What makes this Star Fox even more appealing besides frantically avoiding asteroids and out maneuvering opponents is the outstanding visual presentation. Space never looked so sharp.

The combat sequences are the undisputed highlight, and much of the game puts on a great show...just be prepared for stretches of frustration while sneaking around. [Feb 2005, p.74]

In the end, fans of Tekken will simply ask, "Why?" [Apr 2005, p.80]

Make no mistake; this is the definitive version of KOTOR II.

Putting on a three-man aerial show is about as tough as it sounds, but making the Gamebreakers controllable definitely improves the strategic aspects of the game. [March 2005, p.84]

Putting on a three-man aerial show is about as tough as it sounds, but making the Gamebreakers controllable definitely improves the strategic aspects of the game. [March 2005, p.84]

As for controls, combat and inventory-sorting are quick and clean. Spellcasting can be frustrating, though, as aiming projectiles is often a trial-by-error process. [March 2005, p.90]

Team stats overall are better balanced (not blatantly favoring South American and European teams), selection of International teams more diverse, and the Master League mode is easier to delve into.

It's still a winner - but this time by a very narrow margin.

Unfortunately, the enjoyment can't keep up, likely resulting in a premature ejection of the game from your console... but remember: It happens to nearly every gamer at some point.

A unique beast, a first-person "shooter" that emphasizes brains over blazing guns. It's great to see Lorne Lanning and the Oddworld Inhabitants back in fine form & even if it's not quite the form you would have expected.

Unfortunately, the enjoyment can't keep up, likely resulting in a premature ejection of the game from your console&but remember: It happens to nearly every gamer at some point.

Fun at first, but soon becomes repetitive-both in terms of the Punisher's actions and the criminals' voice responses. Add to that weak graphics and animation, as well as not enough opportunities to "enjoy" Punisher's originality, and you end up with an adventure that turns a bit stale too quickly.

Fun at first, but soon becomes repetitiveboth in terms of the Punisher's actions and the criminals' voice responses. Add to that weak graphics and animation, as well as not enough opportunities to "enjoy" Punisher's originality, and you end up with an adventure that turns a bit stale too quickly.

It's hard to ignore everything that's wrong with Suikoden IV--add them all together, and they result in an RPG that feels three years old out of the box.

Continually trying to properly center the cam, however, frequently places you in harm's way. Until you put some serious time into the game, you'll be blown away more often than you like from unseen foes off-screen.

If RE4 has any problem, it goes on a little too long (it spans two discs), with one boss battle and plot twist too many. However, there's an extensive reward system, including unlockable content that adds excellent replay value.

The great sound effects from the booming explosions and roaring jet engines from above greatly add to the war-torn ambiance, too.

Going backwards instead of forwards in the timeline was a masterstroke - it's totally satisfying for fans and does nothing but stoke the fires for the forward-looking, new GameCube tale coming in 2005.

The great sound effects from the booming explosions and roaring jet engines from above greatly add to the war-torn ambiance, too.

While there's occasional pop-up and clipping, those glitches are trumped by smooth animation and incredible explosions. When an enemy Mech is trashed, the bright blast lights up the screen and ripples the surrounding terrain in the most satisfyingly way.

NFL Street 2 remains a ton of fun. It lays out more features, more gameplay, and more outrageousness than any other freaky football variation ever, and if it's not careful it might become as complex as a real football game.

It lays out more features, more gameplay, and more outrageousness than any other freaky football variation ever, and if it's not careful it might become as complex as a real football game.

Since the controls almost never change from character to character, there's very little difference between all the fighters-you've seen one, you've seen 'em all, in other words.

Playing missions with another human player (instead of the brain-dead A.I. ally you usually get) makes things far easier at the start, giving you a chance to learn basic battle strategy without dying every other moment.

Expectations for its follow-up were lofty, and though Viewtiful Joe 2 is a total blast, the new features it introduces don't stack up against its reliance on rehashed ideas enough to keep you from feeling you've tread this path before.

Oh yeah, if you can motivate yourself enough to finish both characters' stories, a secret, you unlock a chess game and secret character. Whoop-dee-doo.

The outcome: a lesson in how not to use the touch screen in games. You'll immediately feel like you're in a round of bumper cars as you automatically swerve from side to side. You literally have no control in this manner.

Conceptually, Chain of Memories is a good idea but when awkward hybrid gameplay meets plotlines based on afterthought ideas, it's just a perplexing mess.

Simplicity works both and for against BFME: on one hand it's appealing to the less hardcore, on the other it may leave those who enjoyed more complex games like "Kohan II" yearning for a bit more.

Too many Japanese RPGs include tons of fighting at the expense of a believable plot and characters. KOTOR II bucks the trend by making every battle a natural progression of an engaging story--and just like the first game, it's a story you'll want to play twice, just to see how much insidious fun being a Dark Jedi can be.

On their own they pose no real threat to players of average skill, but pit four such players against one another and watch the tension grow.

Exigo's multileveled gameplay is a good first step in an interesting direction, but unfortunately, that's not always enough to compete in the brutally competitive RTS genre. With more tweaking, Armies of Exigo could definitely give Blizzard a run for its money. [Dec 2004, p.126]

The character is easy to control, but learning the large quantity of combos makes for a highly rewarding game.

If you like to think just a bit more and still have a good time, then dig yourself a hole with Mr. Driller.

The game isn't flawless, nor is it technically finished - a good many quests fall into a "kill 20 of enemy X and collect 9 of item Y" pattern, a lot of promised end-game content still isn't in, and there are still bugs being squashed - but it's easily the closest MMORPGs have yet come to perfection. If this one doesn't hook you, nothing will.

Alien Hominids control scheme doesn't allow for players to fire diagonally. Also, the console version is intended for 2 players--single player games are frustratingly hard due to the cheap AI.

Rogue Agent will leave you shaken and stirred. [Feb 2005, p.72]

Each gameplay aspect has its own place, joyously gelling together to create a diverse but pleasant experience.

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.

Rogue Agent will leave you shaken and stirred. [Feb 2005, p.72]

Alien Hominids control scheme doesn't allow for players to fire diagonally. Also, the console version is intended for 2 players--single player games are frustratingly hard due to the cheap AI.

You can never get enough of a classic. Super Mario 64 is essentially here with enough DS goodies to make a compelling dual-screen package.

Don't expect a re-invention of the wheel and you'll be provided for; otherwise here's hoping that the hinted-at third installment will be a bit more inventive.

Snake Eater revives the spirit of the first Solid, with an intriguing scenario, intense action, and a long adventure that stays riveting almost every step of the way--all wrapped in high-gloss cinematic cut-scenes and voice-overs that could have come from any A-action film.

The controls are excellent, and the game never slows down even with hordes of savages attacking you at once.

Maybe the option that tips the scales for you is Madness's all-mascot teams. [Jan 2005, p.106]

At $19.99 this game is the best steal in videogame basketball. The top-rated basketball action offers just the right mix for players, coaches, and budding athletic directors alike.

And to have the ability to see all 22 players on the field at one time as well as have the kick meter on the lower screen is more of a novelty than a practicality.

Asphalt's downfall is its off-balance racing. The addition of turbo boosts just doesn't make sense in this particular race.

Maybe the option that tips the scales for you is Madness's all-mascot teams. [Jan 2005, p.106]

At $19.99 this game is the best steal in videogame basketball.

The way things fly, catch fire, and fall not only carries consequences that add weight to your war of the worlds, but also creates situations that reward guile, guts, and instinct... Everything about Half-Life 2 is remarkable.

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.

With sloppy production values, insane load times, sub-par graphics and sound, and gameplay that irrevocably evolves into: grapple, counter, super, grapple, counter, super, this game isn't even worth the rental fee.

But playing this game live on the console systems lacks the finesse and speed to which you're accustomed. Lag is apparent everywhere, from watching other players float across the ground to empting an entire magazine into a foe at close range with no effect.

Too routine to stand out from the crowd--especially for Capcom fighting vets. After a few rounds, you should be more than satisfied.

The weak Story mode is the only blemish on what's otherwise the best DBZ game yet.

More than any other launch title Feel the Magic was conceived and constructed to fully express the unique technological potential of the DS, and its Wario-inspired mini-games require quick reflexes, pinpoint accuracy, a steady hand, strong lungs, and a healthy sense of the absurd to successfully complete.

The most prominent problem Spider-Man 2 suffers from is its convoluted indoor levels. Oftentimes, you need to search areas for a set number of criminals to bop or hostages to free. But without a map to consult, too much time is spent frustratingly backtracking and combing through every nook and cranny you've already visited.

But playing this game live on the console systems lacks the finesse and speed to which you're accustomed. Lag is apparent everywhere, from watching other players float across the ground to empting an entire magazine into a foe at close range with no effect.

Gone is the non-linear design of each mission. Each objective is now clearly marked one after another, eliminating secondary (optional) objectives and different ways of approaching a target, which were key and exciting components in the original Ghost Recon game.

With sloppy production values, insane load times, sub-par graphics and sound, and gameplay that irrevocably evolves into: grapple, counter, super, grapple, counter, super, this game isn't even worth the rental fee.

While the Time Sweeper platformer aspect of the game is tight, the Tom Tom pig gameplay is where Blinx 2 really shines.

The greatest feature in Baten Kaitos may be the fact that you can fight and travel as freely as you like.

With so many inconsistencies, Finest Hour just doesn't live up to its PC forefather. Alone on the consoles, this is one World War II moment that's better rented than bought.

An outstanding sequel in all aspects. It offers a lot of new and fun features, yet the game doesn't move away from the core gameplay that made the first Underground so popular, which is pure adrenaline street racing.

Simply put, Underground 2 is an outstanding sequel in all aspects. It offers a lot of new and fun features, yet the game doesn't move away from the core gameplay that made the first Underground so popular, which is pure adrenaline street racing.

Visually, MP 2's dazzling, organic-looking environments represent a quantum leap for console-based shooters.

So while Konami succeeded at building a simple but graphically enticing fighter, it failed to create anything but an average game with a penchant for g-strings and larger than usual cup-sizes.

It's all about presentation, and Jak 3 presents the action in an engaging, meaningful way that keeps you glued to the very end. [Dec 2004, p.100]

Urbz offers a nice, fresh twist on the Sims experience, for both veterans and newbies alike. Yet, despite seeing the goofy characters in a new fish tank, there isn't enough freshness throughout to keep you down wid it. It's not bad, it's just not baaad-you feel me?

There's no doubt that it's yet another improvement on the concept. The game rocks...and so will you. [Dec 2004, p.118]

While it does offer some features, including the fact that it's the only hockey title with Wayne as a playable skater, the overall gameplay just can't compete with the other two titles due to Gretzky's stiff-looking animations, limited control options, and suspect A.I. [Dec 2004, p.146]

The multiplayer promises to elevate Halo 2 online gameplay to "Counter-Strike" status with the added attraction of Xbox Live full voice support.

Despite seeing the goofy characters in a new fish tank, there isn't enough freshness throughout to keep you down wid it. It's not bad, it's just not baaad…you feel me?

Urbz offers a nice, fresh twist on the Sims experience, for both veterans and newbies alike. Yet, despite seeing the goofy characters in a new fish tank, there isn't enough freshness throughout to keep you down wid it. It's not bad, it's just not baaad…you feel me?

EverQuest II a metric crapload of game, to be sure-complex, huge, versatile, and lots of fun with friends, but slow-paced and visually schizophrenic. When Norrath calls, you'd better be prepared to give a very long answer.

Nintendo's got the party magic when it comes to four-player multiplayer good-times, too. No matter how you might manhandle the A.I., playing with your pals is the best way to enjoy this tennis match.

What this FPS game lacks in antagonistic aliens and demons from hell, it more than makes up with good old-fashioned gunplay and an unbeatable theatric presentation.

It's a serviceable game, but it doesn't excel in any regard.

While this third adventure is pretty much more of the same, you also get online gameplay that's guaranteed to keep you blasting on well into the future. [Dec 2004, p.98]

The game is also a trying experience online. Apparent lag, even though you're playing on broadband, is everywhere. Character animations are limited and it's difficult to target someone from long distance.

It takes more than formulaic adventuring and dusty turn-based combat to craft a role-playing title worthy of the LOTR name.

Simply put, if you're already a fan of 2D fighters, you'll love what Guilty Gear Isuka has to offer. [Dec 2004, p.110]

Merely an interesting take on The Lord of the Rings license instead of the great game it could have been. [Jan 2005, p.103]

It's hard to find fault with the concept behind Third Age; from a marketing perspective, Final Fantasy and LOTR probably seemed like a perfect match. But you can't crudely shoehorn two disconnected franchises together without bringing something unique and worthwhile to the table.

It takes more than formulaic adventuring and dusty turn-based combat to craft a role-playing title worthy of the LOTR name.

An adequate entry into the emerging Vietnam-sub genre that offers plenty of simplistic shooting fun, but fails to capture the depth and grandeur of similar titles like "Battlefield Vietnam" or even "Call of Duty" despite the obvious inclusion of so much historical information.

It's worth going through the hacking and slashing to get to all the winking and nodding. [Dec 2004, p.154]

San Andreas's chief advantage over "Vice City" is size. And for many players, that's good enough. But another group of fans will come to quietly understand that, at least for the time being, "Vice City" remains the high point of the GTA series.

The good news is that piecing 'coasters and parks together is easier than ever; between the flexible camera controls and the effortless new terrain-building tools, RCT 3 squeezes tremendous functionality out of its elegant drag-and-drop interface.

The exhilaration of getting the enemy in your sights and squeezing the trigger still hasn't worn out, even despite its similarities to "Forgotten Battles."

The brilliant level design in this game doesn't take center stage when it comes to eye-popping visuals. There are now many more reasons to drool over your favorite female fighter.

For veterans, it'll feel like the same gameplay found in all previous Ace Combat games--and that's not necessarily a bad thing considering this is a shooter that's still worthy of sitting in first class.

Part of the fun is watching everyone's humorous club swings and listening to their foul mouths after shanking a ball. Sadly, the jokes start repeating after the front nine. [Nov 2004, p.140]

Playing Otogi 2 not only reconfirmed our opinion of the original, but it also disappointed us as it's nearly just as constrained. [Nov 2004, p.108]

As a bonus (although some would see this as a reason to buy the game), TRON 2.0 also includes the full versions of both the original "TRON" arcade game and the "Discs of TRON" arcade game. Control in both is spot on, with "Discs of TRON" using the shoulder buttons for targeting.