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.