Unfortunately, for my rapidly dwindling sanity, the PC version not only retains the basic gameplay, erratic camera, and simplistic level design of the original, it tops off that witch's brew of gaming mediocrity with a whole passel of problems unique to the PC version.

Only graphical impoverishments, a terrible secret-unlock method, and a lack of features prevent perfection.

An excellent racing game, with tight control and great AI that transcends its gimmicky "storyline" angle.

It's not so much that the enemies are hard to kill, or that the simplistic level design inflicts any brain-bending puzzles, but more that the inherent trial-and-error style progression through the levels gets tedious to the point of removing all the fun from playing.

Through a couple of years and multiple revisions, Sonic Team has taken a game that was incredibly solid and enjoyable at its outset and polished and added to it; there is so much to do (although there's still not enough to see, a common complaint with PSO) that you'll have no difficulty signing on for marathon sessions.

The progression of difficulty is actually quite linear and well-balanced. But, because the entire experience is so densely compressed, for most people the game becomes too difficult and too technical far too quickly.

X2 has a number of unforgivable problems. Most noticeable of all is the difficulty level, and in turn, the frustrating nature of the gameplay.

It's every bit as stellar as the original, though it's best played and appreciated by those that have gone through its predecessor.

It's not so much that the enemies are hard to kill, or that the simplistic level design inflicts any brain-bending puzzles, but more that the inherent trial-and-error style progression through the levels gets tedious to the point of removing all the fun from playing.

A nearly flawless conversion that adds more than it takes away... The transposition to Nintendo's controller is welcome, because the game now feels much more fluid and responsive.

It's harder than most, but the feeling of elation when you finally work those punk-ass CPU roadsters into submission is legendary. Rockstar's latest above-the-law offering is excellent.

A chunky mess of a game that bears some resemblance to the Crazy Taxi I know and love, but one which is lacking most of its fun.

While it's acceptable as a diversion, the action and atmospheric elements are too much at odds with one another.

The fastest, tightest racer on the GameCube to date.

The kind of great sequel that should be encouraged - it builds on the solid base of the original, cleans up most of the problems and manages to stake out its own territory in the process.

Where the PS2 version really shines is in the control department. The controls become almost second nature after only a few minutes of running around.

It's the closest one yet to capturing the spirit of the card game.

Another notable absence is weapons. You heard me right: No weapons!... A wrestling game without steel chairs is like Maxim magazine without the cover girl.

The central gameplay mechanic of Gallop Racer 2003, and the one I found compelling, is that it forces you to strike an ever-shifting balance between your horse's position on the track and its level of stamina.

The learning curve is a bit greater than it has to be because of some less-than-complete instructions, but the time spent figuring out the ins and outs of the game will be well worth it.

If you're a Disney fan, you'll be disappointed by the lack of any real Disney-ness to the game. Other than the grainy images of Mickey and crew, you get no sense of the characters' personalities, voices, or quirks. If you're a racing fan, the game's dreadful camera takes away any potential for high-speed fun and action.

Even with all its flaws, Def Jam Vendetta is the best wrestling game currently on the market.

The action is solid for the most part and the RPG elements add some depth. It's got its problems, but it's still a world ahead of most games based on a lucrative license.

A surprisingly good remake of an unsung classic.

The AI on both sides just isn't very intelligent.

The physics of whacking your opponents with the bat are also ... well, whacked. More often than not, a smacked enemy flies in front of your kart, slowing you down and putting you at a disadvantage.

For console owners, it's simply not worth the bucks to upgrade your PC to play this game -- Enjoy it on your console. On the other hand, if you've got the hardware for it (including a gamepad) and don't own a console, I'd recommend getting your hands on this game in an instant.

A fun but dated 2D fighter with too high a price and no new features.