While the multiplayer modes were fun, I found that the main game was much more compelling and ultimately what kept me booting up my DS.

Super powers and the most comprehensive list of substitutable parts possible alone isn't quite sufficient to slice into the series with a fresh enough cutting edge.

The 3D beat ‘em up I have been waiting a long time for. The fighting engine just feels fantastic.

If you're new to the Call of Duty series, you're in for a real treat with the single player, and the multiplayer will welcome you with open arms. If you used to like the series and have either gotten fatigued with the template or turned off by the last entry, this game deserves at least a rental, but I'd recommend a purchase. If you simply love the franchise, period, you've probably already prestiged once or twice already devoting countless hours to the online portions.

In the end, The Two Thrones is a very solid action title that more than survived the transition from console to PC, especially if you happen to have a decent gamepad.

If you’re tired of the unrealistic nature inherent in titles such as "Battlefield 2" or the "Call of Duty" series and crave something more authentic, Armed Assault just may be what you’ve been waiting for. Put simply, you just won’t find anything in the simulation realm comparable to this addictive game.

With a ton of extras including remixed songs and fully customizable difficulty settings, continues and extra lives, the Capcom Classics Collection has something for everybody.

Miles ahead of its competition when it comes to gameplay, story, visuals, and sound.

If you're new to the Call of Duty series, you're in for a real treat with the single player, and the multiplayer will welcome you with open arms. If you used to like the series and have either gotten fatigued with the template or turned off by the last entry, this game deserves at least a rental, but I'd recommend a purchase. If you simply love the franchise, period, you've probably already prestiged once or twice already devoting countless hours to the online portions.

A huge demo machine that manages to show gamers what the controller is capable of while providing an entertaining single-player and multiplayer mode.

From collecting stars in a Sonic-like fashion to helping Mr. Bean find his lost children, players of all ages will become enthralled with its high level of gameplay, addictive nature, and high amount of replayability- especially if you love playing with balls.

A consummate horror title. From the razor-sharp graphics to the pin drop audio, not to mention the visceral, frightening combat in terrifying surroundings, this game fires on all cylinders.

It's a golf game. There's very little you can do to make it awful or incredible, but this latest installment in the Tiger line found a way to improve realism and enjoyment in a product that will be subject to its most intense scrutiny to date.

Fable 2 is a great example of developers listening to its audience, as it delivers on the original promises of the first game and brings back everything we loved about it in spades.

With its combination of an enthralling story, interesting blend of gameplay, beautiful graphics, and a gripping soundtrack Valkyria Chronicles is right up there with Final Fantasy Tactics as one of the best SRPGs to ever be released.

The only real drawback to The Movies is that, with how deep of a game experience that it provides, it can be overwhelming at times.

Culdcept Saga does have one major addition over its predecessor: online play. While local multiplayer is still an option, Namco Bandai has included four-player online play in Culdcept Saga and it works like a dream.

A great story that fleshes out some beloved characters, a simplistic but amazing fighting engine and perfectly captured atmosphere makes The Warriors a great addition to any action fan's Xbox library.

Sure, FNR3 has some small elements such as an abundance of advertising in the arenas and some ever-so-minor clipping issues, but it is really hard to deny the clarity and quality presented in these fights.

The redesigned gameplay helps the player become enthralled into the world of Trauma Center and definitely shows the potential of the Wii.

With this sequel, Visceral Games has masterfully expanded on the first Dead Space. They've revved up the series with tougher guns, a bigger setting, and online multiplayer, but kept the spirit and, most importantly, the scares of the original in tact.

With this sequel, Visceral Games has masterfully expanded on the first Dead Space. They've revved up the series with tougher guns, a bigger setting, and online multiplayer, but kept the spirit and, most importantly, the scares of the original in tact.

With this sequel, Visceral Games has masterfully expanded on the first Dead Space. They've revved up the series with tougher guns, a bigger setting, and online multiplayer, but kept the spirit and, most importantly, the scares of the original in tact.

DS owners should not miss the opportunity to play this great game.

However, Mario Kart Wii is second on the series' podium as it rides alongside the N64 version’s tried-and-true track quality, offers the online play that the 64DD never brought around and sports superior graphics that make its 11-year-old counterpart look very dated on today's big-screen televisions.

Taking the PSP completely out of the equation, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is definitely a smaller, less involving game than San Andreas was, and for many, regardless of price, it won't be a worthy purchase.

If you haven't picked up Unwound Future yet, do it. If you haven't played any of these games yet, what are you waiting for?

Despite some of its flaws Star Wars: Battlefront delivers what it promises – massive Star Wars engagements that drop you right into the films.

Like many of the fictional detectives of the era, LA Noire is flawed, but it gets the job done. More importantly, if leaves you hoping for more adventures.

Katamari Forever is the penultimate game in the series thus far; a collection of the best levels combined in a modest port of Beautiful Katamari along with the introduction of yet another awesome new character makes for a game that rekindles the love for rolling.

Seasoned veterans will greatly appreciate the authentic presentation and dynamic control system, with the ability to perform nearly any conceivable move, from your various hop steps to your head fakes to your stutter steps.

Brain Age isn’t really a game and it’s gimmick will eventually wear thin. But it’s also an excellent piece of software for those that like a good puzzle game.

It may not be the flight simulator that many people may have been hoping for, but it doesn’t detract from being an enjoyable arcade shooter. Highly recommended.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is definitely a rebirth for the Tomb Raider series. A meaty puzzle-based platformer that will definitely have fans asking for more, it is $15 well spent.

It lacks the name brand value of EA Sports and the low price of "MLB 2K5," but MLB 2006 is a damn good baseball game and in many ways superior to the bigger named hardball games on PS2.

But the thing that makes Most Wanted stand out is the incredible pursuit aspects. If the reason why the cops were left out of NFSU is because they were planning Most Wanted, all is forgiven.

World in Conflict's single-player campaign has plenty of polish, but it won't tax most players' tactical abilities or attention spans: its fourteen missions can be completed in well under an hour each.

Mythic Entertainment may have created the best MMORPG based on an outside property. The universe of Warhammer fits perfectly into a game of this nature, and was implemented by the folks at Mythic with precision and dedication.

Essentially a great expansion pack that adds some cool and funny new content to what is already a top-tier RPG. The new content is basically window dressing – albeit excellent window dressing.

It is the long-awaited return to the bloody joy of MK's glory days – and as a life-long fan, I am happy to say welcome back.

The game takes the thrilling aspects of the finest title in the lineup, "Twisted Metal 2," shrinks it down onto the portable screen and adds some fantastic multiplayer modes to boot.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is definitely a rebirth for the Tomb Raider series. A meaty puzzle-based platformer that will definitely have fans asking for more, it is the perfect conclusion to this year's Summer of Arcade and 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) well spent.

With Big Brain Academy (and Brain Age) you’ve got just as interested in exercising my mental muscles as I am in flexing my trigger finger.

Unfortunately, most of these videos have terrible sound quality and it can be hard to make out what the group is saying half the time.

In most ways, Borderlands is a first-person shooter that's really designed towards RPG fans, specifically the Diablo-styled hack & slash games. Regular shooter fans will find a lot to enjoy here however, thanks to the solid shooter mechanics.

In most ways, Borderlands is a first-person shooter that's really designed towards RPG fans, specifically the Diablo-styled hack & slash games.

Bulletstorm is the NFL Blitz of first-person shooters.

Bulletstorm is the NFL Blitz of first-person shooters.

Whether your time with it lasts a few hours, a whole week or a month, OutRun 2006 will not disappoint.

Gamers complain that games today are too easy and lead players by the hand; in Conker's case, it's the exact opposite where players are pretty much left out in the cold without a clue or a pot to – well, you know.

With one disc that's got a nice plethora of new (new controls, new interface, new parts, etc.), and another disc that's got old made into new (not to mention those many unlockables to top that sweet cherry), you've really got one of the best and broadest Armored Core games on your hands that you could ever dream of.

In spite of the negative aspects of the game, I highly recommend the interesting and unique experience that is Heavy Rain.

This game doesn't really do anything that you haven't seen before in many other action games available, but this is one of the few titles that manage to do all the key ingredients really well.

It's videogames at their most base and most enjoyable.

The missions and activities are fun, and the shooting action is perfectly tuned. Even as a serious imitator, Saint's Row manages to transcend its plagiaristic tone and delivers a genuinely engaging experience.

This year's Tiger Woods isn't a drastic change from last year, but yet the return of the 3-click meter changes the game all the same.

Laden with a few differences here and there, no horror fan...in fact, no GAMER can be without this third instalment in one of Konami's best franchises on the market.

While the 2400 MS point price is a bit on the high side, the content manages to provide more swashbuckling, looting and questing for those who couldn’t get enough from the retail release.

It might not be the same sort of revitalization that "Resident Evil" got last year, but make no mistake, this is a very good game with plenty of thrills, twists, turns, and thanks to some great stages and tons of personality, Legend doesn't just bring TR back, it will make you forget everything about those old, dusty PlayStation games as well.

Though in general a direct Dynasty Warriors clone, Devil Kings does try to take this familiar play style and make it something different, though it sacrifices the things that made Dynasty Warriors so popular amongst PlayStation 2 owners.

The versatile gameplay, muscular pacing, and addictive Raid mode make it one of the most well-rounded entries in the series.

Some people treat action games of this sort as a distraction; others revisit them obsessively, always looking to beat a high score. No matter how deeply you plan to dive in, you'll be getting a lot of game for your $15 with Dead Nation.

Touch-screen usage is top notch, production values are high, and the nostalgia just pours in once you start playing.

It knows where you work, so you can't run. It knows where you live, so you can't hide. So open up your room already and say, "Ahhhh!" Or would you rather they do it for you, sissy?

With Super Paper Mario, Intelligent Systems has crafted a game that will appeal to fans of both the platforming and RPG genres.

NHL 10, like its predecessors, puts the emphasis on realism instead of trying to grow its base and provides a couple of physical improvements for existing fans. That said, while the series hasn’t advanced in the last 12 months as much as it did 24 months ago, that’s only because NHL 09 was that revolutionary.

You can immediately tell that Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth was created as a labor of love. It defies convention in favor of creating a videogame experience that is a worthy heir to the Lovecraft name.

Folklore is one of those games that might seem familiar on the surface, but rest assured there's nothing like it on the PS3. The story might take a while to unfold, but the payoff is there.

For fans of Tokyo Xtreme Racer, Import Tuner Challenge is a must-buy.

For the most part its gameplay tweaks feel natural, a refresh of the core Civilization gameplay. After twenty years, there is still something very addictive about clicking "next turn." For a gamer, Civilization is a standard, an essential.

NHL 10, like its predecessors, puts the emphasis on realism instead of trying to grow its base and provides a couple of physical improvements for existing fans. That said, while the series hasn’t advanced in the last 12 months as much as it did 24 months ago, that’s only because NHL 09 was that revolutionary.

Virtua Fighter 5 may not go down as the most charismatic fighting game around, but it gets it done in the gameplay department, which is what matters most anyway.

The game has some annoyances with its level-up system and minor problems with load times and survivor AI, but the ways in which you can kill the zombies are endless, and the story and presentation actually creates a narrative more compelling than most would expect.

Professor Layton and the Curios Village is a great game for anyone regardless of the age due to the nature of their game.

If you are interested in casual play, you're much more likely to enjoy Super Street Fighter 4 or Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix, both of which are already available on PS3 and 360. If you didn't find joy in the fireball hurling antics of other SF titles, this one won't sway you either. You should probably hold off for Soul Calibur V. If you are a fighting enthusiast with an Arcade Stick, a lot of patience and a vast hunger for competitiveness, you'd be hard pressed to find a better experience than Third Strike.

Sure the police AI can be highly questionable, the visuals are pretty blah as is the sound, but on the track, 5-1-0 is a good time on the go, and is a marked improvement from "Rivals."

The game has issues, and isn't a huge improvement over Forza 2 (aside from the really good front end presentation), but it's still a fun and lengthy simulation of racing for those of us still into that stuff.

On one hand, Halo 3: ODST is a no-brainer purchase for fans, thanks to the new story and the addictive Firefight mode. It’s a classically fun Halo experience but on the other hand, if you’re looking for something truly different or innovative, you won’t find it here.

Even for all of its faults, Madden NFL 2009 is still a damn good football game and that's what's important.

If you’re looking for a game with fun-to-learn controls and if you’re tired of the fictionalized fighting in the recent Street Fighter IV or, dare I say it’s fake, WWE Legends of Wrestlemania, UFC 2009 Undisputed might be the true knockout you’re waiting for.

The Saboteur is one of those games that gains points due to its atmosphere and setting, making up for any shortcomings that might pop up due to the fact that the game is yet another open-world sandbox game, or if you want to be more cynical, Mercenaries 2 in a World War II skin (which it admittedly is, just way more polished).

It's animals: A whole town filled of animals you'll be exchanging words with to get things and to get things done. New items to collect, new bugs, fishes, and more to score, new characters to meet, new things to do, and at last online takes Animal Crossing a step ahead the previous iteration failed to accomplish.

It’s both unique and rehashed, and though it’s a solid RPG, not everyone will get into it.

The dialogue is lighthearted and funny enough that newcomers to the genre might stick around and the difficulty of the quest is enough that already-made fans will enjoy it just as much as the previous one.

It captures the magic and provides the quirky, unique gameplay in portable form as faithfully as humanly possible. And there's nothing wrong with that.

The gameplay's execution, balance, and hidden depths are simply too rare to be overlooked by fans of economic-based strategy games, railroad enthusiast, and Sid Meier fans.

It doesn’t feel quite as polished as Konami’s PS2 Contra titles, but the bosses are large and feature a similar robotic look that many of the Contra bosses are known for.

Ridge Racer 7 is certainly not a system seller, not when the game is readily available on other platforms, especially a 360 version that's somewhat similar and only $20 these days.

High Moon Studios managed to create a living & breathing world – I know, kind of ironic for a game about robots, isn't it – that did justice to the source material.

This may be the greatest Hulk game ever established. With a number of underachieving variables, it's just not the one that will change comic book gaming forever.

Not only does the Skill Stick help you feel a level of control and immersion not seen in other hockey games, but the presentation also helps convey a great sense of atmosphere that brings EA back towards its simulation roots.

Throw in some of the best cheesy voice acting there is, dames with accented mammaries, and the industrial hard rock soundtrack to get us pumped and you’ve got the complete Devil May Cry experience we all know and love.

It would take some effort to screw this franchise up, but just a little more effort on advancing the gameplay would have been nice.

With up to twelve fast-moving, bite-sized soldiers scurrying around 2D maps, using jetpacks, avoiding explosions and nailing the perfect shot on the run, Crash Commando is the latest must-download online addiction exclusively for PS3.

The realism is improving with every new game that EA turns out, making the game more and more enjoyable for soccer fans and general sports video game enthusiasts alike.

Dante’s Inferno has taken a bit of flak from the gaming community for borrowing a lot (and I do mean a lot) of gameplay elements from God of War. But when it’s all said and done, Dante’s Inferno is a fun experience.

Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure gets a lot of things right, even though it gets a lot of its cues from other adventure games, namely Zelda or Kingdom Hearts. On top of that, its more childish overtones may prevent older gamers from giving it a chance.

A great wrestling game still, but one that is falling into uninspired rehash territory very quickly.