The perceptive lack of lots of courses in Air Ride mode and the limited fun that the Top Ride and City Trial modes offer might shy away some gamers, but KAR is primarily a fast, fun, and novel take on the kart racing genre that shouldn't go ignored.

Compared to most wrestling games, the movesets here have been whittled down to almost nothing. The basic attacks are almost all simple strikes that quickly become half-hearted combinations (punch, punch ... kick!) for button mashers.

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

Compared to most wrestling games, the movesets here have been whittled down to almost nothing.

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

Mixing classic gameplay with modern sensibilities and an inimitable art style, Viewtiful Joe is one of the hippest-looking, slickest-playing, and coolest-feeling games around.

This is a hard game. Despite the intended juvenile audience, keeping your demons alive through even a single battle can sometimes be a real struggle.

It's really only its brevity and restrictive save game system that keeps this game from fighting its way to the top of the genre.

The qualifications -- short length, lack of replay value, and control issues -- knock the game down value-wise, even though I think anyone who's attracted to quick, violent squad play will have a good time.

The qualifications -- short length, lack of replay value, and control issues -- knock the game down value-wise, even though I think anyone who's attracted to quick, violent squad play will have a good time.

The qualifications -- short length, lack of replay value, and control issues -- knock the game down value-wise, even though I think anyone who's attracted to quick, violent squad play will have a good time.

If you're willing to endure the bad dialogue, limited carrying capacity, and annoyances inherent with a fully turn-based game, you'll probably find a lot to like about Paradise Cracked. It has an interesting story, plenty of gear to find and sell, and unique characters.

I've enjoyed playing Halo on the PC far more than I ever did on the Xbox, and the inclusion of Internet multiplayer with new levels and modes is a huge addition...When everything's clicking, it's the closest I've seen a shooter come to providing perfect combat

A great add-on that gives AoM fans plenty of new toys to play with that are not only fun in their own right, but make the game they're attached to much, much better.

A narrative-driven game demands a cohesive design, but mini-games are inherently schizophrenic, and Robin Hood is never quite able to overcome the contradiction.

It has all of the trappings of a bad RPG: extremely linear gameplay, over-the-top voice acting, frustrating camera angles, and a ho-hum storyline. What saves it, and what ultimately makes it a fun game to play, is the terrific combat model combined with stellar graphics.

Fans of the American Conquest and history buffs can look forward to more grand battles on a truly epic scale. For everyone else, there are plenty of better RTS games to play.

Beyond the familiar SeaWorld rides and shows, this game doesn't offer anything you can't find more of in earlier games.

The new simulation aspects are a good attempt to make this year's game appeal to every type of hockey fan, but the game still feels like it's caught in transition.

It's neither funny nor exciting, and the two genres it tries to meld are both shortchanged by the attempt.

Ridiculous brawling aside, the game's control is smooth, with a good button layout and a responsive feel.

The new simulation aspects are a good attempt to make this year's game appeal to every type of hockey fan, but the game still feels like it's caught in transition.

A throwaway title, and an afternoon of modest fun that kids will get the most out of, since they'll be least put off by the abbreviated levels and most challenged by the puzzles.

My biggest nitpick is that defense and rebounding is still an afterthought.

A great strategy game. If you liked the original, there's more than enough here to justify the upgrade.

DDR freaks have bemoaned the removal of the ultra-difficult Oni mode, but the inclusion of user-editable nonstop courses of up to 20 songs each, which can also be used in the Workout mode (yes!), more than makes up for it.

I don't think it has quite enough bells and whistles to dethrone "NBA Street," but if you loved Jam back in the day, you will find a lot to like in this incarnation.

It's smart, funny, and worth a look. Just don't expect a ton of replay value from Vince -- unless you really want to go through and collect 100 percent of the collectables.