A little rough in terms of transition from scene to scene, but otherwise solid. Both platforming and fighting systems are easy to learn, but tough to master.

There’s lots to do and that includes side missions that you can skip if you’re immersed in the main story path. And it’s fun in a basic way.

I was surprised at how much I liked this game. Hand it to Raven Software for building a movie-based game as a game first and then worrying about the tie-in later.

It’s not going to rival a Modern Warfare 2 or Assassin’s Creed II with its depth, but for what it does, it’s worth the 800 Microsoft Points (or about $10) that’s the price of admission.

With smoother animation transitions, a better framerate, and a tad more pace, NBA Live 06 will look silly-good, as the rendering and motion capture is already there.

A solid game, with some decent gameplay. But it’s not going to light your soul on fire like other shooters hopefully will, and might bore gamers who’ve played every single shooter out there and are looking for something new. It may not feel new, but it definitely feels polished and solid. If not very scary.

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.

Though Xevious was a ground-breaking title when it was released 25 years ago, it’s a great example of how game designers of that era were trying out new things and new ways of challenging players. As such, spending a few Microsoft Points to pick up the XBLA version will give you a good look at what served as a revolutionary game in 1982—and to test your piloting mettle.

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.

While the new single-player gameplay modes are nice additions, they still end up being too repetitive over the long haul. Multiplayer is the strength of NFL Street 2 and can make for some heated matches.

While some elements are fantastically executed and the main campaign is quite compelling, there just isn't enough innovation or diversity in the multiplayer or beyond the story to pry people away from its behemoth of a competitor.

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.

Those that love unique stories, settings, and characters will adore just tooling around in this mystical land, but those looking to give their reflexes a workout will be left wanting more.

With a renewed focus on adventure and the inclusion of a less restrictive control scheme, Crystal Dynamics has managed to rekindle the fading flame of the Tomb Raider franchise. Although it is a bit on the short side, a multitude of extras and the tough Time Trial mode will extends the Croft experience.

Very clever puzzles and fun action sequences will take you through the course of the Original Trilogy. The vehicular battles, especially with two people, are a real highlight.

On one side you have a truly engaging experience that makes the gamer think about their actions and study the environments in order to be as efficient as possible. The AI is great and the replayability factor is high. On the other side of the blade you have a cumbersome inventory system, suspect character control, and perplexing animations.

The AI players choose to push hard with some strange hands that’ll keep you off-balance, but there’s lots to do in the single-player game, and all that fun playing others in multiplayer.

Chessmaster isn't for all Xbox'ers, but it is highly recommended for anybody event remotely interested in learning how to play chess or wanting to become a better player.

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.

A bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing - masked behind pedestrian visuals, a mediocre soundtrack, and a rocky release to market with the whole 3DO debacle, is a racing game with absolutely incredible physics and handling and a fun career mode.

For attempting to satiate the entire racing game populous with a single title, EA has done a pretty fine job. Would a super-mega tuner game have been a better move? Would a follow-up to the pursuit-style racing of "Most Wanted" have made more sense? Maybe and maybe.

The Marvel entity known as The Punisher is done right in this game... really right. The Havoc engine makes for pretty fun gameplay but there's not much of the core action that you haven't seen before. Interrogations and special kills are a blast.

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

If you go into the game expecting a rush of nostalgia backed by solid gameplay you will not be disappointed.

In the end, Def Jam Icon is more like a bump-n-grind slow jam instead of the club banger that it should have been, but it still deserves merit.

It’s not perfect, to the hardcore or others. But it is good enough to give you an experience you won’t regret.

So if you've been pleased with the series so far and love the latest set list, you're going to have a blast with Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. But for everyone else who hasn't been completely sold on the Guitar Hero franchise, there's nothing going on here that's going to change your mind.

If large-scale battles are your forte and you despise PC gaming, then Delta Force - Black Hawk Down is a must-buy.

While not as bare bones as "Madden NFL 06," NHL 07 still could use a bit more substance to back up its innovative controls and killer graphics and sound.

I can definitely see a "Splinter Cell" fan really getting into Sniper Elite. The subject matter is far different, and the sniping accent is unique, but the elements of stealth, gameplay difficulty, and general pace of play are reminiscent of many-a Fisher mission.

The best way to sum up the graphics of James Bond 007: Nightfire is to say that this is a game that is developed cross-platform, but looks as though it could be an Xbox exclusive.

Deer Hunt has incredibly deep and challenging gameplay that is coupled with fairly decent visuals and top notch Dolby 5.1 audio. Perhaps now I can understand why hunting appeals to so many people around the world; the thrill of the hunt.

Tropico 4 is an enjoyable and well-polished strategy experience that's accessible and highly addictive, and for that reason we have to recommend that strategy fans pick this one up. After all, it's (probably) the closest most of us will get to becoming any kind of tyrannical dictator.

Those looking for the most realistic graphics and the most thorough baseball history lesson really can’t go wrong with All-Star Baseball 2005.

There's good gameplay (aside from some framerate choppiness), excellent modes, palpable pageantry, above average graphics and audio, and even sweet navigation screens. The lack of online tournaments is the biggest detriment.

A thoughtful and intriguing game.

The foundation for what will someday be unbelievable character models and environments, and the building blocks of spot-on football gameplay. If you are expecting more than that then you may want to hold onto that paper until "07."

C’mon folks, it’s DDR. If you’ve got the slightest interest in dancing to the beat on your Xbox 360, this is the way to go.

The game has great features, just not enough of them to compete with the likes of Gran Turismo. Had SegaGT 2002 had more cars and a lot more tracks we might be singing a different tune.

While Need for Speed Undercover delivers in the areas of cinematic production, audio, visuals and through its sweet vehicle roster, it falls a bit short in the realm of top-tier, arcade-quality handling models.

Full of major improvements that really warrant a purchase if your last THPS was number two. I don’t feel it is SO different that you would feel compelled to purchase it if you just got three.

If you've never played a Keflings game, definitely start with this one.

Military buffs and the hardcore flight fans will gobble this one up, but I think most causal gamers that have Live will sadly pass over this one.

Offers up all the enjoyment Mario Kart has. The graphics are clean and crisp and the game is a blast to play through in the adventure mode, as well as crashing down with a friend for a good time.

It may not be a “Flawless Victory” with its here-and-there hiccups and T-rated combat, but Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is the best pure MK fighter that the series has produced in years.

I loved the gruesome environments, humor of the goblins, and the vast array of adventures that I encountered along the way. Sadly if they had spent more time on updating the dated graphics I feel this game would be much more eye catching and well-rounded.

The four player action and quirky storyline makes this one unique, making the downloading of this title a no-brainer for platforming fiends.

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.

The simplified control scheme and the tried and true Tony Hawk game engine make this a perfect game for children to jump right into.

The actual game behind South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play! is actually good, and that’s not something you’ve probably ever been able to say about a South Park game before.

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.

Buy it, live it, enjoy it. This is where gaming started people, and with a cheap price of admission, plenty of history on each title, and some of Capcom's better works all on one disk, there is no reason not to pick this title up.

Other franchises do an admirable job of capturing the spirit of fighting, the spirited back-and-forths of a good brawl. But with Virtua Fighter, you get the very essence of fighting, the true artistry in martial arts. And it's a total knock out.

The high bar of visuals is followed by a good score, and descent acting, some of the spell and combat audio has a edge to it that sounds lower quality then the rest of the audio landscape.

The game is slow going at first, and there are an abundance of technical issues that throw a wrench into the mix, but the core gameplay fundamentals are still worth checking out.

Over on the PS3, MLB 10: The Show has just launched, and it likely still claims the crown in the video baseball showdown. But it clearly hasn’t experienced the same sudden improvement as the 2K line, which, now, can be considered a true competitor.

At its very least, a very entertaining game with a tenuously attached license that few people probably care about. But at its best, it's an old-school type of shooter that rewards players hungry for beating their own high scores and those willing to try some very innovative multiplayer design.

Namco Bandai should be proud of what they have here. Sure, there are a few hiccups in play here or there but it is nothing that is so bad as to turn you off from the experience.

A tough one to master, but progressively rewarding for those that stick to their guns.

With 300 single-player stages there is plenty of monkey rolling gameplay in store, however, we could do without the lackluster story. Despite its flaws, Super Monkey Ball Deluxe is as addictive as the likes of "Tetris" and "Lemmings" and worth a rental at the very least.

Sure, the story isn't that deep or developed that well. Yeah, the graphics are not stellar. True, the audio is pretty much a disappointment. But oh that engine. Spartan controls with ease.

It’s fantastic fun for a same-screen multiplayer game, and could foster the kind of trash talk we like our games like that to elicit.

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.

The greatest weakness for Freedom Fighters is its length, which is really disappointing considering that overall the game is nothing but an enjoyable thrill ride. As a single-player experience, you can’t do any better than Freedom Fighters.

A few gameplay issues and graphical shortcomings keep the game from being an A+ stellar title, but hardcore Simpsons fans will be more than happy with this baby.

The more players you can get in a game, the more fun it becomes, but single-player is no slouch either, especially with all the extra modes.

I urge every Xboxer to at least rent this one in order to not only relive the past, but to experience the proper design and content for a videogame mix CD.

It's hard to compare FlatOut to the other extreme games on the market, but that's a good thing since it feels fresh in many aspects.

Takes the FPS genre back to its roots. You feel once again like playing the 1993’s Doom shareware edition, now in full 3D.

The game does have several shortcomings, including incredibly tough computer defense, a few glitches in the dynasty mode, and some overly long animations that affect gameplay, but all in all NBA Live 2004 is the best game of the series.

Aside from difficulty lining up the long shots, Bankshot Billiards 2 is an extremely fun title for all ages, and one that can be enjoyed via Xbox Live or solo-style.

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.

Whether you’re new to the game or a member of the old high-school chess club, you’ll find the Chessmaster series still holds the crown as “King” of the sixty-four-squared board.

The excellently crafted encounters, tons of extras and story are well worth the price of admission.

Even though the game may get a bit repetitive in time, the fantastic controls and overall solid programming are worth a look.

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 plays well, but it feels like Activision is going overboard by not marketing it as DLC instead of a new retail-box release. Also, developer Beenox did a good job, but didn’t add anything of note to the gameplay components to spark interest.

The game is one of the better Westerns we’ve seen on a video game console, and while that’s not saying a whole hell of a lot when you put it into context, it should be taken as faint praise.

Improves upon last year's hack-and-slash fest in every single aspect. The multiplayer action is incredibly fun, but it does take time to get adjusted to the camera angles. The camera isn't too much of a problem in the single-player game, but still provides a few quirks that will cause some frustration.

The wide range of minigames almost guarantees everyone will find at least something they like in the title, and I’ve yet to find anyone who didn’t get a thrill out of the game’s fast paced racing.

Involves enough gaming elements to keep the action/adventure or platformer fan busy.

Call of Duty, while still a very primitive version of what the story would become, flashes some of the brilliance that the series is known for. If you’ve never played it, then you should—if for nothing else than to see just how far we’ve come in games in such a short, short time.

The one thing that’s missing from the package is a multiplayer mode which, while not as important as in other Xbox Live Arcade titles, would have really been icing on this already attractive cake.

Simple, accessible fun for everyone, including all your non-gamer friends and family. Perfect entertainment for the upcoming party-packed season.

The single player campaign mode has a somewhat abrupt ending that doesn’t exactly lend itself to replay value, but there are still tons of activities included in the game, not to mention those that you create for yourself. The multiplayer modes are the most significant innovation in Saints Row.

Should I judge it for the hours of fun I had and its frequent brilliance, ignoring the commensurate hours I sat through some of the most self-indulgent pseudo-intellectual mumbling masquerading as a cutscene since Metal Gear Solid 4 (and the fact that the game drags on approximately five hours longer than it should?)

The new pitching and hitting systems are magic in the making and will really test the baseball gaming market to see if anyone can counter what EA Canada has done with MVP 2003.

Graphically the game is smooth and unique and the sound is simply spectacular. While there aren’t many gameplay options and selecting particular voodoo powers is nonexistent, the rest of the game is solid.

While the game lacks the fast pace and wild action of its NBA brethren, the game is tailor made for the more technically minded sports fans. Strong gameplay and deep customization helps players to make the total college-sports experience a reflection of their individual tastes.

HHB does a fantastically thorough job with the gameplay options. Practically every aspect of the game is fully customizable from the human and CPU batting, pitching, fielding abilities to the running and throwing speeds of both the CPU and human players.

Just like all the previous Activision O2 titles (even before they were called such) I find that I can’t put Wakeboarding Unleashed down.

Those looking for the most complete and best playing soccer game this year will still want to grab FIFA Soccer 07 for the big black box.

Even though some of it feels familiar, there's enough new here to keep you coming back for more.

Age of Booty not only looks good, but it plays solidly enough to back up its aesthetic worth. If you’d like to first get your feet wet before diving into the raging sea that is the RTS genre, Age of Booty is the right vessel for the job.

It manages to take inspiration from known quantities in the puzzle and rhythm genres to create something that feels distinctive and, more importantly, is a lot of fun. That the bulk of your money is going to charity is a feel-good bonus for a game that deserves your time regardless.

Charming and full of content.

Provides much of the same fun that the original brought to the table with a more fleshed out feel, thanks to the added squad controls and the inclusion of tanks. For as fun as the single-player game is, it's the multiplayer that will attract.

Although it has a rocky start, most will find it highly addicting after you have learned the basic mechanics of the game.