It replicates the feeling of sliding down a mountain side with eerie precision and manages to make other control schemes feel dated. There’s certainly plenty of opportunity for improvement with the sequel, but with a ton of content and even more fun, it’s hard to go wrong with SSX Blur.

Dead or Alive 5 capably reaffirms the intrinsic charm of the series: fast, technical fighting that's easy to pick up, easy to appreciate, and easy on the eyes. But rather than advance the series into a new level of play, it merely repackages the its strong points rather than evolve them.

The odd premise of Tokyo Jungle is only augmented by the adrenaline rush of survival and the peculiarity of its systems and rules. It can certainly get repetitive and unlocking everything is a bear, but its random nature can often have you shouting at the screen in moments of panic and surprise.

With a more deliberately-designed fighting system, Battle Royale strives for the sort of cred you'd sooner find in an arcade than a living room get-together. The end result is a serviceable party game that shoots for the stars but ultimately comes up short of its competitive aspirations. In its attempts to take its format in a different direction, it has inadvertently skewed itself away from the fundamentals that would make it work. In the end, you can safely say that Battle Royale is indeed not like Smash Brothers, but it might have been better if it were.

The game is fun, at least it starts out fun, but repetition eventually morphs into boredom and killing demons changes from a guilty pleasure to a chore. By the game's mid-point the joy of combat has faded, the humor has worn thin and the characters and storyline aren't strong enough to carry the game. Shadow Warrior does stay true to its 1990s roots, but never truly moves past them.

Puzzle Quest 2 is a worthy sequel in every measure. It improves the look and feel of the original, successfully builds on its mechanics, and still feels different enough to provide a sense of novelty and newness.

Dance Dance Revolution is quickly becoming a tired franchise, and Universe doesn’t do much to change that. With that said, there’s no denying it’s a solid game with enough content to keep people playing until the inevitable sequel.

Tumble has the broad appeal of any good puzzler, though it will tax your manual dexterity in ways Tetris never dreamed. Like any good puzzle game, there will be some frustration, especially with the novel contortion element.

Serviceable enough, but a grand return to form it isn't. Frankly, it feels a little warmed over.

The more players demand by way of stats, management options, and formation flexibility, the more this franchise gets left behind. Having a limited selection of real teams playing in a fabricated league just doesn’t cut it anymore. The gameplay remains as a solid foundation, but that can only take a game so far.

The PSP has definitely turned a corner in the past few months, and this latest Pursuit Force really illustrates what the system is capable of when developers really care about making a quality game with an original property.

FlatOut 2 is one of the most chaotic racing games ever made. Whether you’re playing on or offline, you’ll be lucky if you can last two minutes on the track without eating twisted metal.

Fun but short, and lacking enemies more substantial than guys with grenade launchers. The series definitely still has quite a bit of potential to live up to, but if you have a friend to partner up with, it’s definitely worth taking a couple trips to witness the destruction of Shanghai.

Guerrilla Games needs to recognize that it's not plot points and politics that move its games, but the bullets and guns. If the campaign could take a step back from the spectacle to focus on core concepts and feedback loops, the qualities that make the multiplayer suite so flexible and entertaining could make the campaign even stronger. Killzone Shadow Fall is easy to recommend as a launch title, and it's also a fantastic shooter on its own merits, regardless of hardware or history.

While Hardline isn’t the Battlefield you may be used to it offers a unique approach that will surely please fans of the genre. The campaign is a big step up from previous entries and while the multiplayer anarchy has been trimmed down, the gameplay in its place is more tactical and intimate.

FlatOut 2 is one of the most chaotic racing games ever made. Whether you're playing on or offline, you'll be lucky if you can last two minutes on the track without eating twisted metal.

It’s often a glitchy and shallow experience, yet you’ll have an absolute blast playing it.

However much its color scheme may protest to the contrary, The Saboteur is not a classic. It gets the basics right, though, and it's peppered with a lot of exciting, memorable moments.

Quotation forthcoming.

The lack of narrative finesse and the toning down of the scripted events was a good call. It’s not quite the open world shooter that was promised, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

If you’re looking for a deep single-player experience with a lot of modes and cutting edge presentation, leave All-Pro Football 2K8 on the bench. But if you’re simply looking for straight-up solid football to play online or with friends, All-Pro Football 2K8 answers the call.

An over-reliance on random chance over strategy can quickly derail the experience when things go awry at the worst possible time, but when matches come together with the right balance, Mario Party 9 does deliver the fun this exuberant series is known for.

Lasting about three hours, this $10 first act has a hard time standing on its own.

If you've played past Lego movie tie-ins, you can expect more of the same from Pirates of the Caribbean. It follows a predictable formula, but it's still suitable for Pirates fans looking for lightweight family fun.

Pandora's Tower isn't the best-playing action RPG out there. Its fixed camera and control issues are often quite frustrating. Yet these issues aren't enough to completely outweigh Elena's convincing character.

It’s so frustrating that we’re this far into the PSP’s life cycle and still we get watered down ports of good console games that are all but unplayable. Gun has a lot going for it, but when the interface is broken, the game is broken.

Simply stated, NES Remix 2 is a real sequel’s sequel, with stronger games, weirder remixes and better bonuses. Players who’d like an interactive history lesson and anyone with fondness for old-school Nintendo could do far worse than romancing these ROMs.

But for those looking for a puzzle game that’s a bit off the beaten path, and that isn’t simply another Tetris or Bejeweled clone, it fits the bill perfectly. Don’t let this hidden gem pass you by.

Escape Plan’s memorable puzzles are wrapped up in a unique presentation, but once you finish the 3 hour campaign there's not much of a reason to comeback.

It may not be Kirby’s most triumphant outing, but Rainbow Curse is still an entertaining ride.

Having to cover the damage done to your cars gives playing the game a sense of desperation, and multiple event types mix things up. Even so, Need for Speed Pro Street doesn’t quite have enough meat to cover its bones and is best suited for players who are in for the challenge, not the big crashes.

LocoRoco: Midnight Carnival will alienate all but the most devout LocoRoco fanatics. Precision platforming and gimped controls just don't go well together. If you've got the patience for relentless trial and error, then have at it. Otherwise, stick to LocoRoco 2--you'll retain your sanity and your PSP will remain in working order.

Serious wordsmiths may bemoan the lighter difficulty and more streamlined puzzle play, but it's hard to grumble when the simple act of noodling around with your wacky word creations is so blissfully absorbing on its own.

There are some questionable gameplay choices and it can be confusing at times, but the sharp script, solid voice acting, and uncanny atmosphere show an appreciation for the source material like few movie games do.

Despite successfully improving on some of its predecessor's mechanics, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is ultimately bogged down by untimely bugs. If you can work through these issues, there's a decent action RPG hiding behind the mask. It might just be too much to ask of the average player.

Whether it’s the TV parodies or inventive balance board support, Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party is a fresh successor to the original. Yes, Wii mini-game collections have been done to death, but TV Party does it right, and does it differently.

If you’re a stalwart fan with a pair of dedicated friends, you will likely have a pleasant time with the game’s puzzles and combat, but it’s hard to recommend this game to anyone that hasn’t already sought the Triforce for a much more admirable purpose.

It’s been three years since the previous Animal Crossing on the DS, but City Folk is virtually identical and costs $20 more.

Claptastic Voyage doesn’t bring much new table and it’s a bit light on side content. However, its ability to have fun with its setting keeps it feeling fresh even if you’re starting to wear out on the Borderlands formula.

The more straightforward design of Lords of the Fallen puts more focus on combat than building an interesting world. Players may be less likely to get lost, but the game lacks a sense of wonder and isn’t helped by its dull narrative and recycled enemies. Still, the solid mechanics are a step in the right direction.

Hybrid is a game that you might not expect from the creators of Lock's Quest and Scribblenauts, but if the sort of imagination behind this jump-jet cover based space shooter is anything to go by, the connections aren't all that difficult to make.

WWE 2K16 strikes the perfect balance between technical wresting and Attitude Era brawling. Minor online issues hold it back, but the moment-to-moment flow of each match, the huge roster, and the stellar tribute to Stone Cold Steve Austin all combine to make this a must-play for anyone remotely interested in the WWE.

Those hoping for an in-depth solo campaign should look elsewhere to satisfy their story-driven shooting, as what's included is short and largely forgettable. Yet, if you value large-scale battles, tactical combat, and team-oriented play, Fuel of War won't leave you running on empty.

Does what it intends to do quite well. This is a game that begs you to replay those four hours. Take it for a spin with a harder difficulty setting or focus on a different set of weapons, and you'll feel like you're playing a different game.

Scrambling for some mysterious, hilarious weapon harbored in a crate, landing an impossible shot, or carving out the land for an assault continues to be what makes Worms' game of destructible chess worthwhile. It's easy to write off the single-player campaign, but the heart and soul of the multiplayer stays the sure and steady path. It may not be advertised revolution, but this long going war is one worthy of enlisting in.

Although not everything works perfectly in Renegade Squadron, the most important feature in the game--the online multiplayer--is great. If you’re interested in the single-player content, you will come away disappointed, even with all of the different gameplay modes.

Though it may not paint precisely by the numbers laid out by more substantial action games, Epic Mickey succeeds in crafting a deep, story-rich adventure in which choices ultimately matter. It's a shame that the minute-to-minute gameplay doesn't quite measure up to the rest of the package. Nevertheless, Epic Mickey is grand in scope, replayability, and charm.

It initially delivers on its promise, but it erodes over time due to the monotony and meager difficulty that discourages exploring the combat’s complexity.

If you’re a masochist with a sick sense of humor, give God Hand a try, otherwise just watch the bizarre videos.

Disneyland Adventures succeeds in recreating a reasonable facsimile of the Disneyland experience. The open world is accurate enough to be passed off as an interactive tour of the park and there are some genuine treats in its collection of mini-games.

For fans of the story, inFamous: First Light is somewhat dimmed by rewriting events and motivations, but it’s carried along by Fetch’s fast, agile gameplay and a strong closing chapter. It’s not a must-play, but it’s a good excuse to run another lap around Seattle.

It has a nice mix of shiny and dusty, making it relevant for players of all ages, and with 21 different puzzles there's some depth to dive.

While it goes through many of the same motions perfected by the best games in its genre, Dante's Inferno never reaches their lofty heights.

It would have made a nice pack-in, but package ends up feeling uninspired, relying on little more than the fast-fading novelty of motion controls.

The novelty of the series may be gone, but its core stands as a good game idea. It won’t win any beauty pageants, but a big enough Katamari could win a county fair.

Act two may not capitalize on the potential of act one, but there are still plenty of moments that can bring a smile to your face or cause you to laugh-out-loud.

There isn't much out there quite like Zone of the Enders. The first game is the weaker of the two, serving as lukewarm appetizer for the main course. The Second Runner, though, with all its refinements and polished battle system, is certainly worth the price of admission.

Anarchy Reigns throws a lot of blows, and while it's sometimes recklessly off target, this is a talented and capable fighter at its core.

The big question on everyone’s mind is which is better: EA’s "Skate," or Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground? We’re going with Tony on this one, though by a slim margin. The core of the game is just much stronger with the full complement of tricks, more reliable controls, far more interesting objectives, a vastly superior video editing tool, and a lot more content in general.

Rainbow Six siege may not be the Rainbow game fans remember, but it lays a solid foundation for the future. Matches are full of constant tension and meaningful kills. Its reliance on having a dedicated group might be off-putting for some, but the heavy emphasis on teamwork is a refreshing focus.

The added content and blatant fan service alone make this a worthwhile budget title, and with so little software being released for Sony’s old machine these days it’s worth a purchase for those who have yet to move on.

Excite Truck has about as much in common with Excite Bike as Mario Kart does. Looking at the game on its own merits, it’s a shallow experience with a simple, yet finicky control scheme.

It’s competent but bland, lacking the imaginative missions of Blazing Angels, the glorious melodrama of Ace Combat, and the joyful air ballets of either.

It is essentially the spiritual successor to Gauntlet Legends. Yet those weaned on games like Diablo will find the content too shallow to merit consideration. The limited loot, lack of randomized dungeons, and loss of leveling ultimately undermines this Alliance before it has a chance to shine.

SOCOM vets might have trouble justifying another purchase when Combined Assault is so similar to the previous game, but this is still a solid shooter as long as you’re content to play almost exclusively online.

The PlayStation 3 version is a downgrade in many respects.

A game that's about as off the wall as they come, but at a modest 800 Microsoft points, it's one that definitely warrants a spin. Cheeky and challenging in all the right ways, you'll find nothing quite like it amidst today's typical downloadable fare.

The card trading mechanic can be a lot of fun, and as an extra in a full-featured franchise like FIFA or Madden, it would feel more at home. Standing on it’s own two feet it’s not quite enough to carry a game by itself.

Think of it as a dumbed-down edition of the console game, providing an on-the-go fix for fanatics.

Mirror of Fate leaves a poor first impression, but the game gradually becomes more enjoyable as you move through it. The game takes time out to puzzle near the halfway point for a welcome change of pace, and has its best moments coming at the end of the game, which you can reach in around ten hours.

More of the same, sure. But considering how much more fans are getting, that’s hardly a knock against the game. And even though games of this type almost require internet capability, there’s plenty of grinding to be done and you’ll get a lot of play time for your dollar, provided it’s your cup of tea.

It’s a good action-packed RPG that does the Final Fantasy name justice.

For its lower $40 price point, Race Pro offers a strong core, but it lacks style and appeal. The solid physics and deep options will satisfy simulation fans, but dated visuals, generic presentation, and a lack of must-drive cars keep Race Pro from taking pole position.

With plenty of humor and a substantially long quest, players will be surprised at how enjoyable Overlord can be.

The big question on everyone’s mind is which is better: EA’s "Skate," or Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground? We’re going with Tony on this one, though by a slim margin. The core of the game is just much stronger with the full complement of tricks, more reliable controls, far more interesting objectives, a vastly superior video editing tool, and a lot more content in general.

When the credits rolled, we didn’t feel relief, but rather disappointment that the adventure was over. There’s a lot to criticize in Tales of Zestiria, but the combat and characters make it enjoyable regardless. Like many good role-playing games, it’s easy to get lost in, whether that means fine-tuning your strategies or watching the various character arcs unfold. At its best, Zestiria reminds us that the Tales series still has life left in it.

This isn’t the greatest fighter you’re ever going to play, but you don’t need to be a hardcore Dragon Ball nerd to enjoy what’s on offer thanks to the active Wii controls. Plus there’s something almost cathartic about sending your buddy flying through a mountain using nothing but a well-placed combo.

World in Flames delivers on what it tries to be--a high octane playground of destruction.

Dark Sector goes for gore and glory, but does better spattering blood than it does applying polish. Despite a number of original elements and a fairly solid gameplay core, the game isn’t able to add substantially to the formula and mechanics it’s borrowed from other games in the genre.

Endless Ocean is a specific type of game for a specific kind of player. Leisurely swimming and looking for wildlife may be a bit slow paced for some, but if you find yourself glued to Animal Planet on Friday nights, it gives you a chance to live out your dreams of undersea discovery.

A streamlined, fairly standard fighter that’s accessible, yet still very fun to play.

Ubisoft Romania has done a great job in making a sequel that one-ups its predecessor in every way, from innovative gameplay in a by-the-books-genre, to a full-bodied multiplayer experience.

Tri-ace has made an admirable effort with Last Hope, but the game ultimately just isn't capable of standing out amongst the other giants in the genre. It's enjoyable, but in a way more reminiscent of recent Square-Enix games than its classics. It's not the most epic adventure, but if you seek rich combat experiences in your RPGs, Last Hope certainly delivers.

Fans of the franchise that have grown accustomed to the challenging gameplay will enjoy the addition of shields and magic spells. It can be fun to play the same game twice, but it can get frustrating when that’s the only way to finish it.

The Club is a lot like junk food—it initially tastes good but it won’t leave you satisfied for long.

Burst Limit is a well-rounded package in fighting shape, keeping up its momemtum by offering plenty of different modes. As a fighter, it holds its own weight with a large cast of characters, unique and easy to perform special moves, and tight controls.

There are some poetic moments using evocative music and words that seem to exist within the world right along with you, and though it rains for hours, the atmosphere somehow never feels tiresome. Rain can be a bit irritating though. You don’t get to see the script beforehand, and the stage managers often fail to provide you with proper cues. Things seem to stretch out too long, with some scenes seemingly exist just to fill time.

So many moments in The Curse of Brotherhood are hampered by a sense that a square peg is being shoved into a round hole. All of its great ideas are dwarfed by the fact that it doesn’t feel good to play. The game tries to make invoke a sense of creation, but it’s more akin to fumbling in the dark.

Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is candy, and it feels like the developers know it. This isn’t a deep fighting game, and it isn’t meant to be. It’s fan service at its most basic level. And while the Wii controls are a fun diversion at first, the inclusion of classic and GameCube controller support makes the game at least playable, if not spectacular.

Ubisoft Romania has done a great job in making a sequel that one-ups its predecessor in every way, from innovative gameplay in a by-the-books-genre, to a full-bodied multiplayer experience.

It won't exhilarate you in ways that games typically do, nor does it offer much in the way of replayability. But its existence proves that neither are specifically required for a worthwhile experience.

The impressively eerie environments provide a convincing backdrop to the tale, and a few good scares and unsettling revelations mean that Machine for Pigs can still grind at your mind.

Unity is an attempt to get back to the basics of stealth-action, and there are a lot of subtle upgrades that make the formula feel freshly tailored for this new generation. This is an extremely ambitious, beautiful game that you can spend a lot of time with. Unfortunately, system performance may vary substantially, Arno’s story is a bit underwhelming, and if you don’t have a few patriots to join you in battle the co-op missions won’t impress.

World in Flames delivers on what it tries to be--a high octane playground of destruction.

Toss in a multiplayer mode that’s basically "Unreal Tournament" for fantasy fans.

The lackluster controls put huge a damper on the experience for anyone trying to take the game seriously. Let's face it: the Wii has no shortage of mini-game compilations that are more worthy of your time and money. You're best served by staying in this winter.

A decent set list of guitar-driven tunes, as well as many of the solid holdover features from the last game, amount to negligible compensation for the lack of meaningful additions.

Behind all the brush strokes and ink lines lies a rather ho-hum experience.