Even if you make only one trip through LEGO Indiana Jones, it'll be a great ride.

The multiplayer mode is the key, though. Without that, there isn't much here for a single player to enjoy. Playing against bots is okay, and the survival and (quite clever) soccer game are fun diversions, but nothing beats running around a map full of 32 real players.

Despite its exclusions, though, Collection's large selection of titles for $19.99 is a tough thing not to recommend to anyone who calls himself a gamer. Even if a few of the games undeniably suck.

The PSP's 16:9 aspect ratio inherently allows for a broad perspective, which serves the dual purpose of providing more impressive visuals and enabling players to follow more of the action than a 4:3 screen would allow.

Barbarian Invasion isn't a must-have, but it definitely doesn't disappoint. It may not reinvent the original game, but it's certainly worth picking up for any Rome: Total War fan looking for some satisfying new challenges.

It may confuse some and frustrate others, but its addictive nature should keep you hooked until you learn to appreciate the art of the dungeon crawl.

With its combination of an engaging single-player campaign, addictive adversarial multiplayer modes, and enjoyable cooperative Spec Ops action, there's no denying that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is one of the year's finest games.

Unlike so many other sequels, Overlord II navigates the fine balance between completely reinventing the game and not adding enough features to make it feel like more than just a glorified expansion pack. Aside from the often-mediocre framerates and some painfully spaced checkpoints, I had a disturbing amount of fun terrorizing, killing, and/or enslaving all who stood in my way.

It's a better version of a game that was already quite good, now made great with extra unlockables, refined presentation, and mostly excellent online play. For fans of 3D fighters, there won't be a better title released in the genre this year.

"SmackDown" still has the superior career mode and looks a bit better for its capabilities, but Day of Reckoning owns in terms of gameplay and multiplayer. Just don't ask if it beats out my old favorite, "WWF No Mercy" on N64; that's just too close to call.

The real stars of the game are the two cities, which are huge arenas ripe for careening around in.

The addition of the First Touch system makes the gameplay much more fluid, and it encourages you to improvise more often. Armchair managers will love the new career mode, one of the best you'll see this year.

The addition of the First Touch system makes the gameplay much more fluid, and it encourages you to improvise more often. Armchair managers will love the new career mode, one of the best you'll see this year.

The graphics are crisp and well defined, with everything remaining faithful to the source material. John Williams' scoring is simply some of the best orchestral work ever, and all of the signature Star Wars sound effects remain as amazing and unique as ever.

My biggest critique comes in the form of companion customization; you can't upgrade armor for your party members.

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.

The game is short, explosive and downright slick and it's everything we hoped it was going to be.

Despite its exclusions, though, Collection's large selection of titles for $19.99 is a tough thing not to recommend to anyone who calls himself a gamer. Even if a few of the games undeniably suck.

Sure, it's more than a little familiar at times -- and on more than one occasion I said, "I remember that from game X," -- but Darksiders is proof that what's old can truly be made new again.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of DiRT is the poorly implemented multiplayer portion of the game. Instead of allowing you to try some of the head-to-head events that are included in the single-player game, like the Rally Raids or CORR events, you're limited to single-car hill climbs and rally events against times being uploaded by other players in your session.

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. That's never a bad thing.

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.

World of Warcraft is one of the few MMORPGs that manages to pull off a satisfying endgame (and thereby justify its outdated subscription model), and the classes and gameplay have reached a blinding level of polish over the last seven years. While it's no longer the only choice out there for a great MMO experience, World of Warcraft seems content with its place.

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.

There is so much packed into this game that it's a steal at twice the price.

The amazing visuals, 60 fps action and phenomenal cut-scenes make for an enjoyable experience. DMC4 doesn't completely outstrip its predecessors, but it's a fun romp nonetheless.

The game makes it feel like maybe too much time hasn't passed since the 16-bit days, while somehow still seeming to be a completely competent entry onto the latter-day PS2's stage.

This year, the difference between Sony's handheld game and that from 2K Sports is wider than ever. With MLB '08: The Show boasting a new and deeper pitcher-versus-batter experience and the ability to save games at any point, it's clearly the strongest version of the game to date.

From the great use of sound, the sharp graphics, and the innovative use of combat tactics, it's sure to please fans of Road to Hill 30 who want more of that same kind of gameplay.

Even if you make only one trip through LEGO Indiana Jones, it'll be a great ride.

THDJ plays very, very well. The Wii's smart motion-sensitive control system is absolutely perfect for this kind of game.

It's very easy to pick up and play, although the control scheme is occasionally daunting.

Now that we've finally played the PC version, I'm happy to report that it will be the definitive version of Arkham City... eventually.

A return to grace for our troubled royal acrobat.

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 smorgasbord of rock 'em, sock 'em vehicular insanity that, while not without its quirks, will at least temporarily addict anyone with a pulse.

It's hours and hours of challenging flying; a must for fans of WWII planes or armchair aviators looking for something new and special.

It's challenging, but never to the point of frustration; Sylvia makes for a great new character; and the implementation of the VFX Powers adds an extra dimension to what could have been nothing more than a simple punch-fest.

A game that is equal parts extreme sports action and surreal soap opera, an improvement that should keep it at the top of the wrestling game into the next decade.

A very consistent, if occasionally flawed title. Fans of the Sly Cooper series are going to absolutely love this game.

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

What it boils down to is that if your TV has 1080p support and you don't mind the absence of online support, the PlayStation 3 version is the way to go. However, if you tend to run things in 720p, and you want to check out some decent online play, the Xbox 360 version wins out.

It took me just under 8 hours to complete 90% of the game, and it's not a terrible stretch to imagine someone rushing through it in 5 or 6. It's a good sign for a game when players want more, and it's further proof that the Tomb Raider series is back in a big way.

Despite noticeably upping the action level, bolting on co-op, and even charging us extra to cheat, this space-zombie shooter trilogy brings it home nicely with a lengthy, atmospheric, and suitably gory climax for our long-tortured hero, Isaac Clarke.

Dragon Quest IV offers a classic RPG experience that you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

When "Gran Turismo" is too much, and "Mario Kart" just ain't enough, Smash Cars could be just the ticket.

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.

The challenges, environments, and cast of baddies are varied enough to prevent this game from ever seeming tedious. And, when you reach the final destination on a level, the amusing victory dance makes it all seem worthwhile.

Its solid gameplay mechanics, tight controls, and impressive presentation come together to give gamers a thoroughly satisfying experience.

A beautiful example of how Maxis' long-running series can renew itself and even become appealing to console owners. There's plenty to do, a lot to discover and even when everything is done players can decide to stick around the islands and keep tinkering.

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.

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.

While BioShock 2 largely addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, it also bears the curse of familiarity. Traipsing around Rapture is certainly still enjoyable, but it's kind of like a magic trick you've already seen -- not quite as impressive as it was the first time around.

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.

The frantic pacing and tremendous atmosphere result in adrenaline rushes that'll give the most hardened shoot-'em-up veteran the shakes.

It does a decent job of holding its own against other Bond games from the past.

For anyone who appreciates bizarre characters and storylines, the game is especially appealing. The graphics are fantastic, although the gameplay itself is standard overall.

An excellent virtual-T&A delivery system, the best simulation of v-ball on the Xbox, and a guilty pleasure that kept me playing for much longer than it should.

Though hardware limitations prevent the game from packing quite the same punch as its console brethren, Colin McRae Rally 2.0 is still a perfect fit for those with a vested interest in having a little rally action on the go.

An interesting, enjoyable game. Missing third race and lack of game options hurt score.

If you are not a fan of "Myst," Myst III offers you an empty plate. For fans of the series it is an entire smorgasbord.

Isn't quite up to the spectacular standards of LucasArts' "Rogue Leader" and "Starfighter" shoot-'em-up franchises, but it supplies plenty of Star Wars-themed shooting action, and the Live support considerably boosts the replay value, more than making up for the brevity of the one-player campaign.

An inventive and intense war game that offers unique aesthetics and compelling gameplay.

It won't win any awards, but if you are looking for an excellent quality strategy game with some new dimensions, Warlords 3: Battlecry is your game.

While the gameplay is based on the same principles, The Sims is much more accessible as an overall product than Nintendo's pastel-hued "Animal Crossing."

Throw in some amazing graphics and entertaining mission design and you have a fun, action-packed title that should appeal to trigger-happy pilots everywhere.

The inability to play adequate defense makes Live 2003 a shallow affair.

Playing the game is a blast and it sure looks great... On a deeper level, where most strategy gamers like to think they exist, the game suffers from oversimplification of both command and control features.

If you love multiplayer, have a speedy connection and the horsepower, or if you really enjoy skirmish battles against the CPU, then it's much easier to recommend.

A heck of a lot of fun, and should be a certified winner if and when Ewanchyna and Matrix Games fix its technical problems.

With its functional 2D graphics, its independent developer, and a design that favors gameplay over graphics, Air Command 3.0 is clearly one from the old-school.

A game that combines building, development, and resource management with a feel reminiscent of Will Wright's "Sims," is an enjoyable, but flawed game.

I was taken with it, I wanted to play it, I wanted to look at it. But it's sometimes frustrating and its boss battles are totally irritating.

One big disappointment is that the roster download option that was included in the Xbox and PS2 versions didn't make the final cut here.

The best game for any system based on an arguably cruel schoolyard game.

It won't replace the fun of facing off one-on-one with your friends, and those bluffing techniques you've perfected are all but useless, but when your friends are unavailable or you're hit with a bout of insomnia, MtGO is your best alternative.

There is about 30 hours of play contained within Dark Cloud, but the title does not contain the type of epic storyline needed to drive the player through those hours.

The only major complaint is that once a coaster is finished -- or even well into its construction -- it isn't very easy to make even minor adjustments.

The progression of difficulty is actually quite linear and well-balanced. But, because the entire experience is so densely compressed, for most people the game becomes too difficult and too technical far too quickly.

It's a solid, trick based BMX game. Good control, mixed with decent graphics, and a wide variety of truly huge and impressive courses should satisfy any player in search of an extreme sporting fix.

Very deep and is worth every penny of its price if you take the time to get to know it.

If you loved "Armored Core 3," you're going to have a field day with this.

It's a "one night stand" of a game, pretty but not perfect, a nice way to kill some time, and it's good for the duration as long as you don't think too hard about it.

A worthy successor to "Close Combat" ... at least until something better comes along.

Amplitude's chaff-heavy soundtrack and flavorless gameplay keeps it from reaching the top of the pops.

If you're looking for a decent RTS that's different than the others, Submarine Titans is a good bet.

The complexity might have changed its appeal, but there's a lot of entertainment value in there.

By far the best Star Wars game to hit a console in recent memory.

A lot of fun despite some serious missteps; the bad news is Praetorians falls far short of the greatness that it might have achieved.

The controls are as intuitive as a first-person shooter and as easy as point and click.

A surprisingly deep and challenging game. The different styles of play keep things fresh and the graphics are great.

I would like Jumpgate a LOT more if you had an autopilot, even if you had to buy it as a component...But the game itself is solid and has enormous potential.

A promising game with some big technical flaws, but in a few week's time it's sure to replace your "EverQuest" addiction.

Where DTR2 struts its stuff is in the two areas that matter most -- physics and artificial intelligence. Driving these cars just feels right.

As off-the-wall arcade sports spoofs go, this is still king of the hill ... or is that mound?

A solid experience, but won't have any appeal for anyone that's played the original PC title.

The developers have really done a good job in trying to make the game work with the inherent limitations of a gamepad, but once you're used to the superior mouse/keyboard arrangement, the gamepad is a let down.

It doesn't expand the genre and it's got technical issues, but the Alien and Predator levels are a blast.