When 32 players go at it all at once, the intensity of firefights is over-the-top. Warhawk for PS3 deserves every good review it gets.

Opposing Fronts is a damn solid expansion that is playable for total newbies, but works much better if paired with the original COH.

From the wireless versus mode to the intriguing approach to the cutscenes, this classic revision really shines. And I've always said that turn-based games are well suited for handheld gaming.

Best of all, the experience points and ACES rankings you earn are reflected offline and online, so your customized character always reflects your progress, skill, and accumulated weapons. On the surface, there is nothing terribly magic or new about this feature, but these rewards are handled and presented extremely well and their pervasiveness provides a feeling of accomplishment as well as a compelling reason to play all segments of the game.

You can't knock Forza 2 for its technical wizardry and depth, but if this were ice cream, it would be flavorless.

COD4 grips the imagination and finds a way to impact the player's emotions. And though we've seen a ton of games on similar subject matter, COD4 distinguishes itself with a washed-out gritty look and profound attention to detail. That same level of detail carries over to the online campaigns, which are just as vast and in-depth as anything found in the single player missions. From beginning to end--especially the end--COD4 is an amazing immersive experience.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Burnout Paradise is that the barrier between online and offline play is almost invisible. You can be playing along by yourself, and then with a click of a button, you can invite another friend to join you in an event. It's one of the most organic transitions I've seen yet, and Criteron is definitely a pioneer in how online gaming will continue to evolve.

Gears of War satisfies that deep yearning for a vigorous, bloody, and action-packed shooter on Xbox 360, and it does so with style. Epic's team has handled nearly everything (except the story, really) with great craft, technical genius, and completeness.

A fantastic game. If you feel like a quick fix, you can hit up NBA blacktop mode and throw down some jams in a slam dunk contest out on the Vegas Strip (you can even jump over cars!). Want to head online? 2K8 features everything from leagues to two-player co-op play against the computer. Want to pause the game and gaze at Drew Gooden's patch on the back of his head? The choice (as strange as it may be) is yours.

For the experienced basketball fan, you're going to pop in this game and say to yourself, 'It's about time.'

And while it all seems a little hokey or emo (as the kids call it these days) at first, The World Ends With You is actually one of the most interesting and gratifying experiences I’ve had with an RPG in years.

If you’re looking for the best version of the guitar peripheral, then the Wii version wins out. Not only does it have a more weighty feel to it, but it also rumbles when you kick into star power--pretty cool.

While the game's focus is clearly on driving, managing sponsors right will double or triple the income of winning an event and is a fun minigame on its own; making lots of money is crucial to entering higher-level, ultra-costly racing series.

But what really got me taking momentary breaks from the action was coming to the realization of just how much I miss this type of Castlevania game.

For the experienced basketball fan, you're going to pop in this game and say to yourself, 'It's about time.'

While Ninja Gaiden II is a difficult game, it's also far more forgiving than the original (particularly on the acolyte setting) and it gives you ample opportunities to beef up your skills and become a master ninja.

There are an overwhelming number of features in this game that should keep even the most die-hard fan happy until next spring.

A fantastic game. If you feel like a quick fix, you can hit up NBA blacktop mode and throw down some jams in a slam dunk contest out on the Vegas Strip (you can even jump over cars!). Want to head online? 2K8 features everything from leagues to two-player co-op play against the computer. Want to pause the game and gaze at Drew Gooden's patch on the back of his head? The choice (as strange as it may be) is yours.

It takes the GTA formula and condenses it into a game that requires a quarter of the time commitment.

GamerNet is a game within the game, but it ends up being so overwhelming in your mind when you play that you start looking for unique opportunities to come up with shots that maybe nobody else has ever thought of.

Great character parts by Jurgen, Cybil, and the comical Hans Moleman.

And this is where the 360 version has a distinct edge over the PlayStation 3 version; you can actually show off your customized creation in online fighting, which gives players an all-new reason to play the quest mode religiously.

While a few minor things may have been lost in the port, I’d argue that ultimately this is a more important game for the Wii than it was for the PS2.

GamerNet is a game within the game, but it ends up being so overwhelming in your mind when you play that you start looking for unique opportunities to come up with shots that maybe nobody else has ever thought of.

This episode is lean and character-packed, continuing the themes of portal transportation, more wacky situations, and riotous and outlandish humor.

For all of its hiccups and its bloody personality, Heroes is the most fun you can have with a lightsaber without using the Force. Moreover, it serves as a reminder that the Wii's creative potential is broad, and that there are developers out there who are not afraid to play rough and get a little crazy.

Mario Kart Wii doesn't stray far from the beaten track, but it has enough going to dazzle first-time MK drivers and a few new upgrades to challenge the long-time Karters, too.

Nice quick bursts of gaming.