Everyone needs a good monkey to count on when times are tough. Tarzan had Cheetah, B.J. had the Bear, Clint had Clyde and Nintendo has Donkey Kong. The result? Another cartridge packed to the brim with play value and reason enough to get a Nintendo 64.

While it is still reasonable to expect a game released in 2003 to feature complete freedom of flight, Panzer Dragoon Orta is perhaps the finest example of its type on any console released to date.

If it seems you don't get your money's worth in videogames anymore, Blast Corps is truly exceptional value. Three words: original, addicting, and challenging. There's no game quite like this in the 32/64-bit generation.

With its bevy of options, realistic AI, and stellar presentation, Madden NFL 2002 wins the brass ring of football design for the second year in a row.

The meticulous planning may discourage the action fan, and the exorbitant storyline may initially dissuade the die-hard role-player, but both will find familiar elements and enjoyable new challenges in this well-built game.

While perhaps not upgrading the original Command & Conquer engine as much as some would have liked, its clean graphics, crackerjack music score and immersive sound effects all make for a game that's great fun to play...and that's what it's all about, isn't it?

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

Though complicated and with the occasional fault, it could be remembered as the greatest Final Fantasy game through the 32-bit era.

This is what we fans have been asking for--so many shortcuts that you can take only a few during each lap or you'll miss seeing the rest! These aren't pointless shortcuts either; they all have a reason for being there and allow you to stray way off the main course, giving the game a great sense of freedom.

Chances are the majority of players will try some of the single-player game, become frustrated or bored, and then move on to the outstanding multiplayer modes.

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.

Hands down the most playable, enjoyable golf game released to date.

Games feature furious battles over centrally located resources, enormously powerful mythological units wreaking havoc, and players competing for the favor of ancient gods. The result is fantastic, fun.

The short length is the only serious flaw in an otherwise original and gratifying gaming experience.

Players with high-end systems will enjoy the scenery and gameplay more, but the pauses and stuttering framerate will annoy everyone.

The game play is smooth, using action points for movement and combat and the inventory system is easily managed. Fallout has one of the best character development systems of any computerized role-playing game and the graphics and story make for an excellent gaming experience.

Characters are more varied and numerous, the moves possible with each of these characters is multiplied many fold, and the environments which they interact are certainly more detailed.

EA's "NHL 2003" is a solid game, but 2K3 is a gem. The intelligent play of the computer players in 2K3 -- unparalleled by any past or present -- makes NHL 2K3 the best hockey video game to date.

Nintendo 64 owners have reason to be scared. At long last, Resident Evil 2 sinks its teeth into the system. With a high graphic violence quotient and chilling zombie horror reminiscent of Night of the Living Dead, Resident Evil 2 is not for the faint of heart. Rather, it is for the survival-horror enthusiast with a taste for action and blood.

Offers a impressive amount of arcade-style fun bolstered by the number and variety of courses, challenging Hot Pursuit mode, and excellent lineup of vehicles.

This sequel contains enhancements and expanded gameplay by providing new gameplay aspects such as waypoints and sensor screen attack commands, new types of ships capable of upgrades with advanced technologies and weapons, fog-of-war, damage control, research and mothership modules.

Accessible and exciting. It's also disappointingly easy.

The pace is maintained throughout the game and nearly compels you to finish in one sitting, with the occasional awe-inspiring moment driving you to continue.

The game is preferable to the PS2 version as it has noticeably smoother frame rates and quicker load times, as well as the ability to Quick Save at any point.

Prepare yourself for total meltdown. [Box]

The sequel has 30 new weapons, new enemy robots and 30 additional levels, but the overall effect is diminished by repetitive gameplay.

The AI is what makes the game truly challenging. These 'bots are so smart at times, you'd swear there were real humans on the other end moving them. Thank goodness for the 'skill level adjustment' feature which allows you to change your skill level during the game. Trust me, you'll spend some parts of the game in 'rookie' mode.

The only downfall of Curse is that it seems to end abruptly...That aside, The Curse of Monkey Island is a magnificent game that almost any adventure game fan should be able to enjoy. Its great fun and humorous attitude should appeal to most gamers.

So, for all of it's action and nerve wracking moments, if you only play games to beat them the first time through, I'd suggest renting Resident Evil 2.

Hands down the BEST side scrolling shooter to come out in the post 16-bit era of video gaming. It has everything going for it: relentless action, beautiful graphics, tons of highly detailed levels, different ships, awesome weapons and an incredible challenge that will keep you coming back for more.

A huge play selection, terrific graphics, extensive gameplay modes (including the online options), and a new first-person view make Madden NFL 2003 one of the best football games available.

Suffers a bit from being too close to its predecessor in terms of gameplay, but it does manage to scare up enough dread to be a worthy game for fans of the genre.

It is a testament of WarioWare, Inc.'s game design that the action never grows stale despite the simplicity of controls, the straightforward objectives, and the hyperactive style of play.

A great game. While it's low on the pathos, the cheery nature of the quest is rivaled only by Working Design's "Lunar" series.

While it’s disappointing that only two people can play simultaneously, NBA Street is nonetheless a great choice for arcade-style sports fans.

This game is worryingly addictive; it's not just a business simulation, nor just a power game, but an educational competition where only the forward thinker survives and thrives.

With astounding graphics and nearly every pixel of the arcade version represented, beautiful backgrounds, lighting effects and unsurpassed character animation, Soul Blade is a wonder to watch and even more amazing to play.

Hands down the most playable, enjoyable golf game released to date.

The tactical battle sequences have also been improved, giving players a wonderful war simulation promising months of gory action.

The biggest concern I have with R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 is it's level of difficulty. It is not incredibly hard, and as stated earlier, can be picked up by just about anyone... a delight to play, however.

The best thing about Excitebike 64 is that the races are fast and fun. If you use turbo properly, the races will move along quickly with lots of big air. Even though only six riders total are in the pack in the one-player mode, the artificial intelligence is setup so that a cluster of riders will be relatively close to each other.

With better cut-scenes, more realistic driving physics, and a cinematic story, Mafia holds its own. While not as revolutionary as "GTA 3," it’s solid and oozes style.

The only real drawback to Crash's presentation is the Dual Shock setup. You can't reconfigure your controls, so prepare to use some finger gymnastics to get your valiant road warrior to pull off all his or her moves.

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

Not only does it offer more of everything, but it also makes enough changes so that even the old material from the original game feels new and exciting.

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.

Buy Diddy Kong Racing for the very good Adventure mode, but don't expect multiplayer action on the same level as the Mario Kart series.

Notable for its use of real-time speech during the action

It truly revolutionizes and sets a new standard for real-time strategy games on the PC.

The graphics, sound, presentation, and depth are unrivaled thus far on PlayStation 2, putting the title on equal footing with "Madden NFL 2003" as the top sports games available on the system.

The voice acting is almost infallible, and would be quite at home in any Saturday morning cartoon. That said, the writing is inconsistent.

The single-player mission mode is where the game shines. Graphics are excellent and close-ups on characters reveal such subtleties as eyes moving independently and blemishes on the skin.

The beginning of Myth II grabs you right by the throat and won't let go to the very end... While the story may be wonderful in Myth II, it's the gameplay that really shines, both in single and multi player, a claim that many games can't make.

Dynasty Mode is the main selling point and it is a lot of fun, especially the recruiting. After getting wrapped up in the Dynasty Mode you might even forget about Madden, at least for a short time.

Nintendo fans trying to fill the void left after the release of "Perfect Dark" will find TimeSplitters 2 to be the perfect fit.

It's nice to have a positive example of gameplay and story telling that keeps pace with technology.

A great game with a fantastic storyline, complex missions, and lots of mindless destruction, carnage and explosions. If you're looking for a mind-blowing single player experience, Shogo will not disappoint.

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

Touting sharp, colorful graphics and solid play control, it offers something for everyone: role-playing action, puzzle solving, and multiplayer competition.

The core of the game is remarkable.

The actual story line is perhaps the game's weakest point, as none of the levels seem tied together in any meaningful way other than the Quantum Leap-like aspect of assuming the role of a character who lives in the time period in order to retrieve the time crystal.

Those who just want to get their licks in without committing significant hours of time will find Diablo II to be one of the more addictive games of 2000.

The most noticable change from the previous two titles are the graphics. Vastly improved with tons of roadside details including shadows, light sources, numerous and detailed texture maps.

Roberto Benigni may have gotten a lot of press for finding humor in the Holocaust, but Oddworld does it too, only the humor is dripping black. Yes, I just said Holocaust.

Certain classic enemies have also been upgraded, such as the imps, which now stare players down with glaring eyes before pouncing on them.

The combination of action, treasure seeking, and character development is highly reminiscent of that other hit PC role-playing game, "Diablo II," with 3D graphics that go far beyond Blizzard's 2D beauty.

Most of the terrain is stunning.

The title exudes a considerable amount of polish, possessing good texture work and splendid visual effects, with special mention needing to be made of the themed backgrounds in each of Story mode's worlds.

By gently correcting shortcomings and firmly reinforcing strengths, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction is an expansion package truly worthy of the best-selling original.

A dream come true for those who didn't think it was possible for a console title to approach the level of depth found in a PC role-playing game.

It's like being able to play "Symphony of the Night" in the back seat of your parent's car, but with all new levels and some nifty new features.

The old adage "beauty is only skin deep" basically sums up Dead or Alive 3 rather nicely.

You get the whole enchilada – cool characters, tough villains and a deep storyline all wrapped up in superlative graphics and inventive gameplay with real-time combat to top it off.

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.

A game offering finely tuned level design, crystal-clear graphics, and a wave of free-roaming fun.

This is a true PC gamer's game, complete with unfettered intention, esoteric style, and remarkable depth.

While the options aren’t as extensive as those found in "Madden NFL 2002," and the graphics aren’t as optimized for the console as "NFL Fever’s," NFL 2K2 features the most complete presentation of any football game released to date.

After a few minutes swaggering around with these mechanical monstrosities, players can’t help but be floored by the intense pyrotechnics and raw power found within this game.

Ultimately, what makes Animal Crossing stand out is its sense of personality.

This simulation possibly incorporates the most detailed aspects of Formula One racing ever put on disk, making for an ultra realistic driving experience for gamers patient enough to master the controls.

It isn't a terrible gaming experience, especially for those with an itchy trigger finger, but there is no improvement from previous games and some regression concerning weapon and monster design.

The level of detail and responsiveness to user feedback is what sets OOTP apart from most other computer text-based baseball games.

It's weird, wacky and highly entertaining, and comes loaded to the brim with extras than only enhance its luster.

If you can get past the driver's test (and the hideously hard last level), you'll find an addictive driving game that's jam-packed with crazy stunts, insane car chases and more thrills than a season's worth of Miami Vice.

A solid racer with highly addicting gameplay, a nice variety of modes, and enough hidden extras to keep even the most dedicated rider occupied all winter long.

If you're a strictly console gamer, the PS2 version offers the Half-Life experience in a satisfactory package with the added bonus of the Decay missions.

A brilliant and unique game that features lots of cool ninja weapons, such as throwing stars and the grappling hook, realistic Japanese scenery, stealth and patience tactics, etc. Players who like their games to be linear and planned out beforehand won't like this game; neither will the players with no patience.

Although it doesn't bring anything new to the table, Sonic Advance is an enjoyable 2D platformer that will meet players' expectations.

Finding the perfect balance isn’t easy, but those who do will discover a subtle style of gameplay that demands more than other programs of the genre. While not for the uninitiated, the title is well worth the time and energy invested in learning.

A complete and accurate helicopter simulation that should please hardcore combat flight enthusiasts. Not just one, but two attack helicopters are featured and the designers don't skimp on the flight characteristics of either.

Survival in Fallout 2 is approached in a refreshing and innovative manner that requires some original thinking and doesn't depend on fantastic, imaginary gimmicks as do so many fantasy-based role playing worlds.

A genuinely terrifying experience combined with a unique, gripping story and immersive atmosphere.

Prepare yourself for the intricacies of limited-forces squad conflicts and the title will provide many hours of entertainment.

May disappoint some die-hard fans of survival horror because of its relatively short length and the way it occasionally trades action for atmosphere.

The hardcore fan will be rewarded after investing plenty of time exploring the depths of the simulation, which makes it a worthwhile endeavor. Outflanking the enemy and unleashing a devastating shelling barrage has rarely been this enjoyable.

An impressive contender in the real-time strategy genre. An easy-to-use interface, coupled with intelligent AI, establishes the game as one of the best of its kind.

Camelot Software obviously knows the importance of not trying to fix something that is already working on all cylinders, but to enhance its performance by adding just the right amount of grease to its working parts.

Absolutely wonderful, and a gaming experience not to be missed. Working Designs has done an amazing job overhauling the title and presenting it in one of the most complete and thorough packages yet released. An excellent story and enjoyable play mechanics combined with stunning presentation equal one must-have game.