Mind Over Mutant isn’t a bad game. In fact, there’s a lot of it that’s enjoyable. I just wish the effort that went into a lot of the peripheral action and non-interactive videos had also been put on the gameplay, to make it more entertaining overall. It’s just not very consistent in its fun generation.

There’s still some work to do in the presentation and gameplay mechanics departments, but NBA 2K9 should be considered yet another slam dunk for the Xbox’s hoop stalwarts, but one perhaps thrown down with less authority than in recent years.

Live 09 is leaps-and-bounds above its HD-era predecessors. With that said, it’s hard to imagine anyone but the sturdiest of pro-level B-ball critic not being able to find a clinical dosage of fun on the silvery surface of NBA Live 09’s disc.

It felt incomplete—or, worse, insubstantial, like a test project not fully fleshed out into a compelling game.

Those that cringe at the site of the arcade or 8-bit style of games on XBLA need to stay far, far away from Mega Man 9; the difficulty and overall replay value will not sit well with you. But for those that are simply in love with the Mega Man IP, or those that continually pull out the NES for old time’s sake, Mega Man 9 is one is a rare treat– a tasty morsel likened to the decades-later discovery of a previously unreleased recording from Zeppelin, or similar rock gods.

Fans of the series are sure to be pleased, as well as spooked, by the expected, yet unexpected twists the plot takes as Alex searches for his missing brother and father. Newcomers will also appreciate the ability to pick up the game without needing to know the full history of the franchise, but some may feel a bit overwhelmed if they aren’t prepared for what the Silent Hill experience has to offer.

But more importantly, the developers at 3D Realms (yes, the original devs did this port instead of working on something else, ahem) added a few features to bring the experience up to date without severely affecting the core gameplay.

It’s more story-driven and -focused, which might not be as satisfying or challenging for hard-core gamers looking for constant, fast-paced action—and if you don’t like that kind of game, it’s a good bet you won’t like the next BiA that’s surely coming.

It’s hard to imagine a gamer not getting at least a few jollies form zipping around in Pure; and I don’t mean just racing genre gamers. That’s ‘E’ for Everyone– just like Pure’s ESRB rating. Moto-heads and racing nuts should be all over this one, as should fans of all games extreme in nature.

The premise undoubtedly has promise, and there are now enough characters within Omega Force’s franchise to make a truly epic action/strategy title. But with same-old-same-old gameplay and the visuals to match, Warriors Orochi 2 ends up feeling very much like the original Xbox’s Dynasty Warriors 3, which released six years ago.

It isn’t a bad game; it’s just not a particularly original or innovative one. Those checking out a LEGO video game for the first time should enjoy how it plays, but those who have at least one LEGO game in the collection should try it before buying.

A racer that is solid at its core, but it does little to make itself stand out in a sea of competent motorsports titles for the Xbox 360. There’s value in Baja: Edge of Control’s premium asking price, but it’s really hard to imagine said value being squeezed out by anyone other than desert or simulation game racing fanatics.

And for a family-friendly diversion that should keep the kiddies busy for quite some time, Feeding Frenzy 2 really nails it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Domino Master and I’ll probably go back for more games even after I finish reviewing it.

The disappointment from playing Force Unleashed comes from some really high expectations, ones that the game sets up itself in the early going. The storyline is so good, the graphics simply amazing, the whole thing just so classic Star Wars that it almost hurts when I think about how much the game pissed me off.

The cut scenes are gorgeous, the mech design is cool, the overall art style is kind of awesome… but the game itself isn’t really worth it.

There are only a few fighters that are more lighthearted and pick-up-and-play-enjoyable than Battle Fantasia, but such whimsy and simplicity come at a premium price in the land of fighting games.

The new modes (Battle of the Bands, for instance), expanded online functionality and large song library offer a lot for players to do. Otherwise, nothing in the fundamental gameplay has changed.

There’s a lot to keep you going in Rocket Bowl, but it’s sort of a one-trick pony. There are a lot of courses, but not much overall variety from one to the next.

It’s the truth; you either love this game because it reminds you of Slurpee-fueled afternoons at the 7-11 near school, or you’re an incredibly knowledgeable fan of fighting games who wrote your 500 page dissertation on the subtle differences between SNK and Capcom games. You guys are cool, you’ll love it. But to the entry level fighting gamer, I can’t fully recommend it.

With videogame versions, it’s all about the features and spit and polish. Shotest Shogi does some of those things very well, but ultimately new converts will enjoy it more. It’s a great introduction to a classic game of strategy.

I’ve played many a game that was jam-packed with features but had a terrible core engine that ruined the entire product. TNA IMPACT! is just the reverse, really. This freshman effort is a little light on overall content and features, but it makes up for a lot of this with a solid engine; upon which Midway can build better follow-up TNA titles.

For the rest of the RPG fans, there are much better choices when it comes to playing a JRPG stateside; none of which involve importation.

You don’t even have to be a psychotic hockey fan to enjoy NHL 09; just a fan of sports in general and of solid Xbox 360 software. Of course pick this one up if you live and breathe the NHL hockey season, but NHL 09 is also worth a look by those that are still searching for that killer, HD-era sports application.

NHL 2K9 shows that Visual Concepts has pretty much done everything it can to the same core engine that was used when the 360 launched. NHL 2K9 is a good game, but it shows its age in a few too many areas to compete with what else is out there.

There’s no question FB has style to spare—you gotta love the round card-carrying bimbos holding the cards upside-down—and those willing to put up with the early beatings will find lots to enjoy both offline and over Xbox Live.

Ok, so maybe NFL Head Coach 09 is more attractive to the play-calling purists without on-field action. But what’s up with the last-gen visuals?

What we’re left with is a clever idea that was not executed to any satisfying end.

Stick to the four or better multiplayer mayhem, and you’ll find Shred Nebula offers you more than enough bang for your ten space bucks.

The card game may be old, but it’s far from obsolete, providing a perfect counter from the faster-paced, high-concentrate titles.

Infinite Undiscovery is more of a gateway RPG than an all-out epic; real-time combat, less story-driven side activities/exploring and a shorter overall play time allow easy access for the JRPG n00bs. There are a few technical hiccups to get over, but Infinite Undiscovery is still a worthwhile romp for those looking for a JRPG-lite in 2008.

TiP is a unique, genre-bending title that may not be for everyone, but it pulls off what it intends to do masterfully. Its combination of creativity-encouraging gameplay, irresistible characters, and the addiction of crafting the absolute coolest garden—all complemented by candy-colored visuals—serve up hours of piñata-fueled fun.

The design and concept behind Mercs 2 is fantastic. Some of the artistic ideas and especially the music are totally top notch. It’s just a shame the entire experience doesn’t quite live up to expectations.

Regardless of how many join your fight, you’ll find Castle Crashers a content-packed offering, brimming with replayability, buoyed by unlockable characters and just-one-more-level addiction. Plan on crashing plenty castles before the holiday rush.

If gads of dialog, characters that ooze personality and freer form combat sounds like an RPG delight to you, then order up Tales of Vesperia pronto.

And even though it’s not exactly a major overhaul of the game, the improvements are great, the game looks great and it’s as fun as ever. Good job, EA.

It’s another one of those high-score hypodermic needles – you get addicted on getting a higher score so you keep repeating it over and over, working out new ideas for drone placement each time. It’s like a chess game at 100 mph, challenging and twitchy, all at the same time. On that point, Galaga Legions ranks up there with the best of them.

I don’t need games that make me this mad for so little payoff.

As challenges go, it’s brutal, so be prepared what you’re in for. Of course, what you’re in for is a brilliantly realized XBLA game, with scads of replayability, a hot look and a commitment to its arcade roots—if the MIDI-based soundtrack doesn’t pump your heart rate up to 120 BPM, then maybe you should double check that you’re even alive—that deserves our deepest respect.

Madden NFL 09 is a competent addition to this twenty year franchise, and perhaps the best that Tiburon has to offer for the Xbox 360. But one has to wonder why issues such as unnecessary clipping, framerate/loading issues and the lack of full Live functionality are still around three years into the 360’s console cycle.

It combines fun gameplay with an absolutely exquisite appearance - not going too far to one side or the other that it dilutes form over function, or vice versa.

Beating all twenty levels of Sequence will give you an immense sense of accomplishment. Or at least I assume it will, I haven’t been able to do it yet.

The sheer amount of features, including the Star Wars characters, makes Soulcalibur IV worth its premium asking price for those that adore this franchise. But it’s the synergistic power of these parts coming together that makes Soulcalibur IV a good recommendation to any player looking for a fresher take on the fighting game genre.

At budget-price, IF’s fantasy adventure is a consideration for sure, but those that don’t need Spectral Force 3 to complete some odd JRPG collection should save up their scratch for the big boys that will arriving in the fall.

This most certainly isn’t a game that you’ll be able to relax and play with a smile on your face. That’s not to say it’s bad, but just that it’s going to cater to a smaller segment of the Xbox 360 population looking for maximum challenge.

It’s got everything you might want from an XBLA game including extra downloadable content, multiplayer options including co-operative play and the capacity for custom soundtracks. What it doesn’t have is mass appeal. Still, somewhere out there is someone who’ll give Go! Go! Break Steady the love it so dearly needs.

We wanted to like Double D Dodgeball more because of the subject matter, but it simply doesn’t deliver the kind of experience we were hoping for. With better controls, the whole “playing dodgeball in space” thing could have worked. But we found ourselves worrying too much about being a sitting duck on the court to have time to enjoy the special, arcade-y features of Double D Dodgeball.

What EA has shown in NCAA Football 09 is steady progress and a sincere desire to put out a better product than it did a year earlier. NCAA Football 09 definitely passes that test with flying colors.

A surprisingly fun golf title, especially with it being an XBLA release. With its customizable characters and easy to jump into gameplay, Golf: Tee It Up! is a great casual entry in any golf fan's 360 library.

Whether you're a more casual gamer looking to join up with a buddy for a quick adrenaline surge, or you're the hardest of the hardcore determined to prove that there's no one better to rely on than yourself, Schizoid has more than enough to make you a little mental ... but enjoying yourself all the while.

My immersion in the gameplay experience is a good part of why this review is going up a bit later than planned. I often had a tough time pulling myself away from the playing to write this up.

If you're the type of person that's glued to the television every four years, carrying a torch for the Summer Games, Beijing 2008 is tailor made just for you. With its wide variety of events and a solid presentation, you'll be hard pressed not to get something out of this release. Still, control issues and a poor online experience keep this game from having any chance of bringing home the gold.

It’s an old school shooter more closely related to "Quake" than "Call of Duty 4," with fast-paced explosion heavy action, a sci-fi theme to the levels and the weapons and a bunch of fun powerups like shields and damage amplifiers. In other words, it’s quintessentially an Unreal Tournament game.

While it's not necessarily the most qualified candidate on the ticket, it's got a solid platform and is entertaining enough to maintain a respectable number of party game delegates. Besides, it definitely more fun than the current real-life political circus.

Take every cool martial arts weapon that you wanted as a kid, and add to it many of the killer utensils from medieval times– that pretty much sums up the weapons used by Soulcaliber characters. And, instead of keeping character types of a consistent ilk, Namco went all over the board– from reptile to Asian Elvis– in order to keep us coming back. We’re talking about some of the most highly-regarded fighting game characters of all time.

With no disrespect intended to the band or Activision, it seems as if , unless you’re a big Aerosmith junkie, GH: Aerosmith will probably feel like you’re playing an RPG over a friend’s house, when you’d rather be playing a shooter or sports game.

The flaws hold the game back from being as entertaining as it could have been, yet its over-the-top take on a classic formula is worth more than a few laughs to fans.

The game is simply way more fun playing with friends than all by your lonely, and if you do play by yourself you’ll be way challenged to complete the game solo, even on the lower difficulty levels. It just doesn’t scale down that much.

While the game might not appeal to those looking for their XBLA games to pack a little extra visual punch, it's "All aboard!" for those trying to find a relaxing new way to do Game Night with friends.

When all is said and done, Hellboy: The Science of Evil might have been a hit during the last generation of consoles. On the current consoles, though, it just falls short in nearly every regard.

I've gotten used to not expecting much from movie games, and when I played the final version of WALL-E, it met those light expectations.

It’s obvious that a lot of effort was put into certain elements of the game and its presentation. But no matter how nice the car looks on the outside, if the engine isn’t working you ain’t goin’ no place. Alone in the Dark is just that, a game going no place and with no reason in the world to suffer it.

Battlefield: Bad Company knows what it wants to do and does it. The gameplay is simple and easy to wrap your mind around, but opens up to a lot of different strategies. The explosions are visceral and fun, and the game looks great too.

Revamped risk shots pay dividends. Revamped character movements backfire.

EALA R&D'd a new control scheme which does pretty well overall. There’s also a fairly fleshed-out Live arena, a custom Xbox 360 gauntlet mode and the ability to play this title without having to jump it with "Tiberium Wars." All of this– at a price that won’t scare away the RTS n00b– makes this wrath worth enduring.

SupCom’s original design was highly inventive, but the Xbox 360 version is heavily hindered by the glitches, even though the console’s control scheme innovatively streamlines the gameplay as best as possible.

This is one of those occasions where having your movement "on rails" actually helps extend the gameplay.

With all of the games available on Xbox Live, it’s pretty hard to find something that actually feels completely original, but Elements of Destruction does just that. The game’s blending of strategy and action, mixed in with a meteorological arsenal that would bring a tear to Willard Scott’s eye, all come together to make this a title that deserves a spot on most Xbox 360 owners’ extended forecast.

Just completing a single string of pots (the cages the crabs crawl into on the ocean floor, trapping them) in Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm is a long and drawn out experience, with a difficult to master control scheme and layers of strategy and management to contend with. On top of that, it will literally make you seasick. In other words, a total PC game.

Prizefighter’s biggest mistake was trying to be a serious boxing sim. It’s not. It couldn’t be anything further from it unless its name was Facebreaker (zing!). Maybe if the game makers tried to make it a more splendiferous experience, then we’d think it lived up to Don King’s moniker. Instead, it’s a bad boxing game with some really nice extras added on.

Consider NASCAR 09 the official ship-righting title for EA Sports stock-car franchise. First and foremost, NASCAR 09 is adept at entertaining a much winder audience than in the past. NASCAR 09 also looks and sounds better than any of its predecessors and comes equipped with more standard gameplay modes.

Fans of DBZ and lovers of other Dimps-branded Dragon Ball titles, as mentioned earlier, will want to rush out and pick Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit up. Hardcore fighting gamers will also enjoy the ranged stick-and-move nature of this unique fighter.

As far as movie based games go, The Incredible Hulk is better than most in recent memory. As far as comic based games go, it's not bad either. Still, when compared to the last Hulk game, it feels like the game's already been done before, and on the last generation of consoles as well.

The white-knuckle moments that fill the experience are a blast to share with another person. But it still doesn’t make the game any easier. The mad difficulty of the game is not only what will attract gamers of a certain ilk to its crazy action, it’s also what will turn some people off. But hey, it’s an XBLA title and one of the most impressive looking ones we’ve seen yet.

If you like puzzle games that require quick reflexes as well as mental acuity, then Roogoo is definitely for you. Honestly, I think the whole cutesy setting is an add on to keep you from getting too furious at the game.

It’s not a perfect action game by any stretch, but one that does keep the player engaged from point to point—and that’s all you can ask.

Don’t let the blood and internal organs fool you: Ninja Gaiden II takes even greater skill to play efficiently than its predecessors.

While it's hard to fully judge GRID compared to other racing games that feature heavy vehicle modification, the on-road manners of Codies' affair can hang with the best of ’em.

Lego Indy doesn’t vary much in scope and content from the previous titles that the pair have worked on, but it’s still a fun game to play and a smart take on the game-from-a-movie process, which more times than not turns out to be lacking in the “game” portion. Most of all, it makes me wonder what they’ll team up on next.

All told, if you're a casual gamer and looking for something more than what a pencil and notepad can provide, Buku Sudoku is something that is worth killing some time with.

For fans with a taste of all things retro, picking it up for just 400 Microsoft points (or about $5) seems like a no-brainer.

Sadly, ET:QW looks like a good idea that wasn't properly fleshed out to meet that potential.

If you don't mind shelling out about twice as much as most other XBLA games for a fairly short tale, you'll likely find the game to be well worth the price of admission.

So, yes, the future does indeed looks bright for FIFA 09, but with UEFA EURO 2008 currently on the shelves, the future also happens to be right now.

If you're a fan of the original Assault Heroes game and you've been itching for more, Assault Heroes 2 is perfect for you. For everyone else, though, it's a tough call. The game adds a few new extras here and there, but it seems a little weak as far as sequels go.

It's actually a pretty fun experience...IF you’re playing with a small group of close friends. Outside of this specific situation, though, the experience loses a lot of its initial interest.

So, if you can get past Iron Man's steep learning curve and a little bit of tarnish in the visual department, what are you left with? A game that's far from perfect, but still better than a lot of movie and comic book tie-ins that have come before.

It's amazing that a sequel that keeps the core gameplay concepts of its prior incarnations can do so much to change itself into something new. Cabs are awesome, as is the cellphones capabilities. But perhaps the biggest innovation is the notion that you can create a game that's as valid a piece of art as any book or movie. Is this our "Citizen Kane" moment?

Simple gameplay, great presentation and a finely tuned balance of luck and skill are the elements that made Lost Cities a hit with card- and board-game fans, and this version just makes all of that even better.

The graphics look cleaner, but more artificial. The create-a-player is functional, but nothing spectacular. Character development looks good on paper, but not in practice. The addition of combo minigames is interesting, but takes away more than it adds.

The microgames that are genuinely entertaining are few and far between, and, due to their nature, over far too quickly.

Battlezone is definitely one of those old games that has been vastly surpassed by present-day titles, but it still has the gameplay appeal to make it worth a look.

The game’s unique spin on a classic formula, coupled with a difficulty level sure to challenge even the most hardcore gamers, make the game an experience just waiting to scratch your itchy trigger finger.

The fast paced action and quick thinking gameplay make for an entertaining experience. Toss in a strong online co-op component, and there’s more than enough to dig its way out from the depths of mediocrity.

A great-looking but ultimately unfulfilling experience. There’s a lot of flash and flair, but not a whole lot of substance.

And while there’s little aside from the inclusion of the glaive in combat that could really be considered an innovation, it’s still something that can keep a solid hold of the player’s attention throughout.

The whole experience of Universe at War ends up being one big chore. If the single player is dull, and the multiplayer is broken, all you’ve got left is playing skirmish mode by yourself. And that will get old after a while anyway.

In general, there’s still a lot of entertainment in Viking, despite its need for more variety and its over-populated battles. Even at the lower “Normal” difficulty, it’s challenging. I just wish it had more inventive gameplay design across the whole game and pushed the player to have to think of more creative ways to get out of certain situations.