Making its unprecedented tenth appearance on PlayStation 2, Electronic Arts' NCAA Football series continues with the same play modes and core design features as found in 2009's game, albeit with updated rosters and revised playbooks. Once again the main focus of play is the "Road to Glory" mode, which involves creating a high-school athlete in his quest to earn a college scholarship. Other returning features for the PlayStation 2 version include a "super sim" option, which lets you jump into a game at any time while simulating match-ups between schools; a freshman difficulty setting that simplifies the playbooks and controls; and a leaderboard that lets you track your school's progress in a number of key areas. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Activision's third band-centric Guitar Hero release follows rock group Van Halen during its formative years with David Lee Roth as lead singer, but without original bassist Michael Anthony. As with previous titles focusing on Aerosmith and Metallica, Guitar Hero: Van Halen features 3D modeled versions of each band member as well as signature-style moves, clothing, and instruments from the past and present. Complete a solo tour on bass, guitar, drums, or vocals, or team up with up to three friends for the full band experience. In addition to Van Halen's biggest hits, 19 songs from such artists as Queen, Weezer, blink-182, the Offspring, and Queens of the Stone Age are included. Among the 25 featured songs from Van Halen are "Jump," "Hot for Teacher," "Panama," "Little Guitars," "Cathedral," "Spanish Fly," and "Eruption." ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Three branches of big-time wrestling action collide in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Featuring ECW, the 11th full title in THQ's sports entertainment series. As in earlier games, players can create a custom wrestler character, choosing the looks, style, moves, and the entrance. WWE 2010's "Story Designer" mode allows players to create custom stories for their characters as well, with more control over events, length, and outcome than available in the story-scripting modes of previous games. The game also includes 30 real-life WWE superstar wrestlers, divided into brand-based rosters: "Raw," "SmackDown," "ECW," "WCW," "Legends," and "Free Agents." ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Based on the computer-animated television series airing on the Cartoon Network, Republic Heroes has you engaged in a war between a battle droid army and the Jedi. Set between seasons one and two of the series, the game has you tracking down a bounty hunter named Cad Bane and the villainous Kul Teska across more than 30 missions. Playable characters include Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Commander Cody, Captain Rex, Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, and Ahsoka Tano. Fight as either a Jedi or a clone trooper across 3D environments overflowing with enemies to shoot, slice, and shatter. Lightsaber-equipped Jedis can use Force powers and perform acrobatic maneuvers, while clone troopers use jetpacks and wield high-powered weapons like rocket launchers and thermal detonators. Team up with a friend at any point with the game's drop-in cooperative system. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Players can once again choose from a cast of noble Autobots or evil Decepticons and battle to determine the fate of Earth as Hasbro's "robots in disguise" return for their second feature film, and second movie-based game, in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The single-player campaign gives gamers a glimpse of the action from both perspectives of the ongoing war, with players taking control of Bumblebee or Optimis Prime in one mission, then commanding Starscream or Megatron in another. The action primarily involves combat-heavy platforming, but certain levels also involve flying or driving, allowing gamers to transform from vehicle to robot on the fly and engage in temporary slow-motion attacks. The entire campaign can be played in co-op mode, where the second player takes the form of an indestructible flying robot, and two players can also team up to tackle waves of encroaching enemies in the "Arena" mode. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories is a PlayStation 2 remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance game, and follows the story of Sora, Riku, and their Square and Disney character companions, in the time between the events of the PS2's original Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II. As in the GBA original, the play of the game is driven by memory-empowered cards that the characters collect in their travels. The various cards can be used to perform special moves in combat or to create rooms containing treasure, enemies, or save points. Display of card information is more detailed and accessible in the PS2 version of the game, and managing a deck of cards is easier with a Dual Shock 2 controller. Released well past the console's prime, the game makes use of many well-honed graphical and presentational techniques to enliven the Chain of Memories story from a fresh perspective. Characters are voiced by the actors who performed them in the original PS2 game and its sequel, including Haley Joel Osment as Sora and David Gallagher as Riku. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Sega's speed-loving mascot returns to foil another evil plot in Sonic Unleashed. This time, Dr. Eggman has caused a catastrophic event that shattered the world into many pieces, and gamers must guide the spiky-haired Sonic on a quest to reunite the planet. The cataclysm also brings about an unexpected change in Sonic, and in order to find the lost chaos emeralds and reconnect the world's continents, players must master both his traditional daytime abilities, and the new nighttime abilities of his slower and stronger alter ego Sonic the Werehog.

Sonic Unleashed makes use of a new "Hedgehog Engine" designed to give the game an unparalleled sense of speed and provide smooth transitions between the 2D and 3D sections of each daytime level. As always, players collect rings as they reach supersonic levels of speed, making use of the "Quick Step" and "Speed Drift" abilities to avoid obstacles and handle corners without losing momentum. There are nine game worlds, all designed to resemble real places such as Greece, China, and New York City, and each of the worlds features branching pathways and multiple routes to the finish line. Other familiar characters from the franchise, such as Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose, make appearances in a number of optional mini-games that offer a break from the high-speed action. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Most immediately, it is the combat model that sets Web of Shadows apart from earlier Spider-Man games. Web-slinging becomes an integral part of the beat-'em-up play. Spidey can swing punches as he swings through the streets, drag a bad guy along with him as he wall-hops, or web-bungee himself toward a foe in mid-air, at knockout speed. Generally, combat is designed to be open and improvisational, with players stringing together combos as they go. The other major twist to combat is the ability to switch from Spider-Man's friendly neighborhood red and blue costume to the over-powered black costume on the fly. The red and blue suit offers unmatched agility and grace, but the black suit gives the hero even greater raw strength.

From fighting styles to interactions with NPCs, player choices steer the story in Web of Shadows. Players have room to move and explore in each level, and must decide where to apply the superpower upgrades they earn. As they meet objectives and progress through the story, they encounter other famous Marvel heroes and villains, including Wolverine, Black Cat, and the Vulture, who may be made ally or enemy as the player chooses. There is more than one way to win many of the battles in the game, and more than one way out of a tricky situation. The choices the player makes determine whether Spider-Man is ultimately viewed as a hero, beloved by the people of the city, or a vigilante, viewed with fear and scorn.

The same sort of alien life form that created Spider-Man's first black suit -- and his deadly enemy Venom -- now is invading New York City. Strings and globs, pods of black matter are beginning to engulf the entire city. Destruction reigns, the end looks near, and it seems only the strongest heroes and villains remain on the streets to confront the threat. The invasion must be stopped: With all the powers of Spider-Man at their command, it's up to players to decide how. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Passive panda Po relinquishes his slovenly ways to fulfill an ancient prophecy and defeat a sinister snow leopard in this adaptation of DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda. The video game version is a 3D platform game that has Po navigating 13 hazard-filled, multi-tiered levels. Animal enemies are defeated using an array of paw-to-paw moves, from spinning kicks to body slams to bowling over foes by tucking into a ball. Po's agility will also be put to the test, whether it's swinging from tree limbs or leaping across lily pads. Players can even control Po's menagerie of friends, who specialize in distinct kung-fu styles and offer character-specific talents. Monkey, Tigress, Viper, Crane, and Mantis are all playable throughout the adventure. In addition to the single-player game, Kung Fu Panda includes cooperative play and a variety of competitive mini-games. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Mater is holding a national race festival allowing racers from all around the world to challenge Lightning McQueen. Along with racing against the new characters, players can explore the world of Radiator Springs and Lightning McQueen's racing headquarters. There are also more than 20 mini-games to tackle, including Ramone's Rhythmic Rumble and Fillmore's Fuel Frenzy. Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. make an appearance as well. ~ All Game Guide