Only enjoyable if you equate fun with frustration, but most gamers have long since outgrown that philosophy, as have most games. Yet Gradius III and IV clings to its roots like a long rotting tooth.

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

The battles, the excitement, and the potential mix of science fiction with history, is all lost in a stilted game environment that was obviously crafted by Crichton's vision of what the game should be vs. the ultimate goal of creating a good game.

The core of the game is remarkable.

Gameplay is complex enough to feel realistic, action-packed enough to be exciting, and easy enough to learn for players who are flight-challenged.

Some ill-chosen puzzles, a fatigued conclusion -- no matter, really. You'll be smiling too much to give it much notice. This is nothing less than perfectly perfected perfection. If you like monkeys, anyway.

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.

If you like your games with less thought and more explosions, you'll have fun with Land Warrior. Those expecting another Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six will want to look elsewhere.

One of the more annoying aspects of Real Pool is the control system, which is extremely unintuitive.

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.

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.

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

Hip, smart and fun. Whether you play alone or with friends, it's a game any quiz-show lover should add to his or her collection.

A surprise hit that contains a massive amount of depth (more apparent upon further exploration) and is a blast to play.

Even if you're into surfing, you won't find this title entertaining, and it will probably just serve to make you even angrier. Avoid this game like you would low tide.

If you're expecting more than just a straightforward simulation, however, Q-Ball isn't going to do the trick.

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.

DOA2 has a fun engine that is more accessible than most other fighters out there, and this is both a blessing and a curse. The reversal factor of the game makes one quickly feel like they know what they're doing, but it also is so easy that it can sometimes seem to overpower the game.

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

Not the system-launching revolution that it was perhaps cracked up to be. It is, however, a great fighting game, and a tremendous addition to any fighting fan's library.

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

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.

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.

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

The second game on the system to REQUIRE the use of the Expansion Pak accessory for high-resolution graphics and enhanced visual effects.

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

It is a huge game with a fairly engrossing story, but thanks in part to a few design flaws, it's hard to keep playing all the way to the end.

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