Though the racing is a bit frustrating at first, you can get used to it. The game includes a lot of content, so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.

MySims, with its focus on finding Essence, building furniture (and friendships) and decorating homes ends up feeling more like Animal Crossing than a true Sims game. With that said, MySims is an incredibly charming game that will please more than a few fans looking for lighthearted fare.

A perfect addition to the Xbox Live Arcade library. The game faithfully recreates one of the all-time greats while adding new features to make it fit in with the new console.

Succeeds at pleasing its intended audience (the older teenage male, which I very happily fall in). As a trivia game, the questions are varied enough to keep things interesting and the breast parade never feels pushed or clearly added for marketing reasons.

The game changes a few of the things Harry fans have come to expect from the games, and though aimed at a younger audience, Harry fans will find a lot to like in the game.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, despite being aimed at a squarely younger audience, is a very fun game despite its simplicity. It doesn’t have the depth of something like say, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but should provide plenty of fun for those looking for a simple brawler with characters from the Spider-Man universe.

As a fighting game, it’s very flashy and somehow shallow, but fans of the cartoon will appreciate this as well as the careful use of the license.

If there is one thing I did notice is that many of the game’s textures are a bit blurry and bland which contrasts the excellent jungle architecture.

The game strikes a good balance of old and new.

Fireteam Bravo showed that the PSP was able of delivering a full-fledged online experience. Fireteam Bravo 2 doesn’t have the same novelty but it does deliver a really strong multiplayer component and a great singleplayer game.

The actual gameplay is pretty solid throughout, the visuals are excellent and the rest of the presentation isn't too shabby. That said, it doesn't do anything principally different and online play could have been implemented better.

None of these changes fundamentally change the game, though. They are nice additions, sure, but hardly worth $30.

The biggest problem with Grand Theft Auto Advance is that the game is so big and there is no in-game map to be found. There is the typical radar which has your mission points, but you won't be able to know where the hospital is, for example.

Stacked with Daniel Negreanu succeeds largely because it comes very close to recreating an actual game of poker. The presentation could have used some fine-tuning but the interface is solid enough. Although not perfect, Stacked is about as close as you’re going to get to a real game of Texas hold’em on your PlayStation 2.

The addition of pets is a logical transition in The Sims franchise that ends up working very well with the core game. Aside from this, the game manages to improve the AI to be more spontaneous and more closely resemble the PC version of the game.

Overall, Quantum of Solace is sure to please fans of the movie, series, or those looking for a solid action game on the Nintendo DS.

The mini-games are satisfying, despite their slight repetitiveness, and are quite a bit of fun. If there is another mini-games focused Spyro game in the future, the platforming elements need serious work, but overall the game’s style works.

It won’t keep mature gamers’ attention for very long, but kids will love it.

Thanks to the controls, shooting masses of zombies is pretty fun. The frantic gameplay keeps up throughout the game’s length, though it only checks in at a disappointing five or so hours.

The gameplay is easy to pick up while the various challenges and conditions will test advanced players.

Curse of Darkness nails the gameplay mechanics and packages it with a pretty solid presentation.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, despite being aimed at a squarely younger audience, is a very fun game despite its simplicity. It doesn’t have the depth of something like say, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but should provide plenty of fun for those looking for a simple brawler with characters from the Spider-Man universe.

An extremely unique product that has since spawned off countless imitators on the Nintendo DS and even some on the PSP. At its budget price, it’s a great way to use a few minutes a day.

Although the naval battles are by far more exciting, the sidescrolling stuff is still fun. If you're interested in the film, the game is worth a pickup.

The different characters manage the spice the game up a bit, and should be enough to satisfy younger fans of the film.

Activision Hits Remixed gives you 40 classic games, a serviceable menu design, and perfect emulation for the games. If you’re interested in the lineup, be sure to pick up this collection.

If you're a SNK NeoGeo fan, go purchase this right now since you'll enjoy the visual fidelity and bragging rights that come with Xbox Live.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

The game's visuals are incredibly impressive, and the action is great when something is actually going on. But the sometimes braindead AI and bits of action-less flight bring the game down a bit.

Crash: Mind Over Mutant is a surprisingly well put-together platforming title.

Ape Escape 3 won’t change your mind on the series if it hasn’t captivated you yet. But if it has, you’ll find a lot to like in the latest monkey expedition.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, despite being aimed at a squarely younger audience, is a very fun game despite its simplicity. It doesn’t have the depth of something like say, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but should provide plenty of fun for those looking for a simple brawler with characters from the Spider-Man universe.

Works very well for newcomers to the genre. Experienced gamers may be disappointed to find some concessions made to appease to a larger audience. Despite that, the accessibility, length, and challenge are good enough to recommend to gamers in both sides of the fence.

The game’s soundtrack is good, fitting the happy nature of the game. The sound effects are plentiful, especially the ambient effects like birds chipping in the background and Harry weeping when he enters dark places.

World Tour Soccer’s gameplay is well-defined, and the different modes spice things up considerably. The presentation is solid, as well.

A solid soccer simulation. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t have the tight controls, online play, or flashy graphics of its competition.

The game changes a few of the things Harry fans have come to expect from the games, and though aimed at a younger audience, Harry fans will find a lot to like in the game.

One of the best things about Shrek 2 is the multiplayer. Up to four players can play, each controlling a party member. Anyone can join in at any time, so if someone leaves, the AI will continue playing for them.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

The game’s visuals are awesome. The characters are sprite-based and extremely faithful to the show it is based on.

Surprisingly, the game is a rather enjoyable handheld soccer title perfect for those soccer-craving spare moments.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, despite being aimed at a squarely younger audience, is a very fun game despite its simplicity. It doesn’t have the depth of something like say, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but should provide plenty of fun for those looking for a simple brawler with characters from the Spider-Man universe.

Visually and aurally, Big Brain Academy is just what you would expect. The game’s looks are colorful and welcoming but at the end of the day, you’re playing simple minigames. Likewise, the audio is equally simple yet charming.

It has solid gameplay, a good presentation and a nice ranking system that makes you want to replay levels.

The Nintendo DS version of Friend or Foe is by far the most different, but it’s also the most in line with previous Spider-Man games on its respective platform. Friend or Foe’s addition of enemies and solid coop mode make it a solid addition to the Nintendo DS’ Spider-Man lineup.

Crash: Mind Over Mutant is a surprisingly well put-together platforming title.

It has solid gameplay, a good presentation and a nice ranking system that makes you want to replay levels.

Fantastic 4 offers four characters, a repertoire of moves, and compelling level design that culminate in an engaging game. The production values are good, thanks in no small part to the authentic voice acting. The bonuses are a cool addition to the game as well.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, despite being aimed at a squarely younger audience, is a very fun game despite its simplicity. It doesn’t have the depth of something like say, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but should provide plenty of fun for those looking for a simple brawler with characters from the Spider-Man universe.

The gameplay is pretty undemanding but fundamentally sound; the different characters manage the spice the game up a bit, as well. The game would be rated higher if the length was a touch longer; it clocks in at just over 5 hours.

One of those rare games that was certainly designed to appeal to younger games, but can capture the attention of anyone. It has solid gameplay, a good presentation and a nice ranking system that makes you want to replay levels.

Crash: Mind Over Mutant is a surprisingly well put-together platforming title.

Neither of its two main gameplay modes are the best in the industry, Drakengard does both well enough to be a pleasant experience.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

The underpinning gameplay is decent but the game uses the license to really spruce things up. Creating the many items and Gizmos in the game is quite fun, just like the rest of the game.

Quite enjoyable although nothing particularly innovative.

A solid game. It meets all the requirements for a hack-and-slash game. You’ll find a number of enemies, character progression, and a decent presentation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have its own charm, which subtracts from the game substantially.

Break 'Em All manages to nail down the gameplay and proves to be a satisfying if familiar addition to the Breakout family.

If you only own a Gamecube, and don’t need online play, Pandora Tomorrow is still recommended but more for a rental than a purchase.

On Wii, Downhill Jam was a great party game. On the PS2, it’s more like "SSX"-Lite. The game is still fun but if you have a choice get the undoubtedly superior Wii version.

Quite enjoyable although nothing particularly innovative.

A respectable GBA entry but nothing out of the ordinary. Vicarious Visions usually pulls through with their GBA games and Shark Tale is no different… it just doesn't try to wow you.

Probably a perfect example a cartoon-licensed title. The underpinning gameplay is decent but the game uses the license to really spruce things up. Creating the many items and Gizmos in the game is quite fun, just like the rest of the game.

The game sports a good story and solid gameplay with unique abilities for the different characters. It’s more enjoyable than the first game and good filler until the second The Incredibles film.

The game has solid gameplay mechanics, multiplayer support, visuals and sound, although the lack of a likeable cast and somewhat uncomplicated style of play keep it from being a true gem.

The game sports a good story and solid gameplay with unique abilities for the different characters. It's more enjoyable than the first game and good filler until the second The Incredibles film.

The PS2 version of the game doesn’t support Progressive Scan and looks noticeably less sharp than the Xbox and Gamecube versions of the game.

A charming platformer. While its relative simplicity was appreciated on the PSP, it feels a little underwhelming on the PlayStation 2.

The game's combat is a bit underwhelming, and the graphical problems are annoying but these are mixed with an otherwise graphically impressive game, complete with a grand narrative and excellent online multiplayer.

While the Nintendo DS version is undoubtedly superior, Shrek the Third is still a solid and enjoyable (albeit youth-oriented) GBA sidescroller.

Transformers on DS is a good if unremarkable robot game. The gameplay is enjoyable though a touch too repetitive, but the game does have likeable characters and solid production values.

Overall, Monsters vs. Aliens is a solid videogame adaptation from the movie. Compared to the console versions, the Nintendo DS version is a bit more monotonous since most of the levels are sidescrolling levels of some variety. There are certainly better sidescrollers on the DS, but young gamers who are fans of the movie will enjoy pitting their monsters against aliens in this uncomplicated game.

Transformers on DS is a good if unremarkable robot game. The gameplay is enjoyable though a touch too repetitive, but the game does have likeable characters and solid production values.

As usual, the NDS version is the far superior portable version.

The game sports a good story and solid gameplay with unique abilities for the different characters. It's more enjoyable than the first game and good filler until the second The Incredibles film.

It has solid gameplay and a good recreation of the Harry Potter universe, but it should have pushed the Nintendo DS more.

It’s a shame that the PSP version doesn’t include the multiplayer of the console versions, but it’s a pretty solid port nonetheless.

The game is complicated and unwieldy with the Wii Remote, but manageable on either the Classic or Gamecube controllers.

Undoubtedly better than "Texas Hold ‘Em," the Xbox 360’s only other poker game.

Overall, Hot Shots Tennis does the job just fine for someone looking for a cheerful tennis game on the PS2. It doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, but is entertaining as long as you aren’t expecting anything deep.

Shattered Union isn’t perfect. It fits a niche market that very few developers are pursuing though.

It’s an acquired taste, but if you enjoy strategy RPGs and like the Lord of the Rings franchise, you’ll find more to like than not in the game.

Day of Reckoning had the potential to be a superb game, but was held back by a lack of several things, such as a strong roster, voice-overs, and a strong Story mode, as well as its buggy AI.

The game sports a good story and solid gameplay with unique abilities for the different characters. It’s more enjoyable than the first game and good filler until the second The Incredibles film.

While it isn’t as deep as Mario Golf Advance, it is good enough to warrant a purchase if you really like golf games.

Its target audience will find a lot to like in the game since the Wiimote helps make the game more interactive and user-friendly, despite some of the limited shortcomings.

A big part of what made the PC version be so great was the whole atmosphere; you felt like you were in Chicago in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the visual inedibility of the Xbox version takes a good chunk of this feeling.

Obscure doesn't attempt to do anything different. Hydravision is comfortable with crafting a respectable survival horror game and Obscure fits that profile well.

All in all, without the license, Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force would be an average side-scroller for the GBA. Thankfully, the Star Wars license does add to the game, particularly its presentation, and makes for a better game as a result.

The sound effects fail to evoke any emotion, and don't really live up what is going on visually. The announcers do a decent job of portraying the game but don't particularly stand out either.

American Sk8land is a better game, but only marginally so it isn't really worth the price of admission unless you're a hardcore Tony Hawk fan.

Guys at Reflection could have fixed the spotty AI and graphical problems. As is, fans of the series will certainly want to pick this up since this up since it is the best iteration of the series.

The PC version of the game was changed for the worse; the console versions are recommended due to their more accurate control scheme and level variety.

"Stacked" is probably a better option on the PS2 and PSP.

"Stacked" is probably a better option on the PS2 and PSP.

A pretty fun game to kill a few minutes with.

It’s the perfect game to play when you only have a few minutes to spare, but don’t expect a very deep game.