If you were a casual player of the original, it's probably not worth picking this one up. However, if you are new to the series, engaging gameplay and fun multiplayer options make FF2 easily worth your hard earned 800 Microsoft Points.

If you like Transformers, buy this game. Even if you don't (or you just hate Michael Bay), you should still give Optimus Prime a try.

Complaining about the lack of a Japanese audio track might seem like nitpicking but it goes back to my main point: XIII ignored me -- me, a dedicated JRPG and Final Fantasy fan -- to try and seduce someone else with user-friendly tutorials and a Leona Lewis theme song.

At times it's frustrating and you'll die more than you'll succeed, but when you actually do accomplish a mission, it's all worth it.

A virtually arcade perfect port.

It may get overlooked with bigger Wii titles like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M on the horizon, but for fans of the earlier titles, it's definitely worth a purchase.

The combat is especially well executed, although the amount of punishment opponents can take is a tad unrealistic.

Sure, it's violent, but the compelling play engine keeps the game exciting-even when the content frequently goes over the top.

It's not necessarily a reason to go out and buy a bunch of Game Boy Advances and link cables, but it's definitely a reason to get them out of the closet again. [July 2004, p.72]

This is a title worthy of your money. If you're a huge fan of survival horror titles, Blood Curse won't disappoint.

Wonderfully rendered, but when compared to Secret of Mana's engaging narrative, Children of Mana's sparse and slow story falls short.

Bug Wings is a fantastic game -- simple to learn and nearly impossible to master. The promise of more levels to come in an update make this an even better value.

If you're looking for some classic shooter action on your new GBA, Iridion 3D will fit the bill nicely without blowing you away.

A great addition to the franchise, especially if you're willing to take the time to fiddle with the settings.

Tons of people used to play this game in the arcade. It was cool then, and this version is the same, only smaller...and with a track designer. [Sept 2004, p.93]

"Outrageously hilarious" were the first words to come out of our mouths when we rolled into town with Katamari Damacy. Filled with a lot of wickedly demented humor, Katamari Damacy is a cure for the dull and ordinary.

It is the quintessential Nintendo party game, and a recommended purchase if you happen to have a friend or two with a 3DS, which should be a bit more likely now that Black Friday is over.

At 99 cents for the iPhone, and $1.99 for iPad, Marble Mixer is the right price for the amount of game you get.

A superb-looking, straightforward platformer that no interested GBA gamer should miss.

While Battlefield 2 definitely shines as the most impressive in the series, the lack of advancement to gameplay may give it a shorter lifespan than the original.

Graphics too, are impressively done, with sharp textures and bright, colorful areas giving life to the game. Unfortunately, the sounds of Mario Superstar Baseball can't stand up to its graphics.

Dead-on fun.

Ultimately, DJ Hero 2 is a solid and polished sequel, and hopefully an omen of even greater turntable-based games to come.

Although it's far from perfect, Star Ocean: The Second Story is a remarkably expansive game with a complex, immersive plot and highly compelling characters.

Triple Play delivers zero innovation with a game that's virtually identical to Triple Play 2001. But that still means it's the PS one's top baseball game.

A simple, tried-and-true blast from the past, faithfully recapturing the ’hog’s legacy and reigning in just enough characters and elements from the “new” to satiate anyone craving more from their marsupials than just movin’ to the right at really high speeds.

Although graphically underwhelming and gifted with an annoyingly repetitive soundtrack, the depth, balance, and customization make Warlord's Battlecry a keeper.

If it wasn’t for unbalanced controls, Apex could have taken top honors in the Xbox racing category.

Now, the spine tingling sequel, Project Origin is here to continue the story of the psychic and psychotic Alma with damn good results. [Mar 2009, p.78]

Despite having a unique look, the visuals certainly aren't the highlight of Paper Mario. It's the fun adventure, mixing intuitive controls and straightforward gameplay that make this a great addition to the N64 library.

Newcomers will be pleased, but for rabid fans, this is a mute Roar.

More variety in the levels and mini-games would have made it an absolute must-have.

All in all, Awakenings is a must-buy for any Dragon Age fan. It's packed full of new adventures, side quests, cameos from old favorites, and an engrossing original storyline that will keep players busy for hours.

Soloing is a bit repetitious and slow, but gather some friends - and a whole lot of hardware - and you're in for one of the smartest, weirdest, and most magical four-player adventures you're likely to play. [Mar 2004, p.85]

MK vs. DC isn't the best Mortal Kombat game, not by a country mile, but for the first time in years this series feels relevant and energized.

If you're an action RPG fan, don't make the mistake of ignoring Spiral Knights just because it's an MMO, as it is a sublime example of where you can take the genre.

It's a solid platformer with fresh mechanics and fantastic presentation, and it really shouldn't be missed, especially by those with fond memories of the Lemmings series.

The game’s length, dialogue, and uneven difficulty are this legend’s only blemishes.

Has enough variations to satisfy extreme sports fans, and 11 levels, countless goals, and highly replayable two-player modes are sure to keep you busy for a long time. Still, if you’re a gamer jaded by the genre, the game lacks the level of innovation that would have left a lasting impression.

Lowrider is sure to hook fans of such games as "PaRappa the Rapper" and k"Um Jammer Lammy" (or anyone with a cursory interest in lowriding for that matter) but—again—this is not a racing game.

As you'd expect, there's a wealth of new characters to meet, and over a hundred challenging new quests to complete. Whether you're an Imperial stooge, a Rebel troublemaker, or an independent freelancer, there's more than enough to keep you busy.

A huge, huge improvement over the last few wretched Tomb Raider titles. Prince of Persia fans should definitely take note.

Throw in a slightly Euro-trash sound track (with excellent play-by-play commentary) and a consistent and fluid control scheme and FIFA 06 is a great way for soccer fans to hook up for some foot-to-foot action via the online infrastructure mode or some solo season play.

Finally, it is possible for trainers to meet friends online and battle others around the world via the DS' Wi-Fi. There are also competitions that incorporate acting, singing, and dressing up the little critters in costumes.

But while the game's storyline is focused on a far-reaching conflict, Frontlines ultimately succeeds because of all the attention that the developers paid to the small stuff.

There is more running back and forth than I would like but I still enjoyed the Unwound Future. It's a terrific title for fans of the franchise.

The unique blend of wonderfully bizarre settings and enemies make Death Jr.'s return a fresh gaming experience. It's "Nightmare Before Christmas" meets "Alice in Wonderland." Prepare yourself for one crazy trip.

It's faster and nastier than most of the kindred of "Resident Evil" at the cost of losing a bit of edge. [May 2004, p.71]

Some frustrating A.I., however, causes Shrek 2 to suffer badly as a single-player game (or any time the computer controls a party member), and switching between the characters to overcome the menial obstacles feels like a chore when playing solo. [Aug 2004, p.68]

Offers true harmony between arcade and simulation football games, but with more attitude than both of them put together. Oh, and it’s fun, too.

Putting is harder, but much more rewarding--an Ideal Putt Camera helps with gauging potential break on difficult putts.

Marble games aren't everyone's idea of a thrilling adventure, but Marble Saga: Kororinpa may very well sneak up and show the curious a good time.

The excellent tracks alone are worth a look.

Ghost Recon’s in-depth gameplay closely resembles that of the previous Tom Clancy games—but it also has its faults, such as some weak A.I. pathfinding.

These complaints aside, Final Fantasy II is yet another great addition to the PSP's slowly improving library and really shows off the care and attention that Square Enix puts into its remakes. [Aug 2007, p.88]

This game require real patience. There's no way to speed through long-distance trips, so it pays to keep a magazine handy (psst, you're holding one).

True to the game's title, MX vs. ATV Alive is a game competing against itself. On one hand, you've got an amazing experience that any racing fan should check out -- it's truly the realization of a series that has been refined to near-perfection over the last half-dozen years. On the other hand, the game's pricing strategy has created a bit of an uneven value in which the available content is too lean for beginners to keep racing, especially if they're unable to go online. Fortunately, the game's positives are currently outpacing the negatives, and THQ's ability to create constant, quality DLC at a fair price can only widen the gap even further.

RF Online delivers an MMO that focuses more on battles and less on stories and quests. For those who lust after solid plots and definitive quests, they can stick to their "World of Warcraft" and "Final Fantasy XI." For those who just want to log on and kick butt, RF Online is the prescription for you.

With an uncharted single-player mission and a set of cool new weapons and demonic abilities, Doom 3 fans have another motherboard-melting adventure on their hands.

Take the time to learn the nuances and you will be suitably rewarded.

While the game’s levels offer plenty of freedom, TransWorld Snowboarding itself sticks close to the established trail.

The only downer to this great game, however, is that you’re allowed to leave a dead SEAL behind, which in real life would never happen.

Controlling your fighter can become a difficult chore as the characters often feel sluggish and almost unresponsive in heated bouts where quickly moving CPU characters always seem to have the advantage.

Despite the novel ideas, Billy is, at its heart, a fairly normal platformer...but with Sonic Team at the helm, you really can't go wrong.

With NHL 06, EA Sports is revisiting its roots to create a feature-stable game with both style and substance, and it all starts with the controls. Quite simply, they are the most responsive ever. [Oct 2005, p.102]

Painful level grinding aside, Dragon Quest V is a fantastic, innovative experience.

Kain’s modus operandi of grim human slaughter is so distressingly delightful.

With three well-balanced races and a variety of missions and units, Dogs of War offers a compelling playing experience.

Outshines "Splinter Cell" and is one of the best handheld titles out. [Apr 2004, p.86]

An excellent flashback to old-school gaming in its finest hour. [Feb 2006, p.70]

Part of the fun in playing Madden NFL 06 on Xbox 360 is trying to figure out where it fits in the lineage of Madden NFL football games. What's clear is that for all its glitz and glamour it doesn't earn a spot at the front of the line.

This platformer packs undeniable retro charm and some clever gameplay to back it up.

Perhaps the best feature, though, is online multiplayer--at least for PlayStation and Xbox owners. The game's intensity is upped by the human competition, and the standard selection of gameplay modes.

The whole experience feels more like a dedicated group of fans got hold of a level editor rather than a fully equipped second effort.

The visuals and sounds keep up with the pace, although you may be too busy with the controller to notice.

Brings the super stylish world of Marvel comics to life with beautiful and enjoyable results, but ultimately spins a regrettably short Spidey story-mode experience.

A nice middle ground between realism and action.

If you’re pining for the glory days of the NHL series for the Genesis, NHL 2002 does a great job of resurrecting that old charm.

Freekstyle is kept from achieving the classic status of Tricky, however, by some heinous rubber-band A.I.

The sharp graphics and cool sounds add to the entire Bond theme.

A very brief but worthwhile addition to any Castlevania fan’s collection, but the uninitiated may find that the game’s platform-hopping techniques are behind the times.

While having its quirks and love-it-or-hate-it cliched nihilism, it's a game well worth checking out, especially for anyone who sucks up Vampire action movie flicks.

It does misfire in several key areas, but it's still a worthwhile addition to the Metroid canon. Even more interestingly, it showcases the human side of the previously silent bounty hunter, and although her backstory is full of holes and incongruities, it's still an interesting glimpse at the woman who lays hidden beneath the armor.

Not all of the games have aged particularly well. Pit Fighter, Kozmik Kroozr', and Primal Rage are almost unplayable, and the obnoxious taunts of Wizard of Wor will send you scrambling for the mute button. [Dec 2004, p.116]

Fortunately, checkpoints are doled out steadily -- which is good, since missions can last over an hour. Along the same lines, you have to reconcile your play style with what the mission calls for in your loadout: In an escort mission, say, would you rather stay close to the front lines, or provide more backup? You can only carry two guns, and the default pair never felt ideal for me. Here's where you're encouraged to truly experiment, because your performance affects how much you can upgrade stats like combat-readiness or how long you can run without getting winded. It's just too bad that your performance will suffer because you had to babysit your wingmen.

Sim fans will be disappointed with the under-powered defense, but for twitch players, NBA Live 2003 is a dream come true.

Even with its A.I. problems, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance will restore gamers' faith in the pioneering fight series with its amped-up gameplay and delicious visuals.

As difficult as it all sounds, You, Me, and the Cubes is actually one of the few games I can play that actually relaxes me.

While the game has some flaws, the annoying issues with Kinect Sports: Season Two didn't adversely affect my enjoyment of the game. As a Kinect Sports vet, I expected more of the same -- heck, I even wanted it.

The amount of onscreen action and opponents can be daunting yet exhilarating at the same time.

Even if Freaking Inkies only included the default "shoot monsters" mode it'd be pretty fun, but the game's developers have decided to take things a step further and completely stuff the game with enough challenges and game types to keep players busy for much, much longer.

MVP retains the Gold Glove for controls, but the competition has made up ground. [Apr 2005, p.97]

As a conversion, Villains doesn't feel finished. As a sequel, it's simply not enough. But judged alone on its gameplay and design merits, it's a rip-roaring blast.

An interesting “abridged retelling” of Lunar: The Silver Star that’s missing a couple of the original’s most charming aspects...but it’s still a darn good RPG.

MVP executes one element of its game far better than any other title this year: It’s just stone-cold beautiful.

How about a Bra & Panties mode where WWE Divas rip off each other’s clothes? It’s the raunchiest Teen-rated action you’ll find anywhere.

Bumpy Road is a little light on content even for a $3 game, but what's there is finely crafted. Whimsical, melancholy, nostalgic, and beautiful, Bumpy Road represents a thoughtful approach to a well-worn genre.

While it's not for casual folk, the battles are so addictive that hardcore gamers may never need another strategy RPG ever.