Mantis Burn Racing is an incredibly frustrating game. An overview of the game reveals a lot of promise thanks to its solid visuals, rewarding upgrade system, and interesting career structure. However, once you actually start racing, things begin to fall apart; your first few events will be fun but you’ll quickly realize how the content is spread thin and you have a long way to go before you’ll get to experience something new and fun. In other words, there’s some good stuff buried in Mantis Burn, but getting to it is a real slog, thus making hard to recommend for all but the most hardcore of racing fans desperate to relive the top-down experiences of yesteryear.

It's clearly a game with some heart, but it also misses on enough of the tangibles and intangibles alike to stand out among the rest of DS's offerings.

From its soulless and utterly unendearing cast of characters to its needless backtracking and convulted story, Tales of the Abyss has very little to offer even die-hard JRPG enthusiasts.

The control and QA problems are unfortunate, really, because this is easily the best Spider-Man game in nearly every other respect.

The game cuts its own legs out from under it by locking content so many different ways– whether it’s via toys or play sets. And possibly the worst offense is the lottery system within Toy Box, which holds back cool items like helicopters or assets from Tron (can you tell I like that universe yet?). Disney Infinity shows a spark of brilliance with the Toy Box mode, but everything else in game is rough, raw or boring.

With so much effort going into presentation, it seems like more could have been spent on tweaking the game mechanics.

Load times in the game are unbearable. It takes one full minute just to load the options menu. No joke...Turok Evolution screams two words: rush job.

The controls, combined with the difficulty level, make the single-player game mind-numbingly frustrating.

Fans of the series might find a lot more to like about Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star than yours truly, because without an understanding of the plot or characters the game barely makes sense and has little interest in giving newcomers a reason to care. This would be much more forgivable if the story got out of its own way and placed more focus on the action, but the developers were obviously far too in love with the story they came up with. Of course, one could skip through the story bits, but then you’re just left with a rather mediocre Dynasty Warriors clone. Taking all that into consideration, outside of its existing fanbase, Fate/EXTELLA can only be recommended to those who simply must have a stop-gap as they wait for Fire Emblem Warriors, or those in desperate need of validation from cute anime girls.

As it stands, RAD will likely please roguelike aficionados who will forgive ill-conceived gameplay ideas because of the challenge it adds to the experience. But I couldn’t help but see the wasted potential from beginning to end. The various mutations could present clever ideas for unique builds and a multitude of ways to solve problems in a planned, not random, world. This course would have also allowed for more balanced combat and a greater focus on narrative. But… NOPE! Roguelikes are popular now and so is nostalgia for the 80s so let’s just squish those things together and call it a day! Thus, RAD was born.

If you really must have your poker in video game form, several online gambling sites offer free poker games for users to test out. These are both terrific and cheaper alternatives to this overpriced title.

AiRace Xeno could have been something special. The core idea of the game is fantastic and it’s a blast to pilot an aircraft an incredible speeds, but it’s ultimately a fleeting experience that’s confined to its limited features.

All told, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a rather baffling experience that doesn’t quite seem to fully understand what it’s trying to be. Many of the factors that made previous games enjoyable are still here: the core gameplay mechanics are solid and the presentation is legitimately impressive considering Switch’s hardware limitations. However, the changes they made both in terms of structure and the addition of RPG mechanics simply don’t work together in a cohesive way.

Ultimately, Kung Fu Rabbit just doesn’t cut it in a world where it sits alongside true platforming masters like Trine 2: Director’s Cut and Bit.Trip Presents: Runner 2. It’s cheap, yes, but unless you fancy chewing the cud as a carrot cash-cow, we’d recommend saving your pennies for another day.

Virtua Tennis 4 isn't a terrible game, but given that there is a better option on Wii, system owners looking for their tennis fix probably want to look elsewhere.

Onimusha Tactics wouldn't be that bad if there weren't so many strategy games already available to the GBA. But there are. And compared to the rest of the flock, Onimusha sucks.

Sluggish controls, poorly designed weapons, lousy online functionality.

As brief as it is shallow -- pacing the gamer through six modest levels of gameplay -- there is little to no reason for you to invest in this title.

Trailblazers is a compilation of gorgeous race tracks with not a lot to do on them. If a sequel ever manages to come about, it’s easy to imagine a version of Trailblazers with better combat, a wider variety of ways to take advantage of painting the track, and more changes/tweaks besides, but until then this is a wasted opportunity on Supergonk’s part. Trailblazers can be fun, but it’s fleeting.

If I could overlook that pesky lock-up bug (which, for a review, I really can’t) I’d say they’re only about 30 yards short of a touchdown.

Overall, South Park: Snow Day! is a mixed bag with its pros and its cons. It hits the nail on the head with the humor and charm that recreates what the South Park universe is all about, but its repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and lack of depth holds it back from reaching its full potential. Die-hard fans of the series may find enjoyment in the game’s humor and multiplayer modes more than the solo adventure. If there was some more polishing done and a more varied gameplay, Snow Day! could have been a standout title, but as it is, it’s best enjoyed in short bursts rather than fuller extended play sessions.

A yawn-inducing game that even fans of the series will want to steer clear of. It looks nice enough, but the story is a joke, and the gameplay is as stale as month-old bread.

Not only virtually unplayabe for non-fans but I find it extremely difficult, almost impossible to recommend to fans, period.

True Crime: New York City is bad for entirely different reasons than expected: the graphics are awful, but the scope in certain ways outstrips its GTA ancestor.

The core of the experience is sound, and even works, but a game is only as good as its technical parameters, which means Giants suffers and stutters far too often.

This is not the first time an Activision-published title has taken shortcuts on a Wii version of a multiplatform title, and in each case it has left Wii fans not simply with a lower-res product (which ought to be expected), but a completely different and inferior game (which ought not to be).

As modern games go, this one looks pretty bad, is short, and has very little beyond the core game.

There are better options in the eShop, but if someone is looking for something new, Iron Combat might do in a pinch.

Anyone who is on the fence about this sort of game, and especially those who don’t find it appealing at all, isn’t going to be swayed by Senran Kagura 2. It’s okay in bursts, but overall its gameplay doesn’t have the entertainment value to distract from its overreliance on sexiness to ensnare players.

What sounded like the combination of a management game, Animal Crossing, and The Sims turned out to be barely influenced by all three. If you’re looking for a relaxing Switch game where you can collect clothing, decorate your home, and hang out with animals, there is already the perfect game for you: Animal Crossing New Horizons. If you’ve already played it to the point of needing new joysticks, then there are plenty of other indie alternatives to pick up before giving Calico consideration.

There are also plenty of more entertaining and more educational games out there that you can pick up for your youngun at the same price, if not lower. Stay away from this one. It doesn't belong in your collection.

There’s very little here that hasn’t already been done a lot better elsewhere– and as side-note mini-games to boot.

Greater attention to gameplay mechanics might have resulted in a broader appeal, but with an off-putting control setup, poor hit detection and repetitive objectives, gamers who've never heard of Naruto probably won't want to take the plunge.

It legitimately feels like the developer created a good linear game based off a solid mechanic, and then tried to throw in some Metroidvania elements at the last minute but didn’t really know what they were doing and, as they were trying to rush the game out the door, forgot to do sufficient QA testing. In other words, Mable & The Wood feels unfinished.

On the whole, Thor: God of Thunder is probably only going to be for people who are seriously hardcore about their Thor, as it's clear the Wii version did not get the lion's share of the development resources.

My biggest problem with Chubbins is that I never quite found myself having fun with it. Instead, I was consistently frustrated, and longer play sessions resulted in sore thumbs.

There's only so long you can stand to watch Pikachu frolicking aimlessly on an empty beach. This may be a good game for very young children who are still interested in Pokémon, but God bless the parent who has the patience to play through it with them.

The vibe on the PC version seems good, but this DS port proves mediocre. Many had great expectations, but this is not our vision of fury.

This cricket doesn’t ever get off the ground.

It feels unpolished and gives very little bang for its buck.

A painfully average portable that offers nothing but ugly graphics and stale gameplay.

Friend or Foe attempts to give players their ultimate fantasy of controlling the legendary webslinger and his infamous villains. However, redundant gameplay and level design are hidden behind a solid presentation with great voice-work and clean graphics.

Really just The Incredible Machine gussied up with new paint, courtesy of Marc Eckō and his company. The story framework is just that– a very, very loose framework– and new tools, though interesting, don't do anything particularly newfangled.

Atypical Games obviously put a lot of effort into making Radiation Island stand out among the recent flood of survival games from indie developers and I applaud them for it, but the Switch version is a deeply disappointing port in desperate need of major patches.

The finicky controls, the horrid announcer and uninspired presentation offer little incentive to warrant a purchase.

It's frustratingly hard but well-made; easy to pick up but quickly repetitive.

Between the broken controls, the annoying protagonist and godawful soundtrack, Crime Scene is best left, to use police terms, in the dusty backroom of unsolved cases.

This type of slow, clunky nonsense goes on for the entire game.

It’s way too hard in places for the youngest gamers, but older players will be annoyed by the trite story and senseless collecting.

It doesn’t quite live up to its premise, but many fans are still pitching in their two bucks for the downloadable eShop title to tell Nintendo there’s a market for independent games on Wii U. I fully support that! But I still can’t in good faith recommend a game with no sound effects or even any save function.

All-in-all, rent it if cooking is a huge hobby. Everyone else can let this one cook.

Purchasing this title is contingent upon whether or not you have any other Namco Museum entry for GameCube or Wii and if you absolutely need your classic Namco fix. All others, it's probably best to stay clear.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine only shines in one way. It’s a prime example of how careless publishers and developers can be with video game adaptations of summer blockbuster films.

A collection of missed opportunities. It's a game that wants to be like a Layton game and not be like one, and suffers in the comparison because of all the ways it falls short. The incredible amount of French history, clever story elements and extensive dialogue filling the game establish this wasn't a title that was thrown on shelves with minimal investment.

This game is an insult to both DBZ fans and gamers. The gameplay design is so sloppy and poor that it doesn’t deserve the DBZ name.

Even though I have a lot of complaints with Bit Boy!! Arcade, I genuinely enjoy the core concept of the game. I liked speeding through each phase and setting high scores, but the plethora of flaws it has prevented me from fully loving the experience. The game could have been something fantastic, but it desperately lacks the polish it needs to be entertaining as a whole.

The game mostly looks the part, but the gameplay is just far too loose and repetitive to make it a compelling play for all but the most desperate of gamers looking to scratch the Jet Set itch. Then again, even some of those players might be turned off once they actually have to deal with the horrible menus. The fact that the music is pretty decent and the game isn’t unplayable might satisfy some out there, but I think most gamers are better served by simply skipping this one.

The game is unforgivably short, looks bad, the waggle controls hurt, and the game forces players to do too much melee.

Like a teenager hooking up with a lady. It’s fun while it lasts, but it doesn’t last long!

To fans of the comics, movies and other mutant-themed games: wait for that next stellar title.

Hammy is merely average, but is made worse in the light of other games that its key demographic will enjoy.

Overall, this is one of those games that’s going to appeal based on your tastes. If you like a punishing twin stick shooter that pretty much sends you back to square one each time you die, you might like this game. However, if progress is important to you, you’re probably going to find this game to be pretty frustrating after a while, especially if you make it deep into the stages and then end up having very little to show for it. That will go a long way toward determining if the $14.99 price tag is worth it.

If you relish the days when death by bad jumping mechanics was commonplace in gaming and enemy hits were cheap, you might like the nostalgia Caveman Warriors brings. But, if you’re looking for a refined experience, this is probably not the co-op experience you’re looking for.

Overall, while Star Horizon isn’t high art, it’s an otherwise interesting little mindless space shooter that gives you enough things to do to be worth a couple hours of diversion.

When Rise & Shine‘s gameplay works, it works well, providing a fascinating take on the run and gun genre that I hope Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team has a chance to refine and perfect at some point. If you can take the pounding, Rise & Shine might be worth a look.

The game quickly becomes boring and has you wishing you were doing something else.

In short, if you’re absolutely desperate for more demonic combat and can’t wait for the all-but-inevitable release of the far superior Devil May Cry 3, then I suppose there are worse options than giving this disappointing sequel a try.

A castrate of its GameCube counterpart, Splinter Cell for the DS lacks many of the levels, abilities, features, pathways, and audio enjoyed in said console version. Bungled load times and inherent slowdown (in simple menu navigation!) is completely unacceptable on such a powerful handheld.

Though the game has nice visuals and is the continuation of a creative series, Two Realms failed to maintain the magic Drawn to Life had on DS. Unfortunately, my disinterest in the story kept me unmotivated to wait through cut scenes to get to the next levels. Levels could be fun, but they could also be terribly too easy or frustratingly hard. The best moments in the game are dispersed too far apart and they don’t feel worth the hassle to get to.

There’s just not enough redeeming qualities in horse-riding to keep me interested in it long enough.

The developer for Marvel Super Hero Squad is Blue Tongue Entertainment, who masterminded the superb Wii title de Blob. That pedigree makes the failure of Super Hero Squad all the more disappointing.

When all is said and done, Spore Hero Arena just fails to keep one's attention.

Unfortunately, Over the Hedge for the GBA is a typical example of uninspired licensed game design.

Remember the good old days when one would control up to six power rangers instead of a measily three? It's a little weird having only three power rangers.

Less of a game and more of a personal organizer with a boring game installed in it.

It’s good to see a Star Trek game on Wii; it’s just too bad it’s such a short and shallow affair.

Iceman has done it again; who knows what kind of shoddy licensed drivel he'll chomp his prolific teeth at next?

As it stands, though, Mighty No. 9 isn’t unplayable, it’s just trifling and uninspired.

Astro Boy: The Video Game is not a bad game. It's also not a good game.

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a video game less than this one.

Everything from the graphics, sound and the frame rate should have been a whole lot better, not to mention the confusing and burdensome control scheme.

If Cocoro Line Defender featured units with a lot of unique abilities that were available immediately, I would probably be writing a very different review. However, as it stands, every battle is determined by how closely you can fling your units together on the battlefield.

The controls are atrocious, a definitely no-no when they're also your big hook. However, the game is not without any redeeming qualities. It really all depends on how much players are willing to pay for a game that ends up being mediocre at best.

Many parents may not want their children to play this game because of characters like Stigmartha, a girl whose hands bleed when she gets nervous; but parents shouldn't subject their kids to such a mundane, undercooked game anyway.

Really, PONG Quest as a whole would probably benefit from more time in development. It comes across as incomplete on occasion, with gameplay that might be very engaging with a faster pace of movement and another gimmick or mechanic to go along with the special balls. The dungeon crawling is similarly half-baked, offering a sense of exploration not quite on par with even a game like Adventure on Atari 2600. Even with these shortcomings there’s still enough to enjoy that retro gaming fans or even longtime Atari aficionados may want to give PONG Quest a chance, but for everyone else there are more inventive games of this ilk to consider playing.

Shapes of Gray is ultimately disappointing. With so many fantastic ideas at play, both mechanically and aesthetically, it is heartbreaking to see the whole thing get tarnished by mere technical errors.

I am constantly amazed at how good children’s television programming can be bastardized by half-hearted, sloppy developers. Do they think that kids don’t know crappy software when they play it?

You can easily play through it over a weekend. If countless bad reviews cannot dissuade you, then perhaps submerging yourself in AM: SH2's zombie-like framerate will bring you to your senses.

There are games that are fun because they’re simple yet offer a deep experience. But, there are also games that are so simple in design that it’s hard to find any kind of enjoyment from them. Shut the Box falls in the latter category, as it’s a game that requires barely any kind of thought or skill to play.

If you’re looking for a gift for a child, look elsewhere, unless you like watching them break systems.

There is little reason to recommend Stop Stress: A Day of Fury, especially given its higher price-point. While the developer no doubt had the best intentions for a creative title that would allow gamers to let loose all their stress from the day, the game only seems to generate more, resulting in little more than an ironic title.

I wouldn’t say it was a mistake to bring Rodea to 3DS, but the game is so rough that it either needed more time in development, or the handheld was incapable of fully handling Naka’s vision. For fans of the creator’s previous works and players who enjoy 3D adventure titles, Rodea is worth a look, but be prepared to fight with it in order to get any enjoyment out of the game.

Godzilla Unleashed does too many things poorly to be recommended to anyone but the most diehard of Godzilla fans, who will be attracted to some of the game's attempted fan service, like the impressive roster of monsters.

The ideas laid out in the Lemmings-style stages could be effective if they were designed better and held the players hand through the first chunk of the game, but as it is, Penguins will just leave gamers and arctic-bird lovers alike out in the cold.

Tornado is a game that looks to mimic the appeal of Katamari Damacy but instead becomes increasingly annoying, quite monotonous, and not at all fun. Do not be fooled.

Ultimately, the game tries to be more than what it turns out to be: a poor, unexciting take at the Mario Party formula. The game is littered with cool little additions that would usually make the game great, but sadly, they're all bogged down by inconsistencies, glitches, and what appears to be a lack of effort.

Do not buy LEGO Friends. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars.

Romance Dawn is a misfire all around that only the absolute most completist of One Piece fans should give it a look. It’s a shame, because One Piece is normally something quite wonderful. Such a waste.