If you are a fan of classic arcade brawling action than King of Fighters XI is a no brainer, especially with a price tag criminally below twenty bucks.

If you are a fan of the series and can handle some of the hang-ups found in this latest chapter then by all means snatch it up, I know I could use more people online to play with. However, most FPS gamers looking for the next best thing will find Payback a bit too much on the derivative side to warrant its full price tag.

The budget price will keep gamers feeling satisfied for their twenty bucks and the addition of new maps and options should keep the action fresh. A lack of true single-player does tarnish it a bit but for the price you really shouldn’t expect much.

With its simple, yet addicting gameplay and amazing visuals, Super Mario Galaxy is by far the best game available for the Wii, along with the best Mario title released in years.

The controls are silky smooth and responsive, the visuals are fantastic, and the multi-player is certainly proficient, but nothing really makes it stand out from the herd.

The addition of online play is certainly UMK’s biggest selling point. If you are a huge fan of the series and plan to take the skirmishes online there is no reason to hesitate picking this one up. This is by far the best portable Kombat game to date.

I'm having trouble typing this today, as my left hand is sore from playing Lifesigns so much yesterday. And when a game compels me to play to the point of arthritis, that my friends, is a good thing.

A fantastic game that deserves to be played by everyone. It is easily accessible, truly addictive, and loaded with tons of content to warrant the $50 price tag. However, if you have already played through the first two games there is little here worth coming back for unless online co-op and more Achievement points are your thing.

When all is said and done LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Sage is a fantastic game that deserves to be played by everyone. It is easily accessible, truly addictive, and loaded with tons of content to warrant the $50 price tag.

It is easily accessible, truly addictive, and loaded with tons of content to warrant the $50 price tag. However, if you have already played through the first two games there is little here worth coming back for unless online co-op and more Achievement points are your thing.

It certainly isn’t genre defining, but it is a solid effort into a market that is by and large untapped.

If you are a fan of the show, and I mean a very large fan, then you owe it to yourself to check out this amazingly funny diversion.

The learning curve is not very steep, and newcomers to the series shouldn’t have any problems grasping the gameplay, especially if they listen to Anna.

CoD 4 is much more than a new subtitle and change of weapons; the team has crafted one of the best paced, most beautiful shooters ever created. Couple this with the highly-addictive and extremely well balanced multi-player and you have a package that is the epitome of how sequels should work.

Even with a disappointingly short campaign CoD 4 is a must own for fans of the genre, I know it seems like there have been a million FPS game released in the last three months, but this is yet again another must have. The highly addictive online mode is the first game that I could see knocking Halo 3 off its pedestal as well as becoming a staple for future online games.

Bee Movie is a solid game that remains true to the license while actually producing a fantastic experience for players both young and old.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is a unique and innovative title that executes what it sets out to do marvelously. The interface is simple yet intuitive, the visuals are bright and appealing, and the premise is simply too cute for words. If you have a young one who loves the idea of creating their own fuzzy friend there is no reason to pass this one up.

Fighting in Naruto: RoaN is such an important part of the game play that it has been given its own online modes.

Bee Movie is a solid game that remains true to the license while actually producing a fantastic experience for players both young and old.

It has enough new content to appeal to owners of HoD, and enough depth to keep even the most skilled SRPG player busy for weeks.

An amazing fan-service production wrapped around a mediocre platformer.

An amazing fan-service production wrapped around a mediocre platformer.

As a freshman effort in an established franchise Neversoft has done just about everything perfectly. The game feels like Guitar Hero with just enough new spice to make it feel fresh at the same time. The track list is absolutely amazing and the addition of online and co-op career are much welcome additions.

The FPS genre is extremely rare on the system which means that the amount of quality titles is even rarer. Dementium sets a new standard on the system for presentation and visuals as well as delivering the first truly engrossing horror title for Nintendo’s micro-console.

If ever there was a game that deserves the word plagiarism on the back of the box as a bullet point it would be Conan.

You could realistically finish it in a weekend making it more of a rental option than shelling out full price. However, if you are a fan of the lore (minus the ridiculous use of magic mind you) and you love the hack and slash genre then this game could easily be worth checking out.

Easily the best flight-sim available on next-gen systems, not to mention the best the series has ever had to offer. Picture perfect controls and lush visuals make this a package that fans of the series will not want to miss.

Why complain if “more of the same” is serving up consistent goodness?

Namco Museum Remix is a solid package with a few hiccups here and there. A complete lack of online certainly doesn’t help its cause, but the same-screen multi-player is incredibly addictive if you have the means to enjoy it.

Power Rangers: Super Legends is a game that will only appeal to fans of the show. The textbook action sequences have been done before and much better in other DS games.

Unfortunately, this collection of average minigames and overused sound bites is likely to be a disappointment to even the most diehard Dynamite fan.

I really enjoy Sims 2 Castaway. It took the stressful stat management that made Lost in Blue ulcer inducing and turned it into a funky, fun, "Lost" kind of experience.

A great game; albeit a game in desperate need of a reboot. The series is still fun but it hasn't evolved in such a long time that it is starting to show it's age.

A great game; albeit a game in desperate need of a reboot.

A great game, it’s just not going to knock your socks off if you have played previous incarnations. Vicarious Visions seems content with simply improving the game as opposed to completely re-writing the formula.

You will be hard pressed to find a better deal this holiday season and to those who think gaming was better back in the glory days, enjoy your 8-bit sprites while I continue to indulge life as a Freeman!

If you have never played the series this will likely feel like just another racing game to you. If you are a fan and passed up on FlatOut 2 then this title is a must own, however if you did take the plunge last time around there really isn’t a whole lot here to warrant shelling out another 50 bucks for mostly the same game.

What makes PGR 4 so good is the fact that the developers have played to the series strengths while adding in just enough to keep things interesting.

From the simplified difficulty to a lack of online play it is clear the game was not designed for the hardcore. But what it does do is take a recognizable franchise and make it fun for the whole family, and in that it succeeds remarkably.

From the simplified difficulty to a lack of online play it is clear the game was not designed for the hardcore. But what it does do is take a recognizable franchise and make it fun for the whole family, and in that it succeeds remarkably.

The animation system is absolutely enthralling to view, the association mode is deeper than Scrooge McDuck’s money bin, and the overall game looks and plays better than any other title in the genre.

The animation system is absolutely enthralling to view, the association mode is deeper than Scrooge McDuck’s money bin, and the overall game looks and plays better than any other title in the genre.

Phantom Hourglass not only capitalizes on the potential of a Zelda game, it taps into the oft neglected talents of the DS, from great graphics, to touch controls, to the casual appeal of the handheld.

What it does do is take a great game with superb gameplay and improve upon it in every way imaginable. You will also not find a more complete package for your money this year.

With great dialogue, a refined battle system, and faster paced action Soul Nomad & the World Eaters is easily the best game to come out of the NIS camp in a long time. Fans of the developer or simply RPGs in general owe it to themselves to not miss this fantastic experience.

What makes Stuntman great is the sum of all of its parts. While the career mode would have been great for a cheaper title all of the additional stuff such as odd-jobs, construction mode, and of course online play make this package worth checking out for fans of driving games looking for something unique in the genre.

If you have a PS3 and love the action genre then you should not miss this incredible experience, unfortunately it is hard to recommend shelling out sixty bucks for such a short experience.

Even if the side stuff has been there done that written all over it, you will be hard-pressed to find a better hockey game this year.

Even if the side stuff has been there done that written all over it, you will be hard-pressed to find a better hockey game this year.

In a seemingly overcrowded genre it is nice to finally play something that feels great and delivers simple satisfaction from the outset.

It isn’t inherently awful, but it suffers from being overly average. It also doesn’t help that the best parts of the game take so long to uncover so those of you with short attention spans will likely grow tired of it long before it picks up.

A safe and predictable platformer that is surprisingly well done.

This is the RPG that fans have been waiting for! If you love the Final Fantasy brand, but don’t own a Playstation system then this one is for you.

What makes Stuntman great is the sum of all of its parts. While the career mode would have been great for a cheaper title all of the additional stuff such as odd-jobs, construction mode, and of course online play make this package worth checking out for fans of driving games looking for something unique in the genre.

It’s a nice find for younger gamers who have patience for puzzlers.

Fans of old-school PC games such as Diablo will find plenty to entertain them and the amount of items and weapons to discover truly is impressive.

One of the most engrossing experiences in the history of interactive entertainment.

While the PSP is certainly not short on RPGs Dragoneer’s Aria does offer a nice diversion from others in the genre.

I spent quite a bit of time hanging out in the Velvet Room fusing new Persona.

While the features are non-existent and a lack of online play really bogs down the overall value it is only fifteen bucks. All four of these games are worth that based on nostalgia alone, not to mention having them all in one place for convenience.

Yes, there were great additions to this year, but the horrible AI, and multiplayer just really mess up the experience for me.

If you care about playing with Colts and Payton Manning, or you just have to have real teams and stadiums then Madden is your option. But if you want to play a good football game with the players of yesteryear then pick up All-Pro Football 2K8.

If you care about playing with Colts and Payton Manning, or you just have to have real teams and stadiums then Madden is your option. But if you want to play a good football game with the players of yesteryear then pick up All-Pro Football 2K8.

With a friendly price tag and polished visuals you will be hard-pressed to find enough faults to not recommend this game to anyone who enjoys space shooters. While online is sorely missed and the flawed mission design will ensue rage there is still plenty here to enjoy.

Cookie & Cream is a terrific game that is only hindered by its appearance. The cute and fuzzy bunny motif will likely distance the game from most players at the local shop, but I assure you it makes you no less of a hardcore gamer to enjoy the finer delicacies from the Land of the Rising Sun.

This really pains me to no end. I am a HUGE Transformers fan, and to have this game end up being this bad really hurts my soul. I mean the very basics for a transformers game is driving, fighting, and huge robots. They got one out of the 3 correct.

I’d highly recommend this game; it’s funny and addictive, with beautiful graphics and the novel mechanic of controlling a minion horde. However, if you’re looking for a high level of challenge, you may be disappointed.

With long drawn-out battles and a steep learning curve there is a lot to swallow here. However if you take the time to learn the subtle nuances of the combat system and you enjoy the RTS genre in the least bit I can’t recommend this title enough.

A fantastic game with an engaging story that only manages to slip up towards the end. The unforgiving amounts of violence are enjoyable and the demonic powers more than make up for its lack of innovation in the gunplay department.

A fantastic game with an engaging story that only manages to slip up towards the end.

This game rocks, and should be picked up by sports fans, and baseball fans alike. It has just enough realism to keep the hardcore baseball fans entertained, but just enough arcadeness to keep us people that think baseball is boring coming back for more.

With a huge lineup of real players, unique and intuitive game play mechanics, and a solid multi-player component (even if it remains offline) The BIGS is more than worth the price of admission.

The game itself is a proficient attempt and honestly not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. While the multi-player is easily the most disappointing aspect of the game fans of the genre that simply cannot get enough World War II action will find enough here to warrant a weekend rental.

Really the only crime Touchmaster commits is not being upgraded with any extra features. You get exactly what you see here and while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can leave some gamers who have come to expect loads of extra content a bit disappointed in the end.

Fans of casual pick up and play mechanics will likely find the learning curve a bit too steep for their liking, but if you invest the time to learn the ins and outs there is plenty of fun to be had here.

There is more than enough to see and do and I guarantee once you nail down the vehicle handling you will find a rich and vigorous experience that will entertain you for hours on end.

Raw Danger is one of those games that will find a small audience that will love it. Despite its technical issues the game offers a solid narrative that is interesting enough to keep players hooked until the end.

Anyone concerned that this is a quick cash-in can leave those assumptions at the door as the game is actually a solid addition to anyone’s portable library.

Anyone concerned that this is a quick cash-in can leave those assumptions at the door as the game is actually a solid addition to anyone’s portable library.

While not quite as deep or addictive as Nintendo’s title Hot Brain does a nice job of bringing a quirky niche genre to the PSP and I highly recommend everyone looking for something new a whirl.

Lack of online and sketchy graphics headline the game’s serious flaws while the wonky co-op camera almost kills the idea of any type of multi-player action.

Lack of online and sketchy graphics headline the game’s serious flaws while the wonky co-op camera almost kills the idea of any type of multi-player action.

The iffy controls and problematic camera system do hinder the gameplay and the truly unforgiving checkpoint system could easily ruin it for most players, but those willing to look past these will find an enjoyable romp with some old-school flavor that most of today’s games lack ten fold.

Stealth kills never get old, and the variety of mission types help to break the same old same old.

Anyone looking for the next great western-themed game will no doubt adore Call of Juarez. The switch between characters adds depth and variety and the addition of multi-player gives the game legs outside of finishing the single-player adventure.

Forza offers a fantastic sim race experience. The deep career mode, and incredible physics engine offer a one of a kind racing experience. Not to mention the replay value of a game with this level of customization.

I have found myself playing this a lot more than the Halo 3 beta, which a lot of my friends are angry about but Shadowrun is very addictive.

In the end AI3 will deliver to fans of the series; the obvious improvements are a welcome addition and the fast-paced combat and quest system is a nice diversion from other games in the genre.

Mortal Kombat Armageddon is the most feature-rich version of the series to date, not to mention the best fighting game currently available on Nintendo’s newest console.

With a colorful cast of characters and some inventive fight mechanics Legend of the Dragon isn’t a bad game; it just doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from the pack.

If the game had shipped through Microsoft’s Arcade service for perhaps 800 pts (ten bucks) then I could easily recommend a purchase. As it stands selling this game at the full price tag of $60 and not even offering it as a budget title for $40 or better yet $20 this game simply isn’t worth your time or your money.

Helpful Hint Backbone, next time spent less time finding videos of geysers and drills and more time fleshing out your characters and dialogue.

With so much focus these days on polygons and lighting effects it is nice to see that some developers can still create a gorgeous experience using traditional methods.

While the combat is simple, the presentation unpolished, and a clear lack of co-op hurts the replayability, the core game is still tons of fun to play and gamers looking for a mindless beat-em-up will find plenty to love in Activision’s latest iteration in the Shrek franchise.

While the combat is simple, the presentation unpolished, and a clear lack of co-op hurts the replayability, the core game is still tons of fun to play and gamers looking for a mindless beat-em-up will find plenty to love in Activision’s latest iteration in the Shrek franchise.

The mix of old school 2D platforming action against a 3D backdrop, makes for an incredibly entertaining game for just about everyone. Couple this with the amazingly crisp and colorful visuals and you have a licensed game that will finally be deserving of its sales.

DS gamers looking for a fresh take on narrative and storytelling should definitely give this game a look, but be warned it is very text heavy. The blend of the two genres is a mixed bag.

The only sore spot in the game is the controls, I commend EA for doing a wonderful job, but because of how fast paced C&C can be you will have to wrestle with them for a little while until you can get them all down.