Bioshock is everything we've been hoping it could be. It defines the action/adventure genre, combining the thrills of a FPS, the strategy of a RPG, the looks of a visual masterpiece, the sounds of an epic, and the story of a full-blown mystery. It's not perfect, but it's damn close.

Yep, Bomberman is one of the greatest party games of all time.

Overall, All-Pro Football 2K8 is a solid first entry from 2K Sports, but it comes a year too late as the Madden series is already plowing away at full stride on the 360 and PS3.

The Xbox Live Arcade game’s only true weakness is the 800 point ($10.00) price tag. If there were a couple more modes, the original game was included or perhaps a multiplayer mode was added I’d recommend it for everyone. But at it’s current price, it’s just too much compared to other excellent games like UNO that are only 400 points ($5.00). Still, if you don’t mind the cost, it’s definitely worth a look.

Shadowrun is a good online FPS.

Brooktown High is poor by design and though the concept running it may be admirable the execution is not. Bad conversation, lackluster mini-games, pointless statistics, and a below average presentation don't necessarily help the dating sim genre make headway in America.

Shrek the Third isn’t an altogether bad game, but is certainly a sloppy one.

Overall, Shrek the Third is another by-the-numbers movie licensed game. There’s nothing remarkably wrong with this game, but nothing that great about it either.

With its short play time, and lacking mini games, it won’t take the average gamer more than a few days to get their fill of Shrek, Donkey, and Puss.

Guitar Hero 2 is the definitive rock ‘n roll game. It’s got a highly impressive set list, addictive gameplay, online leaderboards, downloadable content and new multiplayer aspects. Whammy bar issue aside, this is one title you need to pick up.

A well-crafted game with few glaring problems and a high, but manageable learning curve. I think its replay value is hurt somewhat by a lack of Wi-Fi play, where a player vs. player time attack mode could probably work really well, but since so many parts of the game are rock-solid, I’m willing to easily forgive it for not being present here.

A lot of them still have a nostalgic feel, and 2D games tend to age better than 3D visuals. Ditto with audio, though for more experienced gamers like me, these classic tunes bring back many fond arcade memories.

If you must pick up this title because of a significant other, then buy another version. I can’t guarantee the controls will be better, but you’ll save a few bucks and the GCN version does play on the Wii as well.

Meet the Robinsons is the archetypal licensed game - it just exists to push the license, it does nothing new, it derives much of its gameplay from other, far better and more popular games, and doesn’t need to be played by anyone outside of the license’s fanbase.

Almost as good as its big brother counterparts. Almost.

If you’re really into battleship warfare, or looking for something to get your grandfather who’s a World War Two navy vet that needs something else to play on his DS besides Brain Age, you’ll like this game. Everyone else should go play Advance Wars: DS or one of its earlier titles.

An incredible accomplishment on the PS2. While it has lost a few features compared to the 360 version, most of the concept and game has remained intact, and remains enjoyable to play.

It is a decent game in its own right and can be quite fun at times, but there is nowhere near enough content to justify its asking price.

Wing Island is classic early console fodder: something that sits on the shelf next to good games and waits for clueless customers to pick the game up before it shows up in the budget bin for more clueless customers to buy because of its price tag.

It’s rare that a licensed game is worth playing for those uninterested in the license, but this is one of those games that earned that distinction.

The control is flawed and attempts to handle the system's limitations in an imaginative, yet dysfunctional manner. There are many problems here from the button configuration and poor AI to auto-targeting.

It’s quirky, it’s funny, and it’s challenging. It’s everything a side-scrolling shooter should be.

The gameplay is fun at times, but the manner with which you have to progress through single player to unlock cards is downright grueling and unrewarding.

If you’re looking for a decent single player game to plow through in a weekend, Bullet Witch would make a terrific rental.

If you’re a puzzle gaming fan, you’ll probably enjoy the strategy, and if you’re younger, you might enjoy progressing further in order to view more Disney-themed levels. The only thing I feel the game truly lacks is Wi-Fi play.

Halo fans will be happy to hear this game also comes with an invitation to the Halo 3 multiplayer beta.

Your average dungeon crawler. The graphics are nothing special, the audio isn’t amazing, and it’s a short game, but if you enjoy exploring dungeons and have $20 to spare, then I would defiantly consider getting this one.

As one, I felt the game lacked the show’s trademark wit, and didn’t do a good job of capturing the characters.

If you’re looking for a game that has many different game elements to it and a story you’ll need to take a few drops of acid to understand, this is your game.

When it comes down to it, if you want to play with all the official teams and have a more energetic presentation of soccer, go with FIFA ‘07, but if you want a more in-depth and natural representation of the sport known as football everywhere except North America, then you can’t go wrong with Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 2007.

If you’re looking for a unique RPG experience that graphical harks back to RPGs of the SNES or early PS1 era, this is your game.

If you’re not a fan of adventure games like Phoenix Wright, Maniac Mansion or Sam & Max this game won’t change your opinion on the genre. But if you’re like me and like to play one every now and then, this should be the next title you should pick up when the adventure genre bug bites.

WarioWare Smooth Moves is a definite rental that most gamers with a Wii can play through before returning, but if you and your friends are a bit bored with Wii Sports and need some new multiplayer action, a purchase is highly recommended.

I really wanted to like The Shield. Unless you’re a Shield enthusiast like me, you’ll be safe passing on this one.

Other than missing out on the presence of Paula Abdul, Konami made great use of the American Idol license by implementing a well executed career mode.

All seven games hold their own without any stinkers to clutter things up. If you’re a fan of the series in any sense, or just a fan of old-school 2D gaming, then you must have Metal Slug Anthology.

During my time with Elebits, I couldn’t help but think in the back of my mind that this game is just a long tech demo and nothing more. And paying full price for what a tech demo is just insane.

There is a fairly deep single player mode, and a lot more courses and personality to this game. However, Tecmo is just a few steps away from nailing the Wii-Remote controls, and a character-creator and a few more multiplayer modes could have benefited this game greatly.

As someone who loves the ‘Metroidvanias” and the new tradition of tons of unlockable features, I’m very satisfied with Portrait of Ruin.

A bottom of the barrel poker game. It does have some cool things that most other poker games don’t like craps, and sports betting, but the bad far outweighs the good. Avoid this one at all costs.

Red Steel simply screams that it's a rushed launch game, which is a shame. The game has a stylish presentation and a unique premise that, with another months of development time and polish, could of worked well.

Even if you own a Gamecube, this is the version you should be buying because I can’t imagine playing it any other way, nor would I want to.

Stupid A.I, lack of maps, botched multiplayer interface, and a half assed story mar an experience that had the potential to be much more fulfilling.

Many people won’t bother getting far enough into the game to appreciate the visuals, but if you give it a chance there’s a good game here. The camera problems unfortunately keep it from being great, but it’s a welcome diversion from the FPS and sports titles that have flooded the PS3 launch.

While it isn’t very original, it can be very enjoyable in short bursts. Unfortunately, the camera problems prevent it from being ideal for long-term play, and make extended play sessions very frustrating due to how needlessly hard it is to see what you’re doing thanks to the poorly-placed camera.

Online play is worse than ever before as you can’t even set up matches with friends, and hacking is still prevalent.

Pocket Racer[s] screams budget title in every way. The gameplay is generic even by mid-’90s standards, the graphics are bland, and the sound will leave you wanting a lot more.

Gothic 3 is not a budget title, for $40 I expect a pleasant gameplay experience not frustration. That’s like paying a guy $40 to punch you in the face repeatedly.

Truly a poor game. It introduces us to 1080p resolution and a cool gameplay mode in NBA Replay, but fails on almost every other level.

Ultimately, History Channel: Civil War is a game that should be played by most war FPS fans just to experience something different. It may not be the most innovative or exhilarating war FPS, but it is a breath of fresh air from WWII FPS #205.

Not as much as something akin to other innovative titles on the DS, but it’s worth a purchase if you just want to experience some familiar Frogger action for yourself or even the kids.

Right now, its price point is simply too high and it offers too little compared to the previous DOA X.

It will go down as one of the few games that managed to live up to the insane hype it created.

Although Neversoft removed a couple creation options, and a few other little nitpicks there is definitely a lot of content packed in here.

The higher difficulty levels will have you crying for mercy unless you have a considerable amount of time for practicing, but all the real legends had to practice plenty too.

Mind, it’s still a decent game with gorgeous graphics and an incredible environment, but it possesses little of the magic that some of its predecessors have.

Some of the vehicles feel incredibly loose, and that’s something that should be fixed in the first entry of a game, and shouldn’t even be a fleeting memory by the fourth.

A boatload of fun with very few problems.

If you're looking for an action RPG with and attractive concept and lasting appeal definitely pick this one up.

Taken as a whole, Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts is an average game with a unique premise. While it controls just fine, there’s too little excitement here to really recommend a purchase to anyone.

If the idea of playing a game that feels traditional, but is an entirely new creation with a sense of humor appeals to you, then pick up Contact today. Otherwise, you aren’t missing much.

This one is a good way to spend $30 if you’re a fan of the show, or Prince of Persia, or just want a fun quick game to play that has a lot of replay value packed into it.

Bully is a masterpiece in all aspects of the word and in my book, fully worth of at least one sequel.

I can literally play this game for hours on end and it will only seem like 30 minutes to an hour have gone by. Any game that does that must be doing something right in the replay department.

For the true flight simulator addicts, they’ll definitely want to get the deluxe edition of the game as it is probably about the only thing that would be able to sate their hunger for more unique flight experiences.

Family Feud fans like myself will enjoy this game no matter what, though not so big fans will probably be peeved at the crappy time limit for answer inputting and the very limited graphics and sound.

A very well put together port of the console version. The story is the main thing that takes the cake here; the extra multiplayer modes are nice but are mostly forgettable.

Devil Summoner is a must-play for anyone who has enjoyed prior SMTs, or for someone who wants something a little different than the RPG norm. The battle system and music here fit that bill, and help it stand out against the Final Fantasies of the world.

A damn good sandbox game that is filled with all types of crazy action, and will provide many hours of satisfaction.

SEK most likely made Paraworld to capitalize on people’s love for dinosaurs. And for that reason, the game doesn’t do as much to push the RTS genre into new directions as it does polish the established system.

DOOM is everything you could have hoped for on the Xbox 360. Is it flawless? No, but it is damn close. Easily the best Xbox Live Arcade Marketplace game out there, Geometery Wars included.

There is a fairly eclectic gathering of music (at least as far as DDRs go) though the collection may not suit your tastes. For new players looking to get into DDR, you may as well start with the latest edition.

Bomberman is made for multiplayer, but with everyone and their brother getting rid of the PSP platform I just can’t bring myself to recommending this to anyone save people with three other buds with PSPs of their own.

Konami still has a ways to go before its Rengoku series can be called respectable, but Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. is miles ahead of its predecessor. The visuals look better, environments look great, and the customization in the game is addictive. Should the combat improve in the inevitable third iteration, this will be a franchise worth checking out.

Looking at the game as a whole, the music and atmosphere are easily the best parts of Rule of Rose, while the controls are the weakest element by far.

The thing about "Let’s Cook" that seemed bizarre to me is there was no real story to it: you don’t know why you’re cooking, your relation to Mama, who you’re cooking for, etc.

Even for you gamerscore whores, sitting through this one for the 1000 points would kill you. Even with its budget price, it’s not worth the headaches that the anything but random card shuffling and tedious tournaments would bring you.

Whether you just want something to play Texas Hold ‘em on your PS2 for, or something with the depth and customization of a sports sim, All In is your best bet.

Probably the worst Bomberman game to ever be unleashed upon the public. Just about everything you ever liked about the franchise has been destroyed and little good has been created.

Better sound, more strategy and more of those lovable psychotic penguins is what you’ll find contained in this single disc game.

ProStroke Golf – World Tour 2007 is an obvious first attempt into the genre. Hopefully, the feedback can be taken well by the developer, as they could, some day, have a good golf game on our hands that doesn’t have the name Links or Tiger Woods.

While the online play may only walk off with a “thank you for participating” ribbon, the main single player experience is one that should be enjoyed by all and has a lot to offer to keep you playing for well over 30 hours.

Dirge of Cerberus only serves to illustrate that you can have too much of a good thing – even if it is the cherished and adored Final Fantasy VII.

Dead Rising was the closest to a perfect original game that has been made in quite some time. It's unfortunate that the game was weighed down by bad decisions and poor planning.

The controls still aren't quite perfect, but feel better than before, and now that the demolition derbies and mini-games are online expect a lot of extra playing time out of this.

Galaga is still the classic game that’s loved by many, but it doesn’t feel right. Whether it’s the iffy controls, the ill-advised border, or the lack of the ability to play Mrs. Pac-Man instead, something doesn’t feel right about the Xbox Live Arcade version of the Namco classic.

The PS2 and Xbox versions boast a plethora of play modes.

The Xbox and PS2 versions of NCAA 07 hold their ground without a doubt this year, but the 360 is closing in fast with its superior online play, and achievement points (which I’m un-naturally addicted to).

For all that it does right with its combat engine and Lunar system, Blade Dancer does something wrong. Playing the game frequently feels like you're taking two steps forward and one back and you'll get the sense that you're not really going anywhere.

The PS2 and Xbox versions boast a plethora of play modes.

Although this is a great game, I’m not sure if it’s a great 40 dollar game. With no online component other than an online leaderboard and some very simple yet addicting gameplay, perhaps 40 bucks is stretching it.

Night-Watch is a rather average horror RPG based on a movie you may not have heard of. You could certainly do a lot worse, but unless you’re a fanatic about the film, your money could be better spent elsewhere until this one hits the bargain bin.

Most likely, only fans of the series that have a PSP will be picking this one up.

The big draw is for those that used The Movies to create customized movies. With the new sets, free-moving cameras, and stunts, these players will have plenty to help them get their creative juices flowing.

If you really need a life sim fix, I would recommend that other recent CDV game, "Glory of the Roman Empire."

One of Valve’s smartest decisions in Episode One was to not have a timer or countdown. Not only does this make the game less frustrating, but it allows players to explore the still gorgeous environment of the game.

But the real problem with Stacked is that it’s not worth the price tag. You can get the same gameplay for drastically less.

What sets this game apart is of course, the mecha. While inside the trotmobile, the controls feel very much like operating a machine thanks to the use of both analog sticks needing to work in coordination to move around.