An above average effort on the PS2. Basically an enhanced port of the N64 sleeper.

Bangai-O takes established, classic gameplay elements and combines them with its own innovations, with the end result being one of the most enjoyable games in recent memory.

A game that can only generate slight indifference.

A mixed bag of game design that's too complex for casual gamers and far too irritating for hard core RPG fans.

It may not be totally original-the blueprint for this game seems to have been lifted directly out of the "Resident Evil" file-but intuitive controls, outstanding graphics and a wonderfully unsettling soundtrack help this title rise to the top of the PS2 heap.

Undoubtedly, Unreal Tournament gives you a much more complete package and is overall a better game (than "Quake Arena III").

Behind the striking visual façade lies a deep strategy game, enhanced by the interesting addition of ground troops and solid interfaces for both the real-time and turn-based components.

With bugs galore, shoddy fielding, and poor base running AI, ASB 2002 takes a step down from the series' legacy of excellence.

This game throws physics and realism out the window in favor of fun and excitement. The dated graphics won't thrill anyone, but the solid gameplay and online capabilities more than make up for these shortcomings.

One of gaming's most original plots that can captivate the player so greatly that many of its shortcomings may be over looked.

Likely to elicit plenty of "Oooohs!" and "Ahhhhs!" from your friends, The Bouncer simply doesn't have enough substance to satisfy diehard gamers.

Now hold on to your colons and prepare to experience one of the craziest, dirtiest, most offensive 3-D platformers you've ever seen - and be ready to laugh your a** off every step of the way.

Lodoss War offers a good time, but you'd better like the inherent inanity of dungeon-romps to get anything out of it.

The sense of style and visual creativity overcomes the game's shortcomings to make it a worthwhile play.

A pleasant surprise: a Star Wars game with great graphics and superior audio that also manages to be fun.

Unfortunately, like too many EA Sports PS2 titles, the game feels like a polished-up version of an older PSX game, rather than an innovative new title.

Easily one of the best games available for the N64, Paper Mario is a fantastic experience that shouldn't be missed.

The levels are masterfully designed, the learning curve is smooth and gradual, and the variety in gameplay makes this game appropriate for both novice and expert gamers alike.

Despite expectations, many gamers will find themselves disappointed by Oni's frustrating gameplay and lack-luster presentation. However, Oni is not a total loss, and succeeds at moving us one step closer to a true three-dimensional representation of classics like "Streets of Rage."

The visual effects in the game look amateurish, which compliment the wretched gameplay rather nicely.

Nice graphics and pleasant music enhance a fairly addictive multiplayer experience-just don't expect much in the way of a traditional single player RPG.

An unnaturally fun typing tutor, and a pretty good zombie-blasting undead shooter to boot. Highly recommended, even if you already own the game TotD is based on, "House of the Dead 2."

Those who are easily frustrated will be turned off, but those who are willing and patient enough to spend some time to master this title will not be disappointed.

A spiritual descendant of the Bushido Blade series, Kengo is a pretty bad game that doesn't live up to its fine heritage.

Vanishing Point features excellent graphics, a good control scheme, and loads of unlockable goodies. However, VP has two attributes that will likely drive some people mad: you must unlock almost everything, and the learning curve is incredibly steep.

While the game perfectly captures the mood of the Evil Dead movies both graphically and aurally, poor control in combination with tedious combat makes playing this game a real chore.

With new vehicles, new gameplay features, and more impressive graphics, there is very little to complain about here-except for the lack of a multiplayer mode.

If one can get past the rough exterior of this title, they will find a diamond inside that rivals any of the modern role playing games.

While it has spectacular graphics and a compelling storyline, the game is marred by extremely linear gameplay, and simplified mechanics make it better suited for beginners rather than veterans.

Unfortunately, the solid graphics, intricate track construction, and fairly tight controls fail to overcome cheap AI and a poorly balanced weapons system, relegating LTSR to the rental bin for all but the most devoted 'toon fans.

Delivers impressive graphics, audio, and smooth gameplay, but doesn't provide the same depth of gameplay as many other EA Sports titles. For the casual sports gamer, FIFA may be an entertaining, enjoyable title, but hard-core soccer fans could be left wanting more.

With graphics that far surpass almost everything available for the system, Tooie is a sumptuous sensory delight.

Although most of No Mercy's improvements over last year's WWF Wrestlemania 2000 are slight at best, it's still a very good game.

989 Sports should be pelted with sweaty towels for releasing a football game with so many glaring gameplay flaws. When the collision detection is so bad that players can literally run through their fellow athletes, you know something's dreadfully wrong.

Gorgeous graphics, pleasant music, and an engaging (although somewhat cliché) story combine in a fitting conclusion to the PlayStation series of Final Fantasy titles.

Load times and boring mini-games will have this one appearing in the used game bin faster than you can say "ugh." It's my duty as a human being to warn all against even thinking about buying this game.

Great scripting, captivating characters, a good battle system, and two long GD-ROMs worth of game give you the bang for the buck.

What maybe should have been "The ultimate 2D fighting game" winds up being little more than "Just another brawler."

Fans of the original Shenmue will be delighted with the sequel while gamers new to the series should be able to get into the game's deep atmosphere with little difficulty.

Eurocom does the amazing by putting out a sequel to Rare's "Goldeneye" that actually lives up to the high standard set for it. What a shame that Rare's own pseudo-sequel, "Perfect Dark," already did the same thing at least twice better.

In short, this game looks, sounds, and plays like a dream.

It is wonderfully eclectic, irresistibly irreverent, and visually delectable.

A mindless shoot 'em up in every sense, and doesn't try to conceal that fact. If this type of gameplay appeals to you, give this circus a chance.

It has flash. It has substance. It will astound you. Sadly, if you want to be astounded for very long, you'll probably need someone to come along for the competition.

The graphics are excellent (minus the very noticeable anti-aliasing issues) but the gameplay is analogous to driving a tank with broken treads.

So damned good I don't know how EA will top this performance next year.

Its fresh twist on the traditional racing model and creative gameplay make this one of the few titles in a flooded genre that really stands out.

It's as close to a non-EA Sports "must-have" game as any of the PS2 launch titles.

Solid controls and complex-but rarely complicated-character interactions combine to produce another classic adventure.

This is a game that takes no prisoners. Brutal, raw, fast, and furious this is racing at its finest.

At times the game is a confusing mix between the real and the surreal, but the saddest truth is that this unique experience is over much too soon.

The absence of the sniper rifle peripheral, which made the arcade game exceptional, sucks the life out of this title.

It's the best-looking, best-playing football sim on the market, but it's a fine upgrade to an excellent game, not the revolutionary title many might have hoped for on the PS2.

While including enough varied modes of gameplay to set it apart from most RPGs on the market, Orphen's inconsistent presentation and oftentimes stale gameplay make it one of the Playstation 2's more forgettable launch titles.

The game almost painlessly combined fast-paced action with elements of stealth similar to those found in "Goldeneye."

While many had doubts if something as complex and demanding as the Quake 3 engine could be ported to a hardware-limited console, those fears can be swept aside as Quake 3 Arena features sharp and detailed graphics that run at a solid speed even when the fragging heats up.

The combination of uninspired settings, generic enemy designs, and spotty visuals makes Dragon Valor the very definition of a forgettable game.

What could've turned out disastrous is instead one of the most addictive and enjoyable dancing games to see release on US shores.

Oozing with a creepy atmosphere and scary ambiance, this title is best described as a survival horror game played in first person, unfortunately the comparison also holds true for the control scheme, which is frustrating enough at first without the mouse to turn off most casual gamers.

The relative ease of the game means that seasoned platform gamers should blow through this one without much difficulty at all.

"If you've been crawling across a desert for a couple years before finding a drink, you'll swear that even the smallest, dirtiest drop of puddle water is nothing less than manna from heaven." Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a small, dirty drop of puddle water.

While NHL 2001 offers little in the way of new features to the series, it nonetheless delivers the most entertaining hockey game for the PSX this year.

Flawed controls and a counter-intuitive combat system just add to the overall frustration.

Combining breathtaking graphics and phenomenal gameplay Ferrari is one of the most convincing driving simulators available for any system and will thrill fans who love a true racing challenge.

A continuation of a landmark series that has so far highlighted some of the best gameplay to be found on the PSX.

Realizing that you have just spent 40 hard earned dollars on a game that is barely more enjoyable than reading a cereal box really takes the cake in terms of excruciating actualization.

If you have the time, patience, and inclination to build your own RPGs but don't know how to program yourself, then RPG Maker is the perfect solution.

From its addictive ProQuest mode and dynamic skeletal animation system to its engaging licensed tunes, it's the proverbial "Tony Hawk" for freestyle BMX fans.

A grim reminder of how lackluster sequels and apathy can kill even a promising franchise.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the game's graphical engine is how seamlessly and tightly it works with the gameplay.

Murky, poorly defined graphics, an atrocious frame rate and terrible level design culminate to produce a title almost completely lacking in entertainment value whatsoever. Avoid like the black death.

Much more than a straight forward port of the decent arcade driving game, Rush 2049 on the home consoles packs in vehicular combat and insane stunt driving for a pleasing combination of addictive gameplay formulas.

It takes Tetris Attack and offers so little in the way of new material that it redefines the word "shameless."

Combining platform, fighting and some limited shooter elements, Spider-Man effectively interweaves the intense gameplay with a story befitting of the webslinger's comic-based heritage.

A game that makes great strides in innovation, but fails to take the extra time and effort in polishing those innovations.

Even the amazing graphics can't save the game from its shallow and poorly thought out gameplay.

The player interface is not as streamlined as it should be, and the graphics are not as good as they could have been.

The combination of tight control, classic characters, and an endlessly competitive gameplay balance makes Mario Tennis one of the best multiplayer sports games ever.

Although the fundamental game is still outstanding, the lack of improvement and innovation in this year's edition is disappointing.

While it lacks multiplayer and there isn't a whole lot to do once the game has been completed, Deep Fighter's 36 missions will keep the gamer interested for long enough to justify its cost.

"Chrono Cross'" music is breathtakingly beautiful, and its sheer power makes the story even more profound and moving.

From the first instant that this GD-ROM starts spinning until the final level is finished, Ecco's gorgeous graphics, amazing soundtrack, and unique premise will captivate players.

Although Seaman himself looks good, his bleak environment offers nothing to entertain the eyes or ears while you're waiting for evolution to happen.

Excellent presentation and a well-implemented concept make the frequent frustration bearable, but a healthy dose of persistence is required to get the most out of this unique title.

If you're looking for a deliciously shallow, unquestionably mindless action platformer (the kind they don't make like they did back in the proverbial day), "Strider 2" is a perfect shelter from the storm of "Tomb Raider" clones diluting the market.

A decidedly arcade-type title, "Virtua Tennis" doesn't sport full tournaments or rankings but offers fairly long matches, several difficulty settings, basic but effective controls, and excellent sound and visuals.

What's the point of having 3D graphics if the gameplay doesn't even make an attempt to break into the Z-axis?

Granted, the horrible pseudo-jazz background music is the equivalent of forced aural sodomy, but the rest of the package is so well put together, a little forced aural sodomy sometimes seems a small price to pay.

Nothing especially new or groundbreaking has been added

Though it is not without its flaws, "Perfect Dark" is the best game yet for the N64 and among the most fun console games ever produced.

N64-owning racing fans owe it to themselves to pick up Excitebike 64, as do all gamers who appreciate control schemes that reward repeat playing.

The inspired concept is wasted by it's dull and monotonous gameplay, resulting in a disappointing game. While the graphics are great and the game is fun, the replay value is nearly nil.

With an engaging story to complement the gameplay, it is only the game's problematic control and disjointed pace that keep it from scoring higher.

While GT2 adds more of everything -- cars, courses, even a rally mode and circuit -- it fails to improve the 2-year-old graphics engine or add any new gameplay features.

A must-buy for anyone who enjoyed last year's game -- and also anyone looking for an all-around fun game with the power to turn friends into enemies.