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.