The expansion also adds Tinkering, which allows you to make new items, and Transmuting, which allows you to add additional features to existing items.

A terminally cute game, so while almost guaranteed to suck the kiddies in, it's a tough sell for the trigger-happy Halo crowd. It's also fairly short if your goal is getting every pinata in the game to become a resident in your garden.

A lame attempt at beating as much money from the Chicken Little franchise corpse as possible. While elements of the campaign are fun and challenging, they are offset by the monotonous levels and boring hold-the-shoot-button gameplay.

A solid retro collection for those looking for stone-age thrills. There are enough good games to care, the miniature '80s revival bit is fun, and the $20 price tag is just about reasonable.

Huge, muscular combatants move like giant men wearing heavy gear, fine details are everywhere, and splattering blood never looked so beautiful - and we mean that in an uncreepy, non-Hannibal Lecter kind of way. It just looks incredible.

We loved both the single and multiplayer versions of Splinter Cell Double Agent, so we have no issue recommending it to any PC owner looking for some stealthy action. We had to give it a lower score than the 360 version because of some technical bitchery.

Though unequivocally fun, this release doesn't have "Lumines'" more cerebral underpinnings to fall back on, so the lack of truly differentiated game modes hurts its longevity - especially because most players will need considerable practice before getting more than a level or two in.

Building on the already solid (if a little claustrophobic) linear design of "Call of Duty 2," Call of Duty 3 introduces just enough new tidbits to keep even the most weary veterans in the fight.

This is the simplest Tony Hawk to date.

And while you may ponder why the developers built a new engine and then mostly squandered the potential for originality, their staggering devotion to a piece of wood with four wheels will still daze you.

Combined Assault feels more like an average expansion pack. The new multiplayer maps are welcome and well designed but there are only 10 of them, making it feel like you're playing SOCOM 3 1/2 instead of the legitimate sequel you paid for. Combined Assault does introduce a 4 player co-op mode into the mix, but why would you opt for that when 32 player matches are going on all around you?

One of the shortest full-price console games in our memory. Despite impeccable voicework, the subpar visuals and dreadful combat controls forced us to dump it unceremoniously under a bridge in Jersey - never to be spoken of again.

Despite the lack of polish in the outer shell, the meat of the Sega Genesis Collection is mighty tasty and in the end that's all that matters.

Sure, Bomberman is still sticking with 2D, and his tale is silly at the least, but there's a ton of gameplay value here. Atlus’s secret release really shouldn’t be kept hidden - it’s the bomb.

Digimon World DS excels in being a solid monster collection and training sim. However, the downside is playing through the actual game to collect these monsters. From here it's all Digi-downhill.

Better in every way than the previous game...Unless you hate rock, you need this game.

RoboBlitz may be a tad on the short side, but at around 15 bucks, the price of admission is perfect for the amount of fun you'll have with this game. Plus, the PC version comes with a level editor, which makes it even more worthwhile.

In short, it's pretty much everything you’d expect from Dragon Ball Z, only good.

Left Behind: Eternal Forces just doesn't play very well. As exciting and even (for at lot of folks, at least) uplifting as some of the content could be, it just doesn't move quickly enough or play smoothly enough to compete with the other, more gameplay focused titles in the admittedly more worldly marketplace.

An action game with such gratingly imperfect action doesn't add up to much. BattleZone has its moments; we'd be lying if we said we didn't experience some fantastic moments during four-player games, but too often someone was complaining that he couldn't see anything just before he died, while someone else was noting how the tanks move slower than bicycles.

On the road, or at home in bed, Lumines II is the top of the PSP's puzzler pops. If you're looking for a game to keep you busy on a long plane ride, this is it.

Elite Beat Agents captures that rare quality, that pure joy, that makes Nintendo's own games special. It just makes you feel good with its sing-along songs, memorable characters and laugh-out-loud story.

Even though you've done the whole "construct buildings, connect them with roads and upgrade them" thing before, 1701 A.D. has captured the best of the civilization building genre. It doesn't leave any gaps in gameplay that will allow you to exploit a particular way of playing and serves up a challenging and fun experience that will have you mesmerized for hours on end.

If you're tired of training your brain and want a little alien-infested action, go ahead and pick up Scurge: Hive, because you won't be disappointed by its frenetic blend of creep blasting and puzzle solving.

It's a shame that combat in Children of Mana is so mindless. The ingredients are there to make this a really excellent action RPG.

The story soars, but not so often. The dungeons are long and meandering. The gameplay is effective, but not engrossing. It's a staggeringly well-made game that throws more at you than any other RPG on the PS2... but well-made doesn't necessarily mean "fun."

The amazing single player installation improves on the original game in nearly every way imaginable - without breaking anything what has gone before. Even for players who have never hurled a 20-sided die in anger, Neverwinter Nights 2 is not to be missed.

While it eventually hits near-unplayable levels of insane difficulty, Killzone: Liberation stays fun enough to keep you playing no matter how frustrated you get.

The lack of online support severely hinders the chance you’ll be seeing a lot of multiplayer action – and even if there were online support, there’s nothing like sitting down in front of the TV with three friends and bashing each other’s brains out.

The only question that remains is, with four games in this series and countless other similar titles, how much longer can this engine be revved? Still, by offering up plenty of vehicles, racing styles and gameplay modes, ATV Offroad Fury 4 is a solid racing experience.

When the level mechanics still depend on mashing the attack button mindlessly for minutes at a time, with no real cue as to when to stop, no amount of snappy dialogue or Tim Burton-esque scenery will make it fun to play.

The core shooting action is so strong that these complaints fall by the wayside. F.E.A.R. is a game about shooting things, and once you get your hands on its triggers, you'll find that you won't want to let go.

Konductra can be fun, or frustrating. And while it can be fun for the right reasons, it will be frustrating for the wrong reasons. We’re hoping a sequel can really improve on its premise.

So what if Carbon isn't redefining the street racing genre - really, at this point, what could? It hits a sweet spot of intensity, danger, and style.

So what if Carbon isn't redefining the street racing genre - really, at this point, what could? It hits a sweet spot of intensity, danger, and style.

We're definitely keen on the PSP version, serving up some solid racing fun that'll get your heart pumping and your fingers moving. Just be sure to get by with a little help from your friends.

So while Carbon won't necessarily offend your street racing senses, it's won't knock your socks off either. One thing's for sure - it beats the hell out of last year's Most Wanted DS title, but since that's not saying much at all, we say take another pass this time around.

So what if Carbon isn't redefining the street racing genre - really, at this point, what could? It hits a sweet spot of intensity, danger, and style.

Vice City Stories is topped off with killer ad-hoc multiplayer for up to six people, which lets you tear it up on foot or in cars, helicopters and boats across 10 different modes. While these matches tend to get choppy, they'll keep you playing long after you've finished the game's lengthy storyline - as will all the hidden nooks, unlockable vehicles and dozens of optional tasks scattered around the city.

Basically, you're getting a half-baked version of The Sims with an even less-baked version of Nintendogs grafted onto it.

We would have liked for this year's 360 FIFA 07 to combine all the best parts of its current-gen cousins and its older World Cup brother; rather, we got a good, not great, title that in several ways is outshined by those same games.

The cream of the action RPG crop on the PSP. There's just enough of a plot to keep you interested enough to venture into more caverns and battle more beasts. An RPG by nature, it's an action game by trade, and most of all it's a satisfying romp.

Even with the aid of the magnifying glass, the pacing of Tunguska's plot still crawls at a snail's pace.

Pokemon Ranger is an enjoyable marketing sidequest, despite lacking depth or challenge. Pokemon fans will find it a satisfactory appetizer to tide them over until the main course arrives next year.

The vehicles aren't nearly as customizable as in "Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition" or as destructive as in "Twisted Metal: Head-On," but, thanks mostly to the multiplayer and extra single-player modes, Rush provides several days of enjoyable arcade style racing.

Unfortunately, the repetitive battle tactics and bland storyline get stale after a few rounds, and all but the most dedicated Trekophiles will likely ditch it for more varied (and plentiful) strategic DS fare.

ATV Offroad Fury Pro has made a quantum leap over Blazin' Trails. Learning from their mistakes, developer Climax has retooled everything from the controls to the graphics, making Offroad Fury Pro so good that it's a wonder what happened the first time around.

Guild Wars fans should not hesitate in picking up this title for the new professions and heroes alone. And with no monthly fees, Guild Wars Nightfall serves as an excellent introduction to those unfamiliar with the MMORPG genre or Guild Wars series.

Phantasy Star Universe, in the end, is just more of the same thing: simple dungeon crawling. It's fun online; it's not fun offline. This is a hard one to rate, as it's pretty convoluted. It ultimately depends on what type of experience you're looking for when you load it up.

Phantasy Star Universe, in the end, is just more of the same thing: simple dungeon crawling. It's fun online; it's not fun offline. This is a hard one to rate, as it's pretty convoluted.

Just more of the same thing: simple dungeon crawling. It's fun online; it's not fun offline. This is a hard one to rate, as it's pretty convoluted.

The only real beef we have is that the XP system means it's never long before a few veteran players have pumped up their characters and become virtually untouchable, clubbing everyone else like baby seals. But it's empowering if you're one of the vets, to be sure.

Galvanized by the well-implemented trust management system, Splinter Cell: Double Agent proves to be another great game in this venerable series. By delving further into the character of Sam Fisher, Ubisoft manages to keep the series vital, much to our delight.

Parents will appreciate that the action is as non-violent as combat can get - enemy pilots always eject just in time - and everyone else that isn't overly concerned with looking childish will enjoy exploring Snoopy's colorful imagination and shooting down buddies in what may be the biggest surprise good time of the year.

In the end, playing .hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth is like drinking fine wine from a plastic sippy cup. It has a compelling story and premise, served up with repetitive dungeons and stale battles.

It's acceptably action-packed, but if it hadn't been patterned after Quentin Tarantino's signature film, you'd probably have forgotten it exists by now.

It's acceptably action-packed, but if it hadn't been patterned after Quentin Tarantino's signature film, you'd probably have forgotten it exists by now.

It's a well-made game that you can try again and again with numerous heroes and their plethora of powers. If you're a comic-book fan, this is probably the most satisfying videogame ever made for you.

It's a well-made game that you can try again and again with numerous heroes and their plethora of powers. If you're a comic-book fan, this is probably the most satisfying videogame ever made for you.

We'd rather play this than the past two or three Tony games on PS2 and Xbox - Downhill Jam makes Tony Hawk seem fresh and exciting again.

The biggest issue with the single player campaign was that half way through, we started earning money faster than we could spend it and had massive space stations, capable of repelling nearly any attack, at every world. That said, if there's a Star Wars fan out there who doesn't want more ships, vehicles, and heroes to play with, we haven't met him yet.

The whole collection plays out like the unlockables - tons of entertainment and worthwhile content that's slightly soured by the difficulty of getting to it.

Although this is essentially more of the same with a couple new elements, it’s executed well. The photorealistic graphics, edgy atmosphere, and riotous gunplay mix masterfully to create phantasmagoric art.

An undiscerning child may have a bit of fun for awhile with Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts, and adults may even find the wacky, borderline creepy premise of the game slightly bemusing. But if you care about children (or your own sanity), you may want to skip this one and just get the DVD instead.

While we're pleasantly surprised with Flushed Away, that doesn't mean it ignores all of the typical problems for licensed games made on the quick. The camera is pretty crazy at times (especially when you're attempting to control it, oddly enough), and the controls are awkward.

At the end of the day, even if there is the chance you might manage to eke out some meager enjoyment from collecting coins, whipping Rita's bungee cord and Roddy's rolling attacks, it's impossible to justify paying anything near full price for this game.

DW2 has just enough improvements to make it smoother and slightly more enjoyable than its predecessor.

Forgettable.

No real improvements have been made to the game which is a wasted opportunity as the poor camera and basic graphics stand out even more on the PS2 than in the original version.

Easily the weakest Live Arcade game to come out in the past two months, but that's not to say it's bad. At such a cheap price, it's actually a pretty nice package.

It may take a pretty thick suit of armor to fully embrace Legends but if you can stomach many, many defeats you'll be rewarded with the particle-laden powers of witches, wizards, magical nights and fire-breathing dragons.

Too bad it's only ad-hoc - a true online mode would have brought all the Ace fans together in a maelstrom of missiles and inappropriate language. Instead, we'll all happily settle for a portable version that, despite its flaws, is a rocket-powered ballet that'll ensnare new and old players alike.

A throwback to the bygone days of the RPG genre - whether that's a good or a bad thing depends on your tastes. But even players who aren't retro-fans will be hard-pressed to consider Magical Starsign a truly bad game.

The gameplay is nothing outstanding, but it's fun enough while it lasts, and overall it looks pretty slick.

There's not much longevity there, but it's a good ride while it lasts. The gigantor multiplayer matches should keep you and your friends emptying clips for a good while though, and that's exactly how it should be.

Contact does sport an incredible surprise ending that adds depth and changes your perspective on all the main characters in the game. However, its impact is greatly diminished by the extremely short play time.

The good part of all this is, the game is very rarely boring. What’s happening onscreen is always dumb, sometimes infuriating and often crap, but there’s always something happening.

There’s definitely room for AAA-level downloadable content on Live, and whether you pay $15 or $30 for Lumines, it remains one of the best games of 2005 and 2006 and a must-play. If you're a puzzle nut, this is manna from heaven.

Some of the humor errs on the side of cornball, but the charm, vaguely sleazy trappings and surreal violence of the Sam & Max comics are more intact here than in any other adaptation thus far.

A rewarding, free-form adventure that takes a surprisingly thoughtful (if cartoonish) approach to high school. You won't be disappointed.

Veterans of Splinter Cell Chaos Theory may be disappointed with Double Agent's multiplayer. Yet, while some may call this game stripped down, we thought the lack of gadgets streamlined the multiplayer experience and sped up matches online.

While rough around the edges, the franchise still wears the crown of best team-based experience in gaming today - for now.

Add in online multiplayer support for up to four wannabe tycoons, and you've got the best railroading sim since the original Railroad Tycoon. Some gamers may find Sid Meier's Railroads! a little on the simplistic side, but it makes for a nice, light snack.

An average sandbox title with a charismatic anti-hero and hilarious B-movie presentation as its saving grace. And we'll take that.

If you're looking for groundbreaking gameplay and a thrilling story - or even differences between the Xbox and PS2 versions, other than HD support for Xbox - you'll be disappointed. Justice League Heroes is a pretty standard action RPG that's neither offensive nor alluring.

The only way you'd really want to play this game is if you're a diehard fan of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Flash and you don't mind beating up stupid robots for hours on end in dull levels.

It's a tough act to pull off, but The WarChiefs manages to walk that fine line between familiarity and new material quite well. Age of Empires III veterans are going to love it.

There are nits to pick, like having to hammer at buttons to bypass a predictable array of strolling animations, but Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is still slick as hell, and any golf enthusiast should be thrilled to bits with the depth of play to be had within.

But even though the game shares some DNA with gems like the WarioWare series or the trippy Katamari Damacy, WTF got the short end of the genetic stick. If you’re going to spend your free time doing something that’s ultimately pointless and repetitive, you might as well get a real job.

If you can play this on a computer, do so. If you already own The Sims 2 for PS2 and are considering paying full price again to get the Pets feature, don't.

By adding yet another layer of realism with the presence of animals - dogs barking in the distant night, cats napping on the couch, rodents running in their squeaky wheel - your Sims' world becomes richer and, thus, your gaming experience more enjoyable.

Even with the hypersensitive shot controls, we think this year’s FIFA may match up evenly with Konami’s latest counterpart, due out later this fall (we hear your cries of blasphemy, "Winning Eleven" fanatics - you'll get the chance to prove us wrong).

Flight Simulator X looks to have touched down six-to-twelve months too early for much of its target audience but, as its score reflects, it's an extraordinarily well-crafted piece of software and one of the most significant releases in flight simming history.

With such a drastic difference in features and entertainment value between Stewie and the rest of his kin, one wonders why he didn't just get his own game. As it stands, you'll have to play through some pretty irritating nonsense just to get to the good stuff, and it's just not worth the effort.

If you stick with the smaller campaigns, you can focus on mastering the interface and designing the ultimate space fleet. Sometimes Space Empires V takes its commitment to customization too far, but there’s never any doubt who the emperor is.

Its "Se7en" -inspired serial killer lunacy is good for a genuine chill or two. It ain't perfect, but it's different and interesting enough to be worth a good look.

If you don't have the nurturing gene or the attention span to keep a virtual animal alive, steer clear - but if you're looking for something that's totally nonviolent and uses all your DS's whistles and bells, Nintendogs is it.

Although it may keep you interested for a while, and some of the classes offer some interesting challenges, The Guild 2 is even more rough around the edges than the original Europa, and not nearly as deep or even as interesting.