The Duke Kahanamoku of surfing video games. Yes, that's good.

You can instantly tell that it was born out of corporate necessity, not creative passion. It's a game without a soul, thrown together to "fill a niche" and "target a demographic."

The best surfing game to date, with energetic play, a strong audio-visual presentation, and design mechanics.

Maybe the developers are just using the characters in an average game so people won't realize how average it is.

Although the game is technically lacking and isn't for everyone, it's one of the most original and engaging titles on the market.

The combination of highly accurate aircraft reproduction, flight model and the rigorous aircraft management system should appeal to those armchair pilots anxious to take their turn around the pylons.

It never gets quite as fun or inventive as any of the Mario or Rayman platform games, but Tarzan: Return to the Jungle holds its own surprisingly well, and is a must-have for fans of its GBC predecessor.

A slightly-upgraded version of the unremarkable "MXRider."

A good puzzle game. If you can get past the load times, it's even better.

A novice looking for an easy way to enter the world of virtual business-building would probably enjoy this game, but hardcore tycoons will find it a short-term diversion at best.

To be sure, Grand Prix 4 is a souped-up version of its predecessors with no major innovations, but this is about as close as you can get to the real thing without being scraped off the pavement.

If your PC has the horsepower, Battlefield: 1942 is an online action experience no gamer should miss.

The screeching of the monsters when they're getting shot and killed is piercing to the ears. Coupled with believable voice acting and excellent moody music, The Thing will be music to your ears.

It's not all that new and not all that different from the other games in Sierra's classic "City Building" franchise -- but it's loads of fun all the same.

Aside from the horribly awkward controls, Dino Stalker suffers from what can best be described as a lack of inspiration.

Despite such minor setbacks, the overwhelming characteristic of the game is high-speed action of the fun (and generally not too frustrating) variety.

A college football game whose gameplay just does not compete with its competitor.

The game hasn't changed drastically since its leap to the PS2, but two years of minor tweaking has made this the most accessible title of the franchise.

The kind of game that truly rewards skillful play, and like "SSX" before it, is a true joy to play once you've attained full mastery of the intricate controls.

The difference between the two games is night and day, with "Mario Party 4" being the better of the two by a wide margin.

The best arcade-baseball game on the market, but there's still room for improvement.

While it's clearly better than the original, there are still some kinks to work out both from a design and a technical standpoint.

Hardcore and casual gamers alike, however, will tire of it very quickly.

Sluggish graphics bog down what would have been an otherwise great title.

Even with its various issues, I absolutely fell in love with Earth & Beyond. I love the setting, the players, and the whole package in general -- I've found it incredibly innovative, and I am totally addicted.

"Rallisport Challenge" is much more specialized, and, arguably, better executed, but Sega GT 2002's experience is much more comprehensive.

By the fifth level, you'll already be saying, "Been there. Done that."

Where DTR2 struts its stuff is in the two areas that matter most -- physics and artificial intelligence. Driving these cars just feels right.

It's an unpolished game that will drown players in nostalgia for the first several chapters, but it's nothing we haven't all played before.

Combining a haunting story with astounding visuals and sound, Syberia is the best adventure game since "The Longest Journey."

With "Halo" and a host of other games that take advantage of the Xbox hardware available, purchasing is not advised.

Lacking innovation, the repetitive gameplay will only appease fans of the series, but the multiplayer mode makes it worth a look.

While there are a few small issues with the game, you're not going to find a better chess player -- or tutor -- on the market. Add to that all the options you're given, and Chessmaster 9000 is the perfect product for new players and veterans alike.

Extremely difficult. Only hardcore fans need apply.

One of the most beautiful games ever to grace the PS2.

A title with solid gameplay that's perfectly suited for the online world.

A game hasn't oozed this much style since the release of "Max Payne." The gameplay, the story, the graphics -- the entire presentation is topnotch.

An adequate introduction to online gaming for console players, but it’s definitely not the killer app Sony wanted the world to believe it was; it’s just a slightly above-average first/third-person shooter with an online component.

It's bigger and better in almost every way. If you're looking for a blood and guts 3rd Edition role-playing game, Icewind Dale II fits the bill perfectly.

A little rushed at the end, with too few worlds to explore. Other than that, SMS is an absolute classic...This is pure, "Video Game Crack."

They don't win points for innovation, but this is still one of the best multiplayer games you can buy.

Shrinks the field, boosts the action and scoring, and its multiplay makes for a party that's even more fun than passing around pitchers in a sports bar at seven in the morning.

The powerful, easy-to-learn in-game editor, which allows players to create new adventures and strategic scenarios, is gravy on this tasty dish, virtually guaranteeing a long shelf life for this product, particularly among the hardcore.

NFL 2K3 has not only narrowed the gap between it and Madden -- it might have surpassed it.

Rife with thrills and chills, The Thing delivers on all levels. Leave the light on for this one.

At least The Thing starts out strong. It's the sort of game you don't have to feel bad about not finishing.

Although the terrible voice acting, bad translations, and poor animations give Prince of Qin a rather unrefined feel, the numerous and interesting locations and quests and the thrill of raising levels are enough to make the game worth a look for role-playing fans.

A very deep game, one that is bound to excite fans of Shogun along with anyone looking for another reason to stay up really late playing a turn-based strategy game.

The biggest issue I had is that basically all of the AI drivers show a complete lack of road smarts.

While Big Scale is a fun game for racing enthusiasts, it quickly loses its charm due to its limited scope.

Even with its visual shortcomings and ambition that keeps the game from being as tight as it could have been, Dead to Rights is a riot, packed full of non-stop action that will have you and the buddies playing hours through the night.

Even if you know nothing about Buffy, the TV series, know this about Buffy, the Xbox video game: it's unquestionably the best beat'em-up for the system.

From the shoddy AI, to the animation and controls that make it seem like you're always playing on mud, U.S. Open fails on an amazing number of levels.

The best of the Age of Sail series.

A deceptively simple overhead strategy game only slightly comparable to "Scorched Earth."... My only real disappointment with [it] is the limited range of weapons.

This expansion seems to ignore most of what was good in the original and instead concentrate on fast-paced, frustrating, and nearly mindless action.

It's a solid game, but with EA's "NCAA Football 2003" in stores there's no need to pick it up.

Geared towards a younger audience, Mickey is mind-numbingly simple, and it's a shame that such impressive visuals had to go to waste on such a disposable game.

Solid gameplay and improved online support ensure the only NFL game in town for the PC is an excellent one.

It's the weakest of all three versions of the game, but it still manages to provide Blitz fans with what they crave.

The game's more successful at being "Virtua Barbie" for the urbanite than playing a mean game of basketball.

Granted the Road Trip mode can get kinda frustrating and boring, but experiencing the various levels and checking out the behind-the-scenes video footage is almost worth the aggravation.

For the most part, the look of the game is very clean. Unlike "DOOM," which could be occasionally muddy and hard on the eyeballs, the levels in Advance tend to be bright and easy to maneuver.

Stay far away from this street ball disaster.

There's too much of an emphasis on fetching items rather than performing tricks and getting rewarded for doing them well.

The deepest pro football game available this season, rivaled only in replay value by it’s younger brother, "NCAA 2003."...The only thing we could hope for is online play, exclusive to the PS2 version this season.

It plays a good game of Blitz, but a lack of gameplay modes, average graphics for the console, and few appreciable improvements over last year's game make it hard to recommend to anyone but the most ardent fan.

Addicting and incredibly fun.

There's not much new here.

A mediocre game. It's certainly not the worst I've played, but neither does it have the spark that draws gamers in.

The legacy mode is rewarding and the gameplay is predominantly solid, but a plethora of bugs and some AI issues ensure it won't supplant EA's game as the reigning champ this season.

If you've ever played either of the Smuggler's Run games on the PS2, then you've already played this game.

It’s more lethargic; full of AI cheating, slowed down gameplay and ultimately causing frustration.

Is Tsunami 2265 totally devoid of value? Not completely, but it's close.

The definitive tennis game, and you'd be selling yourself short by not checking it out.

There are problems with the game's length and with the iffy AI, but a lot of that is offset by how well the game's many elements are balanced and by its nifty graphics.

It takes everything that is good about the Tony Hawk games and expands on it rather significantly.

A solid action game made worthwhile by moments of inspiration which do a lot to eclipse some rough edges and a host of minor gameplay gaffes.

The problem with the single-player experience is that the AI is horrible in two major ways.

Gamers who may be looking for a deep adventure should consider Enclave. While there are a few graphical elements in the game that could've used a little more studio time, there are just as many gameplay elements that enhance the game.

It's as fun and exhilarating as a classic three-chord punk tune at a folk rock festival.

A deep, realistic brawler with intricate gameplay mechanics.

Yes, the game engine may be creaking with stomach-churning slowdown on the all-new course, but the fun sense of freedom and all-new whacked-out characters still draw me in. If you've never Taxied, buy this on sight.

In many ways it is a far superior product compared to last year's hit. But in other ways it also feels like a rushed product.

The overall depth and lasting appeal to be had in NCAA Football 2003 is unmatched by any game, on any platform, including its big NFL brother.

The most disappointing aspect of the game, however, is the lack of attention to detail. The loading times are atrocious simply to go from one menu to another, you cannot improve your fighter's abilities between fights in the Title Belt mode, and there's no Training mode.

A great game. The combination of turn-based tactics and limitless strategic operations places it as one of the finest strategic wargames of all time.

The greatest adaptation of this battle. It offers a different style of gaming than La Grande Armee, but the bottom line is that this title probably has the broadest appeal.

This added depth makes Resistance the new benchmark in expansion packs.

The real coup for diehard Warcraft players is a true map and mission editor that can be used to create scripted maps, custom heroes, voice and sound files, unit variations, as well as a completely new story.

Rock Manager does truly emulate the music industry: it's the equivalent of a CD where the first tracks are the best and the rest is all filler.

I like 'em fast and furious, not fast and frustrating. That being said, I fell in love with GT Advance 2 almost from the very beginning.

Utterly formulaic, and like the movies upon which it's very loosely based, ultimately forgettable.

If the mission goals are repetitive, at least the players have some latitude in completing them, whether by brute force, stealth, or by calling in air support (you can illuminate targets with a laser).

Buggy, broken, and nigh unplayable. All the mistakes committed by earlier games in the category are present in Dirt, but they're magnified exponentially by the game's technical flaws.

A repetitive game with pretty graphics that fails to inspire much of anything.

I was pleased with this Romance, but less than fulfilled.

A good idea, and I think that with the right implementation it could make for an excellent game. Bogged down with tedious, unpolished gameplay, weak graphics, and unimpressive presentation, Stuntman is not that game.