While other titles may have a larger variety of chess boards to chose from, Fritz 8 offers some brain-twisting game play even on the lowest settings. There is also a strong online community who swear by this title, which is something not every chess title can offer.

The brooding goth brother of "The Sands of Time." Which, unlike goths, is not to say it isn’t fun, just not all that different or more exciting.

It’s obvious that the graphics-heavy Clancy games are tailored toward the beefier Xbox console, and the PS2 versions ported strictly for sales dollars. On the Xbox, Ghost Recon 2 rocks – on the PS2 however, it just doesn’t measure up.

Totally fun and totally addicting. It’s easy to pick-up and impossible to put down. I literally played until my battery died and then I plugged in my DS and played some more.

If you enjoyed the original, I would recommend that you pick this game up. If you are looking for more graphical flare and less strategic planning, then you may be better off with "Codename: Panzers." If you want to spend time planning and executing, then this game is for you.

If you are resigned to playing poker on the Xbox, World Championships Poker is probably for you. Everyone else should probably spend that $20 on a deck of cards and a case of beer (legal drinking age assumed) and call your friends.

One of the most well crafted, and thoroughly developed game worlds made by Blizzard to date. It dazzles, it awes, and it entertains.

Ubisoft's spin on Alexander the Great is going to be hit-or-miss with many players, especially with that multiplayer mode. I guess it's the Marine in me that likes the combat aspect of this game, and the wannabe leader in me that likes to lead massive numbers of soldiers to glory or a combination of the two, whichever.

This game truly rocks my socks. Great gameplay, graphics, sound and value. You just can't beat it. EA shows their skill against the gaming giants in Japan and delivers another classic hit for gamers.

A blend of the very best that simulation games have to offer, with all of the raucous entertainment of a good pirate film.

There is virtually no story, so you have no compelling reason to play, and once you resolve yourself to wading through the levels for the sake of completing them, you are met with repetitious design, disappointing textures, over-saturated colors that border on cartoonish, and smart, but generic enemies.

More fun to listen to than to play.

Thanks to solid gameplay, realistic AI, value pricing and especially the unique online features – Host Migration, persistent funds, EyeToy and USB headset support – World Championship Poker can proudly stand near the top of the bargain bin.

Regardless of which system or which game you play, you won't find a more comprehensive or fun dancing game out there.

If you try to play the game through in continuous sittings you are going to get bored real fast. Despite the RPG elements and the various combat modes, the endless combat just wears you down.

A gaming masterpiece. Hideo Kojima infuses a game that is a joy to play with an interesting story, great characters, top-notch visuals, immersive sound, and a great sense of humor.

A hurried game that attempts to borrow a previously successful formula and use it to boost franchise sales. Well, this reviewer says they’re going to have to try a lot harder than this to create fans.

Perhaps the game was rushed to make the DS’s launch window, but whatever the reason it feels as if less effort went into this game than is typical of Madden games.

The gameplay is a bit primitive but still fun and challenging. My only regret is that the dual screen wasn’t used more prominently in the game. As it is, graphics not withstanding, this game could have been released for the GBA.

The stunts are repetitive in nature, not very difficult and very hard to control. I take pity on this game. It could probably be a hit on a console, just not on a GBA.

Lighting is outstanding and there is a definitive passage of time that is reflected with various night and day conditions.

I ended up not only not caring for the game, but downright hating it. There is no excuse for developers to put out such an inherently flawed piece of crap. None.

With a comprehensive RPG structure, exciting action elements, and an engrossing story rich with gothic flavor, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is one of the best PC games of 2004. You're going to love the original characters and the quality dialogue and how it all comes together in one of the best narratives of our time.

If you are looking for a wrestling game that isn’t WWE, I’d advise you to check out Legends of Wrestling before you come to this backyard.

I hate this game. Since the day I picked it up, it has sucked up so much of my free time, causing me to neglect my Xbox Live buddies, forego weeknight sleep, go in late to work, neglect my wife ' yeah it's that bad. I absolutely hate this game.

It's a licensed game that perfectly captured the property while still being fun and accessible.

Using a masterful combination of web shoot and D-pad combinations you can swing, or zip line vertically or horizontally across rooms. Everything feels so natural, just like a full-size console. Some of this can be attributed to the DS design but there is no denying that the design team put a lot of effort into the gameplay mechanics.

A wonderful trip down memory lane; at least for the tables I actually remembered playing.

The lack of any cohesive story spread thin by too many distracting viewpoints kept me from ever getting involved with the characters. It was almost like I was trapped in an episode of "Quantum Leap."

With a solid single-player experience and a multiplayer game that is as much fun locally as it is online, Godzilla is just a fantastic game. I've played this longer than any other fighting game in my collection and I still enjoy going back for the occasional monster mash, even after I have long since unlocked everything.

A marked improvement over the original game, at least in features and level design, but ultimately there have been just too many other games in the same or similar genre that edges this one out in overall quality.

The original gameplay has been polished to near-perfection and the added elements of combat, stealth, and action, combined with traditional platform puzzles and collectibles certainly make this one of the best of the few platform titles actually available for the Xbox.

The game is also a bit light in the single-player aspect, so if you don't have Xbox Live or don't like to play games online then you might want to steer clear of Tournament Paintball. But if you are looking for a new spin on the FPS genre rooted in a realistic and increasingly popular sport, you might just want to check this game out.

What makes it special are the breathtaking graphics, flawless character animation, great musical score, cool cut scenes, great story full of startling twists, and a unique card battle system that's surprisingly fun.

But for a challenge that won't be one-upped, top-quality sound and graphics and a serious, reserved tone that does honor to the people who didn't have a choice to just play the video game version, pick up Call of Duty: Finest Hour as soon as you are able. You won't be disappointed.

It has tougher gameplay, a compelling story and the coolest boss concepts in the series' history. And hey, it has Space Pirates, too!

Zoo Tycoon 2 successfully acheives what it sets out to do and that's to let you build your own zoo.

Combined with the already short length, Snicket on the PC is an "unfortunate event" that you can probably pass on in favor of one of the console versions. Even the GBA game is better than this.

The secrets, however, are well worth collecting. You can unlock stills from the movie set to music, production photos, and even "story time with Count Olaf".

In many ways this might just be my favorite GBA title of 2004. The designers have combined some really inventive gameplay that mixes collection, action, and puzzles with a great story and stylish presentation.

This is certainly one game that every child should play, even if you have to rent it. I'm also betting that more than a few adults are going to get hooked on the simple old-school adventure gameplay that oozes with charm and a unique vision that mirrors the movie and the novels that inspired them both.

The game is bigger, prettier and generally more fine-tuned than any of its predecessors. It just isn't really all that different from any of them.

Overall, the production value is top-notch; on screen characters react and interact to the music ' audience members wave fists to the beat and band member appear to actually be performing guitar solos and drumming ' and the whole game has a nice polish to it.

If you are looking for an outstanding visual and visceral action experience then you haven’t seen or played anything this cool since that old "Incoming" game from a few years ago.

It’s new, it’s original, and best of all it’s fun.

A significant step forward from the original but hardly revolutionizes the genre or even the series. The game starts off playing and looking like the original and slowly evolves into something slightly new and improved.

Eurocom did a great job reviving the failing franchise by successfully recreating the wonderful aspects of the original Insomniac titles and properly bringing them into the current generation of consoles.

There’s always something new to discover!

Despite some minor flaws and an occasional frustrating bug (that will hopefully be resolved in a patch), Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile keeps many of the classic elements of city-building strategy that made its predecessors so much fun to play, and innovates in ways which make the game much more interesting and involving.

The game succeeds too well in creating the emptiness of space—I want to feel the emptiness of space, not feel like the game is lacking way too much content.

Scrapland creates a stunning new world, a setting of unique architecture and character design and hopefully marks the birth of a new franchise.

One of the most original Xbox games I've played in a long time, not only because of the visionary graphics, but the clever intertwining of FPS action and RPG elements and more online modes than any two other games combined.

People who just really dig dragons might be able to endure the interface issues, but for most of the rest of us, this one should be passed up for better games.

With a familiar world to explore and many ways to do so, you play The Third Age over and over.

This is a hard puzzle game that’s extremely fun and rewarding. A game that you can really get into and play for hours on end (or straight through to completion).

It helps to be a History Channel fanatic to really love this game. Fans of the board game who have never played RTS will no doubt be very unhappy.

$10-30 per hour is probably the worst deal I have ever seen in a high-profile video game, and I amazed that THQ put it out with so little substance.

If you’re a wrestling or a Smackdown fan, you’ll go nuts over this year’s Smackdown! vs. RAW. However, if you’re looking for an in-depth, stat-tracking online wrestling title, you’ll want to hold off for future installments and simply rent this one.

A great game that will likely appeal to action gamers more than role-players.

With all of the available options, team stats, player management, and coaching decisions, you will be hard pressed to find a better basketball simulation than this.

With a great audio/visual style, but lackluster mechanics and replay value, only true fans of the movie need apply.

Because Ski Resort Extreme couldn’t even prove to be “extreme”, it’s hard to recommend it unless you’re either an ambitious business administrator who wants to sharpen their skills, a ski/snowboarding buff, or both.

Unless the GBA is your only system I'd recommend fighting crime on the big consoles and leave this version to the really young kids or those doomed to play games on the commute to school or work. The Incredibles is fun but not that fun and certainly not as good as the movie that inspired it.

It doesn't really expand on the story but there is a nice diversity of gameplay and specific playing styles based on the characters and their levels.

The Incredibles is just not that "incredible". It's an okay game, fraught with minor issues on a technical front and saved by high production values and attention to detail in less substantial areas.

Men of Valor tells the best story and delivers the best action of any of the Vietnam games currently available.

A $19.99 price tag is decent, but still $20 too much for any Non-Manchester fans, and even the latter fans would need to be sloggered on a few pre-game beverages to appreciate this title.

With solid graphics and voice acting identical to the television program, this title should satisfy any fan of the motion picture, especially the little ones.

Although The Bard’s Tale doesn’t offer anything new in terms of gameplay, it’s the amazing story, presentation, voice acting, and sense of humor that make it a great game.

No one should deny that San Andreas is a great storytelling game. It's just that, between gradually caring less and less about the main characters, and performing many game actions that are nearly identical to those of previous titles in the series, San Andreas could easily begin to wear a bit thin.

The game as a whole is average. The graphics are superb, but the lack of a tutorial mode hurts the game, but once you figure things out it can become quite addictive and even a bit challenging.

With a strong community, excellent developer support and MP support, Pacific Fighters looks to be soaring high for years to come.

It truly makes you feel like you are living in the world that you have come to know and love through the movies and books and that alone has been what makes this MMO stand out from others for me.

I don't care what you read anywhere else. This is a MUST HAVE game for anyone who likes music and owns a PS2. Admit it; at one time in your life you fancied yourself a drummer, beating on pots and pans or anything else that made noise. Now you can live out those fantasies and actually sound pretty good doing it.

We like to feel secure in our hard work, and losing progress we have made is a major turn off, especially if we can’t point the blame to anyone other than ourselves for the screw up.

As a turn based battle game however, it’s not very good. You are given a small amount of creatures, a single strategy that will win almost every time, and lackadaisical enemy AI.

If you are a sucker for pretty graphics and a rich narrative then you had better stick with the console versions of Grand Theft Auto, but anyone looking for an excellent handheld version of the game will delight in the complexity this title has to offer.

For the love of everything that you hold dear about your children do not buy them this for their GBA if they like Yu-Gi-Oh. Buy them cards instead, at least they’ll get half way decent art work and will have other kids to play with.

As chess games go, Chessmaster is top notch. I was surprised at the challenge and excitement I felt playing Chessmaster. But after a while, it becomes work to play against the AI and until the Xbox Live portion begins to build steam, it's not going to keep me coming back.

So easy to pick up and play that you are bound to have fun, even if you don't know what you are doing. You can stumble your way into some of the most excellent combos you can see without memorization or perfect timing.

It's not as epic as "KOTOR" and your karma-building decisions aren't as crucial to the gameplay, but this game packs in more humor and charm than anything I can remember.

Heavy on action and heavier on story, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is without a doubt the finest flight combat game on the PS2.

This is certainly the most "fun" you can have with a golf game. It's fun and realistic with a wonderful cast of wild, crazy, and often naughty characters.

But with party games, when all is said and done, it ends up being nothing more than button mashing, making it hard to recommend in the light of the other Grade-A titles out there.

Despite some problematic controls and repetitive gameplay, TRON 2.0: Killer App is one of the better GBA titles of the year and a worthy addition to the Tron legacy.

It's fun, it's challenging, and it's breathtaking to look at, even if you are watching somebody else play it.

I know that Neo Contra has built up my confidence enough that I am starting to toy with the idea of trying Shattered Ego…err…Soldier again if I can remember where I buried it in the backyard.

I am a little bummed the game came with just a Guncon pistol, as the arcade unit had a nice little MP5 approximation.

Battle Nexus isn't quite as fun as past games or even as fun as the show itself, but it is pretty solid game overall, and is worth picking up for old times sake, or for the new fan.

Konami has added in more depth, weapons, environments, and upgraded the multiplayer mode. The gameplay is fun, innovative, and unique.

A good title for a younger sibling or cousin, a bad one for a platform fanatic.

Men of Valor tells the best story and delivers the best action of any of the Vietnam games currently available.

It's a simple game to figure out and it just doesn't feel all that rewarding to play through. There are very few puzzles in it. Most of the time simply exploring an area is passed off as the puzzle. Have the game's developers lost faith in their audience? We want depth, we want frustratingly obtuse symbol puzzles.

Hardcore action gamers can expect 12-15 hours of intense combat for the single-player campaign, but once you go online there is no limit to the fun you can have with this game. Much like the games before it, Tribes: Vengeance is a virtual sandbox just waiting for the mod community to get their talented hands on it.

It’s not too hard, and it’s not too boring which equates to a fairly good game. But because of the nature of its design it also isn’t very replayable as there is little to no reason to go back and do it all again.

With an imaginative story, characters rich in personality, a beautiful design, and an impressive array of themes to explore, this game shines in a genre that already knows how to make video games the best they can be. I can’t recommend it enough.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined me becoming totally addicted to Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders.

The fantastic cast of characters will keep us laughing throughout the adventure and the mini-games will allow us to involve an occasional buddy in our cartoon fun. Unfortunately, the PS2 already has dozens of platformers and Tak 2 doesn’t seem to add enough to the genre to rise above its competitors.