With a simple-to-use swing interface and fast, fluid gameplay, Tiger Woods 2001 offers a level of playability that users will take pleasure in for a long time.

What gives Cool Boarders 2001 its biggest style points, however, is something it shares with Tony Hawk: performance goals...This turns an average snowboarding game into a fun, engaging experience.

Successfully blends the crazy jumps and impossible physics of "Crazy Taxi" with the crime-oriented theme of "Driver." The graphics are clean, the music is catchy, and the game is fun to pick up and play.

The enemies are repetitive, the puzzles are simple, and players aren't given much freedom to explore, but what is here is fun to play -- thanks to an interesting story, excellent sound effects, and well-animated visuals.

As a homage to the original title, Altered Beast: Guardian of the Realms is merely passable, thanks to its carbon-copy design; fans expecting a revitalization of the franchise should look elsewhere.

A delightful excursion for the young female audience for which it is intended, but there's enough action and innovation to make it interesting for boys as well.

The series’ debut on Xbox is not the head-turning affair it should be. While fighting hundreds of enemies is still addictive as ever, players sadly shouldn’t expect any improvements to the presentation.

Will appeal more to bikers who've had hands-on experiences than casual gamers looking for a fun sport with less subjective scoring and easier controls.

While it suffers from a few somewhat glaring flaws, it contains a deep narrative structure and a surprisingly interesting adventure motif that should excite fans of the genre and those who like complex storytelling.

While the crisp graphics and bonus levels put the Xbox Spider-Man game slightly ahead of the PS2 and GameCube versions, indoor sequences are still problematic with an uncooperative camera that rarely stays behind the web-slinger as he flits across the room.

It offers solid platform-based gameplay and a good deal of enjoyment for those patient enough to reap its rewards.

While its unlockable content may not always seem worth the effort, and its innovative multiplayer features are less than they could have been, it's just plain fun to control a six-story-tall gorilla as it ravages a modern metropolis.

It is an original GBA title, not a port of another game from another time. That means that the developers have created an attractive game that takes advantage of the GBA's larger numbers of colors and faster architecture.

A solid light gun shooter that will appeal to any fan of this genre. It's just too short and fails to add anything innovative in the gameplay aspect (i.e. you're still on rails and there's no alternate paths you can take).

Eventually, the greatest downfall of MTV Music Generator 2 lies in its replay value. After a while, the primary songs lose their freshness and a user might feel trapped in a world of fixed samples.

The point of the cut-scenes is simply to connect the different, playable parts of the game and, since those parts of The Messenger are so good, small cracks in the method of connection can be forgiven.

While story elements take a backseat to the action, they aren't missed as the mindless shooting speaks louder than words.

The familiar graphics, interface and gameplay don't add anything to the series, but if you're looking for a way to raise monsters on the go, it certainly fits the bill.

A beautiful and entertaining title that falls just short of the initial hype.

Unlike many of the swimsuits featured in the game, there’s some breathing room for further development, but Hypnotix has once again surprised audiences by proving Outlaw Golf was neither beginner’s luck nor a fluke. The Outlaw series is here to stay.

This is one wacky world the developers have created, and it perfectly captures the original title’s sense of humor, irreverence, and addictive fun.

A short-lived romp through vibrant, sugary sweet worlds that will leave players -- much like its pink protagonist -- with an insatiable hunger for more.

The online component is addictive and is almost reason enough to purchase Midnight Club II, but solo players will be yearning for things to do in the cities outside of competing in more checkpoint races.

Easy, but long, and it will please most fans of games like "Super Mario 64" and "Banjo-Kazookie." It looks fantastic, it's a lot of fun, and it handles superbly.

If you're in the mood for action and are either an excellent virtual pilot or a gamer patient enough to wait repeatedly for your life pod to dock or be rescued, free up some hard-drive space and test your space combat skills in Allegiance.

The added scenario is fun but short, taking roughly one hour to complete. Yet the main scenario's graphics, storyline, bosses, and mysterious atmosphere are big plusses, and there are several times when you’ll find the hairs tingling on the back of your neck.

The arcade-style atmosphere goes a long way in creating an immediately playable game, but in light of titles like "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell," there's a strong desire for more involved missions (NightFire's attempt at stealth is almost silly in comparison).

Most of the terrain is stunning.

The AI is a glaring problem in an otherwise great game.

It's obvious that every detail of the game was carefully considered in relation to historical fact and you'll feel as though you understand feudal Japan a little better after playing.

In spite of its new content and subtle tweaks, Pirate Cove will not feel like a new game to anyone who played the original. It will feel like a mod. A clever, polished mod -- a mod that would have made a fine retail expansion pack -- but a mod nonetheless, and not worthy of its status as a full-fledged sequel.

It's more amusing than "1602 A.D." because of the differences in each race but gameplay is strikingly similar.

Playing the game is a lot of laughs, and is the perfect pick me up after a long day playing intensely dramatic games.

Incorporates many elements familiar to the genre in different ways, and wraps them all in an intriguing story that gives this game its own distinct feel.

While these are disappointments, there are few games that have you leaning into every jump you make, your heart in your throat each time Indy barely grabs onto a ledge with his fingertips before pulling himself up.

The bottom line is this looks, plays, and feels like the classic Crash Bandicoot games that have dominated PlayStation sales charts since 1996.

The game offers great control and enough fun to make it a worthy competitor.

A few more single-player missions, a deeper story line, interactive backgrounds, and some additional tweaking on the technical front could have pushed the game over the top.

Playing the larger missions is more tedious than fun because of path finding and unit management problems.

It just performs exactly like a superhero-based game should, delivering solid gameplay, a smooth learning curve, and enough variety to keep the levels fresh.

Shiny Entertainment's particular humor comes through most of the time, while the strategically satisfying scope creates a sense of anticipation on where titles such as this can possibly go in the future.

Many have complained about Mission: Impossible's trial-and-error gameplay. Is it me, or do those same people seem to have forgotten that "GoldenEye 007" had the same type gameplay, especially on its higher levels of difficulty?

A solid title and those with the appropriate means will find it challenging until the bloodlust has worn off and repetition sets in, which, for some, will take quite a while. For the rest of the population hemmed in by slow ISPs, the game will be little more than a source of frustration.

Most home computer gamers will find this version of The Sims to be a novel diversion, but they will eventually return to their monitors and keyboards for the easy, open-ended play that is only available there.

The varied styles of fighting combined with a fresh crop of interesting characters are strong enough to make you want to sample each one.

In the hands of designers who will use Geo-Mod technology to mine its full effects to combine creative gameplay and a well-told story, it could be awesome.

A solid platformer that only has some minor flaws. The sound was probably the weakest area, but it definitely isn't crucial for this game. It just would've been the icing on the cake.

Ultimately, the story makes the game, albeit with interspersed and occasionally annoying action sequences. But each combat has a purpose, which makes gameplay challenging and rewarding.

The automatic save feature makes playing a considerable non-hassle, while the multiple difficulty settings guarantee enjoyable gaming at all skill levels.

Factor in the number of performance-enhancing equipment and items to earn, and it comes close to the addictiveness of titles in the "Hot Shots Golf" series, which is clearly what the developers were shooting for all along.

Games rarely have any sense of culture at all … but those looking for a relatively enjoyable adventure with lots of wit should prepare for a trip to feudal Japan. You won't soon forget it.

A beautiful looking game, with animation as smooth as a Disney cartoon and a distinct style of artwork that could easily lend itself to a movie.

While the PlayStation 2 version lacks many of the options available in its PC and even Dreamcast counterparts, the same adrenaline-filled action can be found.

One of the best things about this compilation is that by scoring certain amounts of points in various games, players can unlock original Activision television commercials.

While gameplay differs in style, developer Climax Group manages to hold the line on the environment and overall fantasy feel of the original title developed by Mythos Games, Ltd.

Perfectly suited to the multiplayer environment of a college dorm room.

Ultimately, players will want more from this title because the fighting system is so enjoyable -- far surpassing the combat found in games like "State of Emergency," "Eternal Darkness," and "The Mark of Kri."

An extremely entertaining shooter that is a must-have for any fan of the genre -- and that's not even taking into account the multi-player mode! Like GoldenEye before it, Turok 2 raises the bar for first-person shooters and is among the best titles available on the system.

The camera issues will frustrate more than a few players. The variety of missions is a plus, but the casualty is a lack of cohesiveness.

With solid statistics tracking, a superb replay feature from various camera angles after each leg, and a diverse selection of race modes, cars, and tracks, GT Advance 2: Rally Racing offers heavy horsepower in the GBA racing garage.

The particle effects for the spells and treatment of the landscapes are well done, but graphics alone don't make the game.

Gamers looking for big changes in the series, though, won't find the experience much different than earlier King's Field titles.

Fans of the original Frogger will appreciate the basic concept of hopping around while avoiding obstacles (there are even logs to hop on) while modern gamers will get their expected dosage of objects to find and puzzles to solve.

While it would have been nice if both characters offered entirely different storylines or if there were some bonus games thrown onto the cartridge, the bright colors, humorous enemies, and finger-twitching gameplay is well worth a purchase for anyone who grew up with Mega Man or is curious how this title character made his start in the industry.

Lacks scenarios, ready-made cities from the developers, and some new features -- the first person "streetside" view was discussed during development, but is absent.

Hacking enemies to pieces never seems to get old. That said, the sequel offers little challenge and doesn't take very long to complete.

With stunning graphics and realistic waves, Blue Storm will quench a player's thirst for quick racing excitement but may leave those looking for added depth high and dry.

Most of the pieces are in place but they are rough around the edges -- even after seven patches. If, however, you are able to overcome the technical difficulties, a great game can be found.

The game doesn't overwhelm players with options, and the modes of play are relatively straightforward. What RalliSport does best is provide gamers with a thrill of speed and a style of control that demands their full attention.

Campaign missions tend to be repetitive and can become very tedious. The game's story lags and becomes stale quickly, resulting in a game that depends more on action and its war aspect then on plot. Even so, if you have a decent machine, Starship Troopers can be a blast to play.

There's not nearly enough depth to this title, so replay value is completely dependant on how players enjoy the demolition derby action. If that's really all you want, then Totaled! should be viewed as a smashing success.

The game could not have survived as a dungeon crawler alone, and thankfully the many side diversions offer hours of fun by themselves.

The biggest gripe is the missions aren't very long or difficult, even on the hardest setting. Enemies always appear in fixed locations, so players will be able to breeze through levels for the most part until the very end.

As fun and addictive as any of the high profile RTS games on the market.

An exciting ride that successfully expands on the aspects that made the original so popular.

The newly enhanced graphics and sound, coupled with the new age, may be reason for some to revisit the land of Myst, but the overall effect is one of "been there, done that."

It is creative, beautiful, and most importantly, it is a great deal of fun from the very beginning to the very end.

What it lacks in new ideas is more than made up for in playful exuberance.

Controls are clunky, aiming is difficult, the world is noticeably less interactive, and the graphics are merely adequate.

While Ace Combat 2 is loads of fun, it can get a bit monotonous. Essentially, the mission objectives are all the same (blow up the enemy) and this could lead to some boredom. If you look into this game, be sure to play it in moderation -- play a few missions a day and then give it a break for a while.

The most striking aspect of Sea Dogs is the 3D sailing and combat system. The feeling of being on board one of these 17th century vessels is almost perfectly captured, save for the lack of crewmembers being shown on deck.

All three games in Sega Smash Pack are very playable, and retro collections of this type are almost always a welcome addition to modern consoles, especially when they are by and large faithfully reproduced.

It’s just a shame that one of your biggest opponents is the game interface itself.

It's the kind of game that a big brother, or even Dad, might swipe from Suzy after bedtime.

A great choice for those seeking a fun, arcade-style racer, but it also has enough depth and variety to keep players interested beyond the first few hours of play.

Far from perfect but always engaging, getting mileage from the equivalent of a wink and a smile even despite the obvious faults.

The game's depth allows many different strategies and styles of play, the multiplayer modes offer extended options, and the graphics make exploring each map a pleasure.

With a more reliable camera, some nifty voice effects and an advanced mode of play for more experienced gamers, this could have ranked as a must-own game.

Hardcore hockey fans should skate wide of this release, but most will enjoy this sleeper hit for what it is: a solid, fun game of hockey that strips out rules and penalties for a more action-packed experience.

Even if the overall experience is a bit too short, the length to which it goes to inspire some real John Woo-style gunplay and adrenaline is impressive and definitely deserves praise.

The combat is fast-paced and aggressive, but balanced. The creature-combining mode is deep and involved, but accessible.

Gameplay is addictive, but only to those who enjoy the specific genre.

Handles quite well and that's especially important as many of the puzzles require split-second timing and instant controller response.

There is enough of Tolkien's story and Jackson's presentation here to do the title justice, and enough classic action role-playing to make for an engaging, enjoyable game.

Ultimately, Batman: Vengeance is hampered by its linear nature and lack of mental challenge, but the game is still heads and shoulders above all other Batman titles released in the last few years.

The game is ideal for players who have never sat behind Crazy Taxi’s wheel. Veteran drivers, however, would do well to skip this fare.

One of the silliest baseball games ever and is one of few to have such a balanced combination of style, humor, and gameplay.

It combines vibrant colors, fun modes of play, and best of all, large and distinguishable characters.