Fans of the NHL series are unlikely to skip an entry, for any number of reasons, including the roster and uniform updates, the online play or the simple lack of competition, and there's no reason to start now, as this version's tweaks offer a genuine improvement over last year's well-regarded title, once you adjust to the more realistic controls (either through practice or tuner adjustments.)

Though the main challenge isn't that long, there's more than enough supplemental exploring included to give you your money's worth, and it'll be more fun and entertaining than the majority of what you've been playing lately.

Don't hesitate to download The World of Goo for the iPhone if you love puzzlers or simply well-polished games.

Section 8: Prejudice is a must-own XBLA title.

It offers addictively fun gameplay, beautiful visuals and music, and delivers some truly memorable moments that will shock and surprise you. If you own a Wii, this is your Holy Grail and without a doubt should be for centerpiece of your software library.

The end result is a game that's among the most entertaining overall on the Wii, and easily the finest example of a first-person shooter the console has to offer.

The story and some of the mechanics do work better in Blue Dragon but Eternal Sonata's artistic mastery and amazing combat help to balance the scales.

In the end, I'm really judging my enjoyment level of Pac-Man CE DX compared to how addicted I was to the previous title.

In the end, Criterion did something that no developer has been able to do with the Need for Speed series in over 10 years; bringing the game back to its roots and making me feel like I'm still at that computer watching my brother.

And in the End... It's the rare game that can be ported to a new system two years after its original release, nearly pixel for pixel, and yet still feel like a fresh new experience, but "Okami" is just such a game, thanks to an excellent implementation of the Wii controller on an already engaging game.

You are looking at about 20 to 30 hours of gameplay in the single player story and more replay value if you enjoy the multiplayer mode. Highly Recommended!

While Visceral Games didn't push the envelope in regards to opening up the sequel to new twists on the gameplay, they did an excellent job of capturing the terrifying intensity of the original in addition to providing a more captivating narrative.

Concentrated adrenaline comes whisked together with intricate level design and haunting atmosphere in Dead Space, which will probably pop up on many a Game of the Year list later this year.

While the game has a smattering of problems such as poor camera angles and too restrictive level linearity, this reboot of the Castlevania franchise has an enthralling narrative, amazing boss battles and tons of replay value.

Nero brings an awesome dynamic to the franchise. Combine that with Dante's parallel mission and the game is absolutely over-the-top.

If you loved other GTA titles or have developed an affinity for sandbox style games then this will stay in your PS3 for months to come.

While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, A Crack in Time is definitely the best entry for Ratchet & Clank on the PlayStation 3.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 is a fantastic entry into this series of games, and really restored some faith in what EA has been doing to the series.

But if solid, enjoyable game play is more important to you than high-end graphics or being taunted by 12-year-olds, you can't go wrong with what Madden '09 is offering up.

After a quick learning curve, one can experience the true satisfaction of a well-placed shot, and once in tune, FIFA '12 offers plenty of gameplay options to enjoy, including the now built-in Ultimate Team mode. Though it won't change any soccer-haters' minds as to the quality of the game, it will make the faithful very happy and offers a fun experience to the casual crowd.

Chains of Olympus is a game of mythical proportions. The God of War franchise is rock solid to begin with but considering how well Ready at Dawn brought it to the PSP, I must admit that I'm stunned.

This is easily the best NHL hockey has ever been on a console, and it sets the bar incredibly high for EA's next release.

EA deserves a ton of credit for delivering not only the best golf game ever (on any console,) but a definitive Wii experience to be placed alongside the best first-party titles on the console.

Tales of Vesperia is a fantastic RPG that isn't to be missed by lovers of the genre.

Bioshock does something that video games rarely bother to do: Break new ground. A combination of endlessly creative combat, mixed with a captivating story make for an experience that I can promise you've never had in any other video game before.

Portal 2 is everything a good sequel should be. It continues the story without repeating it, and adds new modes and features without mucking up what worked about the first game. And, most importantly, it still feels fresh.

If you haven't played the original Mass Effect or Mass Effect 2, you would be foolish not to pick this up immediately. It's an absolutely enthralling game that will easily last you 40 hours on a complete run-through if you are an explorer.

If you are into real time strategy in any form, it's hard to ignore Starcraft II.

The game didn’t take me the 20 hours the makers claimed it would to complete, but it definitely saw more playtime than many physical releases that cost three times as much and delivered one-third the enjoyment.

If you liked the previous God of War titles, you're going to feel right at home with this one.

As one of the most unique puzzlers that I've played over the years, Limbo's chilling atmosphere is an example of an incredible gaming achievement.

Mass Effect certainly has flaws, but it’s easily the most enthralling space adventure that’s ever been created for a video game platform. It honestly makes the Halo narrative look like amateur hour.

"Grand Theft Auto IV" is a remarkable title, boasting not only exceptional online play, but a terrific main story that contains much finer dialogue and character development than previous games in the series.

Unwound Future is the best title in the Professor Layton series, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't play through the first two games to learn about the main characters.

A number of factors made this game a sales loser when it came out, but the passionate cult that gave it its high-quality reputation has a legitimate chance to grow now with improved graphics and a budget price as a downloadable game.

It's a rock-solid title that pushes the envelope and shatters expectations.

Whether you're a casual fan or a Beatlemaniac, a Rock Band guitar god or a neophyte, Beatles: Rock Band is the game for you.

Sure you can still string together some amazing combos here, but you get a much large feeling of accomplishment when you do make that long line.

Killzone 2 is an awesome game that will grab hold of you and not let go for quite some time. The gameplay is fast and furious, the atmosphere is rich and deep, and all around the single and multiplayer features are fantastic.

From top to bottom Dragon Age: Origins is a quality adventure that’s worth checking out. The story and scope of the game are epic, the rich customization is appreciated, and the gameplay is a mix of familiar and new

I wouldn't hesitate to give this game the highest rating possible, if it weren't for this terrible marketing strategy, because that aside, it's a fantastic game and one of the best sports titles I've played. Don't hesitate to pick it up if you love golf, just understand the few drawbacks.

Easily one of the best looking games on the Xbox 360, Crysis 2 falls a bit short on the 8 to 10 hour single player campaign, but flourishes in offering up very addictive multiplayer.

It's a new world, new story, and new characters, but it feels like an old friend.

From start to finish Fable 2 is a great game that stands out as one of the better role-playing experiences on the current consoles.

Fans of Splosion Man should purchase without hesitation, while newcomers owe it to themselves to jump, or splode, on in.

An absolute joy to play and the variety of puzzles throughout the game keeps the experience fresh.

The PS3 finally has a solid RPG and despite the fact that it is one that has been ported over from the 360 it's worth checking out.

While 1200 points seems like a hefty price for an Xbox Live Arcade release, this is actually the cheapest version (PC, DS, PSP) of Puzzle Quest: CotW in existence.

I can’t stress enough the great uses of the Wii’s motion controls in this game. Whether it’s something as simple as shaking the controller in time to a song to using the controller to simulate turning a lock, this game gets all the movements right.

The presentation is highly polished and little touches like the inclusion of the Rio characters as playable birds or the extra information included in the menus really help advance the core concept of Angry Birds.

If I had to pick out one glaring fault with Donkey Kong Country Returns, it would be the lack of classic controller support. Old school gamers will be disappointed that it wasn't included, but will be able to adapt to the new controls. However, the rest of the game really fires on all cylinders; dare I say, better than New Super Mario Bros.

Don't even hesitate about picking this one up. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is an instant classic.

A phenomenal conclusion to the trilogy, offering an epic story that is more satisfying than the second game, action on a much bigger scale and a multiplayer section that has been improved from the immensely entertaining multiplayer of the second game.

While a few songs suffer from note repetition, the overall mix is robust and fun to play. For anyone who enjoyed Guitar Hero or Rock Band, Rock Band 2 is a no-brainer.

As I've stated in the past, I love point-and-click adventures, but Broken Sword, with its engagingly deep storyline, gorgeous art, fun writing, entertaining puzzles and terrific vocal cast, just raised the bar to a level that will be incredibly hard to meet for any game.

Out of the 48 Live Arcade titles that I digitally own, Bomberman Live tops them all.

For $10, “Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers” is a lot of bang for the buck.

While the lack of online tour mode is a huge letdown and the song selection is geared too much at younger generations, Rock Band is still above and beyond anything the Guitar Hero series has offered as of late.

This is a highly polished hit that deserves to be checked out.

That being said, critics of the first game are going to find problems with Dead Rising 2, namely the highly difficult boss battles and the poorly structured inventory system.

Is "Black Ops" a game of the year? No, but it's still a very good game. Highly Recommended.

If you have a Kinect and are looking for a fantastic party game, don't hesitate to pick up Dance Central and start shaking your booty!

While I've been critical of Neversoft's handling of the Guitar Hero franchise, I must give credit where credit is due. Guitar Hero 5 has fixed 70%-80% of the problems I've had since III, and is easily the most fun I've had playing Guitar Hero since Guitar Hero II.

This is the best Formula 1 racer currently available, but that really wasn't hard considering the lack of competition.

Twitch gamers will eat this up, and Galaxies is an easy game to go back to every now and then to unlock new planets or try to break those high score records that you set.

Check out the demo for this title before purchasing Roogoo if you enjoy single player puzzle games.

The main problem with taking the series back onto the Playstation portable from the PS3 is that the series loses the grand depth that was created in God of War III. Sure, this is set in the timeline after the first God of War, but veterans of the series have already gotten used to the more complex combat system and epic bosses.

Considering there are so many Naruto games on the market, it really says something that Storm actually stands out.

If you're looking for an RTS that is cut from a slightly different cloth then EndWar is definitely the way to go.

This really just boils down to if you enjoy RTS games and the methodical level of pacing that comes with the genre. This is the first RTS game on a console that I have been able to tolerate.

Simply one of the best puzzle games to ever grace a handheld and a must get for any puzzle game fan, and the sheer amount of different solutions each puzzle can have will keep you playing for a very long time.

Sure it may have its flaws, and yes it’s not the most creative RPG ever, but it’s such a joy to play that it’s an instant classic in my eyes.

All in all, for the slight faults the game has and the sometimes repetitive nature the game employs, you cannot deny that this is a stellar title and will do much to propel the series to future titles.

If you're a Naruto fan then Broken Bond should definitely be on your play list.

Travis' journey upwards in the ranks of the UAA provided some of the quickest, most viscerally charged gameplay made available across the board. Its only faults lie in its decision to focus more on the luridly uncomplicated gameplay than further expansive depth.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is a lot of fun and it reminds me why I enjoyed the first game as much as I did. The simple puzzle interface combined with the role-playing elements go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

With the exception of the horrific online performance, NBA 2K11 is really an exceptional basketball title with a ridiculous amount of depth and a shockingly challenging AI.

Tales From Space: About a Blob is a very unique and charming game that provides a nice change of pace.

Fans of the Advance Wars series or folks looking for a solid strategy game should shell out the 800 Marketplace points for this title.

There's also a value question around Shank. Before spending the $15, you really need a qualified co-op player on hand locally to help you get your money's worth out of the game.

Thought it may be a sequel in title only, Far Cry 2 is a fantastic shooter worthy of finding a home in any FPS fan's library.

There's little to nothing in NHL 11 to complain about. The quality of the presentation is fantastic and you can tell EA went to tremendous lengths to tweak the gameplay to improve the hockey experience.

It's easily one of the more polished poker games that I've played on any platform, but there's plenty of free poker games on the PC that can offer the same thrill.

It's a solid production all around with some addictive gameplay and diverse fighting styles to tinker with. The addition of online play is key to the success of this title and it creates an unlimited arcade experience right from your sofa.

This game gets a high recommendation for the multiplayer aspect but if you're in a position where you're going to be exploring single player consider this merely recommended.

Sadly, Neversoft finds themselves unable to find that perfect balance with Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, cutting corners in places that really affect the feel of the game.

The DS version is also a bit more forgiving than the Wii version, so even passing fans of these kinds of games will find a lot to like here without feeling overwhelmed, making this one an even easier recommendation. This is the best shooter on the DS so far.

In the end, Ubisoft have pieced together an engrossing, intricately designed fantasy experience with Prince of Persia, one with a smooth and decadent sensibility that reflects on both its visual sumptuousness and meticulous framework.

Highly recommended if you love multiplayer matches.

The extensive single player career mode will have you playing for weeks on end. Unfortunately, the multiplayer design flaws hurts the replay value after the single player is completed.

Goldeneye's reputation was built on its stellar split-screen multiplayer, and Activision was smart enough to bring it back for this go around. As before, getting together a group of friends for a night of gunslinging is ridiculously fun, and the PS3 version even includes Hugo Drax with a Moonraker laser pistol as DLC (for those who purchase the game new) for some vintage Bond action.

Unfortunately, this is the worst performing version of Plants vs. Zombies and oddly the most expensive.

Apollo Justice delivers an evolved version of the Phoenix Wright titles, but the overall experience has been shortened dramatically.

Overall, Catherine is a strange beauty of a game that deserves to be given a spin in your console.

While the controls are occasionally a bit troublesome, the entertaining single player campaign, loads of mini-games and well balanced set of achievements definitely offer an excellent Xbox 360 gaming experience.

If you loved all the other Halo games, there's little I can say to dissuade you from purchasing Bungie's last creation in the Halo series.

LucasArts and Travellers’ Tales have been a great job of making the Lego Star Wars experience portable and a genuine blast to play.

In any case, You Don't Know Jack is an excellent choice for parties or simply those looking for a great trivia challenge with a liberal dose of silly humor.