This is every inch a Dreamcast-era game, albeit one using tweaked PC code, and for some that will be enough to justify the price of admission on its own.

Had more time gone into the presentation and PvP of Heroes War, it could've been a real contender against the App Store's dominant turn-based champions. For now, it's moderately entertaining, but can't shake free of its "me too" design.

The spirit of the show is certainly here, even if an especially solid gaming experience isn't.

Although its developers didn't bring anything new to the table, Strikers 1945 Plus Portable is a satisfying shooter. At $12, however, we wish there was more bang for the buck.

But Zelda: Phantom Hourglass goes the opposite extreme, and turns sailing into a boring and utterly joyless exercise in line drawing. Basically, instead of controlling the ship directly, you'll merely draw your route on the touchscreen and watch your ship travel to that destination.

A good but still flawed affair in which you find yourself rooting on your tactics but wish you could do more with them, and in a smoother presentation.

The drab look of the levels and the pedantic storyline make the game more boring than it should be, and while the controls and fights make this a solid game, it could have been so much more.

A game like this requires user-friendly controls, and Mos Speedrun's default scheme fails to make the grade.

A high bar's been set in both arcade and simulation soccer games on the App Store over the last 12 months, and while Fluid Soccer has its moments, they never shine as brightly as the competition's.

Overall, this wrestling game has just enough content to make it worth your time, but it could've used a little more sting in its Irish whip.

We can't recommend Dante's Inferno over the cheaper, higher-quality God of War: Chains of Olympus. However, if you seek an alternative to Kratos' adventure or want an action game that doesn't hold back on either its content (lots of nudity and gore) or action, it wouldn't hurt to make a pit stop in hell.

Taking everything into consideration, G.I. Joe will certainly be of at least some interest to fans of the action franchise, not to mention those who enjoy the hands-off, "deck"-management combat gameplay of this sort of title. But even taking those assumptions into account, G.I. Joe is sorely lacking in established production values and innovation, and so is very hard to recommend to a general audience.

If you're someone looking for friendly competition, the free edition of BattleFriends In Tanks' is a good way to get started. It's littered with ads and has limitations here and there, but it's fun to play at the same time. As for upgrading to the Premium edition, and even if you really like the game, there isn't much to give "tanks" for...

Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck isn't bad, it's just an idea that wasn't stretched out far enough to cover the space provided in the cartridge.

Where's competitive multiplayer? We'd love to square off against random players from around the world. It's a shame this didn't make the cut.

It's a good but shallow experience.

Is it fun? Sure. The animals don't put up a fight and there's little strategy to winning, aside from upgrading to better rifles, but for a few minutes a day, the game satisfies that urge to...do whatever it is hunters do. Long term, we just don't see much appeal, but hey, we're always down with free.

Crazy Taxi: City Rush is a strange riff on the classic game, but it does come into its own as a pleasing alternative to the original. Unfortunately, its reliance on free-to-play currency does end up making it more frustrating than it should be.

SquareEnix did its hardest to push the Nintendo DS on a technical level, and this crude approximation of Level 5's graphical work with Dragon Quest VIII can at least be admired on that level.

We've always praised this game for its catchy music, bubblegum graphics and likeable hero. Nothing here has changed our collective opinion. If anything, this is the definitive Kirby's Adventure.

The real kicker, though, is the price. Namco Bandai gives away the short prologue free of charge, then asks for a ridiculous $8.99 to unlock the rest of the game. If you have the cash to burn, Time Crisis: 2nd Strike HD is a solid purchase, but we suggest waiting for a price drop, or going with the cheaper iPhone version.

This is a game specifically for fans, and even then I'd mention specifically fans of the new Transformers... or Peter Cullen.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 has limitations, and something should've been done with the putting game outside of selecting a manual option. Aside from that, it's a decent golf offering for PSP owners, especially those seeking a challenge.

Taken for what it is, Nightclub Story is a decent title for little kids, despite the subject matter (mixed drinks in a club hardly screams E for Everyone). Clearly, TeamLava needs to add a ton of additional content to beef up the game, or risk missing a huge opportunity to, as they say in dance clubs, make some noise.

It's just a good, entertaining puzzle game that manages to somewhat stand out from its predecessors, and it's worth buying if you love the franchise or need a fun videogame to keep you busy.

Air Traffic Chaos is short on options, but it's a fun and original DS game for all ages, especially those that want a better idea of what happens thousands of feet in the air.

If you have fond memories blasting evildoers in Operation Wolf, this is a loving homage to that classic game with cartoon style graphics. Just don't expect to play it for more than a couple of hours.

Spectrobes: Beyond the Portal is engaging and fun, especially if you enjoyed the first game. However, it won't replace Pokemon.

SAS 4: Zombie Assault is a very fun arcade shooter. There are a lot of unlockables and customization options to keep you coming back and playing, but the arcade style gameplay can become a little repetitive over time.

If you can get over the fiddly controls and erratic challenge of Rabbids Big Bang, you'll probably get a dollar's worth of fun out of the game, and it's by no means without its charms. Those with less patience - and who expect the same degree of polish as that found in more famous physics puzzlers - should proceed more cautiously.

Candy Blast Mania rips off a lot of Crush's better assets, and the freemium model is bound to frustrate. That said, it's still worth checking out, especially for its power-ups and boss battles. Besides, it's nice to have something to play while you wait for turns in Candy Crush Saga.

It looks and sounds great, controls well, offers up a solid quest and good extras. It's getting the score that it is not because of its flaws, but just because it isn't better.

Super Soviet Missile Mastar lacks the assorted bells and whistles of more advanced iPhone/iPad games, but we can't resist its old school charm and low price of free; an online leaderboard would make it a 4/5, easily. Play it for five minutes, and we guarantee it'll make you strong, like bull.

It's a fun game overall. Having to restart several times on one board gets a little crazy, but there's a wonderful sense of relief and satisfaction once you complete a stage.

The game doesn't have enough of that special something to keep us entertained. You only have four competitors per race, and the aforementioned upgrades do little to excite us. Good game. Well designed. Cute 2D visuals, but not something we intend to play months and even weeks from now.

Don't get us wrong. We like Smash Cops, but there's simply not enough meat on this game's bones to make it one of the premier titles on the App Store. Wait for Hutch Games to add more levels via free update (if that's even a possibility), or at the very least, a price drop.

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia is an entertaining adventure and a solid pickup for fans of the series, but it feels too much like its predecessor to warrant spending $35.

We have mixed feelings with Moon. It's a superb visual achievement with spectacular controls and fun shooting, but we grew tired of the old school "hit this switch to activate this door" gameplay. So long as you go into it expecting a slow-paced first person adventure instead of Doom, you'll enjoy this lunar vacation.

This is not a beautiful game, and it's not even a particularly welcoming one either. Despite the simplistic gameplay, there's little in the way of hand-holding on offer: how exactly to sell crops, what the icons on the mini-map represent, how to transfer goods from combine to trailer and so on.

If you're in search of a racing game to play in short spurts, or something that carries on the spirit of Excitebike to a degree, Motocross Elite isn't bad. It just falls short of "elite" status.

The graphics are basically ripped from the previous release on the GBA with some slap dash 3D affects thrown in. Top it off with a cliche storyline, and melodramatic characters that need to stick to day time television and you have a formula destined for failure.

While Clash of Clans brings something new to accompany its competent but unexceptional empire gameplay, for most of us it'll be a case of too little, too late.

In the end, Alien Syndrome could've turned out a lot worse than it did.

There a moments of jubilation to accompany the frustration, and there's just about enough here to make the game worthy of investigation. Just don't take it too seriously as a simulation of the game.

Provides several hours of fun, and it's great to see this type of game on the App Store. We think $6.99 is a bit much, but if you're into this type of adventure, it's a solid pickup.

Is it a by the numbers effort? Yes, but much like fast food, it still manages to satisfy, and the fact that it's still cheaper than anything on the dollar menu is a plus.

Metal Skies is a fun shooter that simulates aerial dogfights. The game has a good concept, but doesn't offer enough to keep it from being repetitive after a short while.

A great game, a rhythm/music game that bends the genre in new directions with its creative design, heartily original soundtrack, and unique gameplay system. Not too much of it is new, but there is a little to explore here that's worth at least a few tries, even if you have to put up with some hiccups just to get past it. [JPN Import]

Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero is a fun DS game worth experiencing. Sure, it has a few problems, but the enjoyable gameplay will keep you busy for hours.

The game's quite entertaining and definitely worth $0.99, especially if you can't afford a cool lawnmower or love cutting the grass so much you cannot resist doing so digitally.

Exploring new gameplay elements the developers have breathed life into a series that could have been lost forever. The quirks that the game suffers from are more like hiccups in the attempt to create a classic title using an entirely new gameplay mechanic, the stylus.

Once it gets here, however, you should consider it, not just because of its glossy production values but because of its "good ol' time" of shooting action.

Plunder Pirates doesn't advance the genre, but it is one of the better base builder games and worth a look if you like this sub genre.

There's no new weapons, no online play, and I don't even think there's any new sound sets for your team of worms. If you're new to the series or just want some strategic warfare on the go, Open Warfare is fantastic. Worms veterans beware, however.

This is a game specifically for fans, and even then I'd mention specifically fans of the new Transformers... or Peter Cullen.

Gentlemen...Ricochet! Mini is an interesting experiment that tones down an entire game for Game Boy-styled graphics and for the most part succeeds.

It frustrated the hell out of me, though I found that it never lost its intrigue, and it's because of my desire to keep exploring that ultimately kept me forging onward.

Beaterator could've been a little more consumer-friendly, with a better hands-on tutorial and some minor sequences. Not everyone will get it, but would-be music maestros and DJs should definitely give it a look.

Is Pac-Chomp! the most original effort? Absolutely not. It's Bejeweled with ghosts and power-pellets, but it's still a cool puzzle game with just enough content to warrant a purchase. We just hope Namco Bandai creates something more original next time.

Don't get us wrong. There's plenty to like about this single player beat-em-up, especially all the secrets that'll take some time to locate. We just expected a more engaging app than what Chillingo delivered.

Despite minor problems, NBA General Manager 2014 provides a good take on the behind-the-scenes side of the sport. Still, it doesn't put on a show like NBA 2K14.

There's just something very bland about the gameplay.

Pilot isn't the most sophisticated game you'll ever play on your mobile phone, and it's easy to see why the game has divided players so strongly with its avaricious unlock system. Yet in the same way that Farming Simulator 2012 scratched an itch we never knew existed, there's something to said for the absorbing, hypnotic charms of even the basic free gameplay that's on offer.

If you really want another runner in your life (and, critically, you've already purchased and exhausted Polara), there's no reason you won't get a dollar's worth of fun out of Save Them All. Just don't expect a revolution in the genre that goes behind the time-limit gimmick, and do expect the occasional moment of frustration.

If the original CSR Racing's business model turned your stomach, you'd be advised to give CSR Classic a pretty wide berth. And that's once again a huge pity, because while the reflex gameplay is simple it's also a lot of fun when you're playing it. If you don't mind either playing in short bursts, or paying in large bursts, there's fun to be had here alongside the frustration.

There's not much more to discuss about the Super Collapse 3... it is what it is, and that's not exactly a bad place to be.

Not a bad game at all, though we would have loved more options and a better presentation, including the ability to create our own avatars.

That said, this is one of those titles where some levels are pathetically easy, others ridiculously tough. The difficulty is a bit all over the place.

The cars handle alright, but on a tight turn at high speeds, they drift like crazy. As a result, you'll sometimes find yourself falling right off the track, or going into a distant second when all you want to do is keep up.

A moderately enjoyable distraction that lets you slaughter reanimated corpses on the go. Just don't expect to play it long, unless you can't resist investing some real world cash.

A nice twist on the theme that makes the game more interesting to play than Koei's worn-out efforts, but you still can't help but feel more could have been done with enemy AI, camera adjustment, and multiplayer.

Brain Age is a decently amusing distraction, but without the fun and variation of the minigames found in "Big Brain Academy" and with many questions about the actual impact the training has on your brain, its tough to recommend the software too highly.

Overall the game's a good time but has a couple issues, the least of which are those boring cubicles. Most importantly, we feel the touchscreen controls don't work as they should.

For those seeking a good scare on their mobile devices, Maniac Manors isn't bad at all. Just be aware that you might go nuts trying to figure some things out.

Despite its number two ranking on the App Store (right behind Despicable Me: Minion Rush), we don't expect Bus Derby to become the next iPhone and iPad phenomenon, but it's a mildly entertaining freemium effort that provides a change of pace from driving Ferraris. We just realized how ridiculous that sounds.

In the end, Major League Baseball 2K9's shortcomings keep it from surpassing its handheld competitor, MLB 09: The Show. However, the variety of modes and mostly fun gameplay make it worth hitting the mound.

We think it's a cool change of pace from most zombie-themed titles available. At the same time, No Zombies Allowed doesn't pack a big enough challenge, as the toughest parts have little to do with killing monsters or even managing personalities. Instead, it's all about wrestling with the decision to part with cash. We chose to keep ours.

The sad part about Legend of Heroes is that it's over too quickly. I mean, there are several quality hours of questing here, and it moves along at such a pace that it's hardly ever considered boring, but once it ends, there's really no real reason to go through it again and again.

Another thumbs-up puzzle game for the Nintendo DS, remaining just as creative in its gameplay as it was years ago. It's just a shame that more wasn't done in terms of the presentation or play modes to really make it worth the full price.

Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol tries its hardest to find its niche, but while it has a subject appropriate to the Chibi universe and a concept fittingly original, it is held back in too many places to claim to live up to the standards set by Skip in the earlier title.

We wish there was more to do. Battling the computer is a decent way to pass the time, and there appears to be an endless stream of online opponents, but we would've preferred some sort of story mode with different mission objectives, as well as online support for more than two people. The lack of game types is disproportionate to the wealth of planes and unlockable items.

A solid and entertaining title, just not an exceptional one.

For some, its physics-based frustrations will be too much to bear, while for others the rewards for mastering the game will be self-evident. We couldn't entirely love it ourselves, but that's not to say there won't be those who will.

If you grew tired of time management games, Supermarket Mania won't thrill you, as it's basically the same thing as Diner Dash, but it's a well-made clone that won't take up too much PSP memory at 36MB.

Most of the games are fun, but not all of them are winners, and the presentation isn't as blown-out crazy as the forthcoming Hot PXL or the Wario Ware games.

The game is fairly mediocre and will not stand the test of time.

In the end, NCAA Football isn't entirely good or bad, it's just meh.

Overall, though, Jam Sessions is different and enlightening enough to be worth at least a mild recommendation, especially if you're in the same boat as other aspiring guitar players around the world.

Like earlier games in the series, Smash Bandits is a funny old thing all things considered. It controls like a dream, it looks wonderful, and yet there's no meat to the gameplay, and nothing that makes you feel compelled to do better the next time around. No doubt it's fun for a time, but there wasn't enough to keep us engaged for the long run.

Despite its faults, Pocket RPG is still a fun way to pass the time, especially for gamers who prefer to ditch cookie cutter stories in favor of mindless hacking. Just don't expect to play it weeks from now, barring downloadable content.

Not only is Story Mode deep and engaging, but Puzzle Creation adds infinite possibilities. Thirty bucks is still too much to spend, but considering the value, you'll have fun if you do.

Sure, it's not the hottest-looking racing game out there, and it's got gameplay that has been done before in other games, but it has a bevy of bonuses to uncover, and very suitable options that would be perfect for you, especially if you were born to kick up mud with tires onto your sponsored jeans.

It lacks precision controls and Game Sharing, but this shoot-em-up still brings plenty to the table. If you're a fan, don't hesitate.

It's a sluggish game, but its brief moments of brilliant designs make it worth a look.

So it's interesting, intricate and original, but is the game just a little too clever for its own good? Quite possibly, and that punishing feeling isn't helped much by the paper-thin tutorial content.

Because of these hiccups, Samurai Shodown Anthology isn't as sharp as it should've been. Still, for fans seeking a quality portable fighter, it earns a modest recommendation.

When compared to the rest of the Ace Combat games before it, it feels like a letdown, limited in so many areas and also forgiving in terms of fighting against a supposedly invincible enemy army.

Shrek the Third succeeds in being a compelling hand held title that will work well to satiate the kiddies who love the series.