Ultimately, Voltron: Defender of the Universe is nothing but wasted potential.

Ultimately, Voltron: Defender of the Universe is nothing but wasted potential.

After playing Halo: Combat Evolved in 343's Anniversary edition, I'm confident that Halo is a lot more New Order than it is Flock of Seagulls.

EyePet & Friends could have been a cute game for kids who want to play with a virtual and exotic pet.

As it stands, A Stroke of Fate is a flawed adventure tightly wrapping itself around WWII's history. At the same time, it sorely lacks the same ambitious spirit behind its gorgeous visuals to make the most of its promising premise.

Hardcore Tekken fans will most likely buy Tekken Hybrid without a second thought, especially if they want to play Tekken Tag Tournament but don't have a PS2 or a backward-compatible PS3 in their collection. For the more casual fans of the series, purchasing the title will come down to whether or not they find the included film enjoyable since that accounts for the bulk of the cost.

If it weren't for the steep difficulty level, Jimmie Johnson's Anything with an Engine would have been a very competent kart racing title.

If it weren't for the steep difficulty level, Jimmie Johnson's Anything with an Engine would have been a very competent kart racing title.

As it stands, Carnival Island isn't that bad of a minigame compilation. It looks and sounds fine, and the controls are exactly what one expects from a Move title.

Even fans of the genre will find the somewhat unfair single-player experience to be off-putting, despite the new boards and characters. For everyone else, it'll be a solid rental as long as you go through the options and tailor each game to last about an hour.

From top to bottom, Mario Kart 7 stands as the best entry in the series.

Despite some missing pieces, Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is a good value for fans of the series and those who like stealth games.

Despite some missing pieces, Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is a good value for fans of the series and those who like stealth games.

Pac-Man Party was better as a Wii game, though one has to applaud Pac-Man Party 3D for trying to replicate the experience on the portable scene.

The combat is rather fast, and skilled pilots will like the new maneuver feature. The overall campaign may be on the short side, but the missions are fast paced and always full of action. The game controls well, and it looks and sounds amazing. The 3-D is a nice touch but not exactly necessary.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012 has plenty of variety, but it's also terribly frustrating, and that is the kiss of death for nearly any fitness game. The lack of direction, spotty fitness tracking and inaccuracy of the Kinect sensor all combine to create a package that just doesn't provide compelling reason to come back for more. The only way fitness games work is if they're more fun than actually going to the gym, but Your Shape fails that test on nearly every count.

It may not have the multitude of options or the shiny visuals of today's racers, but Daytona USA is still a game with a plenty of depth. Easy to learn but difficult to master, this is the definitive home version of Sega's arcade classic.

It's difficult to not view the NCIS game as a blatant cash grab. It may be available at the lower price point of $40 ($30 for PC), but the four cases only take about four hours to complete and there is zero replay value.

It's difficult to not view the NCIS game as a blatant cash grab. It may be available at the lower price point of $40 ($30 for PC), but the four cases only take about four hours to complete and there is zero replay value.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact is a technically flawed game but features some solid gameplay and is better than past Naruto PSP titles.

To sum up things, I didn't care for Mahjong Cub3D. I'm all for interesting ways to play established games, and while the developers were clearly trying to change up the formula, I don't feel like it worked.

If anything, treat this game as training wheels for future dance games. It is a great place to learn about the genre, but it won't be long before the audience graduates to meatier fare.

As a game in the traditional sense, Rocksmith is barely there; it's essentially a practice aid combined with a rudimentary teacher. However, it is one that works quite well and is fully capable of letting you learn at your own pace - right up to the point where you could easily plug your guitar into a conventional amp and play a song unassisted.

Bottom line: If you are or have ever been a fan of Sonic the Hedgehog during the series' two-decade history, then this is your game.

Bottom line: If you are or have ever been a fan of Sonic the Hedgehog during the series' two-decade history, then this is your game.

In the end, Puzzler Mind Gym 3D is simply decent.

Payday: The Heist is an ambitious game that doesn't quite manage to nail down the little things. Of course, as any good career criminal will tell you, the devil is in the details, and Payday's failure here is the difference in making off with the cash and getting gunned down in the street. The pieces were all in place, but this just fails to deliver in any meaningful way.

Bejeweled 3 proves that the series is still the best when it comes to the match-three puzzle genre.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations is still an adventure that no fan should be without, if only because it leads right into the next chapter. At the same time, the underwhelming start to an otherwise intriguing story, alongside changes that seem more cosmetic than practical, makes it seem that the formula hasn't aged as well as Ezio has.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations is still an adventure that no fan should be without, if only because it leads right into the next chapter. At the same time, the underwhelming start to an otherwise intriguing story, alongside changes that seem more cosmetic than practical, makes it seem that the formula hasn't aged as well as Ezio has.

The premise for Need for Speed: The Run is good, but it is plagued by so many issues that it is hard to appreciate the things that it does well.

The premise for Need for Speed: The Run is good, but it is plagued by so many issues that it is hard to appreciate the things that it does well.

Kinect: Disneyland Adventures isn't for the jaded gamer who thrives on competition or conflict. It's intended for kids and those who are still enamored with The Magic Kingdom, and Frontier Developments should be commended for a very enjoyable and polished product.

Ultimately, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an excellent entry into the series, but its rough spots prevent it from achieving true brilliance. It's still a fantastic choice for any Wii gamer, and it deserves to be in your library.

Sideway: New York is a charming side-scrolling platformer.

Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest is a surprisingly good title, especially for those who don't mind a little on-rails action in their games. The combat is good, though limited because of some missing moves and the general uselessness of the throwing stars. Multiplayer, while not exactly deep, is fun enough, and the addition of online helps give the game some legs.

Brunswick Pro Bowling is the sort of game you can play for a couple of hours and think it's a ton of fun. Then you come back to it and realize absolutely nothing has changed, evolved or grown for a few hours and you're starting to waste your time. This title flies in the face of the norm in that the more time you put into it, the less you get out of it, and that's not a good situation. Avoid this gutter ball.

Overall, Dungeon Siege III: Treasures of the Sun is a good DLC pack. For $10, players get three to five hours of gameplay per character in some neat new environments. You also get new abilities and a solidly written individual plot, so it's a good value for those who enjoyed the base game. Nothing here's going to change the minds of non-fans, though.

Overall, Dungeon Siege III: Treasures of the Sun is a good DLC pack. For $10, players get three to five hours of gameplay per character in some neat new environments. You also get new abilities and a solidly written individual plot, so it's a good value for those who enjoyed the base game. Nothing here's going to change the minds of non-fans, though.

Looking back over this generation, it can be argued that Modern Warfare reinvented the way we play shooters, and now, Modern Warfare 3 may have come as close as we'll ever get to perfecting it. What few complaints we do have feel negligible in comparison to everything the game does right, and both the campaign and multiplayer components deliver on all fronts. If you've always been hesitant to try Call of Duty, this might be the time to jump in. It honestly doesn't get much better than this.

Despite its flaws, Saints Row: The Third succeeds because of its mandate to focus on fun. The story may not be epic and the graphics may not be mind blowing, but when all is said and done, Saints Row: The Third probably has more "holy sh*t!" moments than any other game currently on the market. Combine this with a twisted sense of humor, and you have a recipe for success.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has never been a bad game, and neither is Ultimate. It's important that you know exactly what you're getting into, though. It's been built to appeal to a fan community of die-hard experts, who spent 10 years playing Marvel vs. Capcom 2 at increasingly high levels of performance, who own their own customized fighting joysticks and who've been researching their team for the new game for the last six months.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has never been a bad game, and neither is Ultimate. It's important that you know exactly what you're getting into, though. It's been built to appeal to a fan community of die-hard experts, who spent 10 years playing Marvel vs. Capcom 2 at increasingly high levels of performance, who own their own customized fighting joysticks and who've been researching their team for the new game for the last six months.

Super Mario 3D Land is easy to recommend as a must-have game for any 3DS owner's library.

It's not likely to set any records, but at the budget price of 800 MSP ($10 USD), anyone picking up this game is going to get their money's worth.

While the short missions benefit the title, the lack of multiplayer also limits its longevity unless you plan to make this part of your next LAN party. This is exactly the best choice for fans of arcade style flight combat games, but if you've played them all, it wouldn't hurt to give this one a shot.

For those who haven't played a match-three puzzle game before, there are plenty of other games that do this formula better, some of which are cheaper and downloadable. Seek out those first and then come back to this if you still crave a match-three puzzle fix.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is full of deep, engaging multiplayer and campaign military shooter gaming, so it's easy to recommend.

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the snow-capped peaks of the Nords relentlessly beckon me back to pry loose one more artifact, dungeon or secret. Skyrim's lavish world is tailor-made for adventurers who are eager to satisfy their curiosity of what is beyond the next bend in the road, not those who want to know which attribute scores play into which skill. There's little question that this is a gorgeous epic, but it's also a stark reminder of what it leaves behind.

When all is said and done, Batman: Arkham City is an enjoyable game with plenty of content to explore. Just know that despite a fresh coat of paint, there's nothing really new here. If you enjoyed Arkham Asylum and simply want more of the same, you're going to love Arkham City. Those who were hoping for an evolution in play, however, are going to be left wanting.

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure is so specifically targeted to children and the unique way they approach games, often vacillating back and forth between tightly focused and wildly erratic in under half an hour, it's difficult for an adult to fully and fairly evaluate this game's entertainment potential.

Pokémon Rumble Blast is a simple but fun game. The story may be forgettable, but the combat is easy to get into and despite the repetitive nature, it only feels like a chore if you play it for long stretches of time.

The House of the Dead: Overkill - Extended Cut mocks women, the disabled and racial minorities. It's astoundingly gory, gruesome and profane.

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a fun but flawed experience.

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a fun but flawed experience.

Every once in a while, a glimpse of the intended gameplay shines through in Stronghold 3, and you can see the strategic elements for what they should be. However, there are so many bugs and flaws with the game that it can be really tough to get a true look at its potential.

I can't help but feel slightly disappointed in Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One. Everything sounds like a great experience on paper, but the execution of the online side seems poor.

Battlefield 3 is a fine objective-based multiplayer shooter, but that's it. In all other respects, it comes up short.

Battlefield 3 is a fine objective-based multiplayer shooter, but that's it. In all other respects, it comes up short.

I could ask for better in the manner in which Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception gets rolling, but once the ride hits full speed, it never disappointments.

Without question, Tetris: Axis is a lot of fun.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time is hardly flawless and really could have used more development time to turn a decent game (with an excellent design base) into a great one. It goes back to what 3-D Spider-Man games were like before Spider-Man 2 mandated atmosphere over interactivity, and it comes out a better game than it has any right to be given its abysmal production values. Instead of once again showing you what it feels like to have Spider-Man's responsibilities, Edge of Time goes back to inviting you to feel what it's like to be as powerful as him.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time is hardly flawless and really could have used more development time to turn a decent game (with an excellent design base) into a great one. It goes back to what 3-D Spider-Man games were like before Spider-Man 2 mandated atmosphere over interactivity, and it comes out a better game than it has any right to be given its abysmal production values. Instead of once again showing you what it feels like to have Spider-Man's responsibilities, Edge of Time goes back to inviting you to feel what it's like to be as powerful as him.

In the end, Kinect Sports: Season Two doesn't feel as exciting as the original game.

If you like high-fantasy realms, but are willing to overlook alterations to what are ultimately some pretty arbitrary conventions concerning weapon types, and you have like-minded friends who'll play with you offline, Dungeon Siege III is definitely worth your time. If you're going to go it alone strictly for story and gameplay, then know that you've already played this game before in similar form, probably a dozen times.

Ultimately, City of Heroes: Freedom is an old MMO trying to modernize itself through a format switch and a series of upgrades. It isn't all the way there yet, but it still does a lot of things right. MMO fans looking for an alternative to swords, sorcery and spaceships could do a lot worse than trying City of Heroes: Freedom.

While the Professor Layton series comes highly recommended if you're in the market for a puzzle adventure game, don't pass up this one.

Looking sharp and controlling well, the XBLA version of Bejeweled 3 is easily on par with its PC brethren.

Batman: Arkham City is one of the best games I've ever played. It isn't perfect, but it's only kept away from perfection by a weak plot and a few nagging gameplay flaws.

Rochard is a very good side-scrolling adventure game. It puts up a well-balanced mix of combat and puzzles despite the dampened focus on exploration. The controls may be finger-bending at times, but it is a looker and has a great soundtrack to boot. It is a short adventure that's fun to experience. At $10, it's a game that adventure fans should play without hesitation.

The Sims 3: Pets won't change the minds of those who had no interest in the series. Due to the lack of some content and performance issues, it also won't convince PC die-hards that a console version can be on par with a computer.

The Sims 3: Pets won't change the minds of those who had no interest in the series. Due to the lack of some content and performance issues, it also won't convince PC die-hards that a console version can be on par with a computer.

Solatorobo: Red the Hunter is easy to play and appropriate for all ages.

At best, The Cursed Crusade is mediocre. The plot is bland, but the cut scenes try to shove the story down your throat at every opportunity, causing an adverse reaction

At best, The Cursed Crusade is mediocre. The plot is bland, but the cut scenes try to shove the story down your throat at every opportunity, causing an adverse reaction

Kirby's Return to Dream Land remains a solid but simple game in the series.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Trilogy should have been a must-have game. After all, each of these games still adhere to the strict emphasis on stealth that made the series so popular in the first place, and all three have stories that are interesting without being too convoluted. Unfortunately, the graphics don't feel worthy of being called HD, and the frame rate feels like it's making the system struggle.

Polished enough to be released as a stand-alone package, The Missing Link hits all the right notes and delivers more of everything that made Human Revolution such a standout title.

Polished enough to be released as a stand-alone package, The Missing Link hits all the right notes and delivers more of everything that made Human Revolution such a standout title.

As a timewaster, Frogger 3D is perfectly fine. As a retail-priced game, however, it is lacking.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon proves that the franchise still delivers quality after all these years.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon proves that the franchise still delivers quality after all these years.

Professor Layton and the Last Specter is a very solid game, especially for those who prefer thinking over reflexes in their games.

On the whole, NBA 2K12 not only improves on last year's game with tighter controls and other incremental improvements, but 2K Sports has also delivered enhancements and revisions that matter.

On the whole, NBA 2K12 not only improves on last year's game with tighter controls and other incremental improvements, but 2K Sports has also delivered enhancements and revisions that matter.

In the end, making the decision to purchase Rocksmith comes down to what you're looking to get out of it. If you just want a music game to bust out at parties, stick with Rock Band or Guitar Hero. On the other hand, if you've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, Rocksmith is a great way to do it.

This is nice to look at, but a lack of content prevents it from holding your attention for long. In that respect, Skydrift sort of serves as a distraction game to hold you over until the next major release shows up.

This is nice to look at, but a lack of content prevents it from holding your attention for long. In that respect, Skydrift sort of serves as a distraction game to hold you over until the next major release shows up.

If you've ever enjoyed a Gust game or Atelier title, it's likely that you'll dig Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland. It's a fun, mostly upbeat adventure that doesn't get too bogged down by generic anime themes or trappings.

Dance Central 2 doesn't just beat the first game; it completely replaces it.

I'd urge you to pick it up for a different platform if you have the means to do so. It's a very competent pinball title on every other system, but something has fallen apart in its transition to the 3DS. If you can get past these flaws, you'll probably have a good time with it, but I can't, knowing that this content exists in a better form elsewhere.

In a strange way, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World seems like a game that would have been more acceptable several generations ago. The platforming mechanics may have been passable during the NES or early SNES era, but now it feels artificially difficult because of finicky controls and game rules. The level design also seems too punishing, and the enemies are never very exciting to fight, bosses included. It's too bad because the game looks good and comes in at a decent gameplay length. If you or the person for whom you're buying this was a big fan of the latest film, it can be a decent purchase. Just be forewarned that unless he or she enjoys being challenged by a game, you can expect this game to be played a few times before it's shelved in frustration.

Dead Rising 2: Off The Record likely will only appeal to a couple of audiences: serious long-time fans of the titles, and people who've never played them before but want to sample the franchise in a version with photography, immediately available sandbox mode and a discounted retail price.

Dead Rising 2: Off The Record likely will only appeal to a couple of audiences: serious long-time fans of the titles, and people who've never played them before but want to sample the franchise in a version with photography, immediately available sandbox mode and a discounted retail price.

For those who have played the game countless times on either the PS2 or the Wii, there's really no point in owning this version unless you're a super fan of the series or this entry in particular. However, if you've never tried the game before or owned systems that didn't get Resident Evil 4 iterations in the past, this is a great time to get the game.

For those who have played the game countless times on either the PS2 or the Wii, there's really no point in owning this version unless you're a super fan of the series or this entry in particular. However, if you've never tried the game before or owned systems that didn't get Resident Evil 4 iterations in the past, this is a great time to get the game.

At the end of it all, Dungeons: The Dark Lord is a solid stand-alone expansion to the strong original game. The gameplay was no slouch before, but with the new additions and tweaks, it feels much more concise and focused this time around. It still seems that most of the issues with the game center around your dungeon lord, but when your dungeon is running like a well-oiled machine, your lord simply needs to sweep up what remains. Despite its rough edges, The Dark Lord is a welcome continuation of the series, and the entertaining gameplay has been bolstered enough to easily warrant a second attempt at becoming the lord of the underworld.

Hard Reset might not be the shooter for everyone, but I think it's worth checking out. My review is based on the game post-patch 1.01, which eliminated the weapon cooldown system and allowed users to change difficulty mid-game.