The online play is a nice addition for PS2 and Xbox owners, but it would’ve been even better if a fuller field of human players was included.

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.

A handful of decent minigames combined with a bunch of absolute stinkers, many of which play identically, doesn’t exactly earn this one the gold.

Better than the original. Too bad it’s not a huge leap over it. It’s still a mediocre card-based RPG, and there are a few annoying gameplay elements whose inclusion leaves me puzzled.

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.

The game is a total disaster, with no redeeming qualities. Konami has taken an interesting license and thrown away all potential.

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.

Merely an above average tennis game that doesn’t replace leaders in the genre like "Sega Sports Tennis" or "Mario Tennis."

If you feel that 25 mini-games ranging from a bland tank blaster game to sheep shooting and a few multiplayer games are worth full price, I recommend this video game. Otherwise, stay away.

It had promise, but didn’t live up to its expectations; what did I expect? More than this.

The duel system is solid, but poor production values (ie, no artwork for the cards) and slow-paced gameplay drag down the game a notch or two.

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.

The wacky locales, characters, bowling balls, and game modes put an interesting spin on the sport, even if it isn’t integral to the gameplay.

It has some very unique and inspired game mechanics (the targeting system, for example) and does a number of things well.

It’s just too bad that the very games that Van Helsing attempts to mimic are better games, and it’s for this reason that Van Helsing’s license will have to carry it in the end.

There is fun to be had, and the online portion is a nice diversion, but unless you’re a die-hard fan, there is little here that hasn’t already been done better somewhere else.

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.

Despite its unique approach though, the game is also very frustrating, and at times, feels more like work than like fun. The stealth gameplay is much too basic, and though the ability to see through the eyes of your attackers is creative (and spooky), it doesn’t help the player as well as it was intended.

As far as dance/rhythm games go, Groove has the unique feature of the EyeToy, but its lack of depth hurts its value.

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 mindlessly fun game with an addictive quality to the upgrade system, and the mounds of unlockable cars also helps to boost the replay value.

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.

But the big draw of the Xbox version is its online modes via Xbox LIVE, and this PS2 port doesn’t even approach getting close to its Xbox sibling.

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.

For the first Yu-Gi-Oh! videogame for the XBOX, Yu-Gi-Oh! Dawn Of Destiny is a good attempt on Konami’s part. But hope and pray, that the next Yu-Gi-Oh! videogame made for the XBOX really lives up to the excellence that most XBOX videogames deliver.

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."

While getting into a one-on-one fistfight was often quite cool, getting trapped by a horde of mindless drones was quite the opposite, making the game extremely frustrating and even cheap at times.

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.

The shooting gallery-style gunplay and cool-looking physics, along with the cheesy voices and music, really nail the Wild West.

Ninja Gaiden does everything right from A to Z.

For Scooby Doo fans, this is the best made game based on the license by a long shot. Though the gameplay itself is relatively simple and boring at times, the interesting storyline and episode-like game progression is pure bliss for Scooby fanatics.

A great arcade watercraft racer if you put the terrible music aside. With solid control, cool looking water, and simple tricks, Carve offers something for just about everyone (especially those starved of watercraft racers on the Xbox).

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.

Using the right analog stick for attacks just doesn’t feel right, and as a player, you’re never really allowed to control your attacks properly. That, added to the frustratingly cheap bosses, adds up to a mediocre gaming experience, despite the crisp visuals and entertaining audio portions.

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.

A competent game. It won't win any awards, but it's a fun time- assuming you're playing through with a friend.

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.

But who can blame them for only cheering at the start and finish? What occurs between is a snore fest that could only be lost by a third grader.

Not even that new or innovative as it’s just ripping off the idea generated by a very popular movie.

With no online play, no real stats to care about and some very shoddy racing mechanics, the graphics are the only thing that make this game stand out.

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.

The game only lasts around four and a half hours. The replay value isn’t all that hot either, and the game is not completed unless it’s beaten on all three difficulty levels, totaling around fifteen total hours.

The game only lasts around four and a half hours. The replay value isn’t all that hot either, and the game is not completed unless it’s beaten on all three difficulty levels, totaling around fifteen total hours.

The game only lasts around four and a half hours. The replay value isn’t all that hot either, and the game is not completed unless it’s beaten on all three difficulty levels, totaling around fifteen total hours.

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.

Despite a solid structure, the key appeal (and focus) of the game’s presentation is to the gamer looking to re-immerse themselves again in the mythos surrounding Battlestar Galactica, and without that sense of nostalgia, it becomes a lot harder to forgive some of the game’s more glaring flaws.

One of those rare games that make you wonder how it is even authorized to be sold for a profit.

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.

BR4 is simply BROKEN. Nothing here manages to come together the way that it should and this leads to frustration and boredom.

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.

One of those rare games that make you wonder how it is even authorized to be sold for a profit.

Perhaps the biggest downfall of Final Four is the sound area. The two broadcasters don’t do enough talking, and when they do, they make odd and frankly stupid remarks.

The game is easy to pick up and play, a must for a console RTS game, but this takes away many strategic elements, and will leave fans of the genre wishing there was more to do.

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.

No, it’s not nearly as bad as Kemco’s travesty, but there’s nothing compelling about it. Having all of the unlockable moves and techniques means nothing if there’s no real need to have them there...Simply mashing the B button will get you from start to finish with little trouble.

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.

Ignoring all possible future releases, however, the EyeToy is still a worthy investment for someone seeking a completely new gaming experience.

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.

While the basic Yu-Gi-Oh gameplay is here, with some nice new visuals, the overall experience has been far too simplified with easy AI opponents and little motivation to improve one’s deck.

The Falsebound Kingdom’s boring and slow-paced battle system is its biggest problem, as the bulk of your playtime will be spent fighting. The minimalist presentation also does little to excite the player.

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.