Suspect AI decisions can make for a frustrating experience, though. The controls are fine, but the SIXAXIS is not well used.

Although there is little difference in the storyline compared to the early versions of the game, the Wii delivers dynamic controllability and good gameplay (neglecting the problematic artificial intelligence) that organized crime enthusiasts will enjoy.

Illegal street racing has never looked and felt so right and with Need for Speed Underground 2 you'll find it hard not to fall in love with this fun racing game.

While it is a brutally challenging game that might turn off the more casual gamer, it stands as one of the best portable RPGs available for the DS this year.

Gather the friends and pop in this program for a ride that will have you snickering, sneering, confused, feeling inept and laughing. YDKJ 5th Dementia is adult humor at its irreverent best.

Graphically stunning and a whole lot of fun.

The 2005 edition provides very smooth controls and some nice gameplay modes, making it stand as the best game in the long-running FIFA Soccer series.

Heroes of Might and Magic has always been about strategy in a board-game setting, where players take their time making decisions on each turn. Building up a huge army, amassing tons of money and resources and beating those pesky enemy heroes is what it’s all about. People new to the Heroes’ universe who enjoy a good strategy game should definitely give this one a try, as well.

Yes, this game is very linear, but it is entertaining and easy to get to hop into the mix and play.

One of the best things about Chamber of Secrets is how close the developers stayed to the story purported in the book and movie without resorting to simple fetch quests and lame puzzles in order to integrate all the popular elements from the original plot.

Offers a little something for everyone, from sweet gun fights to insane driving to killer fist fights. If you grow tired of missions, you won’t get bored by just driving around looking for crimes to solve.

An entirely original wrestling experience and does a great job of recreating the frenetic action of the cartoon, though it must be said that it is an acquired taste.

If you remember the joy of 8-bit gaming, Retro Game Challenge is the must-own nostalgic gaming experience you'll ever have.

One of the year’s best.

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.

The action is exciting, the presentation is a sheer knockout, and the replay value is through the roof, especially with the "Nation" factor and the looming Platinum trophy. It's definitely worth wiping out the undead for.

Bringing Peter Parker back to his roots was appealing to me at first, but the so-so gameplay and the undeservingly high price of purchase makes Ultimate Spider-Man for Xbox more of a rental.

A great game, an accessible shooter with mainstream appeal, just what the Xbox needs in its twilight hour.

Sure, the action can get repetitive in places and many of the moves seen here have been done before many times, but the cinematic feel is pure Woo and that’s definitely worth a look.

Arcana Heart won’t do anything for players that have never enjoyed a fighting game. But if you’re a fan of the genre and crave originality, this game deserves a spot on your shelf.

Lost Horizon reminds gamers that the adventure genre is still very much alive, can still be entertaining, have a gripping storyline, doesn't coddle gamers by having challenging puzzles that will have you saying "How did I not see that!" after finally figuring each one out, and that not all great adventurers need a fedora.

Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City requires a level of commitment that few RPGs dare to ask of players. You will struggle to survive and you will curse the hours of grinding to restock your supplies, but the victorious satisfaction of beating the odds and reaching the next floor makes it all worthwhile.

Though the complete control might be a little much for most gamers, the ones that learn the game will enjoy it very much. Creating a dynasty, signing peace treaties, and declaring wars really makes you feel like you’re in control.

The slowdowns in the game are semi-frustrating, while the 'adult' nature of the program is overstated. The program is a terrific combination of gaming elements.

The overall element remains intact … train, fight, adventure ... but you can also do more personal area customization and once again cross breed which can add hours and hours to the gameplay.

Blends all the things we love about the Grand Theft Auto series and blockbuster Hollywood action films to bring us a most riveting and highly entertaining hybrid action fans will love.

A solid adventure for gamers who want the EverQuest experience in a console format. It is richly rendered and provides a solid entertainment experience.

A good game that ends before its time. Now that it's over, I want to go back and unlock all of the cars that I missed, but I don't have any desire to play through the entire game again.