Arcade

Why so Serious?

HIGH Watching what looks like a separately animated scene reveal itself as part of a level.

LOW Episodes that hang around long after they've stopped being interesting.

WTF Catman? Clock King? Every time I think I've seen the weirdest Batman villain...

Game Description: Feel the boldness of adventure and the bravery of justice as you become Batman and his superhero teammates in the videogame based on your favorite animated TV series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Tread through the exciting terrain of the DC Universe and test your might in this side-scrolling action thrill ride that will take you through crime-filled alleys, strange alien planets, abandoned underground cities, and mysterious island laboratories. Go behind the cowl of the Caped Crusader himself and team up with his superhero friends to solve puzzles, fight dozens of foes, and discover new worlds as you battle to save the day and see if you truly have what it takes to be a superhero!

What you Don't Know Will Kill you... Twice

HIGH Every moment a spider is on the screen.

LOW A puzzle near the end that relies on a blind jump.

WTF The danger-free puzzles feel like they belong in another game.

Let's See who the Craziest is

HIGH De-fleshing Jude the Dude with his own guns, then blowing apart his naked skeleton for good measure.

LOW The distinct lack of unlockables. Platinum is the reincarnation of Clover Studios, after all.

WTF "It's like when you're surfing porn on the toilet for 12 hours—when you do get up, it ain't a pretty sight."

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Game Description: Sega's Madworld is an inventive third-person action game exclusively for Wii. Produced by Atsushi Inaba, MADWORLD has a unique black and white style depicting an incredibly sharp backdrop that straddles graphic novels and 3D worlds. As players battle opponents, they must master the use of various weapons and items found within their environment, such as chainsaws and street signs, while entertaining sports commentary adds to the third-person gameplay. With its irreverent humor and over-the-top violence, MADWORLD will deliver a unique core gaming experience currently missing on the Wii system.

Casualis Perfectum!

HIGH: The two worlds here mesh wonderfully.

LOW: The spell-targeting can drive you batty.

WTF: "And the Lord said 'Collect-a-thons shall not get thee to Heaven.'"

Game Description: LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 brings the action, adventure and fun of the first 4 stories in the Harry Potter catalog to the video game screen in the way only the LEGO franchise can. Featuring all your favorite characters and story environments, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 lets players play as the wizard of their choice, combining them piece by piece as is only possible in the LEGO franchise of games. Play options include single player story mode, free-play and two-player co-op online and offline.

Ok, but just for a Little While

HIGH As with any mini-game collection, having a great time with my loved ones.

LOW Well that got boring quick.

WTF Does Sega really think us Americans are such trashy slobs that we have empty tissue boxes just piled up around the house?

Game Description: Let’s Tap is a completely innovative gaming experience on the Wii with easy pick-up-and-play controls that will appeal to gamers of all ages. Players simply place the Wii Remote on a box or a flat surface and tap! All methods of tapping (light, medium, hard) will render a variety of unique results within each game mode, allowing players to jump hurdles, create a dazzling fireworks display and more. There are five fun-filled game modes that can be played with up to four friends: Tap Runner, Silent Blocks, Rhythm Tap, Bubble Voyager and Visualizer.

Lost (and Found) in Shadows

HIGH Seeing the game in motion and realizing it's not a cutscene.

LOW The post-zipline area at the end is the game's only "cheap" puzzle.

WTF With that ending...