Mortal Kombat: Armageddon [Wii]

Mortal Kombat as a whole, however, is showing its age. Maybe it's because this is a new console, but the graphics look worse than ever. Character models aren't very detailed, and the game features some of the blandest backdrops in the genre. Perhaps that's to allow for more gory disfigurements and breakthrough environments, respectively, but next-gen cosmetic surgery for this series can't happen soon enough.

For such a successful, big-ticket series, Mortal Kombat has moments of amateurish design. Konquest mode is habit-forming in the way it dishes out quality goodies almost literally per every few feet of terrain, but the cutscenes, voiceover, and mechanics are almost laughable. This franchise has gotten by on its charm and violent humor for years now, but it won't be able to skate by on those qualities for another installment.

The Krypt has always been chock full of unlockables for those with koins burning a hole in their pocket. Armageddon mercifully does away with the randomness factor, ensuring you know exactly what you're buying. It's a nice switch, even if we'll miss the Christmas-morning surprise element from past titles. However, at least you know you're getting what you want.

The fighter creator is extremely robust, but note that you'll need to save up a good pile of koins for your new avatar. After all, almost every single option has a price tag on it. With a little time and a virtual-monetary investment, you can create a certain odd-haired military man from another classic fighting series, or the big-haired gentleman who totes a mammoth sword in one of gaming's most-loved RPGs. It was nice of Midway to allow for dream matches such as Akuma vs. Shang Tsung.