Need for Speed: Shift is a compelling racing game that does an admirable job of balancing its simulation side with its arcade side. The combination of fun events, varied tracks and a solid racing engine make quite a convincing package.

NHL 10 is an excellent hockey game. It’s probably the best one yet.

NHL 10 is an excellent hockey game. It’s probably the best one yet.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 is certainly the most refined game in its series (including its prequel and the X-Men Legends game before it).

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 is certainly the most refined game in its series (including its prequel and the X-Men Legends game before it).

The Beatles: Rock Band does one thing extremely well: it brings The Beatles’ music to a very strong platform (the Rock Band platform) resulting in a game that is undeniably fun to play.

The Beatles: Rock Band does one thing extremely well: it brings The Beatles’ music to a very strong platform (the Rock Band platform) resulting in a game that is undeniably fun to play.

Guitar Hero 5 is the ultimate party game. The solid, addicting Guitar Hero gameplay has been made even more accessible and compelling with all of the new additions Neversoft has added for this version.

Guitar Hero 5 is the ultimate party game. The solid, addicting Guitar Hero gameplay has been made even more accessible and compelling with all of the new additions Neversoft has added for this version.

Guitar Hero 5 is the ultimate party game. The solid, addicting Guitar Hero gameplay has been made even more accessible and compelling with all of the new additions Neversoft has added for this version.

Batman: Arkham Asylum would be a terrific third-person action game on its own thanks to the excellent combat engine and well-designed levels. But coupled with the Batman license the game becomes a must-play.

Batman: Arkham Asylum would be a terrific third-person action game on its own thanks to the excellent combat engine and well-designed levels. But coupled with the Batman license the game becomes a must-play.

Even though Nintendo didn’t hit 12/12 I’d say that four of the games (Swordplay, Archery, Table Tennis and Power Cruising) are amazing, must-play experiences, another four (Basketball, Canoeing, Air Sports and Wake Boarding) are fantastic, and the rest (excluding Cycling) are worth a few play throughs. The only negative aspect about the game is that unless you pick up Tiger Woods 2010 you’re looking at the $70 purchase to pick up Wii Sports Resort (which includes a Wii MotionPlus peripheral) and an additional WMP unit.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is very sharp, lighthearted and fun game that will please younger fans of the movie with its varied gameplay, good looks and clever writing. A recommended purchase for fans of the movie.

Like the movie it’s based on, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen isn’t trying to radically change the genre or introduce innovative new features. It’s giving you great-looking robots that go off and fight other great-looking robots as you watch the resulting explosions.

Like the movie it’s based on, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen isn’t trying to radically change the genre or introduce innovative new features. It’s giving you great-looking robots that go off and fight other great-looking robots as you watch the resulting explosions.

Guitar Hero: Smash Hits is an incredibly fun game and one that will definitely keep you entertained until Guitar Hero V arrives.

Guitar Hero: Smash Hits is an incredibly fun game and one that will definitely keep you entertained until Guitar Hero V arrives.

Guitar Hero: Smash Hits is an incredibly fun game and one that will definitely keep you entertained until Guitar Hero V arrives.

The insane amount of strength, skills and powers you get in the game is amazing and the game does a great job of making you feel like you’re really in control of a truly powerful being.

The insane amount of strength, skills and powers you get in the game is amazing and the game does a great job of making you feel like you’re really in control of a truly powerful being.

The insane amount of strength, skills and powers you get in the game is amazing and the game does a great job of making you feel like you’re really in control of a truly powerful being.

Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades is a great expansion of the series on the DS.

It’s the best tennis game on any console.