PS2

NASCAR 08 allows players to live the experience of driving around in a circle over and over again for up to three hours at a time. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm being glib, because that's a literal description of the sport being simulated.

Game Description: In NASCAR 08, you'll take the wheel and drive your way to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship in the most realistic NASCAR racing game yet. As the new rookie driver on the circuit, develop your racing skills to gain licenses and contracts from hungry owners and unlock legendary top performing cars from NASCAR's biggest stars. Gain new experiences during every race then modify your car's handling with over 40 tuning options to truly master every track. Share your setups with NASCAR's gaming community, then challenge the field in live races with up to 16 players online. Experience tomorrow's racing today in NASCAR 08.

I think it would do most developers well to remember that every videogame is someone's first videogame. NHL 08 is the most egregious example I've seen of this problem in a long while. It's a wonderful hockey simulator that, through its total unwillingness to instruct me on how to play, proved far more frustrating than I'm sure the developers had hoped.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Violence

Game Description: With new features EA-Sports NHL 08 is your virtual world into hockey—almost as real as the game itself. But you're no longer a spectator. You're inside. Whether you're managing or playing, you're choices reap benefits and consequences. Who'll be the winners or losers in NHL 08? It's up to you. With virtually real images, action, and visuals and new gameplay features, move up to the top with NHL 08! Take on the hardest job in sports and seize control of your goaltender with a new 3rd person camera. Stack the pads, butterfly and make glove saves with your entire team depending on you From player likeness, to the signature jersey tucks and sock preferences—each athlete is rendered with a meticulous attention to detail to create a truly authentic on-ice experience.

I don’t know what went wrong with Dawn of Mana. Its worlds are bright fairylands; its characters are pretty without looking sickly cute. The gameplay itself is an interesting twist on Devil May Cry-style combo-racking, with few lulls in the action and lots of property to destroy. Unfortunately, a lousy camera and odd difficulty levels make the game much more frustrating than it should be.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Fantasy Violence

Game Description: In Dawn of Mana players will finally uncover the origins of the long-running MANA series, which boasts unique and fully interactive 3D environments. Players will be able to interact with their environment like never before, as they explore, destroy and use objects in their fight against fierce—and often funny—enemies. Four difficulty levels, gameplay-altering emblems and a battle arena with collectable pets add customization to the adventure and increase replay value.

Game Description: In Odin Sphere, players enact the story of their world's end. A great kingdom named Valentine was brought apart by natural disaster and internal strife. As war broke out, the once-great nation became a wasteland. As a demon lord named Odin schemes to conquer it, a far-off sorceror plans to use ancient magic that will bring an apocalypse. As the nations struggle for control, the world steadily slips unknowingly toward its demise, ancient prophecies are ready to be fulfilled—unless a young princess named Gwendolyn can stop the bloody feud between nations and fight for unity.