The boss fights are supremely challenging and satisfying, and you’ll earn totally bitchin’ sets of armor as you accumulate bloody victories. There’s even a very enjoyable chariot race section.

Problems with the camera and controls hold it back from mass appeal, and unless you have the broadband adapter, you're missing out on a large chunk of the experience. With that said, there's definitely enough here to for serious players to enjoy if they're willing to devote the time necessary to really dive into the game.

The multiple ways to approach TOCA 2 are undeniably fun. And it’s really very impressive that Codemasters was able to pack so many different kinds of racing into one game.

Though hardly a tactical marvel, Battle for Middle Earth delivers an exciting, fast-paced experience that successfully captures the feel and mood of the films.

A captivating strategy game with oodles of character.

It’s a game about the fantastical, but it’s grounded in reality. And that’s refreshing. We wish more developers would try it sometime.

But what Alien Invasion does so well is offer existing players a solid reason to keep playing. Those of you who left AO a while ago might want to pop back in to see what the fuss is about.

There’s certainly room for improvement, but Transformers has a lot to offer any fan of interactive destruction.

In spite of its sorted technical problems and humdrum story, Killzone provides a great ride; perhaps it's a testament to the game's surplus of style and ambiance that it remains enjoyable throughout.

It’s not a game for everyone by any means, and just about everyone will hate the combat sections, but it’s definitely a game that adventure fans will appreciate.

While there are problems--too cutscene-heavy, some lame objectives, and the fact that there are infinitely more zombies than little green men--Area 51 is more than enough to make a believer out of you.

But I feel like a thief has swiped the perfect pacing out of the series and replaced it with repetition.

An innovative and engaging game, provided you can get over the steep learning curve.

The game deserves special props for its amazingly executed setting; the whole world is so visibly at war that every mission in the game feels completely natural.

With tons of secrets to uncover, and a surprising array of different gameplay options, Mortal Kombat: Deception is a surprisingly fun package.

It's balanced to near-perfection, and manages to pack very few slow moments into a few dozen hours of gameplay. Sure, it's not a Square-Enix title, but you'll be surprised at just how good this game is.

With all these fantastic flight features, there's one glaring omission that casts a pall on Ace Combat 5. Put simply, no multiplayer.

Katamari Damacy is interactive happiness. Charming, exuberant, and shameless, it’s a rare game in today’s world of self-aware, first-person shooters and freeform crime simulators.

An incredibly fun game born of a fascinating concept that follows through on its potential in almost every way. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or of solid grapplers with a huge does of the old ultra-violence, you’ll find plenty here to keep you bouncing in your seat.

Everything in the game remains true to the source material, and Revelation is the best Myst sequel yet released.

Casual gamers can feel free to jump in and play for a few hours a week without worrying about getting their money’s worth, while more dedicated players can spend hours and hours earning abilities for their characters through quests and recognition for their guild through tournaments.

In their attempt to dress up a solid brawler, Rockstar actually hurt the experience a bit by adding endless, tedious minigames that pretty much overpower the game in the early levels.

The inclusion of an intuitive, open character building system, commendable AI, and great multiplayer options make this a fine choice for fans of the original game, and those looking for a good action-heavy role-playing experience.

It’s a WWII shooter that will teach you about what your grandpappy went through with the same gritty verve as "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan." This is the kind of game that proves war is truly hell.

A fine example of what video games do best. They give players a sense of time and place that is unmatched in any other medium. In United Offensive you are there. And even though it’s short, it’s a great ride.

The one down side is that the shooting still feels pretty basic. The game is a little shorter than you might expect, but goes well over 10 hours and it wraps up the series' story nicely with a pretty crazy twist.

Fortunately the on-screen action moves at a blistering pace, with colorful visuals, impressive animations, and eye-popping embellishments such as motion trails, super jumps, bats bursting into fire after multiple hits, and pitches that defy physics. The depth of features isn’t quite up to the competition’s, but in terms of action and excitement, MLB SlugFest: Loaded covers all the bases.

Tactical RPG enthusiasts should pick this one up no questions asked. If previous games in this genre have left you cold, there’s enough unique about Growlanser: Generations to recommend.

While it's lacking in the qualities necessary to convert the haters, it's nonetheless a game that will please the faithful.

And perhaps even more than "DDR" or "Samba De Amigo," Karaoke Revolution is a game that will be embraced by non-gamers, since it requires no physical dexterity or interaction with a controller.

In some cases, notably in the variety of bosses and in the unlockable bonuses, the first title is better than the sequel.

A competent massively multiplayer online RPG, but not a radical departure from "City of Heroes."

Those that have yet to exceed level 40 and undertake some of the main game’s tougher challenges are probably unprepared for the trials this expansion pack has to offer and will likely find them frustrating and unrewarding. For those prepared to throw down the gauntlet, though, there’s a lot of fun content and gorgeous new areas to be discovered.

Those that have yet to exceed level 40 and undertake some of the main game’s tougher challenges are probably unprepared for the trials this expansion pack has to offer and will likely find them frustrating and unrewarding. For those prepared to throw down the gauntlet, though, there’s a lot of fun content and gorgeous new areas to be discovered.

Offers enough playability and action to satisfy any action RPG fan, but it lacks the intricate story and involving quests that would lure in traditional role-playing vets.

The empire-building gameplay is surprisingly compelling and fast-paced, while the battles themselves give you a taste of, well, glory. Hugo be damned; this empire building is fun stuff.

With so much personality and gameplay depth, however, no true tactical RPG fan will be able to resist braving this phantom.

It’s a pinch of innovation in a comforting stew of well-worn RTS conventions. And there’s a whole lot of blood. What more do you want?

Makes destroying humans fun with an original setting, enjoyable alien arsenal, and cleverly designed missions. Its sense of humor may falter once in a while, and content freaks will definitely find the game on the short side.

Although the graphics engine chugs along at times, this is an excellent arcade racer that manages to raise the bar in the overcrowded, clichéd street racing genre.

Children of the Nile isn’t an excellent game merely because it’s innovative. It’s an excellent game because those innovations make for a more compelling, and generally less frustrating experience for the player.

It's nowhere near as groundbreaking or accessible as the impeccable "Resident Evil 4", but when you look at other PS2 action game releases this year like "Tenchu" or "Nanobreaker" you see just how far above average this game is.

Melding crisp, "Blade Runner"-style visuals with an inspired use of the EyeToy camera, AntiGrav will forever change the way you look at extreme sports games.

Though it’s disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.

Places its emphasis on subtle refinements over sweeping changes, which is what tends to happen when the gameplay is seasoned enough to already be considered a class act.

Despite the recycled enemies and the never-ending labyrinth of steel grates, catwalks, desks, and elevators, F.E.A.R. delivers some of the best action this side of Paris Hilton's cell phone.

A more robust career mode with sponsorships, cash prizes, and a tournament-style atmosphere with rivalries would be nice as well, but those in the mood for a challenging, fast-paced racer -- online or off -- won't be disappointed.

It does drag on in a few spots, and its sci-fi bent may betray the original premise, but it brings gamers a deep, compelling story told in a clever way -- both in terms of narrative and gameplay execution.

It does drag on in a few spots, and its sci-fi bent may betray the original premise, but it brings gamers a deep, compelling story told in a clever way -- both in terms of narrative and gameplay execution.

It’s still the genre you know and love, but few games have this level of polish and originality.

Offers bigger, more intricate levels than what was found in the original title, a cooperative element that makes you feel like you're part of a team, more intriguing characters that help expand the combat options, and an artistic merit that few games have achieved on PS2.

The quick, aggressive, and brutal matches of Tekken might not be everyone’s ideal fight, but the game does have depth and a decent sense of balance, not to mention a lot of great-looking moves and great character variety.

NFL 2K5 has leveled the field of play significantly with its wallet-friendly price and killer presentation.

It hits the right notes in so many ways that it would be a shame for the game to go unnoticed. So go bulk up you PC, install this game, and get ready for a dark, gritty, and very engrossing ride.

If you have the choice, it holds many advantages over "Donkey Konga." The graphics and song list are superior. However, drumming requires a bit more coordination than playing the bongos.

In many ways it's the best the series has to offer, but it's still probably not enough to haul in a new audience.

There’s a real sensation of extreme speed, and even with a large number of cars on-screen, there’s only rarely a hint of stuttering or slowdown.

Of all the enhancements made in NBA Street V3, it would be remiss of us not to mention the visuals, which have moved away from exaggerated, cartoon-like players to a grittier, realistic look that better suits the game’s urban theme.

Online quibbles aside, NFL Street 2 easily bests its predecessor in terms of depth, visuals, and overall fun.

You'll adore Alien Hominid. An attractive price, original concept, and splendid execution outshine issues such as its short-lived thrills and shallow premise.

The first wrestling game to offer online matches, but sadly this feature just isn’t up to snuff. You can select either a standard match or a bra-and-panties match, and then after venting your frustrations on a silent, nameless opponent, you’re done.

Its story is well told, its action is well presented, and though it is a very traditional real-time strategy title, it’s a very good one.

A handful of tracks will have you scratching your head, wondering why they were included, but you’ll forget all about that once you’re centerstage, and the beat drops for Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”

It's hard to describe just how much better LEGO Star Wars is than it should be. All the pieces just fit together perfectly. It's cute yet cunning, easy but addictive, and simultaneously light-hearted and intense.

It's hard to describe just how much better LEGO Star Wars is than it should be. All the pieces just fit together perfectly. It's cute yet cunning, easy but addictive, and simultaneously light-hearted and intense.

The game is sharp, and it's fun. Its main flaw is its timing. Amidst a crowded Xbox field, PS2 shooter lovers are going to appreciate this one.

If you have time to think, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

The game is more than the sum of its parts, offering a surprising amount of flexibility in how you accomplish your objectives, even if those objectives don’t change much from level to level, in a series of memorable environments.

Even gamers who don't know Gohan from any other spiky-haired anime kid will smell what Budokai 3 is cooking.

While the "car" portion of TrackMania: Sunrise is indeed shallow, the focus on wild, custom race tracks and unique modes of play really puts this game in a class by itself.

Unless you love Monkey Ball more than Orangutans love Tang, you can safely pass this one up. But if you haven’t played Monkey Ball before, you can’t go really wrong with Deluxe.

The levels are fun, the gameplay is solid, and the puzzles and bosses require more than a bit of brain matter to figure out, resulting in a nice sense of accomplishment every time you reach a new milestone in Raz's adventure.

The levels are fun, the gameplay is solid, and the puzzles and bosses require more than a bit of brain matter to figure out, resulting in a nice sense of accomplishment every time you reach a new milestone in Raz's adventure.

It’s half a step behind EA’s "March Madness," but with a $20 price tag ESPN College Hoops 2K5 costs less than a hot dog at the Final Four.

Though gameplay is really one big scavenger hunt though a diverse set of worlds, there are so many memorable moments, from racing down corkscrew slides to surfing lava on a koopa shell, that you can’t help but grin with giddy delight.

A ton of different play modes await too, assuring you won’t tire of the disc anytime soon.

It's no stunner visually and the background music will drive you up the wall, but there's just something about its deceptively simple gameplay and excellent head-to-head mode that will keep you coming back again and again.

MLB 2006 places such a huge emphasis on the cat-and-mouse battle between pitcher and batter that it will delight those looking for the subtle strategies in each at-bat and will likely annoy those who just want to hack away.

It's leaps and bounds above the mediocre, movie-based Hulk game, and smashes itself a niche in the genre.

It lacks the replay value of the first game, but it's the perfect tech demo for your new handheld and its off-beat humor is as strong as ever.

Top it all off with a delicious graphics engine and you’ve got an Age of Empires game for modern machines that sports daring new design ideas for the modern strategy gamer.

This is the first time since the original that the series has been so accessible. With the full 3D engine and freedom of movement, Myst V is more fun and fast-paced than you can reasonably expect an adventure game to be, and is just as visually stunning as its predecessors.

The owners and dynasty one-two could make MVP a must-have for detail-oriented fans, especially those without a PS2 who are locked out of "MLB 2006's" equally strong offering.

Simply put, there are few launch releases that pack in so much content.

Far and away the best racing game on the system, combining slick looks, beautiful sound, and content overload to create a title that every PSP owner should take a look at.

Technically underwhelming yet artistically stunning, what Shadow of the Colossus manages to achieve is remarkable. Not only is it an engrossing, very playable game, it delivers a thunderous emotional punch with only a handful of characters.

The action is fast, fun, and occasionally almost intense, but not graphic.

You don't need to be a golf fanatic to get hooked on this game, which is really the only thing that matters. Not only is it a showpiece for the system, but it's one of the best games available for Sony's portable.

The slick presentation, great gameplay, and nostalgia factor all combine to create a package you simply shouldn't pass up.

Fast, fun, and incredibly playable, it’s an ideal portable game. It looks sharp, and the inclusion of free Internet play is just what the system needs.

If you can live without the slightest bit of action and can forget anything you know about the law (suspension of legal belief is definitely required) then there's a lot for you here to enjoy.

This is the first baseball release in years that smartly walks the line between reality and fantasy.

It's the respectable hitting that makes all the difference. With solid action at the plate, MLB becomes the best handheld baseball game on the market. That it’s also the best-looking doesn’t bother us one bit.

While there are problems--too cutscene-heavy, some lame objectives, and the fact that there are infinitely more zombies than little green men--Area 51 is more than enough to make a believer out of you.

With great graphics, challenging gameplay, and plenty of ways to play, Codename: Panzers, Phase Two lives up to expectations.

SOCOM 3's entrenched community is huge, so it's a safe bet that you'll always have someone to trade fire with no matter when you connect.

This is undoubtedly the best Puyo title yet, giving you both old-school gameplay and new, along with well-rounded multiplayer and challenging difficulty.

Unlike "University," which takes you completely out of the Sim’s home environment for long stretches of time, Nightlife is expertly integrated into the core game.

Like the annual appearances of Madden NFL and Tony Hawk games, we might have to complain about Nippon Ichi's strategy/RPG predictability if we weren't so busy immersed in the latest version.

Even if you played through the Xbox version multiple times, there’s enough new stuff here for a look.

Strikes a careful balance between accessibility and the hideous complexity. And it looks good doing it.

We can gripe about colors and crummy modes till the ninjas come home, but the simple fact is that Soul Calibur III is still a top-tier fighting game.

We're peeved at the ability to flick aside 18-wheelers like they're raisins on a table, but overall, you're going to have problems finding a more visceral, violent driving game.

The excessive amount of painful level grinding required to get anywhere in this game will bore most gamers to tears.

There’s no feature bloat, and there are no dud missions--just quality gaming from start to finish. That’s just about all we can ask for.

You'd think such an impressive technical base would allow the game to take more risks, but that assumption doesn't prove true.

It’s almost a racing game for everyone, but traces of the tad-too-touchy driving the Jak series is known for will throw newcomers for a loop and frustrate even veteran drivers on occasion.

You'll find everyone from inspired role-players to hardcore number crunchers, transplants from both WoW and LOTRO, in this game. How long they'll stay is anyone's guess, but it seems like Age of Conan has plenty of room to grow.

A game that aspires to be big, loud, obnoxious, and fun, and it succeeds. Much like the original, there’s virtually no depth here, but the focus on pure, unadulterated explosions is the perfect alternative to the heavy-handed, dramatic shooters we’ve seen lately.

It captures the essence of its predecessor's wackiness, scope, and addictive gameplay; yet it drops the ball as far as advancements and even takes a step back in the audio department.

X3: Reunion is a game that gamers will absolutely lose themselves in for months and even years without running out of things to do.

Even with the short running time, however, Genji is so well-constructed that anyone partial to sword combat should pay attention.

While short, this is the best experience available on the DS right now, and anyone with a tolerance for candy-colored adventure should give it a try.

NCAA Football 06’s refined approach seems to cater most to the hardcore college football fan rather than the casual sports enthusiast.

Even by today's standards, it's a near-perfect sports game for handheld consumption.

Rise of Legends is a very different sort of RTS game that genre fans will be able to pick up and play but yet will find themselves drawn into thanks to its very different look and feel.

Overall Rush for Berlin just feels a lot better than most of the other RTS games out there. It’s a great blend between realism and fast-paced gameplay wrapped in a solid package that RTS fans will love. They’ll love it, that is, if they can get over this being yet another themed WWII game in a sea of olive drab releases.

As a multiplayer game, Bomberman is more than worth its price tag. However, as a single-player game, this one comes dangerously close to being a bomb.

Sniper Elite delivers the sort of slow-paced and rewarding gameplay experience not usually found on consoles. Gamers with the right mindset will love every mission here, while more impatient ones will be pulling their hair out long before the end of the first one.

With its lengthy campaigns, replayability, and solid multiplayer, strategy fans will keep coming back to this one.

The single-player game has a few rough spots, but multiplayer is flat-out fantastic. And let’s face it; the incredible graphics don’t hurt either.

Many will say the game ends too abruptly with its nine-hour length, but there's no other experience like Condemned: Criminal Origins for those who can handle its savage disposition.

A pleasant surprise. It has deep and varied gameplay, yet manages to keep things extremely focused. It’s too early to tell how well the gaming community will take to these new-fangled ideas, but we’re sure glad someone had the guts and smarts to put them in a game.

Frustration has always been a factor in the GTA universe, but never quite so much as in Liberty City Stories.

As an action adventure held up against its contemporaries, its gameplay variety, interesting premise, and amazing graphics and sound make it a winner, identity crisis or not.

Factor in some respectable online gameplay, and NCAA March Madness 06 is a much more solid game than what we played last year. For once the control additions make sense and deepen the game.

While Doogie Howser may have a better chance of returning to television than you have in learning any real medical knowledge from Trauma Center, the frenzied pace and slick controls easily make this one of the most “infectious” DS games yet released.

If you're not heartless, Nintendogs will be one of the most innovative, inimitable, and impressive games you've come across.

If you're not heartless, Nintendogs will be one of the most innovative, inimitable, and impressive games you've come across.

If you're not heartless, Nintendogs will be one of the most innovative, inimitable, and impressive games you've come across.

Those who became addicted to either of the first two Advance Wars titles will surely be hooked by this one, too.

Everything that made SOCOM one of the PS2’s few standout online multiplayer games has been wrapped in a streamlined package for PSP.

Players who can't stand "Diablo" won't much like Legends, no matter their mutant fanaticism. But for everyone else, the mutant madness will be addictive and appealing.

The short length and repetitive sequences make it more of a rental for non-believers, but overall, excellent gameplay, a great presentation, and familiar characters make this the best superhero-based game since, well, "Spider-Man 2."

Aesthetic quibbles and longish load times aside, Project Gotham Racing 3 strikes an excellent balance between arcade and sim gameplay without alienating fans of either.

A damn good game of hockey, and one that shows tremendous promise for the next few years.

Even without a deep Dynasty mode (we really expect it next year) this is easily the best basketball available on a handheld.

A relatively simple game with a silly name that manages to be fairly fun.

Despite the knocks against rivals mode and the fact that the new controls are mostly borrowed from what many consider to be a more simple golf franchise, Tiger Woods 06 is still a solid game. Where rivals fails, the more realistic PGA Tour mode is still fun, as is skills 18, a set of target-based minigames.

Despite the knocks against rivals mode and the fact that the new controls are mostly borrowed from what many consider to be a more simple golf franchise, Tiger Woods 06 is still a solid game. Where rivals fails, the more realistic PGA Tour mode is still fun, as is skills 18, a set of target-based minigames.

Digital Devil Saga 2 brings the strange story started by the first game to a spectacular, dramatic, and bizarrely calm end.

Quake 4 delivers fast, brutal shooting action, and it looks good doing it. Sometimes, that’s all that’s necessary.

Hardcore fighting fans may turn up their noses at Dead or Alive 4's user-friendly engine, but there's no denying that this game is just loads of fun--especially online.

Based on features alone, NBA 2K6 is the slam-dunk choice for Xbox 360 basketball. The player graphics are beautiful, with or without an HDTV, and the controls have slightly improved since the game’s appearance on the original Xbox (players can now enter into a defensive crouch by tapping on the left trigger button).

Strategy players will come up to speed quickly and enjoy the vast array of units and unit abilities, while WWII fans who aren’t too interested in stat tracking will dig the game’s accessibility and--living up to its name--focus on constant action.

Weird, wacky, and engaging, the game can go head to head with any of Square’s best—as long as you have a healthy sense of humor.

Sonic Rush is the best hedgehog game since the beloved Sonic CD, and platforming fans will have to be taking some serious downers to not get a rush from what Sonic has to offer on the DS.

Harmonix's own "Guitar Hero" is still tops--mainly due to its cool factor--but if you need to entertain a rowdy group at your next gathering, nothing says hours of good times like Karaoke Revolution Party.

One thing 2K Sports continually proves, however, is that it can bring the game even when it doesn't look as sharp as the competition.

The simple controls and short bursts of gameplay make it perfect for handheld consumption, and a wireless multiplayer mode that allows up to eight other flipper-flappers to play with just one game card pushes its value rather high.

A good jumping-off point for a whole new story line in the vein of the original series, and offers just enough new mechanics to make it worth a play for both fans of the series and Onimusha virgins alike.

Easy playability, a solid presentation, and one of the most satisfyingly off-beat and engaging storylines in any game all make Amped 3 one of the more suprising Xbox 360 launch games.

Looking at the list of options and features, WWE Smackdown Versus Raw 2006 seems to have everything. With a better wrestling engine, it would.

The game is a beefy excursion that pleases all your senses, and for that, it will be taking plenty of pink slips from other Xbox 360 launch games.

It's the breakneck pace afforded by Tommy's spirit world resurrections and the dizzying effects of promiscuous gravitational pull that makes Prey such a fresh gaming experience.

Still, if you can stick with it through the boring movie and dialogue sequences, there’s an excellent adventure waiting for you in this grand world.

While none of these issues hold the game back from a playability standpoint, Wild World is closer to an enhanced port than an extravagant sequel.

Checkpoints are far too infrequent, compelling the player break immersion and save their progress every hundred steps. And the game's level relies too frequently on cliches.

While there could have been more to advance the series in its first trip to the Xbox 360, the violent visuals more than make it worth a few rounds for any fight fans.

There’s a little Crimson Skies, a little Starfox, and even some Diddy Kong Racing. They took a bunch of good ideas from those titles and assembled a rock solid action game for the younger set.

At $20 less than most PSP games, there isn't a better value on the platform. Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X does the series proud.

There are unlockable levels, a hidden character, and other new additions to the DS version, but it’s the use of the system’s unique abilities that make this one of the best versions of the Bust-a-Move ever.

Despite the difficult control scheme, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is a gripping title. There’s a lot to do both online and off with this handheld game. And it handles both single and multiplayer gaming masterfully.

Overall Battle for Middle Earth II is not a drastically improved game when compared to the first, but it does deliver more high-budget and engrossing RTS gameplay.

KDV clearly went the “gameplay first” route, and the result is a surprisingly absorbing strategy mash that no one’s really heard about...but should.

The tactical gameplay is refined and intelligent, yet easy to grasp, and the mix of a fun single player modes, and exceptionally in-depth multiplayer makes Field Commander not simply the best strategy game on the PSP, but one of the best on any system.

Far from a frivolous extra, Open for Business delivers as much fresh gameplay as many “complete” games.

Although the set-up is weak, and the emphasis on commercialism and bling is rather trite, Def Jam Fight for New York: the Takeover is a surprisingly adept fighting game.

This is a full-on game that delivers a rich, beautiful, detailed gaming experience on a small, portable screen, which all makes sense when you consider some of the key development staff are former Naughty Dog employees.

As impressive as a racer like "PGR3" can be, the learning curve and time investment aren't for everyone. OutRun 2 is just as entertaining, and almost as challenging, no matter what sort of digital driver you happen to be.

Test Drive Unlimited is a triumph in packaging. It wraps a familiar suite of racing objectives in a appealing shared space and gives players the tools to socialize in this enormous setting.

But at the end of the day, it’s that winning Winning Eleven feel that makes this one as addictive as ever: expectant WE9 owners should anticipate plenty of sore thumbs and “disappointed” spouses in their near future.

The presentation is excellent as well. Though not as sharp as the PS2 version, the graphics look excellent, the audio is solid, and overall, this is a very well-rounded racing simulation with plenty to do.

It’s taken all the best bits of the first game, dressed them up, and created a game that both rookies and veterans will enjoy.

That’s a lot of content for less than a used copy of Snake Eater. And on one hand, it’s difficult to excuse Konami for charging even that much for what amounts to a much-needed and very welcome patch. But the additions are so well-conceived that we’re willing to let them get away with it this last time.

It was hard to get excited about another version of Tetris, but with the new play modes, and the excellent multiplayer capabilities of the DS, Nintendo has indeed taught an old dog some new tricks.

It's not far out to score Big Brain Academy slightly higher than its predecessor, mostly because the game contains none of the maddening verbal and writing input issues.

Judgment itself may not be anything special, but it's a good enough freebie to go with a legitimately great game.

While only high leveled players will really get to explore all that this expansion has to offer, newer ones will want access to the achievements, so they too will want to upgrade, even if it takes them awhile before they get to head to the skies.

New Super Mario Bros. definitely doesn’t live up to the standards set by the games it apes, but there’s still no better sidescroller to be found on the DS.

Besides some of the best graphics and sound on the PSP, this Tekken has enough breadth and depth to match its console cousins.

It’s definitely a flawed game. But the experience overall looks so good, and blowing stuff up feel so good, that we just can’t help but recommend it.

Though the core game is obscenely short by modern standards, Capcom packed this title with a lot of extra content. And unlike so many retro-revamps, everything here is well worth your time.

The occasional crashes in the older ones are a little annoying, but they’re still quite playable, and with all their expansions you could easily spend months playing against the AI alone.

The Belkin War lives up to the entertainment legacy of the Ace Combat series by subtracting much of what didn't work and adding valuable new elements.

Thanks to next-gen graphical flair, elegant controls, and a sparkling sheen of packaging polish, Rockstar Presents Table Tennis manages a near miracle.

Viva Pinata tackles Pokemon's cuteness, Animal Crossing's fun chores, and The Sims' relationships, and comes out tasting as sweet as the candy its main characters are filled with.

In other words, if you're not the gotta catch 'em all type, this expansion pack feels like it actually expands an already great game.

Owners of both Prophecies and Factions will eat up the Asian-themed landscapes and ability to travel between both games. For new kids, if MMOs freaked you out because of their overwhelming commitment, Factions will reward for your hard hours quickly.

Those allergic to whimsy may react violently to the saccharine soundtrack and rosy world-view. But they'd be missing out on a rare experience – a game that honors classic game play while forging new ground in style.

The added scenarios, especially the alternate history ones are just icing on an already sweet, sweet cake.

Civ City: Rome doesn’t do much to meaningfully innovate, but it does successfully take the more important design elements of past games and incorporates them into a challenging, great looking, and great playing package.

The striking visuals, the hard-driving licensed soundtrack, and the variety of events make for an appealing, fast-paced game that's perfect for venting a little steam.

While others have hinted at RPG and RTS crossover, or have tried and not quite succeeded, SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars delivers.

Some may find the real-time combat to be quite a bit more frustrating and less rewarding than the earlier turn-based stuff, but it’s far from a deal-breaker.

Gem Fighter for giggles, Alpha for nostalgia, Alpha 2 to see how a few critical tweaks can re-unite divided fans, and finally Alpha 3 for the whole caboodle and sheer pleasure of 2D fighting perfection.

Aside from the snub for online, Ace Combat X definitely makes the most of the PSP. It's mercifully not a port but does justice to its roots, and has enough G-forces to make you crap your pants.

There’s a lot to like here, and the game does a nice job of blending mindless destruction with equal parts stupid- and well-thought out humor.

Other than its lighthearted approach and whimsical characters, what sets Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters apart from similar titles on PSP is the amount of depth and variety.

Army of Two is a dream come true for co-op enthusiasts. It doesn’t hit every note perfectly, but the campaign and team-based multiplayer modes are the perfect reasons to pester your old "Gears of War" buddy into picking it up.

Army of Two is a dream come true for co-op enthusiasts. It doesn’t hit every note perfectly, but the campaign and team-based multiplayer modes are the perfect reasons to pester your old "Gears of War" buddy into picking it up.

Rocket Slime’s charm and variety of gameplay make it one of the absolute best for the DS, even if you’ve never played a Dragon Quest before.

Final Fantasy III is the gaming equivalent of comfort food. It tells a tale of crystals and chocobo we've heard a dozen times before, it delivers old school challenge and does its job with the kind of confidence that comes with 20 years of experience.

If the next installment once again offers only incremental improvements, we're knocking somebody's lights out.

Where most super-hero games are satisfied with mediocrity, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance aims high and blasts its target into smithereens. 'Nuff said!

Consider it an apology for EA’s underwhelming 360 sports lineup last year.

While there isn’t a lot of innovation since the last version, there is enough action—both new and old—to assure the series’ place as one of the premiere online shooters on the system.

Warhawk is an excellent example of a multiplayer-centric game that almost anyone can get into. There is nothing complicated or revolutionary in the design, but the mix of combat styles, large maps, great controls, and a ready supply of players more than make up for the lack of originality.