There's a lot going for this game, but there's also several strikes against it, namely bad camera design and sticky gameplay issues.

Tears of Blood manages to hook fans of the genre with its gorgeous style and great story. It’s not as epic as the Final Fantasy games but it is still well worth playing.

Tons of game modes combined with the Grand Adventure story mode makes or a complete all around package.

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.

Monster Kingdom does not stray too far from the Japanese RPG format, and that makes for a game that, while enjoyable, also has a familiar feel to it.

The thing that is wrong with this game is that it is getting caught up in the technological limitations of the system.

A solid, but very vanilla racer.

Had the controls been tightened and the camera more precise, we would have been looking at portable platform gaming at its finest, but this is still fun enough to keep fans of the series happy.

This game is really fun to play, especially in the racing sections. Sonic is breathtakingly fast! The platforming levels are a drastic switch from the racing, and force players to slow down.

The sound effects are so realistic that one may wonder if the sound of geese is coming from the game or outside their own window.

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

I was disappointed in the interaction between the Team Manager and your self, no video, just a static picture and a few lines of text ends up being your advice.

Unfortunately there are problems with the control scheme (seriously who let this game ship with only d-pad controls) and a lack of a real captivating mini-game. For what is presented, this will entertain your family (kids) for several hours on end.

If you're up to the challenge of dealing with the combat issues then Juka shouldn't disappoint.

Izuna is one rough quest, and the old-school gameplay and unforgiving difficulty are a stark contrast to the story’s lighthearted tone. However, if you’re looking for a good story and one tough cookie, then this one is for you.

Controlling with a gamepad is so much easier to move and aim spells. I would go as far as saying that it is a must.

This game has a high replay value, looks good, several modes that twist the original game in fun ways, and manages to be a fun experience without doing anything terribly mind-blowing.

Kid gamers in Japan might find this kind of experience to be entertaining, but there is no way American kids will ever go for it. For one thing, there isn't an "action" element. Second, the camera is a mess.

It is open-ended, has humor, and looks visually pleasing. Before you buy it though, make sure you watch the movie.

Some decent variety, but a lot of bugs can bog the experience down.

Streets is about as anemic as a retail game can legally be.

Ultimately your enjoyment of Re:Coded will stem from how much you like or loathe the Kingdom Hearts side-stories.

Superstars V8 Racing does not really crash or burn due to its flaws, it just bumps into walls and finishes somewhere in the middle of the pack.

I give AC: Fight Back all the respect I can as a standalone expansion, but when you take a close look at it, it may only appeal to hardcore fans.

Missions get repetitive a short way into the game, but the aircraft control like a dream. The story goes a long way towards keeping things interesting and moving forward, giving purpose to the mission at hand.

A step in the right direction, adding a nice teamwork element to the game. However, it is ultimately mediocre at best, given its fair share of problems, including bad camera issues and overly simplistic gameplay.

This is a simple RTS/RPG hybrid that just oozes charm. It’s not groundbreaking by any means, but it is imminently playable and more importantly fun.

This program is not graphically the best on the market, but what it does provide is a terrific challenge on the purely mental level. If you think you have the right stuff, could have been a terrific military mastermind, then you will enjoy this program.

Heroes of Mana shows that it is possible to have an RTS game work on the Nintendo DS and remain fun. The main problem with this game is the dumb AI and very slow-paced gameplay.

Ghost Pirates of Vooju Island isn't a terrible game, but having recently completed Telltale Game's wonderful Tales of Monkey Island series it's clear Ghost Pirates is aspiring for a similar experience while falling short in nearly every aspect.

One of the things I like about the game is that you can earn coins while at the Grand Prix that you need to purchase upgrades to fine-tune your car.

Merely average.

There is no sense in reinventing the wheel, but this comes off as a lazy, rehash of current games. You can't ride on a name for long.

The biggest and what will probably be the final deathblow to this game for a lot of people is the overall difficulty.

Neo Contra’s greatest fault is that it ends before its time. Second, it’s a bit on the easy side when compared to other run-‘n’-gun shooters.

Armored Core 4 isn't a must-buy for everyone, but its combat and tenacious missions create a journey worth taking.

Leave it to Mama to make cooking fun again on the Nintendo DS and Cooking Mama 3 definitely has its share of really fun moments, but there is still much room for improvement.

It's a graphical achievement, and it's a launch title no less. Sure, the plot is paper thin and the campaign is short at 5-6 hours, but for the price and the console, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better.

Too Human is another game that falls in the “could have been much more” category. Even though this game has been in development for many years, there are just too many design flaws that keep it from becoming a “must have” game.

I am a fan of this title, because it moves the series forward in a positive direction even if some other things are sacrificed.

The tweaks and changes are definitely appreciated, but there's really nothing here that couldn't have been done in a patch to improve the base game.

A relatively short game, SWORDS is imminently accessible by gamers of all ages.

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.

Things like the interface design and other small rough spots throughout the game will turn off those gamers spoiled by the near perfection that is "Madden NFL 2004" and "ESPN NFL Football". Yet I defy any PS2 sports fan not to fall in love with the game’s online features.

This is still a good game. But it’s one we’ve been playing for the past several years.

The battles are varied, along with the robots, but after a while, this game does get really repetitious.

Even with the reasonable price tag, you won’t help but feel that there could have been more to this title or at least it could have ironed out all the problems found in the original.

One of the better movie-based games with hours of entertainment for both kids and adults.

Afro Samurai is a good game that could have been a lot more. What this game needed was another month or two in order to squish all of the bugs, poor interior camera control, and weak bosses. If this was done, this game would have been one of the first "must have" games" of the New Year.

It hurts to say it but, “the need for speed” is lacking in this latest rendition.

Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland is a light, colorful adventure that's easy enough to jump into but with combat, alchemy, and 14 different endings to unlock, is also layered enough to satisfy many standard JRPG subscribers looking for something a little different.

Battle Nexus is not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles best effort but if you're looking for a slightly better version of the game I suggest you forget the console versions and pick this one up instead.

An average game with some promising gameplay. It's too bad you have to pass the boring parts to get to them.

Sometimes the trips down memory lane are better off left as memories.

Yes Armada 2 is good, but when it gets bad it’s plain ugly. You gotta love it.

The game looks great, plays well, has a solid soundtrack, is user-friendly, and is enjoyable. What more could you ask for?

This may not be the prettiest game, but it plays great. It's a little mellow, yet still very addictive.

All action as the gameplay is fast and intense. The controls are great; the gameplay fluidly switches from land-based mech combat to airborne fighting without a single hiccup to the flow. However, the mission structure can get a little repetitive before too long.

The environments are big and interactive, adding a lot to the gameplay dynamic, and the pace of the races is challenging and engaging.

The Hardy Boys are having a good time on the Royal Express, and so will any player who picks up this game. History buffs will especially appreciate all the little details on the train and the surrounding locations of Europe. A nice portable experience with two well-known young sleuths, Joe and Frank Hardy.

A fun and truly original jaunt which breaks the mold of combat racing titles.

The graphics are better suited to a PlayStation or hand-held system, and the audio track is not up to snuff, considering what can be accomplished with this system.

Long and addictive, if you let Pirates consume you, it will.

Barrow Hill is another solid addition to the point-and-click genre. The genre will never go away, especially with quality titles such as this one coming out.

Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness is not an unplayable game by any means but the horrible controls simply keep it from being a fun game.

If you have never really been a fan of this genre I urge you to give this one a try. It’s a breeze to play and will have any armchair General screaming Charge!

Tactical combat in World War II with a realistic flair is Squad Assault: the Second Wave’s claim to fame.

Despite the occasionally erratic opponent AI and the small framerate stutters here and there, this is still a solid game of hockey. The game modes are decent enough with 3 on 3 Countdown being one of the most enjoyable.

A neat gaming experience for young kids, who will enjoy the feeling of success, instead of the all-too-often sense of frustration as they attempt to play games that are too difficult.

A lot of promise mixed in with failed execution is what riddles Aliens vs. Predator.

The multiplayer action does manage to offer a satisfying experience that easily overshadows the rather dull single-player experience.

Multiplayer for the minigames would have made a great addition to extend the replay value of the game.

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.

Quantum of Solace is a fun and exciting Bond title that has some truly engaging situations and pretty production values. However, there are some ugly issues, like poor AI and a buggy cover system, that keep it from truly being a truly great shooter.

Far from perfect, the game comes on strong with enough realism and excellent control to shake a bat at.

The stories are good, the voice work is strong but the investigating parts in between tend to get a little tedious. Even with all the cool CSI crime fighting tools.

And the major trouble with this program is lack of feel for both the recommended club selection and the recommended stroke guidance.

If the controls weren't stiff, and if the combo system wasn't so generic, I probably would have loved this game.

While adding more than enough super powered friends and foes to keep Marvel fans happy, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 for the DS is a surprisingly entertaining handheld action game.

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

Only the online capabilities kept this game from falling into the basement.

One of the most creative and original games to come out in recent months, most notably because it does not rely on any single preset established genre and yet it is still a very appealing title.

Two Worlds is a game that has the right intentions and was headed in the right direction – it just had a few stumbling blocks en route. If you can get past some of those obstacles, you will find a very solid and entertaining RPG that will eat up a lot of hours.

The game is not terrible. It is just terribly familiar and lacks replay value - except for trying to play it multiple times to see how fast you can do it.

With the little features here and there, along with the above average graphics for this genre, I'd easily recommend it to anyone that likes a theme-sim game. Also, a great way to spend time with family (especially youngsters!!) and learn more about animals.

The excitement of playing the game for the first time, its replay value, and satisfying driving and racing styles are completely intact.

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.

Puzzle Guzzle is a good buy for gamers of all skill levels who love puzzlers, but it is not for those who play puzzle games casually. PG is moderately hardcore and will take some time to learn; mastering it could take weeks or months.

It seems like the developers might have gotten rushed to get the game finished at the last minute and did not finely tune all of the game's aspects, especially the enemy AI.

A joy to play.

The sense of atmosphere and ambience from the excellent PC version is all but gone from the PS2 version, with stiff controls, dumb AI, long loading times and tons of strange bugs. Overall, the gameplay is a shell of the PC version.

Frogwares has put together an adventure that offers a fun story plot, engaging puzzles and interesting dialogue. The execution is a little rough in parts, with the awkward movement cursor, the sudden appearance of actions that couldn't be accomplished before, and the whole glove thing, but these don't take away much from the overall game experience.

The controls are decent, the game poses it's own unique challenges and the multiplayer is straight up 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 limited life-span and confounded level layout relegates this title to mediocrity.

This game does not use the Xbox anywhere near its potential.

Far from perfect but it certainly does a great job of bringing all the elements surrounding this sport to life.

While not making quite the same impact as Frontline, Rising Sun has its small share of thrilling moments that makes this a somewhat average installment of the Medal of Honor series. The game does, though, magnificently capture the essence of the era but it also accurately recreates war’s most brutal moments.