There are still countless hours of fun to be had with Halo. If you couldn't stomach the control pad and the lack of online support (or Xbox itself) really turned you away from the Xbox version, then this Halo is sure to please.

While not innovative in any way, AOM: The Titans is everything you should expect from a quality expansion. Plenty of new stuff, but also gameplay refinements and the attention to detail that shows the developers cared about their product.

It's a dated PC game ported to a next-gen console instead of a totally revised, retooled product. The folks at Cinemaware may have had their finger on the gaming pulse 20 years ago, but now they're just living in the past.

While its simulation dreams don’t match competing games, it offers enough of a varied experience to be considered a good, solid combo of the two sports game styles.

While its simulation dreams don’t match competing games, it offers enough of a varied experience to be considered a good, solid combo of the two sports game styles.

While its simulation dreams don’t match competing games, it offers enough of a varied experience to be considered a good, solid combo of the two sports game styles.

Though a solid platformer with a unique twist, the length of the game and its high frustration factor doom it squarely to rental land.

Nothing truly stands out besides the Technicolor palette. The polygons are simplistic, the animations are typical and the worlds are environmentally lackluster. It just seems uninspired.

Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics... Despite its small faults, NHL 2004 is still one hell of a hockey game.

More than anything, Tiger Woods is an addictive game. The immense single-player experience will have you staring at the set for hours, just trying to win more money, unlock more gear and establish yourself as a legend.

More than anything, Tiger Woods is an addictive game. The immense single-player experience will have you staring at the set for hours, just trying to win more money, unlock more gear and establish yourself as a legend.

Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics. The lack of online play for Xbox owners once again makes me want to holler at EA for their irritating deal with Sony.

More than anything, Tiger Woods is an addictive game. The immense single-player experience will have you staring at the set for hours, just trying to win more money, unlock more gear and establish yourself as a legend.

Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics.

Lots of running around and beating guys senseless with my trusty lightsaber and smacking people around with the power of the Force.

A good RPG brought down by the very thing it touted as a feature: complexity. Buggy gameplay and a distinct lack of plot turn this promising game into a lesson in mediocrity.

I do wish there had been a bit more after four years of waiting. It's like rediscovering a long lost friend, and while he’s still the same lovable guy, it turns out he hasn't matured much or traveled around Europe in the intervening years. He simply never left home.

In all three console versions (which are identical), A.I. glitches aren't uncommon and the on-foot camera tends to get persnickety. The game looks and plays better while driving.

The crisp control, big moves, player upgrades and massive weaponry might have made for a cool action game. However, the awful camera crashes onto these dinosaurs with the force and effect of a planet-busting asteroid, effectively driving them extinct.

In all three console versions (which are identical), A.I. glitches aren't uncommon and the on-foot camera tends to get persnickety. The game looks and plays better while driving.

In all three console versions (which are identical), A.I. glitches aren't uncommon and the on-foot camera tends to get persnickety. The game looks and plays better while driving.

If they can just clean up the fighting and add some extra fire to the Franchise, we’ll definitely be seeing this series' “A” game.

Despite copious blood splatters and a smattering of "adult" language, the gameplay is strictly for kids. However, after about a half an hour even little ones will pooh-pooh this game in favor of just about anything else.

The best part of Starsky & Hutch is that it only costs a Jackson, which makes it one of the highest quality "bargain" games yet for the PS2.

Everything has been improved over the original, and yet nothing reaches the heights of greatness. Graphics are better but not perfect, gameplay is more fun but still bogs you down sometimes, and multiplayer is finally here but it's not the online dogfighting it clearly should be.

If they can just clean up the fighting and add some extra fire to the Franchise, we’ll definitely be seeing this series' “A” game.

Revives some of the excitement Everquest used to have, and the personal dungeons address some of the most pressing annoyances of current online RPGs. On the other hand, the Lost Dungeons are another step towards nerfing the game to death.

If ESPN wants to compete with an EA Franchise that has made some serious leaps and bounds this year, they’re going to have to buckle down in the off-season, tighten up their offense and maybe learn some new plays on defense.

If ESPN wants to compete with an EA Franchise that has made some serious leaps and bounds this year, they’re going to have to buckle down in the off-season, tighten up their offense and maybe learn some new plays on defense.

Disgaea can be on the tough side, and the 'game over' screen will come up often, but with the Item World, the ability to continuously develop new characters from a pool of 150 and characters that can level up in four areas, the advantage is on your side.

Feels like it was never tested by actual players. There are some great concepts here and the 3D cities are a truly impressive piece of programming. Too bad all this originality is hidden deep behind one of the worst game interfaces ever.

There's nothing really functionally wrong with the game (besides the crack-induced plot), but it simply isn't nearly as addictive or fun as other puzzle games.

NFL Gameday 2004 has visited the dermatologist and cleared up a couple blemishes, but the overall countenance isn’t that attractive.

A great game. It's got all the goods you’d expect, from solid gameplay to smooth presentation. But where the game comes up short is giving you things you don't expect, and considering that the series is in many ways unchanged since it first hit the PSX back in 1997, that’s a shame.

Otogi's somewhat repetitive action is not entirely compelling, but this one is really all about style and looking cool. It might not suck you in, but it should satiate your hunger for both fast-paced action and eye candy.

A great game. It's got all the goods you'd expect, from solid gameplay to smooth presentation. But where the game comes up short is giving you things you don't expect, and considering that the series is in many ways unchanged since it first hit the PSX back in 1997, that's a shame.

A great game. It's got all the goods you'd expect, from solid gameplay to smooth presentation. But where the game comes up short is giving you things you don't expect, and considering that the series is in many ways unchanged since it first hit the PSX back in 1997, that’s a shame.

It's simply not as good as the first Buffy game and suffers from loose control and repetitive gameplay. I guess hot chicks and vampires don't automatically make things awesome.

Uploads a serious dose of style into the FPS scene and is easily recommended to fans of the genre. The subpar AI and annoying platform segments hold it back a little, though the great delivery and lengthy, engrossing Campaign keep it ahead of the curve.

It's simply not as good as the first Buffy game and suffers from loose control and repetitive gameplay. I guess hot chicks and vampires don't automatically make things awesome.

Truly knuckles-scraping-against-asphalt hard, but not impossible. It's completely rewarding when you finally overcome the odds. Yet at the same time, it's a daunting game and is best to take on gradually in small doses.

It's simply not as good as the first Buffy game and suffers from loose control and repetitive gameplay. I guess hot chicks and vampires don't automatically make things awesome.

What we’re left with is a good stab at innovation marred by hopelessly dated level design and short (you can beat it in 10 hours), repetitive gameplay. You get the feeling that Alter Echo could have been much more.

What we’re left with is a good stab at innovation marred by hopelessly dated level design and short (you can beat it in 10 hours), repetitive gameplay. You get the feeling that Alter Echo could have been much more.

The Adventure mode, while not what it is billed to be, does give a good challenge to both beginners and skilled players alike. If you're a fan of chess and need a new game or have a child you wish to teach, Majestic Chess may just fit the bill.

For die-hard fans of the series, I'd suggest renting Futurama if you feel the urge to see your favorite characters in new situations. For the rest of the gaming audience, a suicide booth might be a bit more fun than putting up with this tedious game.

A big disappointment. Though it uses a decent RPG system, its poor balance, repetitive action and somewhat lame stab at rewriting history leads to a game no one should invest time or money in.

The main problem with Virtua Fighter has always been its relative inaccessibility, and VF 4: Evolution clearly represents an effort to introduce new gamers to the franchise.

Madden 2004 for the PS2 may be the most complete game I've ever played, period. There is more virtual football reality available in this game than you could ever hope to find on TV, in the newspapers or on the internet.

There is more virtual football reality available in this game than you could ever hope to find on TV, in the newspapers or on the internet. The lack of online play is a disappointment, but even so, this is a great football game.

There is more virtual football reality available in this game than you could ever hope to find on TV, in the newspapers or on the internet. The lack of online play is a disappointment and keeps this version a notch below the superior PS2 one, but even so, this is a great football game.

While the concept is good and the presentation is at times outstanding, the core gameplay isn't strong enough to separate it from the swarms of mediocre kart racers that have come before it.

The idea of kicking ass as a gothic swordsman and his seven closest unholy friends sounds mighty appealing. However, a crummy targeting system and ultra-repetitive gameplay relegate Chaos Legion to the status of a good idea gone bad.

While the concept is good and the presentation is at times outstanding, the core gameplay isn’t strong enough to separate it from the swarms of mediocre kart racers that have come before it.

If you're more familiar with the second game than the first, you’ll doubtless find the heavier occultic, religious tone a little distracting. It’s okay, though; you will deal, or you will die.

An enjoyable substitute for H2O worshippers on those days when you just can't make it to the beach. High speed and high flying stunts through creative locations beats watching the rocks grow any day of the week.

While the concept is good and the presentation is at times outstanding, the core gameplay isn't strong enough to separate it from the swarms of mediocre kart racers that have come before it.

Thanks to good controls and a truly imaginative take on the AvP universe, Extinction turns out better than expected. You can tell the developers really loved the movies. It's just too bad they didn't take it far enough as a game, serving up a short campaign and failing to offer any extra modes.

Thanks to good controls and a truly imaginative take on the AvP universe, Extinction turns out better than expected. You can tell the developers really loved the movies. It's just too bad they didn't take it far enough as a game, serving up a short campaign and failing to offer any extra modes.

Offers exactly what armchair golfers would expect. However, that's not necessarily enough. More creativity and depth would have led to a new boss; instead, this is just another member of the family.

Like an unexpectedly good BLT. It’s based a little too heavily on "Heroes of Might and Magic," making you long for the days of the "Armageddon Blade," but with some nice crisp bacon and cool fresh lettuce, it still makes for a satisfying sandwich.

It's a good thing the game is all about speed, because the framerate is rock steady. The various mountains are bursting with creativity. Rider animations are oddly cartoony and occasionally you'll get snagged on an object, but for the most part the physics make sense and the game looks good.

McQueen truly is “The Cooler King” in more ways than one, which only makes his half-assed showing in this half-assed game a full-fledged bummer. Skip this disaster and rent "The Towering Inferno" instead.

A solid addition to the Armored Core series with its bevy of cool new options and upgrades, but it still only caters to those well-versed in the esoteric world of AC geekdom.

A rich single-player experience with one of the most developed storylines ever seen in a game. And best of all, it <I>feels</I> like Star Wars.

Despite the fact that this game does just about everything well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed. Even though it's an improvement over last year's version, it at times feels a little too familiar.

Despite the unfortunate lack of online compatibility in both the Xbox and GC versions of NCAA Football 2004, this is still the premiere college football game and is clearly the best of its breed. If you also own a PS2, though, I'd go with that version instead.

Despite the unfortunate lack of online compatibility in both the Xbox and GC versions of NCAA Football 2004, this is still the premiere college football game and is clearly the best of its breed. If you also own a PS2, though, I'd go with that version instead.

Star Wars Galaxies just doesn't offer anything new to the MMORPG genre and it never really feels much like Star Wars. Watch a group of brawlers running around hitting creatures with axes and sticks and you might never even guess it's a Star Wars game at all, unless you notice that one of them is a Wookiee.

It's just not hard enough. I beat the Grand Prix mode in about an hour and a half on my first try. I completed Champion's Revolution in the same time without losing one fight. I beat 21 straight opponents in my first shot at the Ironman endurance mode.

Compared to the other recent volleyball games, Outlaw Volleyball focuses more on traditional gameplay, leading to probably the best of the bunch.

Among my canon of crappy games, this one takes the cake as the most vapidly pointless game yet. Good bye, Angels, I&#146;ll see you in Hell. In this case, Hell being under my mug of java on the coffee table.

It doesn't change the face of the Warcraft world, but it does bump the experience up another notch. En'shu falah-nah, my brothers. See you on the field of battle.

A cool game hiding underneath scads of bugs, control problems and weak swordfighting, leading to not a cool game whatsoever. If you're dying to be a pirate, dig up one of the Monkey Islands.

A cool game hiding underneath scads of bugs, control problems and weak swordfighting, leading to not a cool game whatsoever. If you're dying to be a pirate, dig up one of the Monkey Islands.

An average game built on a lot of great, borrowed ideas. The playability is good and there are plenty of tricks to be tried, but folks with more active imaginations and sensitive fingers might want to stay away from this C-class jump-fest.

The painting is cool and the characters are likeable, but this is more about your own imagination than your own fun.

Most RPG fans will find some good fun here. However, it just doesn't live up to the older games in the series. It features some interesting perspectives with its dual stars, but its questionable delivery and lack of really compelling gameplay holds it back.

Full of impressive features and offers very solid FPS fun. A strong sequel all the way, and with a little attention given to linearity and dialogue options/romances, this series could go where no FPS has gone before.

A surprisingly decent driving game. It has modes for every mood and no glaring flaws, although its short length and numerous frustrating bits will surely turn people away. But the game is also very demanding.

A surprisingly decent driving game. It has modes for every mood and no glaring flaws, although its short length and numerous frustrating bits will surely turn people away. But the game is also very demanding.

Equally goofy and strange, but in an unassuming way, it's also good, unpretentious fun.

Despite its new look, fairly interesting storyline, and a bucket load of new moves and features, this game is fatally flawed by the completely revamped control system which makes it a nightmare of frustration.

I found it innovative and engrossing, and I think it's a great new direction for both the genre of light gun games and the Resident Evil series. At least until they finally let you play as a zombie...

The Game Gear titles are a welcome bonus, but having to play through the broken game just to get them is a hassle.

A thoroughly substandard game, the kind generally engineered for resale at your local video game store and only worth a few hours of play on a rainy day while awaiting the arrival of something better.

The flow is maddeningly repetitive. It's also way, way too linear. You cannot fly around and explore at your own free will. Instead, you just land on a big base, kill stuff, shoot ships, then move on to the next level.

Boring. I mean, the battles could have fallen back on the classic turn-based formula, or at the very least opted for a passable framerate. And even if the minimal road had to be taken, it could have been done in a much easier and welcoming manner instead of obtuse for the sake of being obtuse.

In the long run, I would have loved to see even more tools and monsters rather than just the ones they made for the single-player campaign. The true life of this franchise lies in its fantastic multiplayer potential - this expansion should have addressed that in greater, more specific detail.

The flow is maddeningly repetitive. It's also way, way too linear. You cannot fly around and explore at your own free will. Instead, you just land on a big base, kill stuff, shoot ships, then move on to the next level.

An all-around solid game, there are a few significant potholes. Two immense cities - Paris and D.C. - are just not enough... More precision and distinction between the vehicles would have upped the replay value.

A weak game with some good features; namely, the combo system and the fact that it sells for only 20 bucks. Yep, 20 bucks. However, waves of meaningless enemies, stupid objectives and a very limited shelf life make it quite evil indeed.

It's as if the balanced half-action, half-RPG formula of the Network Series was just tossed into the classic Mega Man action mold, creating an unbalanced partial-RPG with a merely satisfactory mix of action.

Tetris Worlds may not be revolutionary, but it's an affordable take on a classic and offers fun online play. Yet even more affordable are the many free online PC takes of Tetris, such as Tetrinet.

Interesting rope dynamics, solid control and creative levels make up for the redundant goals and challenges, leading to a worthwhile dip in the water.

Interesting rope dynamics, solid control and creative levels make up for the redundant goals and challenges, leading to a worthwhile dip in the water.

Falls far, far short of its Xbox forbear in one critical area. The praiseworthy online support that helped the Xbox edition over the steep hill of monotony is as absent as a truant with a severe case of senioritis. They didn't even include split-screen.

The bad enemy AI, poor enemy variety and extreme linearity makes it hard to want to play any of the levels more than once. In the case of the Banner levels, you won't want to play them at all.