Innovation, game play and design are blended in near-perfect measures, resulting in a game that's such a delight to play that I'm already begun working our way through it for the second time.

FIFA 2001 may not be revolutionary in gameplay or depth like Madden, but it's revolutionary in terms of graphics -- and it brings home the ultimate vision of soccer game creators better than any game before it.

Decent game mechanics placed within a historically precise recreation of the beloved Looney Tunes world makes it a good, solid racer worthy of the brand Acme.

If you're one of those hardcore "PC Only!" types that don't own a console, you'll definitely want to shell out the 35 smackers for this baby in order to find out just what the hell everyone was talking about two years ago.

Breath of Fire IV is no exception, compensating for its minor narrative and graphical flaws with watertight gameplay and a huge helping of old-fashioned role-playing charm.

A brilliant game that brings some much-needed variety to the PS2's lineup.

With plenty of features, accessible yet challenging gameplay and a solid soundtrack, Freestyle BMX is just the thing to alleviate any prolonged skateboard withdrawal.

Definitely a cut about the rest. Not only is it one of the best console-based strategy games of all time, it also shows a level of quality that is lacking in many PS2 titles.

For serious gamers who want a long squad-based game -- it's challenging, it has hours of gameplay, the Fallout universe is faithfully recreated and the production values are top-notch. It's not a game for everyone, though; the difficulty and squad-based strategy will turn some gamers off.

The second incarnation of Jack is less than the first, but better than all of the others.

The graphics are gorgeous, the music stirring and the battles challenging.

It certainly isn't very innovative, but it is expertly crafted and balanced.

After all, at the end of the day, what better accomplishment could a Sim have than to own a robot, have a vibrating bed full of cute neighbors and be the leader of their very own cult?

Beautiful to watch and entertaining to play, the game will draw you in and make you feel connected to your onscreen personas like few others. Serious sim fans should definitely give this game a test flight.

When we're this in love with a game about silly four-wheeled pleasure machines for the suicidal, you can bet something really special is going on.

The quintessential Harvest Moon, and Natsume will be hard-pressed to top this one in terms of added gameplay, additional farming tasks to complete, areas to explore and women to woo. For fans of the series, this is a must-buy, and a must-see for those looking for something a little different.

Those seeking an action-oriented experience need not apply either; most of the "game" involves waiting, tending Seaman's tank, waiting, chatting, and waiting some more.

Running at an unbeatable 60 FPS and loaded to the gills with impressive weaponry and unwary enemies, Timesplitters is the perfect FPS to debut with the PS2.

It's not for everyone, but those who spend their afternoons daydreaming of driving at 200MPH in an oval will not be disappointed.

Everything about the game is fun and everything about the production value says quality.

A passable shooter that will please Nintendo-owning fans of the genre, but it won't win any awards for originality, ingenuity or design.

Although the sleuthing has a little too much seek-the-key gameplay, its "Unreal"-powered graphics and friendly interface make this one a respectable addition to the canon.

Next stop, mild amusement.

Despite its obvious deficiencies, from the unnecessarily irritating save system to the repetitiously moronic combat system, "Valkyrie Profile" remains an intriguing, often breathtaking roleplaying experience.

Absolutely outstanding, but there's still room for improvement.

The magic of "StarCraft's" expertly designed strategy glows brightly enough to blind you to its few inadequacies.

The two companies have succeeded in creating a good game but perhaps haven't reached their potential.

It's a tight ride, but there's just one problem -- we expected a lot more control.

The two biggest flaws in the game, without a doubt, are the camera angle and the multiplayer level.

This is a quality title, and rather unique in its execution -- it's been a while since we've been able to dive into an all-action title with such ease. The web-slinging alone makes this game worth your attention.

So clever in its conception and execution that we can't see anyone not finding its worth in least a few of the many delights it has to offer.

This expansion provides loads of new rides, themes and fun.

If you are simply not into chess, this package isn't going to turn you around, but if you want a sage tome that can rest comfortably on your hard drive for years, this is probably it.

Past the point of its strange gameplay philosophy, Acclaim's new racer holds some solid gameplay and excellent graphics.

TXR 2 delivers enough improvements and additions on the original formula to keep the fans happy and give the first-timers a racing experience that lives up to today's tough standards.

While we all know that a life of crime ultimately doesn't pay, a joyride with the fresh and fast Smuggler's Run is rewarding through and through.

The multiplayer won't hold most people's interest for more than a few rounds, but the creative level design as well as the minigames will keep most platform fans munching to the end.

Each cutesy character speaks a cheery sort of gibberish, and gameplay is littered with enough bleats, chirps, hums and nonsensical exclamations to gag a deceased goat.

Fans of the original game who lamented its poor battle system may now drop their pants and do the hootchie-koo in celebration.

Funky and fun, it won't revolutionize the genre, but it's a hardcore puzzle gamer's wet dream.

What's missing here, though, is seasickness, the smell of the sea, the heady aromas of bait and chum, the interminable wait for a nibble or bite, and the numbing frustration of a day of fishing when no fish show up.

While there's nothing included that will crack the Earth with its monumental importance, it's certainly nice to know that the same old, same old has been presented with a nice, new bow.

Do yourself a favor -- buy a multitap, rent some friends (we find that beer works for this) and spend a night bombing the hell out of each other. Just, please, don't ride the animals.

Some players may not find it terribly thrilling, but for those who are looking for aerial excitement, Sky Odyssey is a must-own.

Controlling everything with the DC controller, especially over the often lengthy missions, will lead to cramped, achy hands, and the necessity for quick command issuing just doesn't fit well onto a gamepad.

A fun, detailed and graphically lovely golf game that bodes well for future trips to the links on the PlayStation2.

There are a few problems here -- failing to solve a puzzle means having to repeat an entire level, for example -- but the majority of Shadow of Destiny is excellent.

The graphics are very impressive, the sense of speed is downright frightening (especially when played from the cockpit of the car) and the graphics are an amazing amalgam of detail and functionality.

If you're after a simulation and you like collecting and upgrading your cars, you might want to wait for "GT 3," but if you're after an adrenaline fix and a fun racing game, then look no further.

More of the same, only more better.

Midtown Madness 2 is as close to arcade racing bliss as we've seen.

It's also great to see something as real-world integral as a searchlight become almost necessary in an RTS wargame.

The puzzles are utterly simple, the gameplay is too linear, and we finished it in about 10 hours.

The fact remains that if you want to own the best possible basketball game for the PC, this is the one to get. The graphics are, as usual, simply spectacular, and the production values, from the snappy menu system to the hip-hop timeouts, are the best in the business.

It looks pretty, and is an impressive game -- but is ONLY for Pokemon fiends.

More than any other single factor, the story and scripting are what make Summoner stand apart.

Featuring dozens of challenging missions, a grueling tournament mode and an infinite number of customizable options for building, dissecting and re-working mechs, Armored Core 2 is gorgeous, challenging and thorough.

An attempt shagged to the left that lands just inside the uprights.

It's innovative, intuitive, engaging and, best of all, comes jam-packed with action that's fast, furious and totally fresh. It's the first genuine opportunity for anime fans to bring their robotic dreams to life.

It might not look great, but it's pure blasting entertainment.

An outstanding title that can do it all.

There are a few weaknesses with the collision detection, but on the whole "Tenchu 2" is gripping, sleek and cool.

A great action game and is well suited for those seeking mindless, explosive entertainment. Just don't expect anything more than that.

Easily the most straightforward and action-packed Turok yet, "Shadow of Oblivion" corrects the mistakes of previous games, making for a fun-filled and exciting journey through places not seen before in the series.

Any young gamer age five to 10 will be overjoyed by all that "Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards" has to offer, while seasoned gamers will be left wanting more.

If you're a 500cc motorbike fan, you're all set, it's pure genius. Otherwise, this is a detailed, fun and addictive racing game with a twist.

Even with the supported keyboard and mouse, UT is only a good game that will become a great one once the PS2 heads online.

While seemingly dogpiled with new buildings and features to impress the first-timer, it's actually become so feature-dense and micromanagerial... that only hard-core SimPsychopaths will really be able to appreciate the package

For the player who relishes a realtime space strategy simulation, nothing can touch the depth of this game.

The batting and pitching interfaces are as good as we remember them from the stellar N64 games, but the fielding transitions are terrible and there are graphical bugs that are unforgivable. The game looks okay, with nice character models but lifeless environments and stadiums -- but it's just not what you'd expect from a PS2 sports game.

An adrenaline-packed racing game with positive points that outweigh its obvious flaws, Demolition Racer is a game that most people will enjoy.

Capcom's Dreamcast Evil looks a lot smoother than the PSOne version does, and the character and creature models appear to be as gorgeous as the ones featured on the PC edition.

Arguably the PC strategy game of the year to beat.

MLS again uses that classic fluid passing game found in all the previous Konami soccer titles. The controls, which use the Japanese configuration, are responsive and logical and designed to keep the pace of the game loose and fast.

Every aspect from the story to the sound will be completely familiar to anyone who's dabbled with the series before, and while this latest adventure doesn't do much to advance the series, it's a fine little game nonetheless.

There are a few problems -- namely save points, the sometimes quirky interface and the occasional awkward control -- but as a whole, The Devil Inside is fun and stylish.

There are problems that can and should be addressed, but the gameplay has no equal.

An enjoyable, finely tuned arcade baseball experience that actually plays better than its PS2 counterpart...but this year's version is basically a roster update from last year's version.

With stellar graphics that really push the aging PlayStation's limits, Invasion is a feast for the eyes and a test for the thumbs.

The once elegant and powerful weapon of the Jedi has been reduced to a crude chopping device that will kill a given enemy in five or six hits.

The best game of baseball on any next-gen system.

Awful camera control and a dated engine ensure that, as thoroughly enjoyable as Legends 2 is, the series still has a ways to go before equaling the brilliance of its two-dimensional brethren.

Poor AI, routine melee combat and unimaginative gameplay consign Rune to the hellish abode of the bored.

It's a nicely done Diablo clone, which means that it takes all the good bits and adds quite a few twists to make an entertaining romp through some diverse dungeons.

While we've never actually driven a pickup or an old-school Cadillac, we would be willing to bet that it would be a lot easier to drive them in real life than it is in Speed Devils Online.

After a fighter has leveled up and gamers have mastered the combos, BoD can be pretty damn cool. The lighting effects are superb, the music is moody and there is plenty of action. Turn up the volume, turn out the lights and you'll have a thick slice of fun.

After a year of impressive Dreamcast titles, gamers have come to expect something more from their next-gen consoles, and the same shallow, flashy arcade games just aren't going to cut it.

Combining superb stealth gameplay with outstanding visuals and that crafty British humor, Chicken Run is more than worth crossing the road for.

We wouldn't eBay one of our internal organs to own this game, but it is fun enough to be worth the price of admission.

If you've never experienced "Tomb Raider," this game will rock your world. Otherwise it'll be about as familiar as a two-year-old pair of shoes.

Colorful, fun, hopelessly addictive and a great way to introduce others to videogames.

Despite a multitude of polygonal eye-candy and the largest amount of high-quality FMV ever seen in a game, its otherwise spare graphics and lazy AI won't appeal to everyone.

Strangely enough, beneath all of the executive screaming and the terrible main interface beats the heart of a brilliant game.

Even players who aren't die-hard fans of the shooter genre will enjoy the game, if they give it a little time to grow on them.

It's certainly not the game for everyone, but those of us seeking a slightly more sophisticated take on old-school beat-'em-ups will find many hours of blistering goodness.

It's not "Tekken 3" but it is fun, fast and beautiful.

There is innovation certainly, but under the startlingly brilliant control scheme lies a golf game every bit as staid and archaic as any in memory.

This one has it all -- an innovative combat interface, a sweeping story and some of the most gorgeous graphics seen in a PSX RPG. Quite simply, it's a must-buy for any console RPG fanatic.