You never truly get the sense of being a pro podracer, a vicious monster, or a mighty Jedi, leaving you all-too-aware that you're just playing a videogame…and a mediocre one at that.

If stupendous puzzler Peggle and the cute gelatinous hero from de Blob had a teleportation accident à la Jeff Goldblum and the common household pest in The Fly, then The Splatters would be the result - except it'd be totally awesome and not a hideous Brundlefly monstrosity.

When you consider what you do get for your $15 - a beautiful, darkly humorous game with one of the most well-made, finely tested fighting engines around, plus great online play - fighting-game aficionados have plenty of reasons to hang out with these dysfunctional damsels.

The constant shuffle between real-time mobile defense and time-pausing tactical route planning is both seamless and nerve-wracking. Even after you know every crisply rendered map back to front, you may find you just want to keep playing.

Temporary frustration (and upper-arm pain) will fade as you mow down hordes of blade-throwing rabbits and hammer-toting elephants. Diabolical Pitch may not be a perfect game, but it's definitely an All-Star effort.

Like the rest of Saints Row: The Third's DLC packs, Clones is only an hour, but it's a terrific romp through Steelport, showcasing the series' unique style and fun. Of the game's three add-ons so far, it's definitely our favorite.

Though Devil May Cry 2's faults required more than just an HD makeover, we won't let one bad apple spoil the bunch. For $40, we're finally getting two of the most extensive and excellent action games of all time, with a decent HD makeover. And that's a deal worth smiling about.

Unbounded can't compete with the genre's best, but it's not devoid of value.

This DLC isn't quite the arm-jerking reflex test that Gunstringer's Real Big Shootin' DLC was - you have to be quick but careful in deciding whether to shoot targets - but both packs were built purely for diehard fans. If that's you, spend the $3.

Made with the input and voice talent of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Tenorman's Revenge is a loving homage to classic 2D platform games. The story is a blast for South Park fans, the jumping and climbing action is challenging but not too hard, and the price is definitely right.

Blades isn't bad; it's just very average and uneven. For every innovative desert level (that forces you to stick to the shadows lest you be seared by the sun), there's a lot of jungle straight out of Avatar.

Wrecked sabotages itself at every turn.

Overall, there's not a lot of depth to Country Dance, but it is a pleasant, non-demanding way to spend a few hours kicking up your cowboy-booted heels.

Kinect responsiveness can be spotty, especially jumping, but it works well enough to keep kids (and adults) grinning ear-to-ear while playing.

It won't win any awards for graphics or sound, but it's simplicity is part of its charm. [Apr 2012, p.77]

Most crucially, the journey is worth every minute of effort: The Witcher 2's malleable final moments are remarkably satisfying no matter which choices you make. [May 2012, p.36]

Unfortunately, it all feels very hollow. Minimal Jim Nantz commentary and crowd noise, limited facial emotions or post-shot reactions, and an overriding... silence makes Tiger 13 feel lifeless. We know golf is supposed to be serene, but it all feels unfinished here, as if the developers meant to take another pass on the audio, animation, and overall presentation.

Unless multiplayer's a must, stick with one of XBLA's older (and better) tower-defense games, like Defense Grid or Orcs Must Die.

If you crave a Rayman game that mixes a retro vibe with contemporary gameplay and gorgeous graphics, do yourself a favor and opt for last year's stellar Rayman Origins. Rayman 3 HD's dated platformer appeal is a playground strictly for old-school nostalgics seeking a tangible example of how far the genre has evolved.

Even if you're aggravated early on, don't take this game at face value. From Software has developed some of this generation's most interesting games, and obtuse or not, Armored Core V is one of them.

Hard Lock relies on these barely interactive sequences to the point of absurdity.

It's a solid package, but we have some gripes: ship movement often feels slightly oversensitive, and it's sometimes difficult to tell why you took damage, especially if the environment isn't clear on what is and isn't a hazard. Dropping powerups when you take damage is also incredibly irritating, as you'll likely take more hits struggling to retrieve them.

Some diehard Resident Evil fans may be disappointed by Raccoon City for sapping the survival-horror soul out of the series. But the game's satisfying blend of gunplay and teamwork, coupled with its cool references to past Resident Evil games, make revisiting the perilous streets of Raccoon City worth the trip. Even with its failings, Raccoon City keeps the action rolling along; just make sure you bring some buddies to help you slaughter all the undead.

Shoot Many Robots seemed like a sure thing, and its extensive and amusingly described weapon and gear options - which directly affect stats - are a standout feature; really, they're the only one that feels fully developed here. Nearly everything else around it is as unremarkable as a pile of bolts.

While executing attacks is refreshingly easy, Generations lacks depth: bouts often devolve into who can escape and button-mash to counter first. Likewise, fighting the CPU - especially in Story Mode's later stages - can feel frustrating and unfair. Meanwhile, the online-versus options are bare-bones, with the only frill being a replay-recording feature.

As Mass Effect DLC goes, From Ashes isn't as spectacular or impactful as ME2's Lair of the Shadow Broker; it's more a carbon copy of Kasumi - Stolen Memory, the companion DLC for ME2's thief character, Kasumi Goto.

At times, the game's many puzzles and open-world areas did leave us aimlessly wondering and wandering. But varied gameplay, solid combat, and an effective mix of psychological scares and freaky encounters make Downpour a worthwhile trip to Silent Hill's haunted 'hood.

It's an intriguing new piece of the puzzle, to be sure. But the two-hour Lost Archive quest doesn't go quite far enough in pushing forward the overall series storyline, making it less essential for those who care more about Assassin's' open-world adventuring than the lore behind it.

It's a welcome alternative for veterans, but even folks relatively unfamiliar with soccer will find a lot to love here.

For apocalypse buffs, much of I Am Alive is riveting stuff; we'd love to see a follow-up that improves on its framework.

From the visceral combat to the excitement of finishing Shepard's 100-hour fight, Mass Effect 3 is a rare, magnetically engaging treat that'll compel you to stay up well past your bedtime to do "just one more quest." Safe travels, fellow Shepards. See you starside.

A full, unique experience that's equal parts familiar and new, technical and mashy.

Whether you're seeking a simple, entertaining, and supremely effective method of getting in shape (no dumbbells or reps required), or just an extremely satisfactory substitute for your local Zumba class (even if you choose to play alone to avoid accidentally beating up your multiplayer buddy), you'll definitely want to pick up this game.

Though it may appeal to fighting-game greenhorns learning the ropes, Phantom Breaker is far too simplistic and bare-bones to justify its $40 price. [Apr 2012, p.85]

The series' best effort yet. Though many little issues remain, its fundamentals are strong throughout, forming the foundation for a largely stellar baseball experience. [Apr 2012, p.84]

Nexuiz can't hold a candle to full-priced war games, but its mix of constant speed and occasional silliness make it just the thing for when you've got only 10 minutes to kill. [Apr 2012, p.80]

Silent Hill HD Collection is hardly well-rounded, but its tense manipulation of mood still rattles all the right nerves. [Apr 2012, p.62]

It may not live up to the series' impossibly high standards, but it's still a gem in its own right. [Apr 2012, p.56]

Mind-bogglingly inconsistent difficulty. [Apr 2012, p.74]

Gangstas is a grand time reminiscent of the main game. It's not a must-play, but it is a good way to keep the Saints Row fun going.

Though sometimes repetitive, combat is tense, frantic, and structured in such a way that a big new boss or new challenge is always around the corner.

Impressive lighting, gorgeous art direction, and a smooth framerate really pretty-up the experience, while voice-acting from Hollywood veterans Rosario Dawson and Brian Cox add weight to the audio.

Fans seeking deep, involving combat shouldn't put down their copies of Kingdoms of Amalur or Mass Effect for Asura's Wrath: it's a game chock full of style but little substance. Nevertheless, we can't deny that Asura's made us jump, scream, and pump our fist in the air just as often as the game's crazy warrior hero, even if it was a byproduct of not having to press any buttons for dozens of minutes at a time.

Without multiplayer or varied play modes, Rhythm Party can be conquered in a snap. But it's an entertaining and solidly priced treat for Kinect dance fans who need a fresh distraction.

Warp's upgrade system isn't explained or implemented well: you're never reminded to use your currency at the innocuous upgrade stations, and we still don't know how we earn skill points. Plus, physics become a greater enemy than the puzzles in the final stage, resulting in a lot of frustration near the end.

Irreverent yet addictively engaging, Gotham City Impostors may not be the shooter you expected, but it's definitely the one you deserve.

By far the most commendable feature is the massive influx of new fighters and divisions within UFC 3. The Featherweight and Bantamweight classes (imported from UFC's recently absorbed sister company, WEC) add faster and more agile fighters to the Undisputed roster, but the bigger addition comes by way of Pride FC, the former Japan-based MMA promotion purchased by the UFC in 2007.

Quite simply, there's little reason to choose this game over the far superior Top Spin 4.

What we really craved, though, were a little more story (beyond quick cutscenes and text) and some interesting puzzles - stuff that might've given us a better connection to the source material. As is, Scarygirl's pretty but feels a bit empty.

Quarrel does have some odd quirks, such as claiming words like "Monday" don't exist while accepting more obscure words. But for logophiles, its mix of strategy and vocabulary is a true pleasure.

Shank 2 isn't quite as robust or refreshing as its predecessor, but it's another damn fine (and fun!) downloadable adventure.

Whether you're tackling it solo or with friends, Simpsons Arcade likely won't take more than an hour to run through from start to finish, making the $10 price tag seem a little steep. Even so, there's a lot to take in, especially in this version.

Ultimately, despite its few hours of gory entertainment, Ryder White's an underwhelming add-on that we'd recommend only to fervent Dead Island fans.

The Darkness II's copious gore might upset sensitive stomachs, but it's vastly superior to its predecessor in every respect, spinning a frantic, fantastic neo-noir nightmare you won't want to end. Even those who ordinarily dismiss horror with a shake of the head should give it a shot.

10 bucks isn't bad for a few hours of pleasantly frenzied multiplayer, provided you can coax a few comrades into joining you for the local-only ride.

[A] few soft spots are what keep Kingdoms of Amalur from being truly dazzling. It's a great RPG - one that gives you an almost Bethesda level of freedom - and it has so much content that you could be playing the game for a couple of months. [Mar 2012, p.72]

Having this much Taken-slaughtering glee in such a small, concise package makes Alan Wake's American Nightmare an instant "yes, please" for series fans. But what's more surprising is that its accessible approach to combat makes it an equally worthwhile experience for those who've never suspended their disbelief to wander Wake's dream-like world. [Mar 2012, p.62]

Not every activity enthralls, and it's a brief overall affair with little incentive for repeated solo-play once you complete a couple of cycles. But Happy Action Theater is an absolute powder keg of a party experience, instilling childlike delight in nearly anyone that crosses its path while proving imaginative minds can still make inspired use of Kinect.

Even if NeverDead isn't quite the quirky prize it might have been, it's certainly an idiosyncratic (and often one-legged) dance through entertainingly outlandish territory.

SoulCalibur V feels new without feeling reinvented. It's not genre-defining and it's not the complete overhaul probably needed to make SoulCalibur important in tournament-fighting circles, but it's still flashy enough to keep fans interested and technical enough to convert some series holdouts.

It's fun, it's wacky, and it's quintessentially Saints Row - but it's also crazy-short. Each of these four new main missions unlocks a similar activity on the world map where you'll earn new crew, respect, money, and vehicles, but that's it - and eight new scenarios aren't worth $7, we say.

Regrettably, Puddle's enticing possibilities are mired in a swamp of irritating issues. Increasingly lethal obstacles take the place of actual puzzles, and overcoming them requires painful trial and error. Meanwhile, the camera frequently focuses on runaway specks even as most of your goop starts to dissolve once it's off-screen.

The game's arguably a bit short (though it is $10), and some of the ghost encounters are marred by attack prompts that aren't always recognized. But if you have the patience (and the health reserves) to endure a few irritating battles, you'll find Haunt worth the visit.

The bigger issue, though, is that Motion Explosion just isn't very interesting, either solo (with single stages or a randomized three-level Motion Mix) or in alternating rounds with four players. It's pretty much excitement-free.

The central story mode follows December's movie with players unlocking successive sets of songs and stages. Free play and same-screen co-op modes round out the package, with all content generously unlocked from the start. Between the kid-friendly dance-a-thon and the Chipmunk singing, Chipwrecked is equal parts adorable and grating. Your young ones will have a blast getting down with Alvin and his pals while you can at least take solace in the easy Gamerscore boost.

Its novel setup could've made Amy an exciting, emotionally charged adventure. Instead, it's a grueling death-march through a gauntlet of poor design choices and feckless player punishment.

It's not so much broken as an unnecessary addition to your gaming library. [Feb 2012, p.78]

It's goofy, straightforward fun that's hampered by its occasional lack of responsiveness to your tablet inputs. [Feb 2012, p.78]

It's a fun, exciting template; hopefully it'll return in a bigger, smoother sequel. [Feb 2012, p.747]

As you grit your teeth through 30 missions, you'll run into frustration aplenty. [Feb 2012, p.76]

Feels absolutely barren - which makes the $40 price point both baffling and ridiculous. [Feb 2012, p.74]

The same inconsistent Kinect recognition that drove us batty last year. [Feb 2012, p.74]

Hits just enough right notes to keep a solo player interested. [Feb 2012, p.74]

We must say, though, using Kinect to spin the big wheel is a treat. [Feb 2012, p.74]

Survey responses tend to be puzzlingly inconsistent. [Feb 2012, p.74]

If you don't mind a little aggravation, Capsized has its charms. [Feb 2012, p.72]

FFXIII-2 repairs almost every problem with Final Fantasy XIII, delivering an experience that feels like what that original game should have been. If your faith in Final Fantasy has been damaged by past disappointment, playing FFXIII-2 will restore your excitement for the franchise's future. [Feb 2012, p.68]

We're not quite ready to hail it as an MVP between the pylons, but NFL Blitz is a fine $15 reboot. Nevertheless, our fingers remain crossed for a bolder On Fire Edition (à la NBA Jam) next season.

The few exciting moments are simply crushed by the feeling of having the same content and problems tossed into a slimmer and sleazily misleading "sequel."

We wish THQ had squeezed more out of the formula, like offering more than two playable characters and a more gratifying campaign progression, but Surf & Skate Roadtrip remains a decent Kinect pick for a few hours of amusement, especially for young SpongeBob fans.

We believe Duke still has at least one good game left in him, but regrettably, this DLC isn't it.

There's much to be said for electrified pistols and radioactive swords, even if the slaughter gets repetitive well before the final battle.

Charming visuals aside, Leedmees does little to distinguish itself, and less to justify its $10 price.

Trine 2 is easily the most beautiful Xbox Live Arcade game we've seen. Charming voiceovers and an evocative sound design work small wonders, but the stunning scenery is suitable for framing.

Though what's on offer isn't necessarily robust - nor does it pony up any additional Achievements - for Bastion devotees, this DLC serves to deepen the game's already-irresistible mythos.

To its credit, Real Big Shootin' takes a great game and focuses on one element, offering an experience that's legitimately different. In this case, though, "different" isn't nearly as fun.

Given the countless enhancements to this version of Sonic CD, it's surprising that Sega is selling it for a mere $5. Make no mistake: no corners have been cut, and the developers have put in more than enough extra content (in the form of audio and video options) to properly pay tribute to Sonic's finest spin.

Apples to Apples on Xbox Live feels a little cheap in its presentation and can't compare to playing the game in person. However, for those who don't have the option to play offline due to distance, it's hard to deny the game's vibrant charm.

The return of Battlefield 2's Conquest Assault mode doesn't bring a ton to the table, either: giving one side possession of all control points right at the outset is an interesting wrinkle, but it hardly reinvents the experience. On the other hand, when those four classic maps are this much fun to storm around in, who says anything needs to be brand-spanking-new?

As clever as its core concept is, the Yoostar series still struggles to be more than a half-baked party trick - and it's one that's losing appeal with each lackluster performance.

Trust us: you won't be worried about the game's shortcomings when you're racking your brain trying to remember the specifics of a scene starring Forrest Gump's momma.

The Moon Knight and Ghost Rider tables are definitely our favorites here, but all four are fun enough and replayable enough to make this DLC pack well worth the $10.

As much as we like both of the European-developed $15 stunt racers, Joe Danger: Special Edition managed to interest us just a bit more. Both games are fine-tuned to near-perfection, but Joe Danger has slightly more going on under its hood thanks to new gameplay additions and more interesting objectives. It's also got a nicer paintjob and sound system (read: better visuals and audio), so we have to give the duke to Danger this time around.

An abbreviated runtime (three to four hours per playthrough) and the absence of any new gameplay modes don't diminish the joy of facing RAAM in a boss fight, or of leveling a building to crush a string of Seeders, or of defending against a horde of Reavers. It's these Gears-specific thrills that make RAAM's Shadow a short but worthy co-op–able history lesson told with guns and roadie runs.

Leela's disparate components don't perfectly align, but for meditative newcomers and casual gamers, it's an interesting collection of breezy play sequences. That said, if you're seeking a more engaging Zen experience via Kinect, we recommend the trippy sights and sounds of Child of Eden instead.

There's no denying Tintin's engaging personality. From slick effects and slapstick animations (you can actually trip enemies with banana peels) to solid voice-acting, it immerses you in its world, even with the lackluster gameplay.

A Kinect movie tie-in that delivers a silly, satisfying experience? Hey, we're as surprised as you are.

Avoid this game like a darkened alley.