Proof that as long as a game is fun, it doesn’t need to be advanced upon by leaps and bounds with every installment. There’s loads of content here.

The fact of the matter is: those of you who own only a GameCube are getting ripped off. For the same price, you could be enjoying a contender for game of the year on that other console.

Plays and feels a lot better than 2004, and for some of you, that might be a bad thing. Taking the time to adjust to the new mechanics, mainly the passing game, will leave some frustrated out of their minds. The game certainly has a more authentic feel to it.

Yeah, some of the missions are a tad on the repetitive side, and the voice acting can be pretty lame, but no game has made me feel as close to playing the comic as this one.

Since the storyline and uninteresting characters adorn the experience almost as much as the physics, the game isn't all it could've been. But in the end, it's the gameplay that counts most, and what's found in Psi-Ops is good enough to keep you playing.

Slightly repetitive combat and linear level design keeps the game from earning must-have status, but gamers with even a slight interest in strategy titles and a yearning for something new should give it a rent.

Bleeding edge technology merged with an assortment of quality gameplay ideas, and topped off with well-utilized production values makes The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay one of the best, if not the best licensed videogame on the market on any console.

Metal Slug 3 is just plain fun. It's freaking tough, but fun nevertheless.

Though far from flawless, Thief: Deadly Shadows is a magnificent game that breathes a bit of fresh air into the stealth action genre. It's got impressive graphics, ambient sound, immersive gameplay, and an intriguing story that is truly deserving of praise.

The controls could use a little work, we’d like to encounter more things to shoot, and it’d be nice to be able to play as more than three Autobots, but Melbourne House has laid the groundwork for what can become an exciting shooter series.

Between the bonus stages, hidden areas, and multiple endings, this game could keep you going for months.

One of those rare games that can appeal to both the rally purist and the arcade racing fan.

This game is all about style. And for anyone who’s even remotely a fan of the classic western genre, it’s a must have.

With a neat little story line, some interesting ways to complete your objectives, the Hitman series still manages to carve out a niche in this crowded market.

Violent or not, Manhunt contains substance that other games can only wish for, and does so while pulling off some excellent and original play mechanics, executed to near-perfection.

It does many things right, and if you’re a moderate soccer fan, you can’t help but to like this year’s World Tour Soccer.

The faces are absolutely amazing. Quite simply, there isn’t another game to even compare in terms of likeness and quality.

A good game that could be great with slight improvements. The nagging camera problems really create an issue, and the tediousness of the never-ending supply of enemies will drive some people insane.

Very few action videogames for GBA can match up to TCSC: Pandora Tomorrow for GBA and what it is doing for the GBA generation.

This game does convincingly place you into a fascinating world that is seemingly endless to explore. It’s going to take you months to get the most out of it, and that means monthly fees.

With an improved single player mode, a brand new and impressive multiplayer mode, state of the art graphics, a sound score that should be nominated for an Oscar, and a gaming engine that sets standards for all videogames to reach, you couldn't go wrong with purchasing TCSC: Pandora Tomorrow.

Sure, the gameplay itself is dated and uninspired, but everything else -- from the intelligent, witty writing to the fantastic voice acting and ambient music -- propels the title to something more than a cheap cash-in (but it is nicely priced at $30).

Yes, this game is better than "MVP Baseball 2004" by EA Sports, Acclaim's "All-Star Baseball," and "ESPN Baseball."

Team 17 has taken almost all of what made the original games fun and plopped it into 3D. It isn’t quite as much fun as the two-dimensional games, but Worms 3D is certainly the best strategy title on the GameCube.

The action-packed nature of The Suffering keeps it from being the scariest of horror games, but Surreal Software added a plethora of inventive effects that make up for it, actually out-scaring some games in the ever growing genre.

The "Resident Evil" remake offered spectacular graphical effects, new rooms, new enemies, new locales, new play mechanics, and even new storyline twists and characters, all while retaining the original environment, characters, and gameplay that made the game so great to begin with. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes does no such thing, feeling more like a by-the-numbers remake, mimicking everything about the original PlayStation version, even down to the visual presentation.

The speed and control in Colin McRae Rally 04 is unbelievably noticeable.

Ninja Gaiden does everything right from A to Z.

Unlike "ATV Offroad Fury 2," Unleashed isn’t online, and it doesn’t support four-player multiplayer. Furthermore, the visual quality doesn’t increase at all due to these cuts, which is disappointing.

The gameplay alone is magnificent. The visuals have improved greatly, and the sound is on its way to achieving something more than mediocrity. No longer are the menus confusing like in WE6, and I’d have to say that this version is completely user-friendly.

The game supports up to four players either online or off, and the randomly-generated content, from the vividly-detailed levels to the 10,000-plus items and random enemy placement, help make Champions of Norrath one of the most replayable games on the market.

While the story isn’t as captivating and some changes have been made (including stripping away multiplayer), Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is still more than worthy of the handheld hacker crown.

For a Yu-Gi-Oh! videogame, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 can be considered one of the best Yu-Gi-Oh! videogames ever made.

FF:CC will not disappoint too many gamers, it instead will simply expose them to another way that RPG videogames can be played.

We get a game that pays tribute to its legacy by going out with a bang. It does so not by trying to add too much or expand too deeply, but by mastering the style it has become known for.

A great game and worthy sequel. It keeps the core gameplay intact, but improves on it significantly, and then adds a plethora of new additions that only enhance what’s already on offer.

With varying challenges, an ongoing storyline with a few twists, and the classic Sonic feel, Sonic Heroes will appeal the most to long-time fans of the series.

A great horror game if it stood alone, but being a sequel, the title feels too much like the original. There isn’t one significant upgrade that the game makes over the first; the enemies are the same, the environments look the same and feel the same, and quite frankly, it doesn’t sound any different either.

Culdcept has exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. The game is deep, addicting, and an absolute joy to play.

For all you old codgers (Paul) longing for yesteryear when gameplay was king and multiplayer was where it was at, Pac-Man Vs. is about as pure and stripped down a gaming experience you can get.

A brilliant piece of work. Everything needed to create a believable world is there: A fantastically told story with plenty of plot twists, memorable characters, memorable moments, and a fluid pace.

Violent or not, Manhunt contains substance that other games can only wish for, and does so while pulling off some excellent and original play mechanics, executed to near-perfection.

With a less serious, but still meaningful storyline, one of the most playable battle systems around, and more side quests than you could keep track of, Final Fantasy X-2 is an RPG that will keep you occupied and satisfied for as long as any good game in its genre should.

PGR2 will take you a long time to complete, even if you simply collect Steel Medals, and even longer if you want to collect nothing but Platinum Medals. There are more then 100 tracks and cars to unlock and many time records to set.

Yeah, the framerate could be better and the main weapons are kind of uninspired, but the action is intense and it provides a great challenge.

I can't remember the last time a game impressed me this much by not only its style and unique qualities, but also by simply being fun. There was not a single moment during Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time that I was not having fun...Gets my vote for Best Game of 2003. I have never played anything like it. It's simply amazing.

Yeah, the framerate could be better and the main weapons are kind of uninspired, but the action is intense and it provides a great challenge.

While many of the improvements fell short of our expectations this is still a better version of the game than the original EQOA. Frontiers is a bigger world, plays smoother, and has MARGINAL bonuses in sounds and looks.

The very best in it’s class, paying close attention to the culture in which the game is tailored after, and offering great gameplay to back up the gorgeous graphics and thousands of upgrades for the hoarder in you.

Does little to improve on the franchise, but remains a highly enjoyable multiplayer title.

If "Splinter Cell" hears Rainbow Six 3 coming, it better move on over - the top spot for the single player military strategy/action title has been taken, by a first person shooter no less.

The single-player campaign is only eight missions long, and over before you know it. While the multiplayer online games are fun, they are too simplistic to last as long as other games tailored for online like "SOCOM 2" or "Rainbow Six 3."

Stands as the true evolution of the platform genre, proving that in order to evolve, a game does not have to steal from everything that’s popular at the moment. While it’s not as purely platform as Mario Sunshine, it’s also not trying to be "Ratchet Theft Auto" like certain OTHER games.

My favorite of the series. On the PSone, the game was an acquaintance. On the Dreamcast a one night stand. But Defiance is a full-fledged romance. Finally, the storyline satisfies completely and I will not spoil it for you. But I will say that if you are a fan of the series, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

SOCOM 2 rocks; it’s just not the mammoth leap forward we were hoping for.

The two-player cooperative mode is the real star of the show, overshadowing the online play that the PS2 version offers, and is the one critical feature the first game so desperately needed.

A good, solid game, but it doesn’t offer much more than the previous title did. If you’ve played that to death, there isn’t much here that you haven’t already experienced.

True Crime is, thankfully, not a total failure, although one does get the impression that with more development time and more polish to individual aspects (aside from the impressive driving sections), the game could’ve been a masterwork.

True Crime is, thankfully, not a total failure, although one does get the impression that with more development time and more polish to individual aspects (aside from the impressive driving sections), the game could’ve been a masterwork.

True Crime is, thankfully, not a total failure, although one does get the impression that with more development time and more polish to individual aspects (aside from the impressive driving sections), the game could’ve been a masterwork.

The new content of Tribunal and Bloodmoon are well worth the price of admission, even if the core gameplay hasn't changed in any way.

While not the most polished title on the market, there’s plenty between the voice-recognition and the various tactics available to make SWAT: Global Strike Team a worthwhile endeavor.

While not the most polished title on the market, there’s plenty between the voice-recognition and the various tactics available to make SWAT: Global Strike Team a worthwhile endeavor.

The ability to roam the level on foot or in a vehicle were great ideas for moving the series forward, but shoddy animations and lousy collision detection make it not worth the effort and wind up dragging down the otherwise stellar gameplay and controls.

Indisputably Castlevania, and nothing else. The action is frenzied and fluid as always. The entrancing musical score is as haunting as we could’ve ever hoped for, and the controls are virtually flawless.

Drop-dead gorgeous and the gameplay is as smooth and realistic as ever. ESPN looks, plays and sounds as close to the real NBA game as you can possibly get on a console right now.

A worthy sequel that takes the series in a new direction of an open-ended structure while improving upon the sheer fun of the over-the-top trick-heavy gameplay.

A worthy sequel that takes the series in a new direction of an open-ended structure while improving upon the sheer fun of the over-the-top trick-heavy gameplay.

A worthy sequel that takes the series in a new direction of an open-ended structure while improving upon the sheer fun of the over-the-top trick-heavy gameplay.

The nuisance of the overworld and the poorly controlled vehicles are the biggest drawbacks, causing a good deal of headache. And yes, the game is much more difficult than the original.

The blue language may be a bit sophmoric and the gameplay a little repetitive, but the game features high production values: a solid vehicular combat engine, well produced cutscenes and excellent music.

A rare gem. It somehow manages to capture the essence of what made classic beat ‘em ups like Double Dragon and Streets of Rage so enjoyable, while still delivering a lengthy and varied enough experience for today’s gamer. [Import]

Nothing in the world of electronic entertainment involves the mind and body quite like this game does.

Thoroughly enjoyable on its own, but there is something very satisfying about finding a warm spot outdoors and annihilating vampires with the power of the sun.

Equal parts hilarity and biting social commentary, the game grafts "Grand Theft Auto" gameplay onto the material from the TV show and does it extremely well.

The GameCube version of Hit and Run loads a bit faster and runs smoother overall than the PS2 version of the game, and it’s the closest thing that the GameCube has to "Grand Theft Auto" at this point, so why not give it a go?

The superb integration of a heartfelt storyline, impeccable art design, and addictive tactical gameplay makes Final Fantasy Tactics Advance a reassuring reminder of the past while setting the foundation for an exceptional future.

Isn’t anything revolutionary, rather it’s a simple evolution of the series. The game fixes a number of flaws from its predecessor, and tweaks a few things that didn’t need major adjustments. It’s more of the same, but bigger and better.

The translation is natural (hats off to Atlus on that point), and the sense of humor that Disgaea carries is unrelentingly brilliant in both languages... A fantastic game that's worth every penny.

Sure, Soul Calibur II is the single greatest weapons-based fighter out there. But is it a significant leap forward from the original? Not really.

One of the best third-person action games released in recent memory. The unprecedented ability to destroy nearly every onscreen object, including the ability to pound craters into the ground with devastating attacks, will keep gamers looking for action more than satisfied.

It is hard to find fault with a game that improves upon its groundbreaking predecessor in every category.

One of the best 3D fighters out there. Weapon Master mode creates a worthwhile single player experience, and the numerous other modes will keep players busy for months. [Import]

That what it offers more of was incredible to begin with, and that it offers it in a much, much prettier package, with more gameplay modes and options, makes F-Zero GX the kind of "rehash" that you want to savor every bit of.

The series is definitely in peak form here, with near endless amounts of options and gameplay tweaks that add to an already addictive and playable formula.

Simply THE pro-football title to buy this year, no matter what system you own. If you happen to have a choice, go with the PS2 version. It’s the only one with the awesome online play, and it controls like a dream with the Dual Shock controller configuration.

While it is a technically well-made game, it’s just not as exciting when you’re playing on your own.

A definite improvement over Silent Hill 2 in almost every way (except length), SH3 is probably one of the best survival horror games available right now. While the length affects things other than the replay value, the unlockable extras do their part to extend the game’s longevity.

If you plan on unlocking 100% of the game (and it does keep track of the percentage), then Rides Gone Wild will certainly keep you busy. And since Splashdown: Rides Gone Wild controls splendidly, has immensely creative tracks and looks real purdy, there's no reason why you wouldn't want to keep playing.

You can play with one controller and pass it around, but it's worth getting four controllers together so everyone can make use of the taunts-sinking a birdie putt with three other people mashing the taunt commands is not an easy feat, but it is a lot of fun.

This game isn't just a racing game, it isn't just a trick-based game, and it isn't just both, but it's an entirely new and interesting experience.

It is, thanks to the incredible job on the vocal work and the environments, easily the most involving RPG I've ever played on a console or PC.

A fun and addictive game.

It contains one of the most impressive and gripping storylines in recent memory, which can be easily related to today’s headlines without beating you over the head with its metaphor.

While the game isn't nearly long enough to be considered a true Resident Evil title, it's still up to five times longer than other light gun shooters, is more immersive, looks better, and gives more incentive for replay than other light gun games on the market.

Judging this game on it's own merits proves to still be a fun, exciting shooter. We decided to score this game on what it offers instead of what it doesn't, and that is the score you see.

Once you figure out the intricacies of how to properly drive your horse, when to release the bit, when to pull out the whip, etc., you'll be smitten. And while your friends may not understand your attraction to a "horse racing game", you'll be the wiser.

A damn fine sequel that will have many gamers coming back for more. The only negative I can think of about this game is that once you unlock everything, you will find that you will play the game more for multiplayer fun rather than single player excitement.