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.

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.

Definitely a title worth looking into for newcomers to the genre, since the learning curve is fairly small, while veteran RTS gamers will find quality gameplay with an emphasis on strategy.

This "nail-biting thriller" has more plod to the plot than most Agatha Christie novels, and use of the psychic abilities of the protagonist, Joseph Shamley, is sorely needed to make sense of some of the baffling leaps in continuity.

Part patch and part expansion, and players will begrudgingly shell out for the experience.

Presentation is the area in which Dungeon Siege truly shines, surpassing the techniques of its third-person RPG forbearers by a quantum leap and rivaling the best efforts of contemporary 3D releases in other genres.

While it might not be quite as feature intensive on a technical level as the "The Chessmaster" series, it's an enjoyable, well-made chess simulation that provides the essential elements of the game and even manages to break some new ground.

The shallow gameplay elicits more yucks than nyuks and the lack of anything new will have players quickly saying "Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye" to The Three Stooges' chances of earning a spot in their library.

The underlying problem is that despite being the originator of the first-person shooter, Wolfenstein 3D just doesn't hold up nearly ten years after its original release as PC shareware.

With tons of new features and careful attention given to the original formula, the series remains one of the best in the genre.

An average design effort that suffers from rushed production (the "save game" screen is primarily made up of huge blocky text and boxes) and a flawed engine.

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

Multiplayer fans will benefit the most, as the expansion offers new maps and a whole new environment for legalized mayhem.

Chances are the majority of players will try some of the single-player game, become frustrated or bored, and then move on to the outstanding multiplayer modes.

A bland take on the sport that just doesn't have what it takes to match up to the competition.

Any potential excitement is sabotaged by uninspired gameplay.

Gamers looking for big changes in the series, though, won't find the experience much different than earlier King's Field titles.

It's likely that fans of the series will find The Sims: Vacation more of a luxury than a necessity.

Although the game is short-lived, some thought and creativity clearly went into the production, and there are just enough extras to keep Britney fans happy.

Apart from a new trivia quiz, the collection delivers just about what you'd expect from such an anthology.

The meticulous planning may discourage the action fan, and the exorbitant storyline may initially dissuade the die-hard role-player, but both will find familiar elements and enjoyable new challenges in this well-built game.

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

Discordant level design, irritating controls, sub-par graphics and sound, and a general lack of the proper Ripping Friends spirit are the game's most notable features.

There is considerable room for improvement, but Pirates is a hearty choice for those who'd rather focus on attacking than adventuring.

Even with the ordinary combat and rather tedious puzzles, Blood Omen 2 still manages to be compelling enough to keep you playing to the end, which is a testament to the overall presentation and varied locales.

The core gameplay is spoiled by a rare complaint for a racing game: it's just too darn fast.

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

Less demanding players will be more tolerant of the game's repetitive nature, while others will yearn for something juicier to sink their teeth into.