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.

The incredible versatility of the gameplay, coupled with stellar sound and visuals, make this game nothing less than sheer bliss on a DVD.

The control is perfect. Deathmatch standards like circle-strafing are a snap, and pretty much every common FPS convention from crouching to secondary fire functions is supported here.

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

MGS2 includes all kinds of incentive to play the game again and again, including the new collectable "Dog Tag" feature, but to be honest the real replay value lies with the beauty of the game.

But for all its other qualities, the one element that elevates Gran Turismo 3 to instant classic status is the incredibly addictive career mode.

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

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

The awe inspiring graphics, excellent music, intuitive gameplay, and replay value round out an excellent game that will rival "Metal Gear Solid 2" as game of the year.

From player ratings, to defensive-back AI, to ball physics, they've made a lot of smart adjustments to the game that may go unnoticed by many gamers, but are a joy to discover for savvy football gamers.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Simulation junkies might be turned off by the exaggerated goal scoring, comical commentary and cute gimmick cameras, but a bevy of gameplay options can remove all such tom-foolery from the game.

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.

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.

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.

Oh sweet mother of mercy, this is why I picked up a joystick in the first place. Klonoa 2 is as close to a flawless game as I've ever seen.

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

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

When taken as a whole, Ico provides one of the most compelling and emotionally resonant experiences to be had on the PS2.

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.

An outstanding game, with excellent gameplay and a deep set of features. Finally, the PS2 has a genuine A+ sports title.

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

Improvements over last year's version are few and far between, something of a disappointment considering Visual Concept's track record.

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.

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

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.

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

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

Sit this collection on the shelf beside Final Fantasy Anthology and you'll happily own some of the best RPGs ever made.

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.

A fantastic game with an at-times atrocious camera system. Nevertheless, an incredible amount of extra features are more than enough to keep Sega's latest in the 'A' range.

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.

While Silent Hill 2 retains the same basic format of the original, the story is decidedly more coherent and the graphics have been upgraded immeasurably.

It is fun if you have friends over, but the single-player game is a chore.

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.

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.

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.

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

A bland storyline is the only thing keeping Red Faction from greatness. Nearly every other aspect of the game shows polish: sound, graphics, weapons, even a fun multiplayer mode.

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.

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.

Here’s a lesson in elegant game design...as pure and enjoyable a game as any in the GameCube launch lineup.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

While essentially just a more difficult remix of "Metal Slug 2," Metal Slug X is still one of the finest 2D shoot-em-ups since the original "Contra."

Once you grow accustomed to the style of play you will be treated to a racer with depth and a remarkable presentation.

Makes enough nods to the uninitiated that it is an accessible game, but at the same time it retains the depth that diehard NASCAR fans demand.

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

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 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.

Nothing especially new or groundbreaking has been added

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

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

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

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.

A breath of fresh air in a market saturated with generic driving and shooting titles.

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.

Little more than a slightly enhanced port of an already excellent game.

There's so much to like about Spy Hunter that it's a shame a few of the developers' design choices make it a chore to play through at times.

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.

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."

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.

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.

If you like F1 games than you will cherish every moment spent with this title.

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.

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.

The best soccer game available. Despite the control flaws and graphic blemishes this game is a marvelous presentation of soccer, albeit slightly watered down for the masses.

"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.

Slightly improved graphics, thoughtfully designed new cities, and two new gameplay modes make CT2 feel more like an add-on than a full sequel. Still, it's an add-on to one of the Dreamcast's best games.

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

The same flaw that haunts every other light gun game on the market. After an hour or so of practice, most gamers will be able to complete the game in just under twenty minutes.

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

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.

XG3 features a thrilling sense of speed which more than makes up for a dull soundtrack and unoriginal environments.

If you're a recluse, you must get online access, as the online play is amazingly enjoyable.

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

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.

A fine game, provided you don't mind a few patches of controller-hurling frustration.

It's certainly a competent and fun game, but its appeal doesn't have a terribly long shelf life.

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

A puzzle/action game with depth, humor, and charm.

An adeptly designed adventure game that effectively combines elements of several other titles into a highly entertaining - if imperfect - package.

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.

The hardcore will find this game irresistable, once again foregoing sleep and a social life in the never-ending quest for peace, love, and a +99 Red Pistol.

Easy to get into and with a boatload of options, it provides a worthy alternative to the status quo, although hardcore ballers might scoff at the game’s arcadey nature.

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.

The most serious complaint comes from a lack of options...Despite this, Guilty Gear's aesthetic beauty and rich gameplay are more than enough for fighting fans.