Brings back a sense of adventure which somehow got lost along the way.

A good-looking B-17 experience with a full range of different tasks to tinker with and some quick blasts of action all wrapped in a lightweight strategy envelope.

When you do get in the groove, and you're timing all your jumps perfectly, this game puts you in that hypnotic trance of gaming goodness. It's a very rewarding feeling.

It isn't so attractive after you sit down to play it. Still, the glitz and intense combat can make you forget that there is no substance here for at least a few hours.

A letter-perfect blend of two genres -- role-playing and real-time strategy -- that satisfy a wide audience of gamers.

Simple, no nonsense action. Like a Stallone or Schwarzenegger movie from the 80s, it does not really cut the mustard in this flo-mo Matrix/Max Payne era.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker may ultimately be another Nintendo port, but it’s an extremely entertaining, polished Nintendo port that offers millions more players the opportunity to experience a game that languished on the undersold Wii U. That’s clearly a win for Nintendo, but also a win for puzzle-loving gamers, too.

Although its approach may irritate some purists, the movies' army of fans will lap it up.

Though all the elements are familiar, IO has polished them up and the end result is like a favorite dish: You know what it tastes like, but you're still looking forward to eating it.

The game succeeds admirably in terms of offering a fine selection of firefight features under any configuration.

No other Star Trek quite captures the tone and feel of the license, yet does so in a way that the license isn't even necessary to make the game exciting and appealing to any gamer.

A very playable, semi-educational tactical shooter sure to keep any Counter-Strike or Tom Clancy games player occupied for at least a short while.

An addicting synergy of videogaming, competition and physical activity, DDRMAX2 is an enjoyable game that can be played by just about anyone. Sure, the core concept is simplistic, but that doesn't mean it isn't good.

While both halves of this schizophrenic shooter play very differently, they share many of the same general qualities: they're solid, immersive, and pretty, but suffer from a severe lack of originality.

A rather short, but thrilling ride. The plot is linear and there's virtually no replay value, but it's a hugely compelling ride thanks to the pure visceral nature of the experience.

Tony Hawk's Project 8 is quite simply a good game. If you're looking for new levels to trick on and a new story mode to play through, it's money well spent. Nail the trick is the type of awesome addition this series desperately needed.

Meaty weapons, fast action, and overwhelming odds bring a Doom-like vibe to its high body count. And thanks in no small part to the excellent physics engine, Painkiller is an intense and visceral game.

It has quite literally everything you can think of to take advantage of the touchscreen.

The biggest improvement in STUN: DG is subtle but critical: the interface has been greatly cleaned up and streamlined. With one exception, the interface is now intuitive, consistent and quirk-free.

It's just as good on the GBA as it was in the old days.

Despite all the murder and mayhem, one of the biggest aspects of Saints Row isn't how many thugs you can cap, but the deep level of customization.

Like the original BUILD-era game, it's a top-notch shooter. Torus really emulated the way Duke's action looked and felt back then, even including his ability to look up and down (a GBA shooter first!) and jump.

Tearaway Unfolded, like its mobile forebear, is an enchanting adventure. A bedrock of strong platforming mechanics supports a world that recalls The Wizard of Oz’s wide-eyed whimsy. Children will absolutely adore it, but even grown-up gamers with a taste for handcrafted, homespun style should follow the fold.

It's the co-op mode which really shines. Sadly, co-op must be entered through the menu rather than by plugging in an extra controller, but the mode is a total success regardless.

The current-gen NBA 2K7 is a really good basketball title that looks great and plays even better. At $30, it's well worth picking up, even if it isn't a huge step up from last year's title.

The graphics are slick and shiny, the soundtrack is diverse and compliments the eras you fight through and the action is fast, frantic and undying.

It adds just enough to keep fans interested, but doesn't fix all the flaws or reinvent the game. With that said, the game has more focus, a bit more style, a lot more to do, and a definite ending if you choose to pursue it.

A no-brainer for all Mega Man fans out there. And even if you weren't an old-school addict, you can still dig in for some harmless fun... just be prepared for the frustrations and insane difficulty that come with many retro classics.

Unfortunately, there's no true career mode where you can create a player and take him through multiple seasons.

Thanks to the huge variety of powers and strategies, it'll last at least as long as a typical full-priced option.

The only way to avoid relegating this to the ‘I’ve got nothing better to do for the next twenty minutes’ league is to persuade your friends to buy a light gun and bring over their console and a spare TV and act like John Woo for an evening – great fun!

A fun game, and the inclusion of a character driven -oh ho - plot to be the right direction for the genre to go. But it’s not for anyone who is either looking for the next-generation visual thrill of its competition, or heavy realism.

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.

The new control system hurts more than it helps...While the game is competent, it lacks the depth that made the previous Mario Golf game so enthralling.

Though all the elements are familiar, IO has polished them up and the end result is like a favorite dish: You know what it tastes like, but you're still looking forward to eating it.

Age of Empires III would be a damn fine RTS if it came out five years ago. Instead, it's some impressive modern technology and bold gameplay ideas unfortunately saddled by an outdated take on the genre.

A solid enough game to overcome its awkward plot device. It doesn't much matter why you're in the situation you're in. What matters are those wonderful moments when you're sitting on a tower overlooking one of the most gorgeous cities you've ever seen in a game, and you know it's all yours to play in.

I appreciate that developer Vicarious Visions has tried to steer Skylanders in a new direction, and there’s certainly plenty to do here. But I’m not sure the future of Skylanders lies in mediocre kart racing, and unfortunately, there’s just too much of that in Skylanders SuperChargers. Hopefully the next entry will get the series back on track.

Since the storyline is very linear, there's not a lot of replay value to Phoenix Wright, making it best served for a long trip. Even so, only the player most determined to resist Mr. Wright's charms will be able to object to the game's finer points.

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.

The variety of nations means there's a lot here to experience and master, and the interesting and novel tactical choices the game offers will bring smiles to many faces.

What it lacks in polish, it makes up for with that elusive "fun factor" that you can feel even when you can't always pin it down.

It adds just enough to keep fans interested, but doesn't fix all the flaws or reinvent the game. With that said, the game has more focus, a bit more style, a lot more to do, and a definite ending if you choose to pursue it.

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

Storming through the Power Tour mode in singles and doubles is an entertaining ride, and there's plenty of replay value with the multitude of unlocked minigames and characters.

There's simply not that much to say. After all, it's freakin' ping pong.

Its defensive focus and thoughtful, non-click-fest combat are unusual, and are its main strengths.

The game's foundation is unshakable, and the endearing style adds just enough touches to make the game addictive.

An excellent arcade-sports title that knows no equal on next-gen consoles. It's more user-friendly than ever, has a killer single-player mode, and the advent of its online play will only make you keep it cemented into your PlayStation 3 that much longer.

Original games aren't exactly everywhere, but adding such deep role-playing and strategic elements to a combat game was an inspired move.

While the missions in The Simpsons: Hit and Run can take on an air of sameness after a while and the pursuit scheme is less than completely thought out, the most startling thing we can note is that the gameplay stands on its own, Simpsons or no Simpsons.

It adds just enough to keep fans interested, but doesn't fix all the flaws or reinvent the game. With that said, the game has more focus, a bit more style, a lot more to do, and a definite ending if you choose to pursue it.

A bit too by-the-book to have the magic of the original, but it's still a good game.

In terms of pacing, community, and great gunplay, this is the closest you'll get to a handheld "Counter-Strike." And as far as handheld shooters go, this is as good as it gets.

The AI is surprisingly excellent - if you send a batch of troops out to scout, they will take up careful positions, scale machine gun positions, engage the enemy, and redeploy defensively without any more commands having to be issued.

The difficulty level is impressively even, remaining challenging enough to hold the attention, but rarely crossing too far into frustration.

The new engine looks great, the interface (once you get to grips with it) works reasonably well, and the economic model is compelling enough to keep you playing.

As a standalone experience, University doesn't quite live up to The Sims 2's high grade point average. New stuff like pranks and streaking actually aren't that much fun and the whole experience feels like a lot of work... As an expansion pack to the main game, this is a terrific product.

Assassin's Creed is a solid enough game to overcome its awkward plot device. It doesn't much matter why you're in the situation you're in. What matters are those wonderful moments when you're sitting on a tower overlooking one of the most gorgeous cities you've ever seen in a game, and you know it's all yours to play in.

The big question was how well the new controls would work, and though you'll need extra practice to kick well, the game passes the test, making for a solid bridge between two generations of game systems.

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.

One of the most compulsively playable strategy games of the year, both online and off...Simplicity is the main ingredient that makes RAA so enjoyable.

To sum up my feelings about Flanker 2.0, consider this. "Flanker 1" has been on my hard drive for getting on for 4 years. I doubt very much whether Flanker 2.0 will remain on my system for 4 months.

Visually, this is a good example of what the GBA can do, with clean lines and solid character animation. There's a bit of slowdown on crowded screens, but the controls are tight and generally the game moves smoothly.

Amazingly fun; once again, fans will be shouting "Finish him!" for months to come.

Kohan II's single-player campaign is passable, but doesn't do as much to break the RTS mould as the rest of the game. Most players will head straight for skirmish matches against the AI, and just like the original, they'll find it excellent, challenging, and convincing, as enemy or teammate.

Series fans -- and while it's a fine game, it's unlikely to appeal much to anyone else -- will lap it up, happy that such a well-loved saga is coming to a satisfying conclusion. What more could you ask?

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.

Playing Empire Earth is akin to attending a banquet with courses of food... that keep coming long after you've pushed back from the table and undone your belt.

Freekstyle just doesn’t drip with love and attention the way "Tricky" does – its characters are nowhere near as appealing, its sound not as characterful, its gameplay not as polished and the package not as coherent.

An extremely stylish and -- please take it the right way -- icky excursion into the supernatural that has learned from its predecessors, and from itself, how to entertain and unnerve the player.

Its instant accessibility, great overall presentation and tremendous historical feel make this game a secret worth spreading.

The franchise may not be as wacky as before, nor as realistic as the competition, but it hits hard, doesn't let up, and is great entertainment for a group of friends looking for something less simmy and more instantly accessible.

The attention to detail is commendable, but the sheer scope may be a point of frustration for some, especially those who come from the Tony Hawk school. The supercross races are so exacting that progression without dedication is impossible.

Sam and Max's return is both a funny, well-written return to form and a real testimony to the episodic format in general. Culture Shock shows remarkable sympathy for the strengths of the original game, and has a polished, streamlined presentation that nails its feel.

A great modern anthology of 2D fighters. If you go gaga over every new Capcom or SNK fighter released, you’ll absolutely love this game.

With plenty of action, great visuals, lots of replay value and overall refinement, this is a winner both for newcomers and fans of the series. And while the game wraps up pretty cleanly, there's plenty of material for another adventure.

Amazingly fun; once again, fans will be shouting "Finish him!" for months to come.

Disappointingly, the presentation isn't updated as much as we'd expect. GBA owners are accustomed to better visuals, and the music remains painfully strident.

Don't buy it hoping for a wonderful solo experience: Buy it because you want to spend hours fragging your buds on Xbox Live or working through a uniquely implemented cooperative campaign. It ain't perfect, but it's sure to please.

If running around slicing the arms off enemies and toying around with Force powers is your idea of fun, you have found your game. But then, you probably already found that game many years ago when the series first began.

It's an absolute monster, with tons of power while simultaneously possessing impressive agility.

Luckily, the game is designed to be open-ended enough to let you explore multiple ways in overcoming a problem, leading to a sense of discovery and freedom, again something not typical of first-person shooters.

It looks better than the original, offers satisfying (if slightly short-lived) single-player action, and is an excellent multiplayer game.

It's too hard to steal bases against the computer and throw computer stealers out. Computer batters are far too patient at the plate... It is worth checking out.

The franchise may not be as wacky as before, nor as realistic as the competition, but it hits hard, doesn't let up, and is great entertainment for a group of friends looking for something less simmy and more instantly accessible.

Black Ops III deserves credit for delivering a wider game than Advanced Warfare (or Black Ops II, for that matter), but it’s not necessarily a deeper one. More meaningful, fundamental changes to how we experience the game were passed over in favor of a maelstrom of strange new ideas. It’s just plain weird...I happen to like weird, though, and Black Ops III does enough to carve out its own identity.

Legends is a compelling game for those who aren't fans of the license, but it's an absolute must-have for X-Men followers; the bigger the fan, the more you need this game.

A good deal for Xbox owners, despite its shortcomings. There's an awful lot of gameplay here, thanks to the multiple single-player modes and good selection of party games.

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."

Although Codename Panzers doesn't do anything particularly new, it's polished, presented beautifully, and positively bursting with lasting appeal.

Prince of Persia's stunning delivery yields quite a few breathtaking moments. Flaws aside, credit this prince for breaking many of the rules his ancestor set forth some two decades ago. He's just not quite ready to wear the crown.

By far the best simulation of boxing to date. Spectacular visuals, addictive, rewarding gameplay and the inclusion of many boxing greats are just the tip of a sparkling iceberg.

Sick Puppies' Ghost Master has turned the whole horror genre on its head, though, and come up with an ingenious anti-mix of "The Sims" and "Beetlejuice"... An original and entertaining idea that has been excellently implemented.

Simply not sufficiently distinguishable from its clan to make it an essential purchase.

Definitely hot stuff that hasn’t been burned too badly by the hands of time.

The appeal of this Island Thunder expansion, however, is limited to only those who loved the original, played it to exhaustion and are looking for some new content to rekindle their interest.

Perhaps the best thing that Def Jam Vendetta has going for it, though, is its attitude. The developers took this idea and ran with it, a tactic that makes story mode as engaging as a B movie.