it's just woefully undercooked in many parts.

Once you're past the technical hurdles (and the brutal realization of just how easy it is to die in a swordfight or sea battle), Pirates of the Caribbean is an absolutely beautiful looking, freeform RPG adventure. But it is really suited for experienced, patient gamers.

No matter the console, Meet the Robinsons is a darn good video game. The game is smart, vast, and really does offer something for everyone.

But as Wii-makes go, Pets is as solid as the best of them, and in some ways perhaps better, by virtue of presenting loads of open-ended content with a powerful gaming interface.

A seriously retro-minded and generally uninspired project.

Even the parodic nature that was attempted here falls flat after a couple plays, leaving you with a husk of a game that could have been great.

Requiring only five to seven hours to finish, and having virtually no replay value, only the most dedicated fans should own Batman Begins.

Computer opponents are simply too good, too tireless. Points constantly drag on, as your foe can get to almost every ball that you hit.

Could have been great, but relies too heavily on the "Jango Fett is cool" idea, and doesn't have the depth of gameplay needed to hold most people's interest.

If only Blade Warriors was a better, deeper, more fun game -- then it could really deliver for fans of these characters.

Also aggravating is the half-assed presentation. Cutscenes are crap, and voiceovers are all delivered by stand-ins instead of authentic actors. Even Paulie sounds like he's being voiced by someone's roommate.

Dreary when it should be light and enjoyable, Monster Force is the videogame equivalent of last year's Time magazines in a doctor's waiting room.

Each iteration of the Medal of Honor series has been better than the last, and Rising Sun is no exception. It would have been nice to see EA take a few risks and break formula, but the game's a great war shooter nonetheless.

While Counter-Strike is still a popular and recommendable online shooter, this retail package offers poor value and is a huge disappointment.

Really just a chip shot compared to its competitors.

So while the core gameplay is great fun, longevity does suffer from the inevitable repetitiveness and uneventful missions. Be wary.

Although its replay value leaves a bit to be desired, Chaos Legion is still a decent brawler with some clever combat and stylish visuals.

And unless you're a SPF fanatic, we'd advise waiting for the inevitable download to be offered, as Capcom Puzzle World isn't a compelling enough product to trade for thirty hard-won dollars.

It is ironic that Vampire Night should be both toothless and bloodless.

As a purchase, its replay value is a bit dubious, but for the skilled shooter, and even the casual action/adventure enthusiast, it's a terrifyingly amusing look at the world of low-budget horror flicks.

The best thing by far about the game is how much Bam! has captured Dexter's world for the game.

It's gorgeous. The uniforms look like cloth (meaning they aren't shiny), while the ice and the plastic visors shine like the real thing. The physics are exciting and, because of the realism, the hits feel more devastating.

One of the oddest things about Network Transmission is the game's learning curve that bucks convention by starting out frustratingly difficult and getting progressively easier.

A slightly ropy control system, and disappointing length let us down on what is otherwise a truly enjoyable experience. Flipendo!

Its saving grace might have been the potential it had to provide a more jovial spirit in the "Redneck Rampage" theme, but this is never really accomplished.

If you aren't up for endless hacking and slashing, there's not much here. But for anyone who digs the genre, Gladiator is the most satisfying form to come down the Appian Way in some time, and is definitely worth a look.

Warrior's Code is better looking and sounding than the original, but it doesn't really play any differently. It's still a long slog through thousands of enemies without many distinguishing characteristics.

While it doesn't necessarily capture the imagination to the extent that "Half Life" did, it does pack a pretty good punch.

Graphically, things haven't much improved from last time, but the 80+ new missions, more comprehensive ship designs, and added weapons make for a solid follow-up to a genre-busting first game.

If you aren't up for endless hacking and slashing, there's not much here. But for anyone who digs the genre, Gladiator is the most satisfying form to come down the Appian Way in some time, and is definitely worth a look.

Underneath the innovative touches and solid graphics lies a fundamentally unoriginal RTS with crap AI, boring missions and comedic value on par with Norman Tebbit in a clown costume.

Yet another addition to the long line of awful tennis games for the PC.

If you can forgive the unimaginative AI and time-intensive design, Omega Strain stands as an accomplished shooter.

A gorgeously slower-paced fighting game with an emphasis on combos and strategy over frantic button mashing... A refreshing change of pace, to be sure.

A game with no surprises and a superficial combat model, but giant robot fetishists and long-time series fans at least have one less reason to complain.

This B-grade game isn't going to win any awards, but as far as movie-related video games go, it's one of the better entries.

A great kid's game and will amuse gamers with some musical knowledge or puzzle game addiction.

Ultima may have been King of the RPGs once, but it has been standing still for too long in a world that moves at a million miles an hour.

A game painstakingly styled, but so lacking in depth it's almost embarrassing.

Another minor issue is that while Nikki is death while on the stealthy offensive, she's not much good if the combat suddenly gets up-close... the moral of the story, we suppose, being don't let the enemy get close to begin with.

For new players or rabid fanatics, Mario Party 7 is a respectable addition to the series. But for anyone expecting to have a great time with less than four people, this release can kill the party instead of starting it.

Features have been piled upon features in an attempt to enhance gameplay, but this has only succeeded in bulking things up to the point where you risk an aneurysm if you try to figure everything out.

A mixed bag.

It's fairly short, so seasoned gamers won't likely see 15 hours of gameplay... but for all their simplicity, they're an entertaining 15 hours, studded with predetermined dramatic events and even references to characters and events from the first game.

There aren't really enough features here to recommend Silent Scope 2 to anyone other than those who are maniacally obsessive about the game ...or those rich I-Link-two-big-TVs-in-the-same-room-owning-people.

There is a big flaw in this Operation, however, and it's control. Simply put, the simplicity and elegance of "Splinter Cell" is not to be found in the IMF.

Sonic Rivals feels a little like a mini-game to a bigger game. We expected more content than this. The cards are utterly useless in their attempt to milk replay out of the title, and seemed thrown in at the last minute.

The game tends toward actual-world realistic, but in a fancifully dull way.

A one-button action/adventure dress-up simulator.

Though it suffers from control issues and won't be to everyone's taste, Dog's Life delivers on its promised subject matter.

While the game's nod to realism (and somewhat stiff control) are less friendly to racing gamers overall, car-caressers will find much to amuse themselves.

If you can't get enough of Hawk or Hoffman, or dig the snowboarding scene and like solid trick-based games, this one's a sick choice.

An interesting blend of genres that never really delivers a full-featured strategy game.

Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War is a passable hybrid of a console action game with a PC real-time strategy game. And while it's not terribly good at either genre, it's interesting enough as a combination.

A decent game to play if you're obsessed with the adventures of the family Parr, but it could have used a lot more polish and whimsy where it counts.

It's still as fun a fighter as the previous iterations of the series have been, but with weak graphics and bland new fighters, there's definitely room for improvement.

Quite simply, Ys isn't good enough to make it worth the pain in the butt of the constant loading. It's designed to play fast and easy, but on the PSP, it's a staccato exercise in waiting before you're allowed to do a few very simple things.

It's just a better-than-okay game with some great dramatic elements, some decent mechanics, and some notable downsides. Only Warhammer aficionados need scramble to the game store for this one.

Seriously lacking in terms of pacing and challenge.

A somewhat competent, but ultimately flawed game that boasts interesting ideas, yet fails to master any of them.

A one-button action/adventure dress-up simulator.

Once you're past the technical hurdles (and the brutal realization of just how easy it is to die in a swordfight or sea battle), Pirates of the Caribbean is an absolutely beautiful looking, freeform RPG adventure. But it is really suited for experienced, patient gamers rather than casual ones.

It's just unfortunate that technical problems and repetitive audio samples cause annoyance throughout.

The chief offence is the total lack of any tutorial modes to help flesh out the numerous nuances of the game. Within your first go, the chances of you understanding anything that is happening on-screen are akin to the chances of Mike Tyson giving up boxing to become a ballerina…as disturbing a thought as that may be.

The soundtrack ranks as one of the most impressive to date. Mixing bass-thumping hip-hop grooves with epic, tension-building in-race vibes, it's well worth cranking up the volume for a fully engrossing driving experience.

Gamers who haven't exactly stuck by Sonic's blurry blue side over the years will have to work a little harder to get to the fun, spastic heart of Sonic Heroes, but those who know what to expect in terms of mechanics and sheer kinetic insanity will feel right at home.

Comparing Lord of the Rings Tactics to "Metal Gear Solid" -- another turn-based, tactical PSP title with a famous franchise attached -- this game comes out on top in almost every way.

A case of a game fell at the last fence, dropping from the potential of greatness to being average instead.

Riveting duels, killer combination moves, and buckets of blood see the cinematic adaptation effectively mimic the flick that inspired it.

It is as rough around the edges as its main character and most players will probably be put off after an initial bout of controller frustration. Those who stay with it will find an enjoyable and somewhat satisfying single-player experience, but nothing incredibly memorable.

It's one of the better wrestling games available on any platform - except for the one unfortunate flaw that it gets sort of old after only a few hours of gametime.

Extras like a free, waypoint-based track editor add charm. The same thing goes for online car-swapping features. But between a Super Nintendo-era audio-library, limp-wristed vehicular duels, and snooze-inducing stages, it's too little, too late.

Requiring only five to seven hours to finish, and having virtually no replay value, only the most dedicated fans should own Batman Begins.

The game mechanics are so badly crippled that it probably doesn't even deserve to be called a strategy game.

Lack of originality notwithstanding, gamers in search of an above average stealth action game experience with a good story and couple of minor innovations won't be disappointed with Cold War.

Splendid stage architecture, superb puzzle planning, and, yes, even the odd snide remark give it way more charm than most competitors. Despite limited replay value and slight conceptual deja vu, the title will entertain all age groups.

The DS game supports the touch screen for mini-map movement as well as weapon selection, but suffers from a lower resolution and a restricted display area. The PSP game looks much prettier, but requires more button presses to navigate.

In general Star Trek looks and sounds better than it has in recent console incarnations. The graphics are a little jagged, but the ships look great and the interface is well designed. And the sound is excellent, from the sweeping symphonic score to the spot-on weapon systems.

Gamers who liked the idea of, say, "Twisted Metal Black," but found the execution too quick and snappy to be satisfying, should check out Road Kill, a decidedly more kinetic follower.

The simple truth is that Juiced is behind the curve. The racing isn't bad, but the game places emphasis on the wrong reward system.

Has the same grandiose scale and storytelling style as previous entries, but is hampered by an overabundance of combat and a lack of inspiration.

The computer players take ages moving, and if you add more than one opponent for extra tactical depth, the problem is multiplied.

NBA Live 07 is a lot like its cover athlete, Tracy McGrady: It's capable of some stunning moves, worthy of the highlight reels, but is a little too offensive-minded and selfish. It's got a lot of skill, but doesn't do enough to get to the playoffs.

Has everything you could hope for in a DS Monkey Ball: lots of stages, great mini-games, and nice presentation. The less-than-perfect control and the over-saturation of new Monkey Ball iterations, however, make it less attractive to the gaming masses.

If the difficultly was a bit more consistent and mission parameters more forgiving, then Battlestar Galactica could have been a massive hit. As-is, the game is sure to please fans of the license, but those looking for something deeper will likely be disappointed.

If you're looking for a new fighting game, don't mind simplistic controls and having volumes of tedious storyline read to you by a man with about as much vocal intonation as Leonard Nimoy, this is your game.

Seems to split its aim between hardcore "Matrix" fans and experienced gamers; if you find yourself with a foot in both camps, you may well find this one of the most faithful movie-to-game experiences in recent memory.

The D-pad tends to be a little slow and straight in responding and the joystick is a little too fast and wiggly. This can cause no end of trouble when you are trying to aim or if you or your targets are moving.

Control is also woefully imprecise, to the point where combos can seem time-delayed a second or more.

As a single player game it can become pretty infuriating having to put up with the computer AI.

Quick bouts are enjoyable enough, but once you have your head around the novel betting structure, The Con doesn't give you enough to get your teeth into, long-term.

Rather than working with the many strengths of the GBA system, EA Canada has tried to shoehorn impossible content into SSX 3, and the strain shows from moment one.

Another minor issue is that while Nikki is death while on the stealthy offensive, she's not much good if the combat suddenly gets up-close... the moral of the story, we suppose, being don't let the enemy get close to begin with.

Riveting duels, killer combination moves, and buckets of blood see the cinematic adaptation effectively mimic the flick that inspired it.

It's disappointing that Spider-Man 3 goes from exhilarating to budget-ware production levels so quickly and dramatically. Part of the problem down at street level is the combat. It's drawn with terrible character models, bad animation, and inconsistent AI that makes it easy to win fights by spamming a few basic attacks or taking advantage of the fact that bad guys can't figure out how to get around a park bench.

The swordfights, which seem to promise the ability to jump around and swing your Wiimote like a living room ninja, are a profound disappointment.

A good game still lurks somewhere under all this garbage. Gothic's approach to the open-ended RPG is a good deal more compelling than Oblivion's, and it surpasses it in other areas too. But if there was ever a game in need of a few more months of development, Gothic 3 is it.

A trip down memory lane for anyone pining for the original, but without strategic and gameplay enhancements, it's just a poor game by 2003 standards.