Atari

The first person shooter (FPS) is by far the most maligned genre in all of videogaming (although, to be fair, this is just because there isn't a large "porno" genre… yet). Striving as it does to simulate for people the experience of shooting other people in the face (or groin, depending on the gamer's tastes), the FPS has been accused of everything from desensitizing the youth of America to training a generation to be heartless killing machines.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Crude Humour, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Game Description: Dead Man's Hand is a first-person shooter set in the Wild West. You assume the role of El Tejon, a master gunslinger on a mission of vengeance. As the story unfolds, you will pursue members of The Nine, a gang of ruthless outlaws who betrayed you and left you for dead. For the first time ever, you can experience the best elements of the Western genre, brought straight from the silver screen to the video game system. Gunslinging, bar brawls, horseback action sequences, train chases and epic showdowns are just part of the Old West feel in this bona fide period piece adventure.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Fantasy Violence

"Weh-ooh-weh-eeh" is about as close as I can come to describing the sound a Transformer makes when changing shape. "Urrrgh" is the sound a game critic makes when playing a Transformers game that has the potential to be great, yet totally misses the mark.

Game Description: A fast-paced, single-player, 3rd-person action/combat game starring three giant robots across 8 different environments on Earth and Cybertron., The war between the Autobots and Decepticons rages on in this epic action game for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. With defeat at hand, the last hope for the Autobots lies with the powerful Mini-con robots, the lost Transformers race stranded on the Earth. To retrieve the Mini-con, the Autobots must head into battle against the Decepticon leaders and their massive new Decepticlone Army. Transformers features fast-paced action with incredible power-ups, countless enemies, immense battles and intense boss fights against the legendary Decepticon leaders.

Game Description: An adventure-action game that puts players in charge of a character named Kya who is on a quest to find her lost brother and a way back home. Plunged into a mysterious world, Kya must seek her way through multiple dangers to find her brother and a way back home. She discovers the Nativs, a peaceful tribe, oppressed by the Wolfens, the menacing army of the evil Brazul. Kya must lead the rebellion of the Nativs for their freedom. Mastering magical powers, Kya can liberate the Wolfens from their mystical imprisonment and restore their true Nativ identity.

Game Description: The time has come to go beyond the Dragon Ball Z sagas and experience the full force of the most powerful fighters in the universe. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 will challenge players like no other Dragon Ball Z game before. Begin with an all-new single player Dragon World that opens the story to new match-ups, surprising character appearances, and missions that will amaze. You can also battle your friends in multiplayer VS. And Tournament modes. If your will and skill prevail, you will come face-to-face with Buu, the most lethal of all Dragon Ball Z villains. Do you have what it takes not only to survive, but also to dominate.

Fighting games are a bit of a strange contradiction, because they really seem like they should be the most accessible genre. After all, just jumping into a single fight is the epitome of the casual gaming experience. Of course, since most fighting games have incredibly steep learning curves, this doesn't work quite the way it should.

Dear Kya, I'm writing this letter to tell you I was wrong, and I'm sorry. I know that I pride myself on being open-minded and I always try to give small games a chance, but I'm only human. Please forgive me for thinking that you were just another generic 3D platformer trying to keep up with some stiff competition. How could I have known?