Though it isn't totally remarkable from a technical standpoint, Pirates is an endearing and well-thought-out game.

An excellent, original fighting game that's especially fun for two players.

The combat is certainly fun, but not to the extent that you can overlook some of New Legends' other problems, like its camera issues and its short length. The game lasts only a little longer than five hours and lacks any extra features.

One of those rare games that is simply addictive.

NASCAR 2002 is not the quantum leap ahead some might have expected, nor is it free of flaws, yet it is another winning installment of what clearly can be considered the standard-bearer of all racing simulations.

A great game of hockey... It may not have all the features that we would have liked, but it's certainly a lot of fun to play.

The best part about State of Emergency is the way every facet of the game comes together to form a perfect feeling of panic.

The overall lack of supplementary features isn't a major drawback, however, since what's important to a modern wrestling game, aside from the graphics, is solid multiplayer action and challenging CPU AI. Disappointingly, these areas don't fare much better.

High Heat 2003 may not be the best looking or sounding baseball game, but its realistic gameplay laps the competition.

Players who have just jumped on the video game bandwagon with the PlayStation may become frustrated with Maximo's detail-oriented gameplay and repetitive nature.

Though there are a number of hidden characters you can unlock, Racer Revenge is ultimately a short-lived experience that will keep you entertained, but only for the first few times you blast through its courses.

The joy of Puyo Pop lies in its gameplay.

While it has its moments, its lack of refinement makes playing it a disjointed and frustrating experience.

If you've ever been at least slightly captivated by the romance of the rails or have perhaps thought of dabbling in model railroading, Trainz could easily make an enthusiastic convert of you.

The game holds up fabulously, and the slight modifications that Nintendo has made to the game for its handheld release make it even better.

Blitz old-timers will balk at the game's completely different timing and needlessly expanded playbooks, but in the end, NFL Blitz 2002 is the best arcade-style football game on the home market.

It's not just more of the same--this creative, fun, extremely intense shooter is even better than the original.

Although it's not as energetic or complex as many modern-day puzzle games, it doesn't really disappoint in any specific area either.

An excellent graphical showpiece...[but] a general lack of gameplay depth, drab physics, and annoying mission design all get in the way of what could have been a fantastic, action-packed driving game.

You might have to take some time to get adjusted to the sometimes touchy collision detection and the occasional frame rate drop, but these problems aren't drastic enough to completely mar an otherwise solid gaming experience.

Tropico was a great game, and Paradise Island does exactly what you want from an expansion--it makes it even better.

The game's excellent music just can't compensate for its poor graphics or clunky interface.

While the game is slightly flawed due to some imbalances in its gameplay, it's ultimately a satisfying experience thanks to a mix of classic Sonic 2D gameplay, a familiar cast of characters, and new technology.

MR3 successfully combines five extremely unique motorcycle disciplines into one convenient package and delivers a substantial helping of thrills and spills. However, it is not nearly as deep as it initially appears or as sophisticated as a third installment should be.

Puts a unique twist on the current trend in skateboarding games. If you're a fan of the genre looking for something new, AirBlade fits the bill.

Its frustrating single-player mode, dated gameplay mechanics, and lack of interactivity make it difficult to recommend for a purchase.

Grandia II may not look like much from a technical standpoint--disappointingly, the game actually looks a bit worse than the original Dreamcast version--but its visual design is well done.

Even though it has its share of drawbacks (enemy AI weaknesses, occasional pop-up, and a lackluster ending), its positive aspects (variety of gameplay, numerous side quests, and nice graphics) outweigh the negatives.