All of the time management games are similar in concept; the preferred game is chosen due to what themes the player may like best. Cakes, burgers, weddings, dinners, cooking, farming, it just depends on the gamer's taste. Up to now, I've preferred Cake Mania, but Wedding Dash is fast winning a place in my heart.

One of the most original puzzle platformers in years, Braid is an engrossing experience from start to finish.

For the high price mark of $15 you're just not getting enough. The gameplay is good when played correctly, but that same lack of lenience in play style is also a deficiency. Most players will not be able to find enough value to make it worth their purchase.

For a title that’s free to play, it’s almost unnaturally good. Save yourself some hard-earned coin and give it a try. AVA will have many players wondering why they ever paid money for shooters that weren’t nearly this fun.

There are literally hundreds of other titles offering a similar product to this, and apart from the publishers name featuring prominently; there would be no reason to pick this over any of the others.

Phantasy Star Zero is one of those games that some will fall completely in love with while others just won't get it.

Compelling and intense.

The multiplayer is phenomenal, the special ops are addicting and the campaign is one of the best you’ll play. Only the relatively short length of the campaign and its accompanying story presentation issues keep this from being all it can be.

From the first campaign mission to the 50th deathmatch round, Modern Warfare 2 is one heck of a ride. Its flaws are miniscule whispers against a thundrous symphony of greatness, where all elements combine for a must-play experience.

Sure, all the great characters are present and there are enough extras to keep fans wanting to jump into a tournament but the gameplay just falls flat to make the battles too awkward. There have been great Dragon Ball games before but, sadly, this one does not qualify.

If anything, this game serves as the perfect introduction to the Dragon Ball Z universe so those who always wanted to jump on the Goku bandwagon will find a lot to like about this game.

This is still a really great game, but it's unable to truly surmount all of the difficulties that Wii puts on an FPS. If you only play one FPS on the Wii, this should be it, but it's still got many of the same problems that the genre is known for on this system.

Kenka Bancho is another fine example of a quirky title that finally makes the trek stateside. While the gameplay has some issues, fans of original titles with odd themes should check this one out.

ABC Murders is a great story, but it wasn’t meant to be a video game and it shows. DS-owning Agatha Christie fans might get a kick out of it, but the game just isn’t as engaging or fun as the other point-and-click puzzlers on the system.

With existing content that is still great and a new stunt creation feature that is awesome and amazing, Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage is a great sequel to a really great game.

But for the true RPG gamer, this game is of a level that has never been seen before. It is the new benchmark. The story is rich and engaging, the characters are memorable, and the journey is one that pulls you in, captivates you and compels you to move forward toward the conclusion.

Despite its few issues, The Lost Frontier is yet another gratifying Jak and Daxter game that feels right at home on the PSP. While we could have done without the Dark Daxter moments in the game, flying the unfriendly skies and exploring the impressive Lost Frontier is more than enough reason to pick this one up right away.

WireWay stands firmly as a platform-puzzle adventure on the DS. Sadly, much of its appeal is dampened by the disorientation of the dual screens. Hopefully, these issues can be resolved for a sequel – the potential is certainly there.

The game has a decent amount of charm, and the mini-games are nice background distractions. The song list is diverse enough to attract a wide range of players and the game holds on to a light-hearted theme with the animations, background graphics and overall mood.

Cook or Be Cooked doesn’t quite ascend to culinary greatness, but the core elements are surprisingly well-executed. Given more time in development, this could become a truly impressive franchise.

An exciting, albeit clunky, driving/action game born out of GTA inspiration, C.O.P. The Recruit pushes the limits of the Nintendo DS.

With a great story, likeable characters, plenty of options and plenty of bloody action, this is yet another role-playing game that is Required Playing for anyone who enjoys the genre.

If looked at as a music expansion disc (one that can be played entirely on its own), Band Hero is a solid deal. Just don’t think of it as an opportunity to expand on the Guitar Hero franchise with something fresh – that, it does not do.

Band Hero takes the musical genre one step further, and demonstrates its viability on handheld platforms. It might be some time before it replaces the console versions, however. A better guitar, and a more serious dedication to rewarding gameplay would really draw the crowds.

A decent little game aimed for younger players. It has style and looks good. There are some minor issues but nothing that is overwhelming.

Given the emphasis on storytelling and single-player action, The Force Unleashed is tragically flawed execution of a great concept.

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

This is not a fun game, and that's the cornerstone of all games, fun.

The game’s many shortcomings make this a game that only the hardest hardcore adventure fans will even be able to get into, and the unimpressive puzzles and lackluster storyline might even turn them away.

The humor and ever changing gameplay provides a rip-roaring experience that you’ll be hard pressed to find in another game. Remember games are supposed to be fun and Rabbids Go Home is a fun-filled experience that shouldn’t be missed regardless of the score.

World of Zoo is unquestionably a family-friendly title, but leans strongly toward child audiences. A bit more depth or realism might have thrown the balance off, but could spice up the game considerably for more mature players.

The Ballad of Gay Tony is one not only one of the best of the two episodes but it’s also one of the most awesome Grand Theft Auto games that is more than able to stand on its own. With a thrilling story that seldom sees a dull moment, you will find yourself going back into Liberty City and loving every minute of it.

An excellent (albeit marginally updated) sequel that is sure to please Tekken fans all over the world. Buy it for the thrills and the massive character lineup.

Tekken 6 is not to be missed and ever player should be proud to have it in their gaming library.

Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter will draw you into its immersive and colorful, kid-friendly world.

DJ Hero is a great game that will challenge you and give you countless hours of entertainment. If you’re at all a fan of DJ culture, then this game is definitely for you.

DJ Hero is a great game that will challenge you and give you countless hours of entertainment. If you’re at all a fan of DJ culture, then this game is definitely for you.

As both a gearhead's dream and an accessible racer for newcomers, Forza Motorsport 3 is practically two games in one, making the package all the sweeter.

If you are looking for a game that is entertaining to the point of making you laugh out loud, of invoking a childlike sense of fun playing a game, then this is such a title.

SimAnimals Africa is an average simulation game for kids, which could have been better with more variety or more interaction with the environment.

This is a tried and true concept, but the execution is good and the design well-implemented.

League of Legends has replayability in spades for anyone who loves romps in real-time strategy format. It's attractive, accessible, and above all else, League of Legends delivers heaps of fun.

Adventures To Go! is a great idea brought down by a sloppy execution.

Fairytale Fights could have been the next Castle Crashers, but its lack of depth and overabundance of repetition shows that some tales are better left untold.

It’s not a new concept, but the execution is tight. Torchlight is a nice ride that echoes with memories of grand gaming times of the past, while using an updated style and graphic charm to keep it fresh and fun.

Atelier Annie is a fun little RPG that will definitely appeal to fans of comedy animes – it’s got a cute story and a bouncy, energetic style and tone. It’s not the most substantial RPG the DS has to offer this holiday season, but younger players and those looking for something a little different won’t be disappointed.

This game was made for fans of Ben 10, by fans of Ben 10, those who don't know the rich and varied backstory will be left scratching their heads with the plot but those who know will be rewarded with a strong title.

The 15 mini-games that support the entire game are good the first time you play them, but will get more taxing as you continue to play them over and over.

Teen boys should fall in love with Nerf: N-Strike Elite.

Pass on this unless you are someone who would rather play games on a console that don’t translate that well to the video-game platform. The controls are not that good and grind the frustration level even when trying to play the games on their original settings. Some of the retro games are decent, though.

Playing Nostalgia is a joy, plain and simple, in a way that too few RPGs are anymore. It’s a game that can make you feel like a fresh-faced kid, stepping out into a world of excitement and adventure for the first time – and let me tell you, it’s a good feeling.

For the decent price of 800 MSP ($10) Panzer General delivers great gameplay over a lengthy campaign. The slow down will bother some, but most will come away pretty pleased with this unique style of board game.

Wildly entertaining and loaded with enough bullet-fueled action to keep action aficionados more than pleased, Borderlands for the Xbox 360 should be on the very top of your Must Have list. Filled with more than enough missions, plenty of skills and loads of guns, this is over-the-top action at its most insane.

Tropico 3 has all the depth you could want, but presents itself in a fresh light that emphasizes fun without coddling the player. If you have any interest in playing out a dictatorship fantasy, this is as good as it gets.

Repetitive, clunky and predictable, Marvel Super Hero Squad is a button-mashing mess.

Marvel Super Hero Squad has a number of fun moments that work on the PSP but missing co-op and a few gameplay issues make this game a miss. That said, however, young gamers would still have a blast taking their favorite Marvel character through this decent action game. Do consider this a rental for fans of the show.

Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo for the Wii has all the right moves but falls flat when it comes to the enemies and the lack of real innovation.

THQ has done a good job gearing up the franchise for the future with the inclusion of downloadable user-created content. Downloading storylines that involve the G.I. Joe villain, Cobra Commander, buying the WWE from Vince McMahon should be one of the game’s selling points plastered on front of the retail box.

The tightened controls and improved manager mode pave away for some of the best moments in a sports title in 2009.

The dev team seems to be on the right track to bringing a realistic and compelling game – rife with the vagaries of the sport – to the PS3. A few mechanics need to be addressed, but for FIFA fans, this is a solid game.

It would have been nice to have more modes of play, but what is offered here is an improved over previous Wii iterations. Still, for a nice arcade-like take on the FIFA franchise, this Wii version does a nice job.

With more than enough teams, game modes and a solid multiplayer experience, this year’s game is the one you don’t have to buy but rather this is the game you need to buy.

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.

An utterly brilliant and addictive gem. With amazing missions, a great story and plenty to do in the city, this game is just non-stop fun from start to finish. Forget the DS; this game truly shines on the PSP.

Jam Sessions 2 might not be the prettiest package on the shelves, but there’s no denying the appeal of a more authentic guitar simulation over the usual riffraff. Hopefully things will be tightened up for the next version, because right now, JS2 feels like two separate games – and not in a good way.

Laevatein Tactics has everything tactical fans expect from the genre, and not much else. I won’t be so harsh as to call the game “forgettable”, but there are far more unique and interesting genre offerings already available for the DS. Other than an unwieldy name, Laevatein Tactics hasn’t got much to distinguish itself from the pack.

Lips: Number One Hits has some issues, but it’s still a pretty solid karaoke game and very fun to play in the right environment. However, here’s hoping the devs try to get a little more creative the next time around.

Looking at it broadly, Bakugan isn’t a bad storybook for kids, assuming that’s what you – or your child – is looking for in a $40 video-game, a storybook. But as an RPG, Bakugan is severely lacking, and as a mini-game collection, the game is very bland. You even can’t rate it as a card game because, despite the in-game hype and frequent card-speak among characters, Bakugan isn’t really a card game.

Purchase Bakugan Battle Brawlers only if you are a fan of the show. It is obvious that this game is made for younger gamers that don't mind repetition in their games. If you are looking for a little variety in a game that includes a deep storyline and interesting battles, you will need to look elsewhere.

Fans of the series will find something to enjoy with Bakugan Battle Brawlers, but all others will likely get bored almost immediately. It's faithful to the original product, which many fans will appreciate, but it's not going to convert you into a Bakugan fanatic.

Don’t have astronomical expectations for this movie-based action title.

Astro Boy is simply not where it needs to be. Not too much fun found here and the fun that is found, is so tough to get to, it will alienate its core audience.

Fans of The Secret Saturdays will be thrilled to play Beasts of the 5th Sun.

Sometimes a game like Beasts of the 5th Sun come along that not only takes gamers by surprise with a game that just isn’t another way to use a popular property to cash in on it but also manages to be delightfully enjoyable. Fans of The Secret Saturdays will certainly find a lot to like about the PSP title.

I really wanted to see this title take off. It has some things in it to make a player stand up and get excited, but those same things are painfully underdeveloped and a potentially great license is squandered.

Space Invaders Extreme 2 is a fun and solid shooter that exudes tons of old-school charm and addictive gameplay. Unfortunately, it doesn't add much new for fans of the first game, and feels pretty stagnant as a result.

Axel & Pixel is short and easy, and doesn’t really heap on the replay value. However, if you are looking for a fun night with a unique and charming title, then look no further.

Aside from its repetitive nature and lack of diversity, the game has a few glitches that would have made this an occasionally fun movie tie-in game.

Even with some shaky controls Brutal Legend is still a fun, humorous and entertaining game. Don’t disappoint the metal gods by missing it or tossing it aside only after a couple of hours. Like any good metal album it might take a couple of listens (plays) to really sink it.

The game has some repetition, but the look of the game is wonderful and the action flows well, drawing players through the game. This is an enjoyable game that keeps players on their toes, tantalizes with stunning vistas and some cool animations and keeps the story flowing well.

An excellent and highly original puzzle-infused joyride of near-epic proportions.

JU-ON: The Grudge’s ‘Haunted House Simulator’ concept is a good one, but the execution is lacking. Poor controls and overly simplistic gameplay sink what could have been a very good (and very unique) horror game.

This is a classic case of style over substance. If you know a young DS owner who shops at Hot Topic, they’d probably get a kick out of the story and art – but don’t expect the subpar gameplay to turn them into an RPG fan.

Not for everyone. Way of the Samurai 3 is positively different from other sword fighters, but its RPG elements might be too much for some players to bear, even those wanting to experience the combat.

The puzzles are engaging without being too taxing, and are mixed into the story nicely. The plot is paced well. I just couldn't find anything about this game I didn't like, except that it is a bit short.

Cake Mania 3 for the Nintendo DS is another serving of cake-slinging action but when it comes down to it this series still lacks the ability to keep us glued to our handheld. That said, there’s some limited fun to be had in this game but not enough to make us excited about playing this one for very long.

Cars Race O' Rama had some nice new additions, but in the end just wasn't as fun as racing in Lightning McQueen's world should be.

An innovative premise hides a conventional, but fairly streamlined set of gameplay modes that should keep young audiences occupied for hours. A bit more variety in the gameplay could really improve the experience for a sequel.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising’s unique spin on tactical warfare might be dug by the truly hardcore, but some frustrating design decisions will keep this one from rising as high as it should.

While the battles with faceless bandits can get boring rather quickly, there are decent game modes and decent multiplayer fun to be had in this game if you give it a chance.

Spore Hero has some great features. The monster-making in and of itself is deep and satisfying, and engaging. There are tons of body parts, and the manner in which players will earn them through the quests has the potential to keep players questing away. Unfortunately, the battles and dancing games aren't nearly as well-designed, and cannot be avoided. Best for older children who aren't easily frustrated.

This is a truly exceptional RPG experience that hasn't been offered by any other game in its genre. It all comes down to whether you're brave enough to explore its savage environments, but if you are I can promise that you won't be disappointed.

The harder players work out the better the avatars will look at the end of their program. This is a neat extra incentive to continue to play this game.

The Biggest Loser includes some handy tools to keep your waistline intact, but it doesn’t do enough of anything to justify its $30 price tag.

The game's focus on the fluidity and feel of real basketball is a great direction for the franchise, even at the expense of revolutionary new gameplay modes.

Some of the finishes are amazing to watch.

NBA Live 10 is a title that EA Sports can use as a building block towards the future. Not everything is fine and dandy with this year’s iteration, but the product presented at least is able to keep the attention of the gamer for more than 15 minutes.

NBA 2K10 is disappointing, to say the least.