The entire Gameshow mode can be completed within a few hours, and much of it feels monotonous since players are forced to do the same things over and over again. Unfortunately, that same criticism can be levied against the multiplayer game as well.

Although the game captures a warm feeling coupled with a bizarre sense of "the new," FantaVision, like its flares, burns too bright, too quickly, leaving an empty sort of feeling once you've mastered the basics.

Though it lacks extreme excitement, Stuart Little 2 is a cute game. And children who do not require an extensive challenge for a game to be fun will enjoy the adventure -- at least for a Little while.

The levels are generic in design (for the most part), and the backgrounds are uneven (some are nicely detailed while others are repetitive and/or uninspired), but the 3D-modeled characters are pleasing, the fighting action is enjoyable (despite its flaws).

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.

As with previous games in the series, the computer AI could have used a little tweaking; it just seems way too easy to score on your opponent.

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.

More like the well-refined older brother of the entire franchise rather than a fledging title on a new system.

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.

Not even Mickey is available, which is perhaps the game’s biggest surprise.

A solid, fun game that takes a baby step instead of a leap.

When compared to its shooter contemporaries, "Einhander" and "G. Darius", Thunder Force V comes up lacking. Einhander has vastly superior graphics and more innovative gameplay. G.Darius has better looking bosses and backgrounds, longer levels and a killer two-player simultaneous mode.

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 main problem comes from Amped's lack of a racing mode, which takes away from the game's intensity.

Even with 14 missions, the gameplay is bland and repetitive, and with no multi-player options, there's really no point in "going in" at all.

Those looking only to buy this title for the Glitter Oasis course will find the game little more than standard fare.

A solid entry in the genre, but it doesn't do much that hasn’t been done before in games from Konami or Capcom.

Not a bad game overall -- it simply pales in comparison to its predecessor. It makes few leaps forward in terms of originality or depth.

A trifle of a game made more appealing by its suggested price.

Seriously, there is a lot to like in this game. The clean graphics, the voice acting by actor Eric Bana, the intuitive control, and the stellar physics engine are highlights, but the camera, linear level design, and repetitive enemy types help bring the game down.

At its best, the game uses its themes of college-age debauchery to frame believable challenges of land development, business management, and crowd control. At other times, however, attempts at hedonistic humor leak into the methods and means of gameplay itself, with frustrating results.

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

Gets high marks for its animé style, engaging boss encounters, and interesting control system. But similar games like "Jet Force Gemini" or "Body Harvest" offered more in the way of story and role-playing elements to help break up the monotony of blasting bugs and jumping platforms.

Though Kirby's path is fairly well set and there isn't too much call for free-roaming exploration, there are lots of power-ups and hidden areas to keep the game interesting.

This is one bandwagon I'm not going to jump on simply because the name Links is involved.

Despite this, most players will likely enjoy the meaty plot and the variety of locations and puzzles. Aside from the extremely out-of-place, watered-down, R&B love song set over the closing credits, most players will find the adventure satisfying.

One of the more pleasant surprises on the Xbox, but players must be prepared to steel themselves against some trying play mechanics.

With improved animation, a more robust career, and a better choice of modes, it could have easily been a knockout instead of a contender.

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

It's a tough nut to crack so only gamers looking for a tough challenge with time to spare need apply.

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

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

Veteran RTS gamers may be put off by the simplicity, but novice players should be able to jump right into the plastic wars quickly.

Those looking for an old-school arcade-style game with a significant boost in graphics and sounds will be satisfied with Silpheed: The Lost Planet. It doesn't disappoint.

It has loads of style, especially in the front end. If you tally up the overall features of the game -- such as the complete design, the front end, the art, graphics, and animation -- instead of just the racing elements themselves, this game comes out way ahead.

The level of detail and control offers many ways to complete a mission and the differences between them are subtle but significant. Unfortunately, this is counterbalanced by the lack of diversity in the missions.

While the game is good overall, the traditional Battleship board game still holds its own as the best.

The potentially rewarding aspects of the game are hampered by an overly rigid structure that works at cross-purposes to its non-linearity.

The tracks have enough secrets to hold your attention for a while and the arenas, while too big for their own good, are still a blast, especially with friends.

Rarely rises above the level of a typical side-scrolling combat title.

Could be a solid RTS if not for the lack of story and the cluttered and variant interface.

It's not quite as special as the title suggests, but it has its moments.

If they continue to slap a year on the packaging along with a few half-hearted features, as they did with this title, their audience is going to ignore them.

Won't win any awards for originality, but as a movie adaptation it does a good job at translating the content of the film into a workable game without any major defects.

A big disappointment, primarily because the graphics are the best yet seen in the genre...Along the way both the gameplay and options suffered, making WWF Raw one of the more appropriately titled games available on the Xbox.

The novelty of the idea soon gives way to awkward controlling and discombobulating camera angles, resulting in an experience sometimes more frustrating than fun.

With no challenge, fishing becomes boring and repetitive -- might as well go down to the corner store and pick up some wrapped bass for dinner.

Taken as pure fighting game, it could use some power-ups, more fixed arenas, more characters, and distinct moves.

There are flashes of progress to be found in this title, and if 3DO continues to build upon Portal Runner's shortcomings, there is a possibility for a truly decent Army Men game in the future.

The biggest problem with the game is its repetitiveness. Subsequent chapters revisit areas you’ve already been through, and there’s zero interactivity within the locales.

It's certainly much better than the awful Nintendo 64 Superman game, and it looks and feels like an interactive episode of the cartoon series. However, its gameplay is less than super.

Fans of "The Matrix: Reloaded" will want to jack in for the stylish focus moves and original movie footage that fleshes out the events depicted in the film. Everyone else, however, will want to pull the plug and run to the nearest exit.

Offers nothing to improve upon past greats in the genre.

If you're into speed and tight combat control rather than detailed customization, GunGriffon Blaze is the game for you.

An all-around disappointment for anyone expecting substantial improvements to the core engine.

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.

The graphics are clean, the action is fast and furious, and the gameplay is simple. Those expecting a brand new style of Blitz will be thoroughly disappointed.

Yet the action isn’t complex, and most enemies can be defeated within your first attempt by simply relying on rapid button tapping.

A solid but bland first-person shooter with no in-depth story or sense of fun to elevate it above any other GBA game in the genre.

While the power-ups are well done and Harvester and One Flag CTF are a lot of fun, this expansion pack will more than likely collect dust instead of frags.

The entire game can be completed within 30 minutes, roughly translating into five minutes apiece for each of the game’s five chapters and prologue.

Little more than an average action-adventure title, with nothing to differentiate itself from the throngs of similar titles in the PlayStation 2 library.

Suspect physics completely ruin the experience, making the game entirely too easy and ultimately unsatisfying.

Although the idea has merit, Wide Games Limited's approach fails to provide action gamers with enough action, adventurers with enough adventure, or strategists with enough tools.

Don't believe the hype.

The game offers enough playability to keep hardcore fans occupied, but casual players will quickly tire of the sloppy camerawork, repetitive combat, and awkward controls.

The fact that it falls short of recommendation is mostly due to the lack of a save function, an omission that was likely out of the developer's hands.

It may border on blasphemy to say so, but Spyro: Season of Ice might have been better off as a side-scrolling platformer, ala Sonic or Klonoa.

There's little in the way of excitement; you're given a goal and to accomplish it, you must find the right items, use them with the right things and click in the right areas. Only when you've got to outsmart or destroy a presented enemy does the game become even somewhat interesting.

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

Considering the short length and limited replay value, most will find themselves guilty of Wreckless abandonment.

Cyber golfers buying the game as a realistic and challenging golf experience will be disappointed. However, if you approach the game more as entertainment and less as a simulation and attempt each of the game modes, it can be somewhat enjoyable.

The game interface is not easy to understand or utilize. The tiny icons are difficult to make out and the small written cues that pop up at the bottom of the screen are in a thematic naval font that is impossible to read.

The game is more akin to a single episode of an interactive cartoon than a fully fleshed-out experience worthy of a full price purchase.

While interesting in the short run, this quickly becomes old as there is nothing else to do besides watch the (admittedly interesting) story unfold.

A great effort, but fans of puzzle games will find it lacking. Its originality and simplicity are its strength, but all the pretty graphics in the world can't make up for the lack of enjoyment.

Unfortunately, the flaws, especially in the more difficult battle scenarios, make the idea of replaying somewhat moot.

Clearly designed for youngsters despite it not being labeled on the packaging, Blender Bros. lacks the depth veteran players expect from a platform game on a Nintendo system.

Players are recommended to skip Resident Evil 2 if only to send a message that repackaged titles should be treated as such -- not as full-fledged releases.

An excellent game ... if you like games with a low replay value.

A passable diversion between more traditional sports games, but nothing more.

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

All things considered, however, most should hold out for "All-Star Baseball 2003" and hope the problems are corrected.

While it's nice to have civilians mixed in with enemies, and there should be a penalty for shooting them accidentally, the price in this game is rather steep: you lose a life.

The final problem, though, is the game's absurdly easy nature. It takes no time at all to expand your park to crazy dimensions, and most of the challenges are quickly dispensed with.

Does enough things adequately to make it worth a look for younger audiences, who won't mind the simplistic mini-games as long as they get an opportunity to guide Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad, and crew around the screen.

Had Nemesis been packaged along with "Resident Evil 2," it would have been easy to recommend for both fans and collectors.

What it doesn't have is originality or depth, making this sequel more subsonic than supersonic.

As it stands, the game is worth briefly exploring, despite the small annoyances, but loses its luster when one begins to think of what it could (or should) have been.

In the end, I just couldn't get into Jedi Knight. Maybe it was because I'm not a big Star Wars fanatic that I found it quite boring and uninspired, but there was nothing here that grasped my interest.

It's the type of game you can essentially play with your eyes closed if you push the buttons fast enough, and most players will breeze through it in an hour or two with little resistance.

It's a shame more levels weren't built around these activities or the mazes, since the platform action gets tedious.

A solid attempt at watercraft racing that will satisfy less demanding players, but it's a hard game to recommend when earlier games in the genre have done just about everything better.

Offers an overabundance of boring mini-games that emphasize dumb luck over skill, and since this title is little more than a collection of mini-games, it suffers because of it.

It’s too simplistic and oftentimes annoying due to a hyperactive camera.

For all its features, it turns out be nothing more than a standard, free-for all slugfest.

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

The game feels as if it's a throwback to shooters made prior to games like Unreal, and while reliving a few scenes from the movie is enjoyable, it's just not enough.