And speaking of landscapes, the game's graphics are breathtaking, thicker foliage, clean sight lines and better camouflage for the characters. A beautiful looking game.

Who would have thought a 2D side-scrolling fighter could look this amazing on a next-gen system. Well, obviously ARC did and they delivered with the heir apparent to the Guilty Gear franchise.

You're not gonna find a better rally racer on Xbox. You're not gonna find a better rally racer on GameCube, or even PlayStation 2.

The safest purchase you'll have this year on the Xbox.

Ultimately, Pokemon Black and White borrow heavily from the series' classic foundations. However, thanks to the improved presentation, stronger emphasis on plot, inclusion of brand new Pokemon, and exclusion of older Pokemon at the start, the latest set in the series actually manages to feel quite new.

All told, DQIX is an excellent RPG that will keep you glued to your Nintendo DS. But unless you only come to this genre for the turn-based battles, you won't be completely satisfied with what DQIX has to offer.

An intriguing challenge, and one of the better civilization games to emerge this year.

Featuring awe-inspiring graphics, ultra-realistic sound, seamless frame-rates, a masterful rendition of D&D 3rd Edition rules, and insanely addictive game play - there just doesn't seem to be enough words to describe the way this title upped the standards for it's genre in the console world.

One of the most compelling online action games since "Counter-Strike."

Tempting to compare & criticize against previous versions, but stands well on it’s own.

The interface needs to be reworked from the version received, but when it comes to the gameplay, this is a stand-out title.

Aside from some AI problems, FIFA Soccer 09 is a fine representation of the sport, and the new features keep the series fresh and competitive.

A handheld tactical RPG that is visually wonderful and does a great job in terms of gameplay. Give Level 5 credit for taking some of the best elements of the genre, combining them with a few new ideas and dropping them into a solid gaming backdrop.

Even though the single-player campaign still isn’t where it needs to be, Bad Company 2 is definitely a great sequel that builds on its predecessor in every way, making for one that no shooter fan will want to miss, especially if you go online for your gaming.

This game has some great moments as well as some that are not so great. It is still, though, a first-rate soccer game that dazzles at times. The new features really give the game a boost, but there is still work to do. This is a great game and fun to play with others.

Gridiron greatness – your name is NCAA Football 06.

Graphically, the game is stunning, and while there are a few stumbles along the way, nothing truly detracts from the strategic enjoyment one gets from this game. This is a wonderful step-up for the franchise.

Even though there have been many space-combat strategy games, Sins of a Solar Empire does a really good job of mixing various 4X and RTS games, and gives players a game with deep strategy that will keep them busy for a while.

There are some flaws, but taken as a package Heavy Rain is a remarkable achievement in gaming that creates an interactive experience that goes beyond the pages of a good novel or film noir. This is a game that needs to be experienced.

Intriguing, delightful, spooky and thoroughly enjoyable.

The mini-games are deep and complex, and require strategy, not endless button-mashing. So to me, this is much more than a party game.

The story for Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory feels like it was taken directly out of one of Tom Clancy’s novels.

Lord of Destruction’s improvements make replaying Diablo II seem like playing a new game...This program is a blast.

Episode One is a lot of fun, and it leads right into an even better looking episode.

New modes such as Turbo Mode and Bloody Palace, are definitely something that should attract hardcore gamers to try out. Using Vergil is great but he’s overpowered quite a bit.

Reminiscent of the classic PlayStation originals while adding a healthy dose of fresh stealth and action moments throughout, this game will hook you from start to finish.

If there is one word that best describes this game, it would be depth. Morrowind has a terrific storyline, enough quests to keep players busy for a long, long time, and exceptional environments.

There is not a doubt in my mind: Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver are the pinnacle of the entire series. If you are no longer interested in Pokemon, you should still give it a shot for nostalgic purposes. If you enjoy Pokemon, the $40 price tag is chump change.