Where the PS2 version really shines is in the control department. The controls become almost second nature after only a few minutes of running around.

With no multiplayer modes at all, there's little reason to play after completing Max's rampage the first time. If this particular flaw doesn't bother you, however, Max Payne manages to deliver some of the best gunplay around, and is an involving and intense festival of urban decay, ultra-violence, and slow motion cinematic blood shed.

A stellar title, and it's mainly the inherent differences with the GameCube controller that make me hesitate from giving it a full recommendation.

Offers super graphics, intuitive and deep gameplay, and one heck of a Dynasty mode.

A triumph for Massive Entertainment. The developers have managed to take a quirky "action game" take on the real-time strategy genre and wrap it in an instantly appealing, accessible and highly polished package.

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

I like the lay of Dawn of Sorrow's land, and the soul mechanic is great; however, with the inferior character design and ho-hum touch-screen features, this isn't the be-all end-all of portable Castlevania. Regardless, it is a must-have for all action fans, and kicks the ever-loving crap out of any other action/platformer on the DS.

Simply put: Korsun Pocket is a gem of a game and is one of the best wargames ever designed.

Even those gamers that would normally cringe at the thought of playing a sports title will find themselves lapping up insane ball-dunking action over numerous digitally-rendered courts.

It's good to see the company broaden its horizons more and more; L.A. Noire plays its tropes well, and it's a fine exploration of the crime-adventure genre's flip side.

Far Cry doesn't just boast cutting-edge technology and a surplus of breathtaking visuals, but also pulls off the amazing triple play of open-ended gameplay far beyond the standard A-to-B-to-C of most shooters.

Dead Space is a solid realization of several of our favorite gameplay mechanics in a way that we've only seen in blockbusters like BioShock, Half-Life and Resident Evil 4. Its quality is undeniable and we have no reservation in recommending its potent mix of panic-inducing plotline, furious action and deep customization.

I don't want to leave you with the impression that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is anything less than an amazing, triumphant game right down to its core. It's XCOM's Batman Begins, in effect -- it does a magnificent job of rebooting the series with its soul intact, delivering an awesome modern experience and paving the way for a future that doesn't just recreate the tense tactical battles and global strategy of the 18-year-old original, but builds on them.

By the time I reached the end, Mass Effect 3 had secured the trilogy's spot amongst my favorite science-fiction stories in any medium.

An enormous game... Classic real-time gaming simply doesn't get much better than this.

What's great about this level of detailed realism is that it usually doesn't make the game overwhelming, but rather makes it thrilling.

A fantastic version of an astonishing game. Although you miss out on the sumptuous bonuses of the original release, you will get substantially more content at a great price.

If there is one area where World Series Baseball 2K3 excels, it is in the franchise mode. Loaded with options, franchise mode is a micro-manager's dream.

The fastest, tightest racer on the GameCube to date.

For PC gamers at least, the decision by Dice to lead on our beloved platform has resulted in a game that delivers a truly next-generation feel. BF3 is an absolutely massive experience, but it's the explosive multiplayer mode that makes this the must-have FPS of the year. There's simply no other shooter that lets you wage war on a scale this huge, but even better is the infinite number of satisfying ways to lay the hurt down on your opponents.

If your PC has the horsepower, Battlefield: 1942 is an online action experience no gamer should miss.

The hero's newfound voice adds an emotional impact and resonance that the original game sorely lacked, and I genuinely wanted to see Isaac conquer his inner demons nearly as much as the outer variety. In such an intense game (one of the most intense I've ever played), it's funny that the quiet moments were the one that really stood out.

It's simply too good and too tasty to ignore. Not to mention it's the first decent step towards next-next-generation visuals.

Solid gameplay and improved online support ensure the only NFL game in town for the PC is an excellent one.

Represents the very pinnacle of PS2 racing games and lord only knows how long we'll have to wait for the next installment. Get it, race it and love it... One of the most comprehensive games of the last four years.

Playing through the songs you've likely heard for your entire life gives you a new appreciation for the level of musicianship and songwriting on display. Somehow, Harmonix found a way to make the greatest band of all time even better.

A great game, and better than the first in all of the important ways, but the impact is lessened by the similarity to the first game.

The combination of catchy tunes, pretty pictures, and addicting, simple to pick-up and play mechanics, is simply perfect for passing the time.

It's good to see the company broaden its horizons more and more; L.A. Noire plays its tropes well, and it's a fine exploration of the crime-adventure genre's flip side.

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.

I think the newfangled next-gen could still stand to learn a few things from the Xbox workhorse -- even if this is the platform's last triple-A title.

The backgrounds and gameplay are purely 2D, and the 2D and 3D elements blend together perfectly.

If "Resident Evil" was likened to "Night of the Living Dead," then think of Silent Hill 2 as "Twin Peaks," minus the damn fine coffee, but plus the atmospheric gloom and cast of insane deviants, with the entire mixture then taken out back into the woods, shot, hacked into small chunks, and buried.

There's never a strong sense of "oh, you picked the crutch character" that there are in other fighters. Instead, it's a pure fighting experience that gamers who've only played Tekken, Dead or Alive, or Soul Calibur will be able to jump in and appreciate.

Nintendo's most original game in years, WarioWare is a weird, fun little masterpiece.

In spite of framerate drops, inconsistent online multiplayer, and other serious issues that weigh it down, there's little doubt that the five games in this package exude Valve's attention to detail and show off the developer's talent for making great titles.

While there are still some control problems that keep it from being perfect, Sega's dominance on the hardwood continues. This year makes it a three-peat.

The game's shot variety, graphics, and online capabilities truly take tennis games to a new level. The things that prevent the game from being as perfect as Kournikova's... legs... are the load times and poor implementation of risk and drop shots.

Challenging. Addictive. Innovative. Accessible. Deep. Polished...after 30 hours, I'm still completely hooked. The customization options are a complete success, and I'm sure I won't put Tiger 2004 down until I've collected every trophy, medal, and item in the game.

The only way to get closer to pro hockey is to be drafted by an NHL team.

A nearly flawless conversion that adds more than it takes away... The transposition to Nintendo's controller is welcome, because the game now feels much more fluid and responsive.

It's not a flawless package; some of Paradise City's terrain could be easier to navigate with do-it-yourself waypoints, and the inability to restart a race is irritating. However, there's so much to do and wreck that you'll invest tens of hours in single-player before you even tap the d-pad to jump into the online experience. Paradise is undoubtedly the first must-own racing game of 2008.

For racing fans who want a perfect mix of compelling gameplay, unequalled excellence of presentation, and a few sore thumbs, WipEout Pure will not disappoint. Ready? Go...

If you love, like, or are even lukewarm on the band, grab it. Playing through the songs you've likely heard for your entire life gives you a new appreciation for the level of musicianship and songwriting on display. Somehow, Harmonix found a way to make the greatest band of all time even better.

A very deep game, one that is bound to excite fans of Shogun along with anyone looking for another reason to stay up really late playing a turn-based strategy game.

[Microsoft] has blithely improved an already great sim by giving it a new angle, bringing in some really sweet technological improvements, and making it even more accessible.

How exactly did they manage to make Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 a better game? By making it more varied, and thus, more replayable. By far, the biggest upgrade to the game is the new GameFace II system, which allows you to create a player who looks like just about anyone you could possibly imagine.

Never gets complicated, it never gets boring, and it will probably remain the best sports game of the year -- especially in the eyes of those gamers not necessary obsessed with stats and realism.

It's a must-play game for anyone who loves the reward-based exploration and side-scrolling action of the side-scrollers of old.

From the new Trick Stick system to the amazingly deep career mode, nearly everything added to NBA Street V3 works perfectly... [T]his may very well be the greatest basketball game ever made, arcade or otherwise.

A game hasn't oozed this much style since the release of "Max Payne." The gameplay, the story, the graphics -- the entire presentation is topnotch.

Just about every aspect of the production is top-notch, from the stunning graphics to the realistic, graphic dialogue. Although there might end up being better Xbox games this year, you won't find a better WWII shooter anywhere.

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.

With its incredible graphics, breathtaking action and painstaking authenticity, Frontline is the best WWII console game ever released.

Dead Space is a solid realization of several of our favorite gameplay mechanics in a way that we've only seen in blockbusters like BioShock, Half-Life and Resident Evil 4. Its quality is undeniable and we have no reservation in recommending its potent mix of panic-inducing plotline, furious action and deep customization.

The huge, diverse cast and excellent fighting engine guarantee lots of fun fights for a long time into the future, and its pick-up-and-playability make it the best game to pull out for more casual company.

Unquestionably, one of the best shooters of 2005. The advanced graphics and physics create a string of firefights that are amazing to watch, and creative level design and advanced AI make them equally engrossing to play.

Not only is it the most attractive golf game ever to be released, it also features some revolutionary gameplay ideas that will likely be copied for years to come.

It's one of the best platformers the system has seen, mostly thanks to its amazing visuals and downright hilarious dialogue.

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.

Incredibly balanced and well polished. If you have AoK, you must get The Conquerers Expansion.

Its fast-paced action, great vehicles, awesome weapons and huge battles all make Tribes 2 a great experience that you will enjoy for months to come.

The controls feel a bit antiquated now that we've been acclimated to the Skill Stick, but it's an excellent way to introduce your non-sports game loving friends to one of the best sports titles in years.

Definitely the best puzzle game on the DS. Every time I play it, I find something new to appreciate and it makes me want to play more. And for the record, I like it more than "Lumines."

It might not have the running time of other titles on the market, but the leanness of the experience and time invested are fulfilling, plus the replay value is strong...In a sea of great first person shooters, you won't get a better action game this year.

The cover mechanics, the lethal firearms, the satisfaction of working with a smart team, plus maps that couldn't get done in time for the single-player game and some returning classics make multiplayer golden...I can't overstate how good the multiplayer is here.

An extremely solid and enjoyable expansion from Blizzard. Throw in the fact that you are getting plenty of gameplay and units that would normally constitute a full game from some developers, the price point of under $35 makes this even more attractive.

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.

How exactly did they manage to make Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 a better game? By making it more varied, and thus, more replayable. By far, the biggest upgrade to the game is the new GameFace II system, which allows you to create a player who looks like just about anyone you could possibly imagine.

It's kind of like DICE has trained for a game development biathlon, resulting in its first game where the single-player mode is just as good as the multiplayer -- and that says DICE has what it takes to be among the best in the business.

Basically, I suggest ignoring the multiplayer and concentrating exclusively on the excellent sandbox of the single-player game. When Far Cry 3 invites you to come stay with it for a long vacation, take it up on its offer. This is a great example of how to do an open-world shooter right, and for me it's been one of the nicest surprises this year.

Tiger Woods 10 on the Wii is the definitive golf game. Beyond the high level of immersion from the Motion Plus controls, and the many months worth of entertaining game modes, this version welcomes the widest ever audience to a "sim" sports game. EA is leveraging the Wii perfectly.

It's like watching a great fighter that's just starting his career. He's great now, he's surprising you with his progress, and you'll know he'll end up in the hall of fame. Fight Night Round 2 is another fantastic step in this hall-of-fame series.

If you cut your teeth on, say, Telltale's various Sam & Max or Strong Bad series, you're about to find out exactly what a hardcore adventure game plays like.

If you're looking for a deep racing Sim with a community of opponents ready to go 24 hours a day, this is your game. It's easy on the eyes and a blast to play.

It's kind of like DICE has trained for a game development biathlon, resulting in its first game where the single-player mode is just as good as the multiplayer.

The beautiful world, smart controls and surprising depth kept us coming back for more.

There's oodles more I could go into detail on about why Torchlight 2 is simply an amazing game, but I think you get the idea by now -- it's not to be missed by anyone who considers themselves a fan of the proud tradition of action RPGs. It's great, it's gorgeous, it's hugely replayable, it's multiplayer, it's moddable (with Steam Workshop!), and it's dirt cheap.

Delivers the best console golf action this side of "PGA Tour Golf" for the Genesis.

With the exception of the graphics you've seen it all many times before, and probably with more flair and better characters.

Red Faction delivers a satisfying, if slightly flawed single player experience and a distracting, but ultimately shallow multiplayer mode. The graphics are impressive, and the technology introduced in this game is amazing, it's just unfortunate that it hasn't been used to its fullest potential.

While NCAA Football 2005 could still use a bit of a graphical overhaul, and the running game still needs some help, the additions of Homefield Advantage and the Matchup Stick really add a lot to the game.

Probably the best pure soccer game yet -- the best since the series moved into 3D.

An incredibly solid NCAA game that will keep you and your friends entertained -- you'll just have to play on the same Xbox.

So many play styles can only translate into one thing -- boundless replay value.

A strong case can be made for Ninja Gaiden being the greatest action game ever made. This is easily one of the best games to play on your PlayStation 3.

The core tactical gameplay is the real gem here, and its quality still shines 10 years after its first release. It's grinding, demanding gameplay that presumes a level of dedication and competence that many modern games don't, and it's all the better for it.

An incredibly entertaining, diverse, and humorous addition to the Mario/Wario legacy. It's challenging and creative, but not as outright frustrating as "Warioland 3."

It's simple enough to pick up and play for a couple of minutes, but engaging enough to keep you enthralled through a long commute or on a cross-country flight.

Although it's certainly got Infinity Ward's fingerprints all over it, Black Ops is definitely Treyarch's baby. As a fan of the franchise, I'm happy to see that the future of the series is in good hands, and it'll (hopefully) be nice to see the folks at Treyarch finally get some respect from hardcore gamers.

A decade of shooters combined into one polished package; the single-player mode is filled with great action and a wide variety of gameplay, and the innovative multiplayer mode should hook veteran fraggers almost immediately.

The Heisman difficulty level seems really balanced for the first time in years. The running game is great, with grind-it-out yardage available inside and game-breaking moves to be had outside.

The amount of content in the game is simply amazing and, like the console games, you'll find yourself playing even after you've completed the main story.

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.

Few other games feature such effortless charm, refreshing originality, or just plain sharp character design. Sly 2 is a feast for the character-action connoisseur.

The biggest and best addition to the game is a cooperative mode, allowing players to battle Hell's minions either via system link or on Xbox Live... It's gory, it's violent, and it's one of the best uses of Live we've seen so far.

The improvements in the gameplay department went a long way towards making this the most realistic footie game to ever grace a next-generation console.

It's still fun running around and laying bombs with a bunch of friends, all huddled around a powerful light source and connected by link cables. That's what Bomberman, is all about.