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.

If you don't break into a big, dopey grin while running around shattering LEGO Battle Droids into their component parts, then you should just put videogames down for good -- you've outgrown them.

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 fundamentals of gameplay are strong, but when you start getting into the details the roughness becomes increasingly apparent.

While the game's single player component is fully realized (though far too short), the multiplayer side of things feels tacked-on. It's almost as if the developers, fearing that a game without Xbox Live play wouldn't sell well, added the bare bones modes as an afterthought.

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

Chibi Robo: Park Patrol retains the fun and charm of its console predecessor even if the gameplay is noticeably different.

The greatest adaptation of this battle. It offers a different style of gaming than La Grande Armee, but the bottom line is that this title probably has the broadest appeal.

Despite my aggravations and frustrations with some of the aspects of the game, there was an addictive quality to Dropship on a Rubik's-Cube level.

The real key to MotoGP2 enjoyment comes from the bike physics.

An engaging storyline, high-quality cut-scenes, a cast of unique heroes and a whole stampede of missions make Desperados a shining silver star.

An entertaining, but shallow, experience. This game has some sweet graphics and some fun combat, but not a whole lot else.

The ability to download current rosters and save games at any point more than offsets the less-than-stellar graphics and sometimes challenging hitting.

An engaging, action-packed adventure that admirably re-creates the captivating atmosphere of the films.

While it's easy to nitpick its gameplay to death, the one area where Iridion II is beyond reproach is its graphics.

The single-player game is beefed up with a tweaked pitching interface and the ability to save games at any time. Its biggest coup over its competition from EA Sports, though, is the ability to play online.

The game will take the average player only about six hours to beat, but those six hours will be spent experiencing some really great visuals, imaginative game design and some classic Nintendo magic.

All around, if there's anything to ding Ridge Racer 7 for, it's the sense that it's less a sequel and more of a decimal point. Call it Ridge Racer 6.5 or Ridge Racer 6: Director's Cut, it's pretty much the same thing, minus the achievement points (grrrr).

Things may not be perfect this time out, but I do my best, and my reign ends on my terms. I make a beeline for the New Game button, vowing to stick to my proven playbook from the get-go.

The PlayStation 2 version of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords comes highly recommended, even if it's not the most attractive version available. The Xbox Live version, and even the PSP version with its annoying bugs are better looking versions of the same game, but you can't lose with any choice you make.

It may not be the prettiest game to look at, but in its third year of being the exclusive holder of the NASCAR license, EA Sports and Tiburon refuse to rest on past successes.

It's not perfect, but if you've already got an EyeToy, there's no reason not to add Play2 to your collection.

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

It listened to the criticism of its 2002 release and came out with a highly polished 2003 edition. The latest game has significantly cut the distance between itself and the top soccer titles on the shelf.

The Dynasty Mode is one of the best you'll see in an EA game, mostly because of the addition of the discipline system, which forces you to walk a fine line between getting the best players and running a clean program.

The learning curve is steep, but those who enjoy a challenge might just end up embracing the greater level of realistic gameplay that only Top Spin 3 can offer.

It's for the wrestling fan who skips the ring entrances in their wrestling games and just wants a solid grappling and fighting experience. It's for the devotee of games with deep editing tools, who would love the chance to make hundreds of complex, satisfying characters. Fire Pro Wrestling Returns may not be the best-looking wrestling game available today, but it is in fact the best.

It's a bit ironic, to me, that I'm now complaining about an Ace Attorney game being too easy, but hey -- given how arcane the adventure games of old often got, I'm glad this is the worst thing I can say about AAI: ME.