It does what every great game should -- keeps you guessing as to what might happen next.

But said frame rate is so bad that not only does it distract, it actually affects the gameplay by ruining your timing -- taking turns is often a case of guesswork as the game jerks along at somewhere between 5 and 10 frames per second (that is not an exaggeration).

A solid stealth ninja game that is a pleasure to play.

It's as good as a game like this can be -- the only negative is that we've seen it all before.

3D terrain, AI that for once is actually more intelligent than artificial, lots of things to build and most importantly pretty explosions when something blows up.

This game needed a hell of a lot more graphics optimization, and a bit more work on the control would have been nice too.

It's still a better outing than other wrestling games out there, and if it weren't for "Smack Down," this would be the king of the ring.

Pretty vanilla, as RTS goes.

This is knuckle-busting controller-breaking button-mashing action all the way, and it still works as well as ever.

It's jolly good fun and should be examined immediately.

Not only is it a fun, clean, and interesting platform game, but it includes the original game as well -- two games for one low price.

If you think of it as "Road Rash" up close and personal (and want to see a game like that), then go ahead and break these balls.

One of the better looking shooters around, with spectacular special effects, "Gunship" is a worthy contender for "Freespace"'s throne.

More than just a celebrity cash-in, this is a great first-person shooter.

It doesn't have the longevity that we'd like, but it's one of the only games in the series to really make you feel like you're playing war with the plastic men you grew up with in a fun, satisfying way.

This is a thoroughly disappointing effort, and one that does not live up to the World Series Baseball name.

You may find yourself saying things like "well, it was only ten bucks..." at various points while playing the game, but the fact is there are worse games than this that cost a lot more.

Little more than a rehash of the earlier game, "Fighter Destiny 2" would have been acceptable in 1998, but feels extremely dated today.

It's all fun and cute until you bust a cap in a bear's ass and watch him wiggle and die.

It's fun, whether you're playing solo and trying to complete the Crazy Box-type mini games or going head-to-head in the four-player mode, and it will instantly become a party classic.

A great fun game, the only small drawback being super easy battling compromised by super cheap attacks later in the game (Magneto is pure cheese).

While we wait for the next Microprose effort, this is a fine way to pass the time.

There's nothing all that special about the units or the missions, and there's absolutely no innovation to the gameplay itself.

It's not going to keep you up nights either; it's simply an amalgam of traits copied from more successful franchises, with a few new innovations that don't really add much to the gameplay.

Fast and furious action, great sound and gameplay -- it's the best 2D fighting game ever made.

Another addictive dungeon romp. Kiss your free time and hordes of demon butt goodbye.

Inoffensive, cute, and somewhat challenging, "Kirby 64" won't slay you with great graphics or spectacular gameplay, but it will keep younger gamers interested for quite a while.

As good as any other espionage thriller out there, "Deus Ex" is bolstered by a fantastic storyline.

Is it the best 2D fighting game around? Those that argue that "Marvel vs. Capcom 2" or "Street Fighter Alpha 3" are better forget that it's basically the same engine. SFIII:DI will put you to the test with better AI and harder opponents.

A highly detailed and realistic golf simulation that just isn't all that much fun to play and has a few maddening quirks.

A solid action strategy title that fans of the genre will appreciate.

The game will never live up to the PC version, and the two-player mode (although better than battling on your own), makes a mockery of the fun of the computer's multiplayer capabilities.

Most importantly, "Ground Control" doesn't let itself get weighed down with useless options and nerd-pleasing, making this a RTS almost anyone can enjoy.

The three alternating characters make the gameplay diverse enough to warrant repeat play, and will suit gamers of all persuasions.

It's the perfect game for people who say they hate video games.

Joanna looks good and she knows it, with spectacular Ram-pak enhanced graphics.

A great medieval romp that plays just like the espionage thrillers "Syphon Filther 2" or "Metal Gear Solid." It's a welcome reprieve from traditional role playing games like "Secret of Mana."

It won't last long, but it is an interesting diversion.

All in all, this is an absolutely top class package.

It’s one of those rare games that you find yourself playing just to see how it turns out.

Somewhat less than the sum of its parts, StarLancer just doesn’t provide anything we haven’t seen before.

The scenery you drive through never stops being interesting -- one of the best incentives to keep playing is to see how attractive the next stage will be.

It almost goes without saying that the game controls impeccably and sounds great (this is Need for Speed, after all), so the excellent variety of play modes and fresh-feeling historically-oriented gameplay should be more than enough to convince you of the title’s worth.

This is classic Ridge Racer that plays like a turbo charged (and ultra-cute) version of the original arcade game.

You simply have to check this out!

Getting surrounded by zombies and not having any way to defend yourself thanks to not being able to activate the special moves isn't really a pleasant way to spend your time, and turns this game into a tedious chore.

The wide variety of reality-based planes combined with convincing engine sounds and strategic combat missions will please veterans of more serious sims, while the easy control scheme and familiar setting will please the kids.

If you've gotten tired of the same old formula, or you're a big fan of the more RPG-like combat system of the original game, you may want to pass on PE II.

Put simply, this is the best racing game you can get for yourself right now and is the sequel every Gran Turismo fan could have wanted.

Harvest Moon 64 features no aliens whatsoever. While we’re at it, there are no dancing monkeys for you to "be". Don’t even think about laying waste to some hellish underground network with your super-powered death rays, either. Doesn’t sound like fun? Neither does collecting a hundred and fifty animals but look how well pokemon turned out.

Since the game requires the bundled Expansion Pak, you would think that the graphics would take the Nintendo 64 to new levels. This sadly isn't the case - there's still cases of pop up and fog - but we can safely say that there aren't many games out there that look as good as this.And hey, any game with monkeys in it is cool by us.

Each of the 3D worlds are crammed tight with interesting layouts, dazzling backgrounds and novel gameplay situations. You never are at a loss to find your next objective - the flip side is that there's little room to explore and find all the cool secret stuff found in other games of this type.

The environments look spectacular, with appropriate decor lining every object in the huge stages and good use of shadows and lighting. Character animation is a riot.

This is what a PlayStation to Nintendo 64 conversion should be - enhancing the original to make the most of the new host machine.

You never really escape the feeling that you've played all of this before - twice, in fact... As for people who just like to drive around and cause mayhem, we've got one word for you - "Driver."

Amazingly enough the four-window split screen mode works incredibly well, with each portion of the screen running in high resolution and at super high speeds.

Each world has a unique feel and you’re given free reign to explore it while coating the walls with insect insides. You’ve never seen so many special effects on the screen at one time in any Nintendo 64 game before this, and some of the more action-packed scenes later on in the game really light up the screen. Top class.

Multiplayer of course shines, and there's never been a better excuse to splash out for that cable modem than the multi-tiered dogfights possible in FreeSpace 2. The best of its kind yet.

If you’re expecting the latest in 3D graphics and CD-quality sound, you’re going to be disappointed. Besides the extra cinematic scenes made especially for this release, this plays, looks and sounds just like a 16-bit SNES game.

Thanks to both CD's being full of gameplay rather than superfluous full motion video sequences, it will take quite a while for even the most avid gamer to make his or her way through to the fulfilling conclusion. It's time well spent.

Easily the best game of its type on the PlayStation.

Takes the vibe and style of the previous two games and ramps up the speed to even higher levels.

Stunning 3D backgrounds, convincingly animated (to put it mildly) characters and superfluous effects are carried out in fine style with no hint of slowdown, all the while running in glorious high-res.

The game's major weakness is in the combat system - there's too many loopholes that can be exploited with the Draw technique, making combat tedious and mundane after a while.

Graphically, this could well be the PlayStation's finest hour. The lighting effects are nothing short of incredible, with each environment sporting realistic and amazingly effective touches on each surface.

The first game was an undeniable classic that could easily be ruined in the wrong hands. We're here to tell you to pack those fears away in a box because this is the dream sequel.

With all of these super cool additions, not to mention the fun-as-Swiss-cheese-in-a-can four player mode, this is the best "Blitz" so far.

The only problem Driver has is that the whole thing gets old pretty quickly.

Even while he's just holding a golf club, Mario still has plenty of style and charisma - as do his similarly golf mad companions that join him. Forget all the so-serious golf sims and have a round of Mario Golf.

It's less of a game than Pokemon Stadium to be sure, but fans of the whole phenomenon will leap right to it.

All right, so the gameplay isn't that far removed from the standard RTS fare but Kingdoms is fresh enough thanks to the unique setting that it gets away with it.

This is one of those games that just screams out fun whenever you play, even though technically apes aren't the same as monkeys. An absolutely essential part of any platform fan's collection.

Where World Driver Championship fails is in its handling. It looks like the developers have studied at Namco's driving school as every one of the 30 cars on offer handles like the treads have disappeared from the tyres.

Graphics are very impressive; this is one area that R4 totally rules over Gran Turismo. The effects and graphics are nothing short of mind-boggling.

While it is sometimes glaringly obvious that this is scaled down, Alpha's famous speed and depth comes across perfectly. All the combos, special moves and ISM's are in place, as are the characters.

Simple, easy to pick up, but most importantly-fun. It's not a Tekken, but it is fun and has a long life through the insanely great four player mode. And who can resist beating up Pikachu?

It's more evolutionary than revolutionary, really.

As the title suggests, the gameplay in Beetle Adventure Racing is focused more on having fun rather than being serious. Thanks to the ludicrous amounts of jumps and turbo boosters littered on each track, your VW is capable of leaping into the air with the greatest of ease.

If you thought that "Resident Evil" was scary, well let me just tell you Resident Evil is akin to Disney's Bambi compared to this... If you want a game that will surely help you soil your undies kids, than Silent Hill is what you want!

The atmosphere is captured perfectly, the cinemas are perfectly interleaved with the action, really drawing you into Gabe's chaotic world.

Essential. Brilliant.

Bring over a few friends, and although they may laugh at the cutesy setting at first, the excitement raised by the frantic multiplayer action is nothing short of sensational. Avoid this one if you're one of those shady loner-types.

While some people may feel that Castlevania was not meant to be 3D, we'd have to sorely disagree, being pleasantly surprised with the job Konami have done here. Have no doubt, Castlevania 64 kicks some major butt!!!

Shooter fans take note, this is one of the best of its kind on the machine, especially when connected to the Expansion Pak. Time Turok and roll…

Nice one, although it needs a gigantic monster of a machine to really play properly.

The way scientists and guards talk to you and each other, the huge stages that you can make a little bit more progress in each time you play, the absolutely amazing animation...it all adds up to a totally immersive gaming experience that makes everything else look quite shoddy in comparison.

Rogue Squadron is right up there with the other great N64 space shooters such as "Star Fox 64" and...um...well, buy it anyway. Great stuff.

The game lasts about 12 hours for the average player, but it is an action-packed ride the whole way. Definitely worth the cash.

Silicon Valley is truly one worth the wait. Original in every sense, wild, wacky and crazy. Adults, don't overlook what appears to be the average kid's game. The gameplay and puzzles are devilishly clever and you'll have hours of fun with this one.

Despite the out of date and fuzzy graphics, Body Harvest is one of those games that just refuses to get boring. With the wide range of vehicles, challenging puzzles and frenetic blasting action, there's something to please everyone here.

A fantastic racer with great control and a large number of tracks and cars to choose from. Add in the multiplayer mode, and this is a game you really cannot afford to miss.

If you can look past graphics that came out of the Stone Age, if you can look past terrible sound effects (when guards get shot they grunt like… uh never mind), if you can look past a main character that doesn't look anything like Tom Cruise, if you can look past some ridiculous puzzles in places, you'll find Mission: Impossible, if you choose to accept it, really isn't that bad.

Cute, funny and continuously enchanting - it's what good gaming is all about.

Visually, Gran Turismo set new standards right down to the finest details including the brilliant lighting effects. And just wait till you see the replays - amazing.

The unconventional control system can take a short while to get completely accustomed with - being able to rotate and move in any direction can quickly result with up becoming down and players getting disorientated very quickly.

The odd nature of the story and world is a change of pace (now there's an understatement) from the rest of the pack, and this one is probably worth checking out.

If you've never played Quake on any machine before, this is one of the best versions available this side of the original PC game.

In the short term at least it's fun, very good fun in fact, and excellent for those retro fans who are desperate for a 2D platforming fix. Just don't expect to be playing it a year from now.