It may take a couple of hours to get into, but once there the game has a very addictive system. If you have a taste for strategy, give it a shot and see if you like it.

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.

For its discount price point, pinball enthusiasts will be entertained.

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.

Altogether, Owls of Ga'Hoole is a fun game with many positive attributes but one major flaw that significantly detracts from its overall value.

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

Frankly, I liked this game better the first time around. FD2 doesn’t have the style that the first crack at this franchise had.

The best part of the game is actually the infinite classic Frogger mode, which you can access right from the beginning. Sure, it looks pretty dated, but it is more fun and more fair than the actual campaign mode itself.

Douglings: Invasion definitely makes an effort to address some of these shortcomings through the addition of new mechanics and power-ups, but it fails to improve upon the biggest flaw- the sluggish feel of everything. And then the progression of the game just adds more emphasis to that issue. Perhaps this was entirely the intention of the developers, because the game most certainly feels in keeping with arcade traditions, but that doesn’t make the game more fun for most gamers- old school folks might just love it, though! Regardless of these issues, if I were given the option of playing the original Space Invaders or Doughlings: Invastion, I would absolutely prefer the newer title thanks to those new mechanics and its fun presentation.

The series is one of the more original console offerings out there and worth the time for any gamer looking for something a little more real.

While Crazy Chicken: Pirates 3D's single level might seem incredibly repetitive, it is only $1.99– and its presentation, quirks and all, is just endearing enough to justify those two bucks.

Overall, this is still a decent representation of Texas Hold ‘em. Digital Leisure did a good job of making sure the mechanics worked properly, and in that regard the game works wonderfully.

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

Sadly, the beauty is only skin deep, and the core content of the game is really a disappointment. The game is very short and the missions are poor.

Alphadia isn’t in the same league as a game like Chrono Trigger, but it gets the job done and will scratch the old-school RPG itch in a way that some players will enjoy. For anyone else, it’s likely that Alphadia will feel too archaic and rough to maintain their interest for the duration of the game.

For some, the gameplay might prove too simple and the comparatively low fidelity visuals might pull people out of the experience and distract them from what the game does well. While part of me would definitely love to see Lifeless Planet re-imagined with a more modern engine and an extra layer or two to the gameplay, I can’t deny I found the game plenty compelling as it is. So, for those interested in a no-frills, story driven sci-fi adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome, Lifeless Planet is well worth a closer look.

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.

Overall, Madden 2002 is a better game. However, NFL QBC ’02 is a fine game, and offers a different angle on football...makes a strong argument to own more than one football game.

It is clear that the Wii has the potential to serve up an awesome Spider-Man experience, but it will not be found here.

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.

WarioWare Snapped! is like buying a Lamborghini with a bad engine. The game looks super slick and proffers a highly amusing time when running, but more often than not, never gets started because of under-the-hood problems.

While it isn't groundbreaking, it is well done. The one thing that I can’t tolerate though is that it’s only a two player game.

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.

Of all the racing games out there, my favorite is still "F-Zero" and "Mario Kart," but if you want something a little more realistic, but still a bit off the wall, go for this.

Being that so many versions are available however, at even cheaper prices, there’s not much reason to invest in this port.

In the end, Ragnarok DS is a forgettable title, for which only die hard fans of the franchise or RPGs need apply. All others would be better off ignoring the title, and picking up one of DS's other-- and much better-- RPG offerings instead.

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 Three Musketeers: One For All is a game you'll really want to enjoy, but the few low points may hinder that.

Unfortunately, good artistic design just can't fully make up for a few glaring flaws. If you can see past those flaws, though, you'll find an enjoyable game that will help you waste a few hours. If not, this might be one to leave off your Christmas list.

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

To see such a cheap effort made, and to see yet another game released that truly gives kids the short end of the stick makes me feel very disappointed.

The Wii version of Neopets Puzzle Adventure is technically baffling, with broken framerates, aggravating hiccups, and other programming problems that really damage the experience. Neopets fanatics pining for a fix will do better to look to the superior (and cheaper) DS version rather than this rushed Wii project.

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.

Essentially, Time Ace is a flawed, but fun 3D shooter that values action over realism, which is fortunate, since time travel isn't much of a down-to-earth concept to begin with.

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.

If you’re a fan of fart humor, there aren’t a lot of options on the eShop, outside of South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Sigi: A Fart For Melusina doesn’t quite fully commit to the joke, but that doesn’t make it a terrible game; it’s just a hard one to recommend when Switch has so many other terrific platformers to choose from that last quite a bit longer. Still, the controls are tight and the old-school visuals are mostly charming. Some might admire the fact that Sigi doesn’t linger, but with a difficulty level that stays low and doesn’t ramp up until the very last boss fight, there just won’t be enough here for most players to justify a purchase.

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.

AquaMoto Racing 3D certainly fills a hole in the water racing genre, but ultimately it’s a shallow reflection of other jet ski greats and lacks the variety and imagination of its water-borne brethren.

NBA Live 08 is a disappointment in no small part because EA impressed early with the sports potential of Madden 07.

Sure, the game barely scratches the surface of the instrument and its composition tools are pretty much useless, but the rhythm game contained within is fairly solid, has a strong selection of good classical music, is made all the more realistic and even a bit educational, thanks to the included piano peripheral.

Still, Music On: Electric Guitar is a cheap and useful tool that most guitarists could probably appreciate as a way to get their music on (see what I did there) while on the go.

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.

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.

If it weren’t for the beautiful Burton-esque influence of the art direction, Spirits and Spells would just be yet another bargain bin title that isn’t worth even a second glance.

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.

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).

I won’t lie; I’m a bit disappointed with Legends.

The main problem though, whether Brave's being played solo or through co-op, is the game just isn't all that deep.

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.

But considering Vampire Moon is first and foremost a hidden object game, this is unsurprising– it almost seems as if City Interactive wanted to make the simplest game possible, and threw on a threadbare story simply to make it seem like a legitimate adventure game.

The gameplay can become fairly stale after an hour or so. This isn’t a pick-up-and-play title either, because the password saves are much too long and complex.

The combat in this title is extremely weak and features little to no depth other than smack-smack-smack-bang.

Overall, Milanoir is a very fun title. It has a deliciously dark and entertaining storyline, something that even the most expensive AAA games would kill for. It’s also home to some of the most creative use of a pixel art style seen in recent memory. The environments and characters look authentic to the period and drip personality, making all of the twists and turns of Piero’s adventure that much more irresistible to watch unfold. There are some mechanical issues that hold Milanoir back, but don’t let that stop anyone looking for a more unique video game experience from giving it a download from the eShop.

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.

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

Photo Finder is a decent adventure stuffed with charm and fun.

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.

The game is a mixed-bag, for sure, but the highs slightly outweigh the fighting genre side effects.

While it may not have the depth and grandeur some would look for, it has enough character to stand out from the other licensed titles.

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.

While Lux-Pain achieves some good things, it's hampered by its quality of localization and its over-reliance on one or two major tasks.

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.

Those looking for a serious RPG effort or a robust multiplayer, however, should hold onto their $50 for now.

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.

While this title shows some promise, it clearly needed some more time in development before it was released.

With mentally deficient in-game opponents and groan-inducing fetch-quests galore, the real draw of SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS is the collection aspect.

Three of the four are really good.

The lack of animation leaves the game high and dry at times.

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.

When it all comes down to it, only HUGE fans of the Halle Berry film should pick this up.

All in all, Dora Saves the Snow Princess is a great idea that ultimately proves too shallow.

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.

Wing Island is one game that truly misses a level of immersion better visuals could provide.

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.

Much of the gameplay is completely run of the mill and its few strengths, the graphics and voice acting, are cut down to mediocrity by a general lack of imagination and effort.

A strictly average game. There's really nothing here to distinguish it from all the other licensed games that get shoveled onto the Game Boy Advance every year, and even less to distinguish it as a Thunderbirds product.

Unfortunately, the game's uncomfortable controls keep it from being a winning experience and can make it downright unenjoyable at times. A more fully-realized control system and a better menu interface could have made this game far more playable.

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.

If you've never played a version of Tetris and are wondering what the fuss is about, you probably wouldn't understand it from this version. Old time fans will also be unimpressed.

With no village to visit, drive-thru interactions with NPCs outside of the player’s front door, and overly slow pacing in the narrative, Lost Valley feels like half of a really fun game.

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.