The controls are marred with inaccuracy. Precise movement, which should be very easy based on the simple gameplay mechanics, is amazingly frustrating. Changing direction is an exercise in frustration.

American Wasteland ends up being yet another sequel that feels more like an expansion pack, but when the levels are this big and well designed, that's not such a bad thing.

This game is difficult, even on the easiest setting. For those who have been craving a difficult game ever since the GBA titles held off, "Maniac" mode is waiting and it is positively brutal. [JPN Import]

It's just another episode of the TV show.

Everything about Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is surprising, from its intricately staged murders and clever humor to its mere existence. Any gamer looking for a good mystery book or a good laugh cannot go wrong with this instant classic.

This game is bad. It's not painfully bad, but it will bore you into hatred.

Underfeatured for the price. It's not bad, but it's just not worth thirty bucks.

A beefy and satisfying adventure on a system that probably doesn't have many big games left in the pipeline.

Dawn of Sorrow matches and in some cases exceeds the quality of "Symphony of the Night" in almost every way. Yet the two games have their own styles and features, so the newest addition to the series is in no way redundant with its legendary forebear. [JPN Import]

A wonderfully unique game that does an excellent job of sucking the player in through both the tense operations and intricate story segments.

It looks incredible, sounds great, and plays beautifully...what's not to love? If you haven't yet tried out this excellent series, this is the best game to start on.

It's involved, it's long, it's original, and it represents another milestone in console gaming history - the first time that anyone has truly made a PC-style adventure game work on a handheld.

If you are utterly starved for an RPG to play on your DS, rejoice my pitiful friend, because Lunar: Dragon Song is a traditional, predictable take on the genre that will last forty or fifty hours. If, however, you have anything less than the patience of a statue, this game will bore you to tears long before the anticlimactic ending sequence.

There isn't much incentive to continue playing – it simply feels old by the time you've completed the story mode.

The game is only moderately difficult (and, as with most Disney games, cheat codes are included), the graphics are pretty, and you're rewarded with short clips from the movie whenever you pass a level.

A great game. With a great story and polished cinemas and voice-work, it has a lot for fans, and it gives players considerable freedom to approach the game however they like, either as a single-player or multiplayer experience.

It's just a shame that what it has in excellent gameplay, it lacks in just about every other aspect.

A fantastic representation of the comic book. The story is compelling, if short, and the gameplay is fun for the most part.

It's so good, in fact, that even if you stripped away the DK license and made it, oh, I don't know, "Raven's That's SO Swinging", you'd still have a great game. Donkey Kong is just the icing on the cake. You want innovation, but still want a full game? It's right here.

It looks and sounds fantastic, no question. There are some moments when the gameplay really does shine, but most of the time it's unreasonably difficult, or just dull.

The action-oriented portion of the game works better than the strategic portion, which is hampered by a control scheme that's too simple to provide enough depth. The game's is also too short.

The Great Juju Challenge is respectable with some high moments, but the last set of levels aren't quite as fun, and the final Proving Grounds battle is outright frustrating and repetitive.

Grand Battle might be alright for two-player games, but the single-player experience is worn out in six hours or so, and I'm not sure how many people would want to jump into a tournament with this fighting system.

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.