Like "Sonic" and "Crash," Spyro grabs on and doesn't let go, and the complexity of the levels, hidden games, and non-stop action make it one of the year's best platform games.

But what really takes Madden forward are the great extras, which this year include a Two-Minute Drill mini-game, create-a-player, -team, or –league modes, Coach’s Challenge, and more.

It's all the fun of the original in the palm of your hand.

Simply the best hockey game ever released.

What do caviar, waterbeds, and David Lynch films have in common? They’re all unique acquired tastes - as is the Tokyo Xtreme Racer series. Once you’re hooked on the “scene”, though, you’ll never let go.

This game is now the standard by which all other games have to live up to this year. It’s a great game with some serious chilly thrills...CB2K1 snatches the crown from the hands of "SSX" thanks to speed and style.

A wild and weird game that will captivate you with its innocence and innovation.

If you have an X-Box, this is the game to beat for playability and entertainment.

It's not simply an all out brawl where the one who punches the fastest wins, but rather an elegant and more balanced fighting game, where knowing the combos is not enough - knowing when to use them and how to counter them counts for something as well.

The graphics in this miniature version do the game perfect justice.

Its minor control issues notwithstanding, this is the best rally racer available on the PSX -- maybe on any platform.

Quite possibly the game of the year – if you liked "Onimusha," then Devil May Cry will definitely possess you.

Grind until your wheels fall off, because that's what we do almost every single day.

It has great competitive factions, a large line-up of diverse skaters, and some of the most mind-blowing, thumb-numbing, breathtaking tricks yet seen on a console snowboarding game.

It's a great representation of how to handle a superhero in video game form, and surpasses other lame efforts like "Superman N64" and "Batman Forever" (remember that crap?).

NBA 2K2 still showcases the best basketball game out there - steady game play, dazzling visuals, realistic sound.

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.

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Internet game play is also the game's biggest plus -- "Unreal Tournament" on the PS2 is still a one-player game.

There’s so much to do, so many secrets to find, and so many objectives to complete that this game will not be finished in a weekend – this is one of those rare games that will take a lifetime to play.

Smoother, faster animation (the game runs at 60 frames per second) and awesome lighting effects dominate the game's look, while transparency filters, water effects, and background movements round out the spectacular visuals.

The purists choice for outstanding baseball action...a fun, authentic, and accurate baseball sim.

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.

The best online game on the Dreamcast and will likely keep you awake for days straight.

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.

If you were looking for the ultimate NASCAR game, you’ve found it.

It's a beast-changing, head-slapping, jaw-ripping brawler with attitude and style and sex - always a good combination.

The essential 3D first person multiplayer experience of our time.