Overall the different modes and multiple options make Juiced 2 my favorite racing game on the Xbox 360 of this style. It doesn’t compare to PGR4 or Forza but it is not meant to.

Skate has changed the way skateboarding games should be designed and played. Hopefully this is a wake up call to Tony Hawk developer Neversoft to be more creative and less complacent.

A great NHL experience that all but the most strategy-deficient gamer will enjoy. This ain’t your daddy’s NHL game.

Fatal Inertia is an exceedingly generic racer, with a lack of vehicles, races, and variety expected from a Live Arcade title. Speed right on by this one.

Kengo has the right idea, but fails miserably to deliver a solid experience, substituting game modes and substance with repetition.

After finishing up the single-player campaign for the second time I came away very happy and found that I wish there was more to play. Finding yourself smiling more than once while finding a new way to kill an enemy or blow up that dinosaur skeleton is a normal occurrence for this game. The gameplay is simply superb and it looks really good while doing it.

One of longest titles available on the Arcade, and one of the best. The simple to understand, but hard to master, style of gameplay and solid online experience makes this an easy choice for best puzzler on the Arcade.

Those looking to recapture their youth, and some difficult achievements, will find this to their liking. Anyone looking for a 'new' button-masher to eat up Arcade time will likely be a bit under whelmed.

There is nothing too original here to set it apart from other J-RPGs but the simple fact that there are slim to none other option on the Xbox 360 I can only recommend this game to fans of the genre.

The repetition may test your ability to keep your controller from flying across the room but the patience pays off when you finish that hard-ass scene without one strike against you, and the director comes up tossing smiles and praises your way.

Even though the story modes are really confusing what this series has always relied on is the fun-factor of slicing up hundred of enemies on screen at one time, and that is what DW: Gundam does right. Enjoy it for a couple hours, do some co-op and then move on; that’s about all there is to it.

Golf games are not the types where you typically feel compelled to get each year's version. If you have another golf game already, it is hard to recommend shelling out another $60 for what amounts to a few small upgrades.

Really, it is a damn shame that it does not currently work. When/if the game's online functionality is fixed, it appears to be a rather rich, ambitious online experience.

I cannot say enough good about Bioshock so I will sum it all up in the same way I described the experience to my wife, "This is why I play video games."

Hexic 2 feels more like a bad knock-off than a sequel. The excitement of playing the uber-addictive puzzler in head-to-head battle mode never quite makes up for the poor, drab graphics and frustratingly hard-to-see gem selector.

It took three tries, but EA finally gave us a solid NFL game for next gen consoles. The fact that our Madden is better than the other guy’s is just icing on the cake.

Holds up much better than you think it would, thanks in large part to the game's unforgiving difficulty and four-player action.

Wing Commander Arena attempts to revive the past with a lukewarm effort that many fans might find to be blasphemous. WCA was built around the multiplayer experience, but the inability to keep your group of gamers together in player matches goes against the spirit of Xbox Live.

The game is entirely too generic in graphics and game play to be worthy of stock car racing.

The random costume drops and incredibly clever Achievements will keep gamers playing this one for weeks on end; beyond that, the addictive gameplay will make it hard to put down the controller, even with the few obvious blemishes in Live gameplay and limited single-player levels.

The novelty of getting to play again with your childhood heroes and players old enough to be mythological legends fails to make up for graphics that would be unacceptable on the original Xbox and a bare-bones set of game modes.

While I cannot fully recommend anyone other than massive Transformers fans to run out and purchase this game, it is easily one of those games you must rent and play through, at least for a few hours.

It is an easy game to recommend as a rental, with a solid single-player story mode that will take over 10 hours to complete, but is not without blemishes and lacks the multiplayer options to extend gameplay beyond the first go-around; needed to purchase a game.

A violent and satisfying piece of visual poetry. The storytelling is one of the more impressive in recent memory and the abilities presented bring something fresh to console shooters. It’s just too bad the multiplayer is a disappointment. It’s the only thing holding me back from dubbing this stunner a classic.

The controls were simple enough, the single-player kept me busy for long enough, and the amazing multi-player/mini-games were a sweet bonus to an already good game. Rounded off with good graphics as a whole and a decent soundtrack The BIGS turned out to be one hell of a fun game that quickly moved towards the top of my list for sports games out in stores right now.

While everything is not perfect, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the first of the series to make an appearance on next-gen consoles and is a must own for fans of the wizard.

From the moment you put the disc in the tray, everything about this game says “first class”, until you try to play on Xbox Live. If you’re a gamer that is not completely turned off by wretched multiplayer support, then DiRT should be a welcome addition to your library.

If you’re an insane fan of the series, you have already bought it and if you like action games like X-Men Legends and Ultimate Alliance you should definitely check this out at your local Blockbuster (or GameFly). Otherwise steer clear of what turns out to be the worst of the video games based on movies so far in 2007.

I’m happy to report that this is one of the better retro revamp titles to come along. Despite that, many gamers will have to give this game a second thought before spending the 800 points, due to the low replay value and lack of multiplayer.

If you have two or more gamers in your household that are interested in this style of game, it may be worth a weekend rental. If you’re looking for a game that’s fun single player, or online, you need to pass on this title.

Tenchu Z may be a game that only fans of the series, or fans of stealth games could love. Some fatal flaw bogs down every aspect of this title that shows a glimmer of promise. You would have to be a true fanboy to overlook all of these flaws.

If all retro games received remixes this compelling, you would hear gamers begging for them rather than bemoaning them.

Mad Tracks is an underwhelming first effort from Load Inc. Xbox Live Arcade titles are understandably held to looser standards than their retail counterparts, but this title needs some polish in its graphical and audio content.

Forza 2 delivers on almost every level possible for what a sequel would have to offer. Better graphics, more tracks, tons more cars (300+); well the word tons does not even begin to describe the amount of cars this game has.

There is no way that a title that does not feature any sort of single-player gaming should cost full price (one exception would be World of Warcraft) and it is obvious that Shadowrun would have sold better and scored better in reviews had it been twenty dollars cheaper.

Based on the difficulty of the game and the hard-earned Achievement Points, for the 400 Microsoft Points Rush 'n Attack is a solid purchase. A retro title that earns this much replay value from both a desire to beat the game and tough-as-they-come Achievements does not come around often enough.

A terrible waste of a potentially great franchise. There is a great Pirates Of The Caribbean game out there, just waiting to be made. This is not it. Swashbuckling and sailing the high seas has never felt so boring.

A good title marketed to the wrong crowd. I can see installing this game on my work PC, but am I really going to play it on my Xbox 360?

While it may have ruined the film-to-game consistency, Shrek The Third could have been a much better experience with some multi-player over Live.

A game that should have received a massive retooling to bring it into the modern era, or been left to those gamers that like to pull out their old NES system once in a while. Though the game is only 400 points, that is a steep price for about 20 minutes of game play.

Despite the limitations the Xbox 360 controller presents to a game of this type, EA has done an exceptional job porting this game from the PC.

Frustrating levels, repetitive gameplay, button mashing, and graphical issues are all problems that could probably have been fixed had the developers had a bit more time to polish off the title.

A solid Arcade game when you get good people to play with over Live. Those already enthralled with the world of Catan are likely too busy building their empires to read this, but those not should definitely give this addictive and highly challenging board game a shot.

With a solid list of hard-earned Achievement Points you might just forget that Atari failed to deliver any online modes for the game. Well, almost.

Pinball FX allows for camera owners to play by motioning with their hands, rather than using a controller. This is a novelty, and likely to get tiresome quickly, but Xbox Live keeps separate leaderboards for gamers using cameras.

Die-hard Gyruss fans with 400 Microsoft Points to spare could do worse to try to recapture their youth, but should note that you will only remember half the game fondly; and for a limited time at that.

For 800 points, a rhythm game that has all the rhythmic sense of Urkel on the dance floor is a poor choice. Even if it had the rhythm it takes to call itself a rhythm game, the lack of sonic depth would make this a shallow title. If a shallow broken rhythm game sounds like your cup of tea, knock yourself out.

Those who play Luxor 2 as a puzzle game, taking the time to aim carefully, will play through all eighty-eight levels. In all, the replay value is a little on the light side. Some form of Live play would have stretched it a bit, although the repetitive gameplay is more at fault than the missing Live support.

The feeling you get when hitting one of those hard 5 note combos is something that no other game out there can replace. Getting the chance to play this masterpiece on the Xbox 360, as the first time it has hit a next-gen console, is enough reason to go out and purchase this today.

The game holds up better than the majority of games even half its age, and provides a rich gaming experience that will have 360 owners drooling in anticipation of the next great retro release on Arcade.

The major selling point for me is the quickly paced and varied game play. The career mode is not an obstacle to replay value like Top Spin 2, but rather a fantastic compliment to the bevy of minigames.

By shipping this game with a boring, restrictive campaign mode, even Armored Core series diehards will have to reconsider this game. Because half the fun is in building, painting and showing off your schematics, Armored Core 4 is for the fans of the AC franchise and/or Xbox Live, and no one else.

The excitement of shooting oversized insects grows old rather quickly, and the scarcely earned Achievement Points will most assuredly leave this game on the outside of your counsel more than in it. The lack of Live play is a major deterrent to picking up this simple-minded title.

Honestly, Tetris Evolution serves as one of the sorriest excuses for a retail title on the 360.

TMNT boasts 200 achievement points attainable through a variety of different tasks such as beating a level in a specific time limit or beating a boss without being injured. The addition of online co-op multiplayer and the other small features are great and add some replay value to an already cheap game.

There is nothing else like this on XBLA, and you really should put down Gears of War and give this a try. The core gameplay of Worms is time-tested, family appropriate, and a riot for all non-computer players involved.

While the “DJ beat” system is not all it was cracked up to be, the deep story mode, destructible environments, and kick-ass soundtrack polish out the game quite well.

Personally co-op was one of my favorite aspects of GRAW1 and I was blown away with the amount of effort Ubisoft put into it this time around.

A fun and original game, giving you plenty of hours of destroying the various government establishments of the world.

The lack of innovation and a poor control scheme make Bullet Witch a questionable rental, let alone purchase.

Empires is entirely unfocused and excels at nothing.

In the end, the biggest selling point of last season remains the biggest selling point this time around - the online leagues. Sharper graphics and tightened gameplay serve as the only upgrades over last year's model.

I had a blast with the game, but in the interest of full disclosure, I enjoy simple addictive fun sometimes. The game isn't deeply challenging or fully fleshed out as far as gritty open-world games go, but I can't say it wasn't a fun ride. More puzzle platformer than anything.

The game is a feast for the senses with great graphics and fantastic audio although replay value is reduced by the fact that you are doing virtually the exact same thing game in and game out, regardless of game play mode.

As with most retro titles offered on the Arcade, the nostalgia will pull you in for a game or two. Paperboy succeeds in holding your attention longer than most with more than the all-too-familiar graphics and sound, earning your respect with challenging achievements and gameplay.

For a budget (400 Microsoft points) Xbox Live Arcade title, Root Beer Tapper holds up well; if for no other reason than the amount of replay needed to grab fifty wins over Live.

Pro Evolution Soccer can once again chant “We are top of the league” thanks to yet another dazzling performance.

Much like chess, you can learn how to use the pieces in an hour, but learning to use them skillfully takes time and patience. If you can handle a bit of a learning curve and some clunky controls, this game will reward you with challenging and enjoyable game play.

With 43 mini-games it includes enough substance to warrant a purchase, especially if you like the “party game” genre. While the offline modes may lack in terms of a single-player experience, games like FF2 really succeed because they are fun to play with other people.

The choppy animations, quirky menu navigation, bad officiating, and poor commentary are enough to undo the great strides EA made in the graphics and controls.

With long lasting Mission mode, an unlockable Boss Blitz mode, satisfying Achievement Points, and smooth and addictive Live play, Heavy Weapon adds its name to the list of must-own Arcade titles.

The storyline and cg movies are confusing at best and some of the camera issues can cause more than a few irritating circumstances. On the other hand the amazing gameplay, mech battles, graphics, and online modes each have their own amount of greatness that makes Capcom games so damn fun.

Despite the occasional glitches and overly easy Achievement Points, gamers will still likely feel the nostalgic itch to fire up this classic from time to time. It is too bad there is not more than a memory pulling gamers back.

Resist the urge for the cheap points, as your 400 Microsoft Points would be better spent purchasing horse armor for "Oblivion."

For only 800 points ($10 US), you can't go wrong, but do think of it as an extremely fun three-day weekend rental, and not as a multi-month long quest like Zuma or Geometry Wars.

Non-fans of the series will probably not enjoy this game. This game will most certainly appeal to some hardcore trek fans. It has moments that are great, but a wonderful soundtrack cannot overcome mediocre graphics and maddening game play.

If mind-numbingly easy repetition is what you enjoy in a game, knock yourself out.

With a solid fifty-fifty mix of simple and difficult achievements, and ridiculously addictive multiplayer gameplay, at 800 points Small Arms is one of the best purchases you can make on Xbox Live Arcade.

While it is great that EA was able to get all the actors to provide their voices for Superman Returns: The Videogame it is a shame that they turned out the way they did, flat and boring.

Using the Vision Camera adds an element that has not been found in many games today and is definitely something that I have been looking forward to. Some good graphics and a complete sound system round out the beautiful title.

There are only a handful of changes from 2K6. Owners of 2K6 will have little incentive to spend the money to update (notice I didn’t use the word “upgrade”) and might want to think about holding out for 2K8.

I feel that the gameplay variety is worth a look. Then again, maybe I’m just overly nostalgic when I remember how fun and addictive the Genesis game was.

It really is like WWE in it's current state: stale, unimaginative, and afraid of new ideas. But, unlike the real WWE, it is the only option out there for a solid wrestling title.

The game's character models, voice-acting, and sweeping fantasy score are the only items that hold-up throughout the experience, with the combat system loosing its luster early due to overly repetitive gameplay.

The only person I can recommend this to is a sado-masochist. They will enjoy the torture and unbearing pain that is this game. Please, avoid at all costs.

Midway rounded out a decent looking, sounding, and playing game with good Blitz mechanics that will make any fan smile in delight.

It’s a great game with fantastic style and quality, no matter what age. Don’t miss out on it.

The term memorable comes to mind instantly when thinking about Gears of War. Epic and Microsoft have really done something awesome here and we, as gamers, should be grateful.

The addition of two new armies as well as vehicles and the multiplayer “class system” polish off the full package.

With an all-new graphical engine and a decent audio showing Project 8 rounds out to be a really nice game. If you can get over the repetitiveness of the level design and the insane difficulty of “sick” mode there are few things you will find to complain about in Project 8.

FEAR is roller coaster of thrills and action. It is a great game and easily worth a look for anyone in the market for an enthralling experience.

Speaking of parts, this brings me to one of my biggest pet peeves of this franchise. Why must I unlock a part and then have to buy it? Seriously I don’t care if you make me do one or the other, but both is downright ridiculous.

If you take into account FIFA 06 being the worst title and FIFA World Cup/Pro Evolution being the best FIFA 07 falls somewhere in between.

They took the old formula and added some new features making Marvel: Ultimate Alliance one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had on the 360 to date.

Achievement Point junkies beware; you are likely to break a controller before breaking the 200-point mark on Jetpac.

Cars is aimed at children and delivers, for them only. There is a place in the 360 market for a game made for young kids, but there is no place in an adult's game library for this.

Lumines is the big game that couldn't; a puzzle game with a great reputation has been seared into gamer's minds as an evil money grubbing swindle. It is too bad, because Lumines does offer a simple and addictive, though not perfect, puzzle game worth checking out for those with the stomach for the seedy side of Xbox Live Marketplace.

The single-player experience is worth this game by itself but throw in the multi-player mode and you have yourself a candidate for game of the year.