"Soul Calibur" revolutionizes (3D Fighting) with amazing graphics, intriguing characters and an incredibly smooth 60 frame per second game engine.

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.

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.

A must-have for 3-D shooter fanatics.

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.

Unfortunately, Half-Life’s puzzle-oriented play leads to some problems. On several occasions, you’ll be forced to make almost impossible jumps. The difficulty of such maneuvers finds you making 10, sometimes 15 attempts. The frustration distances you from a story that should have you absorbed.

Easily the finest game to grace the GameCube to date.

Graphics are about as good as they're likely to get on the Xbox... But close-ups, particularly textures in some of the outdoor environments, are jarringly ugly when juxtaposed with the many areas of sheer beauty.

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.

One of the best games in the coveted series and one of the top RPGs of the year.

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

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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

The most engaging GameCube title for the platform to date.

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

The game is really fun despite all of the tasks you have to remember.

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.

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

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

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.

The English voice-overs (a first for the series) are a mixed bag because some words are translated oddly and the voice acting from the Tidus character could be better. The music, on the other hand, is extremely well done.

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

The cinematic sequences, which propel the story line, have an anime quality that is dark, foreboding and engrossing.

Year after year, ESPN NFL Football (formerly NFL2K4) inches closer to becoming the "must have" football game. Almost.

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.

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.

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

For combat flight sim enthusiasts, IL-2 Sturmovik is a dream thanks to its countless solo missions, meaty historical campaign, smooth multiplayer options, flexible customization, accurate handling and great graphics.

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.

Another hard-hitting, fast-action, brutal-but-bloodless battle with Barbie-doll gals battling Schwarzeneggerish behemoths....Sound ridiculous? It is, but it's also a whole lot of fun.

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

Year after year, ESPN NFL Football (formerly NFL2K4) inches closer to becoming the "must have" football game. Almost.

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Incredibly deep and gratifying.

An intense, gritty World War II-themed action game played from a vertigo-inducing first-person perspective.

A classic Nintendo racing game cocktail with a twist of Wi-Fi.

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

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

An extremely fun dancing game.

Outstanding polish.

If there was ever a reason to purchase this compact new console, this is it...[but] there's no multiplayer mode. It would have been fun to fly alongside or against another player in some of the missions.

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.

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

The multiple game modes and environments, new wrestlers and intuitive control makes WWF Smackdown 2!: Know Your Role one of the best wrestling games to date, on any platform.

EA Sports has put considerable effort into improving this franchise by adding more game modes, an intuitive swing mechanism, online play, lifelike graphics, plus more depth, options and customizability. No other golf game is on par.

This tale includes more than 3,000 nonplayer characters (NPCs) and hundreds of monsters to interact with, giving the impression this open-ended (and certainly nonlinear) game is as limitless as the player's imagination and time.

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.

If speed kills, then F-Zero GX should get a life sentence.

EA Sports has put considerable effort into improving this franchise by adding more game modes, an intuitive swing mechanism, online play, lifelike graphics, plus more depth, options and customizability. No other golf game is on par.

What differentiates "NASCAR Racing 4" from the many racing games on the market? In a word, it's detail.

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

A refreshingly smart, elegant adventure.

EA Sports has put considerable effort into improving this franchise by adding more game modes, an intuitive swing mechanism, online play, lifelike graphics, plus more depth, options and customizability. No other golf game is on par.

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.

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

Successfully fuses brains with brawn, and delivers one heck of a memorable team-based, multiplayer experience.

EA Sports has put considerable effort into improving this franchise by adding more game modes, an intuitive swing mechanism, online play, lifelike graphics, plus more depth, options and customizability. No other golf game is on par.

It won't win any awards for originality, but it's good enough to shrink your nightly sleep to just a couple of hours.

Sony's latest is all about unadulterated cartoon action, with dozens of crazy weapons and gadgets at the player's disposal.

An intense sequel that shines in both its solo and multiplayer modes.

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.

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.

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.

Without a doubt, Doom 3 is the most visually appealing and best sounding PC game to date, but it doesn't bring anything new to the "3-D shooter" genre in terms of the game play, which is basically 1993's Doom all over again.

An exceptional follow-up to the original.

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.

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

A perfect game for "guy's night" at home.

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.

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.

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

One of the most innovative games to grace the GameCube. But its unrestricted style of game play isn't for everyone. Younger players may prefer video games that pack more action.

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.

A throwback to the good old days of unadulterated combat with boatloads of wacky enemies and sci-fi weapons. Action fans will love this game.

The extra missions can be played as either Solid Snake or Raiden, the two heroes from last year's hit game. The VR missions are equally compelling.

A dangerously addictive diversion to monkey around with.

Just be sure not to make any plans until the summer - it may very well take you that long to finish this elaborate role-playing game.

A comprehensive, deep and fun fighting game.

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

It may not be a lengthy adventure, but it sure is an intense and gratifying one.

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

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

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.

The game slows down when the track is full of cars. Plus, you might find your attention distracted by an over-detailed landscape that washes out the course ahead.

A giant happy cosmic snowball of fun.

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

There aren't enough save points so you might have to replay hours worth of the game if the adventuring party dies far from a save point. Despite this beef, Symphonia succeeds because of its deep battle system, stylish graphics and enormous game world.