However, considering how affordable the previous versions get when the new titles hit the shelves, you’re better off picking up one of those games and saving your money.

As far as SvR 2008 is concerned, it makes for a decent rental but either of the previous entries of the series can just as well satisfy your wrestling fix.

Ultimately, Smackdown VS RAW 2008 is a lot of fun to play.

This one's a definite pass.

It is true that most conversions to a handheld system sacrifice significant game content from their original versions. In the case of Smackdown on the DS this is very much true.

Like the protagonist Kane, it’s decent but has too many flaws for comfort.

Tomb Raider Anniversary is still a great game. However, the Wii version is by far the worst version of that great game

When it comes down to it, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 continues the series’ tradition of creating true-to-the-anime experiences.

Contra 4 is meant for the hardcore old school crowd, and only for the hardcore old school crowd.

Nobody is going to be converted to this game series by this entry, it doesn’t offer anything phenomenal to gamers.

While Fantasy Wars may not set any new records or break the gameplay barrier, it is a solid turn-based war game with an addictive twist.

Swashbucklers doesn’t have anything that’s worth the purchase, and it can be looked over by most gamers.

Regardless, the game is still pretty good, except for the inability to distinguish easily between units and the steep learning curve, and so for those who enjoy strategy games, it’s a solid title overall.

If you're starved for strategy and like the idea of open-area, semi-persistent medieval battle scenes, Bladestorm might make sense. Unfortunately, you won't find rewarding, patient strategy, or dynamic action within.

If you're starved for strategy and like the idea of open-area, semi-persistent medieval battle scenes, Bladestorm might make sense. Unfortunately, you won't find rewarding, patient strategy, or dynamic action within.

It’s just simply not fun to play.

“Mario and Sonic at the Olympics” turned too quickly into “Player versus Mario and Sonic Olympics”, and the result is an unhappy gamer with a set of sore arms.

The typically anime characters are great for a laugh, and you occasionally learn a medical term or two with which to impress your girlfriend, but overall, playing LifeSigns is like being operated on by a chimpanzee without anesthetic.

In many ways, Forged Alliance is probably the game to pick up. An improved interface, a new race, and improved mechanics mean that it’s the better of the two titles (although playing as the original three races in skirmish and multiplayer require the original game).

Overall, the game is very enjoyable and a good attempt at bringing a new crowd onboard to the Xbox scene.

The biggest problem here is that this is a port from a Nintendo DS game that is nearly half the price, and the only addition is a few multiplayer modes.

The combination of fast gameplay, perks, a nice variety of maps and gametypes, and an excellent matchmaking system means CoD4 easily offers enough outstanding fragging fun to tear gamers away from Halo 3.

As far as first-person shooters go, this is one of the best on the market, and is something anyone that’s sure to interest anyone who has dabbled in the genre.

While Culpa Innata may not be the tiptop of its generation, it is a solid adventure title that promises to engage and entertain the player.

All in all, Hellgate: London isn’t the next revolution in Diablo-style gameplay.

Overall, Tabula Rasa is a very fun MMORPG.

Timeshift starts off with a bang, with impressive visuals and God-like powers at your fingertips. The bang, however, fails to last throughout the game, and you’ll constantly find it harder and harder to keep going.

Timeshift starts off with a bang, with impressive visuals and God-like powers at your fingertips. The bang, however, fails to last throughout the game, and you’ll constantly find it harder and harder to keep going.