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The game's plot-twisting story, addictive game play and bevy of single- and multiplayer options makes this an excellent addition to your CD-ROM collection.

Once the game has been completed, more Ninja Five-O fun can be had with an unlockable difficulty setting (making the game more tough to complete) and an optional Time Trial model.

QIII's smooth 360-degree graphics and chilling sound effects succeed in completely immersing the player in its bizarre kill-or-be-killed world.

The word epic describes Freelancer, Microsoft Game Studios' latest title, thanks to its strong narrative and virtually limitless game play opportunities.

One of the most refined basketball games -- perhaps the best -- ever created for any platform.

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.

To say Knights of the Old Republic is an ambitious stab at turning the Star Wars universe into a deep RPG would be an understatement.

You must learn the best way to attack, what formations to use, where to position your men and when to fight or run. You'll master the mouse and keyboard controls in no time, but mastering the single player game will take time.

This expansion focuses on the little-known Italian and Sicilian campaigns of World War II.

The PS2 version of Madden looks deceptively close to broadcast TV quality.

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

If you’re ready for a different kind of first-person shoo--, er, "sneaker," want to be thoroughly challenged, and don’t mind Eidos’ wacky trapezoidal boxes, pick up Thief: The Dark Project.

No longer are those shooting at you simple targets in a practice range. These guys are smart, evil and ready to battle. Enemies will work together to cover each other, they’ll roll under your gunfire, hide behind corners and even shoot the gun right out of your hands.

This is a game with seemingly endless slopes and fields that look so real, you'll swear you've run them.

I found the little things most impressive. Telephone lines ripple from the wind kicked up by passing alien gun ships. Even motes of dust meander into view as they casually flit through rays of sunshine.

The sound effects and music in the game are as inspiring as the graphics. The engine motors and tire screeches are incredibly lifelike, and the soundtrack is top notch.

The Xbox Music Mixer can help you turn your living room into a karaoke lounge for parties and family get-togethers.

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

Without a doubt, the game's single greatest asset is the graphics, with its unprecedented level of painstaking detail, swirling colors, wonderfully distorted images and dynamic lighting effects.

Despite the game's stunning, high-end graphics, Generals loads quickly and plays smoothly.

While it may look a bit strange to move your body frantically in front of the TV screen, especially if you're playing by yourself, the EyeToy offers family-friendly fun and a little exercise, too.

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.

If the Academy Awards opened themselves to video games, Grim Fandango would be looking at a sweep. Best acting: Grim Fandango. Best script: Grim Fandango. Best cinematography: Grim Fandango. The game’s creators wouldn't have to leave the podium.

Electronic Arts deserves kudos for breathing new life into the aging fighting genre with this title's fresh approach.

A perfect pick for those who prefer strategy over action.

A comprehensive, deep and fun fighting game.

Incredibly entertaining portable pinball game with additional rumble pack cart.

Also new, and welcome for those who don't favor the role-playing aspect, is the ability to ignore the character management with automated leveling up.

Also new, and welcome for those who don't favor the role-playing aspect, is the ability to ignore the character management with automated leveling up.

Also new, and welcome for those who don't favor the role-playing aspect, is the ability to ignore the character management with automated leveling up.

For once, believe the game's name and hype - this is an almost endlessly entertaining game with tons of fun and gratuitous destruction.

For once, believe the game's name and hype - this is an almost endlessly entertaining game with tons of fun and gratuitous destruction.

For once, believe the game's name and hype - this is an almost endlessly entertaining game with tons of fun and gratuitous destruction.

The improved single-player games are worthwhile enough on their own, but if you can find well connected online matches, multiplayer games will keep you addicted for months.

The improved single-player games are worthwhile enough on their own, but if you can find well connected online matches, multiplayer games will keep you addicted for months.

The improved single-player games are worthwhile enough on their own, but if you can find well connected online matches, multiplayer games will keep you addicted for months.

A giant happy cosmic snowball of fun.

An enjoyable semi-stealth first-person shooter game with good, gritty environments and only a few small glitches. A pretty darn good game.

Easily the finest game to grace the GameCube to date.

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

Graphically, Flight Simulator 2004 is the most attractive yet, especially in the clouds department, though the ground scenery looks much better higher up, but objects such as skyscrapers, greenery and airport towers aren't as detailed up close.

Whether or not you're a fan of the movie, TRON 2.0 oozes with style and substance. Developer Monolith Productions deserves credit for creating one of the finest and most unique PC games of the year to date.

An ambitious but successful interactive adventure that blurs the lines between motion pictures and video games.

Adds tougher artificial intelligence, realistic outdoor environments and a streamlined command interface.

Because of its tight game-play, depth and dizzying amount of features, Madden is still the one to beat.

In addition to lots of racing choices, "RalliSport" has impressive force feedback in the game controller.

While the game is a tad short and there isn't a multiplayer option, Max Payne 2 is an excellent choice for mature gamers for its nonstop action, high-production values and incredibly realistic graphics.

Not only one of the best "Star Wars" titles to date, but it is also one of the finest games in recent memory.

Graphically, Jak II resembles a colorful cartoon, with a hero that moves with grace and agility, and an intelligent camera that never gets in the way.

By far the most fun racing game on the market right now, and the learning curve is non-existent. Best of all, my wife cranks up the speakers and tries to beat my best time, and my daughter always wants a turn.

While at its heart the game is still an arcade-based skateboarding simulation that challenges players to perform tricks for points, the emphasis is less on Tony Hawk and other pro skaters and more on, well, nobodies like us.

It's arguably the closest thing yet to virtual reality in a computer game.

A visual treat because of its beautifully rendered indoor and outdoor environments, smoothly animated characters and subtle lighting techniques that contribute to the game's atmosphere.

Outstanding polish.

While at its heart the game is still an arcade-based skateboarding simulation that challenges players to perform tricks for points, the emphasis is less on Tony Hawk and other pro skaters and more on, well, nobodies like us.

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

A rare example of how to successfully evoke emotion in an interactive medium.

There are more than 20 different locations in the game to unlock and visit.

Graphics are top-notch, with highly detailed characters and environments, and a clever third-person "camera" that follows Ryu during battles, exploration and puzzle-solving.

A heavenly refreshing virtual toy in which to lose oneself for hours on end.

A must-have for 3-D shooter fanatics.

Easily the best computer game of the year, The Sims 2 will not disappoint.

It's a perfect match for music fans and parents looking for a constructive - rather than destructive -game experience.

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

A solid pick - especially for players who enjoy nonstop action - that lives up to the expectations set by the movie on which it's based.

An extremely fun dancing game.

Seven huge, trap-filled worlds and many mini-games.

Because of its tight game-play, depth and dizzying amount of features, Madden is still the one to beat.

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A visual treat because of its beautifully rendered indoor and outdoor environments, smoothly animated characters and subtle lighting techniques that contribute to the game's atmosphere.

An ambitious but successful interactive adventure that blurs the lines between motion pictures and video games.

May very well be the most beloved PC game of the year.

Because of its tight game-play, depth and dizzying amount of features, Madden is still the one to beat.

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.

Incredibly deep and gratifying.

One of the best console games of the year.

There are dozens of hours of gameplay here, with 80 main missions and countless optional side missions such as drag racing for extra cash or carjacking cabs.

Easily the game's greatest strength is its simplicity — there's no need to "monkey around" with complicated controls or even crack open the manual for that matter.

While at its heart the game is still an arcade-based skateboarding simulation that challenges players to perform tricks for points, the emphasis is less on Tony Hawk and other pro skaters and more on, well, nobodies like us.

A visual treat because of its beautifully rendered indoor and outdoor environments, smoothly animated characters and subtle lighting techniques that contribute to the game's atmosphere.

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.

Features a rich and colorful 3-D world to explore, with the best-looking Mario game visuals to date.

If you liked "Lord of the Rings," then you'll love Golden Sun: The Lost Age.

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

An exceptional follow-up to the original.

A visual treat because of its beautifully rendered indoor and outdoor environments, smoothly animated characters and subtle lighting techniques that contribute to the game's atmosphere.

The most engaging GameCube title for the platform to date.

An ambitious but successful interactive adventure that blurs the lines between motion pictures and video games.

Though hard-core golfers might not appreciate exaggerated plaid pants on cartoon characters and sarcastic golfers, pretty much everyone else will get into the game's taunting, tricks and big hit effects and exaggerated character personalities.

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.

This game gets high marks for the attention to detail in each scene, and the authentic feel of doing battle with other ships at sea.

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.

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

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.

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

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."