Simply gorgeous. From both a design standpoint and a technological one, Orta is one of the richest experiences you can have involving both your Xbox and your eyes.

They don't freshen up the gameplay so much as to make DW3: Xtreme Legends worth another thirty bucks on top of however much you paid for DW3 -- unless you're utterly obsessed with the DW series, or you can find a used DW3 for cheap.

An amusing romp through the bizarre Crash Bandicoot universe. It's not the best game of its kind, but it's certainly worth a visit.

Sure, fans of Dirk and the Dragon's Lair series will enjoy the game on a different level than most, but with its inherent gameplay issues, rescuing Princess Daphne really boils to down an exercise in frustrating trial-and-error gaming only made worse by flawed technical aspects.

A decent distraction and if the "Earthworm Jim" games disappointed you, Jazz probably won't.

Super Bubble Pop isn't super, but its soundtrack is.

A sometimes overwhelming game that lacks the simplicity of the genre's most addictive titles.

While Karnaaj Rally might not have the staying power of a truly classic game, it is plenty of fun in small doses -- playing it for 15 minutes at a time is fun.

Supplies a reasonably thrilling interpretation of the more vicious portions of the movie without all the clutter of the "boring bits" of the epic quest itself.

There are absolutely no differences between this, the GameCube, and the PlayStation 2 versions, aside from some miniscule tidying of the jagged polygons from the PS2 original.

What's truly surprising, given how atmospheric Relic's Homeworld was, is just how lame the story and ambience of Impossible Creatures turned out to be.

It's fun as a chat room, but has a lot of growing to do as a game.

Shockingly inept... It is, quite literally, the poorest excuse for a video game I've ever had the "honor" of completing.

While I cannot dismiss its flaws, I can easily ignore it and move on to better examples of this unique form of expression from the early 21st century.

And its distinctive Japanese flavor, teeming with uniquely fantastical architecture and environments that are rarely rendered Stateside -- complete with ridiculous anime hairdos and not-so-slick voice acting -- Crimson Sea will definitely quench your thirst for action.

The core gameplay is undeniably skill-based, but the frustration from the somewhat obtuse controls and just plain sloppy mechanics prevent it from reaching its full potential.

The only way to get closer to pro hockey is to be drafted by an NHL team.

The frantic pacing and tremendous atmosphere result in adrenaline rushes that'll give the most hardened shoot-'em-up veteran the shakes.

Codemasters takes an above-average racer and puts it over the top by involving the gamer in a drama.

A game best enjoyed by those who've never come to it before.

The gameplay simply isn't as tight as it should be. The care and time you take in building your bot is often wasted due to too many quirky design flaws.

The least impressive title in the Legacy of Kain series.

While it's not going to make you shelve your copy of "NFL 2K3," it is a surprisingly deep take on the gridiron game.

A flawed, boring game design that fails to capitalize on the inherent coolness of its theme and character.

It delivers a portable rush of addictive high-speed action. And you can't really ask for more than that.

The problem is that for a sequel, it does nothing to enhance the gameplay found in its predecessor, sans a few new moves and match types.

As a fighting game, Budokai is mediocre at best and annoyingly frustrating at worst.

By coupling one of the memorable SNES games ever released with an incredibly novel and addictive multiplayer mode, this version of A Link to the Past is an extraordinary game with awesome replay value.

Underwhelming.

A heck of a lot of fun, and should be a certified winner if and when Ewanchyna and Matrix Games fix its technical problems.

It is a wargaming grognard's dream, but may put off anyone else. That would be a shame, because underneath this detailed spreadsheet-type interface is an intriguing strategy game.

The updates to the user interface make controlling characters even easier, and the overall improvements in design make it a wonderful addition for all players in the Dark Age of Camelot universe.

The best of the college hoops crowd... The attention to detail in some of the arenas borders on the obsessive.

This is, without a doubt, one of the creepiest, scariest, downright disturbing games I've ever played … and yes, I mean that as a compliment.

Unless you want a mega-dose of pink cotton candy, you'll likely be bored stiff.

If I had to choose between the three [versions], I'd go with the Xbox version, purely because of the broadband Xbox Live technology.

The game uses plot as an afterthought and focuses instead on a woefully undeveloped combat system and skill tree (or pole, as it happens to be).

With a great balance of realism and playability, NCAA Basketball 2K3 shines as a beacon for collegiate hoops fans.

Dumbing a game down for consoles is one thing, but it's another thing entirely to give the player so many advantages that the game is no longer fun.

A masterpiece in almost every aspect, even if it is a conversion of a game from an increasingly long-in-the-tooth fighting series.

The idea is a good one; it's just too bad it was applied to what is essentially a mediocre clone of an aging product.

One thing that is sorely lacking in Rally Fusion is an onscreen map.

There are too many times where you'll be asked to complete a goal by an NPC and you'll literally have no clue what to do or how to proceed in order to complete it.

Has its moments, but too often feels like a conventional, uninspired shooter.

Suffers almost out of the gate by a lack of game modes and the ridiculously tough AI.

A bold and reasonably successful attempt to capture the total NASCAR experience.

With its silly premise, repetitive gameplay and graphics fit for the PSone, Evolution Snowboarding decends like an avalanche from the highest crest to the lowest valley.

It's just that LoW2 is missing that certain something … namely compelling gameplay.

It has some minor gameplay annoyances, but overall it delivers the slow-paced but nonetheless thrilling experience of game hunting.

I've scored the GCN's LoW2 lower than the PS2 and Xbox versions because of its lack of the interviews featured on the other platforms... combined with the GCN's persistent slowdown.

It also does a great job of channeling the spirit of the game it's based on, unlike the recent remake of "Shinobi."

A hack-and-slash fest in its most basic, embarrassing form -- and faulty, at that.

While the boys on the screen take their fair share of lumps, ultimately it's the gamer that ends up absorbing the most punishment.

The game sports large creative levels, a unique trick upgrading system, and a killer sound, but whatever innovations the game makes are easily overshadowed by the frustrating controls and the return of the timed run.

A blandly mediocre game.

It never proves itself competent enough to deserve more than a weekend rental.

A collection of three games -- two great and one good -- that isn't up to snuff for a GBA comp cart.

With overly elongated levels, forced backtracking through previously explored stages, and increasingly eye-bleedingly giddy color schemes the further through the game you progress, Altered Beast: GotR is a slightly disastrous attempt to replicate the side-scrolling nature of its source material.

While titles like "Resident Evil" rely on shock value and cheap scares, Fatal Frame genuinely frightens in the worst possible way; slowly and subtly, ebbing away at you like a flesh-rotting disease.

As the great sage Ferris Bueller once said, "I must be honest here, I love driving it. I highly recommend picking one up. [It's so choice.]"

A standard racer... None of the gimmicks it tries really work. You never get a sense of a dramatic underlying storyline.

Doesn't come close to adding that certain something, and doesn't even fix some of the more glaring AI deficiencies that have plagued the game since it was first released.

A solid MMORPG, but feels like it's missing that special spark that will keep you hooked for weeks on end.

Drome Racers' controls are frustratingly floaty, just as they were in Rollcage, and the cars themselves are even floatier, hovering several inches off the ground instead of maintaining contact with "terra droma."

A capable arcade racer crammed with goodies … and a perfect cure for anyone suffering post-"Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4" doldrums.

It's the worst kind of tie-in, combining a feeble license with feeble game design, and expecting gamers to pay $50 for the privilege of suffering through the collective ineptitude.

A respectable effort, but disappointing reminder that when you swap content from platform to platform, something often gets lost in the transition.

It's amazing how well some of these games stand up. Yes, they're absolutely nothing to look at, but the gameplay in a lot of the cases is just as addictive and compelling today as it was 20 years ago.

The interesting Shox Zone system and impressive list of unlockables make it one of the more addictive arcade driving games available.

This terribly trite gameplay would be fine if the title of this software release was called, for example, "Go Dai: Elements of Power," but it isn't.

Even if its technical issues were resolved, you'd still be left with a flawed, boring game design that fails to capitalize on the inherent coolness of its theme and character.

An unexpected technical achievement for the GBA, but that doesn't make it a fun game -- it most decidedly is not a fun game.

A disgrace. The only thing 3D6 Games has succeeded in (besides going out of business) is creating the worst Shinobi game ever, one which will turn away potential new fans and make old ones weep.

With sluggish controls and passable graphics, the only thing that saves FIFA 2003 is its license and awesome sound.

Remedial action with faint glimmers of fun, wiped out by tedious and insipid gameplay.

The biggest difference between 2K3 and its competition, though, is the game's physics. Players move like they're actually on ice.

The embodiment of third-rate gameplay.

This is the worst of the three versions, if only because the 25-30 frames-per-second romp slows to five fps and judders along for a few seconds before righting itself.

An ambitious, overly flawed attempt to revitalize a true gaming milestone.

The only new feature in the PS2 version is an art gallery, so when you factor in the worse sound and lack of VGA, I'd have to say that the Dreamcast version is still the best.

Unfortunately, for PS2 owners, a vicious beat-down is delivered by the GameCube's less blurry, less angular crowds, and it wins by a split decision.

Doesn't quite match the Xbox and GameCube titles, but still good fun.

This is the over-the-top, pick-up-and-play fighter that's we've been missing for so long. It's far less complex than its top-rated contemporaries, but that's part of the fun.

Recommended only if you're uncontrollably and incomprehensively addicted to the original.

A good solid Bond game -- but there should have been more of it.

It does a decent job of holding its own against other Bond games from the past.

An excellent choice for someone who enjoys the genre. If only High Voltage and Interplay had paid due respect to the source material.

It's dripping with blood. Actually, it's submerged in a tank overflowing with bodily fluids, detached limbs, and severed heads. Saucy!

For those EQ players who are looking for a new addiction and were disappointed by "Anarchy Online," Neocron might just fit the bill.

Haven tries to go in several directions at once. Alas, rather than excelling, it ends up doing a fairly mediocre job of almost everything.

Very little felt new; even the final enemy encounter is heavily inspired by the endgame of "Super Metroid."

I pity the fool who doesn't at least consider renting it.

Offers more of the same fun and addictive gameplay as its predecessor, but no major innovations.

Yet another superhero game for the junk pile, ripe with so many run-of-the-mill bullet-points that even diehard fans will be turned off.

Great gameplay and incredible movie nostalgia.

Featuring brilliant visuals, edge-of-your-seat gameplay, and some of the best voice acting around, Splinter Cell is one of the best single-player experiences to come out this year... The best game on Xbox. Period.

One of the finest games I've ever played. I'm still reeling from how incredible my experience with the game was.

This is the over-the-top, pick-up-and-play fighter that's we've been missing for so long. It's far less complex than its top-rated contemporaries, but that's part of the fun.