For parents, it's nice to have a gaming option that's not tied to licensing for yet another TV show. And the gameplay that is there fun and simple, so when the young gamer in the house does want to play multiplayer, it'll be entertaining for everyone.

Heroes of Mana could conceivably have the best RTS controls yet on a non-PC RTS game.

Smarty Pants does a decent job of continuing EA's agenda to make games that the whole family can play.

It feels disappointing at first, but it quickly moves beyond that and turns into a game that, despite its shortcomings, is just plain fun.

IO's next big thing is a mish-mash of a few phenomenally great moments hidden inside a clusterf--- of nearly unplayable controls, bad level progression, unpredictable AI, and some seriously broken gameplay scenarios.

My consoles are where I play the big, "important" games like BioShock, Uncharted, and Super Mario Galaxy. For the PSP, which I use while in transit on a flight or on a long, not-so-great vacation, this collection may have its fair share of flaws, but it fits my needs more or less to a tee.

Continues crawling forward in the same vein as its predecessors, and it does very well for itself in the Wii.

IO's next big thing is a mish-mash of a few phenomenally great moments hidden inside a clusterf--- of nearly unplayable controls, bad level progression, unpredictable AI, and some seriously broken gameplay scenarios.

For whatever reason, FIFA Street 3 is about as deep as a book of poetry by Paris Hilton.

One thing NBA 08 does do that the competition can't, though, is run at 60 frames per second at 1080p. Then again, when the players on the court aren't always acting like their real selves, what does it matter how much they look like them?

For whatever reason, FIFA Street 3 is about as deep as a book of poetry by Paris Hilton.

Unlike many squad-based shooters that don't require the use of the whole team, Jericho's premise relies on it. What's equally important is that each character is genuinely worth playing.

Unlike many squad-based shooters that don't require the use of the whole team, Jericho's premise relies on it. What's equally important is that each character is genuinely worth playing.

You're doomed if you try to take this game seriously; it doesn't even take itself seriously. Moreover, you pay full price; and the game is short, so you'd better like Harvey Birdman. If you have doubts, catch the show on the Cartoon Network before you make the call.

Manhunt has turned from a violent, yet solid stealth game into a mediocre stealth game with a clichéd story and toned-down ultraviolence.

BlackSite, which evolved from a light-gun coin-op game in the late 1990s, does its best to shadow "Halo 1"'s story in many respects, but regularly comes up short.

Music Jam is definitely a step up from your average, crappy TV show turned even crappier platformer, but that’s like saying a car accident is better for you than a train wreck.

A completely frustrating game for all the wrong reasons. The challenge here isn’t the good kind of challenge that can be overcome naturally over the course of time as you become more familiar with the game. It’s a cheap challenge where any single mistake almost takes you completely out of the race. It’s worth noting that online multiplayer counteracts, that since your opponents don’t magically catch up with you the second you make a mistake.

At least, the action's fast, fluid, and fun. The AI's no world beater; so while veteran fighting gamers won't break a sweat, everyone else has a fighting chance.

If you keep your expectations low (really low), and if you liked games such as Lego Star Wars and TMNT, Friend or Foe won't be the bitter pill that Spider-Man 3 was.

Action-combat fans would do better to hold off for the upcoming "Ninja Gaiden 2," or spend 10 bucks on an older DW title.

There are some pretty good side trips, too. Multiplayer co-op mode lets three more people join you on safari, too. One drives a jeep while the others take pictures. Also, completing each assignment unlocks a minigame featuring the animal you've just investigated.

You're doomed if you try to take this game seriously; it doesn't even take itself seriously. Moreover, you pay full price; and the game is short, so you'd better like Harvey Birdman. If you have doubts, catch the show on the Cartoon Network before you make the call.

Unlike many squad-based shooters that don't require the use of the whole team, Jericho's premise relies on it. What's equally important is that each character is genuinely worth playing.

In the end, the wacky storyline is deflated by the difficult controls in Victorious Boxers Revolution. If Cavia could have nailed at least one of the control schemes, then this game would have had much more appeal.

Action-combat fans would do better to hold off for the upcoming "Ninja Gaiden 2," or spend 10 bucks on an older DW title.

If you keep your expectations low (really low), and if you liked games such as Lego Star Wars and TMNT, Friend or Foe won't be the bitter pill that Spider-Man 3 was.

Battle of the Bands is pretty fun, and it’s definitely a cheaper option in the whole music game fad than the peripheral-laden titles out there, but there’s just not a lot of depth there.