The game's targeting system has also been adjusted. Using triggers and both analog sticks (a la "Manhunt"), players take more complete control of C.J., and can have him run and strafe, change targets, and shoot in almost any direction, even while moving in another.

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

The monsters are determined to destroy the characters' home world, so players will need to perfect various combos and team attacks in order to survive.

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

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

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.

The technique associated with controlling the motorbike that makes Freekstyle such an entertaining diversion from other racing games, and the sound effects and music are easily among the best available on the handheld to date.

As the passionate announcer exclaims during the opening sequence, "the soul still burns," though neither as fiercely nor as brightly as longtime fans may have hoped for.

With 200 items to unlock, eight different modes, and Link as a playable character, Namco has certainly delivered an impressive package for fighting game fans. Yet if players look closely, they’ll see the package is wrapped using recycled paper tied together with frayed twine that has a few too many loose ends for such an important sequel.

Sadly, the most innovative aspect of the first title has been diminished to the point where Buffy isn’t much different than a routine 3D slugfest. An easy recommendation for loyal fans of the series, but the game's appeal would be lost on the casual player.

Is Futurama fun for fans of 3D platform or shooter games? As Leela once said, "At the risk of sounding negative, no."

The changes aren’t substantially different from Madden NFL 2003, and the excitement level has diminished since the release of "NCAA Football 2004," a game that offers better commentary, more diverse modes, and simply more "energy" than this chapter in the long-running Madden series.

Starts out promising and gradually becomes more tedious the further you delve into it. It’s repetitive, and it’s repetitive not because of the sheer number of enemies thrown at you or the simplistic nature of objectives, but because of the paltry set of moves you can initiate with the main character.

Combat is more tedious than fun, though players can now wield more powerful weapons such as the katana blade. Most often players can get by simply running past many of the enemies -- not necessarily out of fear, but in a noble attempt to relieve boredom.

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.

Yet another disappointing entry in Titus Interactive’s pitiable portfolio. Part man, part machine, all flop.

While Knights of the Old Republic is entirely addictive, there are some small complaints. There are no beasts to ride or vehicles to use as transportation while traveling across planet surfaces, the party is limited to three at any given time, and there's no multiplayer support.

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.

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.

Though the game is plagued with problems in every area, it is perhaps the fighting engine that’s most disappointing. The slow motion effects used to bring dramatic flair to the fights are barely noticeable.

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

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

A weak conversion of what was arguably a middling title to begin with. Though it starts off fast and smooth, the action quickly becomes touch and "d'oh."

Despite the problems, players will likely find themselves coming back to the game, because it is just as entertaining as it is frustrating.

The replay value is inexplicably weak, because getting all of the treasures, statue pieces, and rubies is not as complicated as it sounds.

It is an absolute shame that the controls are such a beast, because there are many interesting elements in the game.

It is the combat that is the most disappointing aspect, despite the game offering such elements as piloting buggies, donning a space suit before exiting space stations, and using jetpacks.

More attention needs to be placed on the space aspect of the game, and players should have the same sense of freedom as in titles like Halo instead of wandering through narrow halls.

Players are ultimately better off with "Hunter: The Reckoning" for a similar style of game that at least features multiplayer support, different characters, and experience-based attributes.

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.

If it weren't for the sloppy grappling system, Ultimate Muscle could have been a worthy purchase, especially for fans of the quirky animated series. The bold graphics, battery backup, ability to improve special powers, hidden wrestlers, and versus play are definite pluses.

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.

Sonic the Hedgehog is no longer a character who can be depended upon for quality games, unlike a certain Italian plumber, a limbless alien, or even an orange bandicoot.

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.

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.

Surprise, surprise: The Incredible Hulk is yet another boring superhero title on Game Boy Advance, which seems to be the refuse container of choice for action games with little to no redeeming value.

Has beautiful graphics, intuitive control, excellent sound, and a fun co-op campaign offering three difficulty levels. It is also a rather dull experience when playing alone and doesn't push the genre in any way, shape, or form -- in many cases, it takes the genre back.

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.

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.

More interiors in Vice City would be welcome, but the city is huge with plenty of unique terrain. It's a little disappointing that jetliners and more planes aren't available, but the thrill of flying the Hunter and going on multiple Vigilante missions makes up for it.

Aria of Sorrow comes the closest of the three Game Boy Advance titles to replicating the look and feel of Castlevania on the original PlayStation, and one-ups it by the inclusion of the addictive soul collecting.

It’s not a title that has you playing for weeks on end, but it will be pulled off the shelf more often than you initially thought, if only to experience the fluid control and opportunity to trash talk opponents while initiating some of the most outlandish moves ever witnessed in a hoops game.

A by-the-numbers side-scrolling action game with linear levels, repetitive enemies, and boring combat.

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.

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.

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.

While Crazy Taxi is still playable despite the faults, the platform’s limitations diminish the overall fun, making this taxicab racer rather pedestrian.

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.

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.

Like its PlayStation predecessor, players can customize the difficulty level, game speed, and other options, or they can challenge a friend in two different ways: via Game Link Cable or on the same system.

The hitting interface isn’t perfect, the modes of play are extremely limited, and the pace of the game is brought to a grinding halt whenever the loading sequences appear, which occurs early and often.

As an adventure, CSI should be considered DOA -- its gameplay, clueless.

The game ultimately fails because of its repetitive level design and a control system that’s more irritating than fun.

Even with these improvements, State of Emergency is still a relatively shallow game that focuses on in-the-moment action, offering no real depth or continuity.

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.

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.

A great looking and playing game that is ultimately hampered by a limited selection of songs.

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

Wind Waker's style of play may not be the breath of fresh air players were expecting from the move to GameCube, and the islands seem much too small, but the change in scenery is a nonetheless refreshing one that is sure to surprise players in how well the game works in its current visual style.

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.

Wrapping up this stellar package is slowdown, something inexcusable for a game comprised of 2D graphics on a 128-bit system, unintelligible speech that sounds like someone pressing the slow motion button on a cassette recording, and the typical butterflies with giant baby heads and large alien brains as bosses.

This type of game doesn’t lend itself well to repeated visits due to the simplistic control and driving requirements (gas, nitro, repeat).

Ultimately, the biggest problem with the game is longevity. There is no scoring system in place and subsequently no battery backup to save best times, points, or top achievements.

If players can overcome the gloomy graphics, irritating camera, and puzzling gadgets, they can look forward to swinging from rooftop to rooftop, punching dozens of enemies using two moves over and over again, ducking behind walls like "Metal Gear Solid," and even taking to the skies in an awkward controlling Batglider.

Knowledgeable soccer fans looking for realism that makes the sport a worldwide phenomenon will embrace the fluidity of gameplay and extraordinary ability to customize players and teams to their own liking.

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.

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.

By building the entire title around only seven mini-games, My Street doesn’t have nearly enough depth to keep players occupied for extended periods of time -- even with online multiplayer support and a great character editor.

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

Where Rayman 3 succeeds, however, is in borrowing an wide assortment of proven concepts from past platform games, injecting them with a whimsical sense of humor, and creating tough but doable challenges sure to make younger gamers wince and older players smile with knowing respect.

Above all else, Freelancer is a fun, enjoyable experience that both veteran and novice players can quickly get into -- even those who have never mastered the art of dogfighting in space with a joystick.

In spite of Master of Orion 3's countless detail-oriented improvements, connoisseurs of the series may also find themselves pining for the personality of the earlier games, wishing to trade some of the new intricacy and erudition for a better sense of interaction and consequence.

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

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.

It is not the best playing game, however, due to the unwieldy cursor system used to hit the ball, the lack of useful onscreen indicators to help make catches, and suspect fielding and baserunning AI.

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.

Suffers from the same problem found in other games in the genre -- a lack of detailed record keeping or performance statistics to encourage replay value.

Since there is almost certainly going to be another release in the series, pass on this and get "EggMania" instead.

Collision detection is questionable at best. It’s often tough to tell whether it takes two hits to down certain enemies, or if the first hit simply didn’t connect.

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

There is an expression that beauty is only skin deep, which fits Xtreme Beach Volleyball to a tee. Those who purchase this game will soon discover the beautiful graphics are hiding a shallow, pointless game underneath.

Often frustrating due the limitations associated with a linear narrative, its lack of incentives to replay missions, and its stubborn attitude in not providing clear visual feedback on how well the player is doing at any given stage.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Sartre once noted, "Hell is other people." The Sims Online is strictly for those who would disagree.

There is nothing in this game that hasn't been done better in every single way than "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance."

Accomplishes what it sets out to do: provide young players with a solid introduction to football while adding enough light touches to make it fun.

A must-have title that, if nothing else, represents the missing "link" of Nintendo classics destined to appear on the color handheld.

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 four-button (as opposed to six-button) control scheme takes some getting used to, but the game captures the spirit, the fun, the intensity, the depth, and the overall look and sound of the original remarkably well.

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.