Super Stardust Delta is a great game, but one that’s severely lacking options. The Blast Pack is the prescribed remedy for its ailments; however, it’s not an effective dose. Four new modes with limited content just don’t do the trick.

Launch titles that showcase a system’s features have become all too common. These games are typically built on a gimmick, like augmented reality, tilt, or touch. But in the case of Super Stardust Delta there are no gimmicks, just a showcase of the dual analog sticks – a first for portable gaming. Housemarque has done a fantastic job in bringing the twin-stick-shooter genre to portables with its sequel to the already phenomenal Super Stardust HD on the PlayStation 3.

Sometimes it’s simply impossible to argue with just how well a game is constructed. MotorStorm RC is such a title – from its presentation to the manner in which you progress, everything is put together as well as one could imagine. But alas, the core racing experience is one that has some extremely limited appeal, even among fans of the racing genre. This is due in part to the unconventional perspective and resultant controls and the extremely unforgiving level of challenge.

As the third and final Cruis'n game in the arcade series, the formula really shows its age. Released in 1999 in the arcade and in late 2000 on the Nintendo 64, Exotica was dated even during its own time. There's a reason that Nintendo declined to publish this one, but there's still something here for fans of Cruis'n.

With addictively chaotic gameplay and intelligent map design aimed at thrusting players headfirst into the action, Nexuiz has the potential to be a great game. Based on an open-source PC game that was derived from a Quake mod, Nexuiz is heavily inspired by its illustrious gaming background. Sounds like an old-school gamer’s dream, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. While Nexuiz brings us classic gameplay from a forgotten era; it also delivers an outdated matchmaking system along with it.

Deep Black Reloaded is an upgraded PC port of an Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network title that hasn't been released yet. We're just firing on all cylinders right from the get-go, aren't we?

In a world without Deus Ex: Human Revolution I might be more kind to Syndicate.  In that world Syndicate’s central concepts and general aesthetic presentation may appear more original - less derivative of a previously released game that did a far better job of creating a plausible, near future setting where the lines separating humanity and artificiality aren’t quite as clear as they are today.  In that world Syndicate would be far more enjoyable, if only due to the lack of any real competition.  It is good that we do not live in that world; it is not so good for Syndicate.

Despite its colorful and inviting presentation, Hot Shots Golf has always been about providing a near-simulation golf experience. Like real golf, every shot counts. In order to post the lowest scores and win the most tournaments you must analyze the wind, the course’s construction, its slopes, and even the weather conditions. Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational carries the torch to the PlayStation Vita providing nearly the exact same tight experience the series has offered for years.

Plants vs. Zombies has already made its way to every gaming platform known to man. While I say this facetiously, the tower-defense title has been adapted for a wide variety of platforms since initially debuting on the PC in 2009. While it started on the PC, Plants vs. Zombies found its true home on the mobile platform after appearing on all manner of smart phones. The touch controls and ability to play in small bursts, anytime, anywhere, made the smart phone version of the game the most palatable. Now appearing on the Vita, the game is equally viable on the new platform, especially with the bright, beautiful HD visuals provided by the Vita's multi-touch screen. While viable, its high price point ($15) is likely to chase away most would-be zombie defenders.

Mass Effect was a watershed moment for developer, BioWare. It was the game that solidified their presence on consoles, building on the success of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. It was also their first truly smash-hit original IP thanks to its publishing deal with Microsoft Studios. Five years later, and on the eve of the conclusion of the “Commander Shepard Trilogy”, how does the original Mass Effect hold up?

Pro Evolution Soccer debuted on the 3DS last spring as a rushed out launch title lacking game modes and customization options. This year, Konami clearly took the time to make a better game by including a decent variety of tournaments and leagues to partake in.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss marks the first entry in the critically acclaimed series to have not been developed by Naughty Dog. But Sony's Bend Studio has done a fairly good job of carrying the torch to their new handheld system. The bigger problem with Golden Abyss is that it takes every available opportunity to shoehorn in Vita-specific controls, and more importantly, the tale that it tells fails to grab your attention until roughly halfway through.

Army Corps of Hell is one of several games that have tried to replicate the successful Pikmin formula, but have failed miserably at doing so. Although the mechanics suffer from very few issues, the gameplay is excruciatingly repetitive.

Released around two years after the arcade version, Cruis'n World is more than just a port. Offering new modes and features,  it's a more complete package than its predecessor, making it a worthwhile experience. Some things don't change however, and it still contains the same lackluster presentation that the series is famous (or infamous?) for.

From the moment I booted up Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen, something felt oddly familiar. No, it wasn't because I had played the last game in the series - that title never released in America – it was something else. Visages of Tenchu immediately sprung to mind, and rightfully so, as this was a ninja game from Acquire, the minds behind Tenchu. For those familiar with the Tenchu series, this is a good thing; however, repetition and poor controls ultimately get the better of this experience.

The last time the Katamari series came to a handheld console, it was a lesson in frustration to say the least. Without two joysticks to properly control the Katamari, things quickly fell apart; an unfortunate truth for fans dying to roll on the go. Well, six years and a brand new handheld system later, Katamari fans have finally gotten what they’ve been waiting so long for: a good looking Katamari experience loaded with all of the integral character and humor the series is known for, that – most importantly – controls like a dream. Unfortunately, its lack of variety and content cast a dark shadow over what could have been the ultimate handheld Katamari game.

Dr. Lautrec, a renowned Parisian puzzle-solver, is thrust into the center of a giant mystery that promises to tax your noggin as you seek the rightful heir to the French throne. At least that’s the way the game starts out.  As you work to recover enchanted treasures guarded by cops and secretive knights, you end up doing lots of other things that have nothing to do with solving puzzles. Each segment of the game drags in another popular game component and tries to create the perfect combo-game that will appeal to everyone.  Problem is, no single piece of Dr. Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights is particularly enjoyable, so the end product feels like a mix of bland, sequential minigames with a repetitive structure.

Given the overwhelming success of Lumines on the PSP, as well as all of its subsequent releases on other platforms, it's not particularly surprising to see a new edition of the title on the PlayStation Vita at launch. Little has changed since the first rendition of the game, but Lumines: Electronic Symphony still packs quite a punch thanks to the sharp visual fidelity of the Vita and the well-tailored soundtrack.

With this new generation of handhelds it has become clear that home console fighting games can be brought to portable systems without cutting down the original in any way shape or form. To that point, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend, a massive game, has been ported wholesale to the PlayStation Vita with absolutely no concessions.

Grand Slam Tennis began life exclusively on the Nintendo Wii. While versions were planned for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, they were delayed indefinitely, giving players the choice of only the cartoonish, less realistic version of the game. This year, EA has taken it to a new level with Grand Slam Tennis 2, which offers a much more serious game, complete with a new presentation and control scheme.

No matter how you want to look at it, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a hard sell. Being the fourth rendition of a game originally released in 2004, chances are if you have an interest in the title you already own it in its proper home console form. If by some off chance you still don't own it, the Vita version probably isn't your best choice, mainly because the excruciatingly difficult game doesn't lend itself to quick burst, portable play, especially with its infrequent save points. If that isn't enough to scare you away, the full retail price surely will.

I'm sure the latest port of a Michael Jackson game that has already come out on every system imaginable isn't on the top of your “Vita games to grab at launch” list. But surprisingly enough, it wouldn't be an awful one to occupy said space. I absolutely would not consider myself a fan of the King of Pop's music, but he has some undeniably catchy songs in his extensive catalog that - when paired with The Experience's sharp gameplay- make for an engaging and enjoyable play experience.

Every now and again a game will come along that defies classification. Such is the case with Asura’s Wrath, a mysterious game from CyberConnect2 and Capcom. Announced with little fanfare and even less information, Asura’s Wrath has been a difficult game to peg. Is it an action game? Is it a simple beat-'em-up, ala Final Fight? Is it a modern day Dragon’s Lair? Well, before I can answer those questions, I will need to perform a full physical of your gaming and anime tastes; please drop your pants. No? Well, you’ll need to at least fill out this questionnaire.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend is an updated version of the original Continuum Shift that was released in 2010 with extra content. I myself am a big fan of the fighting game genre but I've yet to play a BlazBlue title. Although I was initially not impressed, as I continued to play, the game opened up and I  was rewarded with a complex, but gratifying combat system, an intriguing story mode and a colorful cast of combatants.

Wipeout 2048 makes its debut on the freshly released Vita hoping to capture the hearts of racing fanatics through ultra-fast racing and jaw-dropping visuals. It acts as a prequel to the series, setting you in the not too distant future where modern day architecture meets futuristic technology.