Every one of the revolutionary changes has been carefully calculated to walk the fine line between serious sim and nostalgic trip back to childhood...we have to give Monopoly Tycoon a full recommendation.

Stands out in the action-adventure genre by providing well devised combat and level design meshed with a great Buffy story. If you're not familiar with the TV show, you can still have a hell of a good time dusting vampires and kicking demon ass.

One of the most outstanding features, though, is that Nintendo has tucked away some classic games in Animal Crossing, such as "Mario Brothers" and "Exibike."

Weird, funny, immensely playable, and has that nigh-unclassifiable thing we can only call charm.

While it's not the groundbreaking game that Civilization was, it's a very worthy successor and it'll probably stay on your hard drive a long, long time.

Well-developed and believable characters. That, in itself, is no mean feat, but mix it with the game's delightful combat, varied design, and admirable coherence of style and creative vision, and you have something very special. Max Payne 2 is a superb game.

Think of Civilization III: Conquests as you would an even more densely programmed History Channel. If you found yourself at all invested in the first, you're going to want to check this out. And if the first one intimidated you a little, be afraid. Be very afraid.

Set in a rich and charming world with a host of great characters, it's beautifully paced and challenging enough to make you want more, yet simple in both its control interface and concept.

The level of work that went into this game is way beyond the norm. It's obvious that no expense was spared in making Def Jam Fight For NY a big-time title... It's one the most polished fighting games available.

An all-round fantastic experience. It's got enough building to keep god-sim fans happy, enough interaction to keep Sims-fanatics interested, and enough detail for even the management freaks to have a damn good time.

There's no fighter on the system that even vaguely competes. Sure, "Street Fighter" was nice to have, but this feels like it belongs on the PSP, while Capcom's game never escaped the feeling of "port."

Remember this is a die-hard, slow-paced, no-nonsense strategy title, and chances are you'd be better served with one of Koei's Dynasty games if you're not prepared to invest plenty of thought and patience into building an empire.

Nothing riotously new, but as any gear-head can tell you: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The staggering amount of real estate, the intricate combat system, the engaging narrative, and the sheer number of things to do makes it a real JRPG standout. It’s water in a desert for Wii U owners, and a smashing success that will likely be remembered as one of the system’s finest.

Tiger Woods 2005 is a birdie to "2004's" eagle, but that doesn't change the fact that it's one of the best sports games out there.

The effect of these changes is hard to overstate. The gameplay is much more laid back, and without having to restart levels over and over, it flows better.

It's not for everyone, of course, but for those looking to shed some weight or strengthen muscles, including your heart and mind, this title is an extraordinary one worth spending time with.

This is almost certainly the best release in the history of the NHL series and one of the most authentic action-oriented sports games currently on the market.

A spectacular boxing game that moves beyond a lot of the systems prior limitations.

PlanetSide's exciting mix of action and strategy is a breath of fresh FPS air.

That break-the-mold game that longtime players of the franchise have been waiting for. And if you're already a street-rag reader, you have permission and reason to drool - just keep it off the AirFlow controller, please.

The hallmark of Gears' weapon design is the balance of powerful tools with critical, exploitable weaknesses, and it's executed with real finesse.

A perfect place to jump into the Age of Wonders series. It's "Age of Wonders II," only sporting a few refinements and a lot of extra content.

Simply beautiful, with finely tuned play and as fine a presentation as we've seen in sport. The new details make the game feel much more real, and every step Konami takes towards full global licensing is a boon for fans.

One of the best role-playing games of 2001. With just a few tweaks, Piranha Bytes could have given us one of the best role-playing games of all time.

It may just blow your mind!

One of those rare games where the ratio of time spent to the cost of the game makes for some of the most efficient entertainment this side of "Oblivion" or "Civilization IV."

Guitar Hero effortlessly tops the charts in terms of music/rhythm games -- and not just because the controller, gameplay, and song list are all flawless. It shoots to number one with a bullet because you actually feel and look cool playing it.

Inside is an artistic triumph. Video games, at their best, fold their various components into a whole that is far greater than the sum of their parts. Inside does exactly that, and more so does exactly what its name implies: it gets in your head, in your system, and stays there.

There's never really been a console game like this one – it's an oddity, and most people would be well advised to investigate its possibilities further before picking it up...Morrowind isn't for everyone, but those it grabs will be hooked for good.

A tremendously fun game; I don't usually play adventure games, but this one held my interest from beginning to end. With excellent roach animation and plenty of interesting locations to wander around your senses are kept keen, and the stylish video clips add very well to the eerie atmosphere.

Just about the only bad thing about Madden NFL 2004 is the bar that it sets. EA Sports has one hell of a challenge waiting in the wings, trying to improve on a masterful title like this.

If you're looking for a harder and longer version of Brothers in Arms, Earned in Blood fits the bill -- although it can be hard to shake the feeling that you've trudged through these fields and villages before.

TrueSwing is an unparalleled re-creation of what it's like to actually swing a golf club, and the visual touches provide you with nearly everything that a membership at a real-world club can offer. There is no finer simulation of golf.

What makes it great is the fantastic level design and AI, the solid cut-scenes and storyline, the inventive character abilities and the fact that the designers have squeezed so much into it.

Its FPS-like controls and gameplay mean you'll take to it easily, and the slow-moving 'mechs and long reload times add satisfying tactical elements.

With a number of new gameplay innovations, a low learning curve and high replay value, Time Crisis 3 is pretty much guaranteed to satisfy even the most jaded lightgun gamer out there.

It's cliche to say those with heart conditions should stay away, but the game is truly one of those rarities that has you so caught up in the action, you don't realize that you were holding your breath until the mission ends.

To make up for the weaker aesthetics, PS2 gamers do get an extra single-player level (along with some tweaks to the existing levels), and a post-mission stats readout that might give players something to brag about online.

Some of the best brawling seen in this console generation, as well as slick presentation, varied gameplay, and an unbeatable depiction of gang life pre-gangsta rap.

The type of conversion we hoped to see on the handheld: There's virtually no degradation in quality, it's better than almost any console game in the genre, and it makes the platform look like gold.

To produce a console RTS game that equals its PC counterpart is no mean feat, and here Electronic Arts has even surpassed it slightly in some areas.

Strangely enough, the key to the game's success may very well be the restricted camera. Yes, saying so is likely to get us branded as gaming heathens, but for Castlevania, it works and it works well.

If you're not having fun, you just plain don't like tactical RPGs.

That break-the-mold game that longtime players of the franchise have been waiting for. And if you're already a street-rag reader, you have permission and reason to drool - just keep it off the AirFlow controller, please.

Striking a balance between cinematic, story-based gaming and free-roaming fun is harder than most people realize, and True Crime manages to pull it off in a way that brings excitement, challenge, and even a few laughs here and there (some of the voice work, particularly that of one Mr. Walken, is priceless).

Liberty City Stories stands out on the PlayStation Portable like an elephant in a henhouse, and puts almost every other PSP game -- especially console ports -- to shame.

An eye-opening, awe-inspiring psychotic arcade racer with addictive, high-energy and often hysterical gameplay. EA and Criterion really hit it out of the parking lot with this one.

It's a crying shame that availability problems look like preventing Katamari Damacy from reaching the enormous audience it so richly deserves. Scour your local stores for a copy, because you owe it to yourself to pick this game up straight away.

Tiger Woods 2005 is a birdie to "2004's" eagle, but that doesn't change the fact that it's one of the best sports games out there.

Madden 2005 is a benchmark in football simulations, because for the first time, it implements a realistic, versatile, hard-hitting defensive game that will pin you to the chair like a 300lb tackle.

It's great on your own, it's great online, it's packed with vehicles and tracks, and it plays like a dream. In short, Forza Motorsport 2 is everything fans of its outstanding predecessor have been hoping for.

As impressive as the combat is, the story is even more so. When was the last time you felt a complex set of reactions to an action hero? Kratos will inspire awe, revulsion, and pity as players learn his sad tale.

Extreme mode might be horribly named, but it's a great addition. Online, it's excellent, and the only things that move faster than MotoGP's visuals are the real bikes themselves.

With the introduction of clinching, the innovative punch system, the deep tournament and career options, the graphics and realism, the improved presentation, and most of all, the obvious love of boxing infused into the game, Fight Night Round 2 is the best representation of the "sweet science" that gaming has ever seen.

This deceptively simple little golf game is packed with so much variety and gameplay that it belongs on everyone's "If you were stranded on a desert island..." list. And you don't even have to like golf.

While this isn't a hardcore title, the puzzles and numerous battles will keep serious gamers busy for some time. Paper Mario is easy to play, exceptional fun, and a thoroughly engaging title.

Its finest qualities are its simplicity, depth, superior graphics and outright compelling gameplay.

You get a fun, instantly appealing, easy to play-hard to master real-time strategy, with character and an endless amount of playability.

The graphics look great, the interface works a treat and the additions, while minor, fit well. Clearly a lot of work has gone into making the game feel like it was meant to be on PC.

Every aspect of the game feels polished and ready to go, whether it's the single-player story, the online multiplayer, the numerous unlockables, or the custom mapmaker. This is one of those rare Jack-of-all-trades that has actually mastered them all.

The most impressive difference between the Xbox and PC versions is that you can play online with up to 15 other players and, with the increased resolution, sniping is much more accurate and fun.

Walking down the steps into one of the larger cities, Balmora, for the first time is a moment that will stay with players for some time to come. It's the best-looking RPG to date, undoubtedly, and certainly ranks among the most graphically-impressive games around.

On the multiplayer side, Sony's been looking high and low for a release that can stand up to "Halo" -- we never expected it to come from a platformer! In fact, you'll be hard pressed to find a better combination of action, platforming, and multiplayer goodness than this.

Remix gives PSP owners a massive, compelling experience, while at the same time making the hardware look golden. After all, it's not only a port of a best-selling console game -- it's better!

From the creative track design to the expertly balanced difficulty levels, nearly everything about Mario Kart DS screams quality.

Not only is it accessible enough to recommend to the casual RTS player, it's got more than enough depth to please even the most propeller-headed of strategy nerds.

This is all exciting stuff that breathes exotic new life into Age of Empires III, and it's one of the best real-time strategy expansion packs since "Brood Wars."

The most exhilarating mix of simulation, realism, arcade fun, destructive firepower, strategy and action available for your PC.

It manages to translate all of the elements you loved from previous versions into one compact package that will allow you to master new skills on the move.

Still the best skateboarding game out there and it's much more than "Tony Hawk 4" ever was. That being said, while some of the new features are great, others just aren't up to the level of quality that we've come to expect from Neversoft.

Offers an amazing amount of control over how the game is played in a game session. It is very easy to set up a multiplayer game, and just as easy to join one in progress over the Internet or LAN.

By building gameplay around non-lethal weapons, they've honored not only the police they're modeling, but the power of guns.

What's amazing is that Criterion was able to create such a tight control scheme, when other PSP racing games have felt floaty and flaky. By any standard, Burnout's control is rock solid. It's possible to dodge right though the same small spaces that entice players on the console game.

In Picross DS, you get a real sense of accomplishment, while still being just as enthralled as with the Tetrises and Meteoses of the world. It rewards intelligence over reflexes, broadening its target audience immensely. Play it for 10 minutes, or five hours; either way, you'll have a smile on your face the entire time.

While it won't make as much of an impact as its predecessor, KOTOR 2's strong gameplay mechanics, interesting and well-voiced characters, and genuine, unforced sense of atmosphere make it almost as compelling to play. You won't be disappointed.

Finally, the campaign elements and the 3D combat have merged into a game that's practically perfect in almost every way.

Under BioWare's guidance, Knights Of The Old Republic has become not only one of the best Star Wars games, period, but a wonderful expansion of the story and the first compelling Xbox RPG.

Dismissing the game out of hand is easy: the plot is silly, the standard enemies don't vary much, and the level design amounts to little more than battle venues linked together with bland, featureless corridors and the occasional crap puzzle. But that'd be missing the point completely, and it only takes one hit to see why. Nail an encounter just right, ripping through your enemies with all the ferocity of a tornado in a knife warehouse, and you'll understand.

The end result is exquisitely original multiplayer gaming that's a vastly different experience based on which team is chosen. It's only marred by a bizarrely overlooked bug that crashes the Xbox when browsing available servers through OptiMatch.

In a market that's crowded with guns, over-the-top graphical effects and heart-pounding action, FSX serves more to educate and amuse than arouse and enrage, and it does so in real style. It's a stunning achievement.

One of the most thrilling games to hit PS2 since its launch.

Tiger Woods 2005 is a birdie to "2004's" eagle, but that doesn't change the fact that it's one of the best sports games out there.

The enemy AI isn't really what it should be. This is a minor criticism, but when a game reaches this level things like this tend to stand out.

The best skateboarding game out there and it's much more than Tony Hawk 4 ever was. That being said, while some of the new features are great, others just aren't up to the level of quality that we've come to expect from Neversoft.

With the introduction of clinching, the innovative punch system, the deep tournament and career options, the graphics and realism, the improved presentation, and most of all, the obvious love of boxing infused into the game, Fight Night Round 2 is the best representation of the "sweet science" that gaming has ever seen.

A fast, fluid, and gorgeous game, with a remarkable control scheme, a gratifying sense of progression, and its own unique sensibility. With a launch title like this, the Wii comes out of the gate swinging, demanding to be taken seriously.

A stunning game. Graphics, sound and online play benefit the most from the treatment, but there isn't an aspect of gameplay that hasn't received attention, making this the most comprehensive slapshot sim available.

While Project Gotham Racing and Forza Motorsport improved upon their winning formulas in their respective sequels this year, EA completely overhauled the Need for Speed franchise to create what is arguably the best game in the series.

Although there's little more than 20 hours lurking under the cover, that time is packed with some of the best gameplay we've seen in the genre for some time, and more story than most platformers have in their entire franchise.

A linear game that simply doesn't feel linear, and that's a major achievement. By tightly focusing the action and constantly engaging the player, the developers have managed to make you feel a part of the action without holding your hand.

Complete in nearly every way and is a good bet for casual fans who just want to slap a few balls out of the infield and diehards who will settle for nothing less than a full career simulation.

The endless combat may smack of War Machines Week on The History Channel, but the contentious, jaunty chatter between friendly (and enemy) characters is pure Cartoon Network. Move out!

The visual impact of the game is fantastic in terms of the surroundings that you race through, the shape of your bike and the track design.

Combined with the fun dogfighting and smart stylus control, this is better action than we deserve in a portable.

Even though Skate is swimming with atmosphere and features, it's the gameplay that stands out in this gem. It's not trying to compete with "Tony Hawk" -- it's trying to do its own thing. As such, old Tony Hawk fans looking for a more authentic challenge will love this game. While some challenges will be frustrating, that's just how skating is, and EA did a wonderful job re-creating the atmosphere and style of the sport in game form.

In the end though, what really makes Crypto-138 stand out from the pack is the combination of solid controls and side-splitting humor. It may not be politically correct, but it's going to keep you entertained.

The PC can support insanely high resolutions that put even the Xbox to shame. The frame rate is better on the PC, as well.