As a Virtual Console release or a tech demo for a bigger project, Chicken Shoot might’ve been iffy – possibly Ok, if it were a buck or two. But as a full title on a Wii disc, it can barely compete with games released 10 years ago, let alone what we have today.

Despite the good story, great graphics and nice characterization, playing this game isn’t any fun. The interface is painful.

A brilliant retooled classic.

The control of our man Lloyd is sloppy and slow, the stealth movements aren't really that stealthy, only by trial and error can you even complete a level. Vampires are super tough early and then just as stupid the next moment.

It could have been better with an easier puzzle section for certain parts of the game, while it could have been worse without all of the great features. It’s hard to really knock the game because it tries so hard to do so much while stumbling to do it just right.

Even with a short challenge mode, Ultimate Racing is a great buy.

While the SIXAXIS implementation is okay, it feels like it was put into the game simply to be able to say it was put into the game. The rest of the interface is solid, and the learning curve to learn the control scheme is small with this title.

This is Quotix Software’s first venture into this genre of gaming, and while some interesting ideas are at work in CfH, its problematic gameplay and shallow story eclipse its potential, resulting in a budget title that is far more frustrating than fun.

Zendoku is worth picking up if you’ve got buds that will play with you. Fun multiplayer kinda makes up for a lackluster single player experience.

Easy to control and jump into, the game itself suffers from missions schemes that are not out of the ordinary. The missions are of the ‘been-there-done-that’ variety.

It’s not that this game is terrible, just kind of unimpressive and full of things that have been done better elsewhere.

Repetitive missions, weird collision physics and floaty controls line out this weak licensed game.

The boss battles are another frustration since you can never actually hurt the boss at first. You have to throw something at the boss several times before the boss is weak enough so you can attack it.

No difficulty settings, or multiplayer make completing this game a done deal. I cannot see that this title would have any replayability once you have completed the game after playing both sides.

Overlord is a fun and original title that takes some great elements across a spectrum of genres and applies them very well together.

There are a few minor flaws, but the game runs at a steady framerate and the control scheme is easy to both learn and implement. Fun is an underscoring element here.

Lost Planet is a great game, but the PC translation suffers quite a bit due to some conversion issues and strange production choices. If you have an Xbox 360, then definitely pick up that version over the PC port.

A nice and polished remake of a beloved classic, Final Fantasy I is a good game for an RPG fan with only a PSP who hasn’t played any previous remakes of the title. However, if you already have, chances are you’ll want to skip this one, since it doesn’t bring anything new to the table.

A superb blend of battles that differ from the genre’s norms. It is a grim (and grand) blend of glorious missions that are fought and won in a 2D, side-scrolling environment. The controls are top-notch.

A must-own for fans of Arkanoid or any similar-style game.

The movie is well worth the admission. The game, on the other hand, is a mixed bag and will be enjoyed most after you have viewed the movie.

Ratatouille is a fun game; the only sad thing is that this game really doesn’t try to add anything new.

Rent it for quick fun; buy it for the lasting replay value.

The PSP version of Ratatouille hardly feels like much of a morsel and compared to the far superior console version this will be a disappointment for anyone who fell in love with the movie.

There isn’t much to this game and it is very short. More challenges and variety of gameplay would have helped.

It takes some patience and dedication to learn, but it is well worth the effort.

The Blue and the Gray is a niche game that will appeal to a very specific audience, so in that regard it’s a tough sell. However, if you fit into that group of hardcore strategy fans and Civil War enthusiasts, then this could be one that you’ll want to check out.

The complete opposite of the console versions. No action. No adventuring. Bad controls, repetitive objectives, zero variety – you should skip this one and stick to the others.

Well, I had hopes that this would be the breakout game based on a movie this year, it didn't happen. But it does do a better then average job of creating some entertainment for its core audience.

A truly unique experience from start to finish, The Darkness is one of those games that will hook you in and steal your soul.

The Darkness is a deep FPS game, giving you a nice world to explore and great Darkness powers to use. The controls are a little sluggish, however, and the AI leaves a little bit to be desired.

The intense home runs, stadium interactivity, slow motion passes and hard-hitting slides – that literally thrust one player into another – are a must-see and a must-play.

The main problem with this game is that the controls are not as polished as they could have been and lack of online mode hurts it.

While the PSP version has its share of foibles, it still does a great job of capturing the spirit of the game.

There’s a game somewhere among the bugs and glitches that make up Hour of Victory for the Xbox 360 but you’ll never find it seeing as the entire experience feels broken and rushed.

For casual gamers seeking virtual checkers, solitaire, and other simple board and Web games, this might be enough. But for the rest of us, TouchMaster isn’t worth touching.

Some will love it, and others will despise it. More likely than not, your own appreciation of this title will come down to your fanaticism regarding the genre.

Recommended to the die-hard Potter crowd, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a rich adventure that’s light on longevity.

No user interface creates a bit of a different feel to the game. The flow, though, is very nice and the game uses the school as a sandbox game mechanic, letting players move through the quests at their own pace.

The game might look and feel right but thanks to some glitches and gameplay features that just don’t work, this is not Harry’s finest moment.

Joking aside, this is the Harry Potter game. If you have multiple systems, the Wii is the version to get. Young and old will enjoy.

If your Harry Potter fandom tells you that it’s worth spending your money to see an ugly representation of your favorite character run around an ugly representation of your favorite school doing boring things, ignore it and buy a better game. Trust me.

In some respects, The Adventures of Darwin effectively mirrors "Pikmin"’s unique style. But it comes up short as a PS2 strategy game.

A technically impressive game, but a few weak elements keep it from being a truly great game.

This is a niche game that might appeal to fans of the sport but will leave others feeling very underwhelmed.

It’s a dazzling-looking game with plenty of challenges and a lot to love despite a few weak spots here and there.

It’s hard to deny what a rich and deliciously unique experience Raw Danger is and, while the graphics are beyond hideous, the adventure the game introduces is a satisfying one.

Whereas the console versions faltered with a repetitive experience, the DS version fares much better with competent online gameplay.

My hat's off to the folks at XSEED for coming up with a pretty nifty idea. But there is the kind of frustration felt in this game that will really turn off some players.

Owners of the Wii that have never played RE4 before should make this game an instant purchase.

The game is designed well and is wholly representative of the board game, but the fun factor is missing. For just a few more dollars, players can play the real thing around the table and have more fun.

Whereas the console versions faltered with a repetitive experience, the DS version fares much better with competent online gameplay.

Puzzle Scape is another flavor thrown into the mix, merging elements of a Nintendo classic with ideas that had not been previously explored. The resulting product is one of challenge, one of entertainment, and unfortunately – without any significant challenges aside from a list of repeated objectives – one of slowness and repetition.

Hot Brain is a fun little game but can start to feel repetitive after a while. The inclusion of unlockables and infrastructure wireless multiplayer would have been nice.

Top-of-the-line entertainment – a must for anyone who wants a deep, satisfying, and puzzling challenge.

Again, a solid title and a puzzle-player must, I think the variations of the puzzles and the running score you can rack up is a good way to have some healthy competition with other members of the household.

There was a wealth of material here that it seems the dev team tried to cram into the story. Instead of a well-scripted tale, this game is a random (repetitive) level run that loosely fits some story, if you can find and hold on to the main thread.

Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer could have been way more than it was. Only get this game if you are a true die-hard fan of the Fantastic 4, otherwise go find a used copy of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance to get your superhero fix on.

An abysmal experience.

The game is pretty fun for Western fans. Just be prepared for some frustrating stealth mission and a couple minor clipping issues.

A small step in the right direction. With a short campaign mode and a number of features cut from the gameplay, this does feel like a stripped down version of the amazing console version.

For those old school gamers who had a fondness for the classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Monster Madness will disappoint in almost every level. It’s a game that borders on fun but just doesn’t quite make the right impression with its repetitive action, framerate problems and barely there story.

The game is a nightmare to learn.

The learning curve is high but don’t let that discourage you from picking up Ultimate Ninja 2. My favorite portion of the game is the Ultimate Road story mode; it provided a real purpose to finish the game.

It’s funny what a good control scheme can do for a game and Scarface for the Wii definitely benefits from the Wii Remote and Nunchuk swinging action.

Tenchu Z is a pretty lousy entry to the series, and is one Xbox 360 title that doesn’t flex any next-gen muscle.

Time Ace feels too much like it was just thrown together. So many elements are reused (even the final boss is comprised of bosses from earlier in the game) and numerous graphical glitches make it feel somewhat like an unfinished product.

As a port, The Sims 2: Pets isn’t anything out of the ordinary. But for a new audience, there has never been a better time to try EA’s mammoth sim series. It’s just as deep and addictive as before – and now comes with a superior control style that only Wii can deliver.

Playing as Billy isn’t bad but you’ll start feeling like Reverend Ray should have been the real star of the game. In the end, the single-player game just doesn’t hold a candle to the enjoyable online multiplayer.

The puzzles could have been more challenging, and having some of them as stand-alone games would have been nice, but the overall game is engaging and well-designed.

This is “vintage” Tomb Raider, given a facelift, and sparkling as a result. It is fun to play, and fun to watch.

An interesting concept is simplified too much for its own good. For hardcore fans or beginners only.

SpaceForce: Rogue Universe has some great concepts and gameplay elements, but unfortunately the unintuitive interface and lack of tutorial will keep many gamers from seeing them.

New fashions and new items for your retail stores. This is decent stuff but not exactly groundbreaking for the franchise.

Adds a brand new (and fun to play) race that adds a great new dynamic to the gameplay, as well as some nice features to keep things fresh for fans of the original game. However, if you weren’t a fan to begin with, you probably won’t be won over with this expansion.

Simple in execution, yet there are plenty of things to do to manage your show. Kids will especially appreciate the intuitive interface.

A game that any puzzle fan will thoroughly enjoy.

Any fan of the genre has already been here and done this before — probably 2-3 years ago. While the visual and aural facets of YAE are generally solid, its gameplay is not all that entertaining, and there are plenty of other titles in the genre that can offer a more entertaining and diversified gaming experience.

There is nothing in this game that represents fun. I hate to say that, but when all the members of the house give it a try and no one could say anything good about it, well, that just seals the deal.

Even two years later the game is easily one of the most exciting experiences in the gaming world. The online play upgrades and new fancy look will please even the staunchiest of PC elite players.

The tricks lack complexity and the game can be beaten in a couple of sittings. However, young ones should enjoy the fun presentation and the enjoyable multiplayer mode.

Forza Motorsport 2 is easily the best racer you can find on the Xbox 360. The driving physics are deep and accurate, and the online features are a blast. While the game has its foibles, it’s still a highly recommended racer for any driving fan.

If there was ever an example of a new game that should have been released as a downloadable game, Shadowrun is a top candidate.

Argghhh, the frustration of playing this game wouldn't be so bad if the rest of it stunk. But to have a game with cool devices, an interesting war over who should get magic and some really clever gameplay and then have stinky online play only makes the cut go that much deeper.

Buy it for the multiplayer, pass on the single-player.

A boring party game that lacks the pace and originality of its genre counterparts, Tamagotchi: Party On should be avoided at all costs.

A very engaging and original puzzler, Crush presents unique gameplay and stages that grow increasingly more complex, but never too difficult. While the controls could be a bit tighter and there could be more environments, it’s still a fun experience from start to finish.

For fans of the original, its sequel, and for anyone who loves RPGs, Atelier Iris 3 is a retro-infused, highly inspired classic.

While the Wii-mote controls are pretty gimmicky and not very practical, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon offers a robust amount of features and game modes, plus plenty of fighters and unlockables to keep you busy.

The fighting engine, or lack thereof, really hurts this game and makes it very frustrating and unplayable.

Whatever the reason of my blind faith in the Japanese market, WarTech let me down and it’s an utter shame.

Playing is quite fun, and there is a good mixture of conversational clues, puzzles and fun things to see. The puzzles are fairly well-integrated, but not logical all the time.

Dawn of Mana tries to bring something fresh and interesting but fails to recapture the magic of the classic that lit up our old Super NES consoles.

Diner Dash fits right at home on the Nintendo DS and it remains to be one of the most repetitive yet highly addictive games that shouldn’t be missed. The touchscreen features could have been a bit better but compared to the PSP version this one is by far the best portable version of this game.

It doesn’t matter how many times you play the game, every character you encounter seems to say the same thing.

Death Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom is a snore-fest laden with abominable controls, physics and level/enemy design. Redeeming factors are scarce.

Sure playing some TCG can be frustrating but the majority of the time it was always fun. Marvel TCG for the DS is a disappointment when it comes to showing off how fun a TCG should be. You end up with a game that is hard to see, difficult to understand and hard to play which equals to a fun factor of close to zero.

Gamers with an undeniable need for Naruto gaming action will be amused – if only on the first play-through – by the gameplay this sequel distributes. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a beat-‘em-up with something more substantial than license amusement, you may want to look elsewhere.