MLB 07: The Show
Publisher: SCEA
Developer: SCEA
Platform: PS3
Release: 05/15
ESRB: E

Best. Baseball. Game. Ever.  Folks may or may not say that about Sony's new-gen baseball effort, but there's no arguing that The Show has got the goods.  An amazingly deep franchise mode, the fantastic "Road to the Show" mode, intuitive hitting, and smooth pitching are all here and waiting for B-ball fans to sink their collective teeth into.  Much of what worked so well in MLB 06: The Show is present and accounted for in this year's version and a lot of that is largely unchanged.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it is what they say and the only fixing that Sony did on this one was done to bring it to the PS3.  This game hits it out of the park.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Wii
Release: 05/21
ESRB: E

As this month clearly proves to us all there is a lot more to downloadable games than just old arcade and home console titles for play on next-gen machines.  This is especially shown with Donkey Kong Country 2; which offers a whole new way to play this game originally created as an SNES and later GBA title.  So, while the graphics may seem slightly dated, DKC2 delivers as a solid platformer which draws on its predecessor while actually surpassing it in many ways.  This one costs 800 Wii points to download and is well worth every last one of them.

Forza Motorsport 2
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Microsoft
Platform: Xbox 360
Release: 05/29
ESRB: E

The most anticipated driving game of this generation?  Perhaps.  Gran Turismo 5 may still hold that title, but it's going to be released... someday and Forza 2 is here now.  With over 300 cars from 50 manufacturers in the game, the possibility to auction your vehicles to other players to earn points to buy yet more vehicles, and all of the racing excitement that this game offers, Forza literally has something for everyone.  The first Forza was excellent, but this next-gen sequel surpasses it in nearly every way and is truly one of the best games of the month and perhaps the year.

Shadowrun
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: FASA Studios
Platform: Xbox 360/PC
Release: 05/29
ESRB: M

An FPS based on a pen & paper RPG sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Shadowrun delivers in ways that we never expected.  Cross-platform gameplay between the 360 and PC and the unique blend of RPG and FPS elements (you can wield weapons like chain guns, sniper rifles, and swords along with magical abilities) make Shadowrun into something we've never seen before.  The gameplay is tight, controls intuitive, and environments perfectly suited to a game of this type.  This is a title that people will be playing for a long time to come and if you've noticed less folks online playing games like Gears of War it's because they're all enjoying this new frag-fest on Live.

Mad Tracks
Publisher: D3
Developer: Load
Platform: Xbox Live arcade
Release: 05/30
ESRB: E

Racing sim freaks may all be playing Forza, but for those who prefer a little less realism in their racing there is Mad Tracks, and Xbox Live Arcade title with a focus on fun.  Similar to the Micro Machines franchise, Mad Tracks puts players in control of miniature vehicles racing on tracks set up in environments much larger than the vehicles themselves.  Race trough soda shops, bedrooms, and the like while picking up weapons that can be used to slow your opponents or knock them off the tracks completely.  Mad Tracks is silly and quick and that's just what some people want out of a racer.  It's reminiscent of the Rare NES title RC Pro Am in a number of ways and that's a good thing.  And, of course, it offers single player and multiplayer modes - either online or off.  It's easily one of the best games to see life on Xbox Live arcade and one that any racing fan should try.