An unpolished, but solid, port of a good console game.

A game whose flaws are more obvious than its strong points but still manages to be exceptionally entertaining.

A few fresh ideas, but unfortunately they’re buried under a lot of old, archaic pieces of gameplay that really should have been fazed out a long time ago all crammed into a slow plodding package.

It’s a very nuts and bolts sort of RPG with a fair amount of nooks and crannies to check out, but the game lacks the pop that will keep a player glued to their seat until the wee morning hours.

Some of the best graphics on the PS2, and... completely refined battle and character progression systems...On the other hand players will have to sit through a heavy handed, all together weak story, weak characterization of the cast, and a lack of any sense of exploration.

It’s not a terrible game, but everything about it, from the gameplay on down, has been done a great deal more effectively in a slew of other GBA games with considerably more gameplay muscle.

Comes close to Pure Gaming Joy.

Sure, it's not a brainy game by any means. This is simple, arcade action unspoiled by any complicated puzzles or difficult navigation.

Diluted, saucy graphics, aggravating camera angles, a crappy combat system and questionable controls make LoAD not a whole lot more than its acronym suggests.

While the game is fun to play, it’s not too fun to look at.

The only reason SSBM doesn't achieve gaming nirvana is for two reasons: the variety of arenas isn't extensive and sometimes the camera pans so far out it reduces your character to the size of an ant. Otherwise, you're looking at great game.

Simply an addictive and adorable game that does a wonderful job evoking the same sense of wonder many of us first experienced on our childhood trips to Oz, Narnia, or Middle Earth.

The Gamecube controller butchers the game.

There is a split-second delay from your button press to Druuna actually performing an action. So the most mundane action -- such as crouching to avoid a big piece of machinery that will take Druuna's head off -- turns out to be near impossible.

Its problems stalk it like Jason stalks his victims – they’re always right behind you just when you thought you had lost them.

It isn't quite (Serious) Sam and Max's (Payne) level, but it definitely should be regarded right up there as one of the superlative FPS games to hit the PC scene this year.

It’s got its flaws and it's share of bugs, but being able to have free reign almost cancels them out.

One place the game doesn’t come up short is in the graphics department.

Never have I played a Star Wars game that so captures the films – the feeling of actually taking part in the events of the original Trilogy.

Scores big points for recreating the animated series in video game form with you in control of Batman.

Graphically, it is a step above the PS2 as there is less flicker in the background and less aliasing in general. It is missing the graphical improvements given the Xbox version, however.

The animation is first rate and there are no load times to speak of.

It lacks the certain fun factor that elevates a game to "must own" status instead of sitting at "rent a few times." Some of this is owed to the basic design of the game.

Though all of the vehicles, especially the Warthog, are given odd control mechanics, playing with the vehicles adds quite a bit of enjoyment to the otherwise standard FPS game mechanics.

Despite lacking some of the customizable features, sheer amount of cars and complexity of GT3: A-Spec, PGR is a well-balanced racer.

It’s enjoyable, but because of the top-heavy resource management it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Decent visuals, responsive controls, and it’s whole pick up and play quality are the high points of this game making it a worthy candidate for witling away a few hours on a lengthy road trip.

Gorgeous graphics, dazzling audio, a charming storyline and overall appealing game play -- and it all fits neatly inside your pocket!

It does provide a short bit of fun, but that quickly ends as the repetition sinks in its claws.

With it’s own unique cast of characters, it has managed to provide a fun experience without innovating the FPS genre or even its own franchise.

I simply know that as a total package there is no game on the planet that can captivate me more than THPS3 and for many hours on end no less.

The developers at Ubisoft are obviously Batman fans because they’ve made a game that sticks close to the source material while weaving a solid story and giving gamers a chance to play an episode of The Animated Series.

It comes onto the handheld relatively intact, and the controls are solid, providing a fun, but certainly not perfect, experience.

The game does present a lot of action and is sure to entertain gamers for at least a week or two, but in the long term, the game will unlikely enter the classic status of vanilla ice cream.

A technical masterpiece...One of the most impressive aspects of the game is the sheer massive geographical completeness of the environment combined with the overall sense of freedom and open-ended goodness.

With nice graphics and a storyline you don't mind following with a likeable hero, Prehistorik Man is a GBA title that has a lot going for it even though it follows the tried-and-true path of the 16-bit platform game to a "T".

A fairly satisfying gaming experience... that goes for deeper strategy – actual gameplay! – rather than a flashy package.

Between the highly customizable weapons and armor, the four warrior fighting dynamic, and the general joys to be had hacking all manner of demons to ribbons, there are plenty of reasons to give this game a whirl.

There is no real choice or variation however, as gamers must exhaust all the dialogue options before they are able to stop talking to someone.

Fortunately, although the naming scheme has strayed from tradition, the gameplay is exactly what you expect of Mario Kart.

Between the somewhat overly complicated nature of the game and the slow, dull battles there just wasn't a lot to get excited about in the game.

It’s got a great setting, suitable music, familiar characters, and enough challenge for the stoutest player. However, if you’re easily frustrated you may want to think before making this purchase.

It’s slick, entertaining, and fun to watch – just like any good action movie. I recommend it, especially for John Woo, Matrix fans, and those that want a mouse pad that comes with a game!

Looks great, tactics work, easy interface and camera, and the ability to easily customize your ‘Mech load-out all add up to a solid game.

Better physics, smarter opponents, and a huge leap in its visual presentation make GT3 a racer well worth playing.

If you are a big fan of the Star Trek universe and revel in the details and strategy involved in knowing the many races and ships and how to use them in battle, then Orion Pirates is the game for you.

It doesn't go above and beyond, but the expansion pack gets the job done and that's just fine as it is still a very entertaining little romp.

But as a PC game that feels like a port, especially with the save game method, it’s only good not great or excellent.

The story is tight, the gameplay and flow of the game is familiar, but still an improvement over past offerings, and there is more goodies than you can shake a stick at this time too.

Those strategists who want to work on their battlefield commanding ability will enjoy this game more than people whose greatest thrill is decimating an enemy with an unstoppable force.

The interface and environment are familiar, the locations interesting, the controls easy to learn, and the challenge good.

Simple gameplay that can stay entertaining for a long period of time. You can't really ask for much more from it.

Looking good doesn’t hurt the game, but it’s RA’s accessibility that makes it a game that every fan of platform gaming should have. There’s a sense of fun about RA.

My overall experience with Mario Advance was a good one even though it lacks originality. It’s a blast from the past – the control even feels the same – and it brought back some fond gaming memories.

Clearly aimed at locomotive enthusiasts and hardcore simmers. If you fall into those two categories, you’ll not be disappointed.

It’s got some good-looking graphics, is easily accessible since it relies on convention, and enough challenge for young and old.

The graphics and animation are first rate.

I enjoyed playing Echelon. The environments look great, the action is fast, and most of the missions can be taken on the third or fourth try.

Expect to get some enjoyment out of Air Command 3.0, especially if you're tired of Solitaire.

An alarm should go off when you read the subtitle of the expansion pack, which is simply, "Expansion Pack." There are no bells, no whistles, and no sunroof.

Exquisitely detailed, satisfying, immersive, and challenging – worth buying.

Redneck Racing (RR) is to Redneck Rampage, what "X-COM Enforcer" is to "X-COM." The flavor of RR is definitely taken from Rampage, but you won’t be battling aliens.

You sever someone’s head and you need to lob it into a goal! Sounds fun? Yup, right up there with watching grass grow.

A great fast-paced action (but repetitive) game that pays homage to a number of arcade games and will probably show up on the console side of the industry.

If you are a big fan of "The Sims" and are looking for a little vacation from that game, crack out the margarita mix and sun block before heading on over to the exceptionally good Tropico. May your reign be long and your Swiss bank account large!

It’s got some very good features (voice communication, integrated community options, good team action), making it a game I can recommend if you’re willing to suffer through the growing pains.

Black & White is one of the games you will remember 10 years from now as a turning curve for PC gaming. Thank you Peter Molyneux and Lionhead Studios, this game has certainly been something fresh and new.

Just firing this beast up, and blasting some bad guys without a care in the world feels very refreshing.

The game is average-looking but the sound is nicely blended into the action, which is what the music should be – an addition to the game not a detraction.

For a true PC RTS to surpass the lazy day couch and button mash of a console classic, it must be fun! Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns is.

Contains all the elements of a classic but foolishly falls short in vital areas. The overall quality does remain however and can keep a gamer involved for weeks, though not without side effects.

A standard console port, which does not offer any improvements over its N64 incarnation. A mid-mission save function would have been nice, since some of the missions are so tough you may never want to attempt them again once they’ve been conquered.

A different sort of game, one where story dominates the action, but in this case to a fault.

Stupid Invaders requires amoral behavior to complete – you’ll kill more than a few people, including Santa – some of which is fun to watch.

With all the good aspects that Oni has it’s amazing that the action can get a bit "samey."

If you’re looking for something new though, don’t expect it here.

A great add-on for fans of the Quake series and multiplayer mayhem. This is a must have for the frag fanatic.

A spectacular game.

A great game. The humour is consistent right from the start and nearly always borders on ridiculous, which is a nice parry to the action.

New players to the genre might be put off by the learning curve and difficulty level, but if they stick with it (and practice) they will start to have fun. Serious players will like the chance to sink their teeth into a good turn-based game.

A "gateway" game. It’s friendly enough for first time players, but it’s got all the things to keep you playing and become a hardcore racer. (It’s even got options to show you the best trajectory and supply driving tips.) But even the hardcore simmer will find F1RC a challenge and realistic.

Prye runs and walks as if he’s just spent the last 15 hours on the back of a galloping horse then, unable to find an outhouse, crapped himself.

Probably the best game-play design that I've seen in years; the game play is twitchy - if you're a purist you're going to have a conniption playing this.

The combination of style, wit, creativity, spycraft, cool locations, great gadgets and the overall sense of fun make this one a must have for FPS fans and a recommended game for casual gamers.

This is what an adventure game should be: easy to look at, great puzzles and sound, simple interaction, humour, solid writing and the power to transport the player somewhere else for some fun.

SE4 biggest strength is the ability to flip a variety of options before the game even starts.

It looks amazing. But this game isn’t just a pretty face, the deep gameplay and replay value catapult this title head and shoulders above the crowd.

While it is creepy, and does have a solid story the mixed presentation and weak controls mar the experience.

This the most frightening game I’ve ever played. This is due to two factors: the light-sourcing and the sound.

An absolute must have for any serious hockey fanatic.

The visuals are just too dated and will be tough for some to swallow and the unintuitive controls can be a real pain.

Great quests, solid story, very good voice acting, challenging battles, and engaging dialogue and characters make this an RPG that stands head and shoulders above the competition.

There was enough original action and story line to keep me playing right to the end and wanting more missions.

The game is too darn short. Four or five additional levels would have helped to remedy this, but this isn’t enough to irreparably damage the game. It’s still a damn good title well worth taking for a spin.

I didn’t like this game because my threshold for frustration is not what is used to be. The camera problems are just too much.

If you’re looking for a quick dungeon crawling, hack-and-slash trek through the frozen north with a peppy little story and some great combat then this is definitely a title to get.

A good game for people who like to immerse themselves in their play, but is definitely not for casual gamers.

Shogun’s strong AI, emphasis on tactics, and stunning visuals make it a very, very good RTS game.