"If you've scored an Xbox 360, some actual games are going to be the next logical purchase — unless you auctioned it off for thousands of dollars on eBay.

We've worn our fingers to the bone the past few weeks (just for you) playing through the 18 titles available when the system launched. While the offering is diverse, many of the games are merely visually tweaked versions from the older consoles. Worse, Xbox 360 games can cost a whopping $60 — roughly $10 more than games for older systems.

Here's our take, from best to worst.
___

"Call of Duty 2" (Rated T, $59.99). Emotional and intense, this World War II epic is the best first-person shooter available so far. In a recurring theme, it costs $10 more than the PC version for no good reason other than it comes in an Xbox 360 lime-green plastic case. But it's an impressive display of the Xbox 360's power: it ran smoother on the $400 console than it did on my $2,500 gaming PC.
___

"Condemned: Criminal Origins" (Rated M, $59.99) This unique, thrilling action title shows the true power of Xbox 360 with some incredible, groundbreaking graphics. As
FBI investigator Agent Thomas, you spend most of your time cautiously creeping through dank, abandoned subway terminals and other unsavory buildings filled with urban decay and murderous sociopaths who like to lunge at you from dark corners.
___

"Kameo: Elements of Power" (Rated T, $49.99). Kid-friendly and graphically rich, this is the platformer Microsoft Corp. should have packaged with every new system. Instead, you get to pay $49.99 for this short but fun action game starring heroine Kameo. She has the nifty ability to transform into dozens of nasty monsters, handy for battling monsters and overcoming obstacles.
___

"Perfect Dark Zero" (Rated M, $49.99 for "regular edition," $59.99 for "limited collector's edition"). This futuristic shooter stars gadget savvy secret agent Joanna Dark in a rather confusing tale of corporate espionage. Don't buy this for the solo mode — online multiplayer combat with a cool arsenal of weaponry is what makes this game fun." [more]