King of Fighters XII Review
Available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Game Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: Ignition Entertainment
Official website: kingoffighters12.com

Game summary from Ignition Entertainment:
"SNK Playmore’s unrivaled 3-on-3 fighting masterpiece returns with unprecedented next-generation features, including high-definition hand drawn visuals, thrilling online combat, and revolutionary new gameplay systems."

Review Summary:
King of Fighters XII is a gorgeous looking fighting game with over 22 beloved characters from past games. Although it has a great looking art style, the game has left out some very important characters from previous games. This game is for fans of the King of Fighters series and does not offer much besides a simple single player experience along with a thin multiplayer experience. Skip this game unless you're a fan of the series or a fighting game fanatic.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Read the full review below.

Wallace And Gromit's Grand Adventures Episode 4: The Bogeyman
Available for Windows PC
Developer: Telltale Games
Official website: www.telltalegames.com

Game summary from Telltale Games:
"Wallace has been admitted to Prickly Thicket, the oldest country club in Lancashire. Wallace and his faithful caddie Gromit get wrapped up in a decades-old club dispute that threatens to destroy their peaceful West Wallaby lifestyle, and the duo must fight to save the neighborhood they hold dear!"

Review summary:
Wallace And Gromit's Grand Adventures Episode 4: The Bogeyman is a solid puzzle solving game with strong visuals whose experience is only marred by some odd bugs throughout.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read the full review below.

Wii Sports Resort review
(includes 1 Wii MotionPlus controller)
Available for Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Rating: E for Everyone
Official website: wiisportsresort.com

Game summary from Nintendo:
"Wii Sports Resort is an immersive, expansive active-play game that includes a dozen fun resort-themed activities. It maintains the wide-ranging appeal that attracted millions to the original Wii Sports. Wii Sports Resort is easy to pick up and play, but comes coupled with deeper levels of play that are sure to challenge even the most experienced gamers. Wii Sports Resort whisks players away to a resort that's full of action, while introducing an unprecedented experience in physical reality. Wii Sports Resort comes bundled with a Wii MotionPlus accessory to provide players the most realistic, immersive experience possible - the slightest tilt, turn and twist of the Wii Remote controller is recognized. From the moment players skydive onto Wuhu Island, they're presented with a huge selection of fun activities that everyone can play."

Review summary:
Nintendo brings a new collection of Wii Sports games, along with another hardware peripheral (Wii MotionPlus) in Wii Sports Resort. Overall, yes, it's another essential addition to your Wii game collection (and accessories). While there still aren't any online multiplayer components, the automatic import of Miis from the Check Mii Out Channel keeps the crowds and challengers fresh. Most of the activities are quick to pickup on and easy to get into, a formula Nintendo has mastered pretty well with the Wii. A few games like Archery, Swordplay, Frisbee and Air Sports, are the stand-out applications of the Wii MotionPlus controller. At a $49.99 MSRP (essentially $30 Wii Sports Resort game and $20 Wii MotionPlus controller) you shouldn't miss out on this fun collection of games to play with friends.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Read the full review below (and see brief video clips of each event).

Battlefield 1943
Available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Publisher: EA
Developer: DICE
Official website: battlefield1943.com

Game summary from xbox.com:
"Battlefield 1943 is a multiplayer-only game that lets you enjoy the thrills of Pacific WW2 battles! Pick your path - be it as a rifleman, a steel fisted tank commander, or ace fighter pilot dog fighting to protect the skies. Play as a lone wolf or with your friends, coordinating to turn the tide of battle."

Review summary:
Electronic Arts’ new multiplayer only shooter Battlefield 1943 delivers an old game with a new graphical upgrade. At only fifteen dollars on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network, game developer DICE has brought a smaller package at a small price point. Four maps, a slimmer three classes (compared to previous Battlefield games’ six) and the small fun gameplay make up this summer’s top notch release. Selling over 600,000 copies, you will be playing with tons of gamers throughout the world. The game is not without faults, which includes some graphical glitches, the same exploits from previous titles and balancing issues. Battlefield 1943 offers the same great gameplay at a low price and would be enjoyed by any fan of other popular online shooters.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read the full review below.

It may be time to add some personality to your gaming or media gadgets. If you're bored of looking at your plain game system or mobile phone, Exo-Flex's Snakeskin has the prescription. The Snakeskin design line offers a wide variety of skins for gaming systems (such as the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DSi, PSP and more), as well as mobile devices (such as the iPhone, Blackberry devices, Netbooks), and even game controllers (controller pads and Guitar Hero peripherals).

Using what Exo-Flex calls Triple R™ technology (Removable, Repositionable and can be Reapplied), the skins are more than just stickers. Snakeskin designs come on one or several sheets, depending on the device. Removing them from the sheet is really easy, as the skins are just thick enough and cut at the right places. You just peel them off and apply the different sections to the surface of your device. Exo-Flex accomodates for each device's features, such as leaving slight openings for the iPhone's sensors and the DSi's built-in camera. If you misaligned the skin while applying it, you can easily peel it back without any damage to your device or the skin. No residue to mess with. The design wraps around your device in the right places and has a painterly look, as it's snug on the surface.

The price of the Snakeskin designs vary by device. Either way, it's much cheaper and easier to get one of the Snakeskins on your device than going for a custom color job. Much of the artwork features unusual characters with bold touches of color. There are too many too list, so just head over to the Exo-Flex website and see what designs are available for you there. You're bound to find something you'll like. See some sample pictures below from the Nintendo DSi ("The Vending Machine"), Wii ("Bacteria's Playground") and iPhone ("No Fishing") skins.

Here are some more details on the Snakeskin technology and features, from Exo-Flex:
"Snakeskin™ is manufactured by Exo-Flex™, and is shed to last a lifetime! Combining RapidAir® Technology by Orajet, with triple-injection protection, air bubbles are prevented eliminating the need for a squeegee. The top film is water resistant, while the middle and bottom prevent any kind of residue from being left behind on the surface of your device. Snakeskin™ is removable, repositionable, and can always be re-applied. This decorative adhesive grabs a firm hold on to your device making it look like it was practically painted on. Featuring designs from over 300 revered artists around the world, Snakeskin™ truly breaks the mold when it comes to style for your device."

Visit the Exo-Flex store here to see the full lineup and variety of skins for all your gadgets!

NCAA Football 10 review
Available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, PSP
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Tiburon, EA Canada
Official website: ncaafootball.easports.com

Game summary from EA Sports:
"True to college football, in NCAA Football 10 every game counts! In its newest mode, Season Showdown, fans declare their loyalty to a favorite school and give the ultimate show of support in a nationwide competition for pride. After choosing a school to represent, players will earn credits in-game through head-to-head online match ups and single player modes. Credits not only accumulate in-game but players can also earn credits for their school via new web-based games. Millions of college football fans around the country will be on a mission to prove their school is number one with NCAA Football 10's Season Showdown."

Review summary:
NCAA Football 10 has truly innovated the animation, graphics and gameplay of football games. The game plays smooth, gives you a "real-life" feeling, and it shows the quality has grown exponentially over previous years. The large amount of online functionally will keep you very busy. The new additions to this online functionality go way beyond the game and allow you to create your own team and import it into your own experience. The game does still have horrendous CPU play selection in the Road To Glory mode, which can take you out of the experience. This limited issue doesn't detract from the overall fun you'll have playing this game. EA Sports has done a great job in bringing the football fan a very solid game this year with NCAA Football 10.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read the full review below.

Red Faction: Guerrilla review
Available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Volition
Official website: RedFaction.com

Game Summary from THQ:
"Lured by the rich veins of Martian ore, miner Alec Mason arrives on Mars hungry for a new life. But the promise of a brighter future for Mason quickly fades. The Earth Defense Force, once protectors of Martian colonists, have adopted heavy-handed checkpoints and omnipresent armed patrols. As violence escalates, an underground resistance known as the Red Faction is swiftly gathering strength to combat the EDF. Mason's quest for a new life has become a battle for survival, and the fate of the planet now rests with him and the Red Faction."

Review Summary:
Red Faction: Guerrilla is an open world game based on the surface of Mars. You can take your sledgehammer and a great assortment of weapons to destroy any structure in the game. The story is a bit of a Sci-fi cliché, but the game is just plain fun. With a 10-12 hour single player, a robust multiplayer and some cooperative modes, it is a long experience that is totally worth the sixty dollar price tag. This is the definitely one of the best games that has been released this year. Go pick it up so we can see a sequel from Volition.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Read the full review below.

Tales of Monkey Island - Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal
Available for Windows PC (soon on Wii via WiiWare)
Developer: Telltale Games
Official website: www.telltalegames.com

Game summary from Telltale Games:
"Telltale's Tales of Monkey Island brings the adventures of pirate Guybrush Threepwood into a new era with an explosive storyline that becomes deeper and more entangled during the course of the five-episode saga. While battling his nemesis, the evil pirate LeChuck, Guybrush accidentally unleashes an insidious voodoo pox that threatens to transform the buccaneers of the Caribbean into unruly pirate monsters. Players will experience the humor, romance, and swashbuckling action the Monkey Island games are famous for and unravel an insidious plot which is revealed across the course of the series."

Review summary:
For a newcomer to the series, like me, Tales of Monkey Island: Launch of The Screaming Narwhal is a welcome breath of fresh air that only occassionally takes in a gulp of water by accident. It's great entertainment at a pretty good price.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Read the full review below.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition - review
Available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Developer: Raven Software
Official Website: www.uncaged.com

Game Details from Activision Blizzard:
“Weaving in and out of the movie’s storyline, the epic cinematic experience features action-packed missions set in real-world locales and challenges players to hone their animal instinct as they uncover hidden dangers, hunt and destroy enemies and discover the truth about Wolverine’s relationship with Colonel Stryker and Sabretooth.”

Review Summary:
If you like your games violent, fun, and only worth one play through, then X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Uncaged Edition is exactly what you are looking for. The game is a ton of fun, but doesn’t last long enough and doesn’t warrant multiple play-throughs to be worth the full sixty dollar price tag. Even with a ton of jaw dropping moments and gorgeous graphics, I would have expected more from Wolverine and Raven Software. Hacking and slashing your way through about a 6-8 hour game is fun, but overall an average experience. Either wait for the price to come down or rent it and you'll enjoy it, while still getting your money’s worth.


Rating: 3 out of 5

Read the full review below.

The Conduit - review
Available for Wii
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: High Voltage Software
Official Website: www.conduitgame.com

Game Details from SEGA:
"After a full-scale alien attack on Washington D.C., suspicions arise as to the involvement of the U.S. government. Armed with sci-fi gadgets and high-powered weapons, players will battle aliens, rouge agents and enemy forces as a former secret service agent codenamed Mr. Ford."

Review Summary:
High Voltage Software has electrified the Wii with The Conduit, pushing the Wii's performance and allowing a degree of FPS customization that even surpasses other next-gen shooters. The audio production, from soundtrack to voice acting, is polished. As for the storyline, it should satisfy conspiracy theory and sci-fi fans. If you want to experience a summer blockbuster story, you'll have to fight to unravel it in The Conduit.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5