While non-fans probably won’t dig in as much, this is still an exceptional example of the side-scrolling shooter. It looks great, plays better than ever, and the addition of a two-player option gives it significant staying power.

Digital Devil Saga 2 brings the strange story started by the first game to a spectacular, dramatic, and bizarrely calm end.

If you’re willing to put up with the whacky nature of Super Swing Golf, and you’re ready to accept a new approach to swinging, then you can’t go wrong with this game. There are lots of courses, neat items and equipment to buy, a long “Story” mode, and solid multiplayer.

The multiple ways to approach TOCA 2 are undeniably fun. And it’s really very impressive that Codemasters was able to pack so many different kinds of racing into one game.

Despite the knocks against rivals mode and the fact that the new controls are mostly borrowed from what many consider to be a more simple golf franchise, Tiger Woods 06 is still a solid game. Where rivals fails, the more realistic PGA Tour mode is still fun, as is skills 18, a set of target-based minigames.

In many respects, NCAA Football 2004 is deeper than its NFL counterparts. In fact, it's the best football game currently available for the GameCube. However, if you own multiple consoles, the PlayStation 2 version boasts inferior visuals but rather impressive online play, and the Xbox version has noticeably better graphics.

Gem Fighter for giggles, Alpha for nostalgia, Alpha 2 to see how a few critical tweaks can re-unite divided fans, and finally Alpha 3 for the whole caboodle and sheer pleasure of 2D fighting perfection.

It's a worthy title and Hitman 2: Silent Assasin places slightly above the rest of the pack.

An incredibly attractive game with a vast world to explore and countless hours of entertainment in store for those willing to make the investment. But we warn you: those who venture to Vana'diel may not be coming back.

One of the more interesting and entertaining strategy titles to come along in quite some time.

It’s a WWII shooter that will teach you about what your grandpappy went through with the same gritty verve as "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan." This is the kind of game that proves war is truly hell.

The sole fact that Star Fox Command is entirely about dogfighting is enough to make fans of the series rejoice. The action is intense; single-player is packed with replay; and the controls will quickly grow on you like a tick on a dog.

Maybe material that still feels as fresh, fun and challenging as Gitaroo Man Lives! still deserves an encore.

A well-crafted game that's strictly for those who get off on blood, nastiness, and the darker side of the psyche. You know who you are.

Immediate enough to attract casual hockey fans, or even those who don't care for or know anything about the sport. It also provides a deep level of simulation and customization for those who know and love their hockey.

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.

It does drag on in a few spots, and its sci-fi bent may betray the original premise, but it brings gamers a deep, compelling story told in a clever way -- both in terms of narrative and gameplay execution.

Pirates of the Burning Sea is a very, very deep game. There’s PvP for those who want it; trading, crafting, and a detailed economy for the would-be barons of the sea; and the kind of strategic and dynamic combat that will appeal to gamers who just can’t get into the typically boring MMO function key combat system.

Final Fantasy III is the gaming equivalent of comfort food. It tells a tale of crystals and chocobo we've heard a dozen times before, it delivers old school challenge and does its job with the kind of confidence that comes with 20 years of experience.

While the graphics aren't especially mind-blowing, they complement the game's overall feel and make the unbelievable story that much more appealing.

Sure, it’s more burger and fries than filet mignon. But it’s a really good burger and fries.

Though it’s disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.

It’s disappointing that the multiplayer doesn’t take advantage of the opportunities established by the rest of the game’s design, but the four-player co-op is a very welcomed addition.

As an action adventure held up against its contemporaries, its gameplay variety, interesting premise, and amazing graphics and sound make it a winner, identity crisis or not.

Awesome action, intense atmosphere, fantastic audio work, gorgeous graphics, and plenty of blood and gore make this a worthy gun fix for gamers who still have the original game installed.

Smart, different, and engaging, it gives action gamers something new to test their mettle with, both on and off-line.

It's hard to describe just how much better LEGO Star Wars is than it should be. All the pieces just fit together perfectly. It's cute yet cunning, easy but addictive, and simultaneously light-hearted and intense.

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.