The unique control scheme makes for an interesting change and a lot of fun, while the extra challenge modes provide incentive for much replay.

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.

Story and presentation take a backseat in favor of an incredibly intricate class-based role-playing experience.

There’s just something about watching your army haul back a bounty from a hard day’s work that’s very satisfying.

Number Battle may be a niche title, but don’t let that discourage you from trying one of the most enjoyable games in the DSiWare Store.

It looks incredible, sounds great, and plays beautifully...what's not to love? If you haven't yet tried out this excellent series, this is the best game to start on.

A sleeper hit. The game tells a very engaging story through a pretty good game.

I would be remiss to close this review without mentioning the fantastic music of F-Zero GP Legend. You like classic F-Zero Tunes? They are all here, except Death Wind. Like some of F-Zero X’s music? Some of that is here too. Want to hear new stuff? You’re golden. It is still a pleasure to listen to F-Zero’s music.

After Starship Defense and Art Style: Digidrive, it was certainly nice to see Q-Games take a different approach with their latest game. While the repetitive nature of the game may discourage some players, those who stick to their guns are bound to find an enjoyable experience.

The conspiracy plotline is great, and the game has a good mix of serious and light-hearted moments. It can be quite engaging at times, and it’s easy to find yourself playing just to find out what happens next.

While you're still playing a regular old game of football, the variety of ways that you can play that game is grand and makes this a terrific title for casual football fans of any age.

Many of its gameplay mechanics are clearly inspired by the ones found in "GTA: SA," but sadly, Gun doesn't reach that game's overall level of quality, especially in terms of longevity. Even though Gun is very challenging on the harder difficulty settings, it can be beaten in less than ten hours.

These kinds of games are not for everyone, and some people may not like ZombiU due to its high level of difficulty or clunky combat. However, if you appreciate the qualities of the older Resident Evil games, the challenge of a game like Dark Souls, and the exploration of a Metroid-style world, this game is absolutely for you. Enter the survival horror.

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is full of hit-or-miss additions that don't make a huge difference to the gameplay.

Though short, Klonoa makes for a fantastic addition to the Wii library. With its beautiful new visuals, additional modes, and extremely challenging bonus rooms, Klonoa veterans as well as platformer fans would do well to pick up this budget-priced title.

A complete port of the original. It has every enemy, every weapon, and every single level - even the secret ones.

New Blood is a wonderful game that combines a compelling story, challenging gameplay with fully adjustable difficulty, and plenty of variety and longevity. It’s perfect for fans of Second Opinion, while the cooperative mode and optional tutorials make it easier for new players to learn.

There will come a point where you'll need to overcome some big challenges to unlock the last few stages, but by that point enough content will be available to where you'll have played more than your money's worth.

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.

The polygonal, disembodied head of Ryuta Kawashima acts as your personal coach, and his quips are actually pretty amusing. Challenges are stripped down to just include what's necessary, and there's not much to fault, in that sense.

Sadly, Square-Enix still hasn't nailed the multiplayer component, and the obvious faults in its single-player gameplay will turn off most everyone else.

Don’t look at the license and figure it’s some kid game – there’s a whole lot of meat to this package.

Green Day: Rock Band is a well-presented game, but unless you're a Rock Band junkie or a die-hard fan of the band there isn't much of a reason to pick it up. Still, it's tough to deny the game's merits even if you don't care for the subject matter.

Baseball fans that don’t like baseball videogames might be interested in this one, and videogame fans that don’t like baseball might find this an attractive title as well.

American Wasteland ends up being yet another sequel that feels more like an expansion pack, but when the levels are this big and well designed, that's not such a bad thing.

A lot of fun with a group of friends, but only after you've put the time in to unlock all the mini-games, or if you have an SD card and access to the Internet to download a completed save file.

The problem is that they haven’t invested nearly as much time in the game that exists underneath the control scheme. The AI, the playbooks, and the presentation are still inexorably rooted in the PS2 design that might have been compelling four years ago but which is now really starting to show its age.

While the main thrust of Call of Duty 2: Big Red One is probably the most polished and enjoyable WWII experience on GameCube, its lack of replay value may still only warrant a rental.

This newest title is fun to play, which is the incredibly important, but in the wrestling world, presentation is 50% of the product, and the presentation in XIX still needs work.

Despite the oddities, the lackluster graphics, and the moronic character design, Pool Paradise is simply a great pool game that doesn’t disappoint.

For anyone with an affinity for sea life and an appreciation of gaming at a slower pace, Endless Ocean: Blue World is a must purchase - especially since it's hitting stores for a low initial MSRP of $29.99. Regardless, Endless Ocean: Blue World is a great game rife with content, and it's a steal at any price.

If you appreciate action games with major puzzle and strategic elements, then March of the Minis is for you. In particular, the game is perfect for players interested in level design.

The game won me over when I started picturing one of my 10-year old cousins playing Strawberry Shortcake on her DS. In my daydream she looked like she was having fun.

There is a moderately fun, addictive quality to the single-player game as you churn through the objectives and gain familiarity with the expansive levels. The online features hold immense potential but so far seem crippled by sheer lack of participation.

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.

Knights in the Nightmare, while complicated, is an excellent game worthy of players' time and effort.

A solid RPG with the refreshing active battle system the series is famous for. If you are a fan of the genre, this one is tough to pass up.

Overall, this is a fantastic game, especially if you like following the misadventures of Mystery, Inc.

Overall, LEGO Harry Potter is a cute and fun game, but the self-imposed limitations of the block-building franchise take away any sense of freedom or adventure. What's left is a very simple hack-and-smash puzzle-action game, perfect to play with younger family members, but not one for people looking for an epic, all-out Harry Potter experience. LEGO veterans may see past issues I have with those restrictions, but as a first-timer they definitely stood out to me.

Antipole is a very fun, imaginative platformer with lots of content and a great premise. DSi and 3DS owners would be silly to pass it up.

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.

A game that desperately tries to be different, but it just ends up making itself frustrating in areas that should be simple.

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.

The campaign is tired and played out for returning players, but for those who love Wii controls, the multiplayer is just as addicting.

Bubble Bobble Plus would be the ultimate Bubble Bobble experience, were it not marred by the lack of any kind of save or password feature. It’s enjoyable, no doubt, until you realize that you have to start at stage 1 every time you start it up.

Controlling Spyro hasn't improved. It’s still incredibly awkward trying to control him while gliding, as he'll go zooming off all over the place with the slightest touch.

A great action game where players get to use a variety of gadgets to stop the wholly-evil Dr. Drakken from initiating his half-baked world domination plan.

A few frustrating moments and some jittery split screen action aside, Lego Star Wars III has sold me on the Lego series of games.

There are a couple slight disappointments, particularly the lack of more Nintendo themes, but unless you're already burnt out on music games, Donkey Konga is a blast to play and is easily worth importing. [Import]

While the game design has its issues and the localization bloopers are regretful, I still found myself glued to the DS—on my second play through.

Kirby Super Star isn't the pinnacle of gaming some remember it to be, but it's still a clever, approachable, and entertaining game.

A missed opportunity. Its gameplay is quite solid and forces the player to use tact and thought to complete all of the dungeons in the game; however, the randomly-generated dungeons really detract from its otherwise engaging gameplay.

BIT.TRIP RUNNER is a feast for the eyes and ears, and its gameplay is very inspired. However, the lack of checkpoints makes things more frustrating than they should be, but if you loved the earlier BIT.TRIP games, then RUNNER shouldn't be missed.

Thankfully, despite having systems upon systems upon systems, the game really isn't as complex as the string of tutorials at the beginning would have you believe. I was overwhelmed at first but, after some practice and going over the in-game tips, the battles become second nature.

While I had a good experience with Rhythm Thief, it is not a fantastic game. With the lavish presentation, the intriguing story, and the assortment of collectibles, it is so disheartening to see gameplay that ranges from "kind of okay" to "pretty broken." And though I recommend that everyone experiences Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure, the whole package is disappointing and not worth rushing out to get.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 is a solid game.

The mandatory touch screen controls for Command actually work very well.

I did not play all of it, but I did play enough to find AI flaws, get bored, and generally not like it at all.

The incremental improvements continue, with an overhauled graphics engine and new gameplay features, but the title still falls ever so short from living up to the pedigree established by AKI and games like "No Mercy" on the Nintendo 64.

It is one of the few games that practically requires friends. Without friends to play with, the game is little more than a port of the GBA version, "Wario Ware Inc.: Mega Microgame$." [JPN Import]

NHL Slapshot is an awesome inaugural Wii hockey game for EA. It plays to the strengths of the system with fun, easily accessible, motion-based gameplay.

There is certainly some fun to be had exploring the USS Sulaco and fighting the xenomorphs, but its repetitive nature and lack of variety distracts from what could have been a great game.

Seldom do you see so thorough an effort put forth by a third-party developer, and on the Nintendo DS at that. It isn't a perfect racing game, but its sheer variety of vehicles, tracks, and game modes, as well as the ability create custom tracks and cars for online use, make it a great gaming value.

Steeped in heavy strategy and gameplay complexities, this game is definitely not a leisurely pick-up-and-play experience, but if you’re looking for a rewarding challenge, then welcome to Amami City.

All in all, Mega Man ZX is a worthy successor to the Mega Man Zero line. The combination of Zero's gameplay with X's power-collecting is a nice mesh of the two series.

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.

With friends, the action is fierce and the competition is intense. The single player isn't worth it on its own, but multiplayer is definitely worth the investment.

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.

As a whole, Order Up! provides a wonderful blend of both managing and cooking.

Toki Tori 2 demands a lot from players, more than the vast majority of modern games do. We have come to rely on games holding our hands and pointing out what to pay attention to as soon as we come across a puzzle, before we've had the chance to work it out. Allow Toki Tori 2 to remind you just how satisfying it can be to solve a clever puzzle entirely by yourself. This opportunity is all too rare today.

An example of what a good classics collection should be. It has a wide selection of games, all kinds of extra content for each, loads of customization options, and some really innovative uses of the DS's wireless capabilities.

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

It's bad when great games from yesterday lose their steam. It's worse when that very same game's mechanics are implemented in an all-new title.

Fans of Ghostbusters shouldn't hesitate in picking this fantastic title up. Those who aren't huge fans of the source material won't be as enthralled with the title; however, the gameplay and controls are both solid, and though extremely linear, the game provides for an interesting ride.

A wonderfully executed children's game. If you have kids who are fond of the show, this game is a no-brainer. The co-op mode is great, there is no penalty for dying, and the bright and colorful worlds look, for the most part, sharp.

The Great Juju Challenge is respectable with some high moments, but the last set of levels aren't quite as fun, and the final Proving Grounds battle is outright frustrating and repetitive.

The game would’ve been better as a stand-alone Bejeweled cart, with traditional game types like Endless, Time Attack, Vs., etc. As it stands, Galactrix adds way too much unnecessary clutter to the core puzzle game. I know that’s kind of the point, but it just comes off as being unnecessary.

More frustrating than fun.

Madden on Wii U isn't superlative this year, but I would keep an eye on this series; the potential is there, it just hasn't been fully tapped.

A real treat, and I can’t recommend it more. Unless you have an aversion to rail shooters, you’d be silly not to at least give this game a rental. It also makes for a wonderful summary of the major points in the complex RE storyline, so players new to the franchise can warm up to the current situation.

Groovin' Blocks is one of those games that can be hard to explain, but it is easy to pick up and understand once you play it. It's special among WiiWare games for being such a well-rounded, complete package and for avoiding common gimmicks like misplaced motion control and garish Mii integration.

This game is targeted at hardcore shooter fans who like a good challenge. Its unforgiving difficulty, even on the easiest setting, makes Nanostray 2 hard to recommend for anyone else. Even so, its production values are apparent and its mechanics are solid (if a bit dated), making it a good selection for fans of the genre.

Having a perfect version of MMX3 is reason alone to spring for this package, so if you're a fan of 2D action, you really can't go wrong with it.

Tales of the Abyss holds up surprisingly well on the 3DS, despite being a relatively conservative port of the original. And with the 3DS's small selection of RPGs, it's a must have, and a great entry point in the Tales series.

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.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is both a great entry in the Kingdom Hearts series and a great 3DS game. The story flaws may distract some, but the remainder of the game is worthwhile.

It's a game that walks the line between arcade and simulation with great ability and is tons of fun to boot. While long-time FIFA fans will likely gravitate towards the HD versions, the Wii version is an excellent addition to any soccer fan's game collection.

In the sea of generic collect-a-thon shovelware platformers available for the Game Boy Advance, Rare has created something completely unique, charming, and fun overall.

My, things have certainly changed - Frogger can move in four different directions now, as well as jump and stick out his tongue to get extra lives. What a time to be alive!

The graphics are bright and colorful, the gameplay is simple but addictive, and the quest is long and full of things to do.

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.

While the challenge level leaves something to be desired, the good aspects certainly outweigh the bad, and we can only hope that the Western gaming world will continue to see more of Starfy and his outrageous companions in the future.

Baten Kaitos Origins will not sway dissidents of turn-based RPGs, but the peculiar aura and lively battles are commendable, and its plot is strong in spite of its clichés.

Speed Racer The Videogame is surprisingly good. Very good. It blends fun gameplay with superb graphics. Its biggest problem is that there isn't more to play; the single player can be conquered in a fairly short period of time, and the lack of a story means there isn't a whole lot of pay-off for doing so.

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.

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.

The game is still a first-rate effort, despite its middling problems. Anyone who enjoyed Southpeak's previous effort, Moon, will also dig this game. Just follow those PROTIPS that I've scattered throughout the review, and your first playthrough will be as enjoyable as my second one.

Infinite Space is a complicated game. It's long (40+ hours), it's difficult, and playing is a constant learning process. It's a hell of a ride if you can stomach all of its quirks, but I'm just not sure how many people will be willing, or able, to.

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

Etrian Odyssey definitely isn't for everyone, but that's due to its genre rather than lack of quality. If you have a taste for brutal difficulty and don't mind a touch of level grinding now and then, you'll want to savor this game like a fine wine.

I'm going to be frank: Bomberman DS is the best multiplayer Bomberman game ever. With so many different game modes, options, items, and arenas, there's enough variety that the game never gets old.

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.

a great launch game that offers fun gameplay and an awesome use of 3D.

Art Academy is great piece of software that is well worth your time and money, provided you don't have access to cheaper and basically identical DSiWare apps.. My only gripe about the game is that you cannot export your photos, which may be enough to turn some people off from enrolling.

With its awesome sound design, diverse gameplay, great pacing, and usually fluid visuals, Call of Duty: World at War is a great package and easily one of the best first-person shooters ever developed for a handheld system.

Nano Assault has enough issues, whether it's the roughness of the on-rails sections or the face button directional shooting, that it might turn off some players, but if you want some fast-paced and focused shooter action that looks damn fine and can get addictive, Shin'en's latest is well worth your time.

Collecting Elebits in a 2D setting becomes tedious after just a short time; however, the game excels where it emulates two of its adventure brethren, Zelda and Pokémon.

Easily one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve witnessed in terms of gaming... One of the most complex, yet user friendly sports games I’ve ever played.

Overall, Ice Age 3 is one of the best Wii games I’ve played so far this year. Its variety and high production values kept me motivated, and for Pete’s sake, I got to ride around on a Pachycephalosaurus and headbutt other dinosaurs!

The game’s biggest strength is in how well it establishes the tone and feeling of the console CoD4 games. The fast pace, mission structure, and gameplay are all distinctly Call of Duty, and everything performs beautifully.

Fun is the simplest word to describe Feel the Magic. You will not find a more zany, unique, and varied game available. The story, graphical style, and games blend together to create a truly one of a kind experience.

The game is easy to pick up, but as the levels continue it becomes clear that the frustrations are not going to be eased, and the various modes are just repeating something you've already played.

Simple and addictive.

A pretty terrible port of an excellent PC title. The trick to enjoying the GameCube incarnation will be coming to terms with the control and graphic inadequacies.

A fantastic game. It has some very solid writing, a great set of characters, interesting (if easy) battles, and great replayability. Strange artifacts from the porting process dog the game, but not so much as to greatly affect my feelings towards it.

Do you know the feeling when you play that game's sequel and even though it improves on the previous game and delivers new features and modes, the warts become clearer and it doesn't feel as new and awesome? That's what I experienced with Madden NFL 11.

The game design for each mini-game is very solid, and the card game is also strategic without the need for an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules.

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

It's an able ambassador of the "throw-in-a-bit-of-everything" philosophy these games have fostered for the past few years.

Minor issues aside, escapeVektor still packs a lot; in addition to the story and online leaderboards, the game features a variety of achievement-like badges, and every level has four high score medals.

The wait for NightSky on a Nintendo platform has been long, and, unfortunately, may not have been worth it. While the graphical and aural presentation is worth celebrating, the actual gameplay comes up short, feeling like the primitive form of a much better game.

Super Princess Peach is cute, delightfully absurd, and a true-blue Mario game, but still a bit easy. It's probably worth fifty clams to a hardcore Mario fan, but maybe a bit iffy for someone looking for a challenge. [JPN Import]

Bit.Trip Fate is, sadly, one of the weakest entries in the Bit.Trip series.

That's the whole game: an arcade mode that takes an hour or two to get through and the little bonus features. It's no ten-thousand-hour item-finding level-gaining marathon, just an honest arcade-style game. Beat it, and you're done.

While there are some things lacking about the game (specifically anything Wii-centric), Shattered Dimensions is a very fun, worthwhile Spider-Man game that genuinely feels different and engaging.

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

Batman: The Brave and the Bold oozes personality, bringing a lot of the cartoon show's wit and humor to the portable system.

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.

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.

Not much about the game has a real Pokémon feel, as even the art and music are quite different from the standard Pokémon fare. However, thanks to the Pokédex, one of the core aspects of Pokémon, “gotta catch ‘em all," is still present and provides some replay incentive.

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.

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

Despite its bells and whistles, Black Ops just can't escape the fact that the core gameplay just isn't fun.

It's just one of those games that really is best played in its original, simple Marathon mode.

An excellent strategy game with many interesting mechanics that make it unique in the DS library. Tri-Ace did a fantastic job of blending in various elements of the Valkyrie Profile series and successfully applying those elements into this genre.

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.

With a large variety of extra collectibles, four-player simultaneous multiplayer, single-player trophy achievements, a level editor, and three difficulty settings, Marble Saga: Kororinpa is a huge offering in a tiny package.

A definite must for fans of the series. However, if you're looking for a serious 3D fighting game, this game won't be for you. While the game is beautiful and features abundant fanservice (the clean type), the unbalanced game mechanics make for little more than a party game to be enjoyed with friends. [JPN Import]

Had this game been packaged with the system instead of Wii sports, there would be many confused owners. At least developers will know how not to use the Wii remote's features in the future.

While Unlimited's focus may have moved toward usability, it's still a great game. It doesn't bring wild and crazy innovation, but progress the series nonetheless. By streamlining its process, Unlimited gives players even better ways to lose themselves in a playground of their own creation.

The plot has so many subtle nuances of political and social commentary; you could dissect it for days on end and still not completely understand it. The ending alone will leave you thinking for hours, pondering the different story twists and turns.

A great package. The unique control scheme is unique and effective, providing a sense of connection with your aircraft that mere button-pressing cannot. The story, told both with fantastic movies and via in-flight dialogue, is great; while confusing at times, it has requisite twist and turns just like the film.

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.

The new game has its fair share of changes to the formula, but they don't really make the game better, just slightly different. Unless the Disney art is a huge selling point for you, there's little reason to choose Disney Magic over the original, wonderful, plain-old Meteos.

Overall, it's a great game for anybody who's a fan of puzzle games or logic problems.

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.

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

Sam & Max: Season One is a strikingly niche title very much in love with its PC predecessors from LucasArts and Sierra.

The card subsystem in Drone Tactics is interesting and unique, and it helps set the title apart from other similar games.

The game is fun, challenging, and gorgeous. If you like the Endless Ocean series or games that emphasize exploration, this one's for you.

Scribblenauts Unlimited is a polished and fun launch. It is the purest realization of what makes the series so fun to date, and proves that, after so many portable iterations, Scribblenauts might actually be best suited for the TV and Nintendo's Wii U GamePad.

The storyline, art direction, and world exploration are top-notch here, but the tiresome combat sucks the life out of an otherwise enjoyable adventure.

If you enjoyed Custom Robo, which I did, and are ready for more options, parts, robos, and online play, then dive in. You won’t regret it.

A title that any Rocky fan (or even boxing fans in general) must have, even if the actual game itself has some pretty nasty flaws.

If you can get over the repetition, Sakura Samurai is a worthwhile experience. However, with the onslaught of better games on the eShop, you're not missing too much if you skip it.

As a complete package, WWE 13 may be the best wrestling game on the market in years. Although the storyline mode caters to a bygone era, there are still plenty of modern wrestlers to choose from, and match types aimed at current WWE fans. Though the Wii version lacks the downloadable content and online play of its HD counterparts, it still feels like a solid update.

It's one of the first Wii games to go beyond a gimmick and show players what the system is truly capable of.

Gorgeous visuals coupled with a stunning use of stereoscopic depth make for one of the most graphically stunning packages on the Nintendo 3DS. Luckily, it’s a lot of fun to play, too.

It does approach greatness on a few occasions, and the intensity of some of the battles will certainly give you an adrenaline boost that the majority of first-person shooters cannot. However, the great number of irritating flaws and the lack of a multiplayer mode will ultimately hurt your enjoyment of the game.

Marvel Pinball 3D is a wonderful addition to anyone's 3DS collection. The game's pick-up–and-play nature lends itself well to the downloadable platform. Despite just being more of the same, the game's visuals and ingenious table design make it a must-have. With four fully featured tables, you will definitely be getting your money's worth out of Marvel Pinball 3D.

Puzzle Quest 2 doesn't have the fresh, "gotta-try-it" feeling of the original title, but for those who enjoyed the ideas behind Puzzle Quest but weren't thrilled with the execution, this sequel is a no-brainer purchase. It feels like a breath of fresh air…relentlessly addictive fresh air.

HarmoKnight is a Game Freak product, through and through. While its nods to Pokémon are apparent in unlockable content and a Gengar-esque antagonist, the truth behind my assumption is actually buried a little deeper.

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.

When a developer is able to marry the perfect controls of this game with content and gameplay that are equally polished, we'll really have something. And judging by Team Fusion's admirable first effort on Wii, they might just be the developers to do it.

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

Technically sound and built on a solid gameplay engine that provides a fast and frantic experience. It’s an adrenaline rush that fans of racing games should not miss out on.

SRPG fans will have some fun playing Luminous Arc 2, but if you’re not a fan of the genre it's not a game you’ll be playing over and over.

As a standalone game, Wario Ware D.I.Y Showcase is a fun WiiWare title that is somewhat shallow.

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.

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

Mixes elements of classic Mario games and sidescrolling shooters with touch screen controls for an experience like you’ve never played before.

The game manages to keep the hectic and wild spirit Mario Party is known for while eliminating superfluous gimmicks and features that slowed the pace down instead of making it equally interesting for everybody.

Trainer battle is the focus of this game. It would be a shame for Pokémon gamers not to experience this new style of battle, as it's fairly different from the usual Pokémon fare. Who knows, it may even sway older gamers with its decidedly 'older' look.

In some respects, Pandora's Tower shares similarities with Shadow of the Colossus, and while it doesn't ascend to the high barometer of that game, it is worthy of the comparison.

The touch-screen controls interrupt the flow of the action and lead to plenty of frustration. Furthermore, the puzzles are too simple, the challenge too lacking, and the overall length too short.

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.

A mediocre game with some interesting ideas. Crash Bandicoot fans should enjoy it, but gamers looking for a decent platformer on their DS should look elsewhere.

This is the perfect date game on two-player mode, and if you have a soft spot for the wonders of domestic tranquility, you'll have a great time playing this game.

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?

Its simple presentation may deter players who like a bit more pizzazz and graphical flare, but an entertaining game with lastability awaits those who decide to pick it up. [JPN Import]

A fun and frantic action game that lacks polish. If you’re a Star Wars fan and/or enjoy blowing stuff up, it’s well worth your attention.

Unless you’re starved for “tactical” action, there is little reason to buy Conflict: Desert Storm 2. While it is an improvement over the first one, the two games are largely identical and suffer from the same identity problem.

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.

Cubello is definitely shallower and less sublime than Orbient, with at least one glaring design flaw and unfortunate sound design. Nevertheless, it can still be a fun diversion, and it does manage to present a unique sort of puzzle gameplay.

Dirt 2 is by no means a bad game, but when compared to other games on the platform – more specifically from Firebrand themselves – it feels a little stale.

Overall, the game is very short. It's feasible to finish the game with close to 100 percent on your first playthrough in five hours or less.

It's Mr. Pants is a puzzle game that doesn't entertain because it requires far too much effort to just get into the groove of it.

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

A fine installment to the series. However, it remains a very basic platformer whose ideas lack originality and, in many ways, feel a little out of date.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is a better version of last year's game. It fixes some of the flaws in the previous version, and adds new modes on top of it. This is what you should expect from an annualized sports game, and while it introduces some problems of its own, it offers a solid soccer experience for the 3DS.

Like the skill trees, the combat system is surprisingly Diablo-esque.

A really good tennis game, primarily due to its variety of satisfying game modes. Unfortunately, the game is weighed down by several glaring flaws.

The gameplay is decent, though somewhat repetitive, and players really feel like they’re controlling the Z characters in a heated battle. If your kid is a fan of the show, or you’re secretly one yourself, this is one of the best DBZ games on the market.

Even with nearly ten games in the LEGO series, the formula is still as captivating as it was from the first day.

The Wii version is definitely not the best one available, but if you have no alternative, this is a fun and very lengthy adventure to enjoy on your Wii after Zelda has been exhausted.

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.

On the one hand, the games included in Metal Slug Anthology are a blast, they're translated perfectly from the arcade, and they're just as fun, over-the-top, and well-designed as they were ten years ago. On the other hand, this is a stripped-down package with no meaningful extras to speak of, its Wii-specific control options are an almost complete bust, and the lack of Classic Controller support is puzzling to say the least.

If you’re starved for some FPS love on your DS, you might want to give this game a shot. However, even its predecessor provides a more engaging experience, not to mention a few other notable DS titles, specifically Moon.

Epic Mickey is a game that falls short in the part that counts: the gameplay.

Though it comes off feeling low-tech (and it is, really), Revenge of the Sith for the DS is more or less on equal footing with the GBA version it shares so much in common with. The 3D multiplayer mode may well be worth the $10 price difference...but only if you’ve got friends to play it with.

Not only is Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party the first traditional DDR game to hit a Nintendo platform, it also may be the best version on any platform yet. It's incredibly refreshing to see a new incarnation of this game have such a great set of new modes to go along with the tried and true.

Spartan doesn't offer much new material over games like "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" and "God of War," both of which are more balanced and have vastly superior production values.

Though an amicable attempt, Monster Lab is plagued by a number of issues. Monster creation falls flat, not feeling truly creative or interesting. Mini-games are excessive and as one would expect, entirely Wii Remote feature-based. Battling is unfulfilling as well because getting into a fight does nothing but net creation parts that are neither unique nor hard to come by.

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.

Dokapon Kingdom can elicit a roller coaster of emotions from a participant. There are some frustrating moments, but skilled players will be able to persevere through the worst the game throws at them.

A very vanilla RPG.