A polished 2D fighting game that won't disappoint the core audience of Tekken fans, but one that's also accessible enough for those simply looking for a well-made fighting game to play on the go.

With graphics prettier than Arwen and gameplay shorter than Bilbo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ends up a mixed bag.

As a Star Fox title, it is disappointing, as the flying sequences are little more than filler in between routine planetary adventures... [but it's] worth the price of admission alone just to see the lush environments and astounding special effects.

After conquering the human opponents, the toughest challenge is to move into tournament mode and take on Jeanette Lee. Better make sure you're at the top of your game, though, because she doesn't enjoy losing.

A wise investment for a veteran EverQuest player but is not such a good purchase for someone just beginning to explore the initial game.

A great game for any console, with fun control and a variety of options that will keep players coming back for more.

With graphics prettier than Arwen and gameplay shorter than Bilbo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ends up a mixed bag.

New tactical, turn based war battles which offers total control, upgraded graphics and new special effects on spells and animations.

Simply put, Final Fight One is the arcade game shrunk down to portable size. It offers nothing more or less than what you'd expect from such a transformation.

The 1993 PC original might look blocky by 2001 standards, but the GBA version fares worse, with intensely pixilated visuals that detract from an otherwise admirable port of the classic first-person shooter.

Those who have already experienced earlier versions of Duke Nukem will grow weary of this diluted version rather quickly.

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

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

Like other arcade sports games, the single-player experience will become repetitive after playing for a week or two. For this reason, the game is best played with a group of buddies.

A sports title that is not to be missed. You needn't be a hardcore soccer fan to appreciate the realism, tight mechanics, and rich, vibrant graphics that EA SPORTS has brought to the GameCube.

A good -- if not stunning -- looking title. Character models are sufficiently detailed, while the world is populated with crisp textures throughout. Time Crisis 2 ranks as one of the better light gun games released to the home market.

From the moment you step into the world of Dereth, there is an overwhelming sense of actually being part of a world. Towns are the size you'd expect a town to be, roads are miles long, and the wilderness is a vast expanse.

It's an incredible game filled with interesting story development, characters and objectives. Squaresoft has produced another winner!

New features and a solid storyline should keep even the most veteran players busy for quite sometime.

Decent graphics and sound, and a full complement of NASCAR drivers and cars, gives the game initial appeal, but questionable gameplay ensures limited long-term usage.

Hopefully, future versions in the series will focus less on the trappings of the first-person genre and instead concentrate on what makes a Jedi so unique: lightsaber battles and the use of Force in more meaningful ways than pushing buttons.

Graphics and animations are charismatic, and it is truly enjoyable to build, defend, and even siege the greatest citadel in the land.

A plethora of interesting and enjoyable play modes are provided, but it's the sheer simplicity and great design of the Classic mode that will keep players firmly entrenched in front of their television sets in search of that elusive high score.

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

While this game has a lot going for it, it's dry presentation and lack of atmosphere might turn others off. If you're just going for technical excellence, Flanker 2.0 won't dissapoint. If, however, you're going for the overall FEEL of a flight sim experience, you might be better off going with "Falcon" or "Mig Alley."

The game rejuvenates the series, and it's definitely not tailor-made for "trekkies" only -- any action gamer can enjoy the adventure.

The title is ambitious in scope, rife with innovative ideas and, while not flawless, is a genuinely fun addition to the ever-growing lineup of RTS games.

It offers great tracks, real-world bikers, encouraging music, and a huge satisfaction factor.

A unique option lets you customize weapons, armor and character abilities.

While the adventure mode has a short wick, a robust selection of multiplayer options extends the life of this title and certainly makes it worth investigating, particularly for younger fans of the Bomberman franchise.

Those who haven't played a fighting game in a long time might also be impressed, but the weak visuals will be a major turnoff for the average gamer.

The fielding still needs some work, animation could use a bit more variety, and there should be more extensive modes and features, such as an ability to tweak computer AI so players can fine-tune problem areas. This game is a definite hit, but it’s a few yards short of a home run.

Niggling problems such as overly cheap AI still persist, but for the most part, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance manages to breathe new life into the gameplay while still retaining the Mortal Kombat feel.

A suitable challenger to "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3" for best extreme sports game on the PlayStation 2.

The swing meter is the only real obstacle to your enjoyment, as it completely changes the way the game feels and plays from more traditional titles.

The interface in GK3 is simple point-and-click with keyboard support.

The amout of things to do in this game is staggering. From the Private Actions to the Skills, this game will keep you occupied for many, many days.

But what really sets Ecks vs. Sever apart is its emphasis on story, and the way its missions consist of more than just straightforward running and shooting.

Worth the wait, despite the fact that from a technical standpoint the sequel isn't a major step above the Dreamcast original.

Pays homage to 8- and 16-bit games with its emphasis on high-intensity action and level design that requires skill with the controller. Jet Force Gemini just may remind you of the frustrating, yet engrossing, fun you had back in the 8-bit era.

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.

It’s hard not to be disappointed by the resolution and graphics, which is more a fault of the screen rather than the game.

Though most of the few changes to the original Super NES games were good ones, there are a few annoyances in the PlayStation versions. The most noticeable of these is the speed of play.

While there isn't much for fans of the popular PC version of Starcraft to get excited about, those new to the series will enjoy engaging, addictive gameplay coupled with an incredibly protracted single player mode.

It's nice to see a game come along that is proud of its action roots but attempts to bring more to the experience, creating a title that is fast and furious, but also clever and engaging for more than a few hours of play.

For an older, previously exposed group of kids, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch will extract resounding approvals and applause.

Unfortunately, other than the graphics in the user's manual, BAM! Entertainment's title holds little fire, with frustrating game graphics and difficult gameplay.

One of the most fun flight simulators to date.

Of greater concern are the problems with the hit detection -- far too frequently, an enemy soldier is only stunned by a bullet through the head. Predicting how many body shots an enemy can absorb before death is nearly impossible.

Filled with such a carefree and upbeat attitude, from the movie-quoting riders to the ridiculous courses featuring cannon-blasting pirate ships, rampaging dinosaurs, and rollicking waves, that it’s easy to forgive any shortcomings.

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 works hand in hand with previous titles in the series, drawing designers back with solid improvements and polished graphics.

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.

Baseball Advance may not be a home run, but it makes solid contact in the areas of playability and fun despite the rough edges.

Due to its incredible content and easy interface, the game is one of the best of its kind on the market for both casual and professional players.

This game will keep you hooked all the way up to its finale. Even after completion, you may opt to go through it a second or even third time.

A must have for history buffs and a good choice for other gamers who have the time, patience and will required to master the intriguing gameplay.

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

A great looking game with a tried-and-true wrestling engine behind it. Unfortunately the modes of play and options are lacking, and casual fans only interested in the recording artists will quickly tire of the structured format.

An excellent, adrenaline pumping game that is nearly identical to its arcade and Dreamcast counterparts.

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.

The ability to play with three other skilled hunters adds to the twisted fun, and is what ultimately raises The Reckoning just above an average rating.

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.

Easily playable but just as easily forgettable.

Unfortunately, all of these nicely designed elements are somewhat wasted due to the irritation caused by actually flying the planes.

No matter which game you prefer, this is a great collection. Except for the forgivable absence of the lesser known "Super Pac-Man," this game has everything a fan could ask for.

In the end it’s the accessible gameplay and entertaining Dynasty Mode that will keep players interested, and for a first effort on the Xbox, the development team did an admirable job.

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.

A title that will appeal to all but the most hardened of action fans, offering substantial reward for your time investment and a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that few other games can provide.

One of the more original puzzle titles available, and it has a good amount of depth and mystery in its gameplay and scoring elements to keep players interested for a long time.

An all-around solid effort that does exactly what it aims to do: offer players a preview of what Sony’s online service is capable of using one of the company’s best-selling and most recognizable PS2 games.

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.

Even though very customizable, Close Combat: Invasion Normandy's gameplay can get very repetitive after repeated play.

Reprises the old addictive favorites on the Game Boy Advance without any control, playability or screen limitations, and offers an excellent means to introduce the games to new fans or a trip down memory lane for veterans.

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."

Slowdown and jerky animations seem more prevalent as each new expansion pack is installed; an understandable symptom of the now massive amount of objects and interactions, but less excusable considering that the system requirements for Unleashed are nearly double those of the original game.

It's absolutely gorgeous and while it doesn't have lots of levels, it's fast and furious with an unforgiving amount challenge!

The single most endearing attribute of this title is its simplicity and ease of use, regardless of which aspect of the hobby enthralls you.

A genuinely fun game that's even better if two players get together via Game Link cable.

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.

Despite the awkward fielding system, limited camera angles, and inability to modify individual aspects of gameplay, the powerful tandem of great visuals and extensive modes of play will surely satisfy fans of the series wanting more substance over flash.

Simple, intuitive, and very easy to pick up on! If you liked the multiplayer interaction of Mario Party, are eager to see classic Nintendo characters beat each other senseless, or are starved for a fighting game, then this is the one for you!

Offers some of the variety and entertainment that was promised from the launch but ultimately failed to materialize.

Don't expect to win based on skill or shrewd decision making. In fact, this is one of the most random playing board games I've seen! Mario Party is a great idea, but the simplistic nature of gameplay coupled with extremely short mini-games will leave most players feeling unsatisfied.

With beautiful graphics, plenty of options and an easy-to-master swing meter, the game is both appealing and accessible to the casual fan.

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.

More a refined version of Dynasty Warriors 2 than a completely new game.

Pure Contra goodness. Most of the hallmarks that make the series great are here, including finger-frazzling gameplay, the indispensable two-player cooperative mode, constant shooting action, and giant bosses with well-hidden weak points.

The concept is great and the game's largely fun to play. Harvest Moon 64 does have some technical downsides to it, however, so you may just want to give the Nintendo 64 a rest and fire up your Game Boy -- all in all, that version is generally considered more stable.

The tight integration of visuals, sound and vibration feedback is an accomplishment, but the player has unfortunately been left out of the loop.

Think of it as a "Half-Life" and "Resident Evil" sandwich with some new innovations as condiments. But be forewarned: not everyone will enjoy the taste.

On a purely technical level, the collection is rock-solid, with graphics, sound, and gameplay that are generally accurate to their arcade counterparts.

Despite a distinct lack of impressive new features, Donkey Kong Country is nonetheless an enjoyable platform game offering around 10-15 hours of play (expect to devote even more time to get a 101% completion rate) and generally pleasing visuals and sound even if they aren't up to the level of the Super NES version.

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.

Once you finally get underway, however, it becomes evident that the graphics suffer from the anti-aliasing problems that plagued the Japanese PS2 launch.

Unlike most ultra-hard games, however, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts is thoroughly addictive, despite the fact that it does get frustrating.

The lack of modes is also surprising given the EA SPORTS name and the company's previous pugilistic pursuits, with one of the most basic career modes found in a boxing game and limited create player options.

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).