343 have done a fantastic job updating a 10 year old game into something that feels entirely modern.

Combat is certainly more difficult, but every fight you get into feels like an event. And the game does a great job of pacing out its enemy encounters so the player doesn't get battle fatigue.

At this point you should be playing SideScroller, because despite it walking a well-worn path down shmup lane, it's just as compelling as any of Q-Games' more experimental titles.

The fact that it costs half of my proposed cost-against-value, it's impossible for me not to recommend any fan of platformers or 2D games to wait any longer to play it.

Going into The Darkness II, I wasn't really sure what to expect, especially considering the change of developers and the fact that the last game was released nearly 4 years ago. I'm glad to say that Digital Extremes has done a really nice job modernizing the series and following up where Starbreeze left off. So if you're looking for something a little different from your typical modern combat or science fiction-themed first person shooters, The Darkness II is a great alternative.

Despite a small number of extremely minor flaws, Resident Evil Revelations is an excellent attempt at bringing the RE series to handhelds. In fact, you could make the argument that it's a better RE game than even the last console title in the series.

Kudos to Konami for giving us Simpsons fans everywhere finally what we've always wanted.

And really, that's what makes Undisputed 3 work. It's super accessible for anyone moderately familiar with fighters, yet has an insane amount of depth for those willing to spend time with the game. That generally seems to be the hallmark of any great fighter, and I think UFC Undisputed fits that bill. There are still a few kinks to be ironed out, but certainly less than were present in previous years.

I'm really impressed by how well realized Uncharted: Golden Abyss is on a handheld. I had been a little skeptical at how well the series would translate to the small screen, but I've found myself really enjoying this game. It does lose a little bit of the scope, especially compared to the Uncharted 2 or 3, but I feel like that's to be expected here. Still, the excellent third person gameplay is extremely strong, and the game actually paces its combat and exploration mechanics better than Uncharted 3 did. I definitely urge new Vita owners to pick this one up; it deserves to be a marquee title for the Vita.

I definitely think Wipeout 2048 is worth checking out, and from what I've seen it seems to be the racing game to beat amongst the Vita launch titles. I've heard and seen dubious things from both Modnation Racers and Asphalt (and Ridge Racer is MIA at the moment), so if you need to get your racing fix this seems like the way to go. It's a legitimately great experience on the new handheld, and looks absolutely fabulous on the OLED screen. I highly recommend picking it up.

FIFA Soccer on the PS Vita is a welcome launch title, and if you fancy the sport at all, it should be a must buy.

If you are fan of Alan's painful journey, you've probably already downloaded this gem and know the greatness that continues to please fans again and again. If you have never played this title, I urge you to play the original to understand the story mode as this game does little to explain the past and expects you to already know the events that have happened.

There's not really a lot to mention outside of the fact that it's a great port of a great game, and if you want another device to play Plants vs. Zombies on, it's worth checking out.

Like I said, the addictive quality of Hot Shots Golf is here in full force. It's a perfect game for travelling because you can knock out a 9-hole challenge in no time, and there's always new items in the shop that drives you play just one more round. Absolutely a great Hot Shots game, and absolutely a great game to pick up with your PS Vita.

Arguably the best compliment I can give Alan Wake is that it is a console-to-PC port done right.

I definitely feel like Street Fighter X Tekken is worth picking up, especially if you have any kind of interest in either side of the fence. Both rosters are great, and the online play minus the sound issues is pretty fantastic, and will automatically give this game a pretty solid online presence for months to come.

Once again, Sony raises the bar on what should be expected from a baseball game. Whoever picks up the pieces next year after 2K leaves the scene; they better bring their 'A' game as I can't foresee anyone touching MLB The Show when it comes to visuals, playability, modes, and the pure realism that is captured by this game of baseball better than any other franchise captures another sport.

Overall, Warriors Orochi 3 is one of the best examples of a modern Dynasty Warriors title, and something that all fans should definitely check out. It's not going to do much to sway naysayers and those that don't care for the repetitive button mashing of the series, as it doesn't do much to change up the core gameplay, but if you're at all vested in the series, you should think about picking this up.

In the end this could be the best golf game you have ever played, or the worst, and it will all be dependent on how much you can adapt to the new swing mechanics, that while take the most realistic approach in video game history, don't provide the option for casual gamers to revert to a different or classic mechanic.

If you've never played the series before, then I'd consider this a must buy, and even if you've played the hell out of these games before, the addition of upscaled graphics and achievement/trophy support is bound to be appealing enough to play through them again.

If you're a 360 owner, you definitely owe it to yourself to check this one out. It's worth the price of admission if you just plan to play through to the ending, but its value goes above and beyond if you really dig into what Fez has to offer. Even though the wait has been pretty long, I find myself incredibly pleased with the final result.

It's a fantastic game, even set aside from playing the original Witcher, so don't be put off by the fact that you might not have played the first game. For console only players that have heard PC gamers talk endlessly about the merits of this particular title, you'll finally get a chance to see what all the hype has been about. I don't think you'll come away disappointed in the slightest, as The Witcher 2 really delivers in every way imaginable.

It's super addictive, incredibly fun, and comes off as an extremely worthy successor to Trials HD. If you skipped out on the first XBLA entry for whatever reason, then don't miss this one. It's seriously better in every way imaginable, and it manages to exceed my every expectation.

Really, with as solid as the fighting engine is, I'd say it's an absolute steal at $15. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the fighting game tournament circuit this year.

More quality arcade ports like this that are priced appropriately is definitely a step in the right direction, and overall it's a great purchase if you tend to enjoy House of the Dead.

Overall I think Awesomenauts is a really solid, fun take on a genre that hasn't seen much face time on consoles. I really hope that despite the issues with the publisher Ronimo has a chance to support the game with future DLC, because it's a title that could easily be built off of for months to come. It's a game that definitely warrants the awesome part of its title, and even if you've never jumped into MOBA games before, Awesomenauts makes a pretty good place to start.

So basically, Lollipop Chainsaw is a game that's certainly worth your time and money. The overall game, on Normal, is pretty short, but there's a whole lot replay value packed into the experience that actually makes that short game time a lot more feasible than you might expect.

The writing is light and humorous throughout, and even during serious moments and scenarios, the game doesn't take itself too seriously.

As a whole, this is a set of games that is really a must have for Vita owners. Whether you're starving for content on the Vita, or feel pretty satiated with the current slate of titles that have released over the past couple weeks, having both of these games on a handheld platform is simply amazing.

So while I do tend to be pretty positive about the LEGO series as a whole, it's also easy to see that this is the best effort Traveler's Tales has put into the franchise as of yet.

The Walking Dead Episode 2 is something that begs to be talked about once it's finished, and not beforehand, which makes writing this review a little challenging. If the first episode didn't convince you enough that the series is worth continuing, than I'm not sure that episode 2 really does much differently to make you think otherwise.

Pokémon Conquest is definitely one of the best spin-off Pokémon titles I've ever played, and has enough meat to it, along with some standard Pokémon trappings, that fans of the traditional series will find a lot to like here. And if you're more of a strategy RPG fan than you are a Pokémon fan, you'll still get a lot of enjoyment out of this. It's not the most challenging experience out there, but the sheer amount of content available makes this worth checking out.

So it's certainly worth picking up, and I think most KH fans will fall in love with this entry. It certainly feels like one of the better entries in the series, and is also one of my favorite games on the 3DS right now.

Overall, Retro/Grade is a wholly unique experience in both genres that it represents, and is well worth your time. If you have any interest in rhythm games or shoot 'em ups, you should do yourself a favor and check this out.

Fall of Cybertron feels like an actual love letter to the series, and puts the right amount of emphasis on individual characters and their traits and mixes that with levels that make use of those particular skills and abilities. It's just a real joy to play, and I'm glad to have in my hands an actual, fun Transformers experience in video game form.

If you've been on board with the game up to this point, Episode 3 will fail to disappoint. It's another excellent entry in what is easily shaping up to be Telltale's best work yet, and there's no reason to stop playing the series now.

Overall I feel like Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is a fairly accessible experience for new players, or those that haven't picked up a Tekken game in years.

It is easily one of the best downloadable games to come out this year, and more than worth the price of admission.

Overall, despite a small number of flaws, Borderlands 2 is well worth picking up. It provides the same action packed, RPG style experience found in the original game, spread across a larger world with lot more stuff to do and explore.

Overall, Dishonored is absolutely worth your time, and provides an excellent stealth focused game that's actually fun to play, as opposed to feeling like a punishing chore.

Sonic Adventure 2 is for true Sonic fans that want to relive a time when the series was still fun to play. Despite the terrible camera and some audio hiccups, it's a great experience for old and new players alike. The Chao Garden and great price only add to the overall package making this one a sure fire bet!

Forza Horizon manages to feel like something completely different, while retaining enough of Forza's core identity to make it fit really well into this established franchise. I'd highly suggest checking it out whether you're a Forza fan or just a racing fan in general; I doubt you'll be disappointed.

If you're a sucker for artsy indie games that tell an interesting story and feature unique gameplay, then you'll certainly love The Unfinished Swan. If you're not quite sure what you're getting in to, than wait for the demo or check out the trailer at the very least. Either way, The Unfinished Swan is a PSN game worthy of your attention.

All in all, Assassin's Creed III Liberation is another excellent console-style release for the PlayStation Vita, and fans of the series who own a PS Vita shouldn't overlook it. It's not as full-featured as the console version, but it makes up for it with a more streamlined experience, an interesting main character and story, and plenty of unique gameplay ideas.

For the most part, I think you'll find Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward to be a step up from 999, and really, that's saying something considering how excellent 999 was. It's not flawless, no, but well worth your time, especially if you're the type of person that enjoys new gaming experiences that are far from the norm.

All in all Need for Speed: Most Wanted is the Need for Speed game that fans of the series have been clamoring for, for quite some time. It mixes a formula of both old school ideas and new ones, creating an experience that mixes well and will certainly appeal to a wide audience and gear heads. The game is fast, huge, and most importantly…fun, and part of its charm is not taking itself too seriously. Need for Speed is back, and we welcome you with open arms.

Overall, Sticker Star is as far removed from Super Paper Mario as that was from The Thousand Year Door. While you might lament the departure the series has taken from its original RPG roots, this hybrid of adventure and action found in Sticker Star stands out as one of the best entries in the series.

Street Fighter X Tekken on the Vita is certainly worth picking up if you're a Vita owner and a fighting game fan, and continues the excellent port work put forth by Capcom with their Marvel vs. Capcom 3 release when the Vita launched. It's still a really fun fighter in its own right, and while I could certainly do with them ditching the tedious and unbalanced gem system, the rest of the package is a fun romp through two fighting game worlds.

I'm not going to go so far as to say that this it the best Call of Duty yet, but I certainly find myself more compelled to spend a lot more time with this than I did Modern Warfare 3. Both the campaign and multiplayer portions of the game feel like a step above the previous entry, and if early sales and online player base are any indication, this is going to be the game your friends will playing for months to come. So if you're on the fence, I'd definitely suggest picking this up, it delivers enough changes to keep the series relevant and fun, while retaining everything that makes Call of Duty what you've come to expect.

It's a great call back to classic SEGA characters and franchises, and provides a heavy emphasis on fan service while maintaining a level of quality not often seen in kart racers outside of the Nintendo developed ones. It seriously feels like a love letter to long-time SEGA fans, and is certainly worth picking up.

All in all, I found New Super Mario Bros. U to be a very rewarding, fun breath of fresh air for the series that does a pretty good job of showcasing new elements found in the Wii U system. It's certainly a step up in terms of visuals, and looks great both on the big screen and on the Wii U Game Pad.

I absolutely endorse picking up LEGO The Lord of the Rings, whether you're a big fan of the film series or the LEGO games. Your appreciation of the story will certainly hinge on whether you're a LOTR fan or not, but regardless of that you'll still have a whole lot of fun with this unique video game adaptation. It's a blast to play through in single player and in local co-op, and despite a busy holiday season for gaming, really shouldn't be missed.

If you've never had a chance to play Arkham City and are looking for a fun action/adventure game that has awesome combat, fun exploration, and an excellent presentation, you can't go wrong with Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition. The game has enough content to keep you busy for over twenty hours and is entertaining from beginning to end.

I love Dokuro enough that I've stuck with it even after countless deaths, and I'll continue to stick with it long after this review gets published (because honestly, I'm nowhere close to the end, even though I've already sunk countless hours into it). It's a joy to play, and if you have a Vita, it's a must-own game.

Overall I was extremely impressed by what ZombiU brought to the table for Wii U owners. It's a fantastically tense horror experience, and one of the best zombie themed games I've had the pleasure of playing.

The combat, while competent, is hardly the selling point of the game. The mechanics in place here aren't the thing that causes Crimson Shroud to really stand out, despite its unique use of tabletop RPG elements that are rarely seen on the surface level of most video games. It's really the superb presentation, writing, and music that will sell you on Crimson Shroud, and make it one of the best E-Shop titles available on the 3DS.

It's an entertaining romp in a side genre to RPG's that doesn't get enough love nowadays, and is well worth that digital asking price, provided you haven't played the PSP version already.

The Cave has a handful of faults, sure, but the overall experience is well worth checking out.

All that said, I got a lot of enjoyment out of the EDF 2017 Portable. What's more, I expect to continue to get lots of enjoyment out of it into the future. From that point of view, it's hard to argue that the game isn't worthwhile. So if you don't mind paying a slightly steep premium to get some building-destroying, bug-blasting fun on your handheld, then take the plunge and download this game immediately.

Whether you enjoy or dislike the dumb, loud action provided by the script, I find it hard to believe that you wouldn’t fall in love with the well-crafted gameplay that fills the void between cutscenes. It’s a remarkable experience.

Since this isn't your usual Sam Stone outing and not even your usual platform shooter, it may seem like a risk at first, but once you play it, you'll be hooked on Serious Sam DD XXL. At 800MSP… this is one of those games that just, feels right.

Even with Boba’s table being lackluster, the other two tables make Star Wars Pinball worthy of a purchase for certain and remains a must buy not only for pinball fans, but Star Wars fans alike. With the promise of more tables to come in the not too distant future, it’s a welcome surprise to have Star Wars enter in the realm of the Zen Pinball universe and I for one couldn’t be happier.

Overall Crysis 3 is just what you would expect at the end of a generation cycle. A FPS that is deep not only in its level design and scope, but tells a deep story, with deep game play mechanics. You will not find many games that do it all in one fell swoop.

Beyond one particularly challenging battle which takes place towards the very end of the game, Ascension is action-packed though not especially difficult. The boss encounters are definitely as epic as expected, even if they seem more few and far between in comparison to other God of War games.

The only real complaint I can file against the game, is that once again I do not care for underwater combat.

Graphics are recreated to perfection.

Overall, this is definitely a sequel worth checking out. Even if you’re not familiar with the original GameCube title, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to love about the sequel.

It’s a well-crafted experience that’s certainly more than the sum of its parts, even if those parts are by and large pretty damn good. It’s a satisfying and intriguing experience from top to bottom, and something that’s well worth checking out.

With visuals that could easily be mixed in with a dozen of modern-day cartoons, Drinkbox's magnanimous initiative to maintain a level of artistic fidelity in a 2D action-platformer has been whittled down to core values of new, shiny, and fun. Best of all, it works wonderfully and leaves us wanting simply more to do.

Injustice: Gods Among Us can easily be called one of the best, if not THE BEST, fighting games of 2013. With its addictive story mode and fantastic fighting engine, it is an experience to behold. Fans of Mortal Kombat or any fighting game in general will find something to like here.

The additional content provided by the Dark Arisen add-on is significant enough that fans shouldn’t feel the sting of re-purchasing the core game, as the new content and worthwhile additions made to the core game are well worth the asking price.

But look no further if you are among the game playing ranks that is looking for a Herculean challenge, a complex and involving story, and tight, responsive gameplay.

Starfox 64, while being a solid title, has one major flaw, length. Although there are separate paths, the game still isn't long enough. Within an hour of booting it, I finished the game, within the next half hour, I completed one of the alternate paths, etc.

I was continually surprised by Turok’s near-perfect mood-setting graphical quality -- the outstanding character animation and the cleverly assembled array of transparent weapon effects must be seen to be believed.

If you enjoy futuristic racing with action-packed gameplay and insane track design, look no further. Extreme G is the game you've been waiting for. This game won't set the world on fire, but it's got what it takes to be fun and exciting.

A weak one player game, Mario Kart 64 excels in the multiplayer arena, and that alone is worth the cost of admission. Few titles can come close to this one in terms of party games.