MX Vs. ATV Alive doesn't raise the bar when it comes to racing action, as its over comprehensive controls and familiar presentation won't wow everyone. But for fans of motocross and previous examples of Rainbow Studios' work, it's definitely worth taking a ride with.

It's simple, it's fun, and it's got lots to do between quirky Kinect sessions, online matches, a worldwide Tour mode and plenty of unlockables. We'll take a "good enough" sports game any day that we can get it – as long as the fundamentals that inspired it in the first place are in play.

The game has left us feeling in the middle of the road, admiring certain things like weapon classes and gameplay tweaks, but dreading online lag and unfair AI. It's worth a rental to see if it's something you'd enjoy in the long-term, but don't be surprised if, like us, you're left wondering how much better it could've been.

Though the market has more than enough Lego games to go around, we're happy to make room for Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game. Its heart is in the right place when it comes to gameplay and presentation, and it's good swashbuckler fun for all ages.

Fails to deliver as both an action game and as a Thor game. Sega clearly put effort into incorporating Thor's background lore and they did an admirable job of incorporating a rogue's gallery pulled straight from the Marvel comics, but they ultimately failed in delivering a fun gaming experience. I cannot even recommend this game to fellow Thor fans, as the repetitive combat, unmemorable puzzles, and shoddy platforming prevent this adventure from even achieving rentable status.

Seems really limited all around. Along with the lack of online functionality, the game is also missing the ability to download more songs for the library. It also doesn't really add much in the way of incentives.

The gameplay is engaging (if not completely problem free), the presentation is quite fitting and the multiplayer components are excellent. Feel free to go Section 8 on your wallet and buy this game with extreme Prejudice. You won't be sorry.

It plays superbly, looks fantastic, has features galore for both single player and multiplayer, and has all the gore and fatalities you missed so much in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Welcome back, Kombat.

Really, don't miss Portal 2. Even if you've never played the first game, the sheer brilliance that has gone into this game's design shouldn't be missed. It's wonderfully fun and creative, while looking and sounding like a true sequel should. Don't be surprised if this one pops up on our best of 2011 list.

Its colorful presentation may be too much for some to stomach, it isn't long before the games or general content becomes repeated, and the lack of online play shuts the door on any expanded competition.

The camera is unfocused and frustrating; the gameplay too chaotic for its own good; and the lack of a strong storyline make it feel like everything's barely holding together with cheap adhesive.

It lacks in complexity, so those expecting the next great action game will probably be disappointed. Otherwise, if it's an arcade romp you want for 800 Microsoft points, take a stab at it.

One of the best XBLA games we've seen so far this year, topping the original with bigger levels, more carnage, varied gameplay, a new character, co-op support and a slick presentation. Kudos to you, Mr. Silva, and the good people at Ska Studios for keeping us slicing and dicing.

The only real negative are the unskippable tutorials that you get, featuring racing champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. Really, there's no way to get past his pep talks, and we really could've done without them for the most part.

Not a failure by any means. Fans will enjoy it, and there's plenty to do in the stock car racing world until the next eventual game in the series rolls out of the pit. But casual fans may feel left behind by the game's heavy technicality and erroneous difficulty decisions.

If you are one of the few golf fans that have held off the last year or two waiting on new features or courses, wait no longer; this is the year that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters contends for sports game of the year.

WWE All Stars is one of the greatest wrestling games we've played in years, thanks to a gameplay system that's well balanced, a smorgasbord of wrestlers, a variety of options (again, Fantasy Warfare is a must) and a solid presentation.

Crysis 2 manages to top [Bulletstorm and Homefront], but just barely, thanks to a storyline that actually stands its ground (despite lapses in logic), gameplay that puts a twist on first-person shooting antics, mind-bogglingly good graphics and strong multiplayer options.

This game is a tremendous leap forward in Lego game development, something that involves the player more than it ever has, even if the basics remain the same. It has replay value galore, and offers multiplayer fun for all ages. Surely, the Force is strong with this one.

It's definitely got something to offer for those who put the time and effort into it. Everyone else, however, may want to hold off and wait for next month's Virtua Tennis 4 from Sega's camp, or you'll throw more fits than John McEnroe on a bad day.

While multiplayer would've really pushed Torchlight to new heights, the game is no slouch as it stands. Fans of hack-n-slashers and role playing alike will equally come out in droves and make a $15 purchase., and deservedly so.

There's something for everyone here, and despite a few blemishes, it's one of the better games in town.

With Rango, a lot more could've been done in terms of multiplayer (c'mon, ostrich races!) and getting the film's voice talent to contribute. As it stands, however, it's a better-than-most film-to-game adaptation, backed by a strong story, mostly fun gameplay, some inventive ideas and good-looking visuals.

This is a gritty, brilliantly made shooter that will shake you up more than once, backed by a powerful story and the kind of action that you'd come to expect from a top-tier entry in the genre.

Doesn't take huge strides to be the best game in the series, and could use several tweaks – namely AI and visuals – in an upcoming patch. That said, as the default baseball title for Xbox 360, it's a good one, and fans should immediately invest.

Dragon Age II doesn't quite carry the torch as well as Origins did, thanks to a few lesser items in gameplay and the lack of a genuinely moving story. That said, it's still a splendid action RPG with hours worth of gameplay going for it and plenty of choices that will make you want to play through it repeated times.

Beyond Good & Evil HD is a finely crafted remake that's well worth the 800 Microsoft points. Buy it for yourself…and then your pig uncle.

If you're a dedicated Bejeweled player or you're looking for a great party game to tackle with your friends, Bejeweled Blitz Live is a smart choice. It's only 800 Microsoft points ($10), and well worth every penny as you gain new skills and bump up your score into the stratosphere.

It's a decent collection if you've never owned the system, with plenty of Achievements and nostalgic value for everyone else. However, it could've been so much more. This isn't a dedicated gift, it's almost the equivalent of a mildly tasteful fruitcake.

Fight Night fans and fighting game veterans will stand-up and applaud at the stunning visuals and solid mechanics that Fight Night Champion brings to the table.

While Bulletstorm could've used a little more balancing in the multiplayer department and maybe some more coding work on the AI, it's an overall fun ride that's been well worth the wait. What you get out of the game specifically depends on what you put into your kills – be as sick as you want to be, and you'll reap the rewards.

What De Blob 2 lacks in online interactivity and (to some players) overall challenge, it makes up for with its charming presentation. The graphics are colorful and absolutely stunning, moving at a fresh 60 frames per second.

Although Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 lacks in multiplayer diversity and a story mode that makes some kind of sense, its fighting action is as enriched as ever, and the presentation knocks our socks off.

What stands out about Hard Corps: Uprising is its art style. Rather than stick with the routine Contra design that's worked so well in previous games, Konami turned to Arc System Works, the folks behind BlazBlue and Guilty Gear. The effect is astounding, and not the least bit distracting.

Unless you were a huge fan of the original, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is probably a ride you can skip. Between huge problems with the servers (which should've been fixed before the game launched, honestly), an iffy control set-up and a boring lifestyle-led story mode, it just never feels like paradise.

Stacking reminds us an awful lot of the vintage films from the 20's. The music is pure ragtime-style ballads, but with a lighthearted tone so things never get too down in the dumps.

The gameplay itself is engaging and fun, and online play works pretty good, though there were times we ran into some lag, particularly during Jack Attack rounds.

Tuck away the painful memories of the first game and try out this one. You'll feel some validation…even if it takes a little while to get there.

On one hand, it's easy to say that Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 runs the basics for a sequel, not really pushing forward enough to make the formula excel. On the other, it could've been a lot worse, as it's a fun platforming romp while it lasts.

It doesn't make as much of an impact as Atomic expected, but if you're stuck on a budget and can't afford one of the more popular $60 games right now, this is a certainly adequate substitute for $15.

The design is well done, and the attention to detail, especially in the smaller air ducts, will blow your mind. The animations are good too, particularly with the blood. Stomping the crap out of a Necromorph has never overflowed with such gushiness.

Normally I wouldn't mind graphics that weren't state-of-the-art if they had a unique style to them, but Mindjack's style is just too bland to excuse.

Along with the great stage design, Raskulls also has excellent character design.

Case Zero was great because it was just $5 and was an excellent prologue to DR2, while Case West doesn't bring about quite as much for twice the price. Sure, it's a bit longer and has co-op, but it is far less intriguing than Case Zero and the added content such as the camera feels half-baked.

At 1200 Microsoft points, Quake Arena Arcade may not be your ideal first-person shooting experience on Xbox Live – especially since other games run for 800 or even less. But if you're a Quake fan or need a fulfilling multiplayer experience that will keep you busy for hours, you owe it to yourself to enter the Arena.

While The Force Unleashed II doesn't push new boundaries in enemy confrontations or replay value, it's still a fun weekend romp, with plenty of enemies to kill and a great cliffhanger ending to wash it all down with. Let's just hope that the next chapter in the saga uses more development Force.

Its presentation goes the distance, but the cruddy gameplay and unbalanced AI keep this ride firmly grounded. Get your cruising kicks elsewhere.

The gameplay is incredibly addictive, the leaderboards will keep you busy for ages, and the presentation tops the original game in many ways. Drop a roll of quarters and let the fun commence. Wakka wakka wakka!

No, Splatterhouse doesn't revolutionize with its gameplay, and it's not quite a perfect-looking game either. But if you're looking for a bloody good time, it comes through on all fronts. Having the classic games in the package is great, too. We definitely can't deny this overhaul of Splatter.

Just please, Ubisoft, keep the party going, and don't pile on unnecessary objectives. We just want to ride.

It's another dose of Konami arcade goodness, with up to six players taking part in the over-the-top comic book action.

While I may not look back at it much in the coming years, right here and now, Majin is easily one of favorites of 2010 easily worth the measly $40 it takes to lock down one of the best buddy/puzzle games I've played all year.

Honestly, Fighters Uncaged simply isn't worth breaking a sweat over. You'd be better off facing a real challenge, like trying to play Super Street Fighter IV one-handed or trying to play the boxing game in Kinect Sports blind-folded. No one should subject himself or herself to the pain of Fighters Uncaged. Avoid it.

While Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit's AI issues and lacking soundtrack keep it from racing perfection; it's still well worth your time, thanks to a huge online component and plenty of fast-paced racing action.

Tron: Evolution was obviously the best effort Propaganda could pump out in time for the movie, but it quickly becomes evident that the tale of Clu's uprising is sadly a rushed attempt to nab a fan's dollars and sense.

You just need to have an open mind about what's fun, and odds are Super Meat Boy will have you liking it provided you have enough patience to let its design philosophy sink in.

There are few video games released this year that you simply cannot miss, Call of Duty: Black Ops is one of them.

This one will help you in all the right ways, and considering the Thanksgiving feast last week, that's not entirely a bad thing.

Even if you're not a complete comic book junkie, there's more than enough to see and play here to get your ten dollars' worth out of it.

Disney Interactive Studios' Pure is still the front-pack leader when it comes to dirt-racing greatness in video games, but if there were room for a close second place candidate, Nail'd easily takes that spot. What the game lacks in complexity, it makes up for with thrill-a-minute racing action and a slick presentation.

It may not be as legendary as Wii Sports (yet), but for a debut sports compilation for Microsoft's high-priced gadget, Kinect Sports does more than enough to push the thrill of competition. It's good fun with friends, and the easily adaptable controls make it very user friendly, no matter what your height and age is.

Despite some AI issues and the occasional online hiccup, NBA Jam is more fun than we remember it being.

Don't even consider skipping the game for a second. While the story doesn't progress as much as we had hoped, it still adds some new questions and twists into Desmond's dilemma. The ever so fresh guild mechanic and addictive as hell multiplayer already feels like essential components in the series.

Kinect Adventures may not be your best choice for Kinect fun, but considering its cost and various activities, you'll have fun with it while it lasts.

We haven't seen a dancing game that's looked this fun since the old days of Dance Dance Revolution and the dance-bot. If anything here truly shines, though, it's the soundtrack.

Sadly, Blood Stone 007 lacks any real depth. It does however contain some simple gameplay that could be a great foundation for future Bond games if expanded upon and fined tuned just a tad bit more. It's easily the fastest Bond game ever created and for those Bond fans looking for more of Craig in the midst of the fall of MGM, Blood Stone is a great place to find a quick, albeit mediocre fix.

The game has been made less-realistic in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic and I applaud Activision for this decision.

The fundamental multiplayer features and huge single-player challenges will keep you busy whether you're with friends or alone, the presentation is greatly improved, and the set list amazes us, with songs scattered between the 60's and today.

Though Fable III doesn't change the formula too much from what worked in Fable II, it's a strong continuation of the series for Peter Molyneux and Lionhead Studios. It's got great replay value, between the side quests and moral judgment calls, and the presentation, though not quite flawless, is truly fit for a king.

If you need a distraction from all the testosterone currently being pumped out in disc form, Costume Quest's charm will make you wish you were hitting the streets in your snazziest cardboard-robot costume come the 31st.

More fighters and options the next time around would be the way to go for this series.

Quantum Theory can hardly be congratulated for infringing on other games, as it is hardly even capable of doing that properly. Albeit all attempts to be Gears of War, Quantum Theory is no more fun than burning $60 dollars and to be honest, burning money isn't exactly a lucrative or entertaining hobby.

Even those who only listen to a tune or two are bound to enjoy what this game has to offer, between its simple gameplay and boisterous community features. We had a great time with it, and we don't even wear derbies and gold chains. Well, not yet, anyway. (Just wait until the tour.)

The top strength of Medal of Honor is in the single-player campaign, and Danger Close has done an incredible job of putting together a tribute to the Special Forces community, honoring their many sacrifices. The same can't be said for the effort DICE has put forth with multiplayer, as it feels unpolished and in some regards unbalanced and unfinished.

There are a mass of improvements over the first. Especially regarding the survivor AI that was extremely poor in the first game. While the survivors aren't exactly intelligent by any means this time around, they are at least capable of following you and pushing other zombies out of the way while you work your way back to the safe house.

With NBA 2K11 striking up such a balance between gameplay, presentation and extra features, we're wondering if EA Sports delayed NBA Elite 11 out of fear that it simply couldn't keep up with such greatness.

The Mojave wasteland is packed with memorable locations and characters and is a worthy followup to Fallout 3. I just expected more from New Vegas but in the end it all feels like a giant expansion upon the premise laid out two years ago.

I'd be hard pressed to say that there is a moment of silence in Vanquish' 4-6 hour campaign, as Sam tears through the Russian opposition. Yes, you read that right, 4-6 hours, but every hour is an adrenaline rush hardly seen in shooters in recent memory.

Pick up DJ Hero 2 as it's easily the best rhythm game released so far this year and quite possibly a contender for my favorite rhythm game ever.

There are some intense moments here, from working your way through a rotating house (while struggling to stay alive) to killing "shadow people" with the help of explosive barrels, which you summon with your flashlight. It's very cool.

Although the high difficulty scale (even with the unlimited lives) may leave some people thinking twice about taking on this adventure, the inventive presentation and fun gameplay definitely make up for it. Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley is a wickedly creative action game that you shouldn't miss.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow may not be a Castlevania game, but that certainly doesn't hold it back from being a fantastic monster hunt that gives me hope for future 3D games featuring the Castlevania tag.

Warriors of Rock satisfies with a mostly rousing list of songs, still-addictive-as-ever gameplay and plenty of options for both solo players and groups. The only question now is what's left to do for the next time around.

FIFA 11's near perfection of the genre is what makes it the best, not its innovations.

Halo: Reach is bar none the most developed, robust, and title in the franchise.

A wonderfully drafted love letter to fans in terms of design, story aside. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was a risk. Beenox dropped the open-world environments for a linear experience, but it turned out for the best. Each universe feels almost completely different from the others in design and play.

I can't rightly recommend it to anyone other than those frothing at the mouth for more time in the skies. I commend Ubisoft for attempting to experiment with the genre, but each new mechanic they've tried to implement into H.A.W.X. 2 drags down the best elements of the game.

All in all, though, even though Case Zero may seem like a cheap cash-grab by Capcom by some, it's really an original way to market content, and entice fans of the series to stick with it.

Even if you don't become fully immersed in the gunplay, you'll easily be pulled into the suspenseful build of Vito's entry into the mafia. Storytelling is king here and Vito's entry into the mob families is more than compelling enough to warrant a trip to Metropolis.

Out of all the Summer of Arcade titles, Lara Croft earns that $15 the hardest. It could be my favorite Tomb Raider game of all time, and it is something no fan should miss.

I have to admit, Dog Days was a much better showing for the duo but not quite what I had hoped for in terms of gameplay.

Monday Night Combat combat looks great and the design is very colorful with a humorous tone that creates a fun universe that you'll find yourself lost in.

The Locomotion engine allows players to move more realistic[ally] than the previous iterations of the Madden series. Players will now move in ways never seen before in an EA Sports football game.

While Castlevania: Harmony of Despair contains a good but not quite stellar multiplayer experience, and is fairly far from an enjoyable single player game, I must say can't wait to see what Konami pulls off with an improved follow-up.

The game's updated look is a HUGE improvement over the original, as everything has been overhauled while still maintaining and even improving the environmental changes that occur on each new lap of a track.

Don't be caught in limbo making a decision – buy this game as soon as it comes out on Xbox Live Arcade, and support this kind of creativity in the game industry. No matter what kind of gamer you are, you won't be disappointed.

There are enough improvements in NCAA Football 11 to make it a worthwhile purchase for any college football fan, especially those who wear their respective school colors even during the off-season.

The maps are all well designed with plenty of places to pop behind for the numerous short-range firefights that are bound to take place.