your dream garage has side-by-side parking spaces for an off-road K500 Pro Baja Duneracer, a Williams BMW FW27 F-1 machine, and a vintage Corvette L88 Sunray DX, this is the game for you.

If your dream garage has side-by-side parking spaces for an off-road K500 Pro Baja Duneracer, a Williams BMW FW27 F-1 machine, and a vintage Corvette L88 Sunray DX, this is the game for you.

"Master of Orion" is dead. Long live Galactic Civilizations II!

If you prefer your tycoon games in sandbox mode with the capitalism aspects removed, and you love the idea of designing the perfect version of Manhattan Island, Tycoon City makes a neat little construction kit. But if you're looking for an actual strategy game, give this one a pass.

If you or a kid you know loves Sonic, this game will suit your purposes just fine. If you don't love Sonic, but love any racing title you can get, then check it out. If you don't fall into either of those categories, then we're sure you're probably not even reading this review.

Considering how nice the game looks, it's a shame that the flighty control spoils it.

If you're a dedicated Gundam fan that doesn't mind the rudimentary gameplay elements, you'll probably enjoy yourself. Otherwise, with so many other superior RPGs available for the PS2, it's hard to recommend MS Saga.

If you or a kid you know loves Sonic, this game will suit your purposes just fine. If you don't love Sonic, but love any racing title you can get, then check it out. If you don't fall into either of those categories, then we're sure you're probably not even reading this review.

If you or a kid you know loves Sonic, this game will suit your purposes just fine. If you don't love Sonic, but love any racing title you can get, then check it out. If you don't fall into either of those categories, then we're sure you're probably not even reading this review.

PS2 online has all of the aforementioned flaws and is an overall nightmarish experience and should be avoided at all costs.

One of the first absolutely must-own titles for Xbox 360. The controls have been greatly improved over last year's game, with much-abused control schemes getting reined in a bit.

For those willing to endure the poorly-translated control scheme, the career mode is rather well done, as are the Rival Challenges, which really lend themselves to the short burst gameplay that's crucial to handheld.

It's truly saddening to see the Rainbow Six series plummet to these depths. As it is, unless the next installment is a return to the series' glorious past, Lockdown will be the last Rainbow Six game I ever play.

It's trying something completely different, and even when it doesn't work, it's true to its license and it's making bold choices. There's a lot to be said for this approach.

Even at $29.99 and with an arcade mode that might keep you amused for five or ten minutes, State of Emergency 2 feels simultaneously stale and awkward. It isn't complete trash, but it is too aggravating and unimaginative to be worth more than a Friday night rental.

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.

More than worth the time invested -- annoying interface and all. There's simply so much stuff to play with, so many maps to battle over, strategy to ponder, and campaigns to fight that the game's defects are simply unfortunate blemishes on what should be the start of a new turn-based strategy powerhouse franchise.

The racing isn't as deep as it could have been, and the game's race-first, shoot-second design keeps the player from making full use of all the armaments at your disposal.

The characters are sweet but the story is bland. The battles are sexy but sometimes overstay their welcome. The graphics are great but the music is forgettable.

An excellent puzzle title that takes more time to grow on you than many short attention-spanned gamers might be willing to invest. Nevertheless, it's an entertaining, fun, and challenging title that can truly be played in the sorts of bursts that are natural to handheld gaming.

Indeed, the problem of "generic civilizations" is particularly acute in The Art of Supremacy.

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.

The game is quite fun, but it is an awful lot like the original, and it lacks the novelty factor that Feel the Magic benefited from. Despite the familiar territory, though, I never found myself bored with the game.

It's more like a Corolla -- it's fun, reliable, efficient and it'll get you where you need to go. It's not going to blow you away, but it is certainly a step above the mediocrity that is flooding the market.

It's too bad that the action-packed feel of the sport hasn't been captured with this release.

One of the best-made games you can get on your PSP, far better than a simple port of an arcade game, yet hindered quite significantly by the handheld's design flaws.

Once a game starts, it's nearly impossible to put down if you're a soccer fan. Anyone who's put in any time on a WE title will be quite impressed with Konami's translation is exceedingly faithful, from the opening cinematics to the overall presentation

There's really no reason to go back and replay it. I have to admit a certain amount of nostalgia in the early going, especially as I remembered cool parts of the game, but that's not a compelling reason to fork over the bucks for this remake.

With the addition of online gameplay to the best soccer engine in the world, Winning Eleven 9 is worth a purchase, but it still somewhat feels like the American release of last year's "Winning Eleven 8: Live Wire" more than its own standalone game.

Online play is the best aspect of Arena Football, particularly if you've been turned off by the rampant use of cheats in Madden.

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.

Offers a distinctly Japanese-flavored experience for the GameCube, and those looking for something a little different could do a lot worse than Chibi-Robo.

It's easily one of the best games available for the PSP, and it might even earn the Blue Bomber a few more fans.

Clearly, Tamagotchi Connection is geared towards younger gamers, as anyone else will become quickly bored with it. But hey, if you have a younger sister or a daughter who's just starting to get into games, this would be a pretty darn good start.

As congenial as it is, there's absolutely nothing to enjoy in Torino 2006. The events are short and dull, the in-game commentary is dreadful and broken, and the atmosphere possesses the exhilaration of a Yanni concert.

As congenial as it is, there's absolutely nothing to enjoy in Torino 2006. The events are short and dull, the in-game commentary is dreadful and broken, and the atmosphere possesses the exhilaration of a Yanni concert.

Perhaps True Swing's biggest problem, however, is its complete and utter lack of personality.

The sounds of the game are on point as well. Bats "ping" with the distinct echo of aluminum, crowds chatter subversively, and umpires and PA announcers boom the appropriate messages.

A competent port of an iffy game in a good series, and the only game in that series available for Xbox. If you absolutely want some SamSho action and don't have a better alternative, then it's probably worth a purchase.

Dynasty and Tournament Modes offer rewarding single-player experiences, and mini-games lifted straight from MVP past are good for passing the controller with a room full of people.

25 to Life is almost like a dirty joke -- You're laughing at how bad it is and feeling guilty at the same time. Don't waste your time or money on this game, it'll make your think-bone hurt.

With more mini-game variety (a lot more) and better multiplayer support, it could have been a simple, fun diversion. As it is, however, it's often an exercise in tedium and frustration.

Despite the relatively minor faults, Ape Escape 3 is a heckuva lot of fun, and continues to live up to its two predecessors.

25 to Life is almost like a dirty joke -- You're laughing at how bad it is and feeling guilty at the same time. Don't waste your time or money on this game, it'll make your think-bone hurt.

If you don't mind the half-baked jumping puzzles and tired character development, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into.

It's a shame that there aren't as many games on this compilation as there were on the Anniversary Collection ("Mega Man Soccer" really should've been included), but you're still getting some fun games (expect, of course, "Mega Man X6").