Beyond the visual feast and a plethora of features and options, Perfect Dark is a soup of gameplay genius beefy enough to eat with a fork!

Anyone that played the PC version should be right at home here. In fact, the game is basically the same all around, which, disappointingly, means that the XBLA version of the game also lacks co-op. This is the only real downside to Torchlight.

This is a full-featured port on a new platform, and it is without question the best portable fighting game ever released.

Outland is an outstanding game, easily one of the best examples of its genre to emerge on the console download services. I think it's a far better, more dynamic game than something more single-minded style-over-substance games such as Limbo or Braid.

Fighting fit and ready to rip off your head, it's definitely the best Mortal Kombat game released to date.

Fighting fit and ready to rip off your head, it's definitely the best Mortal Kombat game released to date.

If Child of Eden suffers from one significant drawback it's the length of its campaign. For serious players looking to rush through, it's possible to finish all of the stages within a few short hours. Finishing stages does unlock new visual filters and opportunities to mess with samples in-game, but if you're looking for 8+ hours of genuinely fresh content you will be disappointed.

I'm hardly a hardcore strategy nerd, so maybe it's the accessibility and surface-level depth I can get down with. I can't wait to dig deeper to see what else I'll enjoy about this topnotch turn-based masterpiece.

Rather than aping what's popular, it focuses on good gunplay and unique ways to make it interesting: the slow motion, the co-op, the scoring system, two distinct characters to emphasize replayability, and a story that knows its place and its limitations.

If the thought of playing Ocarina of Time anywhere and anytime thrills you, or if you haven't experienced it before, this is the title that's worth buying a 3DS for. However, if you've bought it three times before, or you've had your fill of Ocarina, there's not enough new here to warrant a purchase. No matter what camp you fall into, this is the definitive version of a truly classic game, and a blast to play, 13 years on.

For what could have been just another jump in a sea of platformers, this game stands out because it has personality. Don't miss this one.

It says a lot for a "little" XBLA RPG to be able to hold its own sitting next to Batman: Arkham City, as it did in the Warner Bros. Booth at E3 in June. Now we know why: Bastion is something special, clearly made with love and oodles of talent. Here's to one of the very best games of the summer – downloadable or otherwise.

But suffice to say Space Pirates and Zombies isn't just a grand open-world space action RPG in the tradition of Star Control. It's also a rare expression of zombies that belongs alongside Dead Rising and Atom Zombie Smasher.

Disgaea 4 is a noteworthy edition to the popular strategy RPG series because it adds so much new content without destroying the familiar gameplay that fans have grown to love.

With deep, involving ethical questions, and systems that test players beyond their ability to pick the right gun, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is – in many, many ways – a game for thoughtful players.

Hector: Badge of Carnage is without question, one of the best new adventures-in fact, one of the best game properties-to come out in recent memory. With its likeably slobbish anti-hero and the possibility for endless story setups, we adventure fans would do well to cross our fingers that the collaboration between Telltale and Straandlooper continues well beyond the current trilogy.

That's Dark Souls in a nutshell. The stakes being as high as they are adds a level of excitement all too rare in the hold your hand games of this generation. Without the punishment, there's no real fear, and without the fear there's no thrill. And in Dark Souls, much like Demon's Souls before it, you will most definitely fear.

Treasure hasn't tampered with the overall mechanics of Radiant Silvergun, and doing so would have been a mistake.

Forza Motorsport 4 may not be perfect and there are still some things that last year's Gran Turismo 5 either does better or that Forza doesn't do at all. But for the core driving experience, technical achievement, and level of accessibility, Turn 10's effort is nothing short of superb.

Uncertain futures aside, Rocksmith is a breakthrough title not just for the music genre, but for gaming as a whole. It's the first time a developer has been able to deliver a game that makes learning fun and deliver something meaningful in the process.

Arkham City, on the other hand, is a game about saving a city, Gotham City, and the experience is all the better for it.

As a complete package Battlefield 3 absolutely delivers and if you don't have some angry agenda against Origin it's a must-play. The PC version in particular ushers in a new era of graphical magnificence and the disparity between the consoles begs Sony and Microsoft to up the ante. Shooters don't come much better than this and it's a great way to kick off this year's holiday game rush.

Speaking for myself, I'd rather play through Cave Story again five times than have a second run through the tedious and dated Ocarina of Time, and discovering this game's unique world in a new 3D format has been surprisingly rewarding. It may very well be the 3DS' best game to date.

Volition has done an excellent job of giving you a place to play and toys to play with, so grab a partner, an SMG, and start making your own stories.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a remarkable achievement that despite from a few niggling bugs is an undertaking unlike any other. This could quite easily be the only game you purchase for the next several months and still provide you with a complete sense of satisfaction. There are few titles that offer such an incredible level of value without resorting to multiplayer and for that I applaud Bethesda. Skyrim is a role-playing masterpiece.

Dungeon Defenders has a vibrant, cartoony look and feel while providing an addictive and solid tower defense gaming experience. Reinventing tower defense is a tough chore but Dungeon Defenders manages to pull it off.

There's no question – if you own a 3DS, this is the best game on the platform, and instantly worthy of a purchase. It's one of the best portable platformers I've ever played (and I've had my fair share), and an almost shockingly good Mario title on any platform.

This is precisely the sort of game I'll bust out every time I find myself on a long flight: it's addictive, challenging without even a whiff of frustration, and packed to the brim with content. I honestly have no complaints about Pushmo, and fully believe that unless you are deeply offended by baby-rescuing sumo wrestlers or block puzzles somehow killed your firstborn, you should download it immediately.

It's short but sweet, which I personally prefer over games that overstay their welcome. It's also a pleasure to play, with a satisfying mix of action/platformer pizzazz and puzzle elements with a steady, addictive progression from those simple first stages to the devious concoctions of the late game.

Despite the constant worry of carrying too much loot around, and even with some small interface issues, The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition is a marvelous game. It's more focused and has a vastly superior combat model than Skyrim, is more realized and contains better writing than Dragon Age, and treats sex like a mature theme and not a juvenile goal. It's not to be missed.

The GameCube has some serious power, and this game showcases it well with fluid movements of on-screen characters and lush backgrounds that are detailed down to little bits of trash that blow across the court from time to time.

The only title on the PlayStation that can keep me in front of my television for 12+ hours straight!

SMB is unique, fun and, most importantly, as playable every day as it was the day you bought it.

Not a title for all, but those who can appreciate the freedom of building and riding something that they have designed should find countless hours of fun.

The learning curve is small, the action is plentiful and gameplay is awesome.

People fear the reality in modern videogame violence, but the way GT3 has changed my everyday driving style is much more frightening.

Things like reducing the on-screen fog, the chance to pick up a chainsaw as a weapon and multiple endings really make it a lot of fun to go through a few times.

The vast number of improvements to gameplay and the addition of legendary characters, new modes like Elimination Chamber and Bra and Panties matches and a better season mode makes this game the king of the world.

Third grind is the charm.

The overall movements of the players are much more fluid and they don't look as stiff as in 2001.

Simplistic and intuitive controls are what make the game fun to play. The analog controls are dead on, and very precise.

This is the single most graphically impressive console game to date, hands-down.

My baby, my sweet, precious little FF8. How I love thee, let me tell the ways; Triple Triad, Rinoa, the incrediblly sweet and fresh magic system and Junction, the beyond jaw-dropping FMV's, Rinoa, the biggest surprise Air Ship yet in any FF..

It gives you lots of reasons to pick it up again and again, chief among them being the extremely well-realized story and the amazing atmosphere of dread. Silent Hill 3 is a tense, powerful game.

Graphically, the game is a masterpiece. It is, without hyperbole, the most gorgeous MMORPG I have ever played. Characters look richly detailed, and the environment seems alive.

It is utterly breath taking at times. Anime and video game fanatics unite! The start of a truly excellent series is here!

Warning: Do not take caffeine while in the driver's seat. It may lead to insanity.

What it does offer is a brand new tactical role-playing experience that blows most of the tactical console RPGs out of the water, save "Disgaea" for the PlayStation 2.

While the difficulty of some battles may have you ready to smash your controller at times, the rewards for getting past the hard battles are more than worth the frustration. Viewtiful Joe is one of those rare must-play games that people will still be talking about 10 years down the road.

Everything is there right down to players talking on the field, including the most important thing of all, a crowd that is into the game.

Simply incredible.

Superb graphics, great sound and unbeatable realism. There's not much more you can ask for in a racing game period.

A tremendously well done game.

After looking back at all these factors, it’s obvious to me that even when it faltered, Mythic poured every ounce of its soul into WAR.

It’s a nice tall bottle of liquid awesome. So grab a glass from the bar and give it a shot.

The pacing in Oblivion is better; things get interesting much quicker which leads to a faster sense of accomplishment.

I love the music, the graphics, and the gameplay. If you did not have enough reasons to buy a Nintendo DS, this would be it.

Although a lack of an infrastructure network mode is disappointing, there’s no doubt that the fun factor and replay value of the game are very high.

A game that’s easy to pick up and hard to put down, with a substantial amount of realistic action crammed into every high speed pursuit you engage in.

Like all the classic games that are a moment to learn and long in the mastering, We Love Katamari will find itself spinning in many gamers’ PS2s and will be the center of attention at your parties long after other games are on the shelf collecting dust.

A fun, bright and colorful world filled with lots of oddballs and cut-ups that make the overall presentation a lot of fun to play through - despite the actual role-playing being an average experience.

What really makes it different is the level of immersion that is offered. It was so easy to start playing and only come up out of the game when the body’s demand to expel waste and take on more fluids became an urgent scream.

Single player gameplay is excellent. The missions are fun and the difficulty level ramps up over time so you’re usually given a pretty good challenge without being frustrated.

It is fun while you are playing the game, even though the game can be extremely unforgiving with your moves, as it should be if you were actually operating on someone.

With an amazing single-player campaign and superior control system over its counterparts Call of Duty 2 Big Red One for the PS2 is an all around great game.

Stacked with Daniel Negreanu is the best Texas Hold 'Em videogame on the market currently. It lets you play cash games, single table and multi-table tournaments and online on all platforms.

The lack of gameplay innovation in the series keeps it from soaring into the stratosphere, but for shear driving fun, Project Gotham Racing delivers.

A sure bet for old school gamers and for the youngsters who never had a chance to experience these game in the arcades - and the price is unbeatable. Highly recommended.

There’s nothing incredibly new or earth shattering here, but you can absolutely enjoy it for the fighting game that it is.

Day of Defeat is not only a great looking game, but an enjoyable WWII multiplayer experience that gives you more than your money’s worth.

If you were thinking about getting into playing a guitar, this would be an awesome game to start off with. Kids and adults will enjoy this game together, so it is extremely family orientated.

Sonic Rush pays tribute to the original game but also adds some welcome new features that really make this game more enjoyable than ever.

The Xbox 360 makes NFS: MW an even better game and it should absolutely, positively be one of your first titles with the console.

This doesn't feel like a knock-off Lord of the Rings game, rather it comes off as a true labor of love from designers that have a very good understanding of the material from which they are working and the finished product is much better because of it.

Let’s just say that the game looks great by PlayStation 2 standards. Double plays really feel like double plays – diving for grounders and the physics of the ball are amazing.

Yes, we can still dream of online leagues and a real franchise mode, but what we have here is very impressive, and gives you thanks that there’s no exclusive license in baseball.

With a ton of new features including The Solid Eye, improvements to the graphics, the huge improvement in the amount of cards you can have, all in all I think that Metal Gear Ac!d 2 will not only appeal to fans of Metal Gear Ac!d series, but anyone who enjoys tactical strategy games and doesn't mind the cartoonish graphics.

Just a very playable version of Tetris on your DS. The additional modes are fun for a little while, but I still found myself drawn back the standard mode that started it all.

Beautiful, action-packed, and fully featured, Crysis is a shining example of how a first-person shooters ought to play.

The complete package for the PSP. It is easily one of the best fighting games I’ve played all year.

The Darkness is, quite simply, an excellent game and deserves its place as one of the finest shooters and finest examples of video game storytelling in recent memory.

The fast and frenetic gameplay is a moment to pick up and many hours to master. Those with no gaming buds or a Live account are going to be disappointed, but just about everyone else is going to have a good time.

The game is a lot of fun because it's not as tedious as games like Zoo Tycoon or as inane as raising a puppy on your Nintendo DS. The game strikes a good balance between managing your pets and making a buck and offers lots of fun activities along the way.

A success due to a number of reasons including an inspired artistic style that is simple but strikingly beautiful, characters that are both eccentric and charming, and a catchy soundtrack that you won't get out of your head.

There are very few games that are this nerve-wracking and playing this game is akin to watching your favorite action-suspense-thriller TV show or movie and I say that as a compliment.

Prepare to get addicted all over again.

Sega succeeds in revving up its old arcade rally series with this phenomenal racer that infuses off-road with a dash of drift.

In the end the company has created an excellent game with good graphics, great controls that you can change, and one that runs smoothly even with 32 people playing at once. Warhawk is truly a benchmark for the PS3 and easily one of the best games in its lineup.

The campaign in itself offers a good deal of play time, but in a flash of brilliance, the developers also added unlockables, which can only be purchased by completing certain goals in the game (scanning objects, etc) and getting currency. These range from simple art books, to playback options for the game’s epic musical score, or even cool little novelties like bumper stickers for Samus’ ship (which I’m still working up to try and purchase).

Underwhelming multiplayer is easily overlooked; however, issues with the camera are harder to forgive. Maintaining simple control over the view or providing a faultless automatic camera is a must for platform games and Super Mario Galaxy falls flat in this regard. Everything else works wonderfully.

The game’s story mode is relatively easy – you can finish it in less than a full afternoon, but the fun doesn’t end there. The replay value is through the roof as every game you play will be different and always enjoyable.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best Star Wars games ever made, regardless of the age group.

A great example of what's possible on the DS, despite the fact that the game really doesn't go out of its way to utilize many of the DS' marquee technologies. The game is wonderful simply because it delivers a pure unadulterated classic Castlevania experience that looks great and plays like a dream.

Mass Effect is a gorgeous, thought-provoking adventure that is as captivating as action-packed. While it hasn't undergone the polish it deserves, that doesn't prevent it from emerging as one of the best examples of the artistry to be achieved in the development of a game.

It’s hard to find a game out there for the Wii that provides more value for the money, or has more to see and do. The huge roster of well done, interesting characters combined with the wackiness of the in game items and the interactivity and challenges of the various stages packs the game full of memorable moments regardless of which portion of the game you decide to spend time with.

Unfortunate camera and combat issues aside, Silent Hill Origins is a worthy addition to the series and should scare the socks off even the most jaded survival horror devotee.

This is an engrossing, attractive, dramatic, and entertaining game and one that you simply shouldn't miss.

A fresh and inspired fighting game.

An addictive, beautiful, well-designed game that is easily at the top of its genre.

A rather interesting game with a pretty good ideology behind it and a reasonable amount of gameplay within it. At times the game can be frustrating with some overly difficult battles but over all, it is a rather enjoyable experience and the way the missions are set up, it really is perfect for the casual gamer.

Disgaea 2 is ultimately about the characters you create, the battles you fight, the equipment you improve, and the party you level up and kit out. Like many of the best games -- Civilization, X-Com, Diablo, Pirates -- Disgaea 2 is about the story you create in the playing.

Regardless of your level of familiarity with the nuts and bolts of real world racing, this is a game that not only captures the competitive spirit of wheel to wheel racing but does so in a way that is genuinely fun and somehow skirts the mundane feeling that plagues other games in the genre. Forza Motorsport 2 has officially set the bar.

Rich visuals and loads of gameplay options ensure your experience will be a positive one, packed with simulated Formula One racing that is surprisingly accessible.

The game delivers a level of destruction that will make grown men giggle like a child and it is this level of interactivity that makes it special.

It would be a finer experience without those nuisances, but they do little to diminish the sense of awe you feel when watching the sun rise over Jerusalem from atop the Dome of the Rock, drinking in the sight of the ancient city, and looking for your next victim.

The replay value is immense, the multiplayer superb and the game has that “just one more game” quality because you know you want to master Expert mode. It just would have been nice to be able to see some sort of online rankings to see how you rate with the rest of the gamers.

It’s like playing air guitar, rocking out to your favorite music, but actually having a guitar.

Blending deep, intricate 4X design into the world of real-time gaming was a daunting task to say the least, but Ironclad and Stardock have pulled it off and in the end have created one of the best strategy games of the past few years.

If you have never played the game, then absolutely, Pirates is a must have for your PSP.

A complete joy to play and one of the best baseball games I’ve played in quite some time.

The time you spend earning it is well worth it, not just because it makes your hero stronger but also because of the additive fun you have along the way. Despite the torturous AI, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is easily one of the most original games to hit the PlayStation Portable.

In the end, that’s all this game is about: experience. The time you spend earning it is well worth it, not just because it makes your hero stronger but also because of the additive fun you have along the way.

A must buy for fans of the series and a serious look for those that have always wondered why the series is regarded by many as the best fighting game out there.

Throw in some nice bells and whistles such as calling up die roll results charts and reference screens and Catan really gives you everything you need to play.

DDR Hottest Party is the quintessential game in the series. . It gives you quite a workout, and the new features are truly new and make it worth a purchase. Don’t miss this one.

While some players may ultimately find the combat and inventory limitations to be more than they can bear, Odin Sphere deserves much credit for its artfully elegant approach to a genre that is too frequently weighed down by yawn-inducing cases of déjà vu.

Stuntman: Ignition will induce some controller-tossing moments, but the action is so intense and fun, it's hard not to want to do that "one more take." It's thrilling, maddening, and addicting all at the same time.

Play. Create. Share. These three simple words make up developer Media Molecule’s little big blueprint for a charming and unique game that wonderfully brings out the creative side in people. Apparently there are already plans for a sequel, but I can’t imagine how the developers can possibly top this.

Sam & Max Episode Six: Bright Side Of The Moon isn't the best game in the series, but it's a great ending to a season filled to the brim with fun moments and hilarious dialog.

One of the most ambitious game add-ons you're likely to find and the vast majority of these changes are welcome ones that add significantly to the experience.

With so many publishers looking to cash in on the Wii’s success, it’s always nice to see a game appear that is nothing but quality from top to bottom—the fact that this game is ten bucks cheaper than other Wii offerings makes it an even sweeter deal.

It’s unlikely that Rune Factory is going to make converts out of anyone who doesn’t already enjoy the series but it will certainly please longtime fans, especially those who felt like the series was growing stale.

The combat engine has been dramatically improved, making every fight a unique experience.

The combat engine has been dramatically improved, making every fight a unique experience.

The Orange Box may not restore the reputation of the bargain box, but it is a bargain, and it is worth your time. The three titles may vary in quality, but a fan of the franchise can probably overlook the flaws in Episode 2, and everyone, without exception, needs to experience Portal.

World in Conflict is a game very much worth purchasing. You don’t even need to be a Ground Control buff to truly enjoy it, as the helpful tutorials and gradual difficulty curve will help ramp you right into the campaign, just in time to get deep into the thick of things in the versatile multiplayer engine. This one is a certified winner.

The game is a lot of fun, even if the challenge level is out of this world. If you’ve been around for all 20 years of Contra, this is a must purchase.

This might be due to a simple lack of competition for the moment, but Sword of the Stars just plains ‘works’ and is one of the best epic space strategy games you can buy.

Project Gotham Racing 4 is one of the rare racing games that have appeal across the board from simulation racers to those who prefer their racing to be a bit more on the arcade side.

If you already experienced the PlayStation 2 version the added content is enough to make another romp in the schoolyard worth your time and money.

A must-own baseball game. The price is a bargain ($39 for Wii) and you could be playing this game alone all the way to next opening day.

It is unfortunate that the movie performed as poorly as it did, as the game is one of the better arcade-style racing games that have come out in a long time.

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness stands side by side with the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics and Jeanne D'Arc as one of the best PSP games to hit the system in 2007.

Undercover: Operation Wintersun may have its flaws, but that doesn’t prevent it from being a very satisfying exercise in espionage. Besides, with so many games being dumbed down to accommodate gamer’s allergic to a healthy challenge, it’s hard not to appreciate a title that demands more of players than simple blind clickery.

The game's engaging story line, great voice acting and mix of humor and mayhem kept me coming back whether it was to spend some more time stealing ho's, or participating in Fight Club or simply chipping away at the gangs that took over my fair city while I was away. Add on an engaging multiplayer mode and seamless co-op and you have sandbox game that can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the GTA's of the world.

The game's engaging story line, great voice acting and mix of humor and mayhem kept me coming back whether it was to spend some more time stealing ho's, or participating in Fight Club or simply chipping away at the gangs that took over my fair city while I was away. Add on an engaging multiplayer mode and seamless co-op and you have sandbox game that can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the GTA's of the world.

Dead Space is most frightening when you’re backed into a corner and fighting for your life in the darkness, and absolutely awe-inspiring during the quiet moments of solitude. From major elements like the HUD-less display and the believably intricate machinery to the simplicity of a forgotten magazine, the attention to detail is absolutely staggering.

Dead Space is most frightening when you’re backed into a corner and fighting for your life in the darkness, and absolutely awe-inspiring during the quiet moments of solitude. From major elements like the HUD-less display and the believably intricate machinery to the simplicity of a forgotten magazine, the attention to detail is absolutely staggering.

Games that are this good out of the box are relatively rare. Add in the fact that the game can be found for $20 and it's a absolute steal. Race '07 is a exemplary game that will provide many hours of racing bliss at a superb price.

A truly satisfying adult game on the Wii—which is a true rarity. This game may not be everyone’s cup of tea with the violence, language and mature subject matter that hits you from everywhere, but despite the rated R subject matter, there is no denying that this is one of the best games available on the system.

This is a heavy metal fairy tale, spun with love and copious amounts of good humor from Shafer and crew – and it’s every ounce the game fans hoped it would be.

This is a heavy metal fairy tale, spun with love and copious amounts of good humor from Shafer and crew – and it’s every ounce the game fans hoped it would be.

It's a fast and fun racing game that is easy enough for beginners to pick up and enjoy while still a challenge for veteran players to master. The addition of online play (other than it's not so friendly friends system) and the introduction of the Wii’s motion technology add even more oil to what is already a pretty slick offering.

GripShift is one of the best XBLA racing games available. The game is just too damn varied, wacky, and all around fun to summarize it any other way, and the feature-packed content makes it well worth the 800 point price tag.

If the online play gets up and running, there’s no doubt that the game should be rated an ‘A’. You could even make a case for it as a system seller for any baseball fan—MLB The Show is just that good.

If you are looking for a strong single player puzzler or a multiplayer party game—this should definitely be on your short list.

While it may not offer the complexity of the old Baldur's Gate games, at its core, it's still an RPG fan's RPG.

AGEod brings a unique aesthetic to their wargames, fusing the colors of old atlases with the functionality of intuitive design.

A sleeper hit.

A sleeper hit.

Although a little player control is sacrificed, the amount of influence you have directly on your team’s positioning and the movement of the ball more than make up for it.

Red Faction Guerrilla’s unabashed destruction is so much fun that the lengthy load screens gave me an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety. I desperately wanted to move on to the next area and come up with a cool, entertaining way to execute a mission.

Red Faction Guerrilla’s unabashed destruction is so much fun that the lengthy load screens gave me an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety. I desperately wanted to move on to the next area and come up with a cool, entertaining way to execute a mission.

As a gamer that has been burnt out by excessively cruel and repetitive dungeon crawlers in the past, the game never left me feeling overly drained and worn out. Chocobo’s Dungeon deserves at least a few hours of any adventurous Wii gamer’s time.

Gears of War 2 takes the formula established by the original and polishes it to great effect. Everything from the pacing of the campaign, tuned difficulty, added weapons and enemies, and slew of multiplayer options demonstrates mastery in design that all action games aspire, yet precious few achieve. Not everything is rosy--chalk the poor story and lame characters as being yet another victim of cheesy game writing. That's excusable, though.

Trauma Center was one of the original sleeper hits for the DS and this is just another step ahead of the pack. Under the Knife 2 is more of the same, but it feels so good to get the scalpel back in hand.

Even if you’ve never tried Space Invaders before, the title is totally worth it for the sheer bang for your buck factor. When $20 buys you one of the best-updated classic games of all time, you have no reason to complain.

NASCAR 2009 is a no-brainer purchase for fans of the sport, but also offers a high quality experience that any racing fan can enjoy.

An old-school, level-oriented presentation with unrelenting difficulty, making it one of the most refreshing experiences to be had on the DS this holiday season.

The difficulty level is there providing a challenge, the game is fun, however as with all sport games such as this, it can be difficult to control unless you’re sitting down at a table. Don’t let that stop you from trying it out though – New International Track & Field is the next best thing to being at the Beijing games.

As a Viva Piñata first timer, I was totally at home right from the start. The game is pure, well-paced fun, with a great deal of variation and customization available.

The pacing is accelerated in comparison to the original game.

There just aren’t many complaints you can have with a game that is as deep, complex and thoroughly engrossing as Out of the Park Baseball 9.

The only real problem with this in depth beginning is that it sets the expectation that the choices you make here are going to have some affect on the game’s story.

With great pacing, clever character development, and phenomenal presentation, this relatively forgiving RPG is likely to convert fence-sitters into fully-fledged RPG fanatics. Even though it might be considered “by-the-book” by today’s standards, Dragon Quest IV should be considered required playing for any role-playing fan out there.

There are a larger variety of vehicles this time around, with additions such as the ATV and monster truck almost bookending the assortment of bikes, buggies, and trucks that you can select.

Ultimately, what makes Robocalypse such a remarkable game is that no one expected it to be this good.

For a game that is so entertaining, because of, or in spite of the copious amounts of gore, having a reason to pause and think at the end is the cherry on top of a brutally exciting, blood soaked sundae.

Barring minor technical errors, The Homestar Ruiner is a great start for this episodic game. It’s funny, inexpensive, easy to play, and has replay value from the mini-games.

If you are looking for a challenging platformer that will test your gamepad skill to its fullest – Prince of Persia isn’t that game. Still, despite its lack of overt difficulty, this game remains special, and while it didn’t take terribly long to finish, and replay value isn’t too high unless you get obsessed with seed collecting, it was definitely nine to ten hours well spent and is an adventure you should not miss.

If you are looking for a challenging platformer that will test your gamepad skill to its fullest – Prince of Persia isn’t that game. Still, despite its lack of overt difficulty, this game remains special, and while it didn’t take terribly long to finish, and replay value isn’t too high unless you get obsessed with seed collecting, it was definitely nine to ten hours well spent and is an adventure you should not miss.

Ninjatown has “sleeper hit” written all over it. It certainly looks innocent enough on the outside – it’s cute and goofy, and oozes sugary sweetness, as it’s actually based on a stuffed toy line (the Shawnimals, created by ex game journo Shawn Smith). But underneath that fluffy exterior is a seriously addictive tower defense game that is as hardcore as it is adorable.

Disney’s Sing It knocks it out of the park.

Disney’s Sing It knocks it out of the park.

War Plan Pacific is simply the latest wargame to demonstrate that the genre has moved well beyond the grognard mainstays of hexes and combat resolution tables. It is a quick playing and transparent game with an elegance that puts a lot of larger budget games to shame.

There's nothing to Dissidia but the grind, and if you're looking for an epic adventure, you won’t find it here after the 20+ hour story mode is finished. But if you’re looking for something engrossing with great characters that’ll keep you playing for weeks, Dissidia: Final Fantasy is one of the top candidates for the PSP.

This blend of familiar gameplay and contemporary aesthetic lends incredibly well to the game, giving you the sense that it’s something wholly new, with plenty of nods to a bygone era.

This blend of familiar gameplay and contemporary aesthetic lends incredibly well to the game, giving you the sense that it’s something wholly new, with plenty of nods to a bygone era.

In all seriousness, this game is exactly what Wii owners need. It’s fun, funny, violent and tuned right in to the sensibilities of the hardcore. If you love bad B-movies, and you like shooting things, this is a total no-brainer – no pun intended.

From start to finish, the single player campaign of Bound in Blood definitely provides one of the most memorable FPS gaming experiences of the year.

From start to finish, the single player campaign of Bound in Blood definitely provides one of the most memorable FPS gaming experiences of the year.

From start to finish, the single player campaign of Bound in Blood definitely provides one of the most memorable FPS gaming experiences of the year.

At $30, the game is absolutely worth checking out. Not just for its look or its addictive qualities, but for the sheer, simple joy of getting to play with entirely new toys.

It’s this blend of casual pick up and play feel, deep, challenging gameplay and copious amounts of activities that makes this a very hard game to put down.

All in all, don’t let the rather generic and short single player campaign deter you from picking up Bad Company 2. The multiplayer is a fantastic gaming experience and without a doubt it gives Modern Warfare 2 a run for its money.

All in all, don’t let the rather generic and short single player campaign deter you from picking up Bad Company 2. The multiplayer is a fantastic gaming experience and without a doubt it gives Modern Warfare 2 a run for its money.

All in all, don’t let the rather generic and short single player campaign deter you from picking up Bad Company 2. The multiplayer is a fantastic gaming experience and without a doubt it gives Modern Warfare 2 a run for its money.

It’s this blend of casual pick up and play feel, deep, challenging gameplay and copious amounts of activities that makes this a very hard game to put down.

A sports game must, above all else, stay unpredictable. If things start to get stale or if you start losing faith in the design because you’ve seen everything there is to see then a game can quickly lose its appeal. And that‘s what makes The Show special. Things happen.

The perfect game to port to the DS. Its addictive qualities will keep you staring at the small screen during your lunch break or while waiting for your flight.

It's not a perfect game by any accounts, but it's by far one of the better titles in my collection, and one I'm proud to recommend to fans of either action or strategy games.

A must-buy expansion. While I badly want to see larger-scale enhancements to the gameplay for future expansions, the amount of content in this release still balances very well against its cost, and those 'turtle'-styled RTS gamers (guilty here) hesitant to get onboard Sins of a Solar Empire due to the lack of any real defensive options will now have a great reason to pick it up.

Army of Two: The 40th Day is dumb, goofy fun, but sometimes that’s just what the doctor ordered.

Army of Two: The 40th Day is dumb, goofy fun, but sometimes that’s just what the doctor ordered.

With everything there is to do in this game, I don't know why you'd need another golf game next year, or hell, ever.

It’s rare for a single developer to put out two large budget-AAA games in the span of a few months. It’s rarer still that both games be so incredibly good, but with Mass Effect 2 Bioware has again re-affirmed its status as the premiere developer of games whose main assets have little to do with swords or assault rifles, but the stories and characters that bring games to life.

Just Cause 2 combines over the top action, a cheesy plot and voice acting, and an open sandbox world in all the right ways.

$30 is a fair price to pay for a truly excellent, old school platforming experience.

Beyond that, Tropico 3 is a fantastically addictive single player game that will have you up until the wee hours of the morning — who knew a Castro sim could be so much fun?

What's most amazing about the game though is how well Ubisoft Paris was able to take the system it given and play to its strengths.

In the end Madden 10 is the kind of game that I am willing to look past the shortcomings because what’s good is really, really good. It’s worth putting up with the faults in order to experience what works.

In the end Madden 10 is the kind of game that I am willing to look past the shortcomings because what’s good is really, really good. It’s worth putting up with the faults in order to experience what works.

This is the best videogame workout on the planet – and it makes you look a little flabby in comparison.

It is unyielding and relentlessly unmerciful. A single stage will take hours of repetitious practice and cautious progression to complete. The reward is pride.

BlazBlue is a new franchise that calls back to the cabinet. It’s what you’d expect out of, and it’s what you want in, a new 2D fighting game.

BlazBlue is a new franchise that calls back to the cabinet. It's what you'd expect out of, and it's what you want in, a new 2D fighting game.

Is the experience worth the purchase price of the game for average console gamers? If you've played Ace Combat and the like and want to try something a bit more involved, that would be a definite yes - even without the flight stick.

In a way, Desperate Struggle is the definitive example of a gamer's game – a work of self-gratifying passion that is absolutely engorged with style and intensity.