Banjo-Kazooie isn't going to win any awards for originality, but who really cares? If you have to borrow a little to make a fun, absorbing adventure, so be it.

What it lacks in originality it more than makes up for with its fun and easy-to-pick-up game play that will appeal to fans of the long-running comedy.

And after spending a week playing "Resident Evil Code: Veronica X" in a darkened room, there's no doubt that the PS2 version is as creepy as video games come.

Savvy gamers can also unlock Snoop Dogg as a playable character.

Rainbow Six carries a hefty learning curve which may turn off some less avid gamers. However, a little time spent with the manual and in the training sessions and you'll be ready for this engrossing world of interactive Clancy.

Lack of innovation aside, Dungeon Siege proves to be a polished, stylish and highly addictive computer game.

Runs circles around the competition thanks to its depth, wealth of options and intuitive controls.

A sharp-looking game. All the characters closely resemble their silver-screen counterparts despite the graphical limitations of the aging PlayStation system.

The weapons, amazing special attacks, mostly interesting story and button-mashing fun make O3 a highly addictive game and well worth the money.

There's enough depth and playability here to keep you clicking well into the spring of 2002.

Not for everyone. It's a very intense and immersive war game so folks who play computer games to relax and unwind might want to leave this one on the store shelves.

While this clever European import proves there are still fresh and innovative concepts for PC gamers, the fun is over too quickly. A skilled player will be able to complete all 14 episodes in about two or three hours.

For those looking for a challenging and strangely-addictive diversion that's considerably different than the majority of computer game offerings out there, MTS is an excellent pick for ages 8 to 108.

Beautiful graphics, special effects and a compelling storyline inspire the latest "Castlevania" adventure for the Game Boy Advance.

Thrill-seekers in search of a stylized 3-D shooter with a compelling story will find plenty of both in Ubi Soft's XIII.

If it's heart-pounding action you crave, this anything-but-serious sequel should slap a smile on your face.

The game also throws in some science fiction by adding monsters and the undead who fight alongside the Nazis.

Sure, it's not the most action-packed or finely tuned game, but there are enough clever attacks and humorous elements in Pulse to keep you playing through to see what other goodies - or appendages - they'll toss your way.

A B-movie-based street fighting game with a lot of variation, mini missions and little problems.

This game is interesting enough to keep most kids' attention with a bit of innocent humor adults will appreciate and a Christian rock soundtrack even non-Christians can bear.

A B-movie-based street fighting game with a lot of variation, mini missions and little problems.

An interesting portable Myst-style graphic adventure with good graphics and fun controls but a slow pace and a lot of reading.

A good WWII shooter with great graphics and effects, but missing the finer points and freedom in the first-person mode.

Though a little cheesy, it's a good way to create a customized home workout with menu suggestions and progress chart.

Though a little cheesy, it's a good way to create a customized home workout with menu suggestions and progress chart.

A good WWII shooter with great graphics and effects, but missing the finer points and freedom in the first-person mode.

A good WWII shooter with great graphics and effects, but missing the finer points and freedom in the first-person mode.

The Hulkster follows commands easily, the camera gives you an excellent view of the action and you don't need to mash 20 buttons for every combat move you make.

There are some other beefs, too, such as odd-looking animations that make the players look like they're skating on the court.

The Hulkster follows commands easily, the camera gives you an excellent view of the action and you don't need to mash 20 buttons for every combat move you make.

Every time your character is killed and you restart the game, you have to sit through a seemingly endless series of movies that re-establish the plot.

An enjoyable, silly diversion that will trigger a few laughs and -- unfortunately -- a bit of aggravation, as well.

The Hulkster follows commands easily, the camera gives you an excellent view of the action and you don't need to mash 20 buttons for every combat move you make.

For a game that looks so good, it's a shame it can also be a pain in the neck.

A big hit in arcades; while the home version lacks the rifle grip and scope of the coin-op machine, it captures its feel.

The Hulkster follows commands easily, the camera gives you an excellent view of the action and you don't need to mash 20 buttons for every combat move you make.

You need to have a sense of humor if you want to box, at least if you want to box in R2R2: R2.

Live ammunition is a cute concept that doesn't grow tiresome because you need to strategize about which critters work best in different bounty-hunting situations.

A fun but easy diversion that's geared more toward the younger or casual gamer.

An undeveloped but great take on first-person views makes this a strong rental but iffy purchase.

The single-player game play, however, hasn't changed much over the past couple of years. It suffers from a skimpy playbook and dim-witted AI-controlled opponents who do odd things like leave receivers wide open for a throw with no defensive backs in sight.

While not as comprehensive as "Madden" or "ESPN NFL Football," mainly because of fewer game options and graphics that haven't improved much over last year, NFL Fever 2004 is a fun multiplayer game with a lot of replayability.

Enter the Matrix isn't a perfect slice of interactive entertainment, but it does provide at least a dozen hours of action-packed fun and serves as a clever vehicle to expand on the events in "The Matrix Reloaded."

The game suffers from some repetitive missions with a lot of "fetch this and find that," plus many of the camera angles are finicky.

The game has some other minor flaws, too, such as repetitive environments and a finicky "camera" that may obstruct the view during combat by switching to another angle.

The game suffers from some repetitive missions with a lot of "fetch this and find that," plus many of the camera angles are finicky.

It's a refreshing twist on the extreme sports video-game genre, with plenty of solo and multiplayer modes, attractive graphics and a toe-tapping urban soundtrack.

This game is obviously targeted to male adolescents, so the T&A and obnoxious commentary may turn off other potential consumers. But if you take Outlaw Volleyball for what it is, it will provide many hours of enjoyable action.

A good choice for folks who want to wind down at the end of the day with a fast-paced diversion that requires absolutely no brainpower to master and enjoy.

It's a fun, impressive football game but doesn't compare to the likes of "Madden" or "NFL 2K3."

The biggest hindrance in The Getaway involves its user interface - or lack thereof - as the development team attempted to make the game look and play out like a movie.

WW isn't the best platform game on the console, but it has its charm.

New to this series is the ability to mow down multiple enemies at once, enhanced graphics, a variety of endings and new creatures.

Fans of run 'n' gun games and arcade-fighting titles likely will find that Breakdown is a uniquely enjoyable -- though visually dizzying -- single-player tale.

The game's graphics aren't on par with today's console offerings -- sure the worlds are colorful and large, but perhaps the developers at Japan's Sonic Team studios had to sacrifice visuals for speed.

The games are also a tad on the short side, but immersive while they last.

Controlling Wolverine during combat can prove difficult, especially when there are multiple enemies onscreen simultaneously.

If you can forgive the game's lighter approach - one that emphasizes action instead of strategy - then you'll enjoy Black Hawk Down.

Enter the Matrix isn't a perfect slice of interactive entertainment, but it does provide at least a dozen hours of action-packed fun and serves as a clever vehicle to expand on the events in "The Matrix Reloaded."

The game is fun, but only after you master the steep learning curve. The game is tough to learn because all of its controls — buttons, triggers and thumbsticks — must be used for practically any race.

While not in the same league as the "Madden" series or "NFL 2K3," Sony's latest PlayStation 2 football title is fun and accessible.

Delivers a good twist on the "Resident Evil"-style game play by adding more action and speed, a decent script and memorable characters.

The game suffers from some repetitive missions with a lot of "fetch this and find that," plus many of the camera angles are finicky.

A little on the short side (about 10 hours to complete or so) but does prove to be a fun fantasy romp for those who prefer action, stealth and attractive visuals.

Another shortcoming lies in the fact the player may not know what an object is onscreen. How can you tell Rio to pick up the key card on the table when it looks like a book or ticket or deck of playing cards?

Controlling Yun is actually quite intuitive, even with the sophisticated multidirectional fighting scheme.

This title is a good pick for players ages 13 to 17 (especially those who liked the film), though older players might grow tired of the gags after a while.

Controlling Wolverine during combat can prove difficult, especially when there are multiple enemies onscreen simultaneously.

The game's graphics aren't on par with today's console offerings -- sure the worlds are colorful and large, but perhaps the developers at Japan's Sonic Team studios had to sacrifice visuals for speed.

Its many courses, shortcuts and secret areas — along with the multiple stunts to master — ensure that this game is a fun, rewarding and a beautiful escape after a long day at the office or school.

Unfortunately, there isn't an online option to let friends play over the Internet-based Xbox Live service.

Unfortunately, the game play in "Impossible Creatures" doesn't match the title's ingenious premise.

An example of how a game based on a television show can be done right. It may not be a long adventure, but it's a fun challenge.

The cartoon-like graphics are very cute — especially the pre-rendered cut-scene sequences — and the game play is challenging, though it might be a tad repetitive after a while.

Great fun, especially for younger PC gamers.

A faithful re-creation of the popular 2-D side-scrolling arcade shooter.

A stellar strategy/simulation game with incredible depth and detail — but it may turn off some players with its steep learning curve.

Slick, sexy and jam-packed with action — but this adventure is short with limited playability over time, except perhaps for its multiplayer modes.

While the game is entertaining while it lasts, it's on the short side, and with little reason to play the adventure over again.

Enter the Matrix isn't a perfect slice of interactive entertainment, but it does provide at least a dozen hours of action-packed fun and serves as a clever vehicle to expand on the events in "The Matrix Reloaded."

Controlling Wolverine during combat can prove difficult, especially when there are multiple enemies onscreen simultaneously.

Enter the Matrix isn't a perfect slice of interactive entertainment, but it does provide at least a dozen hours of action-packed fun and serves as a clever vehicle to expand on the events in "The Matrix Reloaded."

Pirates does have a few shortcomings such as some cumbersome controls, which result in a fairly steep learning curve, and some technical bugs. They don't detract from the game too much but may affect its suspension of disbelief from time to time.

The game hasn't changed much in three years, so the graphics are starting to show their age and players cannot "ride" their creations.

Seasoned role-playing game fans certainly will enjoy the "old school" look and feel of "Wizardry 8," and there's certainly some meaty, single-player game play here. But younger or novice gamers may lose patience because of the relatively unattractive visuals and technical obstacles.

The game's graphics aren't on par with today's console offerings -- sure the worlds are colorful and large, but perhaps the developers at Japan's Sonic Team studios had to sacrifice visuals for speed.

The problem lies in a finicky third-person perspective camera that swivels around the protagonists. In many cases, it will switch angles right in the middle of combat, making it difficult to stay focused on who or what you're attacking.

Short on frills but long on fun.

Controlling Wolverine during combat can prove difficult, especially when there are multiple enemies onscreen simultaneously.

And while the game has a variety of game-play modes, they aren't very deep once you've mastered the basics.

A fun fighter with attractive visuals and an easy control scheme.

There's more humor and character development at the Web site than in the game, so if you are still curious, check out the Death Jr. Web site and maybe - maybe - rent it for a day or two.

Beautiful but muddy environments, frustrating puzzles, repetitious opponents and clunky Kong controls.

Beautiful but muddy environments, frustrating puzzles, repetitious opponents and clunky Kong controls.

Beautiful but muddy environments, frustrating puzzles, repetitious opponents and clunky Kong controls.

Beautiful but muddy environments, frustrating puzzles, repetitious opponents and clunky Kong controls.

Beautiful but muddy environments, frustrating puzzles, repetitious opponents and clunky Kong controls.

Overall, however, while NFL GameDay can be quite fun -- especially with two players, rather than solo -- it disappoints because it looks and plays unpolished, like a mere rehash from NFL GameDay 2000 with a few minor bells and whistles.