It must be noted that load times can be unduly harsh. Worse, should you perish in battle, the automatic save system will force you to repeat arduous trials and reclaim items you have rightfully won. Such injustice doth greatly anger the gods!

But the exhilaration can quickly turn to frustration, perhaps hyperventilation, if you repeatedly fail some of the game's tougher missions.

The presence of only two playable sides, mission brevity, and overall simplicity will likely be a disappointment to some fans. However, it's a competently designed and well-packaged game that should appeal to casual gamers.

In addition to an in-game instant replay feature, FIFA provides a neat highlight package at the end of games that shows the top six plays of the game.

There's enough in here to keep the hooligans entertained until the next World Cup, or at least next year's game.

Although the automatic save system makes it a great handheld title, it's perhaps even better suited to relaxing marathon sessions on your couch. Fire Emblem is well-crafted, and unless you have an aversion to turn-based strategy, it's highly recommend.

A solid game that manages to be more than just a "GTA" clone. It was clearly rushed, however, and the numerous bugs and glitches drag it down to a great degree.

A steaming pile of unplayable cel shading.

It's not deep, nor especially challenging, but if you want to take that vintage Mustang to the generic California streets and choke your enemies with exhaust, it's a fun ride.

Although it's probably not quite interesting enough for non-SpongeHeads (if SpongeBob fans aren't called that, they should be), it's sure to please devoted viewers of the show.

It has it all: harrowing missions, top-notch graphics and special effects, and convincing audio and voice acting. Few games in this genre approach the level of polish and design seen here.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

It looks fairly good, but it doesn't play nearly as well as "NBA Live 2004" or "ESPN NBA Basketball."

Although it's good that the game tries to stay true to its '80s roots, the unnecessarily complicated controls, distracting plot, and bland visuals keep it from being much fun.

Looks great and sounds OK. With its decent tutorial and reliable squad mates, it'll help those new to squad-based tactical games feel at home. It's also a pretty linear experience, but has enough environmental variety to justify the price of admission.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

If you're already wary of Japanese strategy RPGs, then be sure to stay even further away from Gladius. It's got as many menus, and its battles are slower and less rewarding. LucasArts clearly tried to make everything look and feel good, but Gladius is ultimately done in by the leaden gameplay.

The basics are here and they work. But it's still a little bit shallow. Harry Potter fans will naturally eat this title up.

If you can ignore the acting or enjoy it for camp, the rest of Gothic II is an incredible experience.

While Final Fantasy XI doesn't currently offer quite as much variety and depth as competing games --especially on the PC -- its superb graphics, sound, and dedicated community make it a match for the competition.

By diluting the elements that set NFL Blitz apart from other football games, Midway has left the door open for its game to be compared to "Madden NFL 2004" and "ESPN NFL Football." Unfortunately, there is no comparison.

We're certain a veteran shoot-'em-up enthusiast can blow through it in just two days. But you shouldn't write it off, either. For immediate thrills, not many rivals can match its sheer staying power and intensity.

Given the open-ended nature of the series, most hard-core fans will enjoy investing their time here acquiring elusive ingredients and perfecting their hocus pocus, while casual fans will get a kick out of the chaos they can cause spending a few hours playing around with it.

Dark Age is easily one of the best massively multiplayer online RPGs available today, and Trials of Atlantis is a solid addition to the experience.

If handheld racing is your thing, this rally title should be near the top of your list.

The reflex-driven gameplay is almost hypnotic, and the included options are sure to satisfy most hard-core tennis fans and casual players looking for something new.

Horrible aerial physics, the trying control system, and the gradual build-up of stats make sure that the "Amped" series still has plenty of room for improvement. Amped 2 plays second fiddle to the "SSX" series as the most exciting snowboarding game on the mountain.

Although technically sufficient, the deliberate pacing and occasional trial-and-error nature may turn some players off.

A mostly brainless fighter that manages to capture the magic and appeal of the source material.

The new single-player mode may alter the experience for some, but the core gameplay still offers endless replay value if you just want to skate around while listening to an eclectic mix of punk, rock, and hip-hop.

As the wrestling game with the most depth, great playability, impressive visuals, and slick presentation, SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain delivers in all the categories WWE fans hold in high regard.

Introduces far more gameplay problems than solutions.

Mixing a great single-player game and a variety of multiplayer events, Karaoke Revolution is a cool, original, and distinctive party game.

This is a simple, laid-back game, but you'll be surprised at just how rewarding it is to create railroads and watch towns grow.

Clearly, the 24/7 mode is the most impressive element, and it could've easily been its own release. All combined, it adds up to a very good game, due largely to the breakout star.

Has excellent mechanics and ideas, but they don't come together into the cohesive, enjoyable whole that we've come to expect from the series. Drive a stake through this one's heart and keep your garlic handy for the next one.

Certainly the most mature and well-balanced of Goodman's titles, and it succeeds more often than not.

The missions are more engaging, the environments more detailed, and the graphics substantially improved. Sadly, the interface has become unnecessarily complicated, and the few bugs that exist upset the game's flow.

Clearly, the 24/7 mode is the most impressive element, and it could've easily been its own release. All combined, it adds up to a very good game, due largely to the breakout star.

Delivers only so much replay value. But unlockable game modes and novel bonuses minimize such limitations. While far from perfect, Time Crisis 3 has been a long time coming, and brother, take it from us, this sucker's been worth the wait.

Gorgeous visuals, incredibly fun but accessible gameplay, and terrific multiplayer action all mark one of the better console games so far this year. While nothing in the game is particularly revolutionary, what is included is expertly implemented.

The game is simple and sweet, is easy to pick up and play, and should entertain most gamers. However, there isn't much to it, and it's rather short, even though it offers a number of extra unlockable challenges.

Even by side-scrolling basher standards, the gameplay here is weak and uninspired. The lack of complexity in the fighting system, combined with the lack of variation in the action itself leads to a game that, despite being gorgeous, is still a total snooze.

Accessible, slick, and most importantly, fun from beginning to end. It leaves the competition clearing powder from its goggles.

The short completion time means you'll always walk away having accomplished something, and the random maps mean you'll always be in for a surprise. But it likely won't be as surprising as just how fun Nosferatu is.

Sure, it might be tempting to focus on the game's weaknesses, such as its repetition or limited focus, but in the end it's hard to dislike such a well-made package.

It's too complex for the very young, and there's not much of interest here for older players. As such, the game seems best suited for parents seeking some non-offensive entertainment for their kids.

In short, this is "The Sims" game for people who don't necessarily like "The Sims," but it's also one that will appeal to fans of the series.

There's a ton of content in "Rebel Strike," and the multiplayer gives it replayability far beyond that of the previous "Rogue Squadron" games.

Really a nice game that continues to surprise and delight the more you play.

But what ultimately tips the scales against Mega Man X7 is the series' continued insistence on being difficult to the point of absurdity. Three lives and no save points other than at the end of long levels just doesn't cut it.

It's remarkable how skillfully so many different ideas are blended together into one game. It's equally impressive that it looks and sounds great, has no noticeable load time, tells a decent story, and doesn't saddle the player with restrictions on where to go and what to do.

It may not have the infinite replay value of some titles, but it has more intensity than most. If you only play through it once, you'll feel like you got your money's worth.

Strengthening the improvements to gameplay is the addition of sliders to help customize the action, from the computer's shot block ability to foul frequency, game speed, and more.

Although it has its shortcomings -- especially in its plot and combat -- it's definitely worth a play.

Unfortunately, when the best part of a game is the absurdly vulgar audio, there's definitely a problem in the overall design.

With an impressive variety of creative and offbeat game modes, great multiplayer, numerous tracks and minigames, a horde of vehicles, and endearingly charming characters and gameplay elements, Kirby Air Ride is surprisingly enjoyable if you give it some time.

A fun and fluid representation of the best moments of the film. It isn't the deepest or most visually dazzling game, but it feels right. It's what a "Crouching Tiger" game should be.

A very solid tactical action game that's hampered by some very demanding controls.

There's some shocking stuff, but nothing exciting happens. It's just like watching Jerry Springer. If you've seen it once, you've seen it all.

We're tempted to overpraise "Viewtiful Joe" because it looks so damn cool, and because it's not another cookie-cutter sequel or retread of a tired franchise. It looks like most game reviewers are falling over themselves to praise the game to the stratosphere, but here at "X-Play" we tell it to you straight. So here's the verdict: Viewtiful Joe is very good.

It's a little short, but with four difficulty levels there's plenty of challenge. And since the battles play out differently depending on your actions, there's a good amount of replay value here.

Even though it lacks the cooperative multiplayer feature, Halo: Combat Evolved retains the sharp graphics, heated action, and vehicle-based exploration that made the original such an awesome game.

Aside from the thrill of solving a few puzzles, though, there's little difference between playing L&O2 and watching NBC on Wednesday night.

The biggest problem with this game is that it emphasizes the weaknesses of the original's gameplay, and tones down or eliminates many of the strengths.

Even though this is a budget title at about 20 bucks, there's no way the graphics and the frustrating gameplay justify the expense. You're better off saving up for something with more lasting appeal and more, well, fun.

Gameplay modes can't compete with those of the big boys from Sega and EA -- especially the franchise mode. And the hockey school is a waste of space...Still comes highly recommended as a four-player party game.

The best thing that can be said for OUaK is that there's plenty to do. The RPG and RTS games are distinctly different and each are enjoyable for several days of time you'd otherwise waste watching "Gilligan's Island" reruns or possibly eating.

The game is also short. It shouldn't take you more than a day to complete the 13 levels. Though after tediously walking through gray room after gray room it could feel more like a year.

The best version of the game so far...It's also the best starting point for anyone who still hasn't gotten into the DDR phenomenon.

What ultimately makes or breaks NBA Jam is its computer AI, which is every bit as nasty and unfair as previous games.

There just isn't much gameplay in this gaming gumbo to set it apart from the countless other platformers out there.

There's a good bit of game here and some occasional flashes of brilliance, but it's sweeter than a chocolate and butterscotch sandwich and could have used a few more months in the incubator.

From the moment DMX's "Party Up" plays in the background, you'll realize this is not your father's golf game. The action is fast, the commentary is rife with dry humor, and the desire to personalize your character is too good to pass up.

An invaluable addition to an already great game. The driving missions are a fun and sometimes useful diversion. But the real winner here is how you can more easily deal with their traffic problems.

The new challenge mode and sub-divisions further enhance the "Command & Conquer"-style of gameplay, and the increased features, tweaks, and improvements make it an essential purchase for fans of the series.

Its galling brevity combined with the inability to actually watch many of your tricky labors make it a one-shot deal at best, with little replay value -- except perhaps in real life.

You're not going to get the butterflies in your stomach the way you did the first time you stormed the beach at Normandy, but the visceral gameplay and scripted events make you feel like you're never too far from the troop transport.

Though there's room for improvement in its dynasty mode, controls, and overall presentation, NHL 2004 is a huge step in the right direction for a franchise that was recently skating on thin ice.

A substantial leap was made in multiplayer support. The classic Free For All and Duel matches are back, but the new star of the online show is the objective-based Siege mode, which pits Rebel and Imperial forces against each other in re-creations of several classic "Star Wars" battles.

The game doesn't look bad, but it doesn't look good enough for an action game whose major draw is its audiovisual presentation.

It has enough useful, new features to make it a worthy addition to the family, including the tremendous inclusion of Internet play and a fully fleshed-out career mode.

With copious patience and enough time, a path through the bugs and design flaws might lead to an enjoyable experience for some persistent players of ToEE. However, digging through garbage to find a gem is still digging through garbage.

It offers up some solid improvement but doesn't stray too far from what made it so loved to begin with. It's not the groundbreaking title that the original was, but it's an excellent follow-up that delivers as promised.

From the first tutorial moments to its satisfying special collector's reward, The Simpsons: Hit & Run drips with humor and excellent voice-acting by the original cast members. The missions can get a bit repetitive, but the car-and-driver gameplay is the best seen in television-inspired games.

A fairly standard action/puzzle game. The environments are very detailed -- albeit with the minor visual hiccups endemic to the isometric perspective. The sunlight adds an unusual strategic challenge, but players must resign themselves to sometimes having to wait for the break of dawn to resume gameplay.

Capcom may have moved to true 3-D environments, but its design philosophy is still stuck in the old pre-rendered graphics days of the PS. This is a good series. Its third installment deserves a whole lot better.

A great-looking game that takes "WWE Raw," and adds some impressive new features without correcting some of the control and AI issues from the first game. If you can deal with that, then you may have loads of fun with the game's better play modes.

An amazing trick system only bolsters the game's personality. You can literally land three or four maneuvers before touching down, given enough momentum.

Offers mesmerizing, high-speed racing and crazy bike-to-bike combat on zanier tracks. Play on extremely large TV screens may induce apparent-motion-related vomiting. Consider it yet another bonus feature.

It blends the genre lines seamlessly in a fast-paced game that is both fun and challenging. The new story line and gameplay improvements will appeal to fans of the original and it also does a good job of bringing newcomers up to speed.

We really like Savage. There's a lot of daring gameplay ideas here that work, but it's still pretty rough around the edges. If you're willing to look past these issues, there's a tremendous game here.

Actually, the increased difficulty isn't such bad news. If you're a loyal player who has stuck with the series this far, your character is a considerably buffed presence by now. Indeed, one of the cooler aspects of the game is that some of your missions involve helping newer, greener players.

Keeps a tight formation between fun and realism and is a great start to the year's run of PS2 air-combat games.

It isn't a great game, and it quickly becomes redundant, but it's a guilty pleasure you can get for cheap.

A great choice for gamers who enjoyed "NHL 2K3" but wanted something a little flashier in the audiovisual department. But it isn't as ambitious as "NHL 2004" in terms of control options or depth in franchise play. ESPN Hockey's biggest knock is its goalie AI, which isn't reflective of the sport and seems artificially enhanced in an attempt to create low-scoring games.

There's no sense of continuity since you have to keep stopping and starting. And where are the puzzles or something other to do besides shooting at hard-to-see robots?

An improvement on the original, and the new environments add a considerable level of depth. Fans of the series will also appreciate the tweaks to the character development system, like the two new classes and special abilities.