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.