It's not just intuitive to wave your hands around to play football, but it's also fun. Throwing the ball and seeing the motion echoed on-screen can give a huge sense of empowerment.

Since Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam is tailored for the Saturday morning crowd, the appeal of this title is already weakened to an average Hawk fan. But with the older demographic went the intangible addictive nature of the series.

It may be disappointing to some that this title isn't a new platform game featuring Ubisoft's limbless hero, but what Wii owners ended up with is a pretty worthy substitute.

Many, many better games are out there, but not a whole lot for those looking for a DS superhero fix.

Much like "Under the Knife" for DS, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is a perfect demonstration of a game that simply cannot exist on any other console platform. It is both gorgeous and stylish.

Eragon will take about six to seven hours to beat with little reason to go back and do it all again. The game looks fantastic despite being a run-of-the-mill action/adventure game.

While the deep gameplay and long-paced play sessions (thankfully endowed with a quick-save feature) can be engrossing and rewarding for experienced players, strategy novices will be left in the dust fairly quickly; so, like the first game, this title is probably best for mecha and turn-based tactics fans.

Perhaps it is not the game that RPG lovers have been waiting for, but it could easily be the game that Eragon fans will embrace.

Spider-Man: Battle for New York should have been a fun and easy to play title, but instead the game is frustrating, bland and difficult, despite short levels and simple tasks.

Fans should be content with the challenging main game and incredible amount of unlockable content similar to the original game.

A great looking game with some intense and satisfying action. Despite some serious shortcomings with audio and gameplay, this game is an enjoyable title that any action fan can enjoy.

The title just has some sort of magic to it, in spite of its humor and deliberate cheesiness, that encourages good vibes, especially by the time the over-the-top finale is completed.

The core gameplay of Konductra is solid and somewhat original, and the task mode gives it some life, but the overall implementation is counterintuitive.

A fun and fast-paced racer with plenty of customization options. For racing fans, this is an excellent buy; just don't expect the single player portion to last very long.

It's hard to say that EA is giving GameCube owners a favor with Carbon, they are a business after all, but it probably doesn't hurt.

Tactical Assault hits the balance between staying true to the series while making an entertaining and challenging video game.

Nacho Libre isn't perfect, but it is a game with a lot of character. The sense of humor lends a lot to the title, and the wrestling game is entertaining, once the controls and rules have been puzzled out.

Fans may be turned off by the emphasis on speed and racing, but those willing to let go of their ideals will find an enjoyable experience.

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

Atlus did an excellent job further augmenting this with another great, humorous localization: whoever came up with the unexpected and hilarious, "Murder case! Woot!" remark should be applauded.

A perverse sense of humor and singular style ensure that Contact offers a refreshing dose of originality that is certainly not lacking on the DS, but might be lacking in the RPG genre.

Where Swordcraft Story was a focused drive to a goal, Swordcraft Story 2 revels in the journey. What has not changed is an engaging storyline, enjoyable leveling and realtime combat strategy polished to the point of being able to be enjoyed by players at any level.

A largely unoriginal action/platformer that does little to expand its genre.

We never expect much from licensed video games. They serve a purpose -- generally to reap the financial benefits of an eager-to-buy fan base -- and that's okay. But somewhere in these games there needs to be an actual video game. In Princess Natasha, there isn't one.

It's a decent game for a system's twilight, but not terribly unique.

When there are so many other basketball titles out their that up the bling-bling factor and offer better gameplay, perhaps the Globetrotters should have invested in a game more suited to their forte, one focused on courtside comedy instead of competition.

The web is full of free flash games better than Natasha. The only reason to ever own this game is if your best friend's dad ever gets the idea that yeah, he could make a game for his daughter too; then you can gladly disabuse him of his madness by showing him this little piece of insanity.

Besides nostalgia, the only thing going for RSR is the strange taunts your opponents give before each Title match.

This is an easy pick-up-and-play title, and the real strength lies in the multiplayer mode, which can be especially useful for long car trips when there aren't enough systems to go around.

Destiny's Soldier is incredibly faithful to the traditional Mage Knight rules, but this, unfortunately, mostly serves as a reminder of how strategy games have evolved differently on and off of video game systems.

Despite the fact that it's a little too easy to have an opponent attack your backside, controls are typically quick responding and attacks are relatively devastating.

With a lengthy 60-70 hours of gameplay, Origins is more than worth its value in longevity. Highly recommended.

The absence of a save feature hurts the Mini Mix in a big way, but considering that the NES Classic GBA series offered a total of one game on one cartridge for the same price instead of three, the sting doesn't seem quite as bad.

The little toy cars can still initiate nostalgia in the older crowd, but Hot Wheels All Out misses that quality. Without it, it fails as a purely entertaining racer and gaming veterans will not like it. But as a budget title for young kids in the minivan ride to grandma's house, it has some tread.

ZX is really just fun, and what else can we ask of Mega Man besides aiming for better things?

Controls are tight and responsive, and offer up an entirely new experience, especially since Cooking Mama is one of the first of its kind, but the experience will not last.

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

Star Fox Command isn't quite a return-to-form for the series; it's best to think of it as a good few steps on the road to recovery.

Fans of portable dungeon crawlers with touch-screen interaction, rejoice. This is the game you have been waiting for.

The deep combat, unique character designs and intriguing plot offer something for both the strategy fan and the giant robot enthusiast.

Swordcraft Story takes away all the daunting tedium and deftly delivers a fun, satisfying adventure enjoyable by both experienced and new players alike.

Even with a budget price, Gridmaster falls short of delivering basic expectations that sudokuholics (and even novice players) have for an electronic game of numbered crosswords.

Although the game isn't the most beautiful out there, the draw is based solely on gameplay, which is rare these days.

Mega Man Battle Network 6 still has its underlying concepts straight, but can't quite shake off that sixth-game curse, which means it doesn't quite deserve that last tenth of a point.

The truth is, Big Brain Academy offers little depth, and almost no immersion, because the gameplay is so start-and-stop. But Big Brain Academy succeeds because of its simplicity and accessibility.

It's easy to pick up and play, yet just as easy to put away and forget about.

X-Men attempts to bring something new to the table with an interesting control scheme, but doesn't follow through with any sort of unique gameplay.

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

Even the nonsensical story lines would be very easily tolerated if X-Men: The Official Game was any fun, but most of the time, it's not.

New sets out to simply give gamers more of what they want--more enemies, more levels, more bosses, more high-quality Mario. One can almost hear the trumpets as the classic platformer makes its triumphant return.

Over The Hedge serves quite well as a light-hearted stealth action game. It’s not enough to make you forget that there’s no Metal Gear on DS, but it does boast a somewhat new use of the system’s features, and for a portable game based on a family movie property, exceeds all expectations.

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

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

Maybe the game relies on the magic system a little too much, but it's that system that keeps Lost Magic from ever being lost.

2006 FIFA World Cup is easy enough for a soccer novice to pick up and enjoy, but deep enough in detail and difficulty options to please the hardcore futbol fan. Though not beyond figuring out, more detailed in-game explanations or tutorials could have only helped make this game more accessible.

It works beautifully.

The idea is solid, solid enough that it should be revisited in the future, even if the execution this time around is lacking.

In the end, it's still Tetris, and the enjoyment to be had with the DS version will ultimately boil down to the amount of fondess for the original game.

This title offers something that literally can't be found anywhere else; and fortunately, because of theextended development time, managed to improve upon Nintendo's Wi-Fi service as well.

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.

While the game offers little to strive for in terms of hidden content or special endings, Clash of Ninja is worthy of continued play in and of itself.

Tales shows that smart, solid elements add up to that elusive experience untarnished by time that defines a classic.

While it presents nearly perfect platforming, primarily young ones and frantic fans will favor the game.

Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll is a game that had high expectations from its fans, but ultimately lets everybody down.

Riders does contain some glaring flaws, mostly in the way of menu bog-down and an inconsiderate lack of multiplayer options. It's a shame that a game with so much going for it is so hindered by such simple oversights.

This game is nothing but fun, with a dash of frustration and an immersion in the pop culture of another country.

In the wake of Resident Evil 4's Game of the Year honors, it's nice to see where the series got its roots, but it also reminds us just how far the series has come.

The game is so inventive and absorbing that it might just justify that GB Micro purchase-- unless you get the Famicom version, because that really justifies itself, doesn't it?

A few problems keep the score from being higher, but both weird and conventional this is a fun title.

Even though the unlockables are unbelievably light, Mega Man X Collection is a great value.

If you find yourself even slightly interested, do yourself a favor and give Electroplankton a chance. It is not an experience you'll likely ever come across again. [JPN Import]

Square-Enix has really produced a fine piece of software here, not only because of the quality of the original title but also because of the fantastic attention to detail.

Every platforming challenge is camera related. It's sad, because there is a lot of untapped potential in Pac-Man World 3.

The presentation could have been a little cleaner, especially with the colored box units that are present throughout entire battles, and the forced combination of touch screen and button control could be a stumbling block for some players.

The intuitive touch control and signature gameplay far outweigh the bare-bones presentation and lack of any new game modes.

The best part about it is that there's something new going on every day, whether it's a new neighbor moving in, a nasty snowstorm on the horizon, or a holiday party at City Hall.

Despite the fairly deep single-player mode, the fact remains that in some ways, this title isn't as deep as its companion game "Mario Golf: Advance Tour."

The fact that the atmosphere is the most notable part of the game means that it also fails in some respects.

While the wow-factor of the first game has dissipated, the tried-and-true platforming gameplay remains fun even after three games.

Fantastic. With an insane plot, goofy characters and some incredibly well-designed gameplay, this is a game which should be on the must-buy list of any DS owner who does not hate fun.

The graphical engine, the imaginative VFX powers, and the style of the game are all positive. The issues with combat and the hassle of switching between input methods on the fly are not.

Due to its unoriginal rehash of platformer game mechanics Pac-Man World 3 is only recommended for younger audiences or those new to the 3D platformer.

What differentiates Tony Hawk's American Sk8land from "Mario Kart" is the level of involvement. Sk8land is far less pick-up-and-play, but those who take the time to learn its intricacies will have a blast.

Sonic Rush may be the best side-scroller on the DS so far. The level design is inspired, and the rush of speed, to use an appropriate word, that should be inherent in Sonic games is not only present, but may be at its most intense yet.

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.

It is darn near perfect in most ways, and the online mode adds more than it takes away. LAN mode racing is among the year’s greatest gaming experiences. You may well be looking at a contender for game of the year across any platform.

Is this game for you? Why bother? Pick up a newspaper and flip to their crossword puzzle. You'll end up with more money in your wallet and less frustration in the long run.

You'll sincerely want to accomplish goals, unlock characters, and share the experience with friends, but the game's got so much on its spinning plate there's no way to grow reasonably accustomed to any one aspect, and it's far too frenetic to be pick-up-and-play friendly.

It's just too bad that Capcom didn't choose to create a new game from scratch for Nintendo's dual-screened handheld. Next time, expectations will (and should) be higher.

The gameplay variety and overall visual and audio experience is outstanding-- if only such a fun game were lengthier.

A better-than-average game for kids, and one that will keep them on their mental toes, to boot.

Metroid Prime Pinball may be the surprise sleeper of the fall, and although the "Prime" moniker may be out of place, it certainly embodies the fun and sense of addiction that other Metroid titles have shown.

Sure, the game has its flaws and quickly becomes tedious, but it's strangely addicting in its own way.

Fighting game loyalists may want to steer away, but anyone looking to thrash perky and magically endowed creatures may find enjoyment in the world of Zatch Bell!

Who would have thought that a game with parachuting dynamite monkeys and ninja penguins would be this bad?

Shadow Legacy has some potential, but it's unfulfilled by repetitive gameplay and objectives (i.e. fetching items for the people you've just rescued from another dimension).

The fleshing out of the Dig Dug world in story mode was enjoyable, I only wish that the gameplay was a bit deeper, or at least more challenging.

American Wasteland creates a near-perfect balance that all free roaming games strive to achieve.