A surprisingly fun action game that doubles as a great multiplayer title as well as a mind-bending puzzle game.

Though it doesn't stand out technically, the physics and gameplay modes lend themselves to hopping right in and hitting the dirt.

Despite some technical flaws and a difficult user interface, Shogun will please wargamers looking for a solid title.

More complicated moves like an over-and-under are possible, but nothing compares to working your man down low with Shaq, holding down the turbo button while turning the corner for a gorilla slam.

The gameplay itself is too complicated for casual gamers and the sound, while better than GameDay's, is still irritating.

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.

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.

The characters within the game are incredibly well detailed, but the world they're placed in is bland to the point of boredom.

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

Next stop, mild amusement.

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.

While paling in comparison to its celebrated predecessor, "Chrono Cross's" great character design and intriguing combat system ensure that the game is anything but the misfire it could so easily have been.

Controlling the lethal moon buggy can be awkward, and there really is no depth to the game beyond shooting and driving, but there is plenty of fun to be had.

So good, veterans may be tempted to replay the whole game from the beginning...a fine product. Unfortunately, the new areas add only about 15 hours of gameplay. While short for a full game, it is a tolerable length for an expansion.

Those who just want to play 18 holes without having to wake up at 6:30am will get their $20 worth.

We can think of plenty of ways to blow a Benjamin, but few would offer quite as much bang for the buck.

While this "odyssey of obesity" may not be for everyone, beneath the dated look lies more than enough quality gameplay to appease "Dragon Warrior" fanatics and nostalgic retrogamers alike.

Fans of Donkey Kong Racing who wore out their controllers playing the game are going to be disappointed by Rare's latest offering.

The addition of passable graphics, surprisingly good production values and quirky, fun gameplay make picking up this $9.99 title a pretty easy decision.

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

One of the better PSOne kart racers we've played recently -- with crisp, colorful visuals, loosely demanding gameplay and a great soundtrack.

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.

Not the best in the genre, and a little sugar-coated, but tight controls and good graphics are what they are, and this game's got them.

We recommend Cataclysm for "Homeworld" fans, but if you've not played "Homeworld" yet, grab it first and play that -- it's a better game.

It is exactly the same Driver -- and a lot of what we gamers put up with before bears a little bit more scrutiny this time around.

It looks great, plays smoothly and comes packed with that fuzzy warm feeling that invariably comes from the Disney experience.

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.

This is a good pool game with lots to offer -- but it'll likely bore players pretty quickly.

No longer 2D or turn-based, HOMAM on the PS2 isn't as deep as might be expected, but it's fast, easy to learn and the battles are incredibly fun.

The graphics have been tightened a bit to rival the PC version's and... well, that's about it.

The magical animal that provides us with pork, ham, bacon and sausage now gives us a goodly bit of amusement.

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

It's a hit because it's fun, pretty challenging and relies on a tried-and-true game style -- but if you're choosing a game to show off what your PS2 does -- this ain't it.

The new shine keeps this old bird from looking too much like the geriatric (but nonetheless golden) goose it is.

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

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.

Frankly, there aren't many serviceable alternatives in the hangar, making Battle for Naboo a nice way to kick some ass into the N64's golden years.

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.

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

Thankfully, lackluster graphics and singular thrills do not a poor game make.

Some of the controls could have used some tweaking, the enemy AI tends to be pretty bland and, overall, we've done most of this before. However, it's got just the right mix of several other games with touches of originality, and it kept us coming back.

Finally allowing the player to focus on the strategy element of the realtime strategy, the computer assistant is "Submarine Titan's" big achievement and pulls what otherwise is a forgettable genre performer into an interesting title for RTS gamers.

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.

Impressive animation, linear levels that will confuse absolutely no one and a large number of adversaries make Quackers the perfect gift for under-aged gamers.

With one nagging exception, there's really pretty little wrong with the game, but it doesn't exactly push any boundaries either.

The track editor is what really sets the title apart, though, allowing players to easily make a variety of tracks and race on them immediately.

It's not the most mind-blowing RPG ever, but it's good, clean, action-packed fun from start to finish.

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

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.

Not only do the additions work well enough with the game not to detract from its fun, but the classic Tetris has also been added to the mix for those old-schoolers who would rather play the original.

Our suggestion: turn off the lights, crank your speakers, get some Jolt! Cola and a couple of Lik-A-Stiks and settle in for a few hours of happy-go-lucky brain and teeth rot.

Stylish and fun despite some repetitiveness, this is one of the better action games you can pick up this year.

Hey You, Pikachu is bright and saccharine, the videogame equivalent of a "Brady Bunch" marathon with a pre-sugared cereal chaser.

It's got bottomless depth, good AI and everything we loved so much about the series. It just doesn't have much new stuff to talk about.

The multiplayer is what really sets the game apart from most puzzle games, in fact, letting two people fight for space onscreen, pushing the separating line back and forth by performing combos.

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

Standard jumping and puzzle-solving elements form the meat of play, and cute little caesuras are thrown in to keep the play from getting stale.

Although it's a short experience, Frogger 2 was nearly all fun.

Fun, simple fun. And massive destruction. That's about it.

Combining some light strategy, action and a lot of item hunting, Chicken Run captures the subtle qualities of the movie it's derived from (which was also an unexpected hit).

Not only does it not force us to learn new skills, think in new ways or read a silly manual, it also reminds us forcibly of Crash Bandicoot, one of our all-time favorite platform games.

Fits like a familiar old glove (or gauntlet), but smoother, better-fitting and lined in fine, Japanese, brocaded silk.

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.

The game simply and consistently provides competency in large doses, and emerges as the Dreamcast's best, most mindlessly fun plane shooter.

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.

Because this game is targeted at the kiddies, and because sometimes a little (or in this case, a whole lot of) simple, addictive gameplay is just what the kiddies need, Kao Kangaroo succeeds marvelously on this level. Just don't expect much more.

The AI even seems capable of adapting to a gamer's tendencies; a play that worked great in one situation may not work so well if used in the same situation a second time.

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

In its own way, "Soulbringer" gets things right where it counts: the transformation of your character from a powerless nebbish to a spiky-helmed ass-kicker of world-changing proportions.

Though its easy learning curve and flexible gameplay are clearly designed for the less than hardcore, it is surprisingly entertaining and good for a quick thrill.

It's the arcade mode that drives this game home, and even though it's as deep as a stack of good Jaguar games, it's still fun to play.

Its lack of originality only adds to its charm.

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.

This version of Sarge's Heroes seems to be the most workmanlike, competent and graphically solid of the bunch.

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.

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.

It's fair to say that the interface stands out as one of the best we've seen in years. Shame we can't say the same about the game.

This level is fairly fun and is one aspect of the game that keeps Andy MacDonald from being a huge, steaming pile of crap, instead making it passable into the realms of midsized steaming pile of crap.

Is EX3 the worst fighter we've ever played? Absolutely not -- however, its mediocre fighting engine and uninspired visuals are yet another example of a once noble series gone sour.

As the Whatsit says, " @!#?@!"

All we can tell you is that the game has mediocre graphics, poor sound, stability problems, an awkward premise and a whole lot of standing around. It may be utterly realistic, although the lack of any falling damage and the fact that wooly rhinos can magically sprint up sheer cliff walls make us doubt it.

Pressing alternating buttons as quickly as possible is only challenging (and fun) for so long, but with the exception of a few events, that's all this game is.

A poor ending to a bad journey.

An improved version of last year's disaster is still not worth the having.

As it stands on Sega's magic box, there's only the junk of civilization's decay to be found -- and it smells like someone's stinky afterthought that's been left to stew in the sun.

As a pinball game, the tables are too barren and as an action/platform-like game, the pinball control is out of place.

Marred by technical difficulties, ultimately simplistic design and a painfully complex interface, RPG Maker is less a dream come true than a nightmare that never seems to end.

Plain, cold and uninspired, ESPN NBA 2Night has all the grit and soul of an Egg McMuffin.

A thin game that is sometimes fun, but mostly routine, and with less depth and imagination than the great games it is copying.

A waste of an excellent license and a great opportunity.

Problematic gameplay and terrible control mar an essentially goofy and slightly fun offering.

With so many interesting alternatives to real life available on so many systems, why stick with one of our most repetitious and grueling sports?

There are too many nagging problems, from the stuttering animation to the strange, stooped-over look of most of the players, as if they couldn't stand up straight.

Misses the mark by just a tad, but that shouldn't halt the admiring throngs.

With its myriad bugs and lack of real multiplayer component, Jet Fighter IV is the sort of game that should have spent a few more months in the hangar.

A mostly retrograde move -- less impressive in almost every aspect than the gems that inspired it. It's by no means the worst game we've played, but only the most rabid of Star Wars fans (of which there are plenty) should take this one for a spin... hover... whatever.

The music isn't quite as good (as its predecessor), and the gameplay has been simplified so much that it fast becomes mindless and quite repetitive.

An ugly, hollow mess that disgraces its storied predecessors in every way.