Excellent control scheme with key tweaks makes the gameplay versatile and very fun.

The simple, but challenging gameplay will suck you in.

A fun, good-looking ride, but it could've been much better with more opponents, a little smack talk, and gameplay beyond checkpoint racing.

If you want to experience the thrill of pure speed, you'd best look elsewhere.

A very fast-paced game that will test an action gamer's reflexes to the limit, especially on the harder difficulty levels.

A perfect sitting around the living room, talking smack with your buddies, everyone's involved party game.

For fighting enthusiasts, DOA2 Hardcore is the first must have game for the PlayStation 2. End of story.

Although you have great control over the type of swing, the swing meter takes some getting used to, and its speed often seems arbitrary.

With a ton of tricks, parks, and game modes, and the included park editor, THPS2 provides a great gaming experience with tons of replay value.

Does a decent job of giving gamers some off-road action, but the graphics aren't up to PS2 standards, and the racing isn't as deep as it could be.

Combines a wealth of visual power with extra gameplay modes, creating hours of intense gameplay.

The replay value isn't as high as it could be, but no doubt, Ridge Racer V is a fantastic game that sports excellent graphics and has some very fun racing action.

A sports gamer's dream come true. The potent combination of smooth fast graphics, excellent gameplay options, and a tough as nails AI, makes this hockey game king of the rink.

Overall, the physics find a solid balance between fantasy and reality, and the smooth controls make running contraband an addictive experience.

They've definitely provided you with huge maps on which to race and some tough opponents to race against, but the whole city looks drab and plain.

A wild, chaotic, and intense strategy game as much as it is an action title, so those of you who've always wanted to be a war hero can strap on some armor and get to it.

Skillful hands have crafted a story that's surreal and spooky, deep, and intriguing. Majora's Mask will keep you glued to your N64 for a long, long time.

A good start for PS2 RPGs, but lacks the polish, artistry, and refined story line of some recent PlayStation RPGs.

While "SSX" offers more arcade-style gameplay, Konami wants to slam you into the snowboarder's world harder than a botched Frontside Indy.

The graphics are clean and bright, but clearly representative of a first generation game, and the music, aside from a few levels, is uninspired.

A solid title that gets kudos for strong action and replay value. Giant-robot fans will want it -- others should, at the very least, rent it

Aside from a few minor frustrations, this game is definitely one you should put some time into.

Fun while it lasts.

An awesome new first-person shooter with the chops and options to tangle with the best.

With some of the best graphics the PS2 is likely to see in a sports game this year, Madden NFL 2001 also has the gameplay to back up the window dressing and a fat selection of options to tweak the game to your liking.

While some who prefer more traditional gameplay might not like Orphen's action adventure twist, it still has a compelling storyline, interesting characters, and a good dose of fun.

Even though it doesn't push the envelope, X Squad is a unique and very entertaining ride.

While the prospect of running around, blowing the hell out of space arachnids starts off as a blast, a lack of variety, the fact that you can't save your games mid-mission, and a camera that actually serves as a One Ring-sized gameplay burden ensure that the fun won't last for long.

The wild characters are hilarious, the gameplay is incredibly fun, and the graphics are excellent.

If you are starving for some snow shredding action, jump on it, but if you are looking for some cutting edge carves, hold off for "SSX."

Another masterpiece from DreamWorks and EA. Captivating graphics and sound combine with relentless, addictive action to deliver one of the year's best games.

While it's not an instant classic, it is a cathartic and chaotic speed-based wreck-em-up, and motor-mayhem fans will love it.

It delivers more great city building action with enough twists on the genre to keep fans playing for hours on end.

The game plays great with the standard Dreamcast control pad as long as you switch the "fire" button to the Left shift button and of course you can use the DC keyboard and Mouse for PC-perfect play.

The gameplay is nothing new, but the engrossing story and intense action will keep you playing for hours.

What little it lacks in gameplay sits UT a close second to Eidos' excellent "TimeSplitters."

Although the game doesn't have a two player mode or the same "wow" factor that "Sega Bass Fishing" did when it hit the stores, Sega Marine Fishing is a fun diversion for those times when you'd rather carry a pole than a gun or sword.

Graphically, EX3 is mediocre (compared to "Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore" and "Tekken Tag Tournament"), with its unrealistic, blocky characters and sparkly effects.

If you want a game that's more tailored to individual play rather than team cooperation, then NBA Live is a great choice.

A fun diversion, but it's not particularly deep.

It's one of the best games to come out for the PlayStation in 2000.

Despite some clunky combat, Blair Witch Volume 1: Rustin Parr is a delightfully spooky game with some clever puzzles and well worth the twenty bucks.

JPB has less extremely frustrating platform-hopping than the original, but an important part of the newest incarnation still involves pinpoint leaping that occasionally verges on maddening.

All anyone really needs to know however is that 3rd Strike looks great, plays great, sounds great and is the definitive version of the SFIII series.

Overly realistic controls are unforgiving, turning tiny slip-ups into disasters.

The control scheme is hellish, as the goofy camera angles and slippery controls make it tough to track the frantic action.

Graphically, Dino Crisis 2 boasts some of the best work the old PS will ever have to offer, with great CG flowing near seamlessly into the action the player controls.

Excellent controls, AI, and graphics make this hockey game a must have.

RPG fans looking for a change of pace from "Baldur's Gate II" and who are willing to overlook a few flaws may want to give Wizards & Warriors a chance.

A good game with beautiful graphics, an interesting story, and clever puzzles, but a few flaws prevent it from being the amazing game it could have been.

There's some good fun to be had in Destruction Derby Raw, just don't expect it to blow your tires off.

NHL 2001 takes this year's PlayStation Championship (against Sony's "FaceOff"), but it was a tight seven game showdown.

BLSC's camera movement is an immediate hurl-inducing experience: the camera swoops around like a roller coaster gone mad.

All in all, despite the less than stellar PC graphics, Metal Gear Solid remains an intense gaming experience with a gripping story and heart-stopping action.

The best RPG action the PC has to offer.

You'll either immerse yourself in truly mastering one of the world's most powerful sports cars, or you'll find this about as much fun as taking your driver's test.

Music is absent from the game, but you probably won't notice that either with the sounds of revving engines, squealing tires, and flying trashcans filling your ears.

With its high production value, smart level design, and impressive story, STVEF is simply one of the finest first-person shooters to come out this year.

If you have something you need to get done right now, a paper, a report, just hold off on buying this game until you're finished because other tasks don't stand a chance when playing THPS2 is an option.

Features all the addictive multi-player mayhem of its previous incarnations, but the impact is slightly diminished by limited one-player games and inexplicable load times.

Simply the best air combat action the PC has to offer.

In no way flawless, but once you get the hang of it, it's a fun game.

Suffers from poor graphics and loose execution.

The latest Blitz for the Dreamcast is not a huge improvement over the last one, but there is enough here for true Blitz fans to pick up the sequel.

It's fun enough, but it's definitely not dangerous.

While the gameplay remains the same, the new features and improvements make Cataclysm even more enjoyable the original.

A rockin' soundtrack along with quality sound effects and voice acting add to the production value, but can't improve the gameplay.

With improvements made over the already incredible "NFL 2K," this year's NFL game on the Dreamcast is all a football fan could wish for.

With tons of multiplayer options, cool new technological levels, and two slightly different characters to try, the new "Turok" should offer enough to keep you busy when you're tired of "Perfect Dark."

Excellent track design, sweet graphics, and big replay value make Rush 2049 the best arcade racer for the Dreamcast.

It shows a lot more polish and precision than previous versions, and will give you hours of hard checking NHL and international team competition.

Even though it's yet another take on Tetris, Pokemon Puzzle League has enough game modes to give it extra depth, and learning the art of advanced chains and combos will take a long time.

Like the PlayStation version, the game requires a specific tempo to your button presses, and it's very difficult to gauge correctly.

Be warned, some parts will frustrate you to the point of anger, but there's no shame in infinite continues.

The scariest thing about this game is how awful it is.

An evil off-road ATV racer that will sap the happiness and energy out of all who play it.

You've never played a fighting game or wrestling title like this. UFC is the best man-to-man combat title ever, on any system.

If you want a simple pick-up-and-play racer keep looking. If you know a bit about cars and want a game to spend some serious time on, then look no further than Sega GT.

If you didn't like the original game, this expansion probably won't change your mind, but if you loved "The Sims," then "Livin' Large" will have you lovin' it even more.

The thrill of victory is fun for a while, but the agony of repetition wears away the Fun Factor.

Offers a ton of new elements to keep you glued to your screen for hours. Whether playing against the computer or online, "The Conquerors" improves an already fantastic game.

Pat Summerall does a good job with the play calling and the color commentary from Madden himself is amusing at times but quickly becomes repetitive.

Capcom has managed to amaze, astound, and confuse with this new entry into the console party/fighting game genre.

Excellent commentary by Pat Summeral and John Madden coupled with some nice music in the menu system and good layer sounds make this game music to your ears.

Taken with a healthy dose of tolerance, D-2 really shouldn't be a bad game to add to your collection..

A good college football package that doesn't dazzle, but makes the grade.

Could have been a bit better, had the control been tighter and the tracks more interesting, but as it is, you're better off playing any of the myriad mascot kart-racers out there.

A good story, engaging characters, a vast array of magic elements and weapons, and a beautiful world that can be explored in two dimensions.

If you're looking for a good General Manager mode or freewheeling gridiron action, you might want to give "GameDay 2001" a try-out.

Save your money for "SmackDown 2" or any of THQ's other upcoming wrestling titles.

It is rare that a game this difficult can be this entertaining, but Ecco delivers the goods with a huge splash.

If you're a stickler for time, or actually want to keep your REAL pets alive, then Seaman may find himself flushed down the toilet.

It's a great game that makes you think before you act, a welcome change from all the fast action games of today.

Heavy Metal FAKK 2"will give you a good dose of fun while you're playing, although it is a bit short and there isn't any multiplayer to extend the game value.

Most console wrestling fans are used to more depth and control in their games, and this arcade title only skims the surface.

The real standout feature that sets this game apart is how players must manage their forces not only on the planet's surface, but also in the asteroid orbit above, and in the deep tunnels and caverns below.

It's not a gold medal winner, but it finishes the PlayStation invitational with a bronze.

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