The additional game modes, upgraded customization, and most-importantly the game's open world environment make it stand a clear step above its predecessor which was already a fantastic racer to begin with.

It's easily the best title for GameCube this year, and while there's really not all that much new in terms of game mechanics, play style, and presentation, what you're ultimately left with is a rock-solid sequel that offers a bigger, harder, more rewarding challenge than the first game.

It's stable, almost bug-free, and has easy-to-use controls, which makes it a nice way to introduce kids to the genre. But anyone who has spent any significant time with tycoon strategy games will probably find it a little light on the strategy.

Though the Xbox version of the game doesn't have all the newer features of the latest PlayStation 2 version, it boasts the largest song list of any game in the series, downloadable content, and more diverse control options.

The graphics in Rumble Roses are astounding, and are every bit as good as the fare put out by Tecmo or Namco in its fighting games. I'd even go out on a limb and state these lasses are more attractive than the cast of "DOA," and they easily show more personality.

The game remains faithful to the source material and blends two distinct gameplay styles into an entertaining hybrid. Fans of the series should find this a great addition to their Shaman King collection.

More importantly, the action at the game's heart is only so-so; it's competent in execution, but just doesn't seem terribly compelling to play through. It passes time, but it's not exciting or fun.

It might not be as deep as its PC counterpart, but it's perfect for console gamers, who are generally looking for a more casual experience. By the end, my buddy was living the high life, and I was actually proud that my Urb was finally one of the popular kids.

EA's latest in the fledgeling spin-off series is another solid entry, even if it's not quite as polished as its predecessor.

The big reason for diehard Warriors fans to pick up Samurai XL obviously lies in its four new characters. Yep. Four. That's pretty pathetic compared to the nine added to "Dynasty 3 XL" (and even though "Dynasty 4 XL" featured no new warriors, its fun new gameplay modes compensated nicely).

Volume 3 has more songs, better variety, more character, more costumes, and more venues than its predecessors. Most importantly, it adds a new twist to the series with duet modes.

While there are some nice, new touches -- most notably, the improved controls -- the game's lack of depth and less-than-cutting-edge presentation make things seem incomplete.

In the end, my trip to Miniopolis seemed pretty uneventful. There hasn't been a lot of improvement since "Bustin' Out," and it's painfully clear.

The campaign mode introduces a ton of new elements, not only to the game itself, but also to the Halo universe as a whole. As for the multiplayer, you won't find a better Xbox Live experience anywhere, and you can be sure that Halo 2 will be topping the Live charts for years to come.

It might not be as deep as its PC counterpart, but it's perfect for console gamers, who are generally looking for a more casual experience. By the end, my buddy was living the high life, and I was actually proud that my Urb was finally one of the popular kids.

It might not be as deep as its PC counterpart, but it's perfect for console gamers, who are generally looking for a more casual experience. By the end, my buddy was living the high life, and I was actually proud that my Urb was finally one of the popular kids.

Even as it stands now, EverQuest II is extremely fun to play, frequently rewarding, and designed with just the right amount of user convenience in mind.

When taken as a whole, Children of the Nile is a disappointment. It's not that it's a bad game. In fact, buried under the rubble of the game's interface is the germ of a classic.

It's based on excellent gameplay mechanics that are taken in really interesting directions through gimmick courts. Mastering each player will take dozens and dozens of hours. Multiplayer games are a total riot.

There were many times when I wanted to just quit and never play it again. Don't get me wrong, it's not a horrible game; it's just nowhere near as polished as [both "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault" and "Call of Duty"].

As cool as the visuals can be, they're ultimately like a flashy paintjob on a car without much under the hood. The amount of unimaginative busywork and lame repetition in this game is really unfortunate.

This is a fun, visually unique title that shouldn't be overlooked. Pity that the multiplayer doesn't truly shine.

UYA's multiplayer experience is excellent. The level of polish is surprisingly high, which is evident in everything from specific gameplay details (the grappling beam's ease of use is superb, for example) to the extensive number of options that can be tweaked.

An ambitious, interesting game, but it's badly undercut by terrible AI and annoying and very distracting graphical glitches. They're bad enough to make the game feel like a chore.

The use of dragons as player-characters offers a unique perspective to the action-RPG genre, and it's stable and attractive. Even in a weak year for single-player RPGs, however, it's not enough; it simply doesn't offer enough gameplay elements to make it worth a purchase.

Outside of diehard Godzilla fans, no one really needs to bother with Save the Earth in the first place.

Character and story are two vital parts of RPGs. The Third Age fails in both departments.

Features not only an interesting setting inspired by a classic novel, but also puzzles that really tie into the game world and make good sense.

The online experience was definitely the most fun aspect of game as a whole. Over a broadband connection lag was practically non-existent, but the biggest hook is racing against other non-CPU riders.

It has no bite, no personality, none of the visionary creative energy that have brought Timegate's other games to life. It's as clunky and flat as an outdated history book.

To really enjoy Technic Beat, you'll have to enjoy both the music and puzzle aspects of the game, which seem to be at odds with each other. Music game enthusiasts may be turned off by the puzzle elements, and vice versa.

Feels more like an ill-fated fan disc than the $50 follow-up to one of the PS2's best fighters. It has some great ideas -- four-player action, build-your-own-character -- but the execution just falls flat.

It's odd to see as many steps back -- smaller roster, no Cruiserweight or Tag Team titles, no backstage -- as there are steps forward -- Internet, voiceovers, heel/face discrepancy.

Despite its exclusions, though, Collection's large selection of titles for $19.99 is a tough thing not to recommend to anyone who calls himself a gamer. Even if a few of the games undeniably suck.

Atari needs to be willing to lay down some bank to polish up the graphics and sound, write a much more compelling single-player adventure, and add some online goodness.

For most of the game I felt like I was too powerful and things never really felt challenging. Again, I'm thinking that this is partly by design since the game has a mainstream license and will attract many casual gamers.

Despite its exclusions, though, Collection's large selection of titles for $19.99 is a tough thing not to recommend to anyone who calls himself a gamer. Even if a few of the games undeniably suck.

For most of the game I felt like I was too powerful and things never really felt challenging. Again, I'm thinking that this is partly by design since the game has a mainstream license and will attract many casual gamers. (Damn casuals always ruin everything.)

Those who played Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly on the PS2 know that it's a great psychological creep-fest, and now the game has arrived for the Xbox bigger, badder, and more beautiful.

And while the game never quite reaches "Incredible" levels, it's still a good enough game to warrant checking out if you enjoyed the movie. Just don't expect to have to spend much time with it.

I had a good time playing it for the first hour or so. But after that, the lack of originality and the repetition of the game really started to wear on me.

From start to finish, the game only took me just over eight hours to beat. And while there are some cool extras on the disc that can be unlocked, I still felt like the game was light on content.

And while the game never quite reaches "Incredible" levels, it's still a good enough game to warrant checking out if you enjoyed the movie. Just don't expect to have to spend much time with it.

But don't let those flaws keep you from trying this Vietnam War shooter. At its best, it's an immersive, intense game, filled with pulse-pounding action and diverse missions.

My wish list for future iterations includes night racing, variable per-stage weather, working in-car gauges, and crowds that aren't 2D pancakes, but I can't say I've played a more satisfying racing game all year.

What really makes the game shine is its main character. There really hasn't been a protagonist like the Bard.

There really is no other game like it, despite there being many imitators, and this is precisely the kind of experience that reminds why, exactly, we play games: to be liberated from the constraints of reality, and explore living, breathing worlds. Few games have come this close to realizing that promise.

A surprising number of serious bugs damage what is otherwise a highly addictive game.

Yet even with some new features, you get the sense that gameplay isn't very different from what the series has shown since its debut.

Luckily, the space content is very much on point when comes to aesthetics. If you're a Star Wars fan, you're likely to be delighted by the sights and sounds, even seven hours into a TIE-killing grind.

There's something very satisfying about playing Taiko Drum Master. That something is spending the entire game hitting things. And creating sweet, sweet music, of course, but the feeling of bringing those plastic drumsticks down on the taiko controller is something that you don't normally get from a home video game.

Improved graphics, a deeper dynasty mode, and an All-Star weekend simulator that's genuinely fun to play.

If you can tolerate its quirks and incredibly strict gameplay parameters, The Nightmare of Druaga is actually quite enjoyable and satisfying. Just don't ever, ever die.

This game still overflows with adult themes, excessive violence, vulgarity, mild racism, and everything else that draws so much attention to the series.

It's a better version of a game that was already quite good, now made great with extra unlockables, refined presentation, and mostly excellent online play. For fans of 3D fighters, there won't be a better title released in the genre this year.

A game that has a refreshing story, a wonderfully unique leading man, great voice acting, good graphics, good music, and a mediocre combat system.

Many of the new features are gimmicky and unnecessary, but they don't really impact the core experience too much either way. Everything that is good about Ace Combat games is still here, only some things are a bit better and a few things are a bit worse.

The best kind of sequel, one that pushes the series forward while retaining everything that made it great in the first place. It's a shame that some people won't dig its goofy style, because OutRun2 is a superb arcade driving game and the best sequel Sega's done in years.

It looks amazing, sounds great, and most importantly, it's a lot of fun. What's even more impressive is that all of this entertainment is offered at such a reasonable price.

It's nice to see that Hypnotix didn't miss a beat when it came to staying true to the attitude of the original.

A solid game that offers a little more variety than the first with equally amazing graphics, but doesn't do much to improve upon the first game or address its problems.

If "Tron 3.0" builds on this foundation, adding more variety and incorporating more of the innovative old-school gameplay that the franchise has inspired over the years, it has the potential to become an instant retro classic.

It looks amazing, sounds great, and most importantly, it's a lot of fun. What's even more impressive is that all of this entertainment is offered at such a reasonable price.

It's obvious that Nakazato wanted to create a Contra that was inclusionary to newbies, instead of exclusionary. In that he's succeeded. The only problem is that Neo Contra's average difficulty level will have the opposite effect, and turn off the old-timers. It's too bad, as a simple difficulty selection could have helped correct this.

It definitely is the best console gun game I've played, which stands for something. It brings the genre closer to where it should be: in line with the potential of technology.

Avoid it like the plague, and hope that if we're all in for a trilogy, the next episode sees the heroes-in-a-half-shell pursuing an adventure that's not nearly as half-baked.

If you can survive some occasional stretches of lunacy from your board of directors (something all NHL GMs must learn to do eventually), there's a remarkably compelling hockey experience waiting to be had with NHL Eastside Hockey Manager.

If you're looking for a good Vietnam War game that goes out of its way to offer more than just a run 'n' gun adventure, look no further than Men of Valor. You'll find yourself cheering for Dean to make it through OK, even as you're cursing your teammates for walking right past an enemy.

Avoid it like the plague, and hope that if we're all in for a trilogy, the next episode sees the heroes-in-a-half-shell pursuing an adventure that's not nearly as half-baked.

Tack on the extravagant multiplayer mode, and you have one of the best original side-scrollers to come along in a while. If you can cope with the backtracking, you'll have a blast.

If you or a person on your Christmas list would like an adventure game with a good short story and wouldn't mind a few old-school arcade moments, Atlantis Evolution might suffice, but it's far from being a must-play.

Irrational deserves kudos for recapturing the core "Tribes feel" that fans know and love: the high-flying, jetpack-powered combat is still as much a blast as it ever was.

For a lot of players, the excellent graphics and high levels of violence and sex appeal will be more than enough to keep Bloodrayne 2 spinning. It's really a shame that the A.I. is so daft, and even with all the acrobatics, the very linear levels don't truly captivate.

On its own merits, though, it's simple, fun, and fast, and this would be enough... if it existed in a void.

Most of the gameplay aspects are solid, the graphics are beautiful, and the quest is long. However, the relative lack of narrative elements prevented me from truly enjoying the wonderfully bizarre world Atlus has created.

Though getting through Ty 2 is particularly easy, it would likely be enough of a challenge for younger players to make this a good gateway game. The same humor, scripting, and play mechanics that feel childish to experienced players will be new and entertaining to those without experience.

In part, Skin wants to be a party game, but the multiplayer modes do very little to expand on the solo game. You'll find run-of-the-mill split-screen competitive modes and the occasional variation on tag, but the underlying mechanics are all identical to what's in the solo missions.

The addition of the First Touch system makes the gameplay much more fluid, and it encourages you to improvise more often. Armchair managers will love the new career mode, one of the best you'll see this year.

Soccer sim fans are still much better off sticking with "Winning Eleven" despite its lack of license power. However, for online players, FIFA 2005 is worth taking a look at because it removes a lot of the offline AI issues.

With multiple squadrons to command individually or all at once, a thorough system for upgrading skills and equipment, and personality at every turn, Kingdom Under Fire strikes a great balance between mindless action and careful strategizing.

For a lot of players, the excellent graphics and high levels of violence and sex appeal will be more than enough to keep Bloodrayne 2 spinning. It's really a shame that the A.I. is so daft, and even with all the acrobatics, the very linear levels don't truly captivate.

Though getting through Ty 2 is particularly easy, it would likely be enough of a challenge for younger players to make this a good gateway game. The same humor, scripting, and play mechanics that feel childish to experienced players will be new and entertaining to those without experience.

The addition of the First Touch system makes the gameplay much more fluid, and it encourages you to improvise more often. Armchair managers will love the new career mode, one of the best you'll see this year.

The addition of the First Touch system makes the gameplay much more fluid, and it encourages you to improvise more often. Armchair managers will love the new career mode, one of the best you'll see this year.

Combines great gameplay with entertaining characters and extremely pretty visuals for a surprisingly fun gaming experience.

Despite my gripes, there's enough good stuff in here to justify the purchase. Think of "Pit Fighter," "Spy Hunter II," and the like as elaborate mini-games that you can try once and then ignore forever.

A bunch of pointless hand-waving in a half-hearted attempt to pawn off a ponderous spreadsheet as a game.

Combines great gameplay with entertaining characters and extremely pretty visuals for a surprisingly fun gaming experience.

Midway's got your party covered. The included games are dying to be played in pairs or groups. In fact, many of them -- "Xenophobe" and "Timber," among others -- probably shouldn't be played solo.

It makes fun of itself relentlessly, yet still manages to be earnest when it matters, and the gameplay around which it's built takes the best elements of the Mario games' trademark simplicity, and constructs out of them a compelling, engrossing RPG.

Combines great gameplay with entertaining characters and extremely pretty visuals for a surprisingly fun gaming experience.

Despite my gripes, there's enough good stuff in here to justify the purchase. Think of "Pit Fighter," "Spy Hunter II," and the like as elaborate mini-games that you can try once and then ignore forever. No matter what your gaming tastes, you'll get your money's worth.

We can't help but think how much more enjoyable this game could have been with some better jokes, a few more interesting mini-games, and the ability to explore without loading screens every 15 seconds.

A weird uncomfortable reminder that computer games aren't really ready for this sort of explicit sexuality. Until it can be handled with a more nuance, I'll stick with the implied "Sims" stuff, thank you very much.

While it has the series' trademark snappy dialogue, sultry vixens, and more double entendres than a classic Rodney Dangerfield routine, it's missing one thing: the fun. The mini-games dragged after only a few hours, and getting through the game felt like a chore.

The graphics aren't all they could be, and the game suffers from a few crashing bugs, but it boasts a solid story, interesting characters, and diverse puzzles. You even get the first Law & Order game, "Dead on the Money," free in the package.

It hurts me to give this game a low score, because it really is a good concept that just failed in execution.

The PS2 version of the game looks and sounds much better than its Xbox counterpart. And the game's multiplayer implementation is some of the best yet on the PS2.