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.