Cars has its flaws and frustrations, but it does a nice job of wrapping up a decent arcade-style racer in a very shiny package. Unfortunately, not even the crisp visuals, hopping cars and dynamic tracks help it pull ahead of the huge pack of racers already available for the PSP.

There's a two-player, multi-cart wireless mode to try with friends, but it's nothing that’s gonna keep you interested for long, and the bland Piston Cup races aren't exciting by yourself anyway.

But while Brain Age has you holding the DS like a book, nurturing your every gaming step, Academy more or less throws you into the mix, expecting a degree of familiarity with how these minigames work.

There are even occasional (very minor) glitches that'll have you scratching your batting helmet. But it is good for a laugh if you've got 20 minutes on your hands. If you're a number-crunching statistician, you'll be annoyed by the 27 hits per side, per game.

Basically, a hectic, good time. But is a simple puzzle game worth the same amount of cash as, say, New Super Mario Bros.? We have to say no, though if you're not interested in regular games, or just really need a puzzle fix, Magnetica should fit the bill.

Half-Life 2: Episode One demonstrates how games ought to be made, forged by dedication, imagination and risk-taking. It's an outstanding, stirring experience.

Stacked could benefit from more polish and deeper player customization (no, we don't want to look fat and balding, even if we are), but its actual gameplay is solid, and the creepy I'm-watching-you-so-I-can-destroy-you vibe can only help your real-world strategy.

It manages to provide an incredibly compelling experience by consistently setting an intense mood, forgiving player errors and providing numerous options for accomplishing your fiendish goals.

It manages to provide an incredibly compelling experience by consistently setting an intense mood, forgiving player errors and providing numerous options for accomplishing your fiendish goals.

Stacked could benefit from more polish and deeper player customization (no, we don't want to look fat and balding, even if we are), but its actual gameplay is solid, and the creepy I'm-watching-you-so-I-can-destroy-you vibe can only help your real-world strategy.

It manages to provide an incredibly compelling experience by consistently setting an intense mood, forgiving player errors and providing numerous options for accomplishing your fiendish goals.

Teen Titans is a short and unspectacular diversion for an audience that might be too young for more mature fare, and the price is certainly right, but those more discerning with their beat 'em-up dollars should hunt super-villains elsewhere.

The abstruse design and technical flaws leave us cold, but the sheer potential for savage bastardry makes it undeniably fun.

Rogue Trooper may not be cutting edge, but as a simple, straightforward shooter, it’s more than capable of delivering a quick action fix.

Rogue Trooper may not be cutting edge, but as a simple, straightforward shooter, it’s more than capable of delivering a quick action fix.

The long wait is now over: our gaping mouths declared it officially worth it after seeing the startlingly gorgeous Heroes world.

The game's short-burst quests and small-scale exploration are perfectly suited to a handheld game, and while it's easy to get into, it gets more fun and involving the more you play.

There's nothing wrong with the fundamentals, and the online play is sweetness, but a couple more weeks in the situation room would have helped this war sail smoother.

Even with its lumps, Steambot Chronicles is still full of lovable personality.

But while the suicidal rodents look sharp and the gameplay is still some of the best puzzle gaming around, there’s no escaping the fact that Lemmings simply doesn’t bring much that’s new to the table.

Executing killer spins, tricky drop shots and monster rallies makes Table Tennis a cult-worthy game that breeds unhealthy competition.

The actors (not from the film cast) sound utterly bored throughout their lengthy speeches; the only thing that trumps the highly questionable French accents is a guy who actually says "woof woof" on behalf of a virtual dog.

It's decent at first, but after a few hours of disarming endless bombs, slaying ninjas and flinging ice everywhere, you'll just want to power down the console and go see the movie instead.

You could probably leech out a weekend's worth of so-so gaming, and at 30 bucks, you'll still have plenty of cash to check out the upcoming film. It's bound to be more exciting than this.

But it's all so damn repetitive, you'll be too bored to see this through.

The actors (not from the film cast) sound utterly bored throughout their lengthy speeches; the only thing that trumps the highly questionable French accents is a guy who actually says "woof woof" on behalf of a virtual dog.

You're getting a completely solid solo game, a simple-but-exciting two-player, and then a collection of super-quick stylus games - that's real value.

Exactly what anyone craving an eclectic director's cut of Rise of Nations could want, and just as playable, thanks in part to three well-balanced antagonists. If it's not terribly inventive, well, there's always "Rise of Nations 2," right?

Our only real gripe is that the weapon selection is meager; a pistol, a shotgun and a submachine gun fill out your arsenal.

For the time being, we'd rather play Ballers than EA's "NBA Street," and that's really all you need to know.

Even for kids, Over the Hedge is absurdly frustrating with its busted camera and indoctrinating logo-storm.

A classy, clean implementation of an old favorite that feels instantly comfortable - and, amazingly enough, at 400 points ($5), it costs about three clams less than a real deck of Unocards.

Oh, you'll hear plenty of Diablo comparisons, and we loved the big D six years ago, but hopefully you've moved on since, because this "role-playing-made-love-to-a-strategy-game" hybrid certainly has.

GRAW may be too realistic for gamers that prefer arcadey, twitchy shooters. Its gritty realism and requirement for a methodical approach borders on obsessive-compulsive. For players who appreciate a "thinking man's shooter," it simply cannot be missed.

The game isn't especially long but it's reasonably entertaining, even when you can hear the misfires going on behind the monitor. It's good - it just isn't as good as it should be.

Gallop Racer 2006 would be more fun if its presentation weren't so overwhelmingly confusing and its races so surprisingly difficult: it's a nasty combo.

And with no monthly fees, Guild Wars Factions serves as an excellent introduction to those unfamiliar with the MMORPG genre or Guild Wars series.

The Hustle might aim to be an affordable budget diversion, but even a bargain price can't make this deeply flawed game worth buying.

Until you've cleared route A in under four minutes you can never truly say that you've lived.

Online play only sweetens the deal, making this one of the best, easily-accessible racers on any system.

Metal Saga has ... a few one-liners. It possesses no traits to make it stand out among the current role-playing crop - or even the bulk of RPGs from a decade ago. Let this clunker rust.

It plays to the DS' strengths, and when it all clicks, it's a lot of fun. Just be prepared to brute force your way through a lot of frustrating misfires if you decide to go for it.

Everything's so crisp and workable that it's hard not to just smile and deal with all the little problems that try to bring the game down.

The live-action cinemas that narrate the game's passable storyline are a cheesy, unnecessary addition, but the truth remains that for modern-era aerial action, there's no substitute for Ace Combat.

The presentation of Project Poseidon also leaves much to be desired, with awkward and simplistic texturing, not to mention some downright asinine vocals.

If the control wasn't so sloppy and loose, Total Destruction could easily have been a much better game. As it stands, this is just like every previous entry.

The biggest disappointment is the sheer lack of innovation in the game engine and graphics. Yes, the shooting mechanic is a little different, but for the most part the gameplay is the same as the last few FIFA games.

Even on the Xbox 360, the only major improvement seems to be in the graphics, which aren't as big an upgrade over the Xbox and PS2 versions as they could be.

Little gameplay innovation.

And the biggest question: why, for the love of god (pun intended), didn’t they add multiplayer? It’s a god-sized wasted opportunity.

Perhaps the most convenient feature of WRC is its much-appreciated and often-used instant reset. When - not if - you make a mistake and end up stuck behind a boulder or upside down in a ditch, hitting the reset starts the race over immediately - no loading at all.

Despite its flaws and frustrations, FFXI's age gives it one thing that no other 360 game can match: massive amounts of content. You could easily lose 200 hours of your life (not to mention your spouse) during the first month of exploration.

Dreamfall ends on a cliffhanger. If it's all the same to the creators, we'd rather not wait another six years for a resolution.

The fact that you can only test for your age once a day gives you incentive to keep trying, and with the floating head of Professor Kawashima offering suggestions, there's a sense of a persisting, updating world every time you play.

If you're looking for an MMO with voice chat, heavy weaponry, and absolutely no elves, Auto Assault is likely the one. The game delivers on its promise of massive combat action in a twisted shadow of the world we know, albeit for a monthly $15 subscription fee and some steep tech demands.

Even training monsters has become a total chore; you have to set each task manually, instead of being able to set long-term training schedules. This is a de-evolution at best.

Gameplay aside, Bone: The Great Cow Race boasts pretty, well-animated visuals, excellent voice-acting and a great musical score, especially for an indie title. It's still a little short and none too replayable, but it's a fun little quest while it lasts.

Every second of this game screams skillful design and the result is a liberating game world that feels open and responsive. Nearly every object in the game reacts to Lara's influence, and this applies to the gamer holding the control pad as well - it's impossible to play this game and not fall under its tempting spell.

Every second of this game screams skillful design and the result is a liberating game world that feels open and responsive.

Every second of this game screams skillful design and the result is a liberating game world that feels open and responsive. Nearly every object in the game reacts to Lara's influence, and this applies to the gamer holding the control pad as well - it's impossible to play this game and not fall under its tempting spell.

Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked does a lot that's interesting - for a little while, anyway - but we get the impression that this is the product of too much thought and not enough work.

It hurts a bit to have to pay $60 for what is basically a slight upgrade to an old game.

It's truly everybody's game - if you can swing a stick, you can play this (even if you're a lefty). It's perfect for parties, or for players willing to trade next-gen graphics and fancy options for the chance to swing a club instead of button mashing.

As a game, MLB 2K6 feels more than competent, but it fails to excel. Much like last year’s Cubs, it has its shining moments, but in the end you’re left with the distinct feeling that it could have been so much more.

Two-on-two mode is hampered by poor AI, but it's good for a quick pickup game if you can get a couple simians with opposable thumbs to join in.

While many gamers will be turned off by the daunting gameplay, the true superbike diehard can be sure they'll get their money's worth — though Namco's "MotoGP" series does the genre better on whole.

As a game, MLB 2K6 feels more than competent, but it fails to excel. Much like last year’s Cubs, it has its shining moments, but in the end you’re left with the distinct feeling that it could have been so much more.

It has the double misfortune of being an incomplete port, and of being released around the same time as "Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror" (which does the same things, but better).

Unusually addicting and accessible for a serious sports game, Top Spin 2 offers a lot of gameplay for a very reasonable $40.

It has a combat system that rewards the tactical ninja without leaving the button-masher completely behind (three difficulty levels, folks), and it has characters who can easily surmount every shortcoming the game displays.

An unholy level of difficulty squelches the fun, and bullets will frequently find your grunts unless they're behind the most fortress-like of cover.

For those who loved the arcade hit, this is a long-awaited must-have. But even if you're a newcomer to the series, Beatmania is a fun, rhythmic button-masher that will turn you into a fan.

One big, giant, fly in the umbrella drink is that as refreshing as these bright visuals are - especially at HDTV resolution (720p) - it's pretty clear that many of the graphics were ported directly from the Xbox version.

It fixes lots of the little problems that plagued the first game, and it's just involving enough for a long flight or repeated visits to the DMV.

It looks fantastic, and it's definitely sexy, albeit in an unabashedly slutty, so-tacky-you-should-probably-feel-ashamed kind of way. If that sounds cool, take this babe out on the town tonight.

This is still the best Dynasty Warriors out there, and still well worth playing, but there's just not much reason to buy it if you have even a single eariler entry in the series.

Unacceptable graphics, a chillingly dull fishing system and a cast of characters who lack any combine to make this a horrible excuse for a journey.

Not even building an empire can keep Dynasty Warriors 5 from feeling archaic and shallow. We've been doing this same thing for something like ten games in a row now.

As we weaved through wave after wave of enemies, downing them wholesale, we couldn't help but wish there had been a replay feature included with the game. Still, for the raw, explosive fury of aerial battle, you can accept no substitute for Blazing Angels.

Few games attempt as much and succeed as completely.

As we weaved through wave after wave of enemies, downing them wholesale, we couldn't help but wish there had been a replay feature included with the game. Still, for the raw, explosive fury of aerial battle, you can accept no substitute for Blazing Angels.

For gamers who like things categorically insane, you're looking at a go-to, button-mashy party game.

The original PS2 and Xbox versions of Capcom Classics Collection - which had an undeniably better selection of games - debuted at $19.99, yet this portable version is twice as expensive. We're guessing Sony's PSP publishing rules have more to do with this than Capcom's bank account does, but it sucks either way.

It's fantastic and it keeps us up at night. There's no better endorsement.

It just feels sloppier than the PSP game, which, incidentally, will run you ten more bucks and doesn't support game sharing.

Compared to the jittery Nintendo DS version, this one clips along nicely, with expectedly superior graphics and slightly better sound quality.

The action is bloody and satisfying, the story plays out like exceptionally well-written fan-fiction and the spirit of the movie and its characters are intact.

The action is bloody and satisfying, the story plays out like exceptionally well-written fan-fiction and the spirit of the movie and its characters are intact.

Suikoden is mainly all about the obsessive-compulsive scrabbling for all 108 "Stars of Destiny" - which means yes, there are literally 108 characters to meet and recruit to your cause.

If you love the personality and the gameplay of the series, you'll find it all here. And if you've never played a Katamari game before, you're in for a wonderful surprise.

So despite high production values, highlighted by another stellar turn by Ironside, there are too many frustrations for anyone but the most staunch Splinter Cell fanatic to try and stomach.

So the developers have crafted a very playable puzzle game with a decent multiplayer aspect and screwed it up with a tiny bit of bad programming. Go! Sudoku is nearly scuttled by this strange bug, which is a real shame.

With 250 new ship upgrades, 100 new aircraft, and submarine warfare, Warship Gunner 2 is just the ticket for the gamer who always wanted to shout, "Damn the torpedoes! Full Speed ahead!" Just remember, it won't always be a pleasure cruise.

Snake is back, but don’t let his fluffy, forgettable story fool you; he brought a lot of game with him. If you think “owning them all” is a pastime reserved for small children, you are wrong.

It doesn't help that the gameplay and story are unattractive twins, the runoff and trash of better RPGs.

Like Homer, once you've begun to consume what this eternity has to offer, you'll have no desire to stop. The fourth Elder Scrolls entry is utterly brilliant and should not be missed by any adventure-spirited gamer.

Like Homer, once you've begun to consume what this eternity has to offer, you'll have no desire to stop. The fourth Elder Scrolls entry is utterly brilliant and should not be missed by any adventure-spirited gamer.

There's hours upon infinite hours to be spent clearing blocks all over again - just like we did with the original Game Boy 15 years ago.