Attempts to be a platform game heavy on the puzzles, but it's really just a boring platform game. It's too bad it's a video game and not a slide show, because playing the game is almost painfully boring at times despite the graphics.

Attempts to be a platform game heavy on the puzzles, but it's really just a boring platform game. It's too bad it's a video game and not a slide show, because playing the game is almost painfully boring at times despite the graphics.

Attempts to be a platform game heavy on the puzzles, but it's really just a boring platform game. It's too bad it's a video game and not a slide show, because playing the game is almost painfully boring at times despite the graphics.

I was hoping that Mario Party 5 would be better than last year’s effort. While certain aspects of the game are a move in the right direction, the overall game fails to please.

The game suffers from some obvious bugs here and there, but the enthralling single-player missions and addictive online multi-player modes offset the problems to an extent. The game absolutely has to be experienced with the USB headset for full effect.

If the gameplay was a little more involved, with less button bashing and greater emphasis on using combos for effectiveness, it would provide a more fufilling experience.

There's no new content here, but you still have two absolutely fantastic games that have seriously impacted the future of gaming. You can't go wrong.

If the gameplay was a little more involved, with less button bashing and greater emphasis on using combos for effectiveness, it would provide a more fufilling experience.

A cautious step in a new direction for Midway - pushing the series forward while still staying within sight of what gives Blitz its appeal is a tight line to walk, and for the most part, it hasn't turned out as well with NFL Blitz Pro as it did with "NHL Hitz Pro."

There just didn’t seem to be much care put into this title, and if I were a fan of the series, I’d consider this title a slap in the face.

Make no mistake about it, this game does not trounce, destroy, walk all over, or replace "Grand Theft Auto." It is a better game though, as it is more refined and makes a nice addition for those who like the genre and are looking for more.

Make no mistake about it, this game does not trounce, destroy, walk all over, or replace "Grand Theft Auto." It is a better game though, as it is more refined and makes a nice addition for those who like the genre and are looking for more.

It easily hold ground with EA and Sega, but offering the same options, with dated looks and sounds may turn off most fickle gamer.

With great handling, nice visuals, and tough A.I., Super Trucks is easily worth the purchase at only $14.99. For trucking and stock car fans, this is a no brainer.

A great-looking, incredibly deep and satisfying combat role playing game. It's complicated and has a steep "getting started" curve, but the investment of patience pays off.

FFXI manages to mend the idea of a persistent online community with a story, graphics, and an intuitive interface that begs to be played when other responsibilities rear their ugly head.

If you have time and patience to balance Sim-caring and magic, this expansion is a keeper.

A great-looking, incredibly deep and satisfying combat role playing game. It's complicated and has a steep "getting started" curve, but the investment of patience pays off.

The game looks and sounds great, plays well, and has a ton of online and offline modes to play.

If you've never played the first one, Redeemer is an entertaining, but repetitive, beat-em up action game with lots of style. But if you've played Hunter already, you'll be wishing the time between games had been used to make Redeemer a little deeper and more interesting than this repetitive slash-fest.

But if you're the type that will get a kick out of watching the fighters launch from the tubes on the titular ship (and those launches look a lot like they did on the TV show), and you long to put those one-eyed robots in their place, this game will entertain you enough to feed your nostalgic cravings even if none of the characters or even the robots look all that familiar.

A great-looking, incredibly deep and satisfying combat role playing game. It's complicated and has a steep "getting started" curve, but the investment of patience pays off.

The story aspect actually helps the flow of the game. Instead of just doing random tasks all over the place, you feel more of a purpose and progression for doing those tasks.

The lighting effects and polygonal detail has been kicked up a few notches, and for those of you who don't like your grapplers dipped in corn oil, HCTP has the best looking character models on the market - more realistic in motion, musculature and personal detail than Raw 2's sweaty oafs.

The interface and options are somewhat lacking, but the Music Mixer could be fun to mess around with at parties and other gatherings.

An addictive sequel which adds so much to the mix that you can't help but spend hours exploring it all.

It's the bugs, the lousy camera, the lack of online leagues for Xbox and absolute necessity to adjust all of the gameplay sliders to find that decent game that shoots the overall score way down.

It's the bugs, the lousy camera, ... and absolute necessity to adjust all of the gameplay sliders to find that decent game that shoots the overall score way down.

Visually, Crimson Skies is a great looking game, and definitely a step up from the PC original. Absolutely huge environments, with impressive undulating environments, deep canyons, congested cities full of skyscrapers, and those amazing trademark Xbox water effects in the ocean, ponds and rivers.

The levels and design, while brilliant, are hampered by repeating the same tasks over and over and over again. It’s a beat’em up through and through, but with more flavor and creativity than most.

From the huge open mountain to the convincing radio station to the numerous events, this is one cool experience.

From the huge open mountain to the convincing radio station to the numerous events, this is one cool experience.

From the huge open mountain to the convincing radio station to the numerous events, this is one cool experience.

Play this one alone and in the dark. The Boogeyman gives this title major props for the sheer terror it brings.

The visuals in Bustin’ Out are surprisingly detailed and fluid. The characters animation with clay-mation smoothness and have the traditional fun animations that Sim fans are used to.

There are too many little things wrong with the strongest part of the game, the flight combat, to completely excuse the weakest parts, the third person missions on foot.

Now where NBA Live 2004 excels is in the gameplay department. NBA Live successfully gives you almost total control of the game of basketball, crossovers, pivot moves, shot adjustments, and fade-aways, are all aspects of the game that EA has given you control of.

The 2D gameplay hits some bright spots but is hampered by the new, boring 3D sections. There isn't much to keep you playing other than to relive a shred of Mega Man gameplay in 3D.

I personally could have done without the majority of the hovercar and weapon-based missions, but overall the game works well, looks and sounds fantastic, and provides many hours of mostly enjoyable gaming.

By fixing the elements of the original that needed it, providing a richer backdrop for the gunplay, and tweaking the dialogue to better fit the film noir atmosphere, Remedy and Rockstar should be commended.

Now where NBA Live 2004 excels is in the gameplay department. NBA Live successfully gives you almost total control of the game of basketball, crossovers, pivot moves, shot adjustments, and fade-aways, are all aspects of the game that EA has given you control of.

A platformer that delivers the goods.

Now where NBA Live 2004 excels is in the gameplay department. NBA Live successfully gives you almost total control of the game of basketball, crossovers, pivot moves, shot adjustments, and fade-aways, are all aspects of the game that EA has given you control of.

It's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but for good old fashioned blasting fun with some friends or on your own, it's hard to beat. I'm lovin' it.

Don't pick this one up unless you're really hard up for a multiplayer game or until it drops to $19.99.

A stunning example of how creativity can blend seamlessly with gameplay without sacrificing one or the other. The top-notch gameplay coupled with out of this world superhero stunts is the freshest take on a classic side-scrolling action seen in years.

An average strategy title. The simple action and battle elements will turn off hardcore strategists. But the strong story and entertaining characters will keep you from popping the disc out.

The control with mouse and keyboard is far superior to the clunky Xbox controller, and Gearbox is already rolling out patches to deal with the framerate issues. As an experience, Halo is something to behold - on the right system, you can pull this game out and slap around your Xbox-owning friends with higher resolutions and better controls. As a game, however, it starts strong and fizzles like a wet firework towards the end.

An average strategy title. The simple action and battle elements will turn off hardcore strategists. But the strong story and entertaining characters will keep you from popping the disc out.

The "crash and bang" gameplay translates well to 5-on-5 gameplay, and with the rules turned off and the addition of online play, provides a great arcade-style alternative to the ESPN and EA series.

It's easy to pick up and play, but there's enough depth and customization here to make this the only alternative to the more simulation-based hockey games available.

More tiresome than it is challenging and fun.

Online play might have taken NBA Jam off the "rent for nostalgia" list and put it on the "must-have" list. As is, there are better basketball alternatives - several of them.

Playing double is almost like learning DDR again from the beginning. That means that you get to have all that thrill of progression one more time! Seriously, it’s worth the price of an extra pad.

Online play might have taken NBA Jam off the "rent for nostalgia" list and put it on the "must-have" list. As is, there are better basketball alternatives - several of them.

It plays well, is not overly difficult for younger gamers, and looks and sounds nice enough. Its real drawback is it ends up being pretty standard platforming fare with not much in the way of unique or different features.

The game falls apart sooner than later in the game’s progression. While I may have seemed a bit harsh, it’s not that I thought Billy was a bad adventure; just not one I’d ever take again.

The amount of control you have over your character in Jedi Academy is one of those things we all asked for while we were playing "Jedi Outcast."

At first glance, with it's twisting, gravity-defying tracks and fluorescent visuals, XGRA might remind you of the recent "F-Zero GX." Upon further inspection it's actually slower, sometimes much slower, less colorful and a lot less interesting.

All the Simpsons references in the world would be a waste if the game play were trash. Just ask "Simpsons Skateboarding" on that one. Thankfully the game play is very tight, responsive, and easy to maneuver for rookies or vets.

The fights won't be fair, the camera angles will make you throw a fit, but the sci-fi setting and mysterious storyline will satisfy those who are willing to brave dinos and poor cameras in space.

All the Simpsons references in the world would be a waste if the game play were trash. Just ask "Simpsons Skateboarding" on that one. Thankfully the game play is very tight, responsive, and easy to maneuver for rookies or vets.

All the Simpsons references in the world would be a waste if the game play were trash. Just ask "Simpsons Skateboarding" on that one. Thankfully the game play is very tight, responsive, and easy to maneuver for rookies or vets.

A painfully average game with excellent production values, hampered by clueless AI and a schizophrenic approach to detail. Just like "Monday Night Raw" over the past 18 months, when you think about it.

At first glance, with it's twisting, gravity-defying tracks and fluorescent visuals, XGRA might remind you of the recent "F-Zero GX." Upon further inspection it's actually slower, sometimes much slower, less colorful and a lot less interesting.

The control is spot-on, player ratings make a huge difference in checking, skating and passing, and it just feels like real on-ice action. ESPN NHL 2K4 has ironed out most of the wrinkles from last year, and turned the presentation up to 11 - you won't find a better playing, better looking, or better sounding hockey game available.

Outbreak's biggest flaw might be its own previous installments. Players won't find much new gameplay in part 3 besides in acceleration of the story arc.

Just like some people enjoyed "DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball" and "BMX XXX," some people will enjoy BloodRayne. Those people could have played it last year on any of the current consoles and for a lot less than what it requires from a PC.

The control is spot-on, player ratings make a huge difference in checking, skating and passing, and it just feels like real on-ice action. ESPN NHL 2K4 has ironed out most of the wrinkles from last year, and turned the presentation up to 11 - you won't find a better playing, better looking, or better sounding hockey game available.

A decent shooter and would have been great had the character been given enough speed to match her robotic peers.

The only blemish on this otherwise fine masterpiece is the God-awful story that they tried to pan off as a serious RPG style story.

A tight playing, fun beat-em-up style action game with a small dash of strategy. Don’t let the historical theme fool you; the game is all about fighting, fighting and more fighting.

First Person Football is the monster addition though. With everything in the gameplay that was updated for 2K4, I don’t know how they found the time to add this big of an addition. First Person Football is a game unto itself, and you get it for free.

First Person Football is the monster addition though. With everything in the gameplay that was updated for 2K4, I don’t know how they found the time to add this big of an addition. First Person Football is a game unto itself, and you get it for free.

Personally, I don't have any place for a game like this on my shelf when I already have the whole Tony Hawk dynasty. Would I recommend it to my friends that have kids? Surely.

Personally, I don't have any place for a game like this on my shelf when I already have the whole Tony Hawk dynasty. Would I recommend it to my friends that have kids? Surely.

Personally, I don't have any place for a game like this on my shelf when I already have the whole Tony Hawk dynasty. Would I recommend it to my friends that have kids? Surely.

The game's fun however depends on the players' knowledge of how a six-sided die can be manipulated to have the desired number on its top face. It's not easy to do, and only after that hurdle is crossed can players enjoy any aspect of the game.

The game looks great, sounds better, and has more depth than 3 fighting games put together.

Improved visuals, spruced up game play, and in-depth online play that will keep any fan of the collegiate games very happy indeed.

It's a solid attempt at the fishing genre that novice players can quickly get a hold of. But fishing pros will be bored with the one-trick pony AI.

If for any reason, the whole online experience the game brings to the player is unparalleled, this is the reason to buy Fever over any of the competition.

A solid, if standard platformer if you have some appreciation for Scooby-Doo or if you're looking for a game for the kids.

The game looks great, sounds better, and has more depth than 3 fighting games put together.

The game looks great, sounds better, and has more depth than 3 fighting games put together.

Incredibly fast, outstandingly brilliant, and wonderfully rewarding to play. The intense difficulty curve only adds to the gameplay experience. Each race that is won feels even more impressive because it had to be earned.

With airtight controls, improved defensive and offensive AI, more animations, a deep and rewarding franchise that allows you to actually own a team this season, John Madden football looks to big in a great position to continue their reign as the undisputed champs of video football.

With airtight controls, improved defensive and offensive AI, more animations, a deep and rewarding franchise that allows you to actually own a team this season, John Madden football looks to big in a great position to continue their reign as the undisputed champs of video football.

With airtight controls, improved defensive and offensive AI, more animations, a deep and rewarding franchise that allows you to actually own a team this season, John Madden football looks to big in a great position to continue their reign as the undisputed champs of video football.

Like a full-priced "Serious Sam" title. It's fine if you want to jump right into an action-packed mashing session. Just don't expect it to keep your interest past 30 minutes.

While it has some nice changes, I found myself growing bored with it quicker than I did with the original. I do believe this would have not been the case if the game were primarily the adventure tracks.

It's very short, not too difficult, and feels like a watered down expansion pack to Hassle in the Castle than a true follow up.

A fast and fun game that does everything that hasn't been done before. The game is totally fresh and unique.

The effort in style and ideas are evident, but working on the same engine, and just building on it just doesn’t do the series justice. Give the game a face-lift please.

One of the most amazing aspects of this game is how the world responds to your actions. It is very open ended, and the decisions that you make during the course of your adventures directly affect the outcome of the entire game... One of the greatest RPGs that I have played thus far.

The real reason to pick up this version over last year's are the presentation upgrades.

The real reason to pick up this version over last year's are the presentation upgrades.

The real reason to pick up this version over last year's are the presentation upgrades.