SNK has been the home of many great franchises over the years. Any list of those would have to include Metal Slug, the hit 2D platforming/side-scrolling shoot'em up. Metal Slug has been on a variety of platforms in the last twelve-plus years, most recently making its return to the PSP with Metal Slug XX. Featuring an all new campaign, six playable characters, wireless two player co-op, and dozens of challenges, Metal Slug XX is fun, although very familiar entry to the series.

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver start in several days, and earlier this month Sega released their officially licensed video game on the Xbox 360 and PS3. I've spent several hours with Vancouver 2010 and while it's pretty fun, it lacks any real depth or substance that makes you want to keep on playing. Let's take a closer look.

It’s Final Fantasy, but it’s hardly RPG. That doesn’t make it bad, though.

2D brawlers were a huge hit in the late 80s and 90s, but you just don't see that many anymore. Done right, 2D brawlers are awesome co-op experiences that offer a lot of replay value and great memories. The genre has been well established by games like Double Dragon, Final Fight, and Captain Commando. SOE just launched a new PSN game that combines all of the classic themes and elements of a 2D brawler with lots of platforming action. Is Revenge of the Wounded Dragons a must have? Let's take a closer look.

Why don't they just go home? That's their home! Are they to good for their home?

It's not going to set the world on fire, but at its budget price, it's a good stocking stuffer choice for the little futbol fanatic in your family.

Namco's popular Tekken series returned to the PSP late last month with Tekken 6. A couple of weeks earlier, Tekken 6 was released on the Xbox 360 and the PS3, and our resident Tek-head Eric Layman was impressed. Normally when you think of console to handheld ports, you expect a lot of missing content and other short cuts, but I'm pleased to say Tekken 6 on the PSP is a full featured fighter that is well worth your consideration.

A full band experience for your DS (or was it half full?)

One of the many great things about being a reviewer is that you get to play games that you otherwise wouldn't have. Sometimes those opportunities can lead to a new found respect for a game, a series, or even a genre. I was recently tasked with reviewing We Cheer 2, the newest dance/rhythm title in Namco's lineup. Having no experience with the first We Cheer nor cheering in general, I dove right into this one and tried to view it from the perspective of the target audience. I think We Cheer 2 gets a lot right, but there is room for improvement. That said, if you're looking for the perfect cheer, you won't get any closer on a console this holiday.

Stormregion (Codename: Panzers series) is back with a new turn based strategy title exclusively for the PSP. Set in the late 23rd century, humans have all but exhausted their resources. The multinational corporation Kondor steps in to help by scouring space for raw materials. The planet Pythar looks to be the key to humanities desperate needs, but the Mytrans have already staked their claim. It's up to you to lead Loki, Eli, and Rachel against the Mytrans in order to save humanity, but you'll also get a chance to control the Mytrans and their heroes in this nicely done turn based title.

Playing ball on a different court.