The best poker game on the market. Not by much, but it is nonetheless. The career mode, quick play, and multiplayer aspects of the game all combine to make a nice little package for your hard-earned twenty bucks.

It is very evident, however, that the BloodRayne series has come along way, flexing much better visuals, deeper gameplay, and a smoother overall look and feel thanks to the Infernal engine.

If you have a love for the Koei/Omega Force titles, you would be a fool not to check out Samurai Warriors, which trumps "Dynasty Warriors" in just about every area.

It’s got a solid storyline and plenty of racy language (although not quite on the level of “Deadwood”), and while the action isn’t groundbreaking, it’s enjoyable. That said, there are a number of places where the game just doesn’t deliver the goods, and we can’t help feeling like this could have just as easily been a last-gen title.

The gameplay for this title is very cinema like. It could almost be a movie in itself. But like a movie, everything is very scripted.

The gamers who are all about gameplay and who could care less about fantasy drafts and eleven players a side aren’t going to be too impressed.

The artists and developers did a great job of capturing the essence of a vast, empty mansion. Every room is well detailed with the flavor of a dusty, cobweb infested, untouched house.

This past year Microsoft put a large amount of time and effort into the creation of XSN, so let’s hope this means they’ll have that extra time to beef up the gameplay and depth of the sports titles themselves for the 2005 season.

This is a game that breaks the mold and forces players to think, react, and interact with their environment unlike any other game to date.

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 blocks are appropriately vibrant, the launching effect is cool, the backgrounds sci-fi-ish, and the momentum-driving music never grows too repetitive—a significant achievement for a puzzle game.

While we certainly give 2K and Visual Concepts/Kush an “A” for effort with NHL 2K8, the bottom line score is a bit less. While NHL 2K8 still has the heart of a champion and features its rivals can’t touch, the competition has finally figured this video hockey thing out for the most part.

Feels as though it could have come straight from the scenes of a '80s B-movie horror flick, with dry characters and gameplay that repeats itself to no end.

It’s a fun family experience, though not so tepid that it’ll be lost on others.

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.

The idea behind NBA 2K10: Draft Combine and the way it complements NBA 2K10 is a great one, and I hope to see more sports games do things like it. I’m looking at you, Madden.

Thrillville is not for everyone, but it is perfect for those gamers that always wanted to try a simulation but were intimidated by PC keyboard overlays and Excel-like charts of data.

The nearly endless ways of offing Kewletts keeps the action fresh when the story starts to get a little slow.

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.

For now, we’ll live with the great graphics, the moderate entertainment value and the few decent changes over last year, but the hope was that WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 would be the “Wrestlemania” of WWE games.

With a more detailed multiplayer mode and maybe a bit more in the way of choices that may effect the game’s outcome, Dark Summit could be a leader in a new series of sports/adventure titles to come.

The more I played the more addicted I became to the gameplay. This game really feels like you are on a boat and I was amazed at the physics that the developers were able to pull off.

Codemasters was hoping to pull off a serious racing simulation here, but it feels like they feel a bit short in the depth of the game.

It’s a fun game, but pales in comparison to other current music games for the number of playable songs and entertainment value.

New hitting and pitching systems add more intuitiveness to the two most important aspects of any baseball game.

Aside from some iffy hit detection (2 pixels to the right of the front door won’t trigger a delivered paper at times), an RC car that’s relentless in its pursuit of your carrier (it’s pesky to say the least), and the omission of Paperboy’s Ditty from the soundtrack (j/k), Paperboy "delivers" as advertised in the classifieds.

Things get stale rather quickly, largely in part to the game's propensity to confining players to a single path through the campaign. The multiplayer doesn't help things along very much.

If you're looking for a very good co-op game, or a well developed single player campaign with few issues, then Rogue Trooper would be a perfect choice.

Although The Simpsons Game isn't a particularly special or innovative platformer, the writing, self-deprecating humor, and in-jokes make up for many of its shortcomings. This is one of the best Simpsons video games yet, mainly due to the fact that it takes so much inspiration from the show itself.

If you're looking for an insane amount of depth or replayability you're not going to find it in Fruit Ninja Kinect. What you will find is an excellent party game with some neat visual flair. If you need a reason to dust off your kinect and feel like having a few buddies over for a night Kinect fun, then Fruit Ninja Kinect is for you.

The game has enough to put a smile on your face, but it ends too soon. The game is good, but it’s way too short. Just when you really get into it, it’s over.

A solid platform game that is fun to play, but it is not without its pitfalls that will leave you somewhat frustrated.

HOUND building is borderline therapeutic. Slow in areas, but never for trivial reasons.

For fans of Tiger-style golf, you’ll probably be tied between which versions of the game to play; the Xbox version is more feature-rich, but the 360 version looks worlds better.

The presentation style in Wrath suits the storyline and characters almost perfectly.

Anyone with even a bit of interest in RTS games but who thought they were always too complicated should take a serious look at one of the few decent console based strategy games currently available.

Did GRIN do the original game justice? Definitely. GRIN has put Bionic Commando back on the map—with both of its titles, actually. Now let’s hope that Capcom keeps the cyborgs a-comin’. Two decades is too long to wait for a follow-up from such a compelling franchise.

Charming and full of content.

Sadly it falls into the realm of being one of those games that presents nothing new to the adventure genre and instead relies on the usual puzzle solving and mildly entertaining exploration mechanics of past titles.

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.

Best of all, it doesn’t look like a cheap throwaway title that you’ll play for a few minutes and never play again.

The vehicle controls are a sticking point. Many of the maps in The Outfit are big, so vehicles are the main means of transportation. It’s so easy to zig in vehicles when you meant to zag - a major no-no with enemy A.I. this tough. The rest of The Outfit is a superfine romp that any action gamer should experience.

The combat is a blast (literally!), particularly when you use your time powers effectively. Unfortunately, the puzzles are far too simple.

It’s certainly not so bad that it’ll ruin the series name for future releases and it does provide a fair amount of gameplay potential despite its flaws and glitches, but it will surely upset some of its player base who expected that the title would be a vast improvement—a next-generation title that pushed their system to new heights of performance.

Gameplay-wise, little has changed since the 1995 original, and in many ways the series seems a little too eager to cling to the past.

The visuals may not be stunning, and the audio won't put any surround sound system through its paces, but Xyanide still packs some nice punch, especially when playing with a friend.

The gameplay is truly unique when coupled with the uber-peripheral and the unique community of dedicated players. The one nice thing about Line of Contact is that the price of entry almost guarantees that there will be a strong community of gamers years down the road.

The two-on-two gameplay and the drama-rich Story Mode are the aspects of NBA Ballers: Phenom that separate it from its predecessor. There's not a huge overall jump in this series, which is a bit of a letdown.

Much like actually an actual off-roading experience, MX vs. ATV Untamed is a good time that occasionally gets bogged down in a muddy mess. The high learning curve and occasional visual letdown can throw a layer of muck over an otherwise prime racing experience.

The visual style, the sounds, and the jokes are straight out of the show, and all come together to create a fun and enjoyable game.

Offers gamers a great look into the secret and mysterious world of the silent ninja, and players who enjoy the more subtle approach to gameplay will find their patience and use of strategy rather than the sword may pay off nicely.

There’s a slight lack of presentation, continuity, and flow to the entire title, which unfortunately breaks Full Auto down to its core elements- combat and racing. While combat and racing are great together, most of us will be yearning for more from next-gen software.

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 game felt easier just because of the fact that it holds your hand throughout the journey, and acts like a set of training wheels until the end. That doesn't mean the game isn't fun though.

It might be time for the makers of MLB 2K8 to take a step back from adding bells and whistles, and put a little more concentration into the on-field action. In a lot of ways they’re headed in the right direction, but if the game itself is frustrating to play, all the cool features and classic players, and awesome mo-cap animations go to waste.

Fast, fun, and graphically pleasing. It's an awesome party game, and it's shortcomings in story, character choice, voice work, [and] single-player mode can't change that.

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.

Lollipop Chainsaw absolutely nails certain aspects of its B-movie influenced aesthetic, not to mention how genuinely surreal and surprisingly inspiring it is to see a major Western publisher like Warner Bros. get behind something so unapologetically bizarre. Lollipop Chainsaw at times is a lot of fun - it's just a shame it's almost as disposable as its titular confection.

It is a series I’d like to see continue, because it is fun as a party game and for Xbox 360 owners looking for some variety from the ongoing flood of sports games, action titles and shooters. I just think it needs to go through some serious improvements.

Overall it shines brilliantly compared to other titles of its franchise, but still falls short in some areas, mainly having to do with gameplay.

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.

Lack of polish makes Cars a bit crude, but not to the point where it's unplayable. The handling is spot-on – the MX Unleashed guys know their physics.

An innovative game that brings fresh air to genre.

There are some nice additions that increase the competitive side, which is good, but it doesn’t seem like a separate $60 bundle as much as it should have been a $30 or $40 expansion pack.

While it's still a far cry from the arcade, playing Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 with friends is a blast, especially once you know how to pull off some of the crazier moves. Now, Microsoft (or Nyko, or whoever), get working on that arcade stick!

The revamped NCAA Basketball 09 does a nice job of giving bracketheads what they want, despite some freshman jitters with its new engine. Even though NCAA Basketball 09 may not be a Final Four lock, it’s clear that the franchise has a winning road ahead of it.

The ability to create a soldier, tweaking various elements in both a physical and mental capacity, and then raising him through the ranks is great, but the actual gameplay is hurt by a lack of fluidity.

The weight of the ball does give the game a more loose feel than we would consider ideal, but all in all this is a budget title that turns out to be well worth it.

If tag-team action/platforming is what you're after, then Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit is an excellent choice.

The world of video games seems to have moved beyond games like this a while ago, making this futuristic shooter seem somehow unforgivably antique.

The Survival and Puzzle modes are plenty of fun and provide two very different experiences. Offering your mind and reflexes equal workouts, these two options save Polar Panic from being an entirely flawed experience, and one that should give fans of the genre at least a weekend’s worth of fun for 800 Microsoft Points (or about $10).

Solid, although somewhat short, single-player campaign and multiplayer modes that are just as fun as Halo 2. The story is slow to develop and tends to be hit or miss. The map editor is ridiculously easy to use.

With just a bit better speed sense and a few additional games modes, Yager could be a top notch affair.

While some graphical blandness and frustrating gameplay elements chip away at the game's overall experience, in the end this is going to be a game that appeals mainly to the flight simulator audience anyway.

X-Men Arcade doesn't innovate on its original design very much. While Konami could have just given us just the North American release they did instead included the Japanese version for hard core players or those looking to change things around.

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.

Awkward controls and unbalanced AI aside, this is still a Worms title at heart, so fans are sure to enjoy. One or two coats of polish are needed on the overall production, but there is plenty of fun to be had.

The suspect cameras and lack of solid or customizable controls will undoubtedly make some gamers mad they picked this one up. The rest of you who are used to mediocre controls (read: PC gamers) and are fans of taking turns will dig Worms 3D: Special Edition in a big way.

The thing that really grabs the gamer’s attention is the look of the tracks in Rally Fusion. They are simply a joy to look at and I found myself racing around and around just to see what pops up next.

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.

The close-quarters fighting system is by no means deep, but the inclusion of the style system and the takedown attacks makes for some interesting hand-to-hand scenarios. The acrobatic moves don't hurt either.

Its pillars are weakening, especially without the kind of graphical imagery that could have put a temporary balm on its aging structures, and which by the same token could have renewed the Crazy Taxi interest of many veterans, while sparking up that of a slew of new fans.

Does a fairly decent job at offering younger gamers (and the young at heart) a bit of fun through a wide variety of mission objectives, tons of vehicles, and humongous, streaming worlds. Even though it is imaginative in areas, it doesn’t offer the seasoned action-platform gamer anything innovative or extraordinary over what Mario, Sonic, Crash, et. al. have been doing for quite some time.

Compelling enough to drop your points on. It’s action-packed and looks great, and fans of top-down shooters like that, of which there aren’t enough on XBLA, should find the game highly satisfying. Just one more notch in the belt of XBLA’s great year.

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.

It’s not even in the same stratosphere as Oblivion, but it does offer a futuristic, far Eastern flavor that Elder Scrolls lacks.

Part of what is so incredibly endearing about this game is that it’s so technically abhorrent. You’ll feel like you’re playing something from Xbox Live Arcade, but the fun factor is where EDF 2017 makes the leap to a standalone title.

Something this title achieves that other "sandbox" style games tend to put on the backburner is a great story, which actually had us caring about characters and seeing their plights played out on screen.

In NCAA 08 March Madness’s case, an intricate post-play mechanism, online leagues and the best classic collegiate hoop teams of all time make it twisty enough for us to recommend it as a worthy upgrade to last year’s offering.

Just when you thought the third-person action/shooter genre was running thin on style, Wet has come along and shaken things up for the better.

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.

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.

It’ll take more of a giant leap, rather than a few baby steps, to truly catapult the JRPG into a league alongside its Western counterparts.

Fun is the bottom line here. Arcade simple, but entertaining. A.I. is unscrupulous at times.

You get the sense when playing King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Maniax that you're not really supposed to explore that third dimension, since the first two dimensions are what SNK know intimately; not an uncommon thing to happen to a company heading out into uncharted waters, but a tough feeling to swallow nonetheless.

After spending a lot of time with Defender I have decided that I would have more fun playing the 1980’s original than spend 50 bucks on this.

Those not fanatical about the Silent Scope franchise will probably want to pass on the whole experience unless they are in the market for a cool light gun or have $90 burning a hole in their pocket.

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.