If you're blessed with a rip-roaring connection, Steel Battalion: Line of Contact is the most engaging experience you can have with Xbox Live.

There are definitely enough elements to have some fun with it, and it breaks up the monotony of the usual "win tournament to gain points" model.

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.

You'll get more of a physical workout with the Wii version of the game, but this is a perfectly fine way for you to get some of that Olympic spirit without having to break a sweat.

While it's likely worth it for fans to get closure from Underworld, expect to trudge through a large amount of frustrating gameplay to get it. Suffering from a distinct lack of polish, Tomb Raider Underworld seems like it could have benefited greatly from a little more attention. If it didn't have so many technical issues, Underworld could have been a brilliant conclusion to Lara's latest trilogy.

The bad multiplayer choices compromise a game that's otherwise very enjoyable: Dinner with Friends is fresh and well-made, with responsive controls and lots to do, but when it comes to sharing it with friends it lacks even the basics of fun. The best thing is to play it alone, trying to unlock all the available items.

The gameplay is still loads of fun, and continues to deliver great and memorable moments. The sorry state of the franchise mode, however, is a real problem.

I just can't find enough new content here to recommend that you pick up this year's model. This old horse needs to learn some new tricks, or at the very least not forget the ones it's already learned.

I do have to admit that smashing my GBA with a hammer out of sheer frustration was kind of fun.

Multiplayer mode is a good addition, but doesn't make up for the fact that the single-player mode has been made worse. This isn't Tenchu's shining moment, which is what it should be. Instead, it's a quirky step into multiplayer.

As a "my first graphic adventure," it works pretty well, with some unique puzzles and some interesting characters to get involved with. Veterans of the genre, however, will come away wanting more.

For all it does with innovations in HUD, career mode, and vehicle unlocking, multiplayer is a bit underwhelming.

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.

Despite these issues, all the elements are in place for Brink to become a terrific multiplayer shooter. It handles well, offers customization options galore, and challenges FPS players to do more than just pull the trigger.

Honestly, we still prefer Most Wanted to ProStreet even though ProStreet offers significantly improved tire smoke that actually wraps around the wheel wells of your car, because Most Wanted had cops that chased us and provided a really compelling reason to drive as fast as humanly possible.

It's interesting that in this batch of baseball games, the owners of current-gen systems, specifically Xbox and PS2 owners, end up getting the more stable, and ultimately more enjoyable version of this game.

If you can put up with some repetition and the simplicity of the management system, you'll enjoy yourself. Most of the mini-games are quite a bit of fun, too, and they make for some good multiplayer sessions.

Although the single-player game is lacking, the same thankfully can't be said about the multiplayer, which is just as strong as ever.

The game's action is unquestionably fun and a pleasure to watch, but a plethora of minor flaws add up to nearly counteract the off-road ecstasy.

This game is simply a heck of a lot of fun to play with a friend.

The worst, and most important thing about F1 Career Challenge, is the jerky handling I mentioned earlier. It takes about an hour of game time to get acclimated to it. Even after that, the cars are nearly impossible to drive smoothly, and it never really feels like you are in total control.

While No Man's Land may not offer the depth of Microsoft/Ensemble's "Age of"... games, it's still a good value, with lots of gameplay and eye candy along the way.

All video games should be like this [La-Z-Boy]: built so well that you never want to stop playing them. Unfortunately for Turbo Turtle Adventure, I just don't feel that way.

Bomberman fans aren't in for anything really new with Bomberman Jetters, but it's hard to knock yet another faithful adaptation of one of gaming's most successful gameplay formulas.

It's very derivative, and beyond a few puzzles requiring you to use all four characters in tandem, there's not a lot that's new here. At the same time, it's mostly enjoyable while it lasts.

Even with its foibles, it's a darn good time. It makes you want to play again. It continually induces high-stress profanity. It forces you to improve -- and with time, you do.

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.

It's hard to really bash NHL 2K9 other than to say it's a little bit of hockey-lite. "NHL 09" offers more realism and gets our nod for overall long-term value.

It's not that the game has the wrong songs, but that it has so few of them. For $60, you can't help but feel a little cheated when all you get is Guitar Hero III with a light coat of paint and barely half the songs.

It might not be as deep as its PC counterpart, but it's perfect for console gamers, who are generally looking for a more casual experience. By the end, my buddy was living the high life, and I was actually proud that my Urb was finally one of the popular kids.

It doesn't quite make do on its promise of being a hybrid platform/puzzle/action racer, but it does enough things right to make it worth checking out.

Two thumbs way down... The graphics left a lot to be desired, the interface was painful and the storyline pretty weak.

.hack does not end triumphantly. A year ago I was optimistic; now I'm just looking forward to playing something -- <I>anything</I> -- else.

Given the lack of single-player modes and the simple fighting engine, it's hard to recommend Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes to anyone who isn't currently wearing a Naruto headband.

The poor frame-rate combined with the shoddy online play and the occasional system lock-ups drag the game down into mediocrity. And that's a terrible shame for Xbox 360 owners who really have no other choice but to wait for an update from 2K Sports.

Nothing's truly new or captivating here. It feels like a half-hearted cash-in designed to prey on our nostalgia, not unlike Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled. It's nothing but a curiosity, fun for the few minutes prior to the realization of just how badly Excitebike has aged.

There are three AI settings, but 'easy' is little more than an excuse to explore the game types without any real competition. 'Medium' and 'hard' pit you against 'way too hard' and 'next to impossible' opponents, respectively.

The pace is quick, the visuals pleasant and the writing as tight as its television counterpart.

From the excellent tutorials to the toughest challenges, the entire world seems like a skating arena made just for you.

Will Wright created a monster -- and he gave it to you to develop. And now he's batting your creative genius in the head. It'll either wake up, or it won't... but whether or not you actually experience all that Galactic Adventures has to offer, you're in for a whole lot of fun along the way.

It's a fantastic game that's unlike anything you've played before (except maybe Clu Clu Land on NES). Pick it up and give those shoulder buttons a workout!

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.

Force Unleashed may not be the mind-blowingly awesome "Star Wars" game that it was hyped to be, but thanks to some cool play mechanics, a great story, and a couple fun extras, it's still a fun (if flawed) ride.

An ambitious, interesting game, but it's badly undercut by terrible AI and annoying and very distracting graphical glitches. They're bad enough to make the game feel like a chore.

If you just want a simple and enjoyable portable strategy/RPG to whittle away some time with, Luminous Arc will fill that role very nicely. But if you were hoping for a deep, compelling SRPG you could play competitively against others, you'll find that this light doesn't shine anywhere near as brightly as it should.

The constant action means the Harry Potter series has always lent itself well to the video-game format, and thankfully (albeit surprisingly) EA has mostly improved upon their winning formula, while upping the ante visually and adding welcome multiplayer features, easily making the Goblet of Fire their best adaptation yet.

A combat intensive 3D RTS that plays fast and smart, with clever AI and an engaging story propelled campaign.

The levels themselves are nothing short of spectacular, and in freestyle mode, there's moments of real joy to be had tricking off everything and finding secret areas and high wires to grind down. But for us, the lack of skaters, levels, and actual fun in the Story Mode left us sobbing for Tony.

Immersive elements are everywhere: You don't just press a button to activate a lever that opens a gate -- you use the analog stick to shift Harry in the direction you want to tug that lever.

SAG offers a quick trip down memory lane, but repeated replaying of all four games will soon get a little stale.

While the gameplay could still use some refinement and focus, the overall Vengeance adventure is an engaging and entertaining one.

What we actually have, though, is something more in line with what the original should have been that ends up being less compelling for its lateness.

I enjoyed the experience of both single- and multiplayer. From a feature standpoint, this version is missing a lot of the selling points of the Xbox and PC versions (smaller levels, less players available online, etc.), but if you haven't gotten immersed in those versions, ignorance is bliss.

If the action was consistent and engaging Legends could have been a major success.

Crash might be getting on in years for a videogame mascot, and his latest outing falls well short of classic status, but a few disarming new tricks prove he's not over the hill just yet.

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

Even Ocho Cinco might have trouble keeping up the trash-talking intensity after prolonged exposure to the same old Street feel.

Things are finally looking up for the big-name MMO that reached for the stars but never seemed to get off the ground.

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

I reallllly wish I could recommend this game. It's a quality game in almost every respect...but the save flaw is just too big.

A great game. The combination of turn-based tactics and limitless strategic operations places it as one of the finest strategic wargames of all time.

The missions are a wee bit tough, but nothing a veteran player can't handle. This game is realistic enough to satisfy the wargamers among us, and exciting enough to satisfy the most jaded real-time strategy gamer.

Killer 7 is going to start a lot of arguments -- it's definitely a love it or hate it type of game. I'm more in the "hate it" camp, but I do have to give it some props for being so radically different. Just be aware that it's a pretty severe case of style over substance.

It's enough to make you want to hold hands and sing Kum Bai Ya -- if you can put down your GBA long enough.

It's not terrible, but it's not terribly good, either. It's just good enough (and just bad enough) to qualify as neither; The game is perfectly balanced in a state of Swiss-like neutrality.

It's a solid game, but with EA's "NCAA Football 2003" in stores there's no need to pick it up.

But the problem with Homefront isn't just that it sucks, which it certainly does. The problem is that it reveals just how badly many first-person shooters are starting to suck. It's a game that magnifies the preexisting trend of developing to the lowest common denominator.

One unique aspect is that, much like in the real world, there are no extra lives. Once you're killed, you're dead. The rest of your team will have to make due without you.

For a tennis game, TS2 is surprisingly deep. On the other hand it can also be frustrating as you realize that your player is simply outclassed by the AI.

The Sixaxis implementation here is unnecessary. More damningly, the game is clearly not a next-gen product, visually.

If you can get past the horrors of the interface and the terrible voice acting, you may find a pretty good, original story buried within.

There is some good fun to be found in Echelon, but it's hidden behind too many problems and unpolished gameplay.

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

The story and the protective guardian concept both work. And developer Neverland did a brilliant job with the game's controls. The ability to do so much with so few buttons is astounding. The game snags when it comes to the clunky and unrealistic movement of the characters.

What it lacks in general innovation is quickly outshines by familiar, addictive, and constantly fun gameplay.

The game feels more "Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX v1.5" than anything else, giving you more of what you loved in the original and tacking on some minor, unnecessary extras.

It's dripping with blood. Actually, it's submerged in a tank overflowing with bodily fluids, detached limbs, and severed heads. Saucy!

It's not that the game has the wrong songs, but that it has so few of them. For $60, you can't help but feel a little cheated when all you get is Guitar Hero III with a light coat of paint and barely half the songs.

Great story, some good visuals, fun puzzles, and a lot of great dialogue and characters, but the game is held back by extremely tedious combat, some graphical and sound hitches, and a number of troublesome bugs.

If you can put up with some repetition and the simplicity of the management system, you'll enjoy yourself. Most of the mini-games are quite a bit of fun, too, and they make for some good multiplayer sessions.

Too little, too late.

The problem with Homefront isn't just that it sucks, which it certainly does. The problem is that it reveals just how badly many first-person shooters are starting to suck. It's a game that magnifies the preexisting trend of developing to the lowest common denominator.

A very strong, engaging story set in an interesting world. It's what will keep you playing despite the problems.

The established Lego game design wasn't broken, but, after so many games, it was beginning to get a bit stale. Those used to the previous titles might feel a bit disoriented at first, but you'll soon settle in and begin having fun exploring the large hubs and condensed levels.

Even with the minimal use of DS technology and the glaring gameplay omissions, Drill Spirits is a very fun game. It's definitely not the deepest game out there (and no, that wasn't meant to be a pun), but the simplicity is what makes it great.

If you like isometric action games, you'll love Zax. It may not be new, creative, or genre bending, but it sure is fun.

A potentially rewarding but decidedly punishing experience.

Lacking innovation, the repetitive gameplay will only appease fans of the series, but the multiplayer mode makes it worth a look.

A college football game whose gameplay just does not compete with its competitor.

It's a fun, competitive multiplayer shooter that stands alongside its paid sibling. Now if only more people would learn to play the damn thing.

But the problem with Homefront isn't just that it sucks, which it certainly does. The problem is that it reveals just how badly many first-person shooters are starting to suck. It's a game that magnifies the preexisting trend of developing to the lowest common denominator.

In the cold light of day it's simply another FPS that falls halfway between memorable extremes.

While it's hard to fault the good intentions that underlie the creation of Advent Rising, a game of this quality does more than just eventually stink up some EB bargain bin; it misses a huge opportunity to put the medium forward. Advent Rising has fallen -- it's time for us to move on.

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

If you're a Black Hawk Down multiplayer junkie, you'll probably get your money's worth just from the three jungle maps. But everyone else should probably save their $20 until Novalogic offers something more substantial.

Despite its overall graphic luster and enjoyable gameplay, QPR2 is relatively short on variety, and, as such, woefully short on shelf life, particularly for enthusiasts in possession of "ATV: Offroad Fury 2" for the PS2.

It is possible to have fun in this game. The bad news is that there are some underlying structural problems that make the game horribly unfriendly to new players and will probably keep the game from being as popular as it might be.

If you want pure, unadulterated violence, you came to the right place. Still, I can't help but be a little disappointed in this title -- especially coming from Volition, of "Red Faction" fame. It's a little too by-the-book.