The core of the problem is that MGS4 tries to be everything to everyone and ends up falling just ever so slightly short of succeeding-- still managing to be a very good game in its own right.

The on-foot controls are an improvement but still have a long way to go before I would consider them even remotely good, and I can’t help but miss the huge world of San Andreas. That all being said, GTA IV offers up probably the most cohesive and mature story in the series to date.

Mario Kart Wii is fairly fun, although I do have to wonder how much play it will get in single-player mode. In multiplayer, you just have a blast with your friends.

Overall, The World Ends With You is a shining example of what could be done on the DS.

Overall, Super Smash Bros. Melee is still a frantic fighting game that's easy to pick up, has tons for you to do even in single-player mode, and it's still one of the best fighting games to pull out with company – with four players and intuitive controls, anyone can pick it up easily.

Download the demo, see for yourself. Once you get a taste of synaesthesia, you're hooked.

It seems at long last, Suda 51 was finally able to take his vision for video gaming and put it in a form that's actually unquestionably fun to play.

There is just no way around it. Rock Band is, to date, the single best music game on the market, and not merely because it's the four best instrument simulation games available, either.

With a lack of worthwhile online capabilities and bonuses for various in-game performances, Geometry Wars Galaxies isn't a perfect evolution of a truly old-school game. However, to make up for it, it packs in plenty of excellent action that is easy to grasp and has something for all skill levels.

Ice Station Santa is a huge step in the right direction for the Sam and Max franchise.

Despite it's flaws, Guitar Hero 3 has it where it counts, which is a quality-and-quantity song list, tons of unlockables, challenge, and online play. It seems that every other day I am discovering a new "OMG, this is my favorite song!" track.

Tools of Destruction gives Sony something it desperately needs, a solid reason to actually own a PS3.

The best thing I can say is that if you never really cared about the single player game in the first place, you can expect to have a great time with Halo 3 for years to come. If however, you are looking to “Finish the Fight”, and don’t plan on paying for Xbox Live Gold, you would be best served to wait for a price drop or two… or three.

Let us get this straight; multiplayer will never excuse a short single player experience, no matter how exciting those short hours are. It is especially insulting when the game is just so well balanced, so well designed and so fun to play.

To my surprise, skate. ended up being a surprisingly good game... perhaps the most enjoyable game I have played thus far on my 360.

Going over this title as a whole, Stranglehold surely delivers in what it promises to bring; non-stop popcorn action. While some may see its length as inexcusable, I must give it credit for being a fun romp for the short time you’ll play it. I strongly suggest going the route I did by renting it and returning it when you beat it a few days later.

This is a must-own, must-experience title for the Wii, a hardcore offering that sets the bar for first-person shooters on the console high and should be looked to as the new standard.

Overall, BioShock is definitely worth a purchase. There simply isn’t a better experience to be had on the PC.

Make no mistake, this is a dyed-in-the-wool mid-generation PS1 RPG with no aspirations to being anything more. But it does what it does astonishingly well, so much so that it becomes much greater than the sum of its parts.

On that note, this is a great game for children. There is absolutely no objectionable content, and the games are all educational. This is definitely a great family title. I highly recommend Big Brain Academy.

Don’t let the Championship Edition name fool you; this is very much the first true sequel to the series and features fresh and exciting gameplay to reset your retro Pac-Man fatigue.

If you can get past all this, it’s a magnificent game and easily the most solid Pokémon game yet.

If you can get past all this, it’s a magnificent game and easily the most solid Pokémon game yet.

All things considered - the cheesiness of the story, the somewhat dim-witted AI in minigames, and the fact that there's only two or three original musical pieces in the whole game - this is one of the better ways to do a minigame collection on the DS.

The game isn't pretty and can be frustrating when the A.I. decides there's no bleeping way you're winning a fight, but an addictive battle system and surprisingly in-depth RPG elements will keep most players interested for a long time.

Worms HD has it’s moments that dazzle on screen and in gameplay. Namely the online component is really where you’ll want to play; but it ends up as a great local multiplayer with your real-life friends (if you have any).

Final Fantasy VI Advance immediately joins the short list of best games available for any portable system. Unparalleled graphics and epic music draw you into the world, and well-developed characters and a sweeping plot keep you interested from start to finish.

Truth be told, the presentation is awful, but this replay value is built to last with the right audience. And hey, with an easy 1000 points in achievements to be had (I unlocked them all within a few sessions), it's at least worth a rental for those on the fence.

A serviceable entry in the Castlevania series. While it's not going to ever contend for best game of all time, and while it also isn't even the best Castlevania on the DS, it's certainly better than a lot of other things out there.

A fine game of college basketball from top to bottom. The feature set in the game is robust and the graphical upgrades help to take advantage of the Xbox 360’s hardware and make this version of the game distinct from the PlayStation 2 version.

There are the issues with clipping and shadows that you expect from a launch title, but the problems are never so bad that you have trouble figuring out what you’re looking at. It is a little strange, however, seeing the Matrix-style animations associated with the world of twilight. Overall, the game looks very nice, but nothing about it screams "next-generation."

A number of excellent minigames keep the game enjoyable long after finishing the main game.

To not have this game in your Xbox 360 game collection is like a form of self-punishment. There's no doubt in my mind: Gears of War can easily go down as one of the greatest video games ever created.

If you've got a PSP and a love of pure, twitch-your-brain games, you simply owe it to yourself to grab EEE; this literally is one of the best reasons to own a PSP.

"Guitar Hero" was one of the best rhythm games I had ever seen, but Guitar Hero II improves upon it in nearly every way.

Unparalleled graphics, improvements to the combat system and a longer gameplay experience don’t completely make up for a weak storyline and other annoyances, but the result is still solid.

The splendid level design, and the attention to action make this worth playing, and if you're into the local multiplayer, it makes it worth buying.

It does seem, though, that the gamer who patiently waits for all the episodes to come out, and then plays them in one long block is going to have a much more satisfying time, in my opinion.

A very good RPG. It has a solid battle system, excellent story, and never once becomes a cakewalk nor obscenely hard. Atlus struck gold with this title.

As a more-than-casual gamer, I found myself having more fun with this collection than I have with some of the full priced new console games being released recently.

As a quick game of nuclear holocaust, Defcon is good. As a not-so-quick game of diplomacy, Defcon is a very good game. However, given how successful the diplomacy meta game is, I can't help but feel that the inclusion of some more details, some more units, some more something, may have resulted in an even more intense game.

The somewhat short single-player campaign does have a few missions that aren't quite as good as the others, but the others are undeniably great, and certainly stand out among all the RTS games I have played.

If you have enjoyed Harvest Moon games in the past, this version stays true to the formula.

It's hard to say why Episode III is an improvement over Episode II; it's kind of like trying to explain why a roast beef sandwich is better than a sucker-punch to the crotch.

Nippon Ichi has done the impossible with Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories – taking a successful game and improving it on every count for the sequel. The battle system was tweaked in just the right ways, the graphics and sound were improved, and the new story is deep and faithful to the style of the series without copying too much from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. The result is what will probably be best game of 2006.

Dead Rising is one of those games you seriously have to ready for, because if you play with the intention of getting the best possible ending, you WILL be busy. If you’re just looking to smash the undead, you definitely won’t get the full enjoyment of what this game has to offer.

Even if you’re sick of FPSs, check it out anyway, because this is definitely not the time to turn your back on a game like this. Prey is a twisted take on the genre that shouldn't be ignored, that is, if you're not prone to motion sickness.

You’ll pick away at the Quest mode, play the Challenge mode a few times here and there, and maybe you’ll take part in a multiplayer game or two; all will pique your interest in a matter of a few weeks. But still, a few weeks is a lot more than most titles these days can speak of.

An impressively solid computer AI and overall gameplay makes Stacked possibly the best Texas Hold’em game, and possibly one of the best teaching tools on the market.

There might not be any online multiplayer, but Freedom makes sure that the player never runs out of things to do. And where else can you find cats who cook for you?

New Super Mario Bros might not be QUITE as good as some review sites might lead you to believe, but there is no denying that this is a damn fine game: the game play is there, that familiar Nintendo charm is dominant throughout the entire game, the sounds are good, and it's definitely got personality. The good far outweighs the bad.

A top quality Civil War military strategy game. Its brutal realism and tough tactics make it a must own for a strategy gamer who is getting sick of the same old fare being hawked out by other companies.

It's the kind of game that made me feel disappointed it was over. If all games that were just polished versions of older games like Atelier Iris 2 is, then I'd never want for an original game again.

Besides the occasional inability to actually grab things as a monster, I can't really find anything detrimental in Rampage: Total Destruction. The true party game, it's that simple dose of pure fun that we really shouldn't move too far away from too often.

It's interesting to watch your progress after a couple of weeks of daily play. Who knew that math could be this much fun?

Kingdom Hearts 2 will be looked upon as one of the "must play" games on the Playstation 2, and while not perfect, original, or surprising, it IS very well put together, very polished, and it is very fun to play. [JPN Import]

I'm hooked, however, and I'm willing to join in the mania with a motto of my own-- "Vive le difference."

Not only is the best game I've played this year...it probably just cracked my top 15 games of all time.

An incredibly solid RPG. The sheer variety of gameplay elements available, paths you can take, and quests in the game make it well worth a purchase. There is no reason why any RPG aficionado should not own this title.

I’m no expert, but I’m sure that Tetris improves children’s spatial skills or something. Getting a game together on wifi can be a pain, and most people will have a mode or two that they can’t stand, but overall, it’s nice to see how well Tetris has aged.

Daxter is a game designed from the ground up for the PSP and it shows. The handy save anywhere feature allows for gaming on the go while the length of each of Daxter's levels is suitable for a bus ride to school or work. Daxter’s graphics and gameplay are unmatched on the PSP and contribute to what is a truly exceptional game.

An incredibly solid game. Unfortunately, it lacks just a little bit in the AI department to make it a shining example of a perfect game, but it does begin the justification of owning a 360.

Now we can only hope that Nintendo starts following the unofficial naming convention for the system and changes the title of at least one of the next-generation RPGs to the only logical choice - Pokémon Darmstadtium.

MLB 06: The Show is not only the best PSP baseball game, but also, in this reviewer's opinion tops many console franchises. The level of depth, the exceptional presentation, attention to detail, and high quality visuals add up to basically everything a baseball fan's gaming fantasy come true.

Old-schoolers who cut their teeth on the original Bros. have a lot to enjoy in Super Princess Peach, while new players will find an excellent and challenging introduction into one of gaming's most venerable and popular genres.

Fight Night is a far bigger improvement on Round 2 than Round 2 was on the original. I'd have bought it for the changes in punching and style options alone, much less the vastly improved graphics, sound, and other fringe benefits.

It’s fun and all, but you really feel like there’s not much use to picking up this one if you already own Feel The Magic.

Although Konami wasn’t able to include online play or the extended replay value of a franchise mode in their first handheld edition of the Winning Eleven franchise, it is by far the best soccer game on the handheld market. The great gameplay, gorgeous graphics, and high level of customization make Winning Eleven 9 for the PSP a justifiable purchase.

An amazing gaming experience. It has something for everyone: fishing, bug hunting, philanthropy (i.e. donating fossils to the museum), epistolatory madness, costume design, music composition, empire building and much more.

Partners in Time has its flaws and can get repetitive at times, but it certainly keeps you coming back for more, thanks to engaging gameplay and the unmistakable Mario charm.

It's a refreshing surprise that I think came out of no where this past holiday season.

While it has some ups and downs, Mario Kart DS proves that Nintendo is coming online with a vengeance. Gear up, strap in, log on, and take off. It's gonna be one heck of a ride.

Where "WWF No Mercy" on the Nintendo 64 ruled as the best wrestling game, but WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 is the new standard.

It is by far the most well rounded SOCOM game and delivers extended replay value both online and off.

If you’ve gotten burned out on Karaoke Revolution games by the previous sequels, Karaoke Revolution Party will bring you back.

The folks at Harmonix have taken an idea, refined it, churned it, ground it, and forged it into a force of pure rock that few men could stand against. Maybe Dio, and quite possibly Yngwie or Clapton. But few men indeed.

With full involvement by the Wachowski Brothers to produce new scenes, re-cut footage from the films and an all new ending to the trilogy to better suit a videogame (The directors actually pop up on the screen and tell you why they changed it!), any fan of the trilogy or games can appreciate a title like this.

And while I'm tempted to tell you that Link is unlockable deep within the game, he isn't. I know, you're sad, I'm sad, we're all sad. And sorry, still no nude codes for Ivy or the rest of the female cast. Freakin' perverts; go back to the Gamefaqs boards. Tira's practically a nude code herself, anyway.

Bringing to the table solid gameplay elements, great visuals, and even better sound makes this game the culmination of the World War 2 FPS experience.

They’ve taken out the puzzle elements, and most of the humor that made the series so endearing. What’s left is pretty much just a whole lot of shooting, and this can potentially alienate a huge portion of Ratchet fans.

My favorite aspect of the GTA franchise has always been the ability to experience and explore an entirely new world and that is one thing LCS is sorely lacking.

The home city concept adds a new twist, making the game slightly more interested than it had been before.

It is a game unlike any other game out there, a truly unique and special experience. It blows ICO away in pretty much every aspect (technically, ICO's controls were better), for those of you considering this game on ICO's merits.

Although you won't get much replay value out of it, it's an awesome game to have on the shelf/in the CD folder for periodic replays. It doubles as an immensely fun two-player game as well- it's quite amusing to grab a buddy and go cranium-crunching.

Breaking away from the stigma associated with the genre of movie-based games, The Warriors serves to set an example for what games based on films should be. The Warriors is a true homage to the original movie and a game that director Walter Hill, and any fan of the film should be proud of.

A top quality shooter. It is visually impressive, has some of the best AI this side of the Rio Grande, and does a damned good job on weapon management. Still, the steep system requirements will put a hamper on the regular public’s enjoyment and hold off all but the most advanced PCs.

A very fun little game. If you can find someone to play this with, it gets even more entertaining.

Visually, it's understandable that Zipper had to make some compromises in exchange for the larger levels. As a result, SOCOM 3 looks no better than previous installments to the series and in some areas less so.

With games like Far Cry Instincts and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, it's quite obvious that developers are just now starting to truly take advantage of the Xbox, and it's kind of sad to see it go so soon.

Sure, it doesn't have 20 games like last year, but the quality of the ones included is considerably better.

The voice acting is a wonderful complement to the in-game movies and there were many times when I was laughing out loud at the onscreen antics.

"Katamari Damacy" is still on my short list of favorite games of all time. It's an incredible game, and I'm not giving up my copy for anyone. But We Love Katamari has managed to beat it, hands down, in almost every single way.

Much like "Darkwatch," this is a game that you definitely want to play, but you're probably better off not paying for, at least not while it's $40. [Import]

A wonderful title and well worth a purchase. While the visuals leave much to be desired, the rest of the game is well packaged. This is adventure gaming at its finest and includes a wonderful control scheme innovation that should be used for future games.

Everything a great hockey game should be, but the presentation lacks the luster a license from Hockey Night in Canada should have had.

You have to play it twice (or save the game before a certain junction) to truly take in the entire dynamic story. Don't ever doubt the value of a good Japanese RPG...this is the kind of offering that will allow it to continue to shine as its own genre.

An incredibly accurate simulation as to what pet ownership is really like.

An incredibly accurate simulation as to what pet ownership is really like.