While I wouldn't give it to an older gamer, the fairly clever level designs compounded with the puzzles make a good fit for the younger fan.

Kids will enjoy the easy to master controls and Disney characters, but there isn't enough meat for the older, discerning gamer.

There are so many rules, combos, mini-games and quests that it's easy to get more than a little confused. But the essence of the game is fun, and all of the variation leaves tons of room for competition.

The most enjoyable aspect of Skies of Arcadia is the way the game flows.... In Skies, the story, as well as the ability to freely explore the map, move the game along at a brisk pace.

Blowing stuff up in Demolition is definitely fun in all its Star Wars glory, but the more you play, the more you'll notice the imbalance in gameplay.

The game grows on you the more you play it. It doesn't make any giant leaps, but it's still a blast. And it made me laugh. Hehe.

While Capcom vs SNK certainly adds some flavor to the "Street Fighter" pot, it doesn't change the main course at all. Too bad, considering what this game could have been.

This is the "Rosemary's Baby" of video games, a video-offspring of demonic potential...the best multi-player game of 2000, bar none.

A terrifically funny, beautiful and great sounding game. A few bugs may mar the experience at points, but they don't hamper the fun.

The closed European racetracks are a refreshing change of pace from the 'left turn only' American Nascar equivalent. The graphics are definitely beautiful and it controls sweetly.

Rune kicks butt. It's easily the best hack n' slash game out there, chock full of bladed mayhem.

Unfortunately, this new DF cuisine turns out a flavor that is bland and ubiquitous to a fault. I guess someone forgot to throw in the spice.

It's got action, adventure and excitement, though the lack of AI is a letdown.

The sheer variety of games will entertain most any party for hours on end (or at least until the beer runs out.)

Sadly, the best thing about this game is testing the crash physics...To my delight, the crashes in this game are superb. Not only does the car fly into the air, but debris from the car litters the track and remains throughout the race. Neat.

A rental only (though it sells for a very affordable 20 bucks), not so much to play as to watch for its pure craziness.

If there were some kind of branch progression throughout the game that allows you to train your Pikachu instead of just playing peek-a-boo with it, this game might have been a little more tolerable.

The graphics, by the way, are brilliant. The textures are realistic, the framerate hauls, the characters look great and there's very little pop-up.

Clever, innovative, deliciously creative, and just about the prettiest thing I've ever seen. The graphics are simply astounding and remarkably scalable to work on older systems... If it wore a bikini, I'd put a poster of it in my garage.

If there weren't so many better games of the same ilk, I'd definitely recommend this one. But there are, and TWINE isn't at the top of the stack.

You won't find any mind-boggling special features or revolutionary gameplay, but what you will find is a solid two-wheeled racer that gets the job done.

It's ridiculous, reminiscent of the obligatory chase sequences in the "Benny Hill Show." And about as horrifying...Shorter than an Oompa Loompa.

With excellent graphics, great level design and fast, furious action, this is sitting firmly at the top of the PS2 mountain.

With its fresh attitude and fun gameplay, this is a great alternative to sniffing paint cans in the morning.

The lackluster presentation, awkward control and unbelievably shallow gameplay make this the first official bottom feeder for the PS2. Sic 'em, Jaws.

While it tries to take a different gameplay approach, the result is something that is so frantic, players will have a tough time figuring out what exactly is going on...and that's a puzzle we can do without.

Everything you've come to expect from a trrack and field game, just upped a notch graphically. Lots of button tapping, good-looking environments and the correct audio help round it out.

"Tekken" fans will probably dislike the somewhat limited depth of DOA Hardcore, though the cool reversal system and tremendous graphics make it worth the price of admission for most.

A fun little golfer whose attitude and extras keep the game from getting too dull. Some problems with minor slowdown and the lack of creative courses are a disappointment, but the game doesn't suffer too greatly.

There's really nothing 'wild wild' about it. The game starts out bland and moves on to hoist unoriginal game goals that overshadow a clever yet underdeveloped Challenge mode.

The most despicable Tekken Tag faux pas is the omission of a last hit slow-motion replay.

The game engine underneath is still strong, but somehow it lacks the same charm and fun as before.

2001 runs at a pretty slow pace overall and fails to capture the frenzied pace of professional hockey. In addition, you'll notice some bizarre slowdown when passing the benches.

An impressive, invigorating romp and a seemingly unfinished, unpolished rush job. At its core, this is a surprisingly limited game. However, it's still loads of fun if you look past its shortcomings.

While offering a decent helping of fun, the bland textures and ubiquitous gameplay make for a somewhat unexciting PS2 start.

You get the feeling that they're on the verge of something great. With a few more strokes of the design pen -- more control, better AI, improved graphics -- this could be a fantastic game.

The two new additions of time and masks work well. It takes a little longer to get into this Zelda, but there are moments when the game really hits you with all its intricacies and mysteries, and that makes it all worthwhile.

An extremely ambitious game, but it misses the mark due to unoriginality and subpar presentation.

It just doesn't feel fast enough. You sort of putt down the hill, never really blazing down the slope. I'm not a pro boarder by any stretch of the imagination, but if this is how fast you really go, then I'll pass.

Despite the somewhat niggling flaws, Armored Core 2 simply amazes. Out-of-this-world customization, great gameplay and tons of depth place Armored Core 2 atop the current list of PS2 games.

Eternal Ring should be called "Please Make it Stop Ring." There are so many parts to improve - better action, deeper story, interactive environments, decent voice acting - that you might as well hope for a whole new game.

The only major gripe I have is the targeting system. You often have an enemy two feet behind you, but the game refuses to target it since it tends to only target things in front of you.

Gun usage would have made it a closer match to the arcades, and more levels would have made me feel much better about it on Day 2.

Just more of the same old formula in a candy shell. Take away the coatings and purportedly new features, and the game finds its way back to its roots - in the past.

After you've played a game you'll feel like you just participated in a real NFL game and that's addictive to any football fan. I've got the controller blisters to prove it.

Too typical and boring. Moving from level to level cutting down waves of baddies isn't really what we need on the PS2.

I just have to say that despite my prancing and finger snapping, I could kick Michael Jackson's ass, despite the fact that one of his gloves is golden.

Another mediocre game and, at times, a pain. However, it does have some cool moments and will easily consume a couple of free hours.

As a follow-up, Medal of Honor: Underground missed my high expectations, but only because the first one was such a great start.

If you like sheer pointless destruction and your dad won't give you his car keys, then DR: NE is the next best thing.

An arcade game, plain and simple. Unfortunately, that just doesn't cut it with today's console systems.

Certainly engrossing, but it's just not quite fun enough.

Looks almost as good as its PC brother, the only real difference being screen resolution, which can't be helped. The game is playing on your T.V., for God's sake

While not totally original, it's got enough intensity and excitement to have even the most jaded real-time strategy gamer glued to his computer for hours. Death to the American dogs, comrade.

It's a good game and a good PC conversion, but without true multiplayer and no real one-player quest, it's an appetizer and not quite a meal.

It's much better than "Sega Bass Fishing," but the same major problem still exists: What the hell are you doing inside, fishing out of a TV screen, when there are actual, live fish outside?

One of the most average games I've ever played. It has some mindlessly fun arcade moments balanced by a a mediocre plot and boring graphics.

Without the maracas, this game turns into a bad version of "Parappa the Rapper." A REALLY bad version.

Clearly the product of a talented group of developers who apparently give a damn about whether or not anyone actually likes playing their games. And unless there's something severely wrong with you, you will certainly like playing this one.

Fatally flawed by some of the worst control on record. Still, its beautifully dark graphics, spooky atmosphere, and intriguing story make it compelling enough to play through.

Third Strike comes out marginally better than the previous "Street Fighter III Double Impact" only because of the additional characters, but viewed as a whole is still lacking inspiration and ingenuity.

The camera problems and bad play balance hold it back from the hellish glory it strives for.

Pure and simple fun.

Pork is generally one of my favorite foods, but it doesn't seem to translate to much of a game.

The additions to combat, varieties of gameplay, and throngs of enemies who are serious about doing you harm make this infinitely more playable than most of the self-styled "survival horror" games.

May have a fine pedigree, but it's the runt of the litter. As Bonk once might have shouted, "Game not very good! Get C! Probably. Not Sure!!"

Improved graphics, more cars, and several new modes are among the upgrades that Destruction Derby Raw has to offer.

I really enjoy this game. It's just that too many things slow down what could have been a truly amazing experience.

Too bad it's not at all fun to play. Let's see a real track and field game before the next Olympics come around, okay?

I wish there really were a Buzz Lightyear, because he would probably beat the crap out of the guys who made this game.

Still a great game, but just wait until next year for the real show.

It is the kind of game you could easily find yourself dusting off two years from now and enjoying just as thoroughly.

Unfortunately, the limited replay (showing "highlights" rather than the entire race) is the only time you'll be able to have an outside perspective.

Whether you call it an arcade racer or a city driving simulation, I call it good fun.

Overall, Elite Force screams quality gaming, though perhaps a little short of quantity.

It's so good it should come with a warning label -- or at least some methadone.

Take a combination of realism and arcade action, add a large helping of 1930's romantic attitude and a healthy dose of humor, and you've got all the pirate treasure you'll ever need.

This is free roaming BMX action, complete with dirt tracks, half pipes, empty pools -- just the goods to fulfill any BMXers dream.

The music in Blitz 2001 is pretty bad and will end up annoying the hell out of you.

Ultimately, Danger Girl's only selling points, T and A (Tits and Action), can only reliably be found on the cover of the instruction booklet, which can easily be viewed without paying fifty bucks. I advise getting your porn elsewhere.

The horrible game mechanics will keep all but the most die-hard Trekkies at bay.

From its incredible multiplayer to its fantastic options and gameplay, this is the premier sports title for hardcore and casual gamers alike.

With more shortcuts and goodies than you can shake a futuristic stick at, this game's got what it takes to leave the competition in the dust.

"Tetris Attack" has been dipped into a big vat of melted Pokemon goo, creating a shell of backgrounds and music that's now called Pokemon Puzzle League.

Playing Sydney 2000 is going through rote finger tapping or timing exercises that will quickly get boring.

But taken purely as a game, this one could use some radiation treatment.

It's not a flawless victory, however, and in the end doesn't quite reach the plateau of a masterpiece like "Soul Calibur."

Definitely not the groundbreaker that Gran Turismo was, it is indeed a solid racing title with plenty of replay value to keep the engine warm. Dreamcast race junkies, this one's for you.

Although surprisingly well made graphically, aurally, and, uh, olfactorily (err, that's just my gym sock), it loses shield strength in the gameplay department.

A nice, though hardly necessary, expansion to one of the most innovative games yet to come down the pike, and a must-have for any true Sim fanatic.

With total presentation so lackluster, it's just disappointing overall.

Passing the game is a short, easy task and other than the item collection in adventure mode, there isn't enough single player action to keep things fresh. But toss a few friends on the couch and it's magic.

Essentially, Madden 2001 is just another upgrade, and it's becoming clear that EA has bigger plans than the PSX...namely, the PS2.

You would probably get a greater sense of being underwater by watching "The Little Mermaid."

With a beautiful story, characters that are actually interesting and a fighting system that's more than your typical "attack, attack, defend, blah" devoid of true strategy, this game is the one I had been waiting for.

If anyone should avoid this game, it should be the hardcore ECW fan as they will be the most outraged.

With great presentation and control to go along with plenty of challenging gameplay, "Ecco" still looks like a winner.

This is that rare title that sort of defies grading, seeing as how the game isn't really a game at all.