In the end, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a great game. Sega took the solid foundation of the first title, addressed many of the concerns found with it, and made an excellent sequel that does justice to both the Olympic Winter Games and the Mario and Sonic universe. If you liked the first Mario and Sonic Olympic game, don't hesitate to give this one a try.

Where the Wild Things Are is a prime example of how to make a good licensed video game. It doesn't shoehorn gameplay into the license's plot. In fact, the gameplay is fun and varied.

A key flaw in the multiplayer mode is the default difficulty settings for computer-controlled opponents.

Its colorful presentation, lovable characters, and overall solid execution makes Squeeballs Party worth trying out with your friends and family (unless they are put off by the abuse of adorable cartoon characters).

Spore Hero is sure to win over fans of the Spore franchise, thanks to its deep creature creator modes, vibrant presentation, and unforgettable characters. Unfortunately, the whole package feels basic despite its ambitions; the fighting is too elemental in both controls and ideas, the adventure mode feels like one big fetch quest, and the missions become bland and repetitive.

Spore Heroes Arena is a very uninspiring title that has a repetitive fighting engine and tedious exploration. It definitely does not live up to the Spore brand.

Game Party 3 can be fun with friends, but in the end, the lack of variety of the game selection and wonky controls hold it back from competing with the top dogs of mini-game genre.

Thorium Wars is a highly entertaining game that has a fair amount of replay value and high production values. It might be expensive, but it sure is a great piece of software.

For owners of the first game, this $20 upgrade is worth it because you get a good amount of new content in addition to all the refinements found in Wii Fit Plus. For those who skipped the original Wii Fit, the Wii Fit Plus bundle is an excellent deal since you get the Balance Board and all the activities from Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus.

This is a well-honed, impressive light gun game with high production values and a lot of atmosphere.

It is easily one of the most original games in the series, thanks to its globetrotting, mystery-solving theme along with gameplay that recalls classic game conventions while successfully putting a MySims theme on it. This is one mission players will not regret taking on.

Ultimately, The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is a unique take on the franchise and an enjoyable RPG experience. If you are looking for a unique RPG and don't mind that the game deviates from the original Wizard of Oz story, then this title is highly recommended.

If you’re starved for some FPS love on your DS, you might want to give this game a shot. However, even its predecessor provides a more engaging experience, not to mention a few other notable DS titles, specifically Moon.

The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft tries hard to recreate the golden days of point-and-click adventure gaming. While its intentions are good, the exploration and puzzle-solving suffer from poor planning and execution.

While its flaws prevent it from being a serious contender, the game is a surprisingly fun and a solid effort that fans shouldn't miss. It may try a bit too hard to be like Super Smash Bros., but its modes and gameplay make it a title worth checking out if you want to take a break from Nintendo's fighting game.

A good game. It's not terrible, it's not great, and it doesn't in any way stand out. But it is good and fun to play, especially if you lower the difficulty a bit and bring a friend along.

Ultimately, Bleach: The 3rd Phantom isn't a terrible game, but it isn't a very satisfying one either. The actual gameplay is a small part of the game, and due to the high degree of fan service it can only be truly recommended for hardcore Bleach fans.

If you have a friend who's willing to pick the game up and join you for the playthrough, then a great time could be had. Most players, however, will play through the game solo and be bored with it before the conclusion.

If you are prepared to deal with many annoyances but seek an original and mostly enjoyable play experience, you'll be well served by Scribblenauts.

Fans of the movies, Disney, and carnival-style games will find a lot to like about Toy Story Mania. Its loyalty to the franchise along with its accessible gameplay will make it an endearing addition to the Wii library. Everyone else, however, might feel disenchanted by its repetitive gameplay, problematic motion control, and overall brevity.

Fans who loved the first two games shouldn't hesitate in picking up Bowser's Inside Story. It features everything that makes the series enjoyable and adds onto it everything but the kitchen sink. Despite a few minor flaws, it's a game that features an ingenious game design synonymous with Nintendo games and is easily one of the best DS games of the year.

The Wii Shop Channel has seen plenty of great puzzle titles, and while developer Virtual Toys certainly can brag about having one of the more creative titles, Spaceball Revolution grows old fast. It's nice to see some online leader boards thrown into the mix, but due to the game's repetitive nature, it provides little reason to return.

The game has virtually limitless replayability thanks to the free paint mode, which is accessible right from the start of the game. All in all, this is an excellent piece of software.

Its true genius lies in its inclusion of vocal harmonies that create an even more authentic band experience, and the art style and presentation also complement The Beatles' music greatly.

Mini Ninjas may not blow down any doors, but it is unique and very well executed. It's also fun, with appealing visuals and interesting environments designed for exploration. In some places, the game may fall a little bit short, but don't let that fool you. In the end, it's all Ninja, and not to be underestimated.

A unique and meaningful experience, regardless of comparisons to those other titles.

Dirt 2 is as vanilla a racer as you're going to find on Wii. There are some unlockable videos and vehicle skins, but this is a very generic package that feels like it was phoned in.

Dirt 2 is by no means a bad game, but when compared to other games on the platform – more specifically from Firebrand themselves – it feels a little stale.

In the end, ColorZ has some good intentions, and as a multiplayer title, it's very solid. The problem is that the single-player side hasn't been designed to accommodate one player, making the game too hard and possibly alienating many gamers who thought there was something to look forward to underneath all the color.

Simply put, Guitar Hero 5 is a fantastic and full-featured Wii rhythm game.

The Siege of Spinner Cay will tide you over, but it won't blow you away.

Cursed Mountain succeeds in providing a genuine mature experience on Wii. With the great use of Buddhist themes, Cursed Mountain stands out from all the other survival horror titles on the platform and is very original.

For a puzzle game departure from a slow-paced simulation series, Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming really does deliver. It brings a unique puzzle game and pairs it with the charm and mystery of a Harvest Moon dilemma, creating a game that is part puzzle, part adventure.

Metroid Prime Trilogy is a must-own compilation for fans of the series and newcomers alike. All three of the games are still immensely fun, and the various updates made to the first two games make them even more enjoyable.

A spectacular sequel. It retains the wonderful and challenging puzzles from the original while offering grander story. There's a wealth of content, with over 150 puzzles and three different mini-games.

Shorts is by no means a bad game, but it suffers from some common technical problems that easily drag the game down.

While you're still playing a regular old game of football, the variety of ways that you can play that game is grand and makes this a terrific title for casual football fans of any age.

There’s no reason to spend your pennies on CORE when several other, far superior, DS first-person shooters are sitting right next to it, like Call of Duty 4 and Moon.

There are moments in Brave which impress, but these moments are invariably surrounded by frustration, boredom, and lots of head-scratching.

The sights, the sounds, and the interesting puzzles really set the game apart from anything else on WiiWare right now.

he best thing about the game is that it doesn't try to be Pokemon.

You'd be better off ignoring G.I. Joe on the DS entirely and just seeing the movie instead, which I understand is awesome. The game, obviously, does not follow suit.

The only disappointing thing is to see that touch screen controls have been downgraded; however the inclusion of online multiplayer and Taito Paddle controller support greatly makes up for it. The game is highly recommended for people who are fans of puzzle games or the Bust-A-Move/Puzzle Bobble series.

While The Screaming Narwhal is merely an introduction, and provides no clear conclusion, it's still a fun adventure that fans of the series will enjoy.

Ultimately, The Three Musketeers: One For All! is a mediocre game with numerous issues, both technical and design-related. It is also hard to recommend it due to its bland and archaic gameplay design. There are much better titles on WiiWare.

I was lucky enough to review the game while my in-laws, who are not gamers, were visiting. We played every night, and they loved it. Nintendo is trying to reach the non-gamer audience, and Wii Sports Resort is just the prescription.

Little King’s Story is a prime example of how a game can be cute and colorful, yet still challenging and fulfilling. With all that this game has to offer, there is sure to be something here for all types of gamers of any skill level. No Wii owner should overlook this fantastic and unique experience.

Rock Band Country Track Pack is a no-brainer for owners of the first Rock Band who love country music, and are looking to cheaply expand their song list.

The majority of Ant Nation is a slow-paced, disturbing affair with little variety. It controls well, but that's about the only good thing about it. Unless you're starved for ant simulation games, this should be left on the virtual shelf.

Bit.Trip Core is another solid entry in the Bit.Trip series, but it maintains most of the issues of its predecessor (long levels, difficulty, busy visuals). If you loved Bit.Trip Beat, getting this is a no-brainer.

Its difficulty ranges from challenging to brutal, and its track designs do not coincide with the behavior of the chariots meant to traverse them.

When it comes down to it, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is just a pretty looking sandbox game with three mini-games. These games are interesting, but gameplay variety is a second thought, and so is the story.

A solid puzzler that might garner some fans thanks to its compelling gameplay concepts and interesting character designs. Unfortunately, its sometimes overcomplicated gameplay causes it to fall short of greatness.

Overall, Ice Age 3 is one of the best Wii games I’ve played so far this year. Its variety and high production values kept me motivated, and for Pete’s sake, I got to ride around on a Pachycephalosaurus and headbutt other dinosaurs!

Treasure World is an interesting experiment that is successful in what it sets out to accomplish. However, for most players the content is too thin to be enjoyable.

Its disappointing single-player component seems hastily-designed with its cookie-cutter plot, limited range of enemies, and myriad elements copied wholesale from popular recent first-person shooters. On the other hand, its multiplayer component is great, matching online shooters on other platforms feature-for-feature and providing a no-hassle experience that's among the best on Wii.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen would have been better if there was more focus on its vehicular sequences. As it stands, it is a mediocre beat‘em-up that you can safely pass by.

All of this makes for a meaty package, but the gameplay does feel repetitive and unfair at times. Revenge of the Fallen is clearly meant for big fans of the license, but is still a solid game on its own.

All of this makes for a meaty package, but the gameplay does feel repetitive and unfair at times. Revenge of the Fallen is clearly meant for big fans of the license, but is still a solid game on its own.

There aren’t enough words to describe what an incredibly fun experience Dawn of Discovery is.

Despite its simplistic premise, Overlord: Minions ramps up in complexity pretty quickly, yet remains quite fun. If you’re a fan of environmental puzzle-based games with cooperation elements (did you like The Lost Vikings?), you'll get a kick out of Overlord: Minions.

A damn fine game when all is said and done. It's a focused, linear experience that never really slows down.

Anyone looking for a fun and unique puzzle game can't go wrong with BOXLIFE; however, the game does become overwhelmingly difficult as players reach the game's toughest levels.

Despite a few minor flaws, Dawn of Discovery is a very impressive package, and overall, it provides a full-fledged real-time strategy game on the DS without cutting corners.

Fans of Ghostbusters shouldn't hesitate in picking this fantastic title up. Those who aren't huge fans of the source material won't be as enthralled with the title; however, the gameplay and controls are both solid, and though extremely linear, the game provides for an interesting ride.

The gameplay shows a few signs of quality in the story missions, but it falls apart in the horrendous driving sections and bland side missions. Ghostbusters die-hards who only have a DS should look into this game, but everyone else should steer clear.

This installment is too marred by low production values to be considered recommendable even for fans of the sport and even considering its budget price.

Indeed, the absence of physical dice rolling and being gathered around a game board with friends rather diminishes the fun to be had here.

The storyline is adorable and fun, and the game does a great job of breaking up the monotony with different ideas. It might be a bit simplistic, but it's still a solid game with a lot to do.

Flower, Sun, and Rain is largely unenjoyable.

It's a full-blown retail release with only about half of the amount of songs in World Tour and the forthcoming Guitar Hero V. If you are absolutely desperate for more Guitar Hero, then Smash Hits is worth it. Everyone else is better off sitting tight for the next full-featured release.

For all its weirdness, Let's Catch is a really fun game that ranks amongst the best WiiWare multiplayer titles.

Features such as charming humor, likable characters, a soft, clean look and car customization options give the experience a personal touch.

My Sims Racing is a surprisingly tight game with great production values and a lot of heart, and it can’t be recommended highly enough for the younger gamers among us. There may not be enough content to fulfill older gamers, but it’s certainly a fun multiplayer game.

In general, the visual style of each game is trippy and enthralling, and while the extremely awesome title song doesn't pop up that often, the music is still great.

A really good tennis game, primarily due to its variety of satisfying game modes. Unfortunately, the game is weighed down by several glaring flaws.

The improved graphics do make the game more pleasing to look at when you actually get a chance to drift your gaze away from the fret board. However, constant repetition of songs makes the set list obnoxious after awhile – even the songs that you do like.

Go Play Circus Star does an admirable job of preserving the fun and excitement of the circus through fun mini-games, and solid Wii Remote and Balance Board controls. However, everything is ruined by the poor decision to force the player to earn the mini-games through forced replay, and an off-putting art style and glitches.

The biggest problem of Go Play Lumberjacks is its crippling lack of gameplay variety.

A decent, but not great, first MotionPlus and tennis effort from EA. It isn't very fun as a pick-up-and-play title because of the steep learning curve. However, if you take your time and read up on the controls online, it can be a great game.

Warts and all, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 is a revolution in the way golf games control. The new Wii MotionPlus controls are very good, but not amazing yet. If you can power through the early throes of career mode so your player is halfway decent, or are a huge fan of Disc Golf, then by all means pick up this game immediately. Just don't expect it to actually improve your golf swing.

You can't find any other game like this one on Wii. For a WiiWare title, the production value is over the top.

Without a doubt the most notable game on DSiWare to date and probably the best. It is full of fun and strategy and has tons of replayability, even without the level editing and sharing. If you own a DSi, this is a must.

While the challenge level leaves something to be desired, the good aspects certainly outweigh the bad, and we can only hope that the Western gaming world will continue to see more of Starfy and his outrageous companions in the future.

Knights in the Nightmare, while complicated, is an excellent game worthy of players' time and effort.

The Munchables is an enjoyable, original game and has a lot of personality and charm. While the main game is short and has some minor issues, the game has a good amount of replay value and is always entertaining to play.

Bubble Bobble Plus would be the ultimate Bubble Bobble experience, were it not marred by the lack of any kind of save or password feature. It’s enjoyable, no doubt, until you realize that you have to start at stage 1 every time you start it up.

This is a party you won’t want to miss.

Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock is a no-brainer for fans looking to cheaply expand their song list and only have the first Rock Band at their disposal. Owners of Rock Band 2 are better off picking their favorite tracks from the pack and buying them individually through the online store.

Punch-Out!! is a fantastic game on almost every level. It's entertaining for those who have thoroughly enjoyed the previous two games, and still accessible to people who are brand new to the series. The game is a one-of-a-kind boxing experience that transcends the boundary of sports games. The controls are great, the humor is there in spades, and the gameplay is almost unparalleled.

Art Style: PiCTOBiTS is easily one of the best entries thus far in the Art Style series, and is without a doubt one of the best games currently available in the DSi Shop. Players looking for a fun but challenging title can't go wrong with PiCTOBiTS.

The flat multiplayer mode cements Pirates: Duels on the High Seas as a mostly respectable technical effort that simply lacks the requisite dynamism and ingenuity to satisfy as a game based entirely on action.

Help Wanted is easily one of the more interesting mini-game collections on the Wii. Its flaws prevent it from being truly special, but the core mechanics and presentation of games make it one to watch for, especially if you enjoy any of Hudson Soft’s multiplayer/mini-games on the Wii or any other gaming platform.

Though short, Klonoa makes for a fantastic addition to the Wii library. With its beautiful new visuals, additional modes, and extremely challenging bonus rooms, Klonoa veterans as well as platformer fans would do well to pick up this budget-priced title.

Still a good game, but it’s lacking a lot of the charm of its original outing without the bongos.

Elite Forces: Unit 77 is a game that had potential thanks to its great touch screen controls. But decisions like forcing the player to start all over again when one character dies, the lack of additional game modes, and bland missions make this title a modest, slightly rushed effort that could have been something special.

101-in-1 Explosive Megamix is the definitive bad budget title. Some of the mini-games are remotely fun, but others feel like a chore. With so many poor and forgettable games on the compilation, it's hard to recommend this one.

A fantastic game. While it hasn't perfected what Excite Truck started, it offers a fresh experience that is unlike anything before. Even fans of Excite Truck will be thrown for a loop when they take on the virtual high-speed obstacle course that is Excitebots.