If you’re a military hardware nut who likes the thought of intense firefights with realistic consequences, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 is for you.

An example of misappropriated resources. The things that weren't broken have been changed, and lingering issues have gone untouched. With that said, there's plenty of game here.

An example of misappropriated resources. The things that weren't broken have been changed, and lingering issues have gone untouched. With that said, there's plenty of game here.

The Hot Shots series proves once again that it can serve up addictive, accessible gameplay with its first foray into the realm of tennis. This simple approach is fine, but the lack of modes, online multiplayer, and character customization leave Hot Shots Tennis stuck in the last generation of expectations.

PaRappa is a relic of a bygone era. Had Sony decided to make this PSP re-release a PaRappa collection of sorts, including maybe PaRappa 2 from the PS2, or the pseudo-sequel UmJammer Lammy--or both--this would have been a sweet UMD.

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.

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.

Project Sylpheed is determined to separate itself from its arcade roots, and that’s fine. But a sub-par story, iffy controls, and mundane gameplay keep it from reaching the modern age.

Proof that truly excellent games are timeless. The bump in visuals is nice, and the added content makes it worth playing even for those who have already achieved Ryu’s vengeance on the Xbox.

There's an overwhelming number of issues with Vampire Rain. While we'd like to go into detail about how obviously this game rips off Splinter Cell or how later missions send you through earlier levels backwards, there isn't enough time for all the complaints. Vampire Rain just sucks.

Requiring you to think a lot more than the average shooter and providing a wealth of online content, Rainbow Six Vegas is a great addition to the PS3 line up, even if it does come several months late.

So, lame missions, filled, again, with arbitrary restrictions like time limits and invisible walls, meet a clunky camera and mindless wash/rinse/repeat combat that doesn’t require the suspension of disbelief, but the annihilation of it.

So, lame missions, filled, again, with arbitrary restrictions like time limits and invisible walls, meet a clunky camera and mindless wash/rinse/repeat combat that doesn’t require the suspension of disbelief, but the annihilation of it.

As the traditional RPG goes the way of the dodo, a play through the original Final Fantasy is a nice, entertaining way to rediscover the genre’s roots and remember why a lot of us got into these games in the first place. And this really is the ultimate remake of the game that started it all.

It’s like a great amusement park ride: fun while it lasts. But peel off that shiny paint and pause the adrenaline rush and you see there are some core problems hiding in the shadows, like underlying structure and play that just don’t completely congeal. Even so, it’s a hell of a ride, and it’s hard not to be forgiving and embrace this darkness.

It’s like a great amusement park ride: fun while it lasts. But peel off that shiny paint and pause the adrenaline rush and you see there are some core problems hiding in the shadows, like underlying structure and play that just don’t completely congeal. Even so, it’s a hell of a ride, and it’s hard not to be forgiving and embrace this darkness.

It’s really difficult to recommend Pokemon Battle Revolution. For casual players, there’s no substance to the game—especially if they haven’t played Diamond & Pearl on the DS and are unable to upload their critters. For the hardcore Poke-maniac, the online play provides an opportunity for bragging rights and little else.

The mission objectives are mundane, but all the little secrets littered throughout give it a sense of discover that Harry Potter games have failed to deliver in the past. If you’re a diehard Potter fan then don’t think twice about picking it up, and action gamers will find a lot to like as well.

The mission objectives are mundane, but all the little secrets littered throughout give it a sense of discover that Harry Potter games have failed to deliver in the past. If you’re a diehard Potter fan then don’t think twice about picking it up, and action gamers will find a lot to like as well.

If you’re looking for the perfect replication of sliding around a gravel corner with all four tires holding on for dear life, then buy it with no reservations. The learning curve is just right regardless of your experience level, there’s a ton of content despite the lack of true online play, and it’s a very pretty game, despite some occasional draw-in.

Anyone who missed this gem the first time around should pick it up, and even grizzled vets should consider reliving the nightmare with the improved controls on Wii.

Fantastic Four isn’t bad in the sense that it’s incredibly buggy or overly frustrating. It’s just mind-numbingly mundane. And the thinly veiled attempts at character customization aren’t enough to make the game any less boring.

It’s hard to completely dismiss the game as trash, but it’s harder not to feel like the game should be giving you a lot more.

The Sims 2: Pets for Wii is nothing more than slapdash and second-rate. There’s enough left for it to be enjoyable, but with a lack of content and an overabundance of bugs, players are better off getting the PC version or waiting to see if MySims can pick up the slack.

It’s easy to like the simple-yet-challenging games, but as the days wear on, it starts to show its faults. It was a darling on the DS, but this sort of thinker’s gymnastics doesn’t work as well for burst play on the couch.

There is some fun to be had throughout Call of Juarez, but it’s despite the various bizarre and just plain bad design choices that litter the experience.

Due to the occasional frame rate dip and the inevitable, constant circle strafing, this re-imagining of Ms. Croft’s premier pursuit falls just short of top shelf. But the new control scheme has made it infinitely more playable, and the additions of quick time events and new areas tint it modern, and the grand cave explorer from 1996 is still intact, and still fantastic.

Halo’s track record has been impeccable up to this point, but its first outing on the PC comes off as little more than a ploy to get users to upgrade to Vista.

Many driving games have tried to straddle this line between accessibility and reality, with varying success. Forza Motorsport 2 is one of the first driving games to really nail it.

Though Shadowrun is a first-person shooter, it still manages to include a lot of the qualities that made the original RPG a hit. At the same time, with just a few multiplayer modes and a paltry nine maps, the fun only lasts for so long.

Though Shadowrun is a first-person shooter, it still manages to include a lot of the qualities that made the original RPG a hit. At the same time, with just a few multiplayer modes and a paltry nine maps, the fun only lasts for so long.

The level of customization and personalization available in Mario Party 8 and the intuitive fun of the Wiimote make it the quintessential party accessory of 2007. What few control weaknesses are present are overshadowed by the inane fun and competition, a host of unlockables, and addictive mini-games.

The best compl[i]ment possible to give a puzzle game is that the real reward is the playing itself. You don’t need fancy stories, or whiz-bang effects when you’ve got solid, addictive gameplay. And CRUSH has this in spades--not to mention the presentation is quite nice as well.

Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm may not feature spectacular 3D graphics or 5.1 channel surround sound, but it does have enough depth and charm to keep players involved for the entirety of its 40-plus hours.

We’re definitely disappointed in the implementation of the Wii controls in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. It could be so much more than it is, and with downgraded graphics and no online option, this is a lazy port. At the same time, there are more fighters, stages, and modes here than you’ll likely ever get around to messing with.

WarTech: Senko Ronde is most certainly a niche game, and fans of the genre will definitely take to its manic style. But it's hard to rationalize spending $60 for an arcade experience that's short on content and repetitive.

Dawn of Mana is a tale full of marvelous art and storytelling that captures the look and essence of the older Mana games, but beneath the veneer is a different beast that has excised most of the gameplay elements that make the old games so memorable.

Odin Sphere is a rare gem - fans of action games, RPGs or just good artwork are in for a treat. Its mix of gameplay styles is near-perfect and the art on display here will remind you that quality 2D visuals never go out of style.

There’s a ton of wasted potential here, but by the standards of the movie game the third Pirates game doesn’t fare too badly.

There’s a ton of wasted potential here, but by the standards of the movie game the third Pirates game doesn’t fare too badly.

The time and effort they’ve already invested will keep dot-hackers from logging-out of this mediocre series, and while casual RPG fans may find some decency in the game, its repetitive elements and flawed content keep it from feeling whole.

You can get through the main story in a casual weekend of playing, and the extra mission objectives aren't exactly compelling. Tack on some seriously under whelming visuals and a problematic camera, and you're left with a game that has its moments, but is ultimately disappointing, even for true believers.

You can get through the main story in a casual weekend of playing, and the extra mission objectives aren't exactly compelling. Tack on some seriously under whelming visuals and a problematic camera, and you're left with a game that has its moments, but is ultimately disappointing, even for true believers.

The Wii version of Spider-Man 3 plays sloppy, looks bad, and just doesn't feel complete.

Heatseeker is a decent choice for fans of aerial combat who don’t want to have to monitor 20 different gauges at once. There are plenty of fighter jets to unlock, and it’s nice that it’s accessible, but it also has its share of issues, and fails to doesn’t bring anything new to the genre.

Heatseeker is a decent choice for fans of aerial combat who don’t want to have to monitor 20 different gauges at once. There are plenty of fighter jets to unlock, and it’s nice that it’s accessible, but it also has its share of issues, and fails to doesn’t bring anything new to the genre.

MMORPGs are often frowned upon for their stagnant conventions, but the tweaks that LOTRO offer to these modes are streamlined enough to make the process as easy, and fun, as possible.

The PlayStation 3 version is a downgrade in many respects.

Eureka Seven Vol. 2: The New Vision can hardly be called a game. The story sequences go on forever, and the brief conflicts in between are incredibly repetitive.

There are a few slight tweaks here and there, and the online functionality is surprisingly robust, but otherwise, this game could have been done on the Game Boy Advance with minimal issues. At the same time, there's more content on this card than four typical DS games combined so you're definitely getting your money's worth.

There are a few slight tweaks here and there, and the online functionality is surprisingly robust, but otherwise, this game could have been done on the Game Boy Advance with minimal issues. At the same time, there's more content on this card than four typical DS games combined so you're definitely getting your money's worth.

Pocket Pool is just another miserable attempt at using sex to sell a terrible game. While there aren’t many billiard options for the PSP, pool fans should look elsewhere and avoid the embarrassment of their girlfriend catching them playing with it.

There are a few hangovers from its prior design that keep it from reaching the upper echelon of video game-dom, but next to Zelda, you won’t find a more robust or addictive game available for the system.

The new guitar is cool, the new songs are amusing, there’s downloadable treats on the way, and the game itself is hours and hours of fun, even though you always feel a lot cooler than you look. With that said, the lack of online play is a huge disappointment and a glaring example of missed opportunity.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with the Wii version, but the controls don’t make a huge difference in this year-old game, either.

Chocobo Tales couples a mini-game challenge with clever writing and simple card battling to create a game that is borderline brilliant. But no amount of Final Fantasy allusions, sharp graphics, or WiFi support can mask the fact that stylus and mic mini-games are starting to grow long in the tooth.

It’s a game with a hodgepodge of stolen ideas and video game conventions that never quite manage to be pulled off flawlessly.

Offering slick, fast-paced gameplay, white-knuckle multiplayer, a lengthy single-player experience, and more B-movie cheese than a plate of microwave nachos, there’s a lot to like about Command & Conquer 3.

Anyone feverishly clawing at their 360 for more Oblivion will venture forth through this new dimension with a smile on their face, but once you do the math, Shivering Isles is just as overpriced as Knights of the Nine and the downloads that came before it.

One of those games that hardcore shooting fans will eat up, but the rest will be left wondering what the fuss is all about. It has some unique ideas with its open-ended world and myriad of mission objectives, but it’s all dampened by its questionable gunplay.

It’s basically the same game we’ve been playing for the past five or six years, but it’s received a nice visual upgrade and it’s hard to knock a game too much for repeating such a consistently enjoyable performance.

The learning curve is steep, the controls take effort to master, and the single-player game is ultimately there to prepare you for head-to-head matches. It’s a very specific game experience that rewards trial and error and fails to appeal to a broad audience in the process.

The learning curve is steep, the controls take effort to master, and the single-player game is ultimately there to prepare you for head-to-head matches. It’s a very specific game experience that rewards trial and error and fails to appeal to a broad audience in the process.

There’s just so much to see and do, that your average player will undoubtedly find something to amuse themselves with, and your average role-playing fanatic will probably have a heart attack when they take in the size of the world.

With repetitious gameplay, chore-like tasks that barely pass for mini-games, and lackluster new modes, Cooking Mama: Cook Off is the kind of game that sounds a lot more fun than it really is, and therefore, it gets its just deserts.

The battles could also stand to be a little flashier. At the same time, puzzle games don’t get much better than this, and Puzzle Quest is a solid, original concept and nearly perfect for the handheld medium.

A bit similar to "Crackdown." The sum of its parts doesn’t really equal anything outstanding. In fact, it’s downright crap in some ways. But when you actually play it, you’ll find yourself coming back for more…even if you’re not totally sure why.

A good port of a pretty good game, which controls very decently with the Wii controller. That’s not quite a glowing recommendation, but this game does deserve some respect.

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.

This mania is manic. It’s a bipolar challenge swinging wildly towards the mundane, with only the occasional blip of opposition and aggravation that would be welcomed as liberators.

Though the premise isn’t all that bad, poor execution and terrible controls keep Wing Island from taking flight.

Dragon Ball fans who just want to battle it out can stick to the arcade gameplay, but the main story mode that differentiates it brings far more frustration than enjoyment.

Offers up more in terms of variety, and can become an oddly compelling game to play for those who enjoy managing their resources. The problem is that it takes a good five hours before it truly becomes enjoyable, which is a lot to ask from the typical player.

Considering that Custom Robo is really a kids’ game, the shallow fighting engine can be forgiven in lieu of the massive amount of bits and pieces to collect, and customization that can be performed.

For every video game system there's a piece of software that defines its capabilities. God of War II is that game. It's a thrill ride from beginning to end, and one of those experiences that will cause you to hunker down, turn off your phone, and check out of reality for a few days.

Golf seems like a sport that would be easy to replicate with the Wii remote, but apparently it's not. Where swing mechanics are concerned, Wii Sports Golf is far superior as it actually replicates what you're doing with the remote on-screen.

Call of Duty: Roads to Victory has a lot going for it in the game options department, as well as presentation and weapon variety, but it fails to back any of that up with decent gameplay.

There’s no denying the strong Pokemon influence, but it fails to be as engaging, intuitive, or fun as Nintendo’s blockbuster series. With an awkward battle system, and tedious spectrobe collection this is one fossil that’s best left buried unless you’re a Poke-maniac looking for the next fix.

Despite a few different fighting styles, matches tend to play exactly the same way no matter what environment you’re in or who’s doing the fighting. It’s like an album where every song sounds the same.

Despite a few different fighting styles, matches tend to play exactly the same way no matter what environment you’re in or who’s doing the fighting. It’s like an album where every song sounds the same.

It's a decent stop-gap if you're waiting for "Burnout 5" to hit stores, but most will be able to milk it for all it’s worth via rental. If the series continues to lumber on like this, its fans will inevitably burn out.

The learning curve is steep and the squad AI could stand a few classes, but the truth is you won't find a more realistic, feature-filled shooter. Toss in a nice bump in visuals and you'll get your money's worth and then some.

It looks like Wario should stick to minigame compilations, after all.

Variety is nice, but when it borders on the absurd, it’s just stupid. And overall, the gameplay in 300 fails to do service to the movie or the genre at large.

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.

It’s great to see Formula 1 come back to the North American gaming scene, and Championship Edition is a very solid entry. But it’s a bit disappointing that, outside of the shiny new PS3 graphics, F1 still has all of the same problems we were seeing in these games years ago.

Wielding the game’s powerful spells can be a lot of fun, but the repetitive shooting and tedious trekking from barrier to barrier make you feel like you’re paying penance for someone else’s crimes.

The ridiculous stereotypes, somewhat offensive writing, and ho-hum gameplay all manage to come together to be something worth playing.

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.

There’s nothing terribly great about it, and there’s nothing especially outstanding either. If you’re looking for a starter hardball game, then MLB 07 The Show is definitely a good choice, but one more season of lethargy and Sony will be caught stealing.

MLB 2K7 is absolutely gorgeous with thousands of animations and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a modern hardball game. But numerous bugs and gameplay quirks keep it in the minor leagues.

One of the coolest things about flow is its simplicity. You never feel harried or rushed. Even when you pause the game, it doesn’t actually stop, it just raises your creature to a level where nothing can attack it, waiting for you to pick the controller back up and continue on.

If you enjoy really digging into a fighting system and mastering its intricacies you'll be astounded at the depth on display here. The lack of online play is a huge disappointment and it's definitely light on the modes, but Virtua Fighter 5 is still the gold standard that other fighting games will be trying to top for years to come.

Frustratingly fun. By that, we mean it’s frustrating how fun the game can be, before it hits a part that’s decidedly the opposite. The sense of urgency the series is known for is definitely in-tact, and the first few runs through each level can be a blast. But you're forced to play this game with precision to move on, and the controls simply aren't there.

Crackdown is one of those games that sounds like it’s full of good ideas until they’re actually put to use. The role-playing elements are addictive for a while, and it can be fun to play in this sandbox, setting up massive explosions and stunts, but the actual game is seriously lacking in a number of areas, and compared to the other GTA clones on the market, it falls firmly into the middle.

In all, it's an incredibly balanced system that has been honed across four games, making NBA Street Homecourt one of the most fair, and enjoyable, roundball games on the market.

If you’re a strategy gamer who’s grown jaded, it’s the exact shot in the arm you need.

Here is your standard case of lost opportunity. If only Arena Football: Road to Glory were a lot more fleshed-out in the options and game modes it would take its seat among EA’s roster of elite sports games.