Features some of the best visuals on the Xbox.

The game doesn’t just look impressive, but sounds impressive too. Every sounds fits the game and some voices are so-so, but for the most part; it’s very fitting.

Those without a network adapter are left in the dark as Project: Snowblind unfortunately contains no split screen multiplayer.

It’s got a sense of fun, a main character that can be outfitted in a bikini, lots of swordplay, a chance to bend the laws of Nature in really big ships, and playability that’s easy to pick-up.

Unfortunately, there's no online support, but SWON is packed with enough diverse gameplay with a heavy challenge level that you won't lament the online absence too long.

Despite its few technical faults, Chibi-Robo is a deviously charming little game, with an addicting quality that makes it hard to put down.

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.

A very good real-time strategy game and the best that has featured the Star Wars franchise (regardless of what I said about Galactic Battlegrounds).

This game does a good job in retaining its cartoony look and it does that well.

The sound design is simply amazing! If you’ve got a decent sound system, Frontline will rattle your bones and quicken your pulse.

The last great game of 2003 you've never heard of.

It tries to to do too much at once, and while it generally succeeds, there's still some room for a bit of spit and polish.

An above average bit of RPG goodness, with some added mechanics, and all of it's served up in a very eye-catching package.

To give the visual style greater impact Stubbs the Zombie features the best soundtrack this year.

I wouldn’t consider scooping Island Thunder unless you are a Live subscriber, because as good as the game’s story and single-player missions can be, there’s simply not enough levels and gameplay here for going solo.

If you’re a fan of the wrestling genre, Def Jam Vendetta is just what the doctor ordered.

A well-done racing title that strikes a good balance between realism and accessibility.

VV has enough going for it - an amiable style, easy control, good puzzles, the platformer conventions, and humor - that it’s time well spent.

I suppose the upshot of it is, is that I would recommend The Simpsons: Hit & Run, particularly to those that may have been let down by prior Simpsons games.

The wacky characters, impossibly upbeat music and insanely addicting party management, will have strategy gamers obsessed long after the doldrums of the summer months have passed. Makai Kingdom isn't the best of the bunch, but it holds its own quite nicely.

Like "Max Payne," BR is fun while it lasts and it has enough style to make it worth revisiting.

A terrific pick for younger gamers and a great update for older fans of the series.

It has high caliber production values, mission variety, easy control, and plenty of Bond moments that offset the linear levels and less-than-stellar camera.

It’s still pleasant, lighthearted fun and legions better than the embarrassing "Lunar: Dragon Song," making it the uncontested champion of DS RPGs.

Oddly enough, hunting down targets isn’t integral to gameplay, it's completely optional.

Refines the original – layers some extra flash but at its core, remains very much the same as the original.

The action is fast and furious (although “punctuated” with periods of running around), the graphics are impressive and the voice acting is very good.

Aimed at the first-time player – for everyone else, go download a mod. [Score intended for those who don't own "DS" already.]

Almost like you're careening down the hills of San Francisco's city streets in a car with its power steering out of commission.

Most importantly, Shox offers an exhilarating sense of speed which, in the end, is what draws many of us to racing games in the first place.

It’s refined battle system, the use of a job system, and a much more palatable story make it well worth checking out for fans of console RPGs.

It's just about everything a fan could want even if it's more popcorn than a "serious" RPG.

With the solid on-court graphical presentation, fast-paced gameplay and variety of game modes, many may actually see it on even par with "NBA 2K3."

Although I really liked Breakdown for its story and first-person implementation and grew to love the combat, some will think it’s a “niche” title with too many idiosyncrasies for a wider audience.

Those who haven’t played the first two games can hop right in without feeling alienated, and those who have followed the Sly series from day one can feel safe that the game’s quality hasn’t ebbed in the least over the years, while still enjoying the little in-jokes peppered throughout Sly 3.

Online, Project Gotham Racing 3 is practically an addiction.

As far as audio goes, the game is a mixed bag of licensed music.

Since Deadly Shadows shares the same engine as "Deus Ex: Invisible War," you get the same gorgeous visuals, amazing lighting and incredible physics.

The perfect kind of portable title -- while it's based off a console game, the unique visual style alone makes it worthwhile to own both.

Like the Wicked Witch of the West, the battle engine dissolves (i.e. explodes) when immersed in water.

Square-Enix has successfully implemented interconnectivity in a way that not only makes sense, but also works.

A true simulation of soccer with all the hoopla of competing for the only real "world" championship with excellent online play kicks FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 into the net of quality video gaming soccer.

With a good story, excellent graphics, varied tracks, and a whole lot of great racing machines that most of us only dream of driving, Apex is one of the better racers to be found on the Xbox.

A fun ride with two or three frustrating bumps along the way – I’m just hoping for some deeper missions in the sequel.

Don't be fooled as I was – Pokémon Emerald is a great strategy RPG.

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.

This makes practically every other strategy game on the market feels like child's play.

It's just about everything a fan could want even if it's more popcorn than a "serious" RPG.

Maybe Bloodmoon could have been down as a free, or low cost, download, but the added value of the werewolf alone make the twenty dollar cost seem like a bargain.

Despite being a somewhat easy game that’s visuals are slightly long in the tooth, Ape Escape 2 still proves to be a fun game.

The simplicity of it all combined with just a touch of humor helps make Mister Mosquito a title well worth taking for a spin or three.

Kong's controls are naturally quite sluggish, and the combat plays off like a jungle version of WWE, except instead of pinning your opponents, you grab their jaws and pound buttons until you twist their necks with a satisfying snap.

An unapologetic action game in the same vein as Max Payne, but with a dog sidekick and hand-to-hand combat.

After starting out with some interesting gameplay and moves, including a adventurous amount of big Boss battles, I-Ninja falls back on a few too many standards of the genre that go back to the granddaddy of the modern platformer, "Super Mario 64."

It’s deep and highly entertaining but a few flaws and misses hold it back.

It’s no GTA but it’s a nice change. If you’re really itching for a good sci-fi game with a good sense of humor, then look no further.

It may not replace traditional board games, but Mario Party 5 is another solid addition to the Mario Party franchise.

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 might not be the best way to be introduced to the genre because it is so deep in the gameplay department, but those accustomed to the genre will eat this up and have a great time.

But the same advice I offered for "Crusaders still applies: it's "a rewarding experience if you're willing to put in the time." It also doesn't hurt if you can withstand a moderate amount of frustration.

At the end of the day, I found myself coming back to this version of Wreckless (over the Xbox version) because it has more options and winds up being more fun (even though there’s still some frustration to cut through). I know I seem to be in a minority, but I still liked Wreckless.

A good game – almost achieved "great" but, sweet momma, some of those missions are hard – filled with action, challenge, the obligatory references to Star Wars, and a first-rate presentation.

For those that want a more relaxed game experience devoid of that “Go! Go! Go!” mentality, you’ll feel quite at home in Animal Crossing: Wild World.

Having only a few flaws is still too many flaws when stacked up against the stiff competition of both "Madden" and "ESPN Football."

The story started to grate on me after beating the first few Blacklist opponents.

Should satisfy those looking for otherworldly action in a fantasy "medieval" Japanese setting. The style isn’t for everyone, but the RPG elements and the nonstop combat make it worth playing.

The strategic elements are in place for the most part, it has an interesting take on resource collecting, and the 3D engine makes the explosions nice to watch.

The game is successful in combining elements from four or five different genres.

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.

EA redeems itself and the James Bond video-game line nicely with 007: Agent Under Fire, a good FPS game, notably in the extraordinary multi-player mode, that finally makes up for the mediocre-at-best duo of "007 Racing" and "TWINE."

DESA should be given serious consideration by all parents looking for a good game for younger children whether for themselves or some good family competition, especially if you are a parent that can overlook the nefarious advertising.

Halo for the PC is everything that PC gamers want in a first person shooter, but a bit of a failure to those Xbox gamers waiting for the multiplayer.

A very good game – not explosive, it won’t turn the gaming world on its head. But it is incredibly easy to pick-up and play.

It’s the perfect melding of classic old-school gaming on the newest generation of video gaming consoles.

If you liked the Sims, Bustin’ Out is a great addition. Much of the series’ originality has lost its shine, but the mechanics and playability remain extremely good even though there’s not much in the way of plot.

A solid "racing" game with good entertainment value. It has solid pick-up and play control, wide-open levels, good graphics and multiplayer options, and the return of FMV!

A solid racer with good graphics and control, a well-integrated trick system, and provides a challenge. There are some downsides – lack of shortcuts, no stat modification, occasional frustrating AI – but they aren’t enough to sink the experience.

While TSBO isn’t a major overhaul to the original Sims (more of a "console expansion" if you will), it does however provide enjoyable game play coupled with never ending fun.

There’s a big list of spells, many details to track, loads of different units to recruit, train, and summon, a good level of challenge, an interface that doesn’t get in the way of playing the game, and a very intriguing end-game sequence.

The plot is full of fantasy cliches, so you can expect your fair share of dragons and lost princesses and Black Knights.

But its biggest flaw is the same as many 3D platformer games that are released today: there's nothing new or innovative in Vexx to make it stand out over many similar type of games.

Partnered with the excellent look of arenas is the aura that only comes with a frenzied crowd.

The most important aspect of playing this game is the technique – just driving in the correct lines is dreadfully difficult not to mention maintaining a straight line is dicey at best.

Despite Gothic II’s problematic inventory system, as well as its sometimes-difficult battles, it is still a very fun RPG.

A very fun wrestling game here loaded with style and bone crushing action. There are some annoying shortcomings to the game, but they certainly aren’t enough to irreparably hurt the game.

Instead of being the Mario challenger it could have been, the overall control, camera issues and the above-mentioned weak points of the game bring it down to good-but-not-good-enough status.

Black Arrow features enough improvements to keep you playing for a long time, albeit mostly online.

Feels like a new game when you compare it to previous Rayman games.

By far the biggest problem with Raw 2 is the audio. The menu music is solid, but everything else is horrendous.

I would highly suggest fans of the series to buy it even though the battle system is a little weak.

A nice, neon-enhanced glow sharpens the graphical package, and the colorful costumes of many of the game's characters alleviate the rather dull environmental visuals, above and below ground.

For hardcore strategy gamers Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth is a visual and aural feast but low on actual strategy since battles almost always descend into attrition.

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.

Outrun 2 may not be the best racer out there but the infusion of nostalgia, speed and fun make for a satisfying arcade racing experience.

The game runs beautifully at about sixty frames per second with no slow down. Lots of the environments are nicely detailed and well lit.

For short spurts Test Drive is pure racing joy. As you whiz your car in and out of traffic you feel like a god on his chariot, but unfortunately too often you come crashing back to earth after hitting something or having something hit you.

A great game with an accurate stat system, fluid animations, and plenty of depth to last a very long time. Although ASB doesn’t have the glamour and beauty MVP Baseball 2004 may have, the real beauty lies inside.

Phantasy Star Online is definitely not an Xbox Live gaming experience for everybody, although gamers who may be more adjusted to the traditional Final Fantasy-style RPG hit/miss combat system at the heart of PSO will enjoy it immensely.