Unless the DNA coding and beast ability is something that really excites you, you could take it or leave it.

From the revised control method to the innovative level design, purists will be pretty happy with the outcome of this game. Too bad there is no paddle-plug in for the Wii remote.

This is a game that only a dedicated few will enjoy, but those players will find a game that’s as deep, rewarding, and fun as they come. Etrian Odyssey II is the very definition of a “cult” game.

Game of the Year? Who knows. Experience of the Year? Almost certainly.

The best thing to happen to the space shooter genre since R-Type. Yes, I already said that, but it had to be said again. This game is a must-own.

Prizefighter’s production values are pretty high, but unfortunately the gameplay took a back seat and fails to capture the essence of boxing.

Soul Bubbles is a grand action/puzzler for serious gamers. That doesn’t necessarily mean hardcore gamers, but for those who are serious about gaming, appreciate daring concepts, and aren’t afraid to try new things.

Very similar to the other games in the series, albeit with more polish. If you wanted more of the series’ past experiences, NASCAR 09 delivers that and then some – but not with the same level of amazement the series once had.

The gameplay shines through and is a critical success in terms of delivering something similar to the anime.

Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit isn’t an innovative or groundbreaking fighting game. But with a new, more realistic direction and gameplay you won’t want to put down, Burst Limit is an arcade-style fighter that’s well worth your time.

I wish the developers had done more with this game, like include other modes or pursued the music idea further. But if you like Looney Tunes and Elite Beat Agents, however, this game is totally for you.

"Wii Sports" allowed us to use the Wiimote to actually swing while this game merely uses a flick to swing, or a flick to pitch. It has entertainment value, is not an overly deep baseball experience and feels like it could have taken the series to the next level rather than leaving the franchise stranded on the bases. What is here is fine, but the series has not truly advanced much.

If you’re still one of the die-hard wrestling junkies who just can get enough then you will fall in love with Total Extreme Wrestling 2008. You will probably find just the right combination of insane stories, unusual angles and hardcore matches to let you create your ultimate wrestling fantasy.

A very half-baked game that is very repetitive and becomes boring to play. The only fun this game offers is destroying everything in sight, but that gets old after a while.

What The Incredible Hulk for the PS3 does do is prove that, once again, most movie tie-in games are rushed products that lack creativity and fun.

If you love The Hulk franchise, as well as destroying environments in Hulk-like fashion, then The Incredible Hulk is worth checking out. The short replay value should cause any gamer to question purchasing this game though.

Fun and frustrating while it lasts.

Aces of the Galaxy gets repetitive after a while, and the steep difficulty certainly isn’t for everyone, but those who are willing to enlist in a tough, fast, and intense shooter would do well to check this one out.

The Bourne Conspiracy does a marvelous job of giving us a taste of what it’s like being Jason Bourne and it captures the essence of the movie and Robert Ludlum’s books just right.

While most moviegoers must stick to $9 tickets and $15 DVDs to satisfy their cinematic cravings, fans of The Bourne Identity can finally get their fix in a new and interactive form that’s actually worth playing.

Hardcore battles, relentless boss fights, and a breathtaking combo and weapon system that rivals "Devil May Cry 4," Ninja Gaiden II is every bit the brutal and action-packed sequel players were expecting.

GRID is a must-own classic that begs to be played now and will continue to hold your interested throughout the year.

There are certainly worse movie-to-game titles, but this one does a decent job of having some fun and providing a coherent story, along with decent gameplay.

This is one of the better movie-to-game conversions I have ever had the opportunity to play. Even though it is on the easy side, children and adults will enjoy the story and the various challenges that will await them.

Kung Fu Panda might have some swanky Panda style moves but the wonky controls get in the way of the action. Yet the multiplayer was a pleasant surprise that could keep gamers playing for hours.

While it’s definitely a step up in quality compared to some of the other games based on DreamWorks films, nothing here will surprise or excite anyone over the age of 12.

Given its high production values, fun factor, and $19.99 price tag, KFP is easily a worthy addition to an action-gamer’s collection.

A fun, deep, and lengthy action-RPG that’s perfectly suited to the DS. The myriad customization options keep things fresh and add replay value, and the story impresses with its writing and presentation.

I love this game, and I would like to thank the developers for providing me with countless hours of gaming goodness.

This edition of Stronghold Crusaders is one of those games that leaves us to wonder, what were they thinking?

As Chandler once said on Friends, this game is silly because it knows that “we enjoy the silliness.” Hmmm, that gives me an idea for another challenge.

If you’ve held out until now, this is your chance to play one of the best RPGs to hit in the past several years.

Buku Sudoku is worth your time but it won’t replace your pen-and-paper version.

With keeping it simple, Warlords isn’t a title that is hard to understand. Defend your castle and deflect the shots at your enemies will almost guarantee victory.

First-person shooter multiplayer fans love their battles massive and overwhelming and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars delivers it despite a few setbacks.

While not without its foibles, Quake Wars on the Xbox 360 is a fine representation of last year's great PC game.

Our emergency and rescue heroes deserve better than this.

With the main mode intact, the real reward is the extra game modes and the new multiplayer goodies fit for cross platform action. In short, this is the best version of last year’s great action game.

There’s tension and frustration, but a good balance of each. Brain busting obstacles are easier to handle - when the journey is laid out in a good format. That objective is mostly achieved.

While the light RPG elements aren't suited for more hardcore RPG fans, the game's humor and wit make it worth a look for fans of the web comic.

For fans of Penny Arcade, purchasing this game will be a no brainer.

This game marks the next generation of MMOs in many ways. It looks good, is very entertaining and plays very well. This is a journey well worth taking.

On paper, Haze had all the makings of a PS3-exclusive classic but, thanks to poor execution, it just doesn't have what it takes to be a fun first-person shooter or a good game in general.

A major step forward for the SingStar franchise, the PS3 version of the franchise is well-conceived and nicely handled.

A good reason to get off your butt.

UEFA EURO 2008 is a nice entry to the series. While the gameplay isn't quite a groundbreaking departure from the formula they created in FIFA 08, it’s still a cleaner experience and a lot of fun for soccer fans.

The soccer is well done, the ball physics are solid and the overall environment – from graphics to sound – is well done.

Year after year, players hope UEFA will be an expansion of or alternative to FIFA. But the Euro 2008 edition is what players of the last game might have expected: a slight variation, not an alternative or expansion.

The main problem is the lack of depth. The only good thing is the large-scale battles with little slowdown. The camera also insists on showing the most useless positions.

Far from being a complete disaster, Prince Caspian for the PS3 has some good moments but they are overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and a poor presentation.

While there isn’t anything really new or different, the overall package is fun and is a good choice for family fun.

Assault Heroes 2 is not quite as revolutionary as the original, but adds enough new features to keep the experience fresh and fun.

Old age just doesn't fit Myst as well as it does other games from the same era.

Families seeking their next Wii-Sports fix will have some fun with this $30 budget title, but it hardly has the same polish of Nintendo's groundbreaking title.

The $30 price tag isn’t too bad for gamers craving the latest in motion control. But without a real campaign to jump into, We Ski feels like a collection of random, unrewarding races and mini-games.

Only kids will likely get much out of the game's storyline, but anyone who enjoys a good turn-based strategy-RPG will find plenty to like about this game.

LostWinds is a gem that shouldn't get lost in the current glut of Wii titles.

Snappy graphics and zany sound, but just not enough challenge and depth, still, a worthy entry in the party game mix.

Hats off to Ubisoft for taking a step in a completely different direction.

I was pleasantly surprised and then challenged at how well a game based on a movie was playing; good controls and level design make this a good find.

R-Type Command is an excellent strategy game that’s nearly killed by its slower-than-bearable pace. Strategy gamers, though likely frustrated and contemplating an exit strategy, will want to endure the monotony to reap the benefits: engrossing combat, great levels, and larger-than-life boss battles.

Spielberg's inspiration for Boom Blox came from his pondering on "creation and destruction," and what came of it is one of the most engaging and visceral games on Wii to date.

It is one of the more disappointing brain games I have engaged in; nothing too difficult here and unless you absolutely must play every puzzler out there, I would take a pass.

SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 brings us a hearty collection that isn't bad at all but it's just not presented as good as it should have been considering the console’s track record of doing justice to other classics.

An average RTS game that had the potential to be more. Only get this game if you were fans of the previous game then you might enjoy this; otherwise it would be best to wait until some of the more promising RTS games come out later this year.

Nintendo had its market clearly defined with this offering, and while it’s an extremely barebones game, it does everything it sets out to do very well.

Despite some major frustrations with the lack of diversity in gameplay, I did like the game.

Puzzle fans, even those who are skeptical, shouldn't hesitate to make this their next PSP game.

Games like Echochrome only come around in a great while, completely devoid of anything controversial, yet full of gameplay and challenge that other games wish they had.

This game just became elevated to my personal list of all-time PC favorites.

Brilliant and absolutely mind-blowing, Grand Theft Auto IV is not only the best game in the series but also a true achievement in game design.

GTA IV seamlessly integrates open-world exploration and character-driven storytelling, unlike any other game to date. Liberty City is now a living, breathing work of art.

This is almost a case of “what could have been.” While the game itself isn’t a bad game, per se, it’s not a very good game, either. There just isn’t enough content.

Not worth the time of you or your child.

The core Mario Kart gameplay remains basically unchanged, but it’s well executed and slightly enhanced by minor tweaks and a variety of control setups. The online mode is the real star here, however.

A good start that quickly falls off into a discombobulated mess of the story’s true purpose but is successful in constantly delivering hordes of baddies to tear apart.

Dream Pinball 3D is closer to a nightmare than a dream.

Not only is the gameplay built from the ground-up for the DS, but the story is actually about something – not just orcs and elves.

Persona 3: FES will increase your appreciation of its storyline. The characters are great, the dialogue is believable (how’s THAT for an RPG!?), and if you enjoyed the gameplay last year, there are several new reasons to play through the original quest all over again.

Aside from the iffy framerate issues and the super bad video that would feel right at home in the 1990s, Target: Terror is one of those quirky novelties that are somehow way too much fun to pass up.

Young gamers will rarely be challenged by Wild Earth: African Safari and, while there are some interesting lessons to learn, the repetitive gameplay make this a game they will only want to play once.

NBA: Ballers: Chosen One has all the right stars but when it comes to the game, it lacks the stylish action that made this series such a blast to play.

Luke was a Chosen One. Neo was a Chosen One. Woody and Buzz Lightyear – even they are Chosen Ones. This game, however, is not.

This is a decent game idea that fails on several fronts. The gameplay is reflexive but the window to hit the notes is small and the frame rate stutters compound the difficulty of nailing the action.

Explorers of Time doesn't provide the intense challenge or genuine sense of accomplishment that some of the other Mystery Dungeon titles are known for, and adult players might find the whole thing a little cutesy.

Explorers of Darkness doesn't provide the intense challenge or genuine sense of accomplishment that some of the other Mystery Dungeon titles are known for, and adult players might find the whole thing a little cutesy.

Broken Mirror actually doubles all the goodies from Omega Dawn in a perfect booster pack well worth the download price tag. If you want yet another excuse to hit the Warhawk battlefield then do not miss this add-on.

The game provides some seriously needed fun in the otherwise stale point-and-click genre. I liked what the developers did here and I hope they do it again.

I think this is a great game, it has wonderful features and the strategy is solid.

The graphics are amazing and the supporting cast of controls and sound do a good job. Online needs a little tuning to run smoother, but the elements are there for fun and challenge.

Nothing new here, but still a well-packaged good-looking game that happens to feature anti-terrorist forces preventing the destruction of Las Vegas.

While some minor control issues here blemish an otherwise flawless package, Okami remains one of the best games of recent years, if not of all time. It’s engaging, original, and a true work of art — Wii owners looking for a game worthy of their time need look no further.

While it is an engaging and often funny Nintendo DS platform game, Teenage Zombies rarely shuffles its way to new and clever heights. It’s a virtual comic book with plenty of brain-devouring action that could have been a lot better.

Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis is a solid adventure game with some truly challenging puzzles. While there are some gameplay problems here and there, the game should appeal to hardcore fans of Sherlock Holmes.

Misses the mark as a major league player, but works well as an arcade offshoot. Fun, partially innovative, and a good way to kill short waiting periods.

Arcana Heart won’t do anything for players that have never enjoyed a fighting game. But if you’re a fan of the genre and crave originality, this game deserves a spot on your shelf.

I enjoyed this last episode more so than any of the others. The humor hit my funny bone dead on, and I enjoyed seeing all the stuff littered around the locations from the previous episodes.

A decent title for the DS that (for once) looks like some real work was put into it. While the game is fairly short, fans of the movie will enjoy this beat-um-up.