Despite the balance problems, less gripping story, somnolent voice acting, and dichotomous soundtrack, Xenosaga II is still a playable RPG if you don’t expect it to set your world on fire.

Constantly fighting the camera to get the view you’re looking for, sword duels with all the grace of a rusty robot, and unpolished graphics and presentation make Fatal Shadows feel like a much older title that hasn’t aged well.

Though we've managed to tune the game, the clunky interface and hidden Sim settings are definitely a turn-off.

This is the eighth Yu-Gi-Oh GBA release in a little over two years. Not much has changed, and not much will. If you're not already firmly on this bandwagon, turn around and walk away.

The game feels like it was made a few years ago, took few risks, and was just now released. Now it feels dated.

It lacks the replay value of the first game, but it's the perfect tech demo for your new handheld and its off-beat humor is as strong as ever.

The game feels like it was made a few years ago, took few risks, and was just now released. Now it feels dated.

Sure, there's more variety in Star Fox: Assault than in past games in the series, but why give us half-baked concepts when all we want is another traditional Star Fox game?

The boss fights are supremely challenging and satisfying, and you’ll earn totally bitchin’ sets of armor as you accumulate bloody victories. There’s even a very enjoyable chariot race section.

The camera issues simply ruin the whole experience, though. No matter how solid the control scheme or how shiny the graphics, when you can't see who you're fighting or what's down the next corridor, it's all moot.

Of all the enhancements made in NBA Street V3, it would be remiss of us not to mention the visuals, which have moved away from exaggerated, cartoon-like players to a grittier, realistic look that better suits the game’s urban theme.

$40 is a lot to pay for these games--even if they originally cost $300 each on the original Neo-Geo system.

It's kid-friendly and quirky at the same time, extending its appeal to pretty far reaches. Legacy of the Spirits may not be the king of GBA role-playing games, but it still deserves to hold court.

It's kid-friendly and quirky at the same time, extending its appeal to pretty far reaches. Legacy of the Spirits may not be the king of GBA role-playing games, but it still deserves to hold court.

Of all the enhancements made in NBA Street V3, it would be remiss of us not to mention the visuals, which have moved away from exaggerated, cartoon-like players to a grittier, realistic look that better suits the game's urban theme.

Of all the enhancements made in NBA Street V3, it would be remiss of us not to mention the visuals, which have moved away from exaggerated, cartoon-like players to a grittier, realistic look that better suits the game's urban theme.

Offers enough playability and action to satisfy any action RPG fan, but it lacks the intricate story and involving quests that would lure in traditional role-playing vets.

Where "FIFA" feels like hockey with soccer players, Winning Eleven 8 feels like the year's first entrant for best sports game of 2005.

Where "FIFA" feels like hockey with soccer players, Winning Eleven 8 feels like the year's first entrant for best sports game of 2005.

As a history lesson it scores high. But as a game, it’s a slow starter with graphics that can’t hold a candle to The Sims. Still, watching history unfold makes it worth a go -- particularly on the PlayStation 2, where there are three more missions than in the Xbox version.

A standout Xbox title that not only kicks butt in its own right, but gives the console a niche it was previously missing.

As a history lesson it scores high. But as a game, it's a slow starter with graphics that can't hold a candle to "The Sims."

Imagine an M-rated RPG set in the Virtua Fighter universe with the real VF combat engine. Until that day comes you'll experience more virtua pain than virtua pleasure with this one.

As a pure action game, it’s too slow (it often feels like Ed is moving against a strong wind) to satisfy those used to such titles as Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, or Prince of Persia. As a role-playing game, it’s too shallow and short to satisfy those expecting the next Final Fantasy.

Imagine an M-rated RPG set in the Virtua Fighter universe with the real VF combat engine. Until that day comes you’ll experience more virtua pain than virtua pleasure with this one.

It's no stunner visually and the background music will drive you up the wall, but there's just something about its deceptively simple gameplay and excellent head-to-head mode that will keep you coming back again and again.

Any of the game’s flaws are somewhat balanced by the ability to stab someone in the face, or burn them alive in an incinerator. Well, if you’re into that sort of thing, anyway.

Any of the game's flaws are somewhat balanced by the ability to stab someone in the face, or burn them alive in an incinerator. Well, if you're into that sort of thing, anyway.

The AI of your opponents seems to be geared for younger gamers, although not to the point where the game feels absurdly easy.

The theory of evolution may not apply to Tork as a character, but it should darn well apply to video games.

Suiko IV’s stilted pace and dated RPG idiosyncrasies leave a whole lot of slack. Whether you’re willing to bend over to pick up this slack is entirely up to you.

More about the story it presents than the game play used to advance the plot. Luckily, said story is so compelling that it largely makes up for the sins committed in other aspects of the title, keeping the game interesting despite the trial-and-error mission setup and sometimes-confusing objectives.

With a bevy of unlockables and a single-player freak-out well worth playing twice, there is much bang in this macabre buck.

The game deserves special props for its amazingly executed setting; the whole world is so visibly at war that every mission in the game feels completely natural.

The Minish Cap does virtually nothing wrong. It's an excellent and faithful Zelda game, and one of the best Game Boy Advance games to date.

It's hard to recommend a game that ultimately turns into running in circles while attempting to unload your weapons faster than the next guy.

Online quibbles aside, NFL Street 2 easily bests its predecessor in terms of depth, visuals, and overall fun.

Online quibbles aside, NFL Street 2 easily bests its predecessor in terms of depth, visuals, and overall fun.

Those expecting a completely revamped sequel will likely find the additions to be slight, but NFL Street 2 is nonetheless a great-playing game that's an unqualified blast with a few trash-talking, chest-thumping friends in tow.

The die-hard giant robot fan may get some mileage out of the multiplayer modes (despite some lag in larger games) but even they will be disappointed by the poor presentation. Rarely has the future of combat seemed to be stuck so far in the past.

Tactical RPG enthusiasts should pick this one up no questions asked. If previous games in this genre have left you cold, there’s enough unique about Growlanser: Generations to recommend.

In some cases, notably in the variety of bosses and in the unlockable bonuses, the first title is better than the sequel.

Maybe our blue buddy needs to take a breather for a little while, replace his outdated circuitry, and make another run in a few years' time.

A poorly conceived, poorly executed mess. It’s an insult to the intelligence of gamers everywhere, and that’s no mean feat.

A fun arcade-style racing game that could have benefited from more features, like the ability to customize cars (you can only choose color and transmission type), compete in tournaments, or embark on a dynamic career mode with cash prizes instead of trophies.

The flimsy-as-aluminum presentation certainly doesn't help Battle Assault 3 earn any new fans.

Combines two much-maligned RPG staples, random dungeons and card battles, and somehow pulls it off with aplomb.

Though hardly a tactical marvel, Battle for Middle Earth delivers an exciting, fast-paced experience that successfully captures the feel and mood of the films.

Infuriating and boring.

It's unquestionably a great game, and certainly the best RPG on the Xbox this year, but the aging game engine and patchwork ending make it fall short where its predecessor excelled.

But compared to the last few games in the series, Mario Party 6 is definitely an improvement and hopefully is an indication of where this series will go in the future.

SNK has done a remarkable job of creating a new Metal Slug experience that feels nearly perfect on the small screen. Frenetic action, great graphics, and classic, refined gameplay are all highlights here.

The reliance on old school game mechanics does make the game dated. It’s a bit like playing a clone of the original Doom after you’ve finished Half-Life 2.

Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.

It may not have the same depth as other puzzle games, and it’s certainly not a showpiece for DS technology, but it will keep your heart racing and mouth smiling for short doses, which is often all you are looking for in a portable game.

Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.

Once again, it exemplifies the very definition of a boundary-pushing video game.

Despite their simplicity, there's a lot depth here, and even those that don't remember their original incarnations will find a lot to like here.

Considering the game’s budget price tag of $20 is less than the green fees for most public golf courses, the repetitive nature of the sound and animations is hardly an issue if you don’t mind some spanking, slapping, grinding, stroking, and gyrating in your golf.

This is the best example of what a massively multiplayer online game can offer, and is highly recommended to anyone who simply enjoys playing games.

A generic click-fest with the occasional cutscene of Colin Farrell riding on a horse and the sounds of Vangelis blaring in the background. Ick.

You'll adore Alien Hominid. An attractive price, original concept, and splendid execution outshine issues such as its short-lived thrills and shallow premise.

A Bond game without Bond just doesn't make sense, especially when the bad-guy gimmick fails miserably.

This is a fantastic update to a truly classic game. It’s just plain great on every level. If you don’t like Pirates! you must be allergic to fun.

A Bond game without Bond just doesn't make sense, especially when the bad-guy gimmick fails miserably.

A Bond game without Bond just doesn't make sense, especially when the bad-guy gimmick fails miserably.

You'll adore Alien Hominid. An attractive price, original concept, and splendid execution outshine issues such as its short-lived thrills and shallow premise.

Though gameplay is really one big scavenger hunt though a diverse set of worlds, there are so many memorable moments, from racing down corkscrew slides to surfing lava on a koopa shell, that you can’t help but grin with giddy delight.

In some cases, notably in the variety of bosses and in the unlockable bonuses, the first title is better than the sequel.

And urgency is desperately what this game needs, but sadly doesn't have. Boredom is sure to set in during the very first level.

With some weapons, like the sniper rifle, you can't move at all if it's equipped. This is all the more frustrating after playing games like "Splinter Cell" where it's pulled off with aplomb.

And urgency is desperately what this game needs, but sadly doesn’t have. Boredom is sure to set in during the very first level.

You’ll have to dig through hours of babying and layers of silliness, strangeness, and awkward dialogue to get to the good stuff.

It’s half a step behind EA’s "March Madness," but with a $20 price tag ESPN College Hoops 2K5 costs less than a hot dog at the Final Four.

A perfect example of what lazy game publishers will urge their developers to crank out in order to make a profit at a system's launch.

While Madden NFL 2005 is playable in its current form, most will tire of the shaky visuals and slippery controls faster than Mr. Madden slaps ham on a hoagie.

It’s not exceptional on any level, but the solid, easy playability and multitude of arcade and career game modes make it a lengthy driving experience.

Dick Vitale spits out more “babys” than the local maternity ward, but he brings an air of excitement to the game that few announcers can match.

It's half a step behind EA's "March Madness," but with a $20 price tag ESPN College Hoops 2K5 costs less than a hot dog at the Final Four.

Half-Life 2 hits the ground running and never stops, and playing it for long periods of time can actually be exhausting. Just when you think you've seen the coolest thing it has to throw at you, the next sequence tops it.

The game creators obviously didn’t consult Palahniuk. Maybe he would’ve sat them down, and explained the yet-released ninth rule: Don’t make a crap fighting game and call it Fight Club.

A fantastic RPG plagued by bugs and errors that point to either a rushed job or sloppy coding. The deep role-playing system is a successful translation of the pen-and-paper game it’s based on, and that’s no small feat.

For slightly more money, those players could pick up one of the season box sets, in which even the commentaries would provide more consistent entertainment than this dry drama.

Unfortunately, while hitting porn stars with weed whackers to the finely articulate tunes of the Insane Clown Posse might sound like a dream come true to some, the junior high-level execution of this game just brings down any possibility of a truly good wrestling title.

This isn’t a bad game, but just the same, the audience is certain to be limited to gamers who are still fans of the Capcom legacy.

Even gamers who don't know Gohan from any other spiky-haired anime kid will smell what Budokai 3 is cooking.

An amusing and often times funny diversion with a lot of cool ideas, but ultimately falls flat as a game. It’s a pretty bold experiment coming from the increasingly-staid House that Sonic built, but one that leaves us feeling passionless.

The problem is that the level design is so unforgiving and linear that most players won’t bother to see all the graphic panache the game offers.

If some of the difficulty settings didn't feel so unbalanced, we'd have liked more time in North Africa, as that campaign feels the most fresh out of the three.

Great multiplayer action, a decent single-player game, excellent presentation, and hard-hitting action all equal a topnotch military action game.

This is not a game that will wow players with its graphics or its crash effects, which are more half-cocked than "insane," but aggressive drivers who want to blow off steam will find Crash 'N' Burn to be a smashing success.

A decent party game with a great cast of cheesy giant monsters, but it's just not scaly or radioactive enough to command much respect.

Unfortunately, while hitting porn stars with weed whackers to the finely articulate tunes of the Insane Clown Posse might sound like a dream come true to some, the junior high-level execution of this game just brings down any possibility of a truly good wrestling title.

Avoid this one; it's a hairball that's not worth coughing up the cash to play.

The game creators obviously didn't consult Palahniuk. Maybe he would've sat them down, and explained the yet-released ninth rule: Don't make a crap fighting game and call it Fight Club.

An engaging card battle game wrapped up in a solidly mediocre story.

There’s something almost absurd about paying for a game that inundates you with a constant stream of ads.

A solid platformer that will elicit nostalgia in some and déjà vu in others.