The high degree of difficulty is matched only by the high degree of bad music.

The only real problem here is that the game still plays a bit too fast.

It combines several of my interests: kooky Victoriana, bloody fairytales, lush writing, bratty girls with knives, and talking cats.

In terms of options, "Blitz 2000" rests on its laurels, though a four-player simultaneous mode may be enough for die-hards to pick this one up.

Bullfrog took on the near-impossible task of transforming a dedicated online game into a satisfying experience for the not-yet-online Playstation2, and completed it brilliantly.

One of the most visually stunning games for the deuce. This, coupled with engrossing arcade gameplay, kept me coming back for more. It's a must-have for your PS2 library.

The empire component, while solid, is a little bit shallow, the AI is weak in crucial areas, and the game is also buggy on some systems.

A beautiful meld of both action and strategy that seems to hold a little something for everyone.

The game's lack of speed and overwhelming number of moves make it less of a draw for non-fans, but fans will be thoroughly floored.

Although Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix suffers from minor control problems, the amusing and entertaining storyline, as well as the impressive graphics, made me want to come back for more.

Although Sega GT does indeed look awesome -- better than any PlayStation game could possibly look -- it's nowhere near pushing the envelope of the hardware capabilities the way "Gran Turismo" does on the PSX.

It came as quite a surprise to me when Rush 2049 was not only a blast to play, but offered up an impressive amount of replay value as well.

All in all, this is another fine addition to the genre, but how many can one gamer take?

If the storyline were simplified, the objectives more clearly stated, and the technical glitches ironed out, then this game would be an absolute classic.

If you're tired of the same old shoot-this-guard, find-this-key, flip-this-switch gameplay, give "MDK2" a shot -- you won't be disappointed.

A guaranteed sleeper hit. While its edutainment background seems at odds with the subject material, these two worlds collide rather splendidly.

Featuring powerful graphics and intense gameplay, CFS2 makes up for all the mistakes of its predecessor, and then some.

The aspect of contacting and interacting with demons was also an element that I fully embraced. It broke the monotony of simply killing and killing in order to gain experience points.

It's easy to pick up and play, but with all the planes and adjustments at your disposal, don't expect to master this one anytime soon.

The game is very realistic, keeping scoring down, but lost is some of the fun that comes from chaos in front of the net.

A revolutionary title, but terrible AI holds it back from being one of the best games of the year.

The strongest, most-polished game in the series, but it is definitely a sequel.

Some console role-players might just find this style of deep preparation and chess-like battle sequences too sluggish. Strategists who have been truly bored by trying to play "Panzer General" or even "X-Com" on a TV screen, however, will appreciate how much lush graphics, soundtrack, and effects can goose up a wargaming system.

The major problems were addressed, the graphics were improved, and additional gameplay modes were added. What more could you ask for?

Nothing less than a solid role-playing game with old-school style and flair.

It's not pretty, and the sounds may drive you batty. However, if you can get past the primitive and cutesy graphics, you'll find a fun and addictive experience that offers an enjoyable--and certainly more cerebral--PS2 experience that's currently unmatched.

This game managed to capture the feel of those rat-tailed days, without putting my older and fatter body at risk.

Winning Ring of Red could take nearly as long as quashing a real world war, but hey, at least it's a nuclear blast all the way up to that pesky peace declaration.

Jack has always been about graphical fun, irreverence, and sarcastic humor. And this one is no exception.

This story is addictive, the gameplay is exciting, and make no mistake about it: Ogre Battle 64 is a role-playing game of no small merit.

Even if it doesn't offer the most innovative gameplay, you're still guaranteed hours of mayhem-filled fun.

The funny thing is that the makers of this game actually guarantee to improve your real pool game. Speaking from experience, their claim turns out to be true, and spending a good amount of time on VP3 is analogous to attending a billiards clinic.

Upping the slob factor, you can now select "slacker" as an occupation, lower the neatness factor, and voila! Suddenly you've got your own Richard Linklater movie.

The eye-catching graphics, tight control, and enjoyable gameplay of this fine game really caught me by surprise. To all the PS2 users disappointed with the system's lackluster games, I highly suggest picking this title up.

Although incredibly entertaining, unique, surprising, and well designed in nearly every respect, "Seaman" is not perfect, revealing many of the current limitations of voice-recognition software.

The finest NASCAR racer to hit any console--setting a new standard that EA will have to follow.

It is extremely awkward trying to control your basic movements with the left analog stick while at the same time controlling your look and aim movements with the right analog stick.

The multiplayer elements may need some fine-tuning and additional features, but the game is still a literal blast to play.

The pace of the action is generally heart pounding, and that's a good thing. On the down side, the missions are either too short or too initially implausible.

If you're a big Star Trek fan, you'll enjoy this game immensely. If you're not, you'll still enjoy this game, but some of the more subtle nuances will be lost on you.

All aboard! This game will appeal to sim fans and model-train collectors alike.

A no-nonsense boxing sim, which means that if you're dog-tired, you may have to go an entire round without throwing a punch just to get your wind back. This may seem ho-hum to "Street Fighter EX 3" fans, but for the hardcore boxing crowd, this degree of realism is the next best thing to a title unification bout.

There are wonderful individual combos and terrific moves that link each of your three selected characters together in order to defeat the common foe.

If you're an RTS fan who never got a chance to check out "StarCraft" on your PC, then you should definitely give it a whirl. If you've already conquered the universe, there ain't no reason to do it on your N64.

Has it turned out to be everything fighting fans had hoped and dreamed of? In a word, no. But the game is still a good fighter.

What could have been a groundbreaking title has been reduced to an exceptional weekend rental.

Forget what you think you know about the oval-track monotony and unbreakable silliness of console racing games; Jarrett and Labonte obviously did before attaching their names to this wonderful, visceral racer, and we're all better off for it.

A silly little action shooter that takes a smidgen of brainpower and a tongue placed firmly in cheek to fully appreciate.

It's still a very good game once you learn to live with its shortcomings, and I wouldn't suggest that any THPS addict shy away from buying it, but don't expect THPS on two wheels.

While the camera problem cannot simply be swept under the rug, it doesn't destroy the game's overall playability and replayability (getting the Symbiote Spidey outfit is a blast).

The 24 mini-games that make up the whole present a pretty good cross-section of every gaming style imaginable. They're all handled well.

More scenarios, more themes, more shops, more fun.

While the task of rebuilding the village is fantastically addictive, the repetitive gameplay is a bore.

Hellish steering, steep difficulty and satanic AI. How it manages to be fun despite this boggles the mind.

The first thing that should be done is to fix the frame rate problem. Next, throw some cops in there -- after all, I am breaking the law.

Fresh graphics, tight controls, and completely addictive gameplay make this a definite must-have title. To sum it up in one word, it's smugglelicious!

It is with out a doubt the best real-time strategy game on the market today. The multifaceted game play and shear volume of missions should keep you battling for spice until your eyes turn blue.

This isn't necessarily the Battle of Britain, it's YOUR Battle of Britain, and that makes it a game that anyone interested in that great battle, and flight in general, must have in their collection.

The super-sugary-sweet music and the cutesy characters are enough to bring you to tears.

The combat aspect could stand another tweak or two, but the intriguing story -- a blend of creepiness and conspiracy--keeps these discs in the console until the final credits run.

The first game on the PS2 that has made me look forward to owning one of my own.

The game's depth and challenge factors are found sorely wanting. But what's on display isn't bad, remains perfectly replayable, and outfoxes the competition by a long shot.

This new release is not to be overlooked as an excellent continuation of a classic and fun series.

Sporting sharper, smoother graphics, and a few new odds and ends, fans of the RE series who haven't tromped through the many PlayStation iterations will appreciate this conversion.

The graphics aren't quite up to par, but the game makes up for it with tons of innovative and enjoyable missions, excellent physics, and enough planes and customization options to please even the most demanding flight-simulation fans.

The overwhelming production of this game immersed me in the story. So, when I finally tore myself away from the one-player game to give the online multiplayer a try, I quickly realized that Starlancer had silently blown a huge hole in the side of my head.

It's got a great golf engine, loads of options, replay value, and offers a serious challenge without taking itself too seriously.

Great visuals coupled with great atmosphere and music makes this a must-have for fans of the genre.

The collision physics make flipping pedestrians over your car seem realistic, as well as barbarically satisfying.

Much like Nell Carter's thighs, the courses are large and in charge.

Players expecting next-generation gameplay to accompany the update in the graphics may find themselves a bit disappointed. But if mind-numbing powerslides pulled off in polygonal heaven is your thing, then RRV does indeed fire on all cylinders.

I'm not saying that the 2001 version is a bad game. It's just one that suffers from the same engine that has been tried over and over again for the lifespan of the series.

A unique, humorous, inventive, challenging, and highly addictive action-puzzle game. High replay value, terrific multiplay.

We deserved stronger gameplay, better AI, better graphics, and better physics.

Cool, complex, and full of action, Earth 2150 extends the tradition of classic sci-fi RTS warfare with a few new twists.

"Heavy Metal" magazine is known, well known in fact, for way-over-the-top action, violence, and gore... There is none of that here.

Certainly a feast for the eyes, but questionable AI and control issues keep it from instant-classic status.

The best new feature is the school... There's no more need for those huge strategy books--this mode covers everything and reinforces it in a way no book could.

Even with its shortcomings, it's a fun fantasy romp with plenty of hacking, slashing, and casting.

For the first time, a mech-style game makes you feel like you're actually inhabiting the suit, not controlling it from afar.

If you're willing to look past some minor gameplay quirks and some initial frustration, "Madden" is a worthwhile purchase.

It has all the features and tweaks of games costing twice as much, a terrific physics engine, and a thoroughly enjoyable career mode that is sure to keep you busy for quite some time.

Short and to the point, Zone of the Enders is a beautifully presented and entertaining, if shallow, action game.

From start to finish, the game is a non-stop blast-a-thon. If you're a fan of the genre, you won't be disappointed.

I was extremely disappointed in the lack of real improvements to the newest Faceoff game, as I almost always am.

"Tenchu 2" is, when you get right down to it, a great game trying to escape from a mediocre shell.

"Air Combat" isn't going to win any awards, but you'll be too busy busting caps at the tan army to even care.

Excellent outlet for novice users and musical geniuses alike.

A shining example of excellent game design...Plus, it sets new standards for blood spilling in a single sitting.

As revoltingly adorable as he is, Kirby can be quite a badass, and--if you give it a chance--you'll see that his new N64 adventure is pretty hardcore as well.

It's just a matter of personal preference, but I'll take Alex Trebek over the You Don't Know Jack pinhead any day. At least the free bag of microwave popcorn that comes with the game was good.

One heck of a well-designed game, complete in every area of realism, but falling a bit short as far as fun factor is concerned.

Visually stunning with tons of detail, an extreme amount of firepower, and beautifully violent deaths.

Like "SimCity 2000" and "SimCity 3000," this version can be extremely challenging and requires more micromanaging than even New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani would want.

The game starts off with one of the best opening sequences I have seen in a game to date. I laugh my ass off every time I watch it, and it gets my blood pumping before I actually start ramming my car into other vehicles just for the sheer, sick thrill of it.

Even with its flaws in gameplay mechanics and visual presentation, Capcom's port of Resident Evil 2 is a thing of beauty, preserving the euphoric atmosphere of a game that no other gaming company has been able to duplicate to date.

Saying Frogger 2 is an improvement over the original 3D update is an understatement.

My only major beef with the DR2 is that the problems of unit pathfinding that plague just about every other strategy game are alive and kicking here as well.