Nimbly straddling the line between technical and accessible, the series continues to be one of the best dancing games out there, if not one of the best games on Kinect period.

With so much going for it, having to wrestle with the controls in Portable Ops is a real shame. It simply tries to do too much with too little, and while not a deal-breaker, it definitely makes the experience a lot less fun than it could be.

College Hoops 2K7 is easily the best NCAA basketball option out there.

Stacking is quaint, even charming, with its silent-film style and the funny ways that the dolls react to whatever nonsense is being propagated. The game is a little on the short side, and though there are some gameplay change-ups in the conclusion, don't expect any keyed-up moments; the experience remains moderated and subtle throughout.

MLB 15: The Show has enough subtle additions to gameplay and graphics to keep returning fans satisfied. Online issues have been addressed, there’s more customization and control than ever before, and the addition of legends will please baseball purists. Even if you’re a newcomer this season, look no further than this year’s solid entry in the storied franchise.

This is an inverted Faustian bargain--will you pay the high price to play the small slice of heaven that lingers in Limbo?

The dark and humorously grim atmosphere help make Charlie Murder a unique brawler that knows how to throw a punch and stands out from others in the genre.

Despite its strengths, the original Payday sometimes felt as though it were little more than a Left 4 Dead clone with the zombies switched out for swarms of police officers. A touch of that still remains, but elements such as the new focus on stealth, a multitude of unlocks for gear and marks, and the greatly increased mission variety allow Payday 2 to assume a life of its own, and one far more in tune with the heists we've come to love in films like Michael Mann's Heat.

An interesting, but ultimately weak, single-player experience is a bit of a disappointment to be sure. But the excellent and innovative multiplayer makes Dawn of War II worth the price for real-time strategy fans.

Although Capsized may never attain the name recognition of older 2D games it does manage to seek out new life in an old genre. Although the point of the game is to escape the alien planet, we found ourselves wanting to go back again and again.

Hell's Highway is a polished, coherent experience that, despite a few setbacks, remains compelling with interesting mechanics and compelling gameplay.

Muramasa is easy to pick up and play thanks to its simple control scheme, but offers enough depth and challenge to keep the action from getting stale. Combined with its amazing visuals, this is easily one of the better action titles on the platform.

There’s a lot to appreciate here, and many good fights to be had -- Injustice actually does justice to its source material and its players.

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.

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.

Well-tuned driving and fighting ultimately outweigh Sleeping Dogs' inconsistent tone and relatively modest production values. The ability and status of your character ramp up nicely, and you'll have plenty of opportunity to exercise your power in a well-constructed playground.

Above all Dragon Quest Heroes perfectly captures one of the most essential parts of the series—that it prides itself on joy. It’s a quality that overshadows its shortcomings. Too many JRPGs are overly serious affairs that shove the same tropes down your throat again and again. The levity and unabashed enthusiasm of Dragon Quest creates a childlike wonder that’s still enchanting more than 25 years after the original game.

It’s a sequel to one of the most entertaining Star Wars games ever made, and it honors one of the best sci-fi trilogies of all time. Unfortunately, some of the design limitations might keep you from playing each level multiple times to find all the goodies and online achievements.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 provides a fun, straightforward experience that builds on last year's game and gets the franchise back on track.

The game boldly wears both its heart and its punk rock attitude on its sleeve, and manages a totally playable action control scheme for the Wii that uses the Wiimote without abusing it. The game is in some ways covers a narrow range and could definitely push farther with its open world concept, but the killer vibe and amazing moments make this heroic effort worth checking out.

Like Stolen Memories, though, Overlord is a short-lived experience with plenty of familiar elements. Two-or-so hours of gameplay is a little slim for the price, though the quality of the content ultimately speaks for itself.

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.

Omega Ruby feels like it clocks in a bit on the short side at well under 20 hours to complete the main story, but there’s a lot of stuff to do on the side plus the post-game content.

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.

Puzzle Quest Galactrix successfully reproduces the hybrid RPG/puzzle design that made the previous fantasy-themed Challenge of the Warlords so successful. Even if the overall package doesn't quite match the magic of the older game, this is still a great puzzle title that's tough to put down once you've picked it up.

Despite its faults, Gods and Kings scores high on the entertainment-per-dollar scale and the allure of building a civilization from sticks and stones to ships and Gatlin Guns never wears thin.

If this if your first contact with this unique take on a beloved genre, you'll find several hours' worth of fast-paced strategy waiting for you in Anomaly's agreeable warzone.

The Wii controls are integrated almost seamlessly into the gameplay, making for a port that’s actually better than the original and worth at least renting for vets of the series. There’s no second opinion needed on this one.

The reincarnation of the original Fire Emblem isn’t the best in the series, but it certainly does enough to make it a worthy addition.

Toy Soldiers marshals no small amount of personality and polish, and the thoughtful and detailed presentation never misses its mark as it lampoons and celebrates its goofy what-if 80's scenario.

State of Decay is a game that is, in many ways, both the best and worst zombie game you’ve ever played. For all of its bugs, blemishes, and festering imperfections, this game realizes an untapped style of survival gameplay that genre nuts should definitely take notice of.

It's a sequel to one of the most entertaining Star Wars games ever made, and it honors one of the best sci-fi trilogies of all time. Unfortunately, some of the design limitations might keep you from playing each level multiple times to find all the goodies and online achievements.

Those who love the Lego license or just need a fresh Potter fix are in for a bewitching good time.

For a few bucks, the first episode of the Walking Dead lets you slip into the well-traveled waters of the zombie blight and experience it from a new and interesting perspective.

It may not have the most well-rounded strengths, but it’s a remarkable game nonetheless.

Though it leans a little too heavily on well-trod genre conventions, there's no denying that Reckoning has a whole lot to offer in terms of sheer breadth. Similarly, though the challenge tapers off dramatically toward the end, its combat is welcoming, gratifying, and hypnotic.

If you’ve played Revelations before, you’ll find few differences here with only a few new characters in raid mode and an infernal difficulty that remixes enemies and item locations for those seeking an extreme challenge. If you’ve yet to play it, this is a viable hybrid of old-evil sensibilities and new-evil action. All things considered, not a bad mutation.

Few games today receive this much support throughout the year, and have such a dedicated community of people giving users more and more inventive creations to enjoy. If this year of Infinity is anything like the last two, 3.0 is something that kids of all ages will want to be a part of.

It's over in a flash, but when it's done, you'll be eager to find out what happens next.

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.

Rift is a young game, so it's natural for it to exhibit some growing pains during these early months. Still, even amidst the relative flux of rapidly-changing classes and other early-game kinks, the experience feels remarkably complete and cohesive.

If skateboarding is your way of life then buy without pause, but the more casual player should give it a rent to make sure the enhancements warrant the cost.

The 3DS rendition of Super Street Fighter IV is a smart adaptation that looks, functions, but most of all, plays just like the genuine article. If you can live with the compromises it makes with controls, then it's a solid pick amid a lukewarm lineup of welterweight launch games.

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.

The time-stopping fun is handled really well, too. It’s especially fun to see individual raindrops freeze as you slow time down and run about disarming a whole group of enemies. In general, the game is as interesting to look at as it is to play.

Thanks to a wealth of content, solid presentation, and overall playability, the new Duels of the Planeswalkers is an excellent way to enjoy a game of Magic.

Grimoire of the Rift rewards players with a rich tactical RPG experience, but the lack of a meaningful and well-developed plot will leave many desiring more.

If it's engaging storytelling on a handheld scale you're after, Apollo Justice serves up another ace for Capcom’s line of courtroom sims.

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.

The fighting system may still need a few more lessons in the dojo, but when it comes to flashy visuals, an expansive single-player element, and a robust cast of combatants, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 is no doubt the ultimate choice in giving fans of the series what they want.

The time-stopping fun is handled really well, too. It’s especially fun to see individual raindrops freeze as you slow time down and run about disarming a whole group of enemies. In general, the game is as interesting to look at as it is to play.

It's a sequel to one of the most entertaining Star Wars games ever made, and it honors one of the best sci-fi trilogies of all time. Unfortunately, some of the design limitations might keep you from playing each level multiple times to find all the goodies and online achievements.

Final Fantasy III is a solid product. The shortcomings with the saves and lack of DS tech infusion are unfortunate, but as an RPG it’s the real deal, and shows why the franchise is so revered.

The game is accessible enough to be picked up by someone who hasn’t yet earned their wings, and while the online mode isn’t incredibly deep, it’s a solid addition that makes the game that much more attractive. If jets aren’t your thing, though, it won’t convince you to enroll in flight school.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 focuses most of its attention on gameplay this year, keeping its traditional controls intact while adding the focus meter to the mix, which adds a nice level of strategy to the game.

Season showdown strikes at the heart of the college football fan and running the ball feels much more natural. There are also tons of new features and no one can fault the developers for not trying. But many of them prove to be irrelevant for experienced players and there are still more quirks and cheap tricks than there should be for a franchise so long in the tooth.

If you've missed out on the original outbreak, Off the Record is a great opportunity to experience what Dead Rising 2 is all about. Walking amongst the living dead is an enticing proposition in this alternate version filled with extra content, especially when it comes with a discounted price tag.

MAG places a strong emphasis on teamwork with an intelligent command structure that brings order to battles of enormous scale. It could use more map variety, better balancing, and ways to decrease player downtime, but overall, it's a strong foundation for an ambitious new franchise.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is about discovering a story on your own, piecing together the details as you stroll through the countryside. What begins with curiosity in trying to explain what exactly happened soon gets you wrapped up in the lives of who it happened to.

Manipulating your character through each stage feels tight and responsive with the Vita's analog stick, making it possible to make mid-air adjustments and pixel-perfect jumps. The game also looks just as good as it did on consoles, retaining its smooth frame rate and crisp 2D animations.

It has its moments, but overall, it’s a disappointing step sideways for one of the more revered franchises in the industry. The good news is that it’s the most in-depth multiplayer shooting experience on the consoles, making it a game still worth picking up.

No More Heroes 2 desperately wants to be played, giving players a quick but fashionable menu and upping its number game with more enemies, more bosses, more playable characters, and more weapons. It delivers more and better, and it still packs much of the same style and flair that helped the first game succeed despite its flaws.

Just like the Vita itself, Lumines Electronic Symphony is slick and at times irresistible, and well worth experiencing for yourself. Still, we can't help but feel that the $40 price is a tad steep for what it offers. Unless you absolutely can't wait to participate in this carnival of light, it's probably wise to wait until the price settles a bit.

Ace Combat may never fully overcome its identity crisis, but its latest sortie is a successful one. Assault Horizon creates some spectacular moments with its visually impressive, close-range battles that make up for some of its slower, more repetitive lulls, and incorporates several different types of gameplay without compromising its overall quality or theme.

On its tenth anniversary, the series has managed to come up with its biggest and brightest entry yet with a stock of engaging battles, quirky cutscenes, and slick shooting.

While the formula is definitely on its last legs, LEGO Batman’s simple fun is engaging and even gets better as you go. The omission of online play is a disappointment, but thanks to a lineup of strong characters, more levels, and gameplay tweaked to fit the Dark Knight’s style, LEGO Batman is the best of the LEGO breed.

Enslaved's length is about standard for this day and age, but it still feels like it's over all too quickly. It's one of those rare games in which the majority of the experience feels imperative and consequential.

Mega Man 9 succeeds in delivering an authentic retro experience, but that’s not to say it’s flawless.

Battlestations: Pacific improves upon almost every facet of the original, offering more of just about everything.

It’s a sequel to one of the most entertaining Star Wars games ever made, and it honors one of the best sci-fi trilogies of all time. Unfortunately, some of the design limitations might keep you from playing each level multiple times to find all the goodies and online achievements.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is a nice continuation of the series, but there’s very little here that’s unexpected or particularly clever.

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.

Far from yet another filler installment to hold you over until Kingdom Hearts III, Dream Drop Distance is one of the better entries in the series and a solid RPG in its own right. It avoids the pitfalls some of the more recent entries have stumbled into and delivers some fresh new ideas to a series in danger of stagnating.

NCAA Football 13 is a bit of a disappointment as the franchise faces its inevitable confrontation with the law of diminishing returns. Significant advancements in design or gameplay are few, and the ones that are included are flawed in some way. With last year's game available on the cheap, spending 60 bucks on this will feel a lot like buying tickets from a scalper, but you'll ultimately feel fairly satisfied.

Syndicate has a lot of ideas, but seems unwilling to let some of them out of the bag, instead parading them around at key moments, while some mechanics, like running through weak walls, never amounting to much.

The electro bleeps range from the avant-garde Philip Glass to the avant-hard of Orbital, and likely your love of this type of music will determine if this is a must-have or an impulse purchase.

Little King's Story is an impressive package, with only a few lingering flaws keeping it from true greatness. It's a slow burn that rewards those with the patience to appreciate its elaborate setup.

As far as we're concerned, the Driver series has a new lease on life. This latest jaunt to San Francisco will keep you playing for hours, with an enormous campaign brimming with challenges and a multiplayer package that benefits enormously from the novel mechanics that define the experience.

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.

Yet again, the lack of dual analog sticks is a huge problem for a PSP game, mainly because Size Matters attempts to emulate its big brother instead of forging out on its own. Even so, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better platformer, or any platformer, released this year.

It’s a sequel to one of the most entertaining Star Wars games ever made, and it honors one of the best sci-fi trilogies of all time. Unfortunately, some of the design limitations might keep you from playing each level multiple times to find all the goodies and online achievements.

Whether you consider it to be meaningfully different or pretty much the same old thing, the important question is whether or not it’s worth playing. That one’s easy to answer. The game is aging, but it’s still great. And if you’re already a Street Fighter fan, it’s hardly a question at all.

The HD upgrade for Beyond Good & Evil is an unmistakable improvement. The conversion isn't quite perfect though. In places, you'll still find blocky textures, odd visual glitches, menus floating beyond the edge of the world, and places where you can fall right through the geometry.

If you have played a part in the Xenosaga series then you’ve already made your decision on Episode III, and it will meet your expectations if you’ve been eagerly anticipating it. But if you’re on the sidelines, it’s a game you’ll have to put serious effort towards understanding and completely enjoying.

EA Sports MMA comes out swinging with a solid first entry, but only time will tell if its defining features will truly sustain the game over the long term, especially with regards to its bold decisions when it comes to online play.

Secret Agent Clank gives the series’ tried and true gameplay a suave undercover twist and keeps the action moving with a wide variety of characters, vehicles, and objectives.

With its brand new physics engine and RPG elements, Madden NFL 13 tries hard to make its mark, but both changes have problems fitting into the existing gameplay and design structures. While it's better than last year's game in some ways, it's worse in others, and buying it at full price is hard to recommend unless you've sat out a couple seasons. It's encouraging to see EA Sports finally take some risks with the series, even if they don't all hit pay dirt.

Closure's grip of levels aren't so devious that you won't exhaust them in a few play sessions, but there are more than enough secrets for those willing to repeatedly wade into the shadows. Puzzle aficionados who like their "eureka" moments mixed with a splash of action will devour this shadowy gem.

It manages to nail the tenets of its genre, but with few trimmings. It's so blunt in its approach that it makes many other military shooters seem fantastical in comparison. And while the level of reverence shows respect for the subject matter, it's aimed a little too squarely at military buffs. You'll feel like you're painting by the numbers as you paint targets.

It manages to nail the tenets of its genre, but with few trimmings. It's so blunt in its approach that it makes many other military shooters seem fantastical in comparison. And while the level of reverence shows respect for the subject matter, it's aimed a little too squarely at military buffs. You'll feel like you're painting by the numbers as you paint targets.

It’s solid, it’s capable, it fits with the identity of the series. In short, it’s Gears.

All of the decisions you've made until now converge at this point, and it's a credit to Telltale that you'll walk away incredibly excited to see how it all ends.

Its design and gameplay are from the stone age, yet the story, writing, and characters are so interesting that it beckons you to keep playing, hoping to see what's around the next corner.

The small improvements, like the extra save slots and crafted weapons, are just that--small improvements. The joys of co-op are obvious, but not always available. If you can deal with dead time and like kill counts in the thousands, let the dead rise so you can lay them to rest.

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.

While it lacks the unique style and feel of Lost in Nightmares, Desperate Escape is a good expansion in its own right. It's comparable in length to the last addition, clocking in at around an hour to complete on your first run through, and you'll get a few replays out of it. If you're looking for one more sample of Resident Evil 5, this is one escape you should definitely take.

It's wild, intense, and sometimes broken, but within the madness there's an undeniable charm. If you're finding yourself weary of all the Street Fighter in your world, this is a great game to tag out to.

The lack of downloadable content or a custom piñata creator is disappointing, but the card content will suffice for now. With the numerous improvements and its bargain price, Trouble in Paradise is one party you shouldn’t miss.