IGN

• PS3
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 9.4 / 10
• États-Unis

Gears of War is a must-have game, pure and simple. Epic has effectively created a new gaming universe, and the rich story of planet Sera holds its own with the likes of Hyrule, City 17 and the Mushroom-friggin'-Kingdom. A game so gorgeous, both visually and aurally, that is this fun to play comes along only a handful of times a console generation. There is a healthy learning curve to the cover system, but those who master it will find Epic's twisting and turning and rolling an exciting change-up in the shooter genre, a blend of fast-arcade action and basic, tactical maneuvering. The Insane difficulty level gives Gears legs months after you've finished the relatively-short campaign, and even with a friend it is an impossible, irresistible challenge. Versus is a one-trick pony, consisting of a team deathmatch with three basic variations, but damn, that mode is fun. Downloadable content is on the way, says Epic, but as it stands today, we are left wanting more. Bottom line: Gears of War is the special kind of game that makes you feel like a kid again, a sadistic little bastard obsessed with gore and chainsaws.

• GBA
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

Don't worry, I'm not trying to fool you -- if you want the true Downhill Jam experience, don't bother with the Game Boy Advance version and stick with the Nintendo DS or Wii renditions. The GBA game is a limited experience with a bunch of problems, but in practice the game's not as bad as the first ten or so minutes will lead you to believe. If all you own is a GBA then sure, give this a shot...but otherwise, put that 30 bucks to better use on the bigger and better systems.

• DS
• 7.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Is the game as good as the console versions? No. Does the DS version do anything special to warrant a purchase if you're already playing the console version? No. Does it stand on its own as a good racer for the Nintendo DS? Yes. Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City is a really good racing entry on the dual-screen portable, and even with the expected warts that usually surface in EA's "secondary" DS development projects, it's a quality production. And in terms of arcade racers on the system, this is definitely one of the better ones. There's still plenty of room for improvement, but it at least brings the series back from the dregs after last year's awful Most Wanted.

• GBA
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

• PSP
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• PSP
• 8.3 / 10
• États-Unis

• PC
• 8.5 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

Strawberry Shortcake: Strawberryland Games is a limited production. The game's physical and in-game presentation make for a strong first impression, but the lack of quantity in the mini-game selection and lack of depth in the games that are available combine to squander the setup's potential. Save your nose the trouble of sniffing this one out.

• PSP
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City simply feels like more of the same. Sure, there's an open city and wingmen that'll take out your opponents during a race, but neither of these are huge, game-changing additions. If you've grown tired of the series, there's absolutely nothing here that will renew your interest in the franchise. However, there's still a fair bit of fun to be had with the game's refined (if somewhat boring) controls and fast gameplay.

• PS2
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

ATV Offroad Fury 4 isn't perfect by any stretch of the word, but it's a really fun racer. Whether you're on the back of an ATV or behind the wheel of a buggy, it's simply fun to take in a number of laps around any of the game's great tracks. We wish the AI were a little more fair in a couple ways, but the races stay close and exciting until the end, so we can't complain too much. In short, if you're into arcadey racers, give this one a shot - you won't be sorry.

• DS
• 9.5 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 4 / 10
• États-Unis

I always saw Nacho Libre for the Nintendo DS as a gamble for Majesco when they made the announcement -- I mean, how can you take this oddball of a move and turn it into a desirable videogame? But hey, it must've been a cheap license to acquire; I'm sure the bidding wars on the brand weren't very heated. Or existent. There's a solid shell here in this Nintendo DS product. There are a ton of extras, and it's nice to see all these Nacho Libre elements, like snippets from the movie and publicity shots, as well as Jack Black instead of some lame look-alike that most flick-based games have to resort to. What Nacho Libre lacks is fun and balance. It's a weak wrestling game with weak mini-games to supplement it, which is a shame because it was an opportunity to sneak in there with something significant -- THQ still hasn't worked any sort of wrestler on the dual screen system yet, and it's about time that one shows up. This one misses the boat.

• PSP
• 7.1 / 10
• États-Unis

What makes Death Jr. a hard recommendation twice now is how the game is still sloppy in execution despite its best qualities -- it's time for DJ to grow up and scythe straight. The story again makes little sense, despite some funny sequences, and it feels short with only three bosses and little to revisit stages for on your second play. There are some odd design choices in stage design when you're swinging on ropes (why is it that most of the rope-slides in the game seem to go up?), and a few camera problems and control quirks rear up again or anew. The added multiplayer also doesn't make the game much more fun with two than it was with one. However, as nervous as this game left us for the future of Death Jr. (come on guys -- if DJ's Helicopter Spin jump accidentally pushes me off one more ledge that I'm trying to jump up on, I'm going to be giving this boy another crack in that skull of his), the franchise is strong when it barrels down on the action. The gameplay is more smooth and enjoyable in the sequel, with none of the lock-on tapping from last time (it feels a little less hectic because of the camera change, so some may miss the frantic pace of the original, but just crank the difficulty up and you should have plenty to fight with.) Platforming is more sensible and challenging in the sequel, with some clever stages and rewarding secret spots to find. Death Jr. II doesn't prove this chip off the old tombstone to be on par with the greats, but it does give the kid (and Pandora, his gal doomsday) another good chance to reap some mayhem.

• DS
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS2
• 8.3 / 10
• États-Unis

NHL 2K7 is the total package. The gameplay is solid and smooth even if it is still very similar to older titles in the franchise. Visually, the new dynamic camera is a nice touch and fresh perspective. Overall, the graphics and sound feel straight out of last year's game and 2K Sports clearly focused on the next-gen product over the current-gen. Online, 2K Sports continues to lead the pack with online leagues and seasons. NHL 2K7 on higher difficulties is a solid simulation and, with all the modes, teams and options, is the most complete hockey title on the PS2.

• PS2
• NGC
• XBOX
• 7.8 / 10
• États-Unis

Need For Speed Carbon isn't a revolutionary game and it's far from a stinker. Instead, it's what EA does best: It creates pretty good games with lots of features. Carbon switches out drag racing and Pacific North West backgrounds for drift racing and inner city urban streets. The freaky FMV filtered stuff is back and there seems to be more than ever (too much?). The drifting is an acquired taste (but it's good), the canyon duals are decent changes (though not great), and the crews...well, they suck. Of the myriad new features, the addition of muscle cars and the online functionality are the best. The muscle cars bring real challenge and change to the races and the online games (when lag isn't hampering you) are great cop-chase endeavors.

• X360
• PS3
• 8.2 / 10
• États-Unis

Need For Speed Carbon isn't a revolutionary game and it's far from a stinker. Instead, it's what EA does best, usually. It creates pretty good games with lots of features. Carbon switches out drag racing and Pacific North West backgrounds for drift racing and inner city urban streets. The freaky FMV filtered stuff is back and there seems to be more than ever (too much?). The drifting is an acquired taste (but it's good), the canyon duals are decent changes (though not great), and the crews...well, they suck. Of the myriad new features, the addition of muscle cars and the online functionality are the best. The muscle cars bring real challenge and change to the races and the online games (when lag isn't hampering you) are great cop-chase endeavors.