Sonic the Hedgehog is no longer a character who can be depended upon for quality games, unlike a certain Italian plumber, a limbless alien, or even an orange bandicoot.

Just plain old Bust-A-Move, the same Bust-A-Move that we've been playing for the last decade.

There is an expression that beauty is only skin deep, which fits Xtreme Beach Volleyball to a tee. Those who purchase this game will soon discover the beautiful graphics are hiding a shallow, pointless game underneath.

It's an interesting premise with a fine fighting scheme – squandered by sloppy design and bugs. Definitely a title destined for demo-status gone awry and certainly little more than a game for those who like their games with little substance.

Most gamers won't be able to think straight, let alone execute the tons of mouse clicks necessary to keep from being overwhelmed.

Perhaps Turok would have been more acceptable had it been released a few years ago, but the genre has, interestingly enough, "evolved" to the point where this game looks and plays downright primitive.

The underlying gameplay, which basically consists of herding animals, just isn't enough to prop up the game in its current form.

This once excellent, oddly addicting title that appeared on the Saturn three years ago has become little more than a tedious chore to play.

The game is rated "E" for everyone, and it will likely find ways to bore and possibly annoy everyone who plays it.

The action is not nearly violent enough to satisfy one's bloodlust, the characters look different but function essentially the same, and matches lack any form of strategy associated with the sport.

Unfortunately, any promise of a good game is hindered by the insistence that your car explode in a fiery crash nearly every time you come in contact with another vehicle.

With over 10,000 objects in the game's universe, there is quite a bit to see and no one's going to tell you how or when to see it in this open-ended space adventure.

A stuttering frame rate in a high-speed racing title absolutely kills any fun players will have with the game, and it's a shame considering how close the graphic engine tries to replicate the SSX experience.

An unwieldy pitching system and terrible fielding result in a twin killing for those expecting to connect with a fast-paced baseball game.

Comedy that fails to deliver much of anything in the way of humor is a sad product. All the components for a successful funfest are present but the end result falls flat.

The game swings and misses in so many areas that it ends up alienating arcade fans and simulation fans alike.

It's very short and predictable, leaving the graphics to stand on their own as the best feature of the game.

The main disappointment is that Mad Maestro! doesn't really simulate the feel of conducting an orchestra.

Where "Tony Hawk 3" is fast, flowing, and intuitive, Shaun Palmer is slow, disjointed and difficult to get into.

More of the same uninspiring gameplay that makes the license unappealing to game developers. Its failure to adhere to simple precedents or develop surprising action involving interesting characters empties yet another promise of a quality title.

Unfortunately FireBlade's visuals are a notch below most offerings for 2002, but the control is what ultimately keeps this title grounded.

Little more than a convoluted, poorly executed variation on "Tetris."

The racing environments suffer from the PlayStation 2's notorious texture limitations.

All of the problems the off-road games have experienced in the past are as visible in this version as a Hummer with its high beams on.

Lacking just about everything that makes their top-shelf titles great, namely the depth of modes and the attempt at re-creating the nuances of the sport, Triple Play 2002 is an action-heavy game that needs a complete overhaul in player models, fielding, pitching, and options.

Only enjoyable if you equate fun with frustration, but most gamers have long since outgrown that philosophy, as have most games. Yet Gradius III and IV clings to its roots like a long rotting tooth.

The translation is nearly arcade perfect. The only thing missing is a full-sized sniper rifle, which ends up making a big difference.

Yet another Olympic-style contest failing to deliver gold when it comes to the most important aspect of any title: gameplay.