Dead or Alive 5 is certainly one of the better games that has come out since the fighting game genre made a comeback. While the core of the fighting system remains the same, the new additions give it a much-needed boost without ruining the balance. Though it could still use some improvements, the presentation is a little better than its previous home console incarnation, and the online play is also smoother.

It would be easy to overlook Skylanders: Giants as "just a kids' game," but to do so would be a disservice. Giants is one of those rare titles that offers something for everyone, whether you're a kid, a casual player or a hardcore gamer who has been playing for years. In the end, it's plenty of fun, and that's what really matters.

Adventure and stealth fans should definitely have this title in their video game libraries.

All in all, Supernatural may be my favorite expansion so far for The Sims 3. It gives enough options so that you really try something new, though it does border on having too many options. While it doesn't add as many new gameplay mechanics as some other expansions, the additions are interesting and well crafted. No two people look for the same thing out of The Sims, but for me, if you're only going to buy one Sims 3 expansion, it should be this one.

From its tough yet fair challenge to the way that all of the systems interconnect, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an absolutely fantastic game and somehow balances what could have easily been an overwhelming palette of gameplay elements into one ridiculously engaging package.

Qasir Al-Wasat: A Night in-Between stealthily snuck on to my radar during Steam Greenlight, and I'm glad that it did. It is an amazingly fun and well-crafted adventure that delves into a rich backdrop of legend and myth that's infrequently visited by game developers. Couple that with simple gameplay and the tough puzzle challenges, and Qasir al-Wasat might just be the oasis that players desire.

Packed with features and polished to a sheen, Dance Central 3 is a true evolution of what has come before. It hasn't lost focus of the core features that made its initial success popular, but the developers also haven't rested on their laurels. Much more than a simple track pack or yearly update, the latest game is sure to please anyone who plays it.

Double Dragon Neon is a game that fully understands the job it came to do and fulfills it admirably. It holds up to the classic games, even surpassing them in some respects, while being tons of fun to both play and watch. While it leaves you wanting more, it does so in a relatively good way. While Neon has a few obvious flaws that arguably should never have happened in the first place, the overall product still knocks it out of the park while bursting with pride in everything that it is.

The concept may no longer be original, but Fractured Soul still boasts some great gameplay.

In the end, I don't think I'd recommend Port Royale 3 as a great purchase on the Xbox 360. There's some novelty and a bit of fun to be had, but it quickly overstays its welcome unless you're in love with the idea of a hardcore merchant simulator.

Even if you can accept the simplicity, some of the basic mechanics don't work properly, bringing down the whole thing several notches. If you're looking for a game that is devoid of a technical learning curve, grab the demo and see if this fits the bill. Combat and pro wrestling aficionados would be better served with any other wrestling title that's offered on the system.

Dishonored is an easy contender for the best game of the year. It does so much right that it's easy to overlook its few flaws and weaknesses.

If video games were movies, the Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage would qualify as a remastered collector's edition. The only thing missing is some sort of digital archive section to highlight the original manuals and packaging. Although the Streets of Rage games can be had in alternate forms, you would be hard-pressed to find a better way to experience these three titles outside of the original cartridges.

As it is, Balloon Pop Remix is a touch above average, but it doesn't do anything to define itself as a must-play experience. Puzzle fans looking for something a little different will find that it makes for a nice time-waster when commuting or waiting in line, but for anything deeper, you'll want to look elsewhere.

No one can fault NBA Baller Beats for being ambitious, especially since it actually works. It's a fun rhythm game, but it also works as a teaching tool for those who are motivated enough to want to improve their game. If it weren't for the insanely specific requirements to get a basic game going, this would qualify as a must-have title for the Kinect. As it stands, basketball fans who have lots of room and little to break will enjoy this title.

As an arcade flight combat game, Dogfight 1942 is decidedly average.

Pokémon White Version 2 is a perfectly fine expansion for people who want more of the original.

The plot's probably one of the best written in the series to date, although even as a fan of RE, I have to admit that's not saying a hell of a lot.

Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers is a good, but not great, indie puzzle platformer.

If you're treating Kinect Nat Geo TV: America the Wild as a game, it really isn't much of one. The minigames are too similar, and the other interactive sections aren't exactly the most involving. If you're treating the product as a DVD collection of episodes, it doesn't work well at that task, either, since there's no way to skip the interactive segments. However, as a whole, the product is excellent and engaging with the right mix of educational content and silliness coming together for an enjoyable 40+ minutes per episode. Young nature lovers who want to do more than just watch TV will certainly get the most out of this.

Ultimately, the Plants vs. Zombies table for Pinball FX2 is an excellent choice, no matter your skill level. Beginners will find a low barrier to entry while experienced players will enjoy the challenge of the trickier shots. At a mere 240 Microsoft points ($3 USD), you'll still have plenty of sun to spare

Kinect Sesame Street TV: Season 1 is perfect for those with toddlers who can comprehend the show's lessons and antics. The level of interaction is great, and the flow doesn't feel stilted or burdened with load screens. This is really more of a collection of augmented TV shows than a full-fledged video game, so don't expect the little ones to bounce around all day interacting with every sequence. The whole thing is very well done, and fans of the appropriate age will be more than happy with this first iteration of a more interactive Sesame Street experience.

It's very easy for a developer to use nostalgia as an excuse to put out a half-baked product, but Double Dragon Neon is a well-crafted love letter to the beat-'em-up genre. It may not be a long game, but it is a complete delight while it lasts.

Rock Band Blitz is an above-average music game and a worthy addition to the libraries of genre fans and dabblers alike.

At the end of the day, it's a fighting game in a crowded sea of them - and a niche one at that.

At $60, Guild Wars 2 is easily one of the best MMO values in the pay realm this year, and it's superior to every free-to-play in the genre.

With that said, the content in Orcs Must Die! 2: Fire and Water meshes nicely with the base game, and the new levels are fun to play. Whether you purchase it right away or wait for the inevitable Steam sale, if you enjoyed Orcs Must Die! 2, you're going to enjoy Fire and Water.

Overall, Borderlands 2 takes what wasn't broken and builds on it, but it does so in a way that feels very much like the original game. At the same time, the gameplay is different enough to not feel like a retread, as practically every area of the gameplay has been tweaked to some extent.