The Dark Spire is a great game. Unfortunately, it will only appeal to a very specific audience due the game's difficulty and archaic style.

It's a full-blown retail release with only about half of the amount of songs in World Tour and the forthcoming Guitar Hero V. If you are absolutely desperate for more Guitar Hero, then Smash Hits is worth it. Everyone else is better off sitting tight for the next full-featured release.

A very vanilla RPG.

Band Hero for DS is a fun portable music game, but contains enough head-scratching design elements to be frustrating.

Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll is a fun and enjoyable successor to decent Banana Blitz, despite its issues with the Wii Balance Board. Some games sound like a perfect fit for the Wii Balance Board and Step & Roll was one of them, but the game lacks the polish and precision its Wii Balance Board control scheme needs.

The Siege of Spinner Cay will tide you over, but it won't blow you away.

Where the Wild Things Are is a prime example of how to make a good licensed video game. It doesn't shoehorn gameplay into the license's plot. In fact, the gameplay is fun and varied.

If you look at Carnival King as a title that is meant to be a throwback to both classic carnival games and arcade titles, there is a lot to like about it. Just realize that it won't last you very long, unless you are the kind that needs to convince the world that you are the best at this kind of game.

Overall, the game can be quite fun, but it doesn't offer much in the way of gameplay variety, and the presentation is on par with online Flash games.

The thrill of raising a virtual pet will make some young gamers scream with envy, and for good reason, too. Compared to NIntendogs, Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever is a steal seeing as the game is only a quarter of Nintendo’s own creation.

The game is short, and it won't take much time at all to complete. What Beat City lacks in length, it makes up for with fun, rhythm-based gameplay and a silly sense of humor.

The core gameplay mechanics are set in stone and the addition of a set of achievements really helps propel the game from the mediocre range of racers.

Electronic Arts has created a great soccer game, but for those who have already played a FIFA game for Wii, you probably won't find anything worth getting excited about.

It delivers its story well, features great design and technical prowess, and fills a niche not currently met on Wii. However, the uninspired combat, control irritations, and vestiges of survival horror games of days past bring the experience down.

The end result is a slower-moving game with plenty to see and do.

Ivy the Kiwi? is a real winner in the action-puzzle genre, striking the right tone of simplicity while keeping the game's difficulty moving along at a nice pace.

People new to the franchise will appreciate the efforts taken to acclimate them to the mythology and mechanics of Wayard, but the lack of nostalgia might diminish the title's overall appeal.

MySims Sky Heroes proudly mantains the franchise's tradition of easy-to-learn, fun gameplay that takes place in a world brimming with personality. It's too bad that the mission structure in the story mode is annoying, but the rest of the modes make up for its faults.

FIFA 11 doesn't feel particularly ambitious, but it's still a well-made game.

The directed single-player experience is fun, and is at its best when you're sneaking around, silently taking out foes. The multiplayer might be more Call of Duty than GoldenEye 64, but it still carries some nostalgia. Unfortunately, you can't really relive the screen-watching glory days on DS.

Rock Band 3 for DS isn't the revolution that the home console version is, but it's still a fun rhythm game in its own right. If you love games like Amplitude and Frequency, then check this game out.

Although there are some strange presentation issues and lots of loading screens, Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 is another successful iteration of the long-running franchise on a Nintendo console.

Kingdom Hearts: Re: Coded is an odd beast. On one hand, it tells a story that will be confusing to newcomers and too familiar to series experts, with some frustrating gameplay elements. On the other hand, the battle system remains as fun as always, the stat matrix is a fun way to develop your character, and the story does have its endearing moments.

DSiWare is hardly a service lacking in puzzle games. If you're looking for one that stretches your imagination a bit, and makes you think outside the box, you can do much worse than DodoGo. It's a colorful game with personality, which will certainly have you scratching your head as you play.

There is no online play present.Jam City Rollergirls is a fun experience, if a bit rough around the edges. If you're interested in a racing game with a bit of combat and a team sports element, this might be for you.

A quality title that doesn't gain much from being on the 3DS.

Banjo Pilot's biggest problem is the simplicity of its design. It feels like you are flying the same tracks over and over (and often you are, though in reverse), and there is no feeling of connection to the physics because it doesn't really matter what kind of level you're racing on.

It’s a nice way of reliving games of yore and allows a new generation of gamers to rediscover some of the great games of the 16-bit era.

It's a game with both pedigree and competition, and it doesn't live up to either. It is, however, a generally solid game with tons and tons of missions to complete.

Simple and addictive.

Gamers who can put up with the clunky camera and jagged graphics will find Mario Golf: Advance Tour to be an enjoyable, arcade-style golf game that doesn't stray from its roots.

The time control aspects are quite innovative and bring variety to the game. The adventure and trap dodging are wonderful and challenging.

It may not revolutionize handheld pinball, but Mario Pinball Land is fun while it lasts. Unfortunately, that is not very long.

The lack of link play makes the game’s replay value pretty slim.

It has its warts - mediocre extra modes, laughable text localization, occasional slowdown, a Story Mode that's over much too soon - but it also has fun and addictive gameplay with a lot of interesting features.

Hardly a "must own" game, but it's surprisingly good stuff considering it's based on a big-budget movie.

Excluding some of Dr. Mario's image-size issues, it's really hard to complain about these games. They're basically the same as they have always been, minus the aesthetics.

Spyro fans (I know you're out there) shouldn't hesitate to pick the game up. Additionally, the game would be good for younger action-gamers, as the easy mode is well thought out; enemies have less endurance and punch, and even fewer techniques.

Gamers experiencing the wacky mascot for the first time may enjoy it.

The style remains, even if the game is relatively cookie-cutter.

World War II buffs will certainly enjoy this game, but if you're looking for a great GameCube shooter, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

My primary complaint against Vexx is that the camera system feels unrefined. It works well enough to play the game, but it's very rough.

There are enough flaws, mistakes, and outright omissions of advertised features to keep this from being a recommended game.

Those who don’t own the Genesis originals or Sonic Jam will find SMC well worth $40; those already possessing most of the included games have little reason purchase this GameCube disc.

A little less difficulty in the early going, ramping up later on would have helped, but anyone that can get past the first few stages will find Network Transmission oddly satisfying and a great deal of fun.

Particularly so if you can live with the sloppy stunt controls, the game provides a balanced and generally enjoyable experience.

Delivers a fun hack and slash adventure that will keep you entertained for a good while. Any one looking for a fun game to pick up for less than $50 would do well to check it out.

A pleasant experience that can become frighteningly addictive. There’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing your hen lay a golden egg after months of pampering, and a hundred other little events are similarly fulfilling.

Chibi Robo has a fun and distinctive charm to it. The characters are all a bit quirky.

If only the weaponry was more balanced to better fit the racing action, this would be one hell of a racing title.

A less-than-stellar multiplayer package coupled with an impressively addictive solo racer, Kirby Air Ride both entertains and annoys.

The best parts in Rebel Strike are nothing less than excellent, but the worst parts are so shamefully bad that they taint the entire experience. You can’t help but play through a level like "Trials of a Jedi", set on the planet Dagobah, without wondering what the hell the developers were thinking when they decided to keep it in the game.

There are a lot of things I hate about the Spider-Man 2 game. The movie-based missions are horrible, the graphical quality is wildly inconsistent, and the game is infested with bugs and glitches. Yet the game's primary strengths are enough to make it enjoyable in spite of its shortcomings.

It's a game with personality, a game with charm, and a game that you'll find yourself playing through again and again.

Most of the new features in Mario Party 6 add little to the overall experience, so it's hard to recommend the game to owners of either previous GameCube entry to the series. However, if you're a hardcore fan of the series, the sixth game may be enticing as an expansion pack of new mini-games, which are abundant.

The hardware that we have now completely blows out the circuit boards that were used in those stand-up cabinets back in the day, but inferior power doesn't make for inferior gameplay. In fact, seeing some of these games in their original forms is quite a hoot.

The action-oriented portion of the game works better than the strategic portion, which is hampered by a control scheme that's too simple to provide enough depth. The game's is also too short.

The final difference between the Xbox and GameCube versions that I'll mention is a horrible oversight in the Displace level.

Gamers who've enjoyed a more realistic game of baseball in the past (i.e. any game from the MVP Baseball, High Heat, World Series 2K, All-Star Baseball, or Powerful Pro series) may have to let go of their perceptions of how a pitcher/batter interface should work in order to enjoy the game.

All that's needed is a more intuitive control scheme, some variety in training and dialogue, and some MUSIC DURING GAMEPLAY.

Even though game is lacking on extra stuff, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary is still Namco's best compilation package ever.

There isn't much incentive to continue playing – it simply feels old by the time you've completed the story mode.

It's just a shame that what it has in excellent gameplay, it lacks in just about every other aspect.

A darned fun game. Unless you're a hardcore soccer nut, though, it probably won't beckon you while you're away. However, it's an excellent experience, particularly while playing with friends.

A good soccer game. If you're a fan of the sport, it's worth picking up, especially if you're familiar with the series. It just disappoints me that Konami didn't put enough effort in to fix the issues that keep the game from being great.

If you are kind of bothered by the dawdling pace of other turn-based strategy games, then you're better off skipping this title, as it is one of the slowest games of its kind.

A fun, if incredibly easy, single-player action game for the Nintendo 3DS which actually makes good use of the 3D. If you are looking for a fun diversion on your new handheld, it's a game that may very well fit the bill.

This title would make a fine addition to the collection of any 3DS owner who loves classic arcade games.

A wonderful example of how to make a good Smash Bros. send-up. It's not quite as polished as Nintendo's premier fighting franchise, but it is a fun experience with an entertaining and interesting single-player mode, as well as amusing multiplayer, if you can find the people around to play it.

Offers a unique pick-up-and-play sport and a vibrant, winning presentation. It delivers strongly on what it sets out to do, and it's genuinely appealing to pick up and play casually or in short bursts.

So is Bit.Trip Saga worth picking up? If you already own the WiiWare titles the answer is probably no. The 3D effect does add to the game, but not so much that most people will feel like rebuying them.

A decent game that is tarnished only by its lack of emphasis on both its plot and music. The story, in its present state, leaves much to be desired, and the audio is recycled time and time again.

There are moments where it can feel more than a bit uninspired, and many times the tasks Red and company have to take on seem beyond trivial. The difficulty is sorely lacking. The gameplay needs more diversity. And while the story is enjoyable it's hardly award winning. Yet, at some point in the second half of the game I found myself having a pretty good time.

Overall, the game is good, though not great. The puzzles are interesting and the story is intriguing. The visuals are solid and the audio's OK. If you're into fun puzzle games with gripping mysteries, James Noir might be one to look into getting.

The 3DS version appears to be a 3D-enhanced port of the DS version of the game.

Modern Warfare 3 on Wii won't ever astound with its graphics or win over anyone already intent on playing it on another console. It is by no means the definitive version. Despite its various limitations, however, it is a solid approximation of the kind of content that continues to deliver year after year, even if the ride is getting a little predictable.

Sonic Generations on the Nintendo 3DS is certainly a well made game.

Duels and some unique character abilities will entertain you, while boring, repetitive puzzles will take away from the overall experience.

The story is entertaining, the gameplay is satisfying, and the overall presentation is decent.

On the whole, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympics is a game that seems to both progress the series while keeping it firmly in the roots established by its 2007 predecessor. The motion controls fail to give a groundbreaking presence amongst its many party game brethren on the Wii, and many of the events featured here already made appearances in the other games.

While WWE All Stars is certainly not perfect, it's probably one of the best handheld wrestling games available on a Nintendo platform.

Zuma's Revenge is an exceptional pick-up-and-play game.

Much of Devil Survivor 2 is a close replication of a handful of solid concepts. Losing time in its fundamentals and the sheer amount of subsequent content-a package structured across dozens of hours-is as easy as it is rewarding, but enjoyment of that concept will likely vary depending on how long and how many times you've traveled that road.

Even with its issues, Ketzal's Corridors is still a good eShop title. If you loved ThruSpace, this is more of that same gameplay. It's not quite on the same level as the top-tier eShop titles, but if you're looking for a good high-score game, Ketzal's Corridors is definitely worth your time and money.

It might not hold a candle to the handheld Mario Tennis games in the Game Boy lineage, but Mario Tennis Open is a still great game that is sadly hampered by a small feature set and harebrained online.

Despite the frustration caused by these problems, I really enjoyed this game. I'll continue to play it, because even though I know at least a couple times an hour I'm going to want to throw my 3DS through the nearest wall, when that's not happening Shifting World is a great little puzzle platformer with a lot of interesting wrinkles.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes by no means takes the series in a new direction, but that doesn't stop it from being fun (if lacking in originality). I enjoyed playing through the game, and I'm sure even the most moderate of LEGO fans will as well.

Planet Crashers 3D is a quirky game from start to finish that takes place in a world that might remind you of a twisted, combat-heavy Animal Crossing. The RPG gameplay can be a grind, but if you just like completing quests and traversing dungeons, it's an eShop game worth diving into.

Rising Board 3D is a fantastic pick-up-and-play game that shows how the 3DS can make those quick mobile experiences normally found on iOS and Android into something similar yet different, and reminds me of games such as Balloon Fight (specifically Balloon Trip) and NiGHTS.

The game shines when it comes to its boss battles, enemy and item variety, aesthetic, and music. But experiencing all the game has to offer requires determination. La-Mulana is not a game for those without lots of time and patience.

Power of Illusion is a game for Disney fans, specifically those with fond memories of playing the Disney games made by Capcom and Sega on Super Nintendo and Genesis. It has ample amounts of fan service and finely tuned platforming, but some of its periphery elements, such as the paint and thinner mechanics, just fall short. In a way, the game is oddly similar to the first Epic Mickey on Wii: a rock-solid concept hampered by a few stifled gameplay ideas.

I want to love Sticker Star. The game looks great, the localization is top-notch, and, when things are moving along, it all feels so right. The sticker economy is well realized and forces you to manage your sticker collection well. But the game's obsession with "things" brings it to a screeching halt all too often. This hurdle is easily sidestepped by bookmarking your preferred walkthrough, but it's a shame the game couldn't simply be less obtuse in its puzzle structure. So, instead of loving Sticker Star, I'm left to simply like it.

At its core, Assassin's Creed III is a very big game with an amazing setting, great exploration, solid gameplay, and a wonderful story. However, it constantly pokes holes in this experience with poor pacing and a myriad of minor issues. Despite this, I still recommend this game to every person who has an interest in the series or its revolutionary setting. It is a good game, but it could be so much better.

Aero Porter is certainly fun, but loses its way in trying to keep the player on the edge of his seat.

Tokyo Crash Mobs isn't a profound game, but it is fun as long as you can get past the occasionally frustrating controls.

Ikachan left me wanting more, and not entirely in a good way. However, it is a curiosity worth discovering for ardent Cave Story fans who have a distaste for the PC platform. If you are set on playing it, the 3DS is the absolute best platform on which to experience it.

Overall, it's a well-rounded experience that works well as an educational tool, and makes a point to appeal to a player’s mindset by constantly offering rewards for a job well done.

ATV Wild Ride 3D is a nice change of pace from the other racers available on the 3DS. It places an emphasis on player skill and knowledge, and provides a playing field balanced to encourage learning. Its rough edges occasionally create a wilder experience than intended, but in the face of these blemishes, the game still stands as a worthwhile experience.

Kung Fu Rabbit is a decent and often enjoyable experience. Though some aspects hold it back, it is still worth a look as a platformer.

If you like skin-of-your-teeth puzzle games, Mr. Driller is an excellent choice. However, this version's stinted multiplayer, minimal single player modes, and high difficulty will leave the game lacking in the eyes of all but the most dedicated puzzle-heads.

Avery fun game. However, nobody should be playing $40 for it. It’s fun, but nowhere near worth it. Wait for a price drop on this little gem, because it’ll be worth it at half the price.

Amazingly, the game still manages to be rather fun if you can get past the warts.

An excellent example of a new form of gameplay unique to the DS. It’s pure fun and puts a smile on the face of anybody playing it. [Import]

Madden NFL 06 DS is not a better game than "Madden NFL 2005 DS." Madden should improve with every year, but for the reasons above, it didn't this time.

A fantastic representation of the comic book. The story is compelling, if short, and the gameplay is fun for the most part.

The overall complexity of the game will immediately turn off the more casual players who were attracted by the control scheme. The hardcore Madden players will most likely prefer one of the more traditional console versions because of precision issues with the gestures.

The Dragon Quest atmosphere of Dragon Quest Swords only goes so far before you start itching for some gameplay variety (although the visuals never get old).

Unfortunately, the inherent design of the game just isn’t up to the standard of many other games in the action puzzle genre.

With higher production values and some online play, it could’ve easily become a great party game.

Despite all of the negative points to the game, the charm that made the original a favorite to many still shines through. As long as you don't start up the game expecting "Mario Kart DS," you'll get lots of fun out of Diddy Kong Racing DS.

Its greatest failing is simply that the fun ends too soon.

It's a cleverly designed game that could use a bit more polish.

The game's lack of content is the big killer here, but it's still crazy fun to explore what's there.

The problem with the game is that it doesn't have as much support to the one-on-one fighting that previous games in the series has had.

Everything from the visual presentation to the core fighting system has stayed stagnant since the original GameCube game.

It is probably designed for children more than anyone else, and they will get the most out of it and be less distracted by the poor acting and storytelling.

As an innovative first try, Duck Amuck is a success.

As you may have heard, this is the best Harry Potter videogame yet. But that's like saying "Bloodrayne" is the best Uwe Boll movie yet -- it might be true, but it doesn't mean much.

A satisfying platform brawler that should easily please younger gamers while providing enough action and humor to keep older gamers interested.

The core gameplay is well crafted and the different kinds of challenges and customisation can be thoroughly explored alone, offering a sophisticated complement to the instant fun of racers such as Mario Kart DS. Ultimately, though, the competitive edge of multiplayer will likely be the driving force in keeping players coming back for more.

The game certainly has some flaws (like the loose aiming and overly complex map), and I find it hard to forgive the "die and start over again" philosophy, but Dementium is definitely something different, and it's something I think people will generally enjoy.

It manages to stick to the source material and present a decent amount of enjoyment, and it does so with a good amount of style.

FIFA 08 is a good rendition of a game design from a couple of generations ago that has been enhanced with a few modern tweaks, like online play and touchscreen controls. The gameplay might seem a little lacking in depth and strategy when compared to the 3D sports games most players are used to, but in terms of handheld gaming it provides a fun experience.

Those hoping for an overhaul will have to wait for the inevitable Brain Age 3.

Long-time fans of Mortal Kombat will want to pick up this game for its online multiplayer, but others may be turned off by its dated gameplay and presentation, and poor single-player experience. On the other hand, the DS hasn’t been graced by many fighters, making Ultimate Mortal Kombat potentially the best one available on the platform.

Ontamarama is certainly no Elite Beat Agents, but its style of gameplay is definitely unique. Perhaps it should have been called Multitasking Training in Japan in order to gain better sales.

Despite the obviously low-budget development, there are some great ideas and a lot of classic gameplay here, and I would love to see a sequel with much better production values.

But if gin rummy and Texas Hold ‘Em constitute the bulk of your card-game playing, you should shy away from this one.

Decent but not exceptional.

A pretty likeable game. The presentation and gameplay are both simple and charming, and the budget price makes the shallow premise and minor faults completely forgivable.

While none of the games are quite as deep and compulsive as Wii Sports, they’re entertaining enough on their own to keep players waggling through the short single-player mode.

It's amazingly accessible for young players, features a proactive character for girls, and is a great way to introduce children to the adventure genre. And although long-time gamers will find the game to almost run on automatic, it also features a fast-paced crime story with surprise twists, and some smooth art.

Although it's not very original, the content found here is compelling and fun, and the sports twist proves to be inspiration for several addictive mini-games.

A standby on Nintendo handhelds since Game Boy Color, River King has taken to DS touch control like a fish to water. [Feb 2008, p.90]

A fun platformer that ends up feeling more like Prince of Persia DS than Assassin’s Creed. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the DS could use more action games like this. Sadly, the adventure lasts about a weekend, and there are no real unlockables after beating the game aside from an extra difficulty mode.

It succeeds on certain levels, retaining the pick-up-and-play charm of the PC version and providing a ton of tracks and challenges for players to tackle. Its track editor is also a triumph, and its incorporation into the game's Puzzle mode and multiplayer component is brilliant, extending the life of the title and providing gamers a reason to come back. Unfortunately, it falls short of its potential due to an irritating game camera, a sometimes-frustrating difficulty level, and a baffling lack of online play.

It is slightly fun for a while, but once the novelty of a Spanish-speaking DS wears off it starts to feel more like a class than a game. However, if you are learning Spanish or wish to learn Spanish, I can’t think of a better tool to have in your hip pocket.

The relatively small selection of tracks, lack of track variety, and laughable amount of bonus content are potential negatives for those on the fence, but the bottom line for this Guitar Hero game is that you either like Aerosmith or you don't.

While some mini-games are shallow and repetitive, and it doesn't take very long to see all the game has to offer, the effort that went into the game's production is evident.

This game is ultimately an interesting experiment that can be a lot of fun in short bursts, so in that respect, it actually works on the DS. I would recommend it for casual fans of the series and younger players who may be less demanding.

The WiiWare game is a different experience, and a rewarding one at that, provided you understand what it is you're getting into beforehand. You'll find R to be a pretty fun game if you do.

It's a light but undeniably cute virtual pet game, and it's also a little bit of an educational opportunity. Oh, and there are pandas.

Super Dodgeball Brawlers rekindles some wonderful memories of my time spent with the original game, but it doesn't offer enough new features to make it a must-have or even give it a decent degree of replayability.

An enjoyable experience, though clearly flawed in the same way its source material was flawed.

If you work at learning the game, and view it as something that’s not necessary Castlevania proper, Judgment can provide a decent romp. If you're looking for a good lighthearted fighter, Judgement is outclassed by Brawl. However, if you like Soul Calibur but don’t own a PS3 or Xbox 360, Judgment is your only real alternative, and it’s not as terrible as people have been saying.

At a glance, Princess Debut is a very easy rhythm game paired with a Story mode centered on the chasing and charming of princes. But if you choose to live in the fairy tale, its unique take on the music/rhythm genre, vibrant visuals, and lightly melodramatic storylines prove enchanting in their own right.

Thanks to the third-person view, the pace is slowed down considerably from its first-person brethren, which allows for a different gameplay perspective than the typical James Bond title. The upgrade system also really allows the player to make his Bond however he wants him to be.

Despite its many faults, LEGO Batman can be a fun experience albeit a repetitive and frustrating one. As a big fan of Batman, I heartily recommend it to any fan of the Caped Crusader. However, non-fans will want to avoid it entirely since enjoyment is derived almost entirely from its nostalgia factor.

For long-time Tecmo Bowl fans looking for a new fix, Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff gets the job done as a solid, if unspectacular, entry in the storied franchise. However, neophytes are unlikely to appreciate its arcade spin on football and retro-gaming appeal.

There are several extremely frustrating issues with this incarnation of Animal Crossing. That said, what was written in the beginning of this review still holds true: the core game is still extremely charming.

The truly sad part is that Lock's Quest is just a few design tweaks away from being a fantastic game. All the ingredients are here, but the overzealous chefs at 5th Cell screwed up the recipe.

All in all, Active Life: Outdoor Challenge separates itself from Wii Fit as its own game, and succeeds quite well at it. While the different activities have a dearth of variety, it is still a fun experience for all ages.

The game is a great learning tool for the musically inexperienced. It teaches rhythm and music composition, and helps foster creativity. Its focus is totally different from the more typical rhythm games, and it accomplishes its goal. However, the game is not meant for solo play and isn't really suited for the more musically apt, either.

Despite a couple of unusual tweaks, Legend of Kage 2 is an unabashedly conventional action game, the kind that we don't often see anymore. Fans of the original Ninja Gaiden titles will adore this less difficult throwback.

Pipe Mania is a great pick-up-and-play title that anyone can enjoy, especially with the smooth touch screen implementation the DS version brings to the table.

If you are a shoot-em-up fan, you won’t leave this game disappointed.

There isn't as much depth as you wish there was.

While the console versions remain the definitive Guitar Hero experiences, portable players that are absolutely ga-ga for the franchise should give Decades a shot.

All gripes aside, Legendary Warriors is a nicely formed package that does a good job of continuing the movie's story. If you’re a fan of the movie you will definitely get a kick out of this. Who couldn’t use a bit more panda?

Children who are fans of Neopets could do much worse than Neopets Puzzle Adventure, as could serious fans of puzzle games. While the game is not quite of Puzzle Quest's caliber, it still offers a solid and fun experience that is only hampered by a lack of depth in its story mode.

If you’re a fan of retro gaming and can manage to wade through the filler, Retro Game Challenge provides ample challenge and enjoyment. Marred somewhat by its execution, though, I cannot recommend the game for everyone. It appeals to a niche audience, but that audience will find it to be very rewarding.

While Gardening Mama comes very close to being a leader in the series, glitchy controls and gameplay that can become tedious and boring hold it back from being a truly enjoyable title.

The game isn't ashamed of displaying its roots, whether they are in the form of point-and-click gameplay or 90's animation.

The story is quite engaging while never being pretentious thanks to its great sense of humor, and difficulty has been balanced so that both experienced and novice players can jump in without feeling overwhelmed.

Dokapon Journey is a good game, and while it is heavily inspired by its console cousin there are enough differences that keep it from being a shameless console-to-portable port.

It's a great package for fans of the band and die-hard fans of the Guitar Hero series starved for new music.

Those that have played the other games in the DreamWorks Animation series might get a feeling of déjà vu when experiencing it, but if you’ve never played any of the other games, Monsters vs. Aliens should impress with its solid approach to an equally memorable film.

All of this makes for a meaty package, but the gameplay does feel repetitive and unfair at times. Revenge of the Fallen is clearly meant for big fans of the license, but is still a solid game on its own.

All of this makes for a meaty package, but the gameplay does feel repetitive and unfair at times. Revenge of the Fallen is clearly meant for big fans of the license, but is still a solid game on its own.

In general, the visual style of each game is trippy and enthralling, and while the extremely awesome title song doesn't pop up that often, the music is still great.

Help Wanted is easily one of the more interesting mini-game collections on the Wii. Its flaws prevent it from being truly special, but the core mechanics and presentation of games make it one to watch for, especially if you enjoy any of Hudson Soft’s multiplayer/mini-games on the Wii or any other gaming platform.

Art Style: Aquia is an original take on the match-three puzzle genre, and its ominous setting make for a nice puzzle environment. However, it lacks variety and is quite difficult.

While the plot is condensed to the point where those unfamiliar with the series mythos can easily catch on, a lot of the details are lost—kind of like turning a 500-page Harry Potter book into a 2-hour movie.

Still a good game, but it’s lacking a lot of the charm of its original outing without the bongos.

It is fun, uses real recipes, and has decent controls, but it only has 12 different recipes to prepare, which equates to about three hours of gameplay.

The improved graphics do make the game more pleasing to look at when you actually get a chance to drift your gaze away from the fret board. However, constant repetition of songs makes the set list obnoxious after awhile – even the songs that you do like.

Spore Hero is sure to win over fans of the Spore franchise, thanks to its deep creature creator modes, vibrant presentation, and unforgettable characters. Unfortunately, the whole package feels basic despite its ambitions; the fighting is too elemental in both controls and ideas, the adventure mode feels like one big fetch quest, and the missions become bland and repetitive.

Mystery Dungeon games aren't for everyone; in fact, I'd go so far as to say they're not for most people. They're frustrating, time consuming, and not particularly straightforward. However, if it is a genre that you have come to love, Shiren will deliver it for you with a bit of style, and a lot of substance.

If you're looking for an entertaining ride through the Crystal Chronicles world this is the game for you, but if you're looking for an RPG, look elsewhere.

Despite its simplistic premise, Overlord: Minions ramps up in complexity pretty quickly, yet remains quite fun. If you’re a fan of environmental puzzle-based games with cooperation elements (did you like The Lost Vikings?), you'll get a kick out of Overlord: Minions.

Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock is a no-brainer for fans looking to cheaply expand their song list and only have the first Rock Band at their disposal. Owners of Rock Band 2 are better off picking their favorite tracks from the pack and buying them individually through the online store.

For all its weirdness, Let's Catch is a really fun game that ranks amongst the best WiiWare multiplayer titles.

Still, the title does what it does with efficient appeal and a light-hearted sensibility. Anyone looking for a game with some doll-like aspects, or a doll with some engaging mini-games, is sure to find those qualities in Lovely Lisa.

That's the huge problem with Nerf N-Strike Elite: the lack of content. All it has is a short story mode and the same shooting range for each gun. The co-op is fun, and the Nerf gun aesthetic is nifty, but there just isn't a lot to do.

A good game. It's not terrible, it's not great, and it doesn't in any way stand out. But it is good and fun to play, especially if you lower the difficulty a bit and bring a friend along.

Rock Band Country Track Pack is a no-brainer for owners of the first Rock Band who love country music, and are looking to cheaply expand their song list.

Need For Speed: Nitro is a perfectly average racing game on DS. You probably won't be blown away by it, but if you're looking for specific type of game to fill a gap in your DS library, you could pick a worse title than this.

he best thing about the game is that it doesn't try to be Pokemon.

If you are prepared to deal with many annoyances but seek an original and mostly enjoyable play experience, you'll be well served by Scribblenauts.

The Wii Shop Channel has seen plenty of great puzzle titles, and while developer Virtual Toys certainly can brag about having one of the more creative titles, Spaceball Revolution grows old fast. It's nice to see some online leader boards thrown into the mix, but due to the game's repetitive nature, it provides little reason to return.

Fans of the movies, Disney, and carnival-style games will find a lot to like about Toy Story Mania. Its loyalty to the franchise along with its accessible gameplay will make it an endearing addition to the Wii library. Everyone else, however, might feel disenchanted by its repetitive gameplay, problematic motion control, and overall brevity.

Its colorful presentation, lovable characters, and overall solid execution makes Squeeballs Party worth trying out with your friends and family (unless they are put off by the abuse of adorable cartoon characters).

Fans of the Ben 10 television show will probably get the most out of this game, but those seeking more in-depth platforming action should probably look elsewhere. While certainly enjoyable, Vilgax Attacks provides a shallow, though well-done, experience.

An extremely short experience, clocking in at under three hours of playtime.

While not a bad game, it doesn't do anything to stand out even amongst its relatively weak competition on Wii. It is fun, but it just doesn't last.

The value of ShadowPlay boils down to its controls and concept. Manipulating objects in 3D space feels perfect here.

Kamen Rider is an excellent solo fighter. While it lacks a multiplayer component, it's technically impressive and full of content. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is a serviceable Wii fighter that provides fun for those seeking a simpler fighting game. It is polished enough to please most Kamen Rider fans, even if it is only over the course of a rental.

I wish The Glory of Heracles had taken a few more risks.

Rage of the Gladiator tries to be a Punch-Out!!-esque game, but it doesn't quite live up to the promise. Still, it's an entertaining game with solid production values that manages to wind its way down the road of quality despite some superfluous controls, rigid skill trees, and extra-long battles.

Overall, Grill-Off with Ultrahand is merely a novelty that should provide brief moments of fun. But at a mere 80 Club Nintendo coins, it is an enjoyable piece of Nintendo memorabilia that old school Nintendo fans should appreciate.

LEGO Harry Potter's DS debut has a good foundation, decent gameplay, and tons of content.

Hello Flowerz is a very laid-back game. It's a game you will want to pick up for a few minutes and then put it away until tomorrow.

If tower defense games are your thing, look no further than this.

The puzzle platforming design is very clever while never becoming too frustrating for the player.

Ultimately, Other M doesn't get good until you slog through the over-baked story; if you can handle that, you'll be in for a real treat of a game.