Sonic Rivals 2 would have been a lot more fun if the racing was more polished and there were more tracks. Instead there are too many other aspects of the game that spoil the essentials.

Contra 4 stands alone both as a game and as an anniversary package celebrating the history of the series. This is a retrospective done right and it should be considered a must-have for any DS owner out there.

One of the series’ better outings as of late. The fighting engine, while not the deepest or the most technical out there, is solid, and the whole presentation drips with style. On top of that, you can get the game in exchange for a mere likeness of Andrew Jackson.

The dungeons are well-designed, the action is well-balanced and fun, and even the characters are likeable. This is a must-have for any action-RPG fan or anyone looking for something different on the DS.

If you dig that sort of thing, Heroes 2 offers plenty of challenge, level variety and enough Nazi shooting to satisfy anyone who can deal with the controls of an FPS on a PSP. And if you don't like them, this isn't going to be the game that converts you.

Destined to line bargain bin bottoms. It has its hacking and slashing moments, but like so many movie-licensed titles, it reeks of a truncated production schedule and a too-heavy reliance on a story intended for another medium.

Destined to line bargain bin bottoms. It has its hacking and slashing moments, but like so many movie-licensed titles, it reeks of a truncated production schedule and a too-heavy reliance on a story intended for another medium.

Destined to line bargain bin bottoms. It has its hacking and slashing moments, but like so many movie-licensed titles, it reeks of a truncated production schedule and a too-heavy reliance on a story intended for another medium.

It's tough to justify paying for a tweaked version of a game you can play for free on PC, but the free one doesn't let you cast fireballs at a wight who controls an army of giant rats, so it evens out quite a bit.

In small doses, Cooking Mama 2 is perfect for players of all ages. The improvements over the first game in the series don't lead to a significantly enhanced experience, but they ensure that it's a solid package.

As cliché shooters go, Payback is no "Black," but it's not bad either. If all you're looking for is a predictable, middle-of-the-road shooter - you know, like if you just beat "Mass Effect" and want to rent a couple hours of mindless mayhem - you could do better, but you could also do a lot worse.

Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is overtly geared for wrestling fanatics. That fact, coupled with its ridiculously cheap price tag, will be enough for the hardcore to give it a go, but casual wrestling fans will probably tap out.

Strangers to the series interested in a new MMO won’t be as impressed with new updates and content as a seasoned EQII veteran, and will be offset by EQII’s dated appearance and design. However, EQII fans can’t go wrong with Rise of Kunark as it’s by far the best one yet.

FPS fan-boys might decide to give this one a rental, but the experience will likely be forgotten less than a day after completion.

Squad Command should please most turn-based strategy fans - specially those tiring of the Japanese RPG dominance in this category - while also offering an accessible pick-up-and-play entry for newcomers to the genre.

It still stands out as a decent music game, but it's no less shallow on the PS2, and just as easy and short.

A little longer, a lot tougher and a lot more elaborate than any of the previous episodes (except for maybe the awesome Reality 2.0), Ice Station Santa is a lot of fun while it lasts, and totally worth the nine bucks it costs to play.

Switchball is one of the finer, original Live Arcade titles to grace the service in a while, and is undeniably addicting. Even if you plan to play for just a few minutes at a time, you'll find yourself losing hours to the creative puzzles and intuitive game play.

See, as the puzzles get bigger, you're actually forced to scroll them onto the screen, which will slow you down even more. Save your $10 for something more worthwhile. This isn't even a decent time-waster.

The game takes patience and plenty of top-grade monster scouting.

If you were a fan of Supreme Commander, you've probably already purchased this expansion and will surely be pleased with it. For everyone else, check out the original first or nothing at all; this is not the beginner's RTS game you're looking for.

If what Ontamarama was trying to do was advance the music game genre, it sort of has. But, if a sequel can better integrate the two strands of its gameplay, we could have a real hit.

Just know that the game does one thing, and it does it well. Admittedly, Neves is a simple, no frills affair, but its addictive nature and robust length makes it just as hard to put down as any other quality puzzler out there.

If you factor into your plans the possibilities of your commands not being followed perfectly, you can have a slow-burn, satisfying experience.

Without addictive, refined gameplay in its short-lived play sessions or a worthwhile single-player experience, Puzzle de Harvest Moon comes across as a glorified minigame.

Single player is slowed down by an obnoxious and unnecessary presentation. But given how well the game works with friends, the sheer variety of trivia, and the brisk pace of the game, we don't feel out of line saying that Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action could be the best and most definitive version out there.

Pumping out the necessary number of piñatas to earn Master Romancer and other serious rewards should keep even the most experienced gamers busy and sedated for a good week.

We struggled to find the punch line in this abomination of half-assed execution and complete disregard for modern gameplay innovations.

Shovelware may be a be considered a generally deplorable concept, but it would have been better than this dreck.

Stick to the solo game and you'll get a decent, serviceable shooter that would have been memorable in 2000 - today, not so much. It does a respectable job of replicating the console experience, but it's still no replacement for the real thing.

But whether you play single- or multiplayer, the action in Empire is fast and intense. It’s definitely a better game than its predecessor, which was pretty good to begin with.

If this genre has intimidated you in the past, Tabula Rasa is the perfect entry point with its user-friendliness and swift tempo. Calling it a clean slate may be a bit of a stretch, but Richard Garriott has certainly provided gamers with something unique.

If it had been released in 2004, TimeShift probably would've been the bee's knees. In 2007, though, it's merely a one-hit wonder in a sea of timeless gaming anthems.

If it had been released in 2004, TimeShift probably would've been the bee's knees. In 2007, though, it's merely a one-hit wonder in a sea of timeless gaming anthems.

It's not going to set the hardcore world on fire, but it's a nearly perfect party game, and there's room for that in this world.

Fans of the original should avoid this one - kids will enjoy it, but Party Animals doesn't have the heart or charm of its predecessor.

Don't force us to play the minigames to expand the already-uninspiring campaign. It's sloppy game design, and it drags Bee Movie Game even further into the mud.

Don't force us to play the minigames to expand the already-uninspiring campaign. It's sloppy game design, and it drags Bee Movie Game even further into the mud.

Even though most gameplay and options tend to be predictably consistent, The Art of Learning is a great tool for skill building and is put together in a simple easy to use package with something to offer everyone.

If you're into tactical RPGs at all, or want to see the genre done in a more playful manner than Final Fantasy or Fire Emblem, then this is without a doubt one of the deepest, craziest, most time consuming games you could ever play.

We loved the game's self referential tone at times, but calling itself out on its own tired shortcomings can't really save the gameplay.

It's hardly the pinnacle of stealth games - the enemies are dumb, and there's not much to do aside from sneaking and killing - but if you're in the mood for something creepy and horrific that'll leave you feeling a little dirty, Manhunt 2's still-shocking murders and eerie, is-it-real-or-am-I-just-insane storyline won't disappoint.

It's hardly the pinnacle of stealth games - the enemies are dumb, and there's not much to do aside from sneaking and killing - but if you're in the mood for something creepy and horrific that'll leave you feeling a little dirty, Manhunt 2's still-shocking murders and eerie, is-it-real-or-am-I-just-insane storyline won't disappoint.

It's hardly the pinnacle of stealth games - the enemies are dumb, and there's not much to do aside from sneaking and killing - but if you're in the mood for something creepy and horrific that'll leave you feeling a little dirty, Manhunt 2's still-shocking murders and eerie, is-it-real-or-am-I-just-insane storyline won't disappoint.

Allowing the Wii remote to more closely simulate a computer mouse would have increased the game's fun factor even more, but after spending enough time on the game's campaign, gamers are encouraged to delve into multiplayer, where the price tag pays for itself over and over again.

While still quite playable for several hours, the lack of true innovation or noteworthy upgrades makes Mater-National seem like more of a rushed expansion than a full-fledged - or fully necessary - follow-up to a memorable kid-friendly racer.

While still quite playable for several hours, the lack of true innovation or noteworthy upgrades makes Mater-National seem like more of a rushed expansion than a full-fledged - or fully necessary - follow-up to a memorable kid-friendly racer.

It cannot be compared (favorably) to the console versions, but it's the only iteration of Mater-National that improves upon its predecessor, and is not a bad option for race-loving tykes this holiday season.

By going real with the songs, next-gen with the graphics and online with the gameplay, it leaves the wishlist relatively barren. At the same time, it's not delivering us much new on the gameplay front, and in fact lags a bit in terms of smart strumming mechanics.

By going real with the songs, next-gen with the graphics and online with the gameplay, it leaves the wishlist relatively barren. At the same time, it's not delivering us much new on the gameplay front, and in fact lags a bit in terms of smart strumming mechanics.

By going real with the songs, next-gen with the graphics and online with the gameplay, it leaves the wishlist relatively barren. At the same time, it's not delivering us much new on the gameplay front, and in fact lags a bit in terms of smart strumming mechanics.

There was a strong game in here - it just ended up half-baked.

Dementium: The Ward is almost perfection, performing as a fantastic feat of first-person survival, and oozes with a truly, truly frightening aesthetic. Even if it's not the first in its genre, it's the most satisfyingly original game we've seen on the DS in some time.

Data Design must be stopped. Do not give them any more money. They are the equivalent of those movie studios that produce straight to DVD knockoffs of blockbusters in a cynical, lazy attempt to swindle cash from uninformed customers.

Crash of the Titans is polished and fun while it lasts. We just have a hard time recommending a purchase when it all ends so quickly.

The game does draw nicely on the Galactica license, giving you a few different ships with varying stats to pilot through the different levels, as well as some online modes. But the base game play elements are so broken and boring that you'll have a hard time coming back to the game after a few missions.

The beauty of Exit is that it's perfect to play in little, bite-sized chunks (no doubt a side effect of originally being programmed for a portable system). There are loads of levels to challenge, but each one only takes minutes to complete.

If you're a Castlevania completist, or just a fan of old school gaming, then pick up this bloodsucker.

Far better than any other flight game on the 360 - and it also happens to be a technical showcase for HDTV fanatics everywhere.

The best part of the game is figuring out how to manipulate the tools you're given by utilizing the remote.

The complete package looks and feels polished - the simple 2D graphics are colorful and manage to cram tiny details into the DS screen, while the controls are as tight as you would expect from a Mega Man game. After all these years, its amazing the formula hasn't strayed too far from the original.

Topping off all of this mediocrity is the weird multiplayer, containing modes (free-for-all deathmatch, capture the flag, etc.) not normally found in this type of game. In theory the game should be more unique for these options, but there's a reason hack-and-slash RPGs avoid this style of multiplayer: it doesn't work well in the engine.

Ratchet & Clank Future isn't a revolution, but it is a marvelously kickass game that'll keep you entertained for hours as you plumb the depths of its huge levels, find creative ways to blow up its monsters and try to ferret out all its dozens of cleverly hidden items.

We can't help but feel Namco's overestimating our affection for Pac's smiling yellow puss if they thought that'd be enough to get gamers to enjoy this pathetic pile of remixed drivel.

Call it Before They Were RPGs: a trip back to the days when the genre was simple, looked bad, and just wanted to be taken as seriously as the other, cooler genres.

A lack of extensive content proves to be the ultimate detractor, as most skilled players will see and do nearly everything on the single-player front inside of five hours. And without Wi-Fi play or even single-card support, the multiplayer experience is hardly a highlight of this iteration.

If you know you're getting into a heady, deliberate, and involved game then you'll be rewarded well by Front Mission.

An otherwise serviceable boxing game on the Wii that doesn't work with the motion controls, which is the whole appeal of playing a boxing game on the Wii.

It's hard to believe that any two-year-old game could be livened up this much with an expansion pack, but Big Huge Games has pulled off this trick just about perfectly with The Asian Dynasties. While the core gameplay is still recognizable, this is a great facelift that makes an old friend look young again.

If they had translated the aura of the film through more creative means in the actual gameplay and story, like they did with the art, instead of just recycling old dialogue and tossing in generic mini-games, Napoleon Dynamite: The Game might have been more of a success. As it is, however, we recommend staying far, far away.

Compared with prominent puzzlers on other platforms, Balloon Pop might seem a bit outdated, slightly repetitive, and lacking in unique charm. But until the Wii's software library offers better options for the price, it's a decent choice for genre dabblers and those seeking a simple diversion.

Once all of your goals are completed, you get a feeling of accomplishment, but lose some of the replayablity of other Sims games - you've seen one uncharted island, you've seen 'em all - and the thought of having to harvest all those vines, chop wood, find berries, pick leaves, catch fish, light fires, build furniture, find shelter and identify plants might not sound appealing.

A cool game, and a gorgeous showpiece for Xbox Live Arcade, holding up well with the likes of other trippy titles like Geometry Wars and Space Giraffe. But the repetitive gameplay doesn’t really hold up like it should. And the game’s crazy presentation will only take most gamers so far.

A fun little game that will probably do a better job in stirring nostalgia in those who were playing it 16 years ago rather than drawing in any new players.

A solid follow-up to an already engaging franchise. Players with a lot of time invested in Heroes of Might and Magic V are going to appreciate the engine tweaks and thoroughly enjoy giving it a go with the Orcs.

If you miss Beautiful Katamari... you're just missing out.

The story mode is ridiculously slow-paced, and involves going to the mall, shopping, changing clothes, getting haircuts… yeah. There are non-music minigames thrown in, but they’re half-assed and the music minigames, which are semi-Guitar Hero-style, are fun, but there’s no way to access them outside the story.

It boldly straddles the line between pick-up-and-play and hardcore simulation in a way that's nothing short of refreshing on a system that's currently caught under an avalanche of mind numbingly simplistic "casual" games.

Offers a rather refreshing take on war-status games. It's nowhere near the excellence of other established stealth games, but it does offer enough innovation and open-endedness to get enough entertainment out of.

If you've been complaining about the lack of PvP in your MMO, this is a non-stop, complex and compelling game that offers a deep, intricate and layered PvP play. If not, Fury isn't likely to convert you from Player versus Environment to PvP in one sitting - but it's still a hell of a good time.

The thrill of tricking, skating, and speed have always been the heart and soul of this quintessential skating game. And it's all retained in in one eensy DS cartridge, and then some.

This is distressingly similar to past Guilty Gear offerings - hence the 8 instead of a 9 - but it's still a fantastic fighting game with one of the deepest fighting systems ever seen and a cast of unique-but-balanced characters that will have you playing until your thumbs bleed. Good stuff.

For those who are truly desperate to gain any advantage they can in their vision - all the moneyed falconers and old men crossing the street out there - well, play it for a few weeks, but don’t be surprised if you spot an unwanted space in your wallet where twenty bucks used to be.

In a vacuum, it's not too shabby, but when compared to its competition this season, it's the red-headed stepchild in a crowded room.

The only thing “everyday” about this shooter is how often we’re playing it.

Online play adds a bit of longevity to an already full-featured game, especially since you can actually take your personal character online to compete in player matches and ranked games. Puzzle Quest is a fabulous addition to the 360's downloadable game library - a game that successfully crosses genres and does it with a lot of style.

Yes, Yaris is a free game. But that shouldn't be an excuse to put almost zero effort into the whole thing. Unfortunately, there are actually no redeeming qualities to Yaris.

The biggest problem with Acme Arsenal is that it doesn’t contain an inkling of the depth on display in the classic cartoons its levels attempt to emulate.

As long as you're not expecting a ton of depth, the game will serve you well as a story-based game, a quick therapeutic diversion and a party game which proves, ultimately that there's a lot to like in Bleach: Shattered Blade.

You'll enjoy it a lot while it lasts, but it's just a shame there isn't more Daffy here to love.

Renegade Squadron scores for being a great game that offers hours of satisfying multiplayer, while simultaneously using its license to its fullest potential and improving over its predecessor.

This is one of the most in-depth strategy games and touching RPGs ever made.

A damn good game in its own right. Visually, it's everything we've hoped for - even if it isn't exactly the RPG we all wanted.

A few small tweaks, overlapping missions and a reduction of redundant verbosity and this could be as exciting and addictive as old school adventure games. It'd be destined for the bargain bin if wasn't already as hard to find in a store as objects are to find in the game.

It's perfect for children, for whom things don't have to "be integrated" or "logical". A series of semi-amusing, unconnected activities: sounds a lot like a sandbox, which, once you graduate middle school, loses its charm unless you can bring your gat.

It's perfect for children, for whom things don't have to "be integrated" or "logical". A series of semi-amusing, unconnected activities: sounds a lot like a sandbox, which, once you graduate middle school, loses its charm unless you can bring your gat.

A series of semi-amusing, unconnected activities: sounds a lot like a sandbox, which, once you graduate middle school, loses its charm unless you can bring your gat.

A series of semi-amusing, unconnected activities: sounds a lot like a sandbox, which, once you graduate middle school, loses its charm unless you can bring your gat.