The true letdown, though, is that the master villains can still be supremely frustrating to defeat, requiring several replays and exhaustive bouts of highly patterned attacks.

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

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.

While it lacks 3-D graphics and an impressive use of lighting and shadows found in its predecessors, the stealthy action game still captures the thrill of modern espionage.

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

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

Because of its wealth of game modes and many tricks, "MX 2002" has a long life span, so players who invest in the game will likely get a lot of bang for their buck.

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

The most intense and realistic boxing simulation ever created thanks to its deep and challenging game play, responsive controls, cutting-edge visuals, and something not enough boxing games have: emotion.

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

Unlike Hollywood horror movies that often get worse with each new sequel ("Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan," for example), Konami's scary Silent Hill series gets better -- and creepier -- with age.

It remains enjoyable and challenging with considerable replayability even if it's not going to take home any awards for visuals or challenge the popularity of the bestselling "Tony Hawk" titles.

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

Almost every aspect of this series has been tweaked, from the graphics to the artificial intelligence to the TV-style presentation (new camera angles and more commentary for starters).

Unlike Hollywood horror movies that often get worse with each new sequel ("Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan," for example), Konami's scary Silent Hill series gets better -- and creepier -- with age.

The true letdown, though, is that the master villains can still be supremely frustrating to defeat, requiring several replays and exhaustive bouts of highly patterned attacks.

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.

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

Virtually the same as the PS One version, although the PS2 game has superior graphics and faster, smoother play.

The end of this first episode of .hack - dubbed Infection - will leave players hanging and longing for more.

A 3-D shooter that pays as much attention to a compelling single-player storyline as it does blasting enemies with futuristic weaponry.

The true letdown, though, is that the master villains can still be supremely frustrating to defeat, requiring several replays and exhaustive bouts of highly patterned attacks.

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

Offers everything you'd want in a basketball game — fast and fun gameplay with tight and responsive control, gorgeous graphics and realistic animation, and many game modes, each with a boatload of customizable options.

While not a perfect piece of interactive entertainment, it's enjoyable, and thanks to the way you can customize the Doodles, it's fun to play again and again.

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

The true letdown, though, is that the master villains can still be supremely frustrating to defeat, requiring several replays and exhaustive bouts of highly patterned attacks.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

This story-based, action-adventure title is probably the most gratifying Xbox-only game this summer, even though it does have some flaws.

A very entertaining, exhilarating and challenging game for those who would rather star in an action movie than merely watch one.

An interesting re-imagining of the Matrix story in the form of an action game with OK controls and annoying camera.

This title's great story, realistic visuals and immersive game play will keep you glued to the screen for hours.

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

The story is slow at first, but patient players will find it ultimately becomes one of the game's stronger features, along with its atmospheric visuals.

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

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.

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.

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

Great fun, especially for younger PC gamers.

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

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

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

The egg-rolling and egg-hatching game-play mechanics, while a clever concept, get stale after a while. Except for new environments and a different "boss" enemy at the end of each level, no new game-play elements are introduced after the first hour.

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

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.

This new "bad boy" of the video game industry is extremely fun to play — for those old enough and mature enough to purchase it — as a campy stress releaser at the end of a bad day.

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.

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

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.

This atmospheric whodunit differs from others thanks to its moody film noir-style tone.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The entire game takes place indoors, with only a few moments spent alongside and atop the building complex. I would have preferred to also battle in detailed outdoor environments. Think of some of the jaw-dropping fighting sequences in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

An interesting re-imagining of the Matrix story in the form of an action game with OK controls and annoying camera.

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

From the first few notes of Steppenwolf's “Magic Carpet Ride” to the victory lap at the end of the season, NASCAR Thunder 2003 proves to be the most enjoyable NASCAR racing game yet on any console.

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.

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.

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

TNN fails to frighten and is marred by a few flaws that may frustrate rather than satiate.

While the cartoon like graphics are cute, they hardly take advantage of the Xbox's power. Many of the enemies and objects in the rooms lack detail. This noticeable shortcoming shouldn't detract much from the fun - and often frantic - game play.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

It goes in a different direction, simulating the feel of televised tournament coverage. PGA Tour comes with multiple courses and a "Course Architect" creation tool.

Not worth your time or money, and it's certainly a shame for fans of this once-groundbreaking series.

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

A perfect pick for those who prefer strategy over action.

An interesting re-imagining of the Matrix story in the form of an action game with OK controls and annoying camera.

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.

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."

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 game's greatest shortcoming, however, is that this style of over-the-top gameplay hasn't evolved much from Midway's own "NBA Jam" or "NBA Showtime" titles.

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 jewel in the crown of an action/strategy sub-genre best described as "violence with a mission."

There's not a lot of depth and it might grow tiresome

Not worth your time or money, and it's certainly a shame for fans of this once-groundbreaking series.

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

The biggest fault of the game is the controls scheme. Alternately pressing the X and O buttons for hours will not only result in cramped and blistered fingers, but a concentrated tiredness of the game.

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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