It hasn't got sky-high production values; it's very slow-paced; and it's not nearly as accessible as either Advance Wars or Fire Emblem. However, it's big and challenging, and it has some great music and - most importantly - a battle system so incredibly deep that it ensures that the game cartridge will stay in your GBA for a long time to come.

Even though game is lacking on extra stuff, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary is still Namco's best compilation package ever.

A mediocre game in just about every department.

Gamers who've enjoyed a more realistic game of baseball in the past (i.e. any game from the MVP Baseball, High Heat, World Series 2K, All-Star Baseball, or Powerful Pro series) may have to let go of their perceptions of how a pitcher/batter interface should work in order to enjoy the game.

The incremental improvements continue, with an overhauled graphics engine and new gameplay features, but the title still falls ever so short from living up to the pedigree established by AKI and games like "No Mercy" on the Nintendo 64.

It goes beyond the "gimmicky" nature of touch screen controls and provides a unique and fun experience.

The story is cleverly constructed and manages to bring in some interesting support characters while, more importantly, providing some variety in Hulk's objectives.

Overall, while the items and competitions will keep you involved, what really makes the game is, of course, the puppies. Talking to and petting such lifelike little cuties fosters an enormous sense of attachment, and it’s amazing how one of my dogs can make me break into a smile simply by looking at me as we walk.

Overall, while the items and competitions will keep you involved, what really makes the game is, of course, the puppies. Talking to and petting such lifelike little cuties fosters an enormous sense of attachment, and it’s amazing how one of my dogs can make me break into a smile simply by looking at me as we walk.

Overall, while the items and competitions will keep you involved, what really makes the game is, of course, the puppies. Talking to and petting such lifelike little cuties fosters an enormous sense of attachment, and it’s amazing how one of my dogs can make me break into a smile simply by looking at me as we walk.

It's a pretty big step up from "Advance Wars 2," and the new dual-CO tagging system adds a new dimension to the strategy that actually works quite well. [JPN Import]

A great action game where players get to use a variety of gadgets to stop the wholly-evil Dr. Drakken from initiating his half-baked world domination plan.

A game with really low production - you can see that this one hasn't had much time spent on it, and I couldn't really recommend it to anyone - even fans of the show. Go for the much more fun "Lizzie McGuire 2: Lizzie Diaries" if you want to play a Lizzie game. It's still short, but it's much more entertaining.

Atrocious for a couple of reasons. Raven can only jump half of her height, but this is probably a license-forced limitation, and it's clear that the game hasn't been tested solidly, as there are sound distortion glitches, as well as one unfortunate bug where the screen turned black but the sound kept playing.

This game ambitiously combines several gameplay ideas but never figures out how to balance them against each other for a refined experience. If you're the kind of gamer who can be taken in by artful storytelling even in the absence of polished gameplay, give it a shot.

Sonic Gems Collection is packed with rare games, but "rare" is frequently confused with "good". Is this disc interesting enough to rent? Absolutely. Is it worth $30? Not really.

Geist's pacing is far more deliberate that that of a first person shooter. It requires you to think, not just act. The compelling story and incredibly fun and unique possession mechanics allow Geist to rise above its competition.

Madden NFL 06 DS is not a better game than "Madden NFL 2005 DS." Madden should improve with every year, but for the reasons above, it didn't this time.

The mini-game drills are fun and a nice change of pace.

There aren't many shmup games released at all outside of Japan, so DS owners are lucky to get not just any shmup, but a beautiful new one that sticks close to the high scoring spirit of the genre's beloved classics.

A mediocre powerup-driven racing game that has one mode of play disguised as three. The "Story" Mode, probably the least painful of the three, can be finished in under an hour of solid play.

The plot has so many subtle nuances of political and social commentary; you could dissect it for days on end and still not completely understand it. The ending alone will leave you thinking for hours, pondering the different story twists and turns.

A highly original action game that takes quite a while to master, and it has tons of modes, multiplayer features, and unlockables to keep you playing until you do reach a level of mastery.

Overall, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory for Nintendo DS is just full of problem after problem, but even without the bugs and glitches, the game is simply dull compared to its console counterparts.

A game that desperately tries to be different, but it just ends up making itself frustrating in areas that should be simple.

Completely average and exactly what you'd expect from a licensed GBA game. There's very little bang for your buck.

It's a dry, repetitive game with glaring design flaws and even some programming bugs.

I'm going to be frank: Bomberman DS is the best multiplayer Bomberman game ever. With so many different game modes, options, items, and arenas, there's enough variety that the game never gets old.

It's the same as the previous games, but battling bosses now requires that you slog through a turn-based map before you can reach them. If this sounds appealing to you, then enjoy!

It's the same as the previous games, but battling bosses now requires that you slog through a turn-based map before you can reach them. If this sounds appealing to you, then enjoy!

It's easy to see why this game never made it over to the states in the first place. It's nowhere near as much fun as the previous games in the series, and it's hampered by bad level design and boring gameplay.

A game that has a great set of concepts, but inevitably falls short once you realize there's not much to it, and that you're essentially traveling along a linear path and repeating the same process over and over again until you reach the end, with your only occasional relief being the driving sessions.

It offers the most intuitive, polished and entertaining use of the touch screen yet. What's more, it has enough depth to hold a player's attention for hours on end. [JPN Import]

Everything about the game feels like it needs just a little bit more polish, especially the tilt sensor. What could be a very innovative and fun mechanic to add to a platforming game ultimately falls short of its goal and only manages to hamper the gameplay.

In all honesty, European Assault is just boring.

By bringing back some of the complexity from the Super Famicom titles that the GBA games have lacked, and by catering to new players by compensating the difficulty level, Intelligent Systems have crafted a fine addition to the Fire Emblem name. [JPN Import]

Twisted, a lowly GBA game, is everything that the DS-powered "Touched" was not. It's big, it's funny, it's well designed, and it's fun.

If you didn't notice already, this means that there were not only no Nintendo songs, but there were no children songs, either.

Though it comes off feeling low-tech (and it is, really), Revenge of the Sith for the DS is more or less on equal footing with the GBA version it shares so much in common with. The 3D multiplayer mode may well be worth the $10 price difference...but only if you’ve got friends to play it with.

Hardly a "must own" game, but it's surprisingly good stuff considering it's based on a big-budget movie.

It's bad when great games from yesterday lose their steam. It's worse when that very same game's mechanics are implemented in an all-new title.

An excellent example of a new form of gameplay unique to the DS. It’s pure fun and puts a smile on the face of anybody playing it. [Import]

Just tedious.

This is what happens when you get an old, dated license and have absolutely no idea what to do with it.

Its simple presentation may deter players who like a bit more pizzazz and graphical flare, but an entertaining game with lastability awaits those who decide to pick it up. [JPN Import]

Gameplay is what makes or breaks a puzzle game, and that's where Mr. Driller 2 falls flat. It can't seem to decide if it wants to be an action game or a puzzle game.

The final difference between the Xbox and GameCube versions that I'll mention is a horrible oversight in the Displace level.

The developers made little effort to adapt Rayman 2 for the handheld, transforming a brilliant game into a mushy blur.

Unfortunately, it runs on the same engine and is built on nearly the same game design as the last two TMNT games, which were less than spectacular to begin with... At full price, it would be hard to recommend Mutant Melee to anyone.

A game that could have been great. But due to the glaring control issues and lack of player rewards, it becomes a chore rather than a game, and most players will probably be bored or frustrated if they bother to play it.

Mixes elements of classic Mario games and sidescrolling shooters with touch screen controls for an experience like you’ve never played before.

Amazingly, the game still manages to be rather fun if you can get past the warts.

Gripes aside, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is a fantastic platforming game with plenty of new ideas and a great style to call its own. The game also features beautiful graphics which are reminiscent of the technical qualities of Rare's "Star Fox Adventures."

All that's needed is a more intuitive control scheme, some variety in training and dialogue, and some MUSIC DURING GAMEPLAY.

The big change in Dream Champ Tournament is the boss stages. Unlike the previous GBA title, which simply had Klonoa and the bosses duke it out, you now have to race the bosses. This fits well with the "tournament" aspect of the story, if you're paying any attention to it.

This game will only last you few for a few hours, if you're lucky.

Lack of subtlety is FIFA Street's serious illness – and it drastically shortens the game's life. When you then begin to get tired of constantly seeing the same animations – which are supposed to be the most accomplished aspect of the game – there is little left to hold your interest.

With the pitching mini-game and Owner Mode (or Dynasty Mode for the less hardcore), gamers will have plenty to enjoy for the rest of this baseball season and well into the off-season.

While other games in the Wario Ware series have been packed full of micro-games and unlockables, SaWaRu falls slightly short of the lofty goals set by its predecessors. The overall number of games is smaller, and the fact that some of them are very similar serves to make the list appear even slimmer.

The most damaging change in the series is the overwhelming focus on ground exploration.

The gameplay mechanics are very simple, and are designed for very young players. With that said, children who like Winnie the Pooh will probably like this game, if only for the characters.

The lengthy and replayable Street Challenge mode, multiplayer options, and abundant customization settings make NBA Street V3 a fulfilling package for anyone even slightly interested in basketball (and not completely put off by the hip-hop vibe).

The game's great presentation and appropriate play mechanics make it a nice introduction to console gaming for young kids.

Avery fun game. However, nobody should be playing $40 for it. It’s fun, but nowhere near worth it. Wait for a price drop on this little gem, because it’ll be worth it at half the price.

Banjo Pilot's biggest problem is the simplicity of its design. It feels like you are flying the same tracks over and over (and often you are, though in reverse), and there is no feeling of connection to the physics because it doesn't really matter what kind of level you're racing on.

The best looking console game of all time. It is its franchise's redeemer. It is a masterpiece of video game storytelling. It is genuinely tense and occasionally even scary. It is one of the best action games ever released.

Like trying out a broken roller-coaster ride - one that is highly enjoyable while it lasts, but is over too quickly and gets stuck often, so the excitement quickly gets replaced by frustration. However, when it does move, it gives you a thrilling, almost magical, experience that makes you want to remain seated all the way through to the end.

Only someone who hates comedy could dislike this game. Seriously. If you delight in the absurd and can take a good sassing from the sassiest game to ever sass a sassee, then buy it.

Chatting with Ping Pals is completely functional, but manually typing text gets annoying quickly, and the more intuitive and fun drawing feature is simply inferior to "PictoChat."

Looks and feels a little dated (despite it being "new"), and control and gameplay issues combined make for a sometimes frustrating game.

Most of the new features in Mario Party 6 add little to the overall experience, so it's hard to recommend the game to owners of either previous GameCube entry to the series. However, if you're a hardcore fan of the series, the sixth game may be enticing as an expansion pack of new mini-games, which are abundant.

If you like skin-of-your-teeth puzzle games, Mr. Driller is an excellent choice. However, this version's stinted multiplayer, minimal single player modes, and high difficulty will leave the game lacking in the eyes of all but the most dedicated puzzle-heads.

Nintendo fans have a right to be excited about any main-series Final Fantasy game coming to their systems, but this excellent two-pack is simply irresistible, a must-have for any handheld RPG fan.

In fact, it feels fresher and more compelling with each new level.

It makes rather poor use of the dual screen displays (the map feature is largely useless), the touch screen control isn't exactly perfect, and it runs the risk of establishing a long trend of N64 ports that might crowd out original games on the system. Yet, on its own merits, SM64DS is an exciting, revamped version of a monumental game.

Movie buffs will adore its tongue-in-cheek style that lampoons a slew of classic films.

Delivers nothing but tedious micromanagement.

While it's still got that Madden gameplay, the game as a whole seems to be incomplete, like a console game with stripped-down features. The touch screen is used in the basic ways, but so much more could be done with it.

Players who enjoy earning vehicles and the funds necessary to pimp them out should especially enjoy it. It will take you quite some time to complete everything, and it really does feel like a full-fledged console racer that you can take with you on the road.

I feel compelled to put the game down and not play video games anymore. If this were the first game I had ever played, I would never play video games again.

Fun is the simplest word to describe Feel the Magic. You will not find a more zany, unique, and varied game available. The story, graphical style, and games blend together to create a truly one of a kind experience.

The game never develops into a solid experience, thanks to a host of design flaws that clash directly with the impressive technology.

This is first-class work with a compelling storyline and an active card-battle system that stays fresh throughout the life of the game.

It does approach greatness on a few occasions, and the intensity of some of the battles will certainly give you an adrenaline boost that the majority of first-person shooters cannot. However, the great number of irritating flaws and the lack of a multiplayer mode will ultimately hurt your enjoyment of the game.

It's Mr. Pants is a puzzle game that doesn't entertain because it requires far too much effort to just get into the groove of it.

The addition of multiple mini-games and more hidden secrets throughout the levels certainly makes up for it not being an exact port.

You can do all that fancy car customization in the GBA version too, and the racing action is quite good too, just like it is on the GameCube.

I was positively crestfallen when I exited the menu to find that my car design didn't stay put.

Easily lives up to its predecessor's outstanding degree of polish, while subtly enhancing some elements of story and mood. In terms of raw quality, disregarding legacy and innovation, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is easily one of the best titles on GameCube and of this entire generation.

While not the best 3D platformer on the market, it is definitely a massive improvement from "Enter the Dragonfly" and will provide gamers with some good fun.

Whether you classify it under sports, party, or fighter, Camelot has produced a fine game. If you are looking for an awesome pick-up-and-play multiplayer game this holiday season, you cannot go wrong with Mario Power Tennis.

The game is short, but made to feel long and tedious through repetition. Not recommended.

Tedious, buggy, irritating gameplay.

With its all charm, highly polished design, and uncharacteristic longevity, Kirby's newest adventure should appeal to anyone who isn't afraid of the cuteness.

Does a great job at capturing the spirit of the show. Graphics and sound suit the game well, and there is an assortment of different mini-games to keep you interested. The only real problem with the game is that it's extremely short.

A formulaic license title. It's a short experience, and for the time that you play it, it's not really much fun, either.

There's simply so much to see and do in Paper Mario, with secrets galore. With its entertaining characters and script and absolutely fantastic gameplay, Paper Mario will be a gem for generations to come.

It's an able ambassador of the "throw-in-a-bit-of-everything" philosophy these games have fostered for the past few years.