The game could've benefited from online play and maybe just a little more touching up on some problems with the moves, but overall it's definitely got the thing for bling-bling.

Just average. There's almost no diversity in available forces, and very few things are upgradeable. The graphics are fair, but are blown out of the water by recent entries. Sound is tolerable, but just there as filler.

Northland would have been a great primer for new RTS fans if it wasn't so complicated. Population growth and logistical issues too often distract the player from the overall goal of the mission.

The single player aspects are only entertaining for a short period of time, and even in multiplayer the game can't compare to "Super Smash Brothers." It can be a worthy purchase, but only if you have a group of friends, a multi-tap, and no GameCube.

But we can't deny reality, and when clearly superior versions of the same game exist, it's hard to recommend this one.

The amount of time required before discovering the nuances that make Final Fantasy XI such an intriguing world for fans of the massive multiplayer online role playing game genre is gargantuan. As such, this isn't a game for the masses, but for the diehards.

Forget about the delayed FPS juggernauts of "Half-Life 2" and "Doom3," and spend your hard earned dinero on a game that is as spectacularly beautiful and brilliantly executed as any FPS ever.

There are a few stunning moments (i.e., the whole train sequence), but in the end there simply isn't anything innovative about the single player game.

A gritty, top-notch, five-star effort that redefines stealth action gaming- again. If the single player missions don't keep your questionable video game skills in check, then the online multiplayer most definitely will.

ASB 2005 really doesn't offer anything that will attract new fans or that will set it apart from its competitors.

The battles are fast-paced and frenetic as ever, the programming is rock solid, the graphics are eye-popping, and blood is spilling all over the place.

The game isn't quite on a level with EA's "MVP Baseball 2004," but it does compete (which is saying a lot when you look at last year's installment) and it's fully capable of providing you with hours of entertainment.

A terribly flawed shooter that won't evoke that many good memories, only the wish to find a SNES console and a copy of the game to play it the way it was originally intended.

While the story is entertaining, it never takes off and soars the way it could have. It's a very generic shooter with a gimmick, but that gimmick's cool enough to last you to the end.

Vietnam has all the great play elements 1942 had, and the addition of more varied aircraft such as attack choppers coupled with more technologically advanced weapons provide enough spice to make the games distinct.

It's great for the first 30 minutes, but after that you'll be ready to move on to something else.

If you haven't played the series before, I would recommend getting the older titles first.

Not a masterpiece by any means, but good ninja fun.

The experience is over too quickly, and with barely anything to unlock it's a big question mark as to whether its $39.99 price is justified.

Had the graphics been retouched a bit, the pace been picked up, the sound been reworked, and multiplayer been considered, this could've been the luxury yacht of war games.

Significantly better than the previous installment, and it's one of the best baseball titles I've played in years.

Gamers looking for a title with incredible gameplay, an engrossing story, cinematic goodness and a rough and tough commando should look no further.

Puzzle gaming at its best. [GameDaily Kids]

There are a ton of great ideas here, but they were all executed badly. What we have is an utter mess of wasted potential.

The fact that the game looks as glorious as it does and plays wonderfully makes Colin McRae Rally 04 a must-have. The fact that it's available for a small $20 price tag would pretty much say it's a crime not to own it.

It's a repetitive title that requires little strategy on the part of the player, other than planning when to take the caffeine pills to stay awake through the next "battle".

Thanks to its lacking multiplayer features, it really just seems to be short-term entertainment, although that short-term can be a blast for one player.

The gameplay holds together fine, the graphics look great enough to keep the game moving, and you got to love being able to go online and rub a wheelie in an opponent's face.

Beyond frustrating. It incites rage instead of happiness. Having to tell someone to shoot a monster that's right in front of them is just ridiculous, but telling Rio to run and watching her die because she did something else is just unacceptable.

If repetitive gameplay, pop up, fog, and a corny story are what we're to expect from the Square Enix merger, they shouldn't have bothered. The game reeks first generation, and the failed attempt to mix genres only added to the game's overall sloppiness.

It reminds us of what hardcore gaming is really all about, and digs deep into our senses as we rip from room to room, collecting items and slashing the living hell out of whatever moves in an attempt to prove your ninjahood and uphold the honor of your fallen clan. It isn't perfect, but what it has to offer shouldn't be ignored.

Controls are easy to pick up, and completing the modes and learning new tricks is fun. But after awhile, it feels quite repetitive and when you beat it, there's not much reason to play more.

The sheer amount of ways you can put your officers and troops to use in each turn is extremely daunting at the start, but if you're the type that gets sucked in by these types of titles, you'll be ruling China before you know it.

Those familiar with the Pitfall name and legacy are probably going to want to take a pass, as the game has taken a turn into typical cutesy platforming action.

It just really fails to excite you in the long run, despite the production team's efforts to keep you hooked.

The difficulty level has arguably been cranked up a notch, but with a little patience and perseverance, the game is a joy to play. Add to this a new graphics engine and an even more engrossing Master League, and winning becomes the operative word in the game's title.

Presentation and action mesh together for a great time, and even though the multiplayer lacks, it still puts your license to kill to good use.

The most tightened, thrilling, and entertaining MX game to date.

Challenging opponents, extended "tate" combos, and difficulty settings for any skill level make for extensive replay value and plenty to like in Nightshade.

The game has a tendency to drag on, and it doesn't take long to realize that all four teams are almost identical.

While complete in packaging, still feels like a shallow product, as the energy of the arcade game still isn't accurately captured.

It's sour grapes of sorts because it's a tease at what we really want: An online version where thousands of players can explore the world and battle each other.

At a scant four hours for this gamer, the great experience of the game is extremely short-lived. After the straight ports we're used to from Nintendo and their GBA development, Metroid: Zero Mission is a breath of fresh air (even for a "remake"), but it shows there's still a way to go.

The graphics are outstanding, the teamwork aspects are unique and enjoyable, and even in single player there's fun to be had. On the other hand, using the Game Boy Advance can be a hassle from time to time.

This PS2 monster is insanely difficult and action-packed, full of bizarre monsters, both robotic and organic and you have a plethora of weapons to destroy them with.

New characters and the ability to customize your weapons and armor add to the title, but it's still very much the same game.

Loaded with new little gameplay quirks that enhance the formula and a great new array of neat level designs and enemies to beat, it's a sequel that's to be appreciated.

The gameplay's been tweaked but not really improved, and the game doesn't have a single aspect that propels it into the competition. This Auto's out of gas.

It has stylish gameplay that never really gets old (LATERAL CITY!), graphics that are stunning, sound that fits the mood, and extras aplenty.

The stop and stutter gameplay makes completing Sonic Heroes and exercise in frustration, and when you couple that with some ridiculous boss battles, horrible voice acting and a nasty camera, it wouldn't surprise me if gamers snub Sega's effort and reject Sonic for the industry's better crafted platformers.

The nonlinear gameplay, extreme environment interaction and first person perspective create a world different from the standard role-playing game, and that's like a breath of fresh air for those tired of straightforward and clichéd titles.

The graphics are extremely old, which detracts from the game's enjoyment, and there is an overall unfinished feeling to this title.

The fact that this game turned out to be as fun and engaging as it is really amazes me.

While there's nothing here that hasn't been done in other games like "Re-Volt," the graphics and physics make this game worth a look.

A masterpiece that will tickle the spines of even the most courageous survival horror fan.

The lack of refinement and execution hold the game back from being frightening and that's not a good thing.

Like Gundam? Game = Good. Don't Know Gundam? Game = OK. Don't Like Gundam? Game = Makes You Sad.

The best game you've never heard of. It's also the first game I've been officially addicted to in over a year, and I play a lot of games, so that should tell you something.

Has the kind of creativity and zaniness that makes for a good spot in your game library, and its gameplay can't be beat when it all comes together during the duration of the game.

The game isn't perfect, and suffers from some oddities here and there, like some "stuck" moments in level design, lack of originality, and, uh, Vanessa Carlton, but otherwise, it's definitely worth checking out.

It's still a solid game if you've never played it before, with a stirring storyline and a few shocks, but otherwise it's just the same old Evil.

The story mode is so razor thin and pointless I didn't know who the enemy was, and after breezing through most of the game, to have the last decisive battle be beyond difficult (because of the controls) made the game very unbalanced.

Prince of Persia includes innovative new gameplay features, jaw-dropping graphics and camera work, and a 'boomin' soundtrack, which all combine to give players of all levels and tastes hours and hours of fun.

It has a hilarious story with wonderful characters, but the lackluster graphics, twitchy gameplay and repetitive levels make this just another mediocre shooter.

Some of the AI responses seem pretty stupid. Enemies don't appear to be very good at fighting, and will generally stand in place to shoot you. They won't duck behind cover or retreat.

Feels like a Rolex knockoff. It seems to have everything that a game needs to be an RTS, but it's simply not fun. The game is boring, from the uninspired characters to the lackluster plot.

Even though it's a bit on the short side, Sword of Mana offers above average gameplay with nary a string attached.

The bowling system is alright but not as challenging as it needed to be, and multiplayer games actually get tedious. Seems like a digital gutter ball, really.

Sure, there should've been more channels and things to interact with, but the pet Pikachu, Pichu Bros. episode, Pokemon minis and the near infinite amount of pictures to color make this a mandatory purchase.

While the game is well designed and looks pretty good, it is incredibly hard and has some performance issues. An adventure game should be challenging, but not require a Ph.D. in astrophysics to beat.

An intense cinematic masterpiece that's good to the last bullet.

What's the deal with Moon Patrol? Here was a classic game that was included on previous Midway releases but not here? This is a substantially good game and really should have been included.

An ideal history lesson and a fun way to waste a few evenings with classic gaming as the focus. It's not as good as other collections, but still gets the job done.

Ultramix seems to be the finest home edition yet. Packing new multiplayer features, a dance editor, downloadable goodies from Xbox Live, and the typical great DDR presentation, it simply can not be beat.

Though not without its flaws, the stylish presentation is such a unique departure from most standard FPS games, and the storyline was so superb, that I was able to put those minor flaws aside and thoroughly enjoy the game.

The phenomenal use of sound and the "snuff" executions are exceptional, and the attention to detail in both the environments, the gangs, hell, even the instruction booklet is top notch.

What do you get when you cross a really bad FPS with a sloppy 3D fighter? A coaster. Fugitive Hunter is a holiday embarrassment and should be avoided at all costs.

The game suffers from things like a simplified feeling in terms of the ability to develop the characters, poor music choice, and lack of updated graphics.

The PC version, long in waiting, takes advantage of system abilities to give you an immersive game that will leave you friendless, jobless and girlfriendless from the first time you play until you finish the game.

If you're looking for a stripped-down, arcade-style approach to the usually arduous and otherwise inaccessible air combat genre, a "third person air shooter" if you will, then you won't want to let SWON take off without you!

Essentially a straight port of the PC mod, only without the PC benefits such as mouse/keyboard play and downloadable maps to extend the gameplay. These lack of additions don't justify the $50 price tag.

Offers the complete racing experience, with phenomenal graphics, the world's finest cars, exciting gameplay, and the best Live implementation on Xbox. This is without a doubt my favorite racing game ever.

The best game made this year. It combines every necessary element to achieve one of the most innovative and entertaining games ever created.

Even though, at its core, Metal Arms isn't too different from most other run 'n gun games, the variety of mission types keeps this title from getting old.

Easily the funniest game this generation, and is good platforming fun...Unfortunately, the game comes up a bit short in its design and lack of parity. The jokes become repetitive, as do the levels.

It lacks the little things to push it to absolute greatness, like a depth-filled franchise mode, challenging AI, and the kind of graphics that other efforts easily outshine.

It's got everything a good adventure game should have in all the right places: great graphics, a compelling storyline, and interesting characters.

The story, filled to the brim with elegantly executed wit, is engrossing to the point where it seems industrial strength adhesive is connecting you to it.

Packed with customization options from heaven and an incredibly well handling ride to boot, the game is a must for those looking for big time thrills and the ability of creating their dream machines.

Double Dash!!'s multiplayer craziness is unrivaled and one of the most fun games on the GameCube.

This theme has been tried before with Microsoft's Zoo Tycoon, so what will Wildlife Park have to differentiate it from the rest of the field? Well, as it turns out, a more natural look and.....not much else, really.

It grew on me! MR4's an addictive battle monster game that's amazingly deep and a lot of fun.

The levels are all extremely repetitive, and the graphics are sub par. But if you love Simpson's trivia, this is definitely chalk full of it.

If you're looking for some quick fun, or the ultimate Double Dragon experience, by all means pick this one up, but for anyone else, it may not be enough to keep you entertained.

The $29.99US MSRP seems somewhat reasonable, unless you object to spending that kind of money on different versions of a two year old game.

The sequel plays exactly like its predecessor, in every way that I can think of.

There's a decent selection of songs, but the frequent loading, limited game play and repetitive nature of the title just make it too boring for most to handle after a handful of sessions with the game.

To be brutally honest, I'm not entirely sure why Monolith wasted their time making this game, other than to cash in on the franchise. It doesn't look any better, and there is absolutely nothing new in the way of gameplay.