The game's cohesive presentation is engaging, offering some genuine scares that are a rare treat.

These missions are very difficult. They are puzzles with very little margin for error, and as you load one for the second, fourth, and even 10th time, you'll find frustration overshadowing a lot of the game's strengths.

EA Sports simply hasn't made enough gameplay changes to make it feel even remotely different from its NBA counterpart.

SB's gameplay falls short when compared with its flashy presentation, and the result is an amazing showpiece but a less-than-stellar game.

A bare-bones rendition of "Gran Turismo 3" or "Sega GT 2002," albeit without the preponderance of cars and special effects.

Has the same great gameplay of the previous two Cossacks games, but is it really enough to justify another expansion?

A highly streamlined, highly accessible online RPG. Yet the world of Dereth seems bare.

It would have been nice to say that the uninspired design and presentation of Drome Racers are offset by some superbly executed gameplay, but such is not the case.

It's a very good one-on-one fighting game with plenty of strategy, and it doesn't stray too far from the classic formula of simple fighting moves and extreme gore.

If you're a fan of the cartoon or are buying the game for someone who is, The Mummy more than lives up to expectations.

Just too light on action, production quality, and overall gameplay to make it a worthwhile purchase.

If you missed out on "MX 2002," Superfly is a perfect place to start.

Certainly becomes tough later on, but once you learn to master all your force powers and get a good grip on your lightsaber, you'll feel unstoppable.

The unfulfilling combat system and poorly implemented stealth mode turn up the frustration factor to a level where even the most die-hard Alba fan will turn back to reruns rather than finish this game.

The game's strong points--especially its combat--overshadow whatever problems Jedi Outcast may have early on.

The sheer number of playable games and unlockable items and the slick production values make it a great value for any gamer with an interest in the roots of console gaming as we know it.

It has a lot of flash, but it backs it up with a good amount of substance.

Uneven presentation and its incongruence with the spirit of the movie make it just another bad licensed-property video game.

Unfortunately, the game has some pretty glaring shortcomings all around, and while the design might have looked solid on paper, it just didn't make for a fun, engaging, or good-looking game.

It's easy enough so that anyone can play it but challenging enough to stump even the most intellectual of players.

Doesn't possess anywhere near the level of polish or charm of its Genesis namesake.

Uneven presentation and its incongruence with the spirit of the movie make it just another bad licensed-property video game.

Steel isn't a game for everyone, and the repetitive mission structure will more than likely deter all but the Superman faithful.

The new additions, excellent gameplay, and Xbox Live support make this the best hockey game of the year.

Even the best part of the game--being able to turn into different creatures--is ruined by poor design or execution.

The execution is sloppy, and in the end, the game simply feels unfinished.

Uneven presentation and its incongruence with the spirit of the movie make it just another bad licensed-property video game.

A train wreck of a game that has no direction, no technical merit, and little appeal except as a game design house of horrors and a showcase for some good music by Stewart Copeland.

Its limited use of cel-shaded graphics, which seemed revolutionary when Dragon's Lair 3D was first revealed two years ago, is now thoroughly outdated, as is its simplistic, puzzle-based gameplay.

Delivers on the throwback headstrong-ninja motif, but its graphics are lacking, the level of challenge isn’t up to snuff, and the whole experience is over way too quickly.

It represents the first major set of changes the series had ever seen. That said, this game has been surpassed on nearly every front since its original release.

Completely spoiled by a few major problems, the worst of which makes it possible to get by opponents using only one button.

Those purely looking for a first-person shooter won't find that NightFire is the best choice around, but as a Bond game, NightFire successfully re-creates the style, presentation, and action of its source material.

Questionable design decisions, terrible implementation, and the apparent lack of faith in a project doomed long before its completion make for a game that is more frustration than fun.

The default difficulty of has been greatly toned down [from the Xbox version], making Dead to Rights a whole lot more accessible and slightly less nerve-wracking, though no less action-packed.

Has something to offer fans of almost any genre--it's the sort of creative hybrid that computer gaming sorely needs.

An unusual fighting game that does a great job of balancing the classic Mortal Kombat style with enough new additions to draw in people who aren't completely familiar with the rest of the series.

Unless you can't get enough of GT-style racing, there's really no pressing reason to add Total Immersion Racing to your collection.

One of those game revivals that bears enough resemblance to its source material to draw up some nostalgia for the original, and yet it also exposes the weaknesses of the original, effectively betraying your nostalgia and retroactively tainting the original game.

While NightFire is hurt by its relatively short length, the game's single-player mode is well constructed, and its multiplayer mode is good too.

Those purely looking for a first-person shooter won't find that NightFire is the best choice around, but as a Bond game, NightFire successfully re-creates the style, presentation, and action of its source material.

While it's easily the weakest version of the three versions of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, it can still be worth playing for GameCube owners feeling the lack of decent fantasy role-playing games for their only system.

For those five or six hours, the game is quite fun, especially when playing with other people and using teamwork to mow down the zombie hordes.

While the promise of political intrigue among colorful factions in a futuristic setting will draw you into the game, Neocron's inability to make a significant impact with any of these things will push you away.

The fast-paced, quickly changing gameplay is refreshingly unordinary.

A throwback to "Super Metroid," offering most of that game's best qualities in an all-new adventure. It's disappointing that Fusion ends so soon, since it's such a great game while it lasts.

Rocky isn't a great boxing game, and it doesn't quite deliver the same level of excitement as the films it's based on.

When you strip away Batman, Superman, and the other Justice League characters, all that remains is a formulaic beat-'em-up with 12 stages and a few tricky jump sequences.

Completely spoiled by a few major problems, the worst of which makes it possible to get by opponents using only one button.

A great game on its own merits, and it offers a slick and rewardingly suspenseful gameplay experience that's sometimes reduced to frustrating bouts of trial and error.

It's not just one of the single most atmospheric games ever created, but it's also quite simply one of the best.

Anyone looking for a wilder ride than the one offered by "Tekken 4"'s or "Virtua Fighter 4"'s comparatively straightforward martial arts battles should definitely check [it] out.

Completely spoiled by a few major problems, the worst of which makes it possible to get by opponents using only one button.

Actually manages to provide just the right balance between sim-style play and arcade-style antics.

An unplayable mess.

Anyone looking for a wilder ride than the one offered by "Tekken 4"'s or "Virtua Fighter 4"'s comparatively straightforward martial arts battles should definitely check [it] out.

A better game than a Skittles-licensed game has any business being.

Like most games that shoot for comedy, BMX XXX isn't funny. The design for the gameplay and goal system feel unfinished.

Offering a polished mix of strong graphics and solid gameplay, Chamber of Secrets is a marked improvement over its predecessor.

Despite the presence of a few familiar Disney cartoon characters, the game is so devoid of quality that no one could possibly enjoy it.

It tells a good story, and there's a lot to do within the confines of the Harry Potter universe. If you don't really care for the characters, you'll probably find the gameplay repetitive and dull, but then you'd have no reason to play the game anyway.

Aside from making the "groundbreaking" move of featuring a lot of cursing and strippers, BMX XXX doesn't do anything particularly well.

The game's impressive visuals on the Xbox coupled with its rich gameplay definitely make it one of the better platform games on the system.

The rich gameplay and engaging story give the game an appeal that very nearly rises above the rough visuals, and they definitely capture the spirit of the books.

Robin Hood gets its subject matter right, and with plenty of playability, storytelling, and atmosphere.

The PC version unquestionably has the best online features of any of the game's versions, since it lets you create clubs and track various stats online.

An excellent game that will appeal to any soccer fan who prefers realism to the fast-paced, high-scoring style of other soccer games.

Therein lies the main flaw of Star Wars: The New Droid Army--it is so very boring.

No soccer fan should hesitate to buy FIFA 2003.

The technical limitations of the PlayStation 2 rob the original of most of its visual style and slow the pace considerably, resulting in a mediocre mission-based driving game with poor handling.

While this hybrid concept mostly works well, the game suffers from a lack of polish and from stripped-down combat balance.

Without the gorgeous visuals to distract from its troublesome gameplay mechanics and simplistic mission objectives, Wreckless doesn't have much going for it.

The game itself is executed poorly enough that neither fans of the cartoon nor fans of action sports games will want to have anything to do with it.

Those who are willing to tackle the incredibly high learning curve will still find Fighter Maker 2 to be time consuming, if nothing else.

The single-player campaign is dense, exciting, and only three-and-a-half hours long.

Unfortunately, Panzer Claws' skirmish mode doesn't offer much in the way of new thrills, and to date [11/26/02] there are hardly any players playing the game online.

Minority Report just isn't fun to play, and all because of a horrible targeting system.

The greatest thing about Tomb Raider: The Prophecy is that it captures the same scope and spirit of exploration that made the early Tomb Raider games so enjoyable.

The gameplay is excellent and probably comes closer to mimicking the actual sport than any other soccer game currently available on the Xbox.

Those who have stuck with the Resident Evil series despite its dogged insistence on not changing its ways will find that Resident Evil 0 still has a lot to offer.

If your system can handle it and you don't have any hang-ups with wandering around in dark places, you'll likely find a lot to like.

This wide selection of options is often plagued by repetition and is confusing to navigate because of a poor interface.

An unfortunately stuttery frame rate keeps Hot Wheels Velocity X Maximum Justice from reaching its full potential, but the game is still quite enjoyable.

A sound NASCAR simulation with one of the most robust career modes of any driving game to date.

It may be a little too simplistic for some, but it's just right for younger players and those who find the Disney cartoon characters entertaining.

It's fun to play and it captures the spirit of giant fighting monsters really well.

While the game offers some impressive production values, it ultimately seems shallow and incomplete, and it won't hold anyone's attention for long.

It would have been nice if the game had updated graphics and better squad AI, but as it is, this is a great game nonetheless.

Delivers the best of what BattleTech's brand of giant robot combat has to offer in a highly accessible game that's especially fun when played against others online.

The PS2 version is hurt by its lack of online support, but if you don't care for the online play, or you don't have an Xbox, then don't let this dissuade you from picking up this otherwise excellent game.

Those looking for a game with lots of challenge and a distinct sense of style would do well to check out Shinobi.

Sure, it's not a budget game like its predecessors, but Serious Sam for the Xbox is easily worth its full retail price and will last you longer than most other action games.

If you're fiending for Sonic the Hedgehog and either don't have or are unwilling to drag out a dusty Genesis from the closet, don't hesitate to give it a shot.

The game has a variety of gorgeous real life cars, race-long bumper-to-bumper action, and emotionally charged AI drivers--too many positive attributes to be ignored.

More of the same, though with marginally better packaging and the addition of online play.

With such a popular franchise, you won't have much trouble finding a [multiplayer] game to join, and even practicing against the AI while you hone your skills is enjoyable.

The game's graphics, audio, and overall presentation are almost flawless in every aspect.

The game's level and mission design are extremely well done and provide an ample amount of different activities, keeping the gameplay fresh from start to finish.