It's definitely challenging and (once you have some clue what you're doing) fun, but the obvious depth and complexity of the combat system only throws the tepid shallowness of every other aspect of the game into sharp relief very soon.

Acclaim employees take note--varying stats alone do not a satisfying roster of combatants create...that's where novel animations and sound bytes should've come in.

Not since the original "Gauntlet" has mindless mayhem with friends been such a source of joy.

The number of different ways you can play GTA III is astonishing.

I think I keep saying this, but Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights is fun. And that's about what all these words you've just read amount to.

Raven's attempt to infuse different styles of gameplay into SoF2 come off looking like they were stuck on at the last minute with Elmer's Glue.

Contains some real enjoyment, but doesn't really add very much to the game. More creative scenarios would have been nice.

It doesn't have the enormous depth of play that some of the auto racers modeled on "Gran Turismo" have, with hundreds of vehicles and upgrades to collect and keep you playing, but it provides the most exhilarating and intense races anywhere.

The defensive controls for World Series Baseball have to be the best out there, bar none.

A pleasant little trip.

A solid offering and will give the fans their basic nutritional requirement of strategy and Star Wars, although it's not what you'd call innovative.

If you're a fan of action games and don't mind a dense storyline and some hunt and peck adventure-style clicking, you'll get a thrill or two out of Headhunter.

Might I remind you this is the game that finally combines using the Force and starship combat, a concept that is so cool it could chill all the beer at five consecutive Oktoberfests.

Successful because it is simple. The game breaks down into a simple pattern that is perfect for the stop-and-start style of game play that is experienced when playing a handheld game.

For the large group whose main interest in a Britney Spears videogame is sexual voyeurism, the inability to watch the breast-enlarged, navel-exposed, hip grinding onscreen display is a real let-down.

Zoo Cube won't convert or especially appeal to those who aren't already puzzle-game fanatics...but if you are a puzzle "animal," then this is truly something you haven't seen before, and it is strangely addictive.

Subtract the balancing issues and the system requirements and it's not nearly as good as it could be, but I enjoyed my time with it.

Unfortunately, unlike the books, the videogame never really explains the trivia answers, or enlightens the gamer with any interesting information; you either get the question right, or wrong, then it is time to move on.

It's not going to take home any awards for visuals, nor is it a "Tony Hawk" killer in any way, but it proves to be an enjoyable and challenging surfing game with considerable replayability.

If it's depth you want you'll be disappointed, but if you want to lose yourself in a high-speed car chase or force your buddies into a head-on, this one's for you.

In the spirit of the whole new-beginnings thing, let me lift the poster-slogan from the old '70s horror movie "Phantasm:" IF THIS ONE DOESN'T SCARE YOU, YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD!

I'm not quite ready to show off my mad dance moves at the arcade just yet, but I've been having a blast playing DDR Konamix.

Wake up designers; a 5.56mm round grazing a forearm doesn't kill.

It's fun, it's exciting, and it's challenging -whether played against the artificial intelligence or your big sister.

It helps that the AI is pretty good. Bad guys will roll out of the way and use cover.

Expect well over 120 hours of play from this bundle, and the three main titles truly are worth your time.

An improvement on nearly every level.

A fun game; those with the patience to master the controls, and those not overly concerned with graphics will discover a challenging, rewarding, and genuinely funny experience awaiting them.