Despite having this replayability, the two-hour length makes Datura a hard sell at $9.99. Still, I do recommend trying this unusual, unique psychological experience, if only to see what it's all about and to try and figure out what I means to you-even if it is accompanied by overly frustrating, cumbersome controls.

As a complete package, Mortal Kombat Vita is an impressive piece of software and a near-flawless port from consoles to a handheld. It's one of the best fighters of this generation, magically tailored to work to PlayStation Vita's advantages.

Unfortunately, there are a few flaws that will make some players hesitant to pick this up, but, for $14.99, Skullgirls is as complete as any retail fighting game package. So if you have some friends to play with locally or a decent internet connection, Skullgirls is definitely worth a look.

If you've played the PlayStation Move version (which is easier to control and doesn't have fingers getting in the way of the screen) on the PS3, then leave this one be. It's the same 60 levels, plus a few Vita exclusive levels added for good measure. But it's not enough for warrant a second purchase.

The true value of the game comes from playing it as a multiplayer experience. Attempting to play through the game as a single, offline player is an uphill struggle during the more difficult missions, and diminishes much of the value found here. But while the multiplayer component provides an interesting platform for interacting with other like-minded mech enthusiasts it only works to mask the otherwise competent core experience beneath it.

Like any fighter going full steam in the first round but falling short a knock-out, it gets tired quickly and can't go the distance with the heavy weights. On a platform where there are already great fighting games aplenty, Supremacy MMA: Unrestricted is more of an undercard match, rather than the main event you are looking for.

Generations will bring you up to speed in a way that won't make you feel in over your head with the immense world of Naruto. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is a fighter that does a bit of double dipping, giving players a satisfying fighter with a moving story of youth and the changes that they can bring.

The changes from the series' traditions and the usual gameplay design may put off some, but fans of the Super Mario 64 era of platformers should very much like Rayman 3's gameplay experience. Ubisoft did a solid job of handling the game technically and brightening up the visuals for the high-definition era as well.

The chance to see the city from a new perspective is ruined by terrible AI, a wonky cover-system, a distinct lack of memorable moments, and a very short story.

Nothing more than a major step backwards for the franchise. With a poor camera, tacked on QTEs and a laughable story that takes itself far too seriously, Ninja Gaiden 3 is far and away the worst game I've played this year.

It gets old, repetitive and unsatisfying in short order. Playing it lost all fun after an hour.

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5 – 7 won't surprise you. It won't wow you with amazing graphics, or incredible sound, or a gripping storyline. It will, however, entertain and charm you if you are a fan of the Harry Potter franchise.

A well-made JRPG that never strays too far from its series roots.

Ridge Racer is a disappointment on all fronts, and feels more like a horrible car wreck. While the racing itself is decent, it crashes dead smack into a brick wall of poor planning, lazy development, and a complete lack of content.

While this may be the best iteration of the series in some time, it's mostly just a ton of potential that ultimately lets you down. Pitching is great, but batting needs some practice. Fielding is frustrating, and even more so when you take the game online. Audio work is incredible, but not reactive enough nor as customizable as in The Show.

A gold standard for baseball games and sports games alike.

The Vita version does have a little more to offer for owners of the PS3 version, but as a standalone game, still offers an incredible, in-depth baseball experience that will keep even the most hardcore of baseball fans interested for quite some time.

Reality Fighters has its fun moments, and showing off the AR fighting to a technophobe can be enjoyable, but you will tire of the game incredibly quickly after you realize just how simple the fighting mechanics are, and how little depth the game has.

What I really want is my time I spent playing this back.

The amount of teams to choose from is actually very impressive and should give everyone a great choice of selection.

The gameplay is far too simplistic for older gamers who will have the game deconstructed to the bare basics in a matter of hours. In other words, easy to learn and easy to master results in a mildly repetitive game.

Cross-play functionality save sharing is top notch, but a lack of online multiplayer is a shame. MotorStorm RC is easily one of the Vita's best budget games, as well as top title for the PS3.

With some further streamlining, refinement, and innovation, with particular attention paid to the multiplayer, the next installment could be amazing.

Because it's been designed specifically to take advantage of the Vita's portability and social features, it's very much a success. Be it single-player or co-op, the gameplay is smooth, shooting is accurate with the Vita's twin sticks, and each mission's unique objectives keep the experience feeling fresh - and fun - each time you load Unit 13 into your Vita.

So much more than a game. It blends genres and transcends the video game medium to offer up an experience unparalleled in this industry. This game will easily be a front-runner for Game of the Year and is in my mind a serious contender for being the best game of this generation. It may not have a multiplayer mode that can stand up to the likes of Halo and Call of Duty, but it does offer the best single-player experience that $60 can buy.

Weapons seem hopelessly under powered.

Some will be disappointed by how quickly the game ends, but the two hours that mark your journey is the most incredible and unique you can possibly have on your PS3.

With an impressive set of levels based on real-world topographical data provided by NASA, hundreds of connected events to conquer, and the always-on RiderNet to tie scores together, there is a ton of content in SSX. More importantly than that, controls are tight and incredible combos can be linked together by all the seasoned players out there.

I typically don't mind short campaigns, but an experience just over 5 hours that doesn't leave you wanting more is certainly not a good thing. As a whole, Syndicate is a functional shooter that employs some interesting concepts but fails to really flesh them out to their fullest.

Makes some great improvements over the first and is by far the better game, but not as much better as we would hope. The gameplay takes a huge step forward to provide the fun, albeit easy, combat that the first game lacked. However, the story takes a huge step back, making even the game of golf seem interesting, which becomes even more frustrating with the quick and small dungeons that push you quickly back to the story.

The addition of various Vita technology adds to gameplay, rather than detracting and feeling forced on you. Yes, the combat is mostly repetitive, and yes, the graphics are nothing to write home about. But with plenty of items to collect and various strategies to try before going into battle, Omega Force has made some significant changes that change up the monotony of battle.

A great pool sim and game all-around, with more modes than you can shake a pool cue at. The supreme amounts of polish the game and the menu have make it a nearly flawless experience. Throw in online and even Cross-Platform Play, and Hustle Kings is a seriously packed game for the price.

Ben 10's biggest fault is that there is no randomness. If you're in first it's far too easy to hold on to that position. In that way, multiplayer seems almost a wasteful use of the player's time. Why bother playing against humans if it's about as mundane as racing against the computer endlessly?

It would have been nice to see the team at EA Sports put a bit more time into refining the engine and bringing over a larger bulk of the game modes. It would have also been nice to see the touch screen controls used a bit better, and the back touch pad's sensitivity turned down.

The Vita-specific features aren't enough for me to recommend a purchase if you already have Plants Vs. Zombies on another platform. Unless you simply must have the expanded trophy set (including a Platinum) and you're already a big fan (like me). But if somehow, some way, you've missed this game before, the PlayStation Vita version is still one of the better versions out there.

Ever the more lighthearted tennis game than its competitors, the arcade feel of Virtua Tennis 4 is a welcome addition to the Vita lineup. It handles well, looks nice and has a style that lends itself very well to portability. Of tennis.

The second downfall, and possibly a deal breaker for some sim fans, are the graphics. From a distance the game looks great, but up close and personal it loses the detail and sharpness that you would expect on the 5 inch OLED screen.

The story itself may not make you shriek in excitement (remember that grandma from Twisted Metal II that only wanted to watch her soap operas?), but the multiplayer certainly will.

Unfortunately, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is far too much Ninja Gaiden Sigma and not enough Plus, and it just doesn't fly all these years later. Only purists will truly appreciate what's in-store.

I would love to see a humorous single player campaign to go along with this experience. Gotham City Impostors provides an oasis for those of us tapped out from modern military syndrome, and an original variation on the Batman theme. If the community continues to grow, it can only get better.

It's not a deep game by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're looking for some classic platforming fun, with an out-of-this-world twist and dirt cheap price tag, then Mutant Blobs Attack hits the sweet spot.

A game that starts you out with a bang from the very first menu, but starts to fade down the stretch. The bland environments, serious lack of depth in the enemy department, and the repetitive nature of the combat don't do it any favors either.

While the "Extend" in the title refers to its additional character and lengthened story, it's also an accurate description of the way play sessions can last much longer than expected - joyfully so.

While it does seem that Gameloft might have rushed the title a little to hit the PS Vita launch, it's still a well designed game with plenty of content to keep you busy for quite a while.

Much like the two before it, Delta shows us just how much fun a twin-stick shooter can be. Thanks to the Vita's dual analog sticks, the game can finally be played how it was meant to be, but on the go. With a slick presentation, optional Vita-centered controls, solid frame rate and a booming soundtrack, this is a no-brainer to fans of twin stick shooters, or arcade fans in general.

Takes a great kart racing series, and adds a much easier to use creating system. Touch screen controls make the track studio much more intuitive and easier to use. Not adding in head-to-head online racing is inexcusable in this day and age. While it doesn't totally ruin the experience, it does take away from the overall series.

I ended up liking Escape Plan more than most of the retail titles available at the PlayStation Vita's launch, and if you're looking to load up on games while stretching your buck, you can't go wrong with Escape Plan. I only wish it were a little longer for the price.

The Darkness II feels very much like a sequel in transition. Digital Extremes tried to bring back components that made the original Darkness successful, while trying to improve upon the game and add their own voice in as well. The result is a solid success that is fun and very enjoyable, but doesn't improve drastically on the original.

Lumines: Electronic Symphony is the best Lumines yet, the music is incredible, the new modes and features are a nice touch, and it looks gorgeous and vibrant on the Vita's OLED screen (a theme among all Vita games, it seems). It's a must have for anyone who enjoyed it on the PSP (or on any platform), and I couldn't recommend it more highly as a PlayStation Vita launch title. You can't go wrong with this purchase.

It's fun, it's got appeal to comic book fans, it's got appeal to game fans far beyond the limits of Street Fighter, the online play is well put together, and the game constantly looks and sounds great.

A must-own for anyone at all considering a purchase of a PlayStation Vita. It shows what that little portable with plenty of power can do, from the graphics, to the controls, to the Vita-specific touch features – it's truly amazing.

Those wanting a group experience on par with the console versions of the same game might be disappointed in its less-accessible multiplayer and being limited to two people, in addition to the logistical problems presented by the touch screen-based play style. On the other hand, Jackson fans who don't mind the experience now becoming mostly single-player and involving no dancing on their part will find a fun, entertaining rhythm game.

It's that type of nonsensical fun throughout that makes Rayman Origins one hell of a good time. But it's the visuals and crisp gameplay controls over Rayman's platforming that make the game really stand out among other platformer titles. Rayman certainly gives Mario a run for his coins.

The lack of depth and overall variety and longevity make Little Deviants feel more like a $9.99 PSN title over a retail title.

A fun stealth game with tons of depth, innovative use of Vita tech, and some very interesting systems.

2048 is one of the best launch games on the Vita, and easily the best racer, speeding past Ridge Racer and Asphalt Injection. Compared to other WipEouts, the new edition doesn't bring that much new to the table, despite being a reboot of sorts, but it doesn't need to – it's a refinement of the series that takes most of the best parts of the franchise and packs it into a powerful handheld title.

Granted, its more iterative than innovative, but Shank 2 is a reasonably priced game with several fun elements that improve upon the original's formula while also scaling the game back in other areas.

It's a competent fighter, yes, but nothing about it really screams "must-have" unless you are a diehard SoulCalibur fan.

It is a bit frustrating to not have the entire series added in, especially Lost Frontier from the PSP, but the set does not lose anything by just having the first three games. Aspects of the series also feel dated, but that is really the only bad thing you can say about this collection, which is a testament to the quality of the original games.

There is just so much to love about Kingdoms of Amalur. Its genre-elevating combat and gorgeous visual design are unparalleled and will undoubtedly be emulated in years to come.

At the very least, Dungeon Hunter: Alliance does have a niche to satisfy, and it's at least nice to have some option for a multiplayer RPG right at the Vita's launch. It's very disappointing that it had to be nearly a direct port of a game that's been on PSN for almost a year, and the iPhone/iPod for much longer.

The offline mode can get tiresome, but the online modes are enough to keep arcade gamers busy for some time.

It gives you more of the wonderful mix of platforming and puzzles that make you feel clever once you solve them. Trine 2 becomes incredibly easy when working with two or more people, however the game is so fun when playing in multiplayer that you don't really care about the wizard being able to bypass puzzles completely.

Overall, the game is too short, even for a minigame, but each minigame is rather enjoyable – especially for younger children.

A great little game that can burn up more than a few hours of your time. There is an option for downloadable content from the main game menu, so the developer is thinking ahead. The $9.99 price tag seems a little high due to the short story, but if future DLC were to be free, or minimally priced, the price would fit better.

As it stands now, though, unless you dream of outrunning ferocious dinosaurs or really want to know the ultimate fate of that can of Barbasol, I'd suggest simply watching the movie to get your prehistoric fix.

The game doesn't come out unscathed, as the long load times kill much of the flow in the game and could leave some of the more impatient kids/families searching for something else to do. This, along with other minor technical issues hamper this game from realizing its full potential.

WWE '12 is one of the best wrestling games made, period. Each year THQ tops the previous performance – but this year they've really improved the creation and storyline elements to where the rebranding of the game feels appropriate. The game isn't without missteps, however.

The transition into HD isn't as good as it could have been, but you're still getting three of the best games in the series - of all-time even - on one disc for one low price. If that doesn't make an exclamation point appear above your head, I don't know what will.

A repetitive game lacking depth and variety. The motion controls are mediocre, especially when compared to Sports Champions or other Move titles. The on-rails nature of the title limits exploration and restricts any movement, leading to a frustrating experience. What little fun there is to be had, starts to fade quickly thanks to difficulty spikes.

Ultimately, The Cursed Crusade suffers from something far worse than the characters within – the curse of boredom. By the end, I no longer cared about whether or not Denz finds his father, or if he and Estaban managed to break the curse, and only cared that I could turn the game off.

The gamer in everyone will launch Skyrim in their PS3 and sit in awe at the masterpiece Bethesda Game Studios has created.

Adding in real world environments, with real world cities and landmarks, gives the game a real world feel.

For the game's only con to be the music and a silly tune that plays too often, that's really saying something. Everything else, is nearly flawless.

A game that begs to be held to a different standard – that of no-holds barred, explosive, offensive, vulgar, hilarious fun. It never takes itself too seriously, and while there is a plot, you are entertained by it and not necessarily engrossed in it like in GTA IV and its expansions. This is a game you boot up when you just want to have fun causing as much mayhem as possible in almost any way you can think of.

Everybody Dance certainly isn't the greatest dance game on the planet and lacks depth in most of its features, but for the moment it's the best you'll do for a fun dance game on PS3 and makes for a decent party game, so if your looking to get groovy with the Move this is the way to go.

It's a side story within the Lord of the Rings universe presented in the form of a mediocre hack-n-slash RPG. Only the die-hard Lord of the Rings fans need apply here.

Revelations is a fantastic game, and is more than worth your money, but a repetitive mission structure and the fact that the game is still following Ezio is rather disappointing. Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives, with the game an improvement over Brotherhood in almost every way, making it one of this holiday's must-haves.

Reloaded is a game that doesn't do enough to win over gamers who never played the classic and for those who fell in love with this N64 classic, you might be better off wiping that dust off your old N64 console. The game feels like it was stuck in the middle of modernizing the experience too much and sticking true to the roots, opting to stay around the middle.

Modern Warfare 3 might be "more of the same", but that is not entirely a bad thing as it is a copy of a great game. The MW3 team has delivered a satisfying conclusion to the story introduced with the first Modern Warfare game, brought some great additions to the game's popular multiplayer and co-op modes – but the lack of innovation or real change means that the game is the least enjoyable game in the trilogy.

The difficulty alone is enough to keep you busy for a long time, even despite there being three sectors. But if you're a glutton for punishment, you could give a go at topping the leaderboards. Aside from that and few cheats that let you change the visual filter, there's really not a lot of replay value here.

The mediocre campaign is rather disappointing, and is easily the game's biggest drawback – the real value here is in the competitive multiplayer modes. There's plenty of great online competitive shooters out there, but few encourage friends to work together as a team with such refined gameplay, where vast terrains, powerful vehicles, and high-tech gadgets provide such a bevy of tactics and options to be utilized to conquer the enemy as Battlefield 3 does.

An absolute blast to play. It retains the core gameplay of the series and streamlines the experience to a fast and action-packed jaunt into New Marais.

Its charming world and creatures will keep most kids entertained, and playing with them as you explore the world can be rewarding. With most puzzles able to be solved in a few minutes' time, Okabu can be repetitive and slightly dull, but if you can get past the slow start there is an enjoyable game to be found here.

The entire Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception experience comes together and delivers an unforgettable adventure rich with cinematic eye-candy, intense action sequences, and a multiplayer component that convincingly entertains.

If there is one game you buy this year, make it Batman: Arkham City. Few other games released this year will reach this level of polish, variety, story quality, action, scale, and length.

The great looking animations are still accompanied by well done voice acting, and environments consistently change for colorful and beautiful aesthetics even though most of the game is spent on planet Magnus.

Yes the game is too short, clocking in at around 4 hours to complete, but sometimes it is not about length and instead about the pure fun you have. I found myself sitting there with a friend and just raving over and over about how beautiful and fun this game was, as we were moving from wall, to roof, to bridge, as only a piece of graffiti could do.

Aterlier Totori is not a game for everyone, as some gamers might find themselves bored with the gather and create formula, but it is still a solid RPG experience.

Sure, the story is predictable and the humor is definitely not for everyone, but when the platforming and puzzle solving is this fun you won't really mind.

Crysis brings a great single player campaign to the table, which has the ability to keep the average gamer occupied for about 8-10 hours, with some explosive moments to keep it flowing forward.

With a mere $10 price tag, 4 Elements HD provides plenty of gameplay, but it's still something I would only recommend to people who are already fans of the genre, and perhaps people looking for another game to utilize their Move controller with.

If you've traveled this path before, the only new things that are really offered are trophies and the option to enable 3D if you've got the hardware. However, if you haven't had the chance to experience the lore of Sam Fisher (and you're not an inverted player), the Splinter Cell Classic Trilogy HD has the potential to offer you a unique and memorable journey.

While the new defensive control scheme is certainly a bold move, it is a double-edged sword that may alienate veteran players at first. It does grow on you over time, but prepare to set aside some time to learn the new system.

Max & the Magic Marker makes for a decent kids game to add to your Move enabled collection, but despite having some interesting gameplay points it stops short of doing anything deep with the mechanics at hand.

For fans of the first game, and fans of JRPGs structure, White Knight Chronicles II is an engrossing trek through a large, beautifully rendered world. It's a game that provides a large foundation of content to explore, which is only prohibited by its average gameplay.

But now, over three years since the release of the original, a lot of the gameplay seems lacking.

The combination of aesthetic beauty and environmental manipulation make for a relaxing and pleasing game that also manages to keep you on your toes, thanks to the chain reactions that may be caused by subtle changes.