Comfortable, basic controls make the game widely accessible.

For an intense night of absolute terror, this game will give you a gaming experience that you won't soon forget.

Offers a great mix of easy accessibility, straightforward style, and pants-wetting excitement.

Last year’s installment still has a lot more replay value and there are plenty of noteworthy soccer alternatives for the GameCube that you can spend your money on.

Jump at the second chance and get this one while you can. There’s no other game like it.

Without any new gameplay developments beyond the Cup (which, in all fairness, should’ve been in FIFA 2002 in the first place), there’s little justification for its full-price $50 tag—it’s more like a $25 add-on pack.

The Xbox version of 2002 has the sharpest visuals of the three platforms...It would have been nice to have more teams and customizable modes.

Arc I is too short; Arc II is rewarding but drags on a bit; and Arc III looks bland. The overall story, though, makes all three worth playing in the long run.

[It] offers giddily satisfying gameplay.

This is one solidly constructed action game that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's called "camp" man. Check it out. [Mar 2002, p.98]

In the realm of today’s high-powered next-gen role-players, BOFII is an excellent time-killer—not to mention one of the better entries in the series.

Love it or hate it, Wrath of Cortex Xbox is more of more of the same.

This may just be the best comic book–based game ever.

An excitingly action-packed, senses-shattering romp that stays closer to its comic book roots than any other handheld game before it.

It’s really just a formulaic 2D platformer at heart—and a short, easy one at that—so if gimmicks and colossal rabbit ears don’t fool ya, stay away.

Deserves attention because of its captivating feel and deep features.

Savage Skies finds a way to creep up your spine...and proves that a little diversity goes a long way.

There’s never been a better action RPG for any system. Yes, it's even better than "Diablo."

Could be worse, but it could also be a lot better.

It's instantly accessible, but lacks the depth and attention to detail that would give it any real longevity...[but] significantly better than BR3 on the PS2. [Apr 2002, p.106]

Regretfully, Army Men RTS’s cleverly conceived combat units and resource system are quickly overrun by deadlier forces: lackluster controls and frustrating gameplay.

The real star of this game is the gameplay, which alternates between great and brilliant.

Tremendous depth, great story, original gameplay-Deus Ex is the kind of game that almost shocks you with how good it is.

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

There’s a lot of game to explore in Driven if you’re dedicated; just be prepared for a steep learning curve.

Pure, unadulterated fun, especially when you’re playing the game with other people.

With a better laid-out world, more cleverly hidden treasures, and a great sense of nonlinearity, The Ancient City is a nice bit of evolution for the series.

The game lives up to its lofty goals, providing a tight, smart tactical game along the lines of the combat in Baldur’s Gate.

A great idea for a game, but it needs refinement in item management and greater variety in the sea and land battles.

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

Navigating through the twists and turns in such diverse environments is exhilarating.

Inexplicably Fun.

One of the messiest, darkest, and most amoral titles to come along in some time. If that doesn’t bother you, you’re in for a treat.

The so-so visual and sound package contributes to the middling quality of the game, too.

If you're not already a master, skip this game and try your luck with the real cards first.

Two-player affairs expose weaknesses in the pitching portion of the matchup, but it’s forgivable since the majority of GBA owners will likely go at it alone.

Button spacing on the GameCube controller is the only real liability as it takes some time to learn not to hit X and A at the same time.

A nostalgia trip worth taking.

Visually, there’s lots to explore on every map, and the characters actually show decent detail. Cool voices and slick weapon effects complete a solid soundtrack.

Utter frustration. Every part of the controller is used, including both analog sticks, which have dual functions. It's nearly impossible to master these controls.

Tries new things with the game’s presentation, but what it really needs is to revamp the fundamentals like the pitching interface and two-player matches.

A ridiculously fun pick-up-and-pummel kind of game. Just don’t buy it expecting a revolution.

Quirky and not for everyone, but it has an engaging charm and an addictive pitcher/batter interface that make it stand out.

A non-stop adrenaline rush, and as a multiplayer game, it is dangerously addictive.

A combat masterpiece.

The beautiful backgrounds and fluid animation of the original are all spot-on.

Fortunately for Spy Hunter, the control problems rarely get in the way of a good time.

The sluggish controls make it hard to maneuver Mister Mosquito from avoiding hand slaps, insect repellent, and everything else that’s thrown at you.

One of the most challenging match-your-fingers-to-the-onscreen-button-presses game since the sub-genre’s conception.

While Hot Shots 3 doesn’t revolutionize the series by any stretch of the imagination, it delivers sweet PS2 graphics and loads of slick refinements that make it another must-play game.

If you're forced to choose, take this version over the more frustrating Xbox one.

There's decent action and above-average variety of gameplay.

The flawed cursor interface gives you little reason to do anything but swing at every ball—in fact, if you take a pitch, the announcers instantly chide you!

SledStorm's controls handle well. The only sore spot, however, is that performing stunts can feel sluggish due to the slow button response.

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.

Just don't expect to get too much fulfillment from the single-player game unless you've recently been lobotomized.

Discovering hidden ghosts and piecing together the mystery of the mansion are almost fun enough to excuse the lame combat controls, but not quite.

A refreshing, original, and compelling twist on the 3D platformer, Herdy Gerdy rises above its potentially dull premise.

With a complex control setup, Knockout Kings 2002 can be frustrating even before the first round ends.

The complex environments from the console games are here, but the small size kills the visual detail, and the 3/4-overhead perspective makes those levels much harder to navigate.

It's the same brilliant game all over again with some new bits. Buy it and be happy.

The only downer to this solid racer is the cumbersome controls.

Though it's not as scientifically challenging as Victorious Boxers, KK 2002 is still a vast improvement over the last one and a satisfyingly addictive slugfest for pro boxing fans.

This zombie hero would have been better off left for dead.

Sooo much to love in terms of graphics, story, and sheer originality, but the endless cycle of insanely difficult die/repeat/whatthehell? gameplay will eventually dominate your experience.

One of those "universally fun" titles that gaming fans of all genres can take to instantly.

Renegade has its assorted other problems, like Gump-level enemy A.I. and somewhat silly mechanics (destroying a building’s master terminal disables the entire building), but the sheer fun of blasting your way through Nod's defenses and just being a badass makes up for a lot.

EA's "NBA Live" has better character models and Microsoft's "Inside Drive" has the best-looking arenas, but Segas NBA 2K2 is the complete package for basketball on the Xbox.

A good brawler disguised as a bad one, and it takes some time to get to the fun underneath.

Though The Fist of Mars features a solid story, the strategy elements are too wan to hold interest for too long, and the lack of a multiplayer mode kills its long-term replay value.

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

A breathtaking experience. From the inimitable graphics to the hypnotically addictive gameplay, it’s captivating on every level.

At the plate, the cursor-assisted hitting is solid, but base-running can be a button-pressing adventure with multiple runners on the bags.

The same frustrating, albeit unique controls remain intact—resulting in the same inconsistent shot making that was felt last year.

Pac-Land has never looked better, cartoonishly but lushly rendered, and full of bright colors and crisp 3D objects.

Despite the nice presentation, there just isn’t very much to do compared with Nintendo’s genre-defining fighter [Super Smash Bros].

A no-holds-barred chariot racer full of originality and pee-in-your-pants combat.

And let’s not forget the "What th-?!" reaction you'll have when you complete the fourth level and the game’s credits start rolling!

Transcending PaRappa, this Japanese import combines innovative control with a hot soundtrack for a frustrating yet addictive experience.

One of the better 'toon-to-game adaptations you're likely to find.

You can see everything the game has to offer in an hour or two, and similarly, the two-player split-screen mode gets boring very quickly.

If FIFA isn't quite realistic enough for your taste, WTS should scratch your soccer itch with its tight, sim-style gameplay and solid lineup of features, which includes custom teams, season play, the World Cup, and a variety of other cups.

It was hard enough to put the game down long enough to write this review, if that tells you anything. Pirates might lack graphical “oomph,” but it’s fun.

Despite these imperfections, though, UFC: Tapout still reigns victorious.

New Legends could go down as one of the best bad games ever made.

Street’s sensational gameplay deftly combines competitive hoops and slick moves and dunks without delving into the realm of Jam’s absurd acrobatics.

The controls, while exhaustive in their scope, suffer from too much complexity, and skating and checking never quite feel right.

A very fun game whose premise wears thin a bit too fast. However, you’ll have a blast with it before you reach the saturation point.

Raw has all the pomp and circumstance of the WWF without all the good gameplay and fun that drove older WWF titles.

Half of High Heat 2003's thrills come from its intuitive, playable controls. Fielding and baserunning are a snap (though manual slides would have rocked), and the pitching/batting setup is one of the best ever.

The challenging action platformer fans have been waiting for, but it's not too tough for newcomers. Excellent. [March 2002, p.94]

Racer Revenge looks more like a first-generation PS2 game, complete with draw-in and bland environments. The sounds can be just as dull.

Aside from the camera-angle blemish, Sonic 2 for the Gamecube is still loads of fun.

It's a must-have for the Game Boy Advance, and proof positive that great game design transcends technology and time.

The addition of an Impact Player, who can be reassigned on the fly, offers more user control and can entirely change the flow of a play.

The addition of an extended two-player mode and a vast assortment of collectible enemy-trouncing Power Jewels give it a big bonus edge.

Solid audio effects round out the aesthetic package, but the obnoxious music score is best left silent.

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.