The battle graphics get the job done, but everything else is a wash. The game is simple to play and though it does try to complicate matters, does a poor job – which reveals the simplistic nature of this title.

While it’s certainly a well-made digital recreation of the original card game, this is the very definition of a niche title: for a small group of people, the game is a godsend, and for everyone else, it’s utterly incomprehensible.

This is a case of the good versus the bad: great graphics against poor commentary, great shooting mechanics squaring off against AI miscues (stepping out of bounds or backcourt violations), solid downloadable challenges versus lack of trade restrictions.

The b-ball gameplay is great – stellar controls, smooth frame rate, and an impressive array of animations. NBA 08's pinball and Arkanoid-style mini-games are tons of fun, and the rest are entertaining diversions that encourage players to return.

Finding another collection that matches the quality of The Orange Box is next to impossible.

The Orange Box is worth a hundred bucks; you will pay half that. So much fun and excitement packed into this collection, it should be a crime.

This game makes me laugh even when I’m losing … an impressive feat.

Without a great multiplayer component to build replay value, Arctic Tale’s lifespan is based solely on its short single-player adventure.

SEGA Rally Revo is a fun arcade racer, but those expecting something with the depth of DiRT will be disappointed.

Sega Rally Revo isn’t a fresh turn around every corner, but it’s still one of the best racing games released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms. Fans of the original (and/or its sequels) shouldn’t hesitate to pick up Revo.

The Blade of Fate is not only the best Bleach game so far but it’s also the best fighting game to grace the Nintendo DS.

While the game’s story mode doesn’t make a big impression, the solid fighting mechanics and controls make this a fighting game that’s well worth a look.

This is a truly solid and enjoyable expansion. It can be very hard on the player, but part of the magic of the NWN series is that it requires you to think about what you are doing.

I would recommend that everyone experience the brilliant design of this game and the witty dialogue, especially if you're a fan of the cartoon; however, the mini-games (the meat of the game) do not hold up for very long. There is about 2 hours of gameplay in Duck Amuck, and whether that warrants a $30 purchase is up to you.

Star Wars Battlefront fans will certainly find a lot to like about Renegade Squadron and, even though the controls can be a bit frustrating at times, all the changes and fun game modes make this one worth a look.

Whether you have the PSone original or have just begun to appreciate the value of a great strategy/RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is not a must-play release – it is a must-own.

A compelling story coupled with gameplay mechanics that fit very well, in a world that is an amazing treat for the eyes. Folklore is a delight to play; a game full of wonder.

A huge increase in the league count allows you to play as tons of new teams as well as partake in more than 50 different tournaments. The ball physics have been greatly improved, feeling more realistic than ever. The Be-A-Pro mode is a great, albeit very limited, addition.

A truly terrific soccer game that is both entertaining and challenging. Performing skills with the analog-hot key combination is difficult, but the results, when you pull off that move that separates defender from shoes, is a great feeling.

The control system is the biggest drawback and may be unfixable, due to the very nature of the nunchuk and the remote. However, families that just want to introduce their kids to the world of simulated football may find much to like, with the easy family play option.

The Be A Pro mode alone was worth a play-through – the enhanced controls only sweeten the deal.

The controls are easy enough for almost anyone to play and the visuals look solid on the PSP’s screen. Unfortunately the lack of customization might be enough to turn some gamers away.

Touch Detective 2 1/2 is essentially the same as the original title, albeit with some brand new cases and puzzles. If you were a huge fan of the first game, then Touch Detective 2 1/2 is right up your alley.

Charming and loads of fun, Thrillville: Off the Rails is a truly enjoyable gem that is a slight improvement over the original.

A kid’s game, and doesn’t try to hide that fact. While young gamers might enjoy the game for a while, though, the general lack of much to do ensures that it won’t keep them busy for long.

The story is interesting and fairly long, and the puzzles are engaging. Young sleuths will keep playing to the end to find out the culprit.

This is a decent game that could have used a bit more innovation to really make this game top notch and stand out from all of the other platform games already available on this system.

Save for the cooperative mode, there’s not much here worthy of a gamer’s time that is devoted to buying and renting the best games.

Keep expectations a bit on the lower side in regards to graphics or a ‘career’ mode, and you will enjoy this outing at the ol’ ball field.

Offers some truly fantastic battlefield moments, balanced classes, and great missions. The one element that gives the game a great sense of longevity is the XP system, that will give you experience points for performing well on the battlefield adding to your weapon and class skills, and a nifty achievement system and persistent rankings that track your progress.

Hot Pixel for the PSP would have been a fun alternative to Nintendo’s micro mini-game offering but in the end, it just lacks quality or quantity and that little spark of fun that makes gamers want to revisit the mini-games again and again.

While some of the humor may not be overly appropriate for younger players, this is a family-style outing that will certainly entertain.

This is one of those games that is very familiar, but still entertaining. Loki treads familiar ground, but still manages to provide a treat for those who enjoy a good old-fashioned hack ‘n slash.

For those who missed out on FlatOut 2 for the original Xbox, FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage for the Xbox 360 is a wonderful upgraded port that not only looks great but handles beautifully as well.

Despite the extreme challenge, Race Driver is a gripping, adrenaline-soaked experience.

A fantastic PSP game, and one of the best action games to hit the system. Check it out if you’re a fan of last year’s Dark Mirror or if you are an fan of deep action games.

For returning players, PGR is basically more of the same – whether that is good or bad is dependent on if you like the series.

The game doesn’t even feel like it belongs on the Xbox 360.

Repetition and camera issues are damaging, but Spider-Man: Friend or Foe still prevails as the best PS2 brawler released in 2007 (thus far).

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe for the PSP is not a bad game for younger gamers but it does lack variety and challenging enemies to fight.

A likeable, challenging and entertaining portable action game that has its share of problems but is fun enough for young Spidey fans to enjoy.

It ends up being a fun, short game that is just too repetitive.

The platform levels are fairly interesting to play through, but they’re not enough to carry the entire game. The combat in the levels is boring, and the boss battles confusing.

This is the best version of the NBA 2k series in a long time. It’s a fresh breath of air and I am glad to see where the series is heading.

Basketball in its most realistic, exciting, and entertaining form. The controls and seamless player interactions make NBA 2K8 an instant showstopper – deep gameplay and high replay value provide the longevity you’ve come to expect (and demand) from 2K Sports.

It’s too flawed to enjoy, and way too frustrating to consider. Bypass this one and leave the sports to the adults for now.

An incredibly fun, beautiful 2D action title that's deep and accessible at the same time. While the Spyro name might make some wary, anyone who misses this one is really missing out.

It’s a spectacular blend of touch-screen combat, brilliant puzzles, and Wind Waker beauty. A can’t-miss adventure – one of Nintendo’s finest, and one of the year’s best.

Short and simple, without making you feel that you need to hurry to close the portal to hell.

A big improvement over NBA Live 07 (or 06, for that matter), offering some great features and cleaner gameplay. If you’ve been waiting for the next-gen iterations to catch up with the current-gen versions, then this is one to get.

A great creation system, deep dynasty dynamics, amazing animations and terrific play-by-play are the hallmarks of this title. EA Sports, though, needs to get a better framerate to go along with the high-definition graphics it is pumping into the license.

As a total package this is a wholly average game.

Excluding the removal of Superstar moves, NBA Live 08’s weak engine remains unchanged from last year’s game. The gameplay is just as slow and sluggish as it was before.

The gameplay is adequately fun, but could have been better if the stylus possessed a greater touch sensitivity.

Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy does do some things right in terms of the graphics and sound quality. The overall concept isn’t that bad either, but some of the finer points such as the tasks that need completed could’ve definitely been dulled down a bit. This game is, however, an absolute must for any astrology buff!

Some things were executed nicely, such as illuminating the personalities of each Jackass character and molding them perfectly into video-game form. While other things fell short of the launch ramp, namely the poor length of the game and the quick repetition of concepts within different stunts.

It’s not going to be an award winner, and it might not stay in your heart or mind for too long, but it is a fresh new game for the DS.

The AI is not that intelligent and the lag in the control scheme needs work. But as this is a port that will not see too many more iterations, you will have to make due with what it allows.

The online tear is a blast to play and with all the new bells and whistles they added to the game, you may not play anything else online for quite a while.

This game is pretty much like all the other DDR games, but doesn’t offer quite as many features as past versions. The campaign mode is weak, and the overall strategy is lacking. However, the actual dancing is as fun as ever.

Sadly, the motion controls for this game are not 100% accurate, and that does depending on which form of the sword you are using, it still remains really fun.

SuperNOVA 2 won’t engross those who have yet to be turned on by DDR’s catchy, rhythm-based gameplay. But if you’ve enjoyed the series and still want more, you can’t go wrong with this sequel.

Dewey is a little over the top for older gamers, but a little too complicated for really young gamers. Either way it provides a decent amount of fun and a very unique take on your average water droplet.

Soul Nomad appeared to have a lot going for it. The gameplay was interesting and fairly different from the norm, and the story seemed to have promise. But it isn’t long before you realize that the game isn’t going anywhere.

Accessible interface allows younger players to pick up and play. The game does seem to lack a lot of diversity and save points can be a problem in that you have to accomplish certain tasks before you have access to the save point.

The fleshed-out features and kiddie concept help make this game appeal to both hardcore and casual gamers; however, there is just not any pizazz or hook that really keeps the game going. This game is essentially not very innovative and it becomes boring very quickly.

Just like the show, Jackass: the Game is a guilty pleasure. It’s sophomoric, lowest-common-denominator entertainment to be sure, but that doesn’t keep it from being fun.

Playing the different girls as they roll through their adventures is somewhat dulled by repetitive gameplay and specific gaming preferences (you should like fashion and all that entails).

If you’re only looking for an Ultimate or Disc Golf game that provides the bare minimum of gameplay possibilities and graphics, then this is your game. For the rest of us we still need the whole enchilada, beans and rice.

As it stands, while very good, SingStar ‘80s is not overly indicative of the time period in the music world. Still, it offers a solid collection of tunes that karaoke singers will thoroughly enjoy performing.

If you are a fan of third-person action or Jon Woo, this game will deliver a fun and exciting ride. If you are into deep stories and complex characters with story plot twists, avoid this and anything else Jon Woo for that matter.

Sadly, the uninspiring action, lack of story and scantily designed levels will leave you wishing there was more to this game that isn’t horrible but not great either.

There is little beyond point and click here. No attempt at motion control at all.

Ubisoft has changed the formula and from my standpoint, it worked. It definitely held my interest a lot longer than the first Blazing Angels ever did.

Buy it for Pac-Man Vs. and/or if you don’t yet have a handheld version of the other games.

Data Squad has too much text for a five-year-old to enjoy it, too many annoyances for a 10-year-old to be amused. And the storyline is lacking.

The battle system is well-implemented and interesting.

There aren’t any extra bells or whistles, but true fishing fans don’t need fancy. We are enjoying it, and the price is right at $30. I can truthfully say that we’ve had more fun with this game than with some more detailed and more expensive games.

A decent game with a good amount of options and some challenges, but this is an arcade racer at heart with little consequences for extreme handling, other than sliding off the course and slowing down.

While it’s nothing groundbreaking, the action is solid, mission objectives are varied and interesting, and the enemies are intelligent enough to make for some intense sequences.

Koei delivers another beat-‘em-up that pits players against hundreds of on-screen opponents, though it barely provides any type of worthwhile replay to attract players to devote endless hours of their time.

Tough to rate an expansion like this, but kudos for the diversity of the songs. This is a great collection of memories and newer songs.

There may not be much replayability in this title – save for the proverbial ‘try it again at a harder difficulty setting’ – but what Tarr Chronicles delivers is fun and visually pleasing.

This is a game that could have been a great card game that challenged the experienced and gave an entry point for newcomers, but it just falls short.

A beautifully composed role-playing game that is delightfully unique experience for those who appreciate a game that’s wildly imaginative.

Between an utter lack of interesting activities, ridiculously slow pace, and frequent technical problems, AniMates is one to avoid.

While the lean career mode could use a bit more substance, this is the game to get if you’re a hardcore skateboarding fan looking for something a little different.

Nariko, Kai and company are the most compelling characters to ever grace a video game (and yes, that is opinion). The voice acting is dead-on and the graphics are gorgeous. In the end, though, the short gameplay and similarities to God of War lower the overall score.

NHL 08’s control scheme gives you more control over the puck than any prior entry to the series, as well as completely analog skating with reactive physics. The AI is also extremely realistic and will adapt and strategically defend against your offensive choices, and vice versa.

It’s packed with replay value, solid objectives, a stellar vehicle lineup, and dozens of individual races. The faux multiplayer mode brings the game down a half-point, but overall, you won’t find a better next-gen rally racer.

The game purportedly focuses on “speed” yet while playing the game, you never really get the sensation that you are actually going fast.

A ho-hum experience throughout, Galactic Assault is average at best. The simplified interface will turn off TBS gamers, while RTS fans will find much more interesting options on the market.

The game’s potential is held back by the game’s crippling controls, awful camera and lackluster game modes. Do yourself a favor and skip this game completely.

This is not only a challenging game, but a whole lot of fun to play.

While the Skill Stick is the best addition to a PS2 hockey game in recent memory, it doesn't move mountains. NHL 08 is a slightly revamped version of NHL 07.

Jam Sessions is practically flawless at what it’s trying to do. If you come in expecting a game, you’ll be frustrated and disappointed. If you come in expecting a versatile musical tool, you’ll be pleased and impressed.

I can only beat a game up so much, after reviewing it, I gave it to my niece and she looked at me like I had just ran over her dog.

One of the year’s best.