This is the rare kind of game that seamlessly blends classic brawler gameplay with RPG elements while still managing to remain simple and fun, and is one of the most appealing games we've seen on the 3DS so far.

Nurikabe is one of the more intensely challenging Nikoli eShop releases and as such offers a mental workout that some may find very rewarding, others cruel. A stubbornly absent hint feature would help ease accessibility, but as it stands Nurikabe can really only be recommended as a new challenge for advanced puzzlers.

Cradle of Egypt 2 isn't a bad game because it doesn't deliver what it sets out to. In fact, aside from a few gameplay niggles and its rather basic visual style, the title is quite playable, and fans of the Match-3 genre will likely find it absorbing. The problem with it is that it's virtually a carbon copy of the games that precede it.

The coordinated movement mechanic makes for a unique experience, and while the erratic difficulty can frustrate, puzzle fans after a challenge will likely have fun bailing out these bots.

The broad range of characters, the emotional tone of the storyline and the teasing promise of more makes for an utterly engrossing experience. The question is whether this is worth your money; if you enjoy puzzles and charming tales of adventure, then you should already know the answer.

Samurai G is a terrible, horrible, not good very bad excuse for an endless runner. It's satisfied with regurgitating genre ideas and didn't even take the time to think about how to make those ideas work well before charging people actual currency for a flimsy prototype. If there is any running to be done here, it is as far away as possible.

Liberation Maiden offers a surprisingly short experience, but if it were much longer the sense of repetition would probably become quite irksome. For all its flashy visuals and instantly gratifying action, this isn't a game that boasts a tremendous amount of variety or depth.

Crossword fans might find some value, but those who aren't dead set on word-based head-scratchers can do a lot better, for far cheaper.

Boulder Dash-XL 3D gets the basics right, providing a modern twist on an '80s classic, as well as retro content for the older generation, and throwing in a large number of levels to dig through. It's a one-track experience, however, with poorly implemented 3D, and feels like it should be one of the 3DS eShop's costlier downloads, rather than a budget retail title that costs more than its non-3D predecessor. That said, fans of the franchise or those seeking an action-puzzle fix could do far worse, with enough diamond-hunting on offer to satisfy the most dedicated, young or old.

While Just Dance 4 may be just as entertaining as the last 3 entries to the series, the question still remains: has it improved greatly enough on the efforts of Just Dance 3 to warrant a sequel, or could it just be simply reproduced as new song DLC? The new modes just about justify the update, but Just Dance 4 remains a great-looking and fun game regardless, with only a few minor motion sensitivity and choreography troubles which hinder the all-round excellent dancing and fitness experience.

Academy: Chess Puzzles isn't a ground-breaking achievement or advancement in the puzzle game world, but it does exactly what it promises to do, and accomplishes the task without a hitch. The option to play full games of chess rather than just puzzles would have been a welcome addition, but that simply isn't the case. If you're a fan of chess and you're interested in honing your endgame skills, or if you just enjoy simple puzzle games that will keep you busy for hours and cost you next to nothing, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

This is one Princess that's quite simply not worth rescuing.

Perhaps you've never played Angry Birds before and are curious what all the fuss and t-shirts are about. Maybe you're a super fan and want a physical object of your desire. Or you might be a parent that just wants your device back from your child. Regardless, Angry Birds Trilogy makes a compelling case with its addictive gameplay and low barrier of entry, although cheap compulsion shenanigans ultimately prove more to be of a downer than presumably intended. While this may not be the best option to play one of gaming's most visible titles - we won't hold our breath for free updates any time, ever - it is still a very good way to experience Finland's biggest cultural export since the Moomins.

Pokémon Dream Radar is a fun diversion for Pokémon fans that ties in well with the newly released Black and White 2. Providing a fun way to earn otherwise unobtainable or hard to find Pokémon, combined with a very low price point ($2.99 in North America) make it a super effective purchase for those wrapped up in the series.

Drop Zone: Under Fire is a game that does what it says on the tin, and when what's on the tin is as cool as futuristic free-fall, that's high praise. A few issues with the controls hold it back, but Drop Zone is still well worthy of a spot on your radar, especially if you're after a fun arcade-style experience on the fast waning WiiWare service. If it sounds like something you'd enjoy, dive in.

Pokémon Black and White 2 are easily the best in the series to date and an absolute must-buy for fans. Even if it's been ages since you've picked up a Poké Ball, there's no better time to jump back in and start catching them all.

Pokémon Black and White 2 are easily the best in the series to date and an absolute must-buy for fans. Even if it's been ages since you've picked up a Poké Ball, there's no better time to jump back in and start catching them all.

Cave Story may come from humble PC beginnings but it feels most in its element in this slick portable package. Nicalis has put together the definitive Cave Story compilation, but without any earth-shattering changes or additions it's ultimately just another way to play an all-time classic on familiar hardware. Granted, that's still a rather excellent thing, as the game is so pleasing to play that we're more than happy to delve into it yet again, and again.

Hitori by Nikoli hits up against some interface nonsense, but otherwise offers an enjoyable twist on traditional puzzles and scratches much of the same itch as a Picross game, making it worth considering for an extended brain workout.

Kart Krashers isn't perfect, but it sure is fun, and its willingness to try something new is a very good thing. It stumbles a bit in the control department and the sound issues are a disappointment, but when you're in the zone, smashing robot zombies and careening around a shopping mall, it's a blast. Kart racing fans looking to try something different while sticking to four wheels should have a great time with this one.

Hotel Transylvania had strong potential to overcome the stigma of movie tie-in games, but with clumsy controls, repetitive gameplay, and a front-to-back experience lasting less than three hours, it's difficult to see it as anything more than a well-intentioned cash in. If we had to describe this game in two words, we'd pick "squandered potential". If we only had one word, we'd pick "no".

The cumbersome title and suspicious cuteness of The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave may scare off a few gamers, but those who give it a chance will find themselves immersed in a genuinely creative and surprisingly challenging world. The animation is charming and smooth, the soundtrack passively gorgeous, and the experience long and rewarding.

There will inevitably be Kirby fans who will complain that more Kirby games weren't included or that none of the titles got any type of visual makeover, but it's difficult to complain too much given how many amazing Kirby titles have been collected onto one Wii disc, not to mention the fun bonus items and mini games that are also included. No doubt most Nintendo fans will have already played these games many times over, but it's still nice to see Nintendo giving their fluffy protagonist a little fanfare for 20 years of charming gaming magic.

Retro Pocket may not have had any intentions of being original, but we do at least wish it intended to be fun. This collection of Game & Watch clones / homages is half-baked at best, and while it does indeed nail the visual presentation of the originals it forgoes entirely the addictive quality of the games, substituting it for tedium. Considering that the Game & Watch originals were already quite repetitive in their own right, that's something of an accomplishment, but it's not one to be proud of.

It's been a long wait, but WiiWare fans can now finally get their hands on this lesser known indie classic. Beating it can be an incredibly daunting task for less experienced players, but despite all of the difficult puzzles and fights there are lots of features that make the experience much less frustrating than you'd think it would be. With this title's significant size, if you can't beat one area you can just go to another first, so there are always options to progress. The lack of DLC is a bit of a disappointment, but the basic game is still, in a word: perfect.

Make no mistake, Rising Board 3D can be fun, but unfortunately that fun is as randomised as its stages. Runs end far too easily, unavoidable obstacles or hazards clipping you from off-screen, and the lack of even local leaderboards means there's little incentive to better your score. Unlockable boards vary the gameplay a bit, but it's so easy to grind for sun points that earning them doesn't feel like much of an achievement. There are some great visuals and sound here, but Rising Board 3D features tropics best experienced by postcard.

Crazy Kangaroo offers decent value for its cheap price. It's simple and easy to grasp, the story mode has potential to last a few hours depending on the level set-ups you're given and the endless mode can be played infinitely for high scores as long as you don't mind the omission of leaderboards. However, the way objectives are set is flawed and the randomly generating story mode levels can feel unbalanced and leave you hopping mad.

Heavy Fire: Special Operations 3D is a better game than its predecessors, yes, but it is still a needless do-over for an undeserving game.