Compared to past 2D Zelda titles, Minish Cap is bursting with personality and detail. Little touches, such as the expression on Link's face and accompanying scream as he rides a mine cart, his disheveled hair, the smart-talking Ezlo, the creative new gadgets and detailed environments help to give the game a certain charm.

Episode 1 puts together a fantastic game not by necessarily introducing anything new, but by forcing players to focus more on using their wits than their firepower. Although, firepower helps a lot too.

Empire at War has everything. The graphics, sound, and overall presentation are each near perfect. Gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with very little repetition, and fans of the setting will be amazed with the attention to details.

A pretty tough game, but mystery buffs and Nancy Drew fans will have a blast playing as the famous sleuth.

The satisfaction of using one team to distract an enemy while the other team sneaks to take them out is unmatched, and truly makes Full Spectrum Warrior one of the best games of 2004.

The available maps are enormous, and the player is overwhelmed by the feel of modern warfare as jets race across the sky, choppers hover overhead, and tanks roll across the roads.

Hands down the most features-packed golf game ever, as well as the best golf game of the year.

The presentation is wonderful, with revamped graphics that look better than they've ever been thanks to a wider view of the field.

The atmospheric design is as good as it gets, the multiplayer options are aplenty, and no matter which perspective you choose, first or third, you'll still find some of the best combat you can dish out on a console.

Plot holes aside, the gameplay in Prey is nothing short of amazing. Whether you're wandering up walls, shifting gravity, shrunk down to the size of a mouse, going into spirit form, fighting in the afterlife, or floating around in a service vehicle... Prey has got everything anyone could want from a sci-fi shooter and more.

A breath of fresh air that has restored faith in platforming adventure titles. Within the first three minutes of gameplay, one realizes just how funnily bizarre this title is.

If you thought "Fable" and "Knights of the Old Republic" were the best RPGs the Xbox had to offer, you need to think again. Jade Empire is the new king of Xbox RPGs, and it doesn't look like anything will be releasing this year to top it.

It has deep gameplay that makes "Need For Speed Underground" look like a Lego car.

No GameCube owner should miss this game. If you don't own a GameCube, rent one with this game. There are no excuses for not playing it. A new level in 3D adventure games has been set.

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

With a boisterous song selection that's truly worthwhile, a two-player mode with limitless appeal to jam out, and addictive gameplay, it's quite simply the best rhythm/music game since the original "Dance Dance Revolution."

This empire-building strategy encompasses everything that makes the genre great.

Not only does the game look as incredible as ever, it also feels like a pure natural ride, and comes loaded with a slew of options both for the multiplayer and single player modes. Climax does with two wheels what most companies can't even do with four.

Viewtiful Joe has the kind of gameplay, graphic presentation, and overall appeal that you seldom see in games anymore, and it deservedly belongs in your library.

Loaded with features and pound for pound one of the best games of the year (and it's only $29.99), Alien Hominid's a treat for the senses.

While the game may be brimming with the kind of content and challenge that may make younger and weaker gamers cringe, those hungry for something with meat on its bones will feast on the fantastic gameplay, breathtaking presentation, and impressive extras.

One of the best arcade compilation titles you will ever see. Not only does the game reintroduce some favorites and long-lost classics, but also some interviews and pieces of fascination for historians.

It hits on almost every front. Present are the adventure elements of high fantasy, the mysterious magical elements of the war-torn world of Eberron, and the deep-rooted numerical elements.

As definitive as the street racing brand gets...at least, for this generation.

To put it simply: if you are a fan of the MMO genre, you absolutely must try this game. It sucks you in from the first click and doesn't let go. Graphics, sound, and gameplay are all here and representing the best there is to offer in the MMO pride.

The amazing graphics, phenomenal special effects, voice acting, and of course, the soundtracks from the movies steal the show. Beautiful, rewarding, and brimming with personality.

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.

The quality of this year's edition is unparalleled, especially when it comes to the heaping amount of modes included (Race For the Heisman in itself is stellar) and the gameplay that EA Tiburon has been working on for years to perfect.