It may look like a kid's game, but Viva Piñata features more than enough action and strategy to keep even the biggest action gamer addicted for hours on end. Don't feel embarrassed buying it.

This Xbox Live Arcade port of Contra is the perfect example of how you can screw up a classic arcade game. You may still have a good time going through this action game, but if you're the type of person that fell in love with the NES version you will be sorely disappointed.

Easily one of the best game of the year. Gears of War has raised the bar of what gamers should expect in future next generation games.

Project 8 does a great job of improving the graphics and refocusing the series on what made it so fun to begin with. Unfortunately the game is marred by some questionable level designs and a complete lack of innovation.

It adds a few new features and has the great gameplay from the first. Fans of the first will love the second one and new to the series will enjoy the features that help them get into the game.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 seems to have everything going for it, but thanks to a questionable control set-up, boring stories and annoying voice acting, it’s hard to recommend this newest fighting game.

The next iteration of Activision's Call of Duty series, Call of Duty 3 for the Xbox, wrings the last dregs of capability from the Xbox aging console and satisfyingly delivers on the promise of an upgraded "Call of Duty 2."

Just when we thought "fun" in an RTS meant a term paper's worth of learning tech trees and tackling tough-graded assignments, 1701 A.D. comes along and reminds us to Keep It Simple, Stupid. Even without some overblown storyline drama, it's impossible to put this one's single-player campaign down.

Delivers everything you could possibly want in a role-playing game; it has a deep story, a ton of quests, great graphics and a brand new combat system. It's one of the few games where you can actually say that it's well worth the wait!

The final word when delving into the richest Dungeons & Dragons experience available on a hard drive today. The bugs will get mashed, the community will thrive, and Obsidian's reputation for challenging and meaningful narratives will live on. No self-respecting D&D fan should go this holiday season without it.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories doesn’t attempt to reinvent the formula, but it does offer you a fantastic action/adventure game full of memorable characters, fun missions and great music.

ATV Offroad Fury Pro won't win any awards for graphics or game play, but it does feature an insane amount of levels, modes, mini-games and multiplayer fun.

Compared to the other recent superhero brawler, the bitterly disappointing Justice League Heroes, Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a godsend.

Fans of previous Tony Hawk or skateboarding titles who like combos and big air are going to love this game. It might not be the most realistic game (300 foot long big air traveling through downtown Hong Kong?), but it is certainly a lot of fun.

With its unique game play and memorable characters, Juka and the Monophonic Menace is just interesting enough for me to recommend.

Ultimate Alliance for Xbox game is a rehash of X-Men: Legends 2 with better character selection and slightly more unique powers. The heroes start too weak, but eventually become nearly invincible, with little physical challenge once you start buffing the characters.

Strawberryland Games might keep young kids occupied for a few minutes, but there isn't enough gameplay to really last them for long. The large amounts of reading and lack of flashy sounds and graphics will also frustrate youngsters. It's best for a rent, or a short car trip.

Although the AI is still a cheating SOB, it only takes 40 quarters and about 2 minutes of download time to make the game yours.

Lumines on the Xbox 360 is just as much fun as it was on the PSP, but due to its high price tag and awkward control scheme it just doesn't feel like much of a bargain. If you don't mind paying $15 for an incomplete version of this puzzle game then you will end up having hours of fun trying to beat your high score.

One of the coolest video game duos are back for a brand new adventure full of memorable characters and great graphics.

Rockstar's newest game is easily one of the best games of the year, an adventure game that you should pick up ... regardless of what type of games you are into.

Despite the bugs and ads this is still a great game. In a way the Battlefield series is a lot like sex and pizza, even when they are bad they are still not all bad.

The long tradition of execrable license tie-ins continues with Justice League Heroes for DS...Even a hardcore Justice League fan will be hard pressed to enjoy this one.

More great Age of Empires fun. The new Native American tribes are great, although the single-player campaign is a bit of a let-down.

New levels of interactivity and performance feedback from the newly enhanced mission model will appeal to the offline flyer, and enhanced multiplayer capabilities will benefit the virtual airline crowd. This one is worth the upgrade price.

There are a good number of levels and surprising depth to the gameplay, plus a few little surprises. My only complaints are the lack of voice acting and a couple flat first-person view sections.

Going very fast is that Flash's whole point, and luckily his standout game gets the idea right. The combat is designed around that premise and works well. Beneath the flashy exterior, however, this game is a typical beat-em-up, for better or worse.

Twenty-four years after its debut, old school never looked so good. Dig Dug continues the impressive line of classic arcade titles to hit Xbox Live Arcade with another seamless transition from 80's style into next-gen play.