IGN

• WII
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

There’s a trend developing with New Blood: More of the same, but improved overall. That general rule can be used in almost every facet of the game, and it’s really a testament to the solid design Atlus has on its hands. No global changes were needed, but the new game has more depth in gameplay, added multiplayer support, online ranking, more VO, and better overall story, improved presentation – now with 16:9 as well as the previously included 480p – a larger span of difficulty on both the easy and hard side of thins, and a fresh coat of polish around the entire package. There’s more to improve on, including full-fledged online play, a larger array of Healing Touch abilities, improved storytelling – static images and painted backdrops aren’t exactly engaging – and the lingering possibility of amazing DS-to-Wii connectivity that could come with a new wave of handheld and console versions of the game, but we’re getting to the point where most of our issues with Trauma Center are less actual complaints or flaws in the game, and more just general ways to make the next version even better. We put this one on our Holiday Buyer’s Guide for a reason, as Trauma Center is easily one of the best third party games on Wii this year. Games like New Blood fit the Wii almost perfectly, and even after blowing through two full games during the system’s first year we’re still asking for more, as there’s simply no denying the franchise’s motion/IR appeal. We could write volumes on why this game works, but it wouldn’t change the simple fact that it just does, so rather than read about the game you’d be better off grabbing a copy (and a friend) and just diving into one of the best pure gameplay experiences Wii has to offer. Trauma Center: New Blood is the best in the series, and a must-have for any Wii owner. Buy it, love it, and then beg for more.

• PSP
• 5.5 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 3 / 10
• États-Unis

The NES eventually saw the release of a few more capable, more playable and more fun volleyball designs, like Kings of the Beach and Super Spike V'Ball. And Super Spike was actually published by the Big N here in the States, way back when, so it's possible that it will show up again here on the Virtual Console sometime in the not too distant future. So, if anything, wait for that. Because Volleyball isn't worth 500 Wii Points at all. It's a mess to control, and it feels aged much more than its other contemporaries in the early NES Sports Series. Even Soccer would be a better option. ...still better than Urban Champion, though.

• PS3
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 4 / 10
• États-Unis

• PSP
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

Telling the origin story of a well established franchise can be an extremely hazardous thing to do, but Silent Hill: 0rigins manages to wrap both the mythology of the movie and games together in an impressive package on the PSP. With a good storyline, intriguing gameplay elements and excellent production and replay value, 0rigins is definitely worthy of a Silent Hill fan's attention. While the combat and camera system is pretty weak, and the manual control over shifting between dimensions removes the feeling of dread, 0rigins does justice to the series as a whole.

• PC
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 4 / 10
• États-Unis

We don’t say this very often as we’re definitely in favor of developers trying new things on Xbox Live Arcade, but Screwjumper! just should not have been green lit by Microsoft. There’s nothing redeeming about Screwjumper!, no reason for anyone to give it a second look, and absolutely no way you should spend ten bucks for the download. With as many games as there currently are on Xbox Live Arcade everyone should skip – no, jump – right over this one.

• DS
• 7.8 / 10
• États-Unis

The "ultimate" suggests that there's more to the package than one arcade fighter and one mini-game - you wouldn't be the only one to think that the cart would have been cooler as an anthology of the 2D Mortal Kombat games. After all, Midway packed in all three plus a bunch of other arcade games in a $19.99 PSP collection more than a year ago. Simple as the presentation is, the two titles are well developed. If all you want is a really solid, fun version of Mortal Kombat 3 that can go online, that's what you're going to get. It's good stuff all around.

• X360
• 5.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Shrek-N-Roll is more boredom and mundane than fun and exhilarating, even for diehard fans of all three Shrek films. I originally thought that the game was going to be a mini-game compilation which would have likely offered a much higher fun factor. As it stands little tikes could learn a few things about dexterity and physics, but most will think Shrek-N-Roll should stay confined to the green grime of the swamp rather than the green bliss of your Xbox 360.

• DS
• 4.5 / 10
• États-Unis

El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera has less depth and charm than a 12 minute episode of the show. There's just not much to do and what is there only kind of works. Making the game have infinite lives to compensate for how poorly its designed does little to make the experience any more enjoyable. Fans of the show get a pretty good presentation with some clever writing and nice style, but it's just such a chore to play that it makes us want to let the bad guys win. Viva el Puma Loco.

• PS3
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS3
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

Namco Museum Remix is simply a good idea gone bad. We certainly see the appeal of taking older titles and giving them gameplay upgrades for the Wii hardware, but the choice in titles – both remixed and retro – leaves a ton to be desired, and in the end you’re left with a compilation of five remade classics and nine retro ones, with two titles in each respective category actually being worth any cash at all. It’s obvious that some effort went into putting this package together, as the interface, level hub, and overall presentation of the game is fleshed out with bright tones, cheery music, and a decent style, but the depth just isn’t there. If a few of these remixed titles were on Wii Ware we’d have no problem dropping a few bucks for the ones that appealed to us. As it stands, there’s no reason anyone should be dropping $40 on a package made up of just a few decent titles. If companies like Namco want to compete with the nearing onslaught of on-demand downloadable content, these compilations will need to deliver like never before, and Namco Museum Remix is about as far from doing that as possible.

• PSP
• 7.6 / 10
• États-Unis

Almost as good as pocket aces, World Series of Poker 2008: Battle For the Bracelets further strengthens Activision's claim to the best poker franchise around, although it does have some blemishes on the PSP. Computer AI is still as solid this year around, and the inclusion of Player of the Year points for the career mode and redone presentation, coupled with online rivals makes this game one of the best poker games out there. As long as you can look past the slowdown that crops up and the UMD limitations, this is an amusing title. If you're looking to polish up your skills before you hit Vegas, or want an engaging card game, you'll want to check this one out.

• DS
• 7.8 / 10
• États-Unis

Ben 10: Protector of Earth could have gone really wrong, as its hero is one of the most scattered and diversely superpowered superheroes to have come along in years. But the team at developer 1st Playable Productions wisely chose to focus on only five of Ben's best transformations, which allows this action/platforming adventure to flow well and never feel too out of control. After playing this successful adaptation, it's easy to envision a sequel that would offer players the option to play as a different set of Ben's forms – perhaps some of the flight-capable ones, or the quick-swimming Ripjaw. The series just has a ton of potential, and it's encouraging to see that potential already being capitalized upon in this first franchise release.

• WII
• 3 / 10
• États-Unis

So steer clear of Power Golf on the Virtual Console, as it's nowhere near worth its 600 Wii Point asking price. A much better option would be NES Open Tournament Golf, which is 100 Points cheaper and much more accessible an experience. Or else you could look forward to the next physical media release to adapt the sport – Super Swing Golf: Season 2 is set to debut in just a few more weeks. We may eventually get some better, more classic, more notable past golf titles on the Virtual Console – this one comes to mind – but we're not quite there yet. So, for now, you may want to just keeping on waiting in the clubhouse.