I recommend it if you aren’t squeamish about knocking the crap out of very realistic and very familiar looking people.

Black Arrow's biggest attraction is its many new maps, fourteen in all, most of which are absolutely huge.

The controls are spot on. The graphics are solid, and the dynasty mode will keep you playing for a long time.

It features outstanding visuals, tremendous gameplay, and enough options to keep even the most meticulous players entertained for hours.

The game has its flaws- some of the platforming areas are a pain in the neck- but Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is probably the best thing to happen to Kombat fans in the past five or six years. If you're a fan of the series, or even a fan of fighters in general, pick this one up.

Not only does it accurately reproduce the movie experience, but it also matches it without missing a beat.

The game is fantastic – absolutely the best graphic adventure title of the year – and is a game others should aspire to in many ways.

One hell of a fighting game. So to answer the question, Mortal Kombat has definitely gone out with a bang – for now.

Drop-in multiplayer, replay in spades, and optional objectives give players a reason to continue playing and get their money's worth out of this title. If you like fun, this is a great addition your gaming library, regardless of age or skill level.

A great title that will suit fans of both the sport, and those of us who just like a little arcade-style action in our diet. The controls are fluid, the graphics are terrific, and sounds, well it all depends on your tastes.

The controls in Soul Calibur II are nearly flawlessly executed, and considering the Xbox and Gamecube controller configurations, just making a fighting game playable, let alone as fluid as Soul Calibur II, is a miracle unto itself.

I didn't find myself level grinding at all, because the amount of random battles is more than enough to raise your characters to the point where the bosses are only moderate challenges.

As a Mario game, it is bursting with charm and laughs from all your favorites, and as a tennis game it is both solid and fun to play - Mario Power Tennis comes Heartily recommended.

Overall, TimeSplitters 2 has a great deal to offer anybody willing to put in the time and effort to gather the bonus features, and offers a lot of replayability afterwards.

It’s easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time, and will last you a while too.

From a technical perspective Tales does the genre proud, and from an aesthetic viewpoint there are few who could stand side by side and not be dwarfed by its majesty.

An experience that you can truly get lost within. In truth, numerous pages could be written on the intricacies of what make this such a wonderful title, but that still would not get the sense of wonder across, or do the game its true justice.

Despite the multiplayer faux pax, and the odd dispersion of items throughout the game, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes still comes out on top as one of the premier titles to experience not only this holiday season, but rather throughout this entire console generation.

Combining the storyline of the original, with the smoother, more entertaining gameplay of MGS2, Twin Snakes should be an early contender for best game of the year on the GameCube, and gamers new and old should enjoy it thoroughly.

In short, this is the current crème of the crop when it comes to 2D shooters. Following the path of "Radiant Silvergun," Ikaruga will long be thought of as a great example of what a 'shmup' can be.

It’s difficult to complain at length about any particular gripe in the face of truly spectacular levels, innovative gameplay and almost obscenely high production values. For the first time in years, "Goldeneye" has a little competition.

A top-notch title and a must buy if you’re a fan of this series. It has everything you love about the series and more, even if it is a bit difficult.

An excellent college football game. The controls are spot on. The graphics are solid, and the dynasty mode will keep you playing for a long time.

With all of the additions Viewtiful Joe 2 introduces, the game is still very similar to the first game, right down to a final showdown prefixed with having to fight all of the previously defeated bosses. Not that I mind terribly, as this is a functional formula that proves it still can deliver in spades.

The controls in Soul Calibur II are nearly flawlessly executed.

And while the difficulty will turn away those who either don't have the time to invest in learning how to pilot an aircraft properly or were simply looking for an arcade-style flight-sim, it shouldn't turn away many and the learning curve, while extremely steep, is also very short.

An extremely enjoyable experience, and any fans of "Disgaea" or "Final Fantasy: Tactics" would be doing themselves a disservice by not checking it out.

Fantastic – absolutely the best graphic adventure title of the year – and is a game others should aspire to in many ways.

The developers at NCL have done a lot with the original game to give players a considerable amount of new content to keep the experience of playing a title that originated back in 1996 still feeling fresh and fun.

Add in the co-op mode, and it comes down to the fact that if you've ever liked any first-person shooter, you should pick up Serious Sam II.

It’s the premier racing franchise on the console, one of the best graphical showcases there is, and one of the best online components you can find anywhere.

This collection is possibly the most remarkable of its kind to come along. The sheer quality of titles, which range from classic shooters like "Legendary Wings," to notable action titles such as "Ghouls 'n Ghost" and "Commando," raises the benchmark - and consumer expectation - of what a collection such as this can bring to the table.

Die-hard Marvel fans can adjust the score on Ultimate Alliance about ten points higher. The character dialogue alone will cause numerous geek-outs, chock full of obscure references as it can be. All other comers will find a capable, high quality action RPG that offers a huge amount of customization and a lot of unique characters that are far more than sprite swaps of each other.

[EA] cleaned up the graphics and gameplay to some truly astonishing levels and produced a game that is a top-notch simulation of college football. The good far outweighs the bad or missing in this game.

What really pushes God Hand over the top, though, is the presentation and how fun it is. In other brawlers, you’re restricted to punching guys in the face or kicking them in the stomach. God Hand finally lets you kick that stupid demon that’s been giving you trouble right between the legs.

Saints Row is still incredibly polished, unmistakably fun, and is absolutely one of the best games for the Xbox 360.

The game is unique, intelligent, attractive, and altogether well-designed. Above all, though, the game is fun.

This may be the most rewarding CCG-based videogame on the market today, and it comes highly recommended for both novice player and seasoned veterans alike.

Aesthetically, the first Otogi game was a real knockout, and Otogi 2 ups the ante considerably. In truth, there are few games on any platform that come close to this level of polish, and it's surprising the series isn't selling like hotcakes on the merit of its visuals alone.

Add in the co-op mode, and it comes down to the fact that if you've ever liked any first-person shooter, you should pick up Serious Sam II.

This collection is possibly the most remarkable of its kind to come along.

The thriving fan community and huge potential of the movie making tools push this game over the edge and really make it an attractive purchase for anyone interested in the theme.

A considerable entry in the field of hack and slash RPGs for the PC. The action is intense, there are a host of options for character development, and the story, while negligible, still more than serves its purpose. Save for a few annoyances, the bankrupt AI being chief among them, this is a game that will see any fan of the genre coming away satisfied.

The one thing keeping it from breaking 90%, I found the conclusion of the story to be a huge letdown. While several of the threads come to satisfying (And even surprising) conclusions, the major plot thread started in the first game was revealed to be, and I might be getting a little mean here, stupid.

A few minor improvements have been made here and there, but this sequel doesn’t fix what wasn’t broken to begin with. It remains an utter blast, online or off.

The story is interesting and well-told, and the dual-map system breathes new life into a genre that was beginning to leave a sour taste on the palates of many gamers.

It is the game’s endearing story and characters, coupled with an intriguing adventure that help to make Trace Memory succeed in being truly memorable, pardon the pun.

It is a larger and more ambitious title than the previous games, which is no easy feat as the X series has always been thought of as particularly ballsy.

A somewhat unique experience to portable turn-based strategy gamers, and may actually be the best strategy title on the Nintendo DS to date, given the added complexities over other popular series.

This is the best offering EA has created in many years. The gameplay isn’t perfect, but the addition of superstar moves makes it extremely entertaining.

2006's biggest flaw is the lack of change. Players who own Tiger’s 2004 or 2005 incarnation have little reason to buy this edition.

The game’s pinball mechanics, save for the somewhat inept table-tilting feature, are expertly implemented, and the numerous flavors of Metroid have been liberally sprinkled throughout the experience the ensure fans of the franchise will come away both smiling and humming a familiar tune.

The whole game plays faster than FIFA 2006, as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

The whole game plays faster than FIFA 2006, as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

Agent 47 continues the tradition of greatness in Blood Money, taking the sandbox formula that’s worked for years and bringing it into 2006.

Once players start to acquire more and more interesting jobs, allowing a varied number of party customizations, the game begins to come into its own as yet another enjoyable, well-polished Final Fantasy title that any Nintendo DS RPG fan would be proud to own.

In many ways, it treads the same ground as previous titles in the series, but the new control method is like a little mini-revolution for sports games.

A terrific chapter in the franchise’s sometimes-rocky history.

The real question is whether the game can rise above the hardware constraints, and the answer is yes. As a result, Fireteam Bravo 2 may be the premier shooter in the PSP’s library.

From stick figures to rough polygonal approximations of popular franchise titles, Wario Ware dares to impress via sharp and insanely creative (or is that just insane?) art direction rather than traditional horsepower or amped up visuals.

The game succeeds, though perhaps not as brilliantly as past iterations. Musical taste is always a subjective criteria, but more objectively it could be argued that SuperNOVA is a case of too many musical cooks spoiling the broth.

Even though it is still the same formula EA has gone with for years, Tiger Woods PGA Tour continues to be play home to a winning formula that has gone largely unchanged for a good reason.

This is definitely the best game from Oddworld Inhabitants thus far. If not for a few technical issues-such as a dodgy camera and unreliable radar-it would be an unquestionably stellar title.

This is the best offering EA has created in many years. The gameplay isn't perfect, but the addition of superstar moves makes it extremely entertaining.

The whole game plays faster than FIFA 2006, as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

Even though it is still the same formula EA has gone with for years, Tiger Woods PGA Tour continues to be play home to a winning formula that has gone largely unchanged for a good reason.

It can be absolutely brutal at times, but it is also true to the series' fundamentals, and that alone should ensure acceptance from fans of the series.

The whole game plays faster than "FIFA 2006," as here EA has managed to set the perfect pace for soccer.

It is the story, with its endearing characters, epic confrontations, and masterful dialog that make the experience work.

Nearly everything about the game is antiquated, yet at the end of the day it delivers a more fulfilling experience than many, more “advanced” Role-Playing titles.

What could have been just another First-Person Shooter instead proves itself to be one of the most fun times to be had on a home console this year. It isn’t the most innovate game on the block, but it is one of the most entertaining.

The linear storyline, inability to build your own house, and total lack of autonomy for the character under your control may turn diehard Sims fans away, while the number of mundane chores that are required to get through the game may repel those looking for a graphic adventure. To me, the game is a perfect mixture of both.

It offers enough action for fans of brawlers to sink their thumbs and teeth into, and its controls are simple and intuitive enough for a novice to pick up and enjoy. Spider-Man 2 is one of the most enjoyable DS launch titles, and even outside of that thinking it is a tremendous effort and a fabulous game.

Smart Bomb will make you alternately hate and love it. You’ll swear, curse, kick and scream, and come back for more. If you’re up to the challenge, Smart Bomb will give you one of the best puzzle experiences in years.

There are hundreds of hours of gaming wrapped up into 2006, and even more if you get a group of friends who know how to play.

One of the best action games to come along in recent memory. It’s unfortunate that the experience ends so quickly, but few games twice as long leave behind such a lasting impression as remains after completing this adventure in the Old West.

This is an engaging title and one that RPG fans should definitely look into – it is the best traditional RPG that the PSP currently has to offer so far.

Steambot Chronicles is a little weird at times, but in the end it is both fun and unique, and not many recent games can claim to be both – sandbox fans should definitely take a look.

Even so, the mini-games are excellent and really do provide a quick, painless focus for the mind.

This game is a lot of fun, and offers all of the humor, charm, and personality we have come to expect from NIS America. This is the kind of game you won't want to end.

A surprise hit. It doesn’t try to offer anything other than what the title indicates, and yet this is exactly why the game succeeds. It doesn’t offer a robust set of playing modes, and instead simply does one thing really well.

Though some of its design is questionable, the game is still one of the best Star Fox branded titles in years. The varied and branching single player campaign will keep you glued to your Nintendo DS for multiple playthroughs.

A fun, challenging, and addictive game. The levels are short, and easily digestible, making this the perfect game to pick up and play for a few minutes on the go, while this very nature makes it difficult to put down.

If the handheld Castlevania games are part of a long-running machine, it's well-oiled and in no danger of breaking down just yet.

Super Dragon Ball Z takes the best elements of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball universe and meshes them with solid fighting mechanics to deliver a one-two punch that all fighting game fans should enjoy.

It's a great value for its $20 debut price tag, and it’s easily my favorite game of any generation based on the Star Trek license.

Though certainly not without its flaws, the most problematic of which being the somewhat mismanaged combat system, this is nonetheless a terrific game that delivers a fun quest, stellar presentation, and an added incentive to revisit the game after it has been completed.

For fans of action role-playing games, especially those who enjoyed the source material, Monster House offers a reasonable amount of value. If Monster House has one flaw, it's that it may be a bit too difficult for its target audience, specifically younger fans of the film.

What it does do is take the simple, tactile pleasure of solidly built FPS action and inject it into such a staggeringly wide variety of situations, contexts and scenarios that putting down the pad after a heavy blasting session is genuinely difficult.

One of those games that blindsides you and defies expectations. What could have been just another First-Person Shooter instead proves itself to be one of the most fun times to be had on a home console this year. It isn't the most innovate game on the block, but it is one of the most entertaining.

One of the best action games to come along in recent memory. It's unfortunate that the experience ends so quickly, but few games twice as long leave behind such a lasting impression as remains after completing this adventure in the Old West.

It can be beaten in a couple hours on Bronze difficulty, then Silver and Gold fall not long after that. It is a roller coaster ride of pretty graphics and interesting characters.

What it does do is take the simple, tactile pleasure of solidly built FPS action and inject it into such a staggeringly wide variety of situations, contexts and scenarios that putting down the pad after a heavy blasting session is genuinely difficult.

One of the best action games to come along in recent memory. It's unfortunate that the experience ends so quickly, but few games twice as long leave behind such a lasting impression as remains after completing this adventure in the Old West.

While the game excels at being a simulator, it falters a bit in being enjoyable. The game can feel a bit boring at times.

While visually lacking, this shortcoming never manages to detract from the game's single or mutiplayer offerings. Cold Winter is an altogether solid package.

Whereas Battlefield’s previous entries have benefited from deep realistic multiplayer experiences that bordered on wartime simulations, Modern Combat’s strength instead lies in its solo arcade-style gameplay that, despite some questionable AI and homogenized weapon selection, still does the franchise proud.

It features a deep storyline with a few memorable characters set amidst a lengthy and challenging adventure. Still, the game is hampered by an inconsistent AI, and difficulty that can, at times, render the game more frustrating than fun.

The experience is analogous to an elaborate board game in which the board and architecture change from mission to mission—much like Hero's Quest (fantasy setting notwithstanding). It may not be a typical Metal Gear title, but it is a very robust game and it is worth a look for those yearning for something different.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

Someday, a philosopher will write a dissertation on how rolling things up is as natural to humanity as being in a mother’s womb. All hail.

Atelier Iris isn’t without its faults, and it will not appeal to everyone – the humor is consistently tongue-in-cheek which will drive some people away. In all, though, this game is a rare treat for the traditional RPG enthusiast.

It takes a popular character, and with the help of a unique visual style it immerses the player into the world so that they feel as if they are indeed taking part in an interactive comic book.

It isn’t for everyone, but those who enjoy taking part in seemingly endless combat should find more than their fill here.

A wrestling fan’s wet dream crammed onto a disc. Almost every mode you could possibly want is present and well done. The roster is top notch, with nearly every wrestler imaginable available.

The visuals are beyond amazing.

The visuals are beyond amazing, doubly so for the Xbox 360 version, and the presentation alone makes this game worth playing, if only to watch a devastating knockout in slow motion. However, the lack of solid A.I. can lead to the game growing boring quickly.

It's not the prettiest game on the console – in fact in some ways its downright ugly – but what it lacks in visual fidelity it makes up for in fun.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

With a better A.I., more realistic enemy spawn points, and improved presentation, Modern Combat is a welcome addition to the Xbox 360's library.

Although not all aspects of the game are as well developed as others, Banana Blitz's lively atmosphere, combined with its tight controls, challenging gameplay, and tons of replay value make it an easily recommendable title for any Wii owner looking for an original experience on their new console.

This is one of the best RPGs that PlayStation 2 owners could hope for.

Burning Crusade's most grievous crime is that it totally invalidates the years of work you've put into pimping out your toons, but if you can handle looking like you can't dress yourself in the morning, the new equipment you'll be earning will be a salve on the wound.

With crisp visuals, pleasant audio and lots of content, it will likely find an audience, but those looking for the next great Donkey Kong game aren't going to find it here.

Whereas Battlefield's previous entries have benefited from deep realistic multiplayer experiences that bordered on wartime simulations, Modern Combat's strength instead lies in its solo arcade-style gameplay that, despite some questionable AI and homogenized weapon selection, still does the franchise proud.

While the gameplay is serviceable, fun and current, the art design and visual production are head and shoulders above similar games in many respects.

With a little more variation in the combat, and a few less chases, Ultimate Spider-Man could have been a fantastic game. As it is, this is a fun title that stands on the cusp of greatness, one step away from achieving something special.

The moment when your uppercut lands squarely on the chin of your opponent and you see his lifeless body collapse to the ground feels perfect, and you feel like a champion. No other boxing game has ever recreated this so faithfully.

The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is top notch, and the presentation is just shy of perfect.

The game is fast and fun, and while far from annoyance free, it is the best sports title to star Nintendo's familiar mascots to come along in a good long while, if not ever.

A fun title that stands on the cusp of greatness, one step away from achieving something special.

The atmosphere, over-the-top-physics, vast seas of enemies and bosses that reign as some of the most impressive in any video game to date all equate to title that is worth your time. It is unfortunate that with a little more focused effort on fleshing out the multiplayer game, Painkiller could have gone from a very good game to an instant classic.

A solid action title with just enough creepiness to set the mood. It also isn’t much of a challenge, so players looking to beat their controllers against the wall in frustration need to look elsewhere.

Many will tire of the repetitive game play involved in the single player modes long before unlocking all the secrets. And without friends to play with, there's a lot of content missing.

The new setting is wonderful for the type of game that Battlefield is, a freeform romp through the area with vehicles and different kits to wage war upon.

The single player game alone doesn't really warrant a purchase-a rental is easily sufficient to see all it has to offer. However, players who are blessed with a broadband connection, network adapter and USB headset should have no qualms about buying this game.

It more than makes up for the mediocrity of the first Vampire PC game, and will satisfy even the most diehard bloodsucker.

The depth of the game encourages players to try all kinds of different playing styles. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that once you’ve beaten the game, you’ve pretty much seen everything there is to see, and the only incentive to go back would be besting a high score or attempting a higher difficulty.

CPU management is unbelievably horrid. The CPU controlled teams all have 15 pitchers and 10 batters, which only leaves them with one or two backup fielders. The stats are questionable at best.

Sadly, the games’ graphics did not get a similar treatment. In fact, some of the games seem surprisingly worse then they did on their original consoles.

Besides the multiple endings that can be reached, defeating the game on a number of different difficulties will yield extras, some of them being playable ones (such as the Adventures of Heihachi) to alternate costumes (yes, Samanosuke’s killer panda suit is back).

There are some AI issues, and the multiplayer component seems like it was tacked on as an afterthought, but, as a total package, Legends delivers. It is as true to the source material as any game could hope to be, and as a long-time fan of the X-Men, I am more than pleased.

For those that have shied away from the series because it is not as complex as other war shooters, you will be pleased to find this game a bit more to your liking. Be aware, however, that this game relies heavily on story and cinematic.

It can be visceral and exciting and it does a good job of trumping its own redundancy by offering extensive skill trees for character advancement and continuously introducing new areas and adversaries.

The game features spectacular presentation, including some of the most memorable music to come along in an RPG in ages.

A winning combination of arcade-style mechanics and rich, engaging presentation. Of course this game is not going to win over players who have little taste for manic aerial combat, or those who were looking for something really different from the previous games.

The game features some of most stunning scenery yet seen in a video game, and Jack Wall’s ethereal musical accompaniment captures the feeling of the game’s artistic landscape.

The missions are plentiful, and thankfully they never become repetitive.

The game is different enough from other RTS's to keep even the most jaded of fans interested, and the game looks and feels so spectacular that those new to the genre will fall in love immediately.

The online play keeps the game fresh and the franchise mode, while obviously a far cry from those present in other more realistic baseball simulations, is still an admiral effort and a nice side order to an already delicious meal.

It’s a simple, if utterly engrossing game with a concept that appeals to the kid in all of us.

A great game, and is well worth the wait. Secrets, secret characters, and a somber, yet intriguing story round out the experience, and solid combat mechanics make sure players will not get bored with the game’s many confrontations.

Blowing up buildings and abducting humans may eventually get old for the more cerebral gamers in the audience, but Crypto's adventures pack enough charm and polish to avoid much criticism from anyone else.

An excellent game. If you don’t own 2004, it is a fantastic purchase, however, if you do, you may find too much of the same thing again. It’s time for EA to rehash this series, as each year’s offering is getting more and more stale.

Precisely what the second volume in a saga should be. It continues the story, and it develops the characters involved with the story... Hopefully, the next installment will propel the story forward a bit more.

Though it did lose a bit of Nocturne's charm with the replacement of the Fusion system, the game is still a blast to play.

The PC version is clearly the superior version and those with a choice in mediums should certainly consider it their first choice. It is more fun, less awkward and far more forgiving for young children.

An extraordinary addition to the rhythm game genre. It offers simple, pick-up-and-play mechanics that are easy to get into, and significantly more difficult to put down.

Metal Slug 4 & 5 are arcade-perfect translations of the latest entries into a classic series of games. They are thumb-numbingly difficult, though with infinite continues this challenge is undermined – making completing either game a matter of simple devotion rather than skill.

If you’ve got three other players, the game becomes a blast to play—though it does border close to insane.

Area Wars brings a fresh and interesting concept forward into the RTS field, and implements it superbly. Lamentably bad AI, and a sketchy online community prevent it from being a must-have recommendation.

Luckily, despite the linearity, the story, characters, and dialogue is compelling enough to keep you going.

It brings itself to the table as a purely fun game, modeled after a true classic, and doesn't try to impress with flashy graphics or a deep story--because it doesn't have to.

Budokai 3 will rev your engine if you're willing to forgive it for its colourful, crazy, and unserious premise.

The most impressive outlet of Source’s physics engine is the most subtle, that of the corpses left after any particular round of slaughter. Bodies realistically slump into corners, drape over crates, and fall to the ground. I’m sure everyone will have a “coolest corpse” story within a week of playing.

The best thing about this release, though, is that the gameplay for both titles is some of the best the King of Fighters series has seen since "King of Fighters ’98." Both games are exceptionally fast paced and offer a wide variety of characters.

The developers traded some atmosphere for a faster pace, and their compromises worked well. Less impressive and immersive than the original—yet much more than just a package of extra levels—this expansion doesn't disappoint.

It exudes a sense of style that perfectly accentuates the game's over-the-top racing maxim. Still, players and fans who are hoping for something new or different are apt to be disappointed. Beneath the gorgeous exterior lies a game that, while fun, is a bit archaic.

Even hampered, however, Empire at War is a great game with exhilarating visuals, and fun gameplay that any true RTS fan should enjoy.

The graphics are excellent, and it's a ton of fun to play through some of the best levels from "Twisted Metal 2" in online deathmatch.

A deep, enriching, attractive, and extremely fun game to play, online or offline.

The game can be completed in 5-6 hours, although finding all the secrets—which allow you to increase your health and force meters—can take considerably longer.

It faithfully recreates the included games, and it also offers plenty of options to tailor the game to meet individual needs. A couple of bells and whistles help round out the package, but the 17 classic games are the real draw here.

Despite its flaws with pacing and the emphasis on role-playing clichés, Tales of Legendia is a very enjoyable game. The disappointment here stems largely from the fact that many fans hold the Tales series to a relatively high standard and expect a certain consistent level of quality across all facets of the experience.

Prey offers impressive visuals, a decent story, and high-octane action to bring players the equivalent of an outstanding summer action flick.

The devilish tracks and quick, pick-up-and-play nature of the mission structure result in a game that is perfectly suited for the PSP console, and gamers looking for something a little different could certainly do a lot worse.

It’s addictive, straightforward and unforgiving, and most rhythm gamers will be more than happy with that combination.

Though the game does have its quirks, both in its interface and the overall congruity of its various gameplay elements, it is overall a very tight game and offers gamers of any age an enjoyable experience.

With the camera and control issues of THUG2 corrected, a fresh, compelling story mode, and the highlights of the series up to this point in tow, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland stands as the best game to bear his name thus far.

This is a great representation of the series, with very attractive visuals and a robust collection of maps and tricks, and it’s pretty amazing that Vicarious Visions managed to turn this one around so handily.

The Nintendo DS shines and is probably the perfect piece of hardware for games of this type. The stylus and D-Pad compliment each other to allow players to quickly navigate the battlefield and switch between status screens.

Hearing your squad yelling in victory at a hard-earned tactical win or laughing at an unlucky shot in battle is a great feeling, and the best battles can create a story that people will be talking about days later.

This is the space exploration equivalent of solitaire or hearts; indeed, this game would be a perfect accessory for every PC sold. It is a simple delight that scales to all levels of player and never, ever overstays its welcome.

On its own merits it’s a fantastic cinematic achievement and exceptional precedent for license-based games.

It really is surprising that so many divergent elements were all thrown together and still produced a solid, sound racing experience.

Prey offers impressive visuals, a decent story, and high-octane action to bring players the equivalent of an outstanding summer action flick.

This is the definitive version of The Godfather, and it is a tremendous accolade for EA's reputation that this respects and honors the original material so well.

Burnout Revenge is still not the equal of 2004's Burnout: Takedown, but it is a wonderfully visceral racing experience nonetheless.

Animal Crossing is simple and that is its strength. It is also engrossing, addictive, and really, really fun.

Fans of the genre will find a lot to like, but if you want an edge-of-your-seat arcade experience, Blazing Angels will inevitably disappoint. However, for those who simply want to shoot planes out of the sky, especially online, Angels has all of the ingredients for a good time.

It’s well-paced, fun to play, and has some chuckle-worthy dialogue at times.

Missing entries and control issues aside, Gradius Collection is still a great compilation of several notable titles from one of the longest running shooter franchises in videogame history.

Players looking for a true Lemmings sequel may be let down by the PSP version, which offers little more than a port of the original, although it does boast improved graphics, 3D rendering, and a few new levels created just for the PSP.

A faithful take on the original comic by Jeff Smith, and showcases the art, wit and humor wonderfully. It also provides a reasonable degree of difficulty to the adventure gaming uninitiated, and graphics that are more than easy enough to look at without pushing your system to the limits.

This is definitely a game action fans, Aliens enthusiasts, as well as players who enjoyed classic games such as Alien Syndrome – a real classic in the top-down genre – will enjoy immensely.

Though press-turn fans may be a little dismayed at the comparatively-simple battle system, there is a surprising amount of depth once players go deeper into the game, acquiring more and more varied demons.

It would have been nice if more frills had been added, and the lack of online play is somewhat disheartening, but overall this collection of some of the best 2D fighting games ever released is a welcome addition to the PlayStation 2 library.

It is is enjoyable, playable, and will find a happy home in any strategist’s library, hardcore or otherwise.

If you plan on seeing everything the game has to offer, which includes six separate endings, as well as Overtime and Infinite modes, you've got a lot of zombie killing ahead of you. It’s been a long time coming but Dead Rising has been worth the wait.

For all the good in the game, there’s a fairly steep learning curve that may make some gamers recant their stubborn ‘no FAQ’ tendencies, especially in order to see the game’s multiple endings.

I think that even those that hate on Madden for being too mainstream would find a lot to like about the Superstar mode because of how similar it is to more traditional role-playing fare.

Visually, Call of Duty 3 absolutely trumps the previous game. While profound launch titles like "Call of Duty 2" always strike a special cord, it is exhilarating to see the console mature and develop so far after only a year.

Players fond of the control methods found in games like Excite Truck should take notice, especially if interested in something a little more quirky and demanding.

Despite the small gripes, overall this is a great collection of classic Genesis titles. While the Wii's Virtual Console promises to have at least some of these titles available for download in the near to immediate future, Sega Genesis Collection offers a nice, compact alternative.

Its attention to detail and realism inevitably means that it will appeal to a smaller niche, but that simply means that it only sets out do one thing, and it does its job well.

Dominions 3 pretty much stands alone at what it does, and its central gameplay is well balanced and extremely fun. However, it undoubtedly is burdened by a huge learning curve and archaic graphics.

There are more than a handful of genuinely entertaining titles found here that will return your investment ten fold in fun.

It really is impressive seeing Street Fighter Alpha 3 running on the GBA hardware.

If you like shooters, you would be a fool to not own this game. It's not the best Metal Slug - its easier, has less branching to the levels, and the animation is not as smooth - but it's still awesome.

The lack of content in Advance Tour is a lingering tragedy, because the game excels in most other areas. Advance Tour is fun, addictive, and very relaxing--the sort of game you could easily spend sixty hours on over the course of a year of casual playing. It could have been one of the great games of this generation.

Nintendo comes through with a stunning combination of genres to deliver an Action/Puzzle game that has just enough extras and attention to detail to make it worth the slightly higher launch price of $34.99.

Lastly, and most disappointing, there is no co-op mode. There is a link mode, which allows you to trade character data and techniques, but there is no two-player mode to speak of at all. This is very disheartening.

What it all boils down to is a game worth playing if only to see how great the GBA can look and sound, but an average player shouldn't expect to get more than two or three long road trips worth of play out of this one.

Most of the improvements are minor and unsurprising, but taken as a whole make the new games much better and more refined experiences than the originals.

Most of the improvements are minor and unsurprising, but taken as a whole make the new games much better and more refined experiences than the originals.

When considering the $20 price tag, the game length issue can easily be ignored because Counter Punch is great boxing fun.

F-zero GP Legend, despite its awkward bumper car-style physics and shortcomings in AI difficulty, is an entertaining game for anyone looking for a portable racer.