Even though it's basically a port with some additional features, Blitz still has addictive and intuitive gameplay that you can pick up time and time again.

Samurai Warriors 4: Empires is an interesting addition to the original games. It doesn't necessarily improve upon or replace them but offers a similar-but-different experience.

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round for the older generation of consoles is still a solid fighting game, but it is certainly not as definitive as Koei Tecmo would like you to believe.

A suprisingly solid piece of history and should provide you with at least a few hours of point-raking fun.

The career mode is excellent, and the overall presentation is well done. The fighting engine is solid, though there are a few odd mechanical choices in play, and the career mode is very deep and time-consuming in a good way.

Overall, Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide DLC is both a satisfying experience and kind of a disappointment. Had this content been part of the base game, I wouldn't have had any complaints, but since this is set at the tail end of the game, it feels like there should've been more to the plot and presentation. Instead, it feels too divorced from the game world to have an impact. The new abilities and additional boss fights are very cool, but the fact they come only at the end of the game means they are basically for fooling around the Karios Gate or doing a New Game+ run. If you are a big fan of Final Fantasy XVI, you'll absolutely have fun, and it isn't a bad DLC. It just could've been better, and it missed the chance to improve on some of Final Fantasy XVI's weaker points.

The biggest downfall, however, is the camera; its random movements, poor angles, and quick frame changes hinder the enjoyment of the game. If you are prone to motion sickness, stay far away from Madagascar.

Wii-owning soccer fans will do fine to pick up FIFA Soccer 11 for their systems.

Retro gamers will likely get more mileage out of Legacy of Ys: Books I & II than anyone who expects this to redefine the way that action RPGs are played on the DS.

If Tiberium Wars left you hungry for more rush-heavy, adrenaline-inducing RTS action and you can bear the bad acting, Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath will not disappoint you.

Aside from the fact that the collection preserves titles that would otherwise be considered lost due to the trials of licensing, Marvel Maximum Collection is a game that will garner varying degrees of praise depending on which title you're playing. Two-thirds of the titles provide a very fun time under the right conditions, and while Captain America and the Avengers can be hit-and-miss for some, Spider-Man and X-Men in Arcade's Revenge is just a bad game whose only value is as a title of curiosity. That's not a bad batting average for the compilation, and while it would've been better if some of the more memorable Marvel Genesis titles were also included, what is present will be satisfying enough for fans of Marvel and the late 8-bit and 16-bit eras.

Mount & Blade boasts solid battles and the eventual freedom to fight whoever and whenever you want while maintaining a kingdom, and it's a powerful draw.

Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is a fine game overall. Despite some control issues with the strategy portions, the mixture of third-person action with RTS elements works thanks to the approach of simplicity over complexity. The campaign lasts for a decent amount of time, with collectibles and the quest for a five-star rating giving you a reason to replay the stages. Versus mode works fine, while the addition of split-screen play gives the game some legs if you're having a tough time finding anyone to play with online. Chip 'n Clawz has a few quirks, but it is a fun experience for those looking for a title that's a little more involved than running and bashing in small arenas.

It's a shame that the gameplay had to be so shallow because the story is so great. In a game about psychic powers, you really should be able to use them more often.

Circuit Superstars has a few things that won't sit well with players. The inability to come back after making one mistake can be deflating, especially when it is a result of online play not reacting well to the physics system. Unlockables are limited to cosmetics, so that may dampen the desire for progression, while the inability to save midway through longer circuits discourages those who are short on time. The game remains fun enough that you'll want to master the sensitive handling of each vehicle, and the number of tracks and cars is pretty good for the price. If you're the patient type who has a bunch of likeminded friends who want a challenging racing title, this is worth a shot.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble is a pleasant experience. The story may be disposable, but the levels feature some ingenuity that makes good use of the current physics system without feeling unfair. The number of levels will please fans who love the challenge. While the minigames aren't anything fresh, the presence of multiplayer just about everywhere marks a good step forward for the series. Hardcore fans won't see this as besting the original games from all those years ago, but they will still have a good time with this entry. We're hopeful that Banana Rumble marks the start of new games in the series.

With a good selection of character classes and pick-up-and-play controls, Monday Night Combat is an enjoyable take on competitive multiplayer.

It's nice to see that this level of complexity is seeping downward through the genres and markets because it only means that games will be that much deeper and complex as these savvy generations grow older and demand more from their games.

Fans of platformers might find Seed of Life to be a smidge more fun than puzzle game fanatics, but the overall experience in this beautiful, dying world is worth the time and price point, especially as a relatively short game that can be completed over a lazy weekend. Much like Cora's quest, the seeds of this game are high quality, and with some fine tuning and care, Seed of Life could blossom into something incredible.

Fans of the series, especially younger ones, will be happy with this spin-off as long as they understand that this is ultimately a large track pack in a different package.

A competent, if unexceptional, game. The gameplay is more of an expansion of F.E.A.R. than a full-blown sequel, and unfortunately, the plot and "fear factor" don't quite reach the heights achieved by the first F.E.A.R.

Your reaction to Warriors All-Stars will depend on how big of a Musou fan you are. If you're a hardcore fan of the series and have played through many of the main entries and a number of the side titles, then you may be fine with renting this one or getting it when it's cheaper. The crossover appeal and the new mechanics are very nice, but the lack of modes can make this feel incomplete. If you're a more casual fan or new to the series, this is much easier to recommend, as it's a good introduction to past games and prepares you for the changes in the upcoming ninth game in the main series.

Quantum Conundrum isn't exactly the game that some people had expected. The abundant bad platforming dampens the experience, and the fickle physics system turns a few of the puzzles into games of chance. The puzzle aspects are fun enough, even if most can easily be solved, and the dimension manipulation is a fresh idea. Both casual and dedicated puzzle fans will have fun with this title, especially considering the $15 price point for the game.

The no-frills adventure portion of the title offers a twist on the exciting fighting formula, although the unpolished reliance on platforming might turn off players who are looking simply to crack some skulls as the orange-clad Hokage hopeful.

Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale is exactly what it tries to be: an old-school charming JRPG with some farming.

For a budget title, this game performs its duties to the utmost of my expectations, and even beyond, in some aspects.

Definitely check it out if you're a fan of Puzzle Quest but felt a bit burned out by Galactrix, as this game is a huge improvement over the previous follow-up.

The grind feels fresh and compelling, even if you know it isn't and really shouldn't. So much of what makes a game fun to play is "feel," and in Disgaea 3, Nippon Ichi has balanced the feel of the game's long and bewilderingly complicated grind into something that always feels satisfying, where you always feel like you're making progress.