If you can master Logan's Shadow's complexities, you're in for the most rewarding stealth combat experience available on the PSP. But it's a game that demands a lot from its players, and the PSP is just not a good fit for a game with such an elaborate control scheme.

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.

A title that every rock lover should have in their collection.

It may not be an easy game, but N+ is certainly addictive, and its design makes it a fantastic portable game.

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.

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.

The lackluster multiplayer mode and lame character designs don't take anything away from the main game, though. The swinging play mechanic helps keep things fresh and allows for a lot of technique that you don't normally see in a platformer.

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.

While not perfect, College Hoops 2K8 has really raised the bar on virtual college basketball for the season. The new 6th Man Meter and Maximum Passing features both add depth and strategy and the addition of high-school blue-chippers to the Legacy mode adds, well, a whole lot more basketball to the disc.

Is the combat up to par with, say, Devil May Cry 3? Not quite. And no, the series will probably never top Devil May Cry 4's Dante vs Nero opening in terms of sheer testosterone-fueled zaniness. But Ninja Theory's managed to meld its own wildly inventive sensibilities with an obvious reverence for Devil May Cry's legacy, and the result is a very special experience.

At $19.99 you're not going to find a World War II strategic wargame that provides more bang for the buck. However, be forewarned that you're going to have to put in some serious effort to become good at this game.

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.

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

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.

Because of the many, many choices to be made throughout the game, there are more than a few ways to play through it, and different characters to recruit.

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.

Online play is a very enticing part of what Madden brings to the table this year.

It's a satisfyingly lengthy game, with loads of missions to complete and a huge assortment of comic book-inspired side missions to bring you a little more insight into the backgrounds of the game's leading characters.

And again, I repeat: This game is really goddamn hard.

All of these settings, without exception, are stunning. Whether it's the blowing curtains that festoon the royal palace, the mysterious glowing blue torches in a crypt, or the lovely geometric patterns, arched doors, and latticework screens used as architectural highlights, the game's environments are beautiful.

Aside from these minor quibbles and instances of tedium, the story progresses at a respectable clip, with plenty of twists and surprises to keep things interesting.

I'm a little jaded, having a serious case of déjà vu with this game, but rest assured that those of you without an Xbox 360 are in for a treat. Double Agent is pretty darn bad-ass, and has a flurry of water-cooler gaming moments that will make you smile sadistically.

The difficulty level may have been cranked up a little too high for the average gamer to enjoy the single-player experience, but the robust multiplayer component of the game helps to make up for it.

The accessible nature of Borderlands -- with its relatively non-punitive deaths, constant checkpoints, and convenient fast-travel systems -- makes it a fantastic game for introducing FPS fans to some basic RPG tropes. And, most importantly, the killing and looting never ceases to be fun.

It succeeds as both an MMORPG and a Star Wars game -- and if you're feeling burned by the past 12 years' worth of Lucas' meddling, I leave you with a final bit of reassurance: In all of my travels, I've never once come across a mention of a midichlorian or a Gungan. That's gotta be worth something, right?

Second Sight isn't a perfect game, but is a solid game with an extremely strong story. If you don't mind dealing with wonky controls and not being able to save whenever you want, it's more than worth a look.

Some new additions to the pitcher-batter match-up deepen the gameplay and the ability to save the action mid-game is a huge plus.

Since just about every trail is unlocked from the beginning, you won't get to feel the satisfaction of making your way to a new mountain (one of the best parts of "SSX 3") and exploring it for the first time. Still, there's no denying that this is yet another stellar entry one of the most consistently excellent series around today.

But just like Clover Studio's God Hand -- from which I'm convinced Kamiya took some pretty big inspiration -- it's a flawed-yet-brilliant masterpiece that deserves to be played in spite of several glaring weaknesses.

As a relative rookie, I had the most fun playing online against others within my skill level, as Tiger 10's main drawback is that it's too damned hard for series non-veterans.

Pulse-pounding car chases, lighting-fast races, and a beautifully crafted game world.

Its simple controls and manic gameplay make the game stand out in a genre already filled with mediocrity. If you can get past the irritating voiceovers, you'll find an entertaining experience you can't wait to share with your friends.

The implementation of the Heroes may not be perfect, and their applications in PvP something of an afterthought, but their presence still adds a considerable amount of breadth to this already rich, rewarding game.

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.

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.

A slick and graphically upgraded version of an already strong PS2 title. It shares some of the same problems as that game -- namely a very difficult base running mode -- and has a few of its own in the form of some of some graphics hiccups, but overall, it's a solid debut.

A bold experiment for DICE. It's a dramatic departure from the "Battlefield" games, and provides a refreshing experience to those willing to invest the time in its strict control mechanics. The combat's unfortunately its Achilles' heel, since it lacks the spontaneity of the free-running and in many instances brings the action to a crashing halt.

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.

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.

It succeeds on its own merits while also serving as a powerful tribute to one of modern gaming's most beloved adventures.

There's infinite replay value with Live & Reloaded's online game, but the none-friendly newbie aspect is sure to frustrate and annoy some gamers.

Features like the boss battles, online play and co-op could have made Guitar Hero III a legend itself but end up feeling unpolished. Still, there's enough meat in Guitar Hero III to keep any would-be shredder happy for a long time... or at least until Guitar Hero IV comes out.

There's no denying that this is going to be another enduring feather in the cap of one of the most exciting strategy game developers since the heyday of Microprose and SimTex.

As enjoyable as the game is, it's even more fun with a second player (although there's no online play, sadly).

Considering that Konami is charging about five bucks for its classics on Xbox Live, it's a pretty good deal getting 15 games for about $30.

Call it 2005's answer to "Unreal 2," another game that mashed together a ton of solid sci-fi shooting but never gelled into anything particularly groundbreaking or memorable.

Taking into account the small development group and the price, I'm hard-pressed not to recommend this game as a must-have.

Without question, however, Echoes of Faydwer seems to be paving the way for the EQII of tomorrow, and that is no small feat. If you've been curious about the game, this is without a doubt the best place to start.

Dead Rising 2's replayability is a testament to the fully realized burg that is Fortune City. I want to meet more nutjob Psychopaths; I want to try more games of chance scattered around the casinos; I want to spend an afternoon shirking my in-game responsibilities to create new tools of destruction with my hard-earned Combo Cards.

Between the Armor Chips, Cyber Elves, and EX Skills, there are tons of ways to customize Zero to best fit your fighting style and to get past the ample challenges along your adventure. This is what makes Zero 3 so great. It takes the well thought out level design and spot-on control from the old school Mega Man games and adds more dept thanks to all these new abilities.

While veteran RTS players may have some nits to pick with the relatively solid gameplay, those same fans of The Lord of the Rings series should find that the game shines as a playable re-creation of Tolkien's work.

Dead Rising 2's replayability is a testament to the fully realized burg that is Fortune City. I want to meet more nutjob Psychopaths; I want to try more games of chance scattered around the casinos; I want to spend an afternoon shirking my in-game responsibilities to create new tools of destruction with my hard-earned Combo Cards.

The one major area where European Assault fails to deliver is on the multiplayer side of things. While there are plenty of cool gametypes, from old standards like Deathmatch to some interesting objective-based games, the only way you can play with friends is on a single TV.

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 may not be an easy game, but N+ is certainly addictive, and its design makes it a fantastic portable game.

The single best bargain currently available for the Wii.

If only Microsoft could have exercised a bit more of the gardener's patience and attention to detail, Viva Pinata could have been a bumper crop of gaming goodness.

It's a real shame that The Pitt's technical issues tarnished the release of an otherwise entertaining piece of content. In an alternate world where this DLC cruised through quality assurance with flying colors, I'd be giving this five stars.

The true joy in Tiger Woods 07 comes in the new difficulty settings and the balance they provide against an otherwise birdie-heavy affair.

Just like its acclaimed spiritual predecessors, the game is wholly engrossing and begs to be explored. Rare is a game with such meaningful and varied character development, and the plethora of options available will guarantee that many players will want to indulge in its experience from the point of view of several different types of characters.

It doesn't rise leaps and bounds above its PS2 predecessor, but it adds enough in the way of new controls to keep the gameplay fun.

Though it has a few blemishes, Revenant Wings still manages to be a good deal of fun. The way combat is handled is logical and enjoyable, making up for the missteps.

Ghostbusters is a fun, accessible game, whether you're a fan of the films or not. It's also the best game based on a film franchise since The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.

Every now and then, amidst the explosions, enemy fighters, and wispy clouds rolling by, you'd swear you were watching some CG re-creation on the History Channel. It's all pretty cool.

It is another fantastic foray into survival horror by Capcom, who have successfully taken the genre started by "Alone in the Dark" and turned it into four of the most thrilling and fun-filled gaming experiences around.

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.

If the idea of politics, sieges and large-scale warfare in your MMORPG appeal to you, and you're willing to wait out the stability and lag issues, Shadowbane may be just the game you're looking for.

It literally takes a good two or three hours before things really get rolling. If you can make it that far, though, you'll get to bang away at a very solid game.

Ugly graphics aside, this is one of the most unique games I've played all year. The controls are different and the story is fantastic. I highly recommend this game if you're look for a new experience.

Hardcore retro fans will love how great the games look, and the casual player will enjoy playing "Ms. Pac-Man" for a few minutes on the bus.

A ridiculously violent, unbelievably profane game that lets you glorify yourself with virtual millions of dollars in hard-earned drug money, fast cars, boats, underlings, women and copious amounts of blood. It's a good feeling.

With three dozen licensed cars ranging from the new Mustang to the perennial street racing favorite Subaru STi, a meaty 15-20 hour story mode and loads of optional challenges beyond that, Most Wanted is one game you're going to be playing into the wee hours.

The PS2 version isn't as pretty, but it controls better, while the Xbox version is substantially more beautiful to look at. Either way, though, it's a solid game.

Fans of unbridled reaving, adventuring, and general vampiring through time and dimensions will love the game, despite its technical shortcomings.

A sizeable leap forward for the series. It's still a few key AI tweaks away from challenging Winning Eleven for the arcade soccer crown, but at least EA's game is back in the conversation.

Damned if I didn't enjoy it enough to get hooked early and often. I can't help it; I still love tactical-RPGs and this game has more than enough battling, plot-advancing, and customization to keep my affections.

If you like relentless beatings with no real plot or thought required, definitely pick this one up.

Every bit better than the original, and in many shiny ways. The multiplayer is a blast, it looks great, the game modes are expanded exponentially over the first, and the game dances on the fine line of being fairly realistic without being too over-the-top crazy.

Orochi's one of the most polished of the recent Warriors games.

It's a natural fit for online multiplayer, user-created content, and downloadable trivia packs.

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.

The Creative Assembly team knows what Total War fans want, and the huge amount of new content found in Kingdoms is it.

The game gives players a fast-paced, fully customizable experience. And, thanks to its fun online capabilities, the action can be shared around the world.

It'll be a buzzer-beater between this and "NBA Live '06" to determine PSP hoop honors. NBA '06 does a lot right, and offers a slew of options. There are minor glitches to be found, but nothing we'd term a game killer.

If you're into WWII shooters -- and judging by the sales of every single Call of Duty title ever, you are -- but you're looking for something with a little twist to it -- which, judging by the sales of twisty straws, you are -- and you don't mind the color green -- and judging by the number of Irish people in the world, you don't -- you should get yourself a copy of Wolfenstein.

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. Outside of the refined graphics and Latin soundtrack, it doesn't reach too far beyond the original Tropico. But that's fine with me, as it was the best of its kind since the original SimCity.

A superlative action game with an absurdly high difficulty level. That's just the long and short of it, and this may be good or bad depending on your disposition. Personally, I found it equal parts satisfying and frustrating.

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.

This game demands exact timing and precise inputs. In that sense, it's a much more challenging affair than the prior games.

Oh, and it's taken three games, but the team at developer Guerrilla Games has finally provided players with the definitive Killzone multiplayer experience.

The Sequencer mode is a welcome addition to the series, although it still feels like it isn't fully realized. Ultimately, however, if you love Lumines, it's a safe bet that this new edition should be a new addition to your PSP library.

An excellent arcade racing game marred by the lack of anti-aliasing. It seems to suffer from this much more than other games with the same problem.

Now that the prince is once again on firm footing, it'd be a crime not to let his adventures continue.

The only real problem with VJ2 -- it's too darn similar to the previous one.

A great racing game wrapped in a series of bad design decisions.

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.

It's the closest thing we've seen to an HD-gen "Silent Hill," except that in The Darkness you get to play as that venerable franchise's ultimate evil monstrosity, Pyramid Head, clothed in the flesh of a mafia hit man.

Sadly, Ratchet & Clank Future has no multiplayer component to speak of, which bothers us both because we love multiplayer and because the series had a bit of a multiplayer groove for a while.