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.

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.

Everything a Wipeout fan could expect and though lacking any massive improvement in the single player mode, the game easily beats out F-Zero X as the best futuristic racer on the 64.

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.

Like its predecessor, won't go down in history as any kind of a classic, but it does offer enough thrills and spills to keep most players interested through to the end.

Definitely not the kind of game everyone will appreciate and, in fact, may be unplayable after five minutes for some gamers.

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.

Mission frustration will have most gamers utilizing cheats to move on to the next level.

One level has you finding kids and returning them to their parents. Another level might just be a race to the end. Yet another level could extend vertically rather than horizontally. Another level has you participating in a festival. This sheer variety keeps the game frantic, fun, and exciting.

If you're looking for a 3D version of id Software's "DOOM," look no further.

For youngsters or avid puzzle fans, Hot Potato! is a refreshing title with crisp graphics and addictive gameplay.

Playing through Mister Mosquito for the first time is a unique and memorable experience, well worth a weekend rental if not a full-price purchase.

While there are some interface qualms, the game is a lot of fun to play if you enjoy mindless shooting against hordes of creatures. Users looking for the complete four-player experience should consider the Nintendo 64 or Dreamcast version of the game, as the PlayStation version only supports two players at once.

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.

A well-rounded, involved game for experienced RTS players but is very difficult and not recommended for the weak of spirit.

An enjoyable game, but it's AI shortcomings keep it from being great.

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

A solid baseball game that grows on you the more you play it, thanks to the great computer AI and the deceptively simple batter-pitcher interface... Yet the new graphics, sound, and menu navigation are still not up to the level the PS2 is capable of.

One of the few tough-as-nails games with the power to keep drawing you back to it, long after you've screamed enough words at the television screen to make a sailor blush.

Most importantly though, NASCAR 2001 is fun. The various difficulty settings provide an enjoyable experience for all levels of skill, and the multiplayer mode provides an exciting challenge to share with your friends.

It is a huge improvement over the previous three PlayStation titles, and it has the best graphics and music of any Bond game to date.

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

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.

With unbelievable sweep kicks, rapid-fire hits, sky-high jumps, killer slaps and combos, and a whole host of weapons and special moves, Battle Arena Toshinden sets a new stage in gaming for the PlayStation revolution.

The organization of the immense database allows both novices and experts to equally enjoy the challenge.

On a purely visceral level, the game is a blast.

A surprisingly solid rendition of pinball that will please adults and children alike, proving games don't have to skimp on features just to appeal to younger audiences.

A memorable but brief stay in feudal Japan with a quest that could be finished within six or seven hours.

While patience is a much needed virtue for enjoying the game, most people, gamers or not, will be intrigued by the mystery presented by this riddle.

Despite being a stunning title in many ways, with some unique gameplay to boot, Luigi's Mansion ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive gameplay experience over the long-term.

The game is ideal only for those who are interested in the PC phenomenon but can't (or won't) play it on a PC. The rest of us will be duly impressed, but may ultimately decide to get a life elsewhere.

Despite good graphics and excellent sound, Rune falls short of its potential due to various flaws, glitches, and a lack of variation over the long haul. Rune is a prime example of not being able to judge a game by it's pretty exterior.

It is very short and should take only about ten hours to finish. As interesting as the puzzles are, they're a snap to solve and don't take an overly long time to solve.

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.

The overall vibe generated by Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge is positive, one of a software company really liking a classic game and wanting to do all they can to make it better. What more can you ask for in a remake?

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

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.

A decent game with the mammoth Star Wars license couldn't have come at a better time for the system.

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.

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

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.

AI is also frustratingly poor.

A good arcade-style racing game, with aspects that won't likely appeal too much to purists who want racing realism. But, if you're looking for instant fun without a lot of car tuning and setups, it's worth a look.

Just enough to satisfy the average player without including statistical and gameplay options that would have stretched the release date and production costs out to an unacceptable level.

While Downforce does not run very deep, it does run fast, furious, and most importantly, fun.

The fact that it sticks so closely to the formula of its predecessors is both its greatest strength and biggest weakness.

N-Tranced will not hypnotize players with its ambitious design or extensive new features, but the quality of presentation and fast-paced arcade-style action make it easy to recommend.

And that's the real star of this game: its personality. Even if it's an easy, competent game, it won't bother you while you're playing it because everything is so darned fun.

Considering the relatively inexpensive price of "The X-Files: Unrestricted Access" (at the time of review the program was only half the price of most new games), this is an X-Files souvenir well worth the money to the casual watchers and a must-have for the die-hard fan.

The game still needs work in the visual department, but few titles come close to achieving the same balance of fun and realism as offered by HH 2003.

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 voice acting in Septerra Core is amazing, and the mouths actually move with the voices! Unfortunately, the sound effects used in the game *REALLY* get on one's nerves after a short while.

The missions make the game an enthralling experience. This title certainly won't appeal to everyone, but for those who want a thinking shooter, give this one a try.

The mix of DDR-style gameplay and the Olsen twins makes for a winning combination, providing enjoyable, addictive gameplay injected with the personality of Mary-Kate and Ashley.

The best thing about the game is the freedom to do whatever you want.

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

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

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.

With tons of different mech-building options and a healthy two-player mode, fans of the genre will find themselves having a wonderful time for quite awhile.

It's like being given the keys to Disney World and finding out the majority of attractions are not operational; you're left in a magical place with little to do other than to go on the same few rides that happen to be working.

The incredible diversity possible in putting character parties together makes the gameplay nearly unlimited.

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.

The deep 1000-year history of the fantasy world adds a fullness to the game and offers a basis for many sequels. If evil mysteries intrigue you, be assured that Soulbringer delivers!

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.

The problem with speed perception is probably the most noticeable deficiency that can be easily defined, although the lack of innovation and close design of gameplay aspects to earlier releases can't be dismissed out of hand.

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

If you've played "Star Trek: Armada," you'll find that Star Trek: New Worlds provides the other point of view and will complete your collection.

One of the most enjoyable tactical shooters released to date (circa 2002).

Compares favorably to "Tennis 2K2" in many respects but lacks its overall level of polish and spot-on controls.

While this linear formula is an old one, it works well thanks to the polished presentation and variety of gameplay modes.

Easily recommended to fans, as the game looks great, is easy to control, and offers minimal frustration for those who just want to have fun traipsing around the world.

An alternative name for the aptly titled Metal Fatigue could just as well be "Human Fatigue" in terms of stamina required to enjoy the experience.

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.

And while it's not particularly deep or complex, the game delivers what's expected by letting you to create and maintain a casino, all within a clean, intuitive interface.

While fans of the last installment may at first be disappointed in the apparent lack of notable new features and improvements, there are plenty of additions to be enjoyed after mastering the new options and levels.

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.

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.

Straightforward, cautious, and pleasurable - this is a prequel-sequel that fills the stomach with candy that threatens very few intestinal side effects.