The frequent backtracking gets annoying, but given that Oogie's Revenge is like Devil May Cry and was developed by Capcom, it still manages to provide a memorable experience.

The strip down presentation and easy to use interface allows anyone to get into the game without any barriers.

A lot like Gradius or Raiden. You’re basically maneuvering around enemy fire while mashing on the fire button.

As with the almost limitless number of mini-game collections coming out for the Wii, the overall goal is to have fun. If you can’t find something fun with TV Party then I don’t know what game you’re playing.

Manhunt 2 struggles to break new ground, but will satisfy your blood-thirst and offer some new challenges that will keep you entertained, satisfied and disgusted all at the same time.

One of the better brawlers available, Ben 10: Protector of Earth is all about action. Repetition is an unavoidable factor, but it is much less noticeable than in other beat-‘em-ups, thanks entirely to the controls, attack moves and character lineup.

The only problem is the steep difficulty curve; easy songs are too easy and the hard songs are too chaotic.

The combat is a piece of cake since you don’t have to worry about a pressing some elaborate button combination to pull off your moves.

A charming PSP game that doesn’t lack most of the familiar gameplay elements while adding some fresh ones but then again its most troublesome glitches are just too bothersome to ignore.

The game is a touch too simplistic, but does have solid characters, and very good sound.

With so many futuristic racers out there, it's hard to welcome one with open arms that doesn't go above and beyond the rest. XGRA is a really good, entertaining game, but it's a standard sequel.

The game is truly epic in its design and implementation. The battles can go on for quite a while and the options for play are varying.

The controls still don’t feel right and dribbling can be a bit awkward but these are issues that don’t really cripple the gameplay.

Cars is a really solid racing game for the PlayStation Portable. What is a shame is that the game is extremely straightforward in its concept and execution which means that there isn’t a lot of variety other then just racing.

Battlestations: Pacific is a really fun game that many people will enjoy playing due to its unique settings and gameplay. This is especially true if players are tired of playing the same first-person shooter game storming the same beach for the umpteenth time.

Doesn't really feel like a sequel to the great, addictive game that reached shelves more than three years ago. In fact, it feels more like yet another expansion to the title.

Its only real problem is the fact that it isn't a whole lot different from "NHL Hitz."

The amount of minigames that you can play and the unrestrictive levels really put it above other tiles in the same genre.

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.

If you’re a Metal Slug fan you owe it to yourself not to miss Metal Slug 7.

It combines a bit of the medieval with fantasy, and technology with history. The combination works quite well, and the game ­ with a few setbacks ­ is not only challenging but also enjoyable.

A worthy addition for anyone looking for a solid mystery/horror game. The interesting story line, easy to use control system, and detail graphics makes the game stand out.

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown is a really fun game, but it is held back by one major flaw: its length. It takes only a couple of hours to beat this game if you have any gameplay experience.

It’s almost mind boggling how the opponent can easily deflect your super power kicks but totally not catch the weaker shots you happen to unleash.

Big boss battles, endless attacks, frequent bonus opportunities, tons of power-ups – Urban Jungle is all thrills and excitement. Its short length caters to high replay value, but don't think you're crazy for wishing it were longer.

The character advancement system is satisfying as is the combat dynamics and the weapons system adds an additional layer of depth to the intrinsically deep RPG dynamics.

Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires had nice-looking visuals, but the strong point was its great beat-em-up combat. At the very least, it is a good quality game for the price.

Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa feels like a never ending assault on the gameplay senses. The game has you constantly moving from one game to another as the story keeps progressing. While the variety of the gameplay is great the actual game itself doesn’t offer anything truly innovative or spectacular. Yet for those that crave variety Madagascar 2 might just be the game for you.

Provides average gameplay, but has a thoughtfully designed interface that is heads above many games of this type for younger players.

Fans of the Bomberman franchise will undoubtedly find a lot to like in Red Advance thanks to the addition of the battle mode, mini-games, and charabom-collecting elements.

Sure, the game does start off a bit sluggishly at first but when it picks up you’ll be certainly enjoying these mountains. Give this one a try if you’re looking for a more than decent snowboarding game.

The MySims series has definitely released a good game in MySims Agents, and it will be well received by the Wii's younger audience.

The game has some disappointing quirks in play but the plot music and graphics come together perfectly.

A fun, albeit no-frills, collection of one of the most beloved franchises in arcade gaming and a great value for hardcore fans of the series.

Tried and true adventure game fare with several good puzzles integrated nicely into the story, especially at the end.

A relaxing and fun game for anyone who likes trains and casual games. Players who require more strategy may be less enthusiastic.

It’s short, the movies are long and can’t be skipped, and the difficulty takes a dive at the end of the second hour. These are reasons to avoid a game. At the same time I love Onimusha, and Genji is essentially that game with a new name and face.

What the collection lacks in extras it makes up for in value, as there is no better (or cheaper) way to get your SNK fix on the Wii.

The little technical problems this game suffers from are not enough to conceal the addictive RC racing fun Smash Cars offers.

This game is right on target for preschoolers. The repetitiveness is exactly what they like. The levels are fun and have lots of action.

Nintendo fans will want to play through Wario Land: Shake It! but may not want to own it. The entertainment value is high enough to justify the thorough exploration of each stage.

Has its share of repetition, clunky controls, and a boring palette of polygons, but its high points - gory battles and an open-ended weapon system - make it a must-rent.

This isn't the best buy for those who have played the series to death. But if you haven't, then get on board with this animal update.

For horse lovers, and lovers of the movie, I would rank this game higher, but many GBA gamers may find the action a bit slow and repetitive.

An excellent choice for families and for kids, and especially for kids in a school setting. This is the type of game that kids will learn quite a few factoids from, without realizing it.

This game is right on target for preschoolers. The repetitiveness is exactly what they like. The levels are fun and have lots of action.

If they continue to improve the series as they have this time around, the final two installments of .hack//G.U have the potential to really make their mark in the RPG genre.

Trilobyte has once again granted the world a memorable game, and it's great that these devices have given the developer the ability to revive this long-dead game.

There are some frustrations and the game lacks a general sense of excitement that propels you forward at a frantic pace.

What was once a very good franchise is starting to become a generic rehash with a few tweaks thrown in each year to sate the need to say something new was added. Yes, it is still entertaining, but it’s not the game one would have hoped it would be.

The geographical limitations are a real hindrance, but there is enough to do within the space you're given.

Some of the motions are brilliant, like Archery, but most are mediocre at best, like Skeet Shooting.

Although the cinematic story is supposedly one of the most compelling elements of The Getaway, it is merely decent by film standards and only fair by video game standards.

Those with PSPs will likely want to check out "Lumines II" instead.

If you did buy it last year you won’t find anything here that makes it worth spending your money again.

While the game really doesn’t introduce anything we haven’t already seen in a shooter, the dinosaur-filled world and the intriguing story of revenge are enough to keep this game from being a bore.

Graphically this game scores well, and though the overall gameplay is nothing that has not been experienced before, the game still has a nice rhythm to it. It is what it is – a game adaptation of a movie, slightly offbeat, but accessible.

Revolution capitalizes on the DS’s strengths with some great stylus-based controls. Unfortunately, there are some problems, as the gameplay feels a bit scaled down and the maps feel pretty cramped.

While it lasts, it’s a hoot, but it’s all over much too fast.

Its lack of variety in the game mode department will turn off those gamers who love the FIFA Soccer series but at least it plays well enough to keep soccer fans busy until next year’s game.

While better analog control would have made a huge difference to the gameplay, what is here is enough to give NASCAR fans a good enough reason to buy this game.

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.

The fast paced action, good graphics, tight controls and classic gameplay will appeal to gamers looking for a solid gaming package.

While it’s not as engrossing as The Simpsons Hit & Run, the humorous off-the-wall levels still makes this a fun game for fans of the series and any gamer who likes their platform games with plenty of humor will find a lot to like about this game.

While there could be improvements in the platforming elements, and more originality in some of the mini-games, overall this is a lot of fun for kids, which is the point. And, there is definitely a lot of replay value, which is always a consideration for families.

While not as brilliant or as stunningly beautiful as other first-person shooters already available, TimeShift is still a fun shooter that plays up the action rather well. Despite a disorienting story that will leave gamers confused by the plot, it’s the action and time-manipulating gimmick that will hook gamers in long enough to see it through to the end.

It’s quality and not quantity that makes Capcom Puzzle World such a delightful package that should please puzzle fans looking for more puzzle goodness for their PSP.

The graphics are really good ... but the similar color scheme in most places hides things well. In addition, some solutions are really vague, and can ultimately lead to a lot of running around.

While the game’s single-player campaign isn’t as fleshed out as we would’ve hoped and the mechanics have been overly simplified, the game’s solid multiplayer definitely gives it some long-lasting legs.

Those who have played before may find the limits of this game rather restrictive.

But it still offers a competent and entertaining adventure that will keep games busy at least for a short while. At least if you buy the boxed copy you know where to go to find the new episodes.

Everything about this game is solid. Unfortunately there is nothing about it that will knock you into next week.

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.

The game’s most glaring faults are just too hard to ignore and the visuals aren’t as remarkable as it could have been. If you’re a fan of college b-ball or missed out on the original Xbox version, then you might want to consider buying this.

Fracture is a solid effort that offers a new mechanic to the shooter formula and allows for some exciting new ways to play. Unfortunately, for what it does right in Terrain Deformation, its issues fall with the basics of the genre due to spotty AI and frustrating aiming issues.

Curse of Atlantis provides some good, old-fashioned point and click with a solid story and voice work.

This game won’t turn the MMOG market on its ear or advance the baseball video-game genre. What it does do, though, is provide an accessible and entertaining game that can be played on lower-end systems, with players hopping in and playing for short periods here and there.

Even with the shortcomings of cooperative and the narrative, DeathSpank still ends up being a joyous romp through a fantasy-filled world of evil unicorns, kidnapped orphans, and sinful monks.

A poorly executed game with an original concept that is held back by its repetitive action and uninteresting world.

A good handheld game that offers ease of play and the ability to play a friend on the mini-games after game completion. Couple this with the attractive packaging of Barbie and friends tied to a popular video, and it's sure to be a hit amongst the 6-10 year old girls.

A nice little program. While not overly complex, it still is entertaining.

Rotatable camera angles, a variety of weapons (albeit they're all arrows), and a good mix of puzzles and action made this game entertaining....in an Archie Comics sort of way.

More than merely "Sea Monkeys in Space", Space Station Sim is a rocket-boosted title that won't break the exploration budget. In the immortal words of Casey Kasem: "Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars."

It may not sport the graphical quality of Microsoft’s "Age Of Empires II," but still has all the elements of a good program, built to be user-friendly.

Monsters vs. Aliens turns out to be a game worthy of any child’s time. While it may not be a title that appeals to all ages, it is great title to pick up if you are parent searching for a game to occupy your child’s attention.

Although World Series Baseball has all the modes baseball fans and sports gamers have been longing for, its awkward controls and mediocre graphics does not make this the ultimate baseball game to own.

It just seems that even with the unique ideas and pretty graphics, they never quite managed to pull it all together, and its just not all that much fun.

The fact that you have to train to increase stats, and the fact that training occurs after every match...it's not good.

The game has a short learning curve and the AI ramps up nicely to present a very solid and challenging experience.

Filled with all of the delightfully loony character of the Looney Tunes cartoons and their wildly hilarious antics, Space Race is a game that will not fail to amuse or bring a smile to your face.

A fast, frantic, and high-octane style of tennis. If this sounds like fun then you will feel right at home. Anyone looking for a more realistic approach will want to find another source.

A fine WWII shooter, but doesn't quite capture the pure intensity of the PC version.

Mega Man has seen some excellent adventures on Nintendo’s past handheld gaming machines but on the Nintendo DS it shines just bright enough for fans to enjoy.

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.

The PC version is a nice attempt that finally gives PC gamers the chance to experience one of the best game franchises to start up in the past few years. However, the laggy performance and slowdown makes the PC version pale in comparison to its console brethren.

Game controls are very simple, and easy to master. Humongous is adept at making sure that games such as this are kept within the abilities of the youngest players it targets – in this case, the game is for 7-year olds and up.

A good choice for anyone who loves Christmas, and/or the book A Christmas Carol.

A good addition to a great game, but one which could have offered more content at the price.