NCAA Football ’09 is nothing less than a football masterpiece which ranks alongside the Tecmo games or anything 2K Sports is allowed to create these days.

Like all open-ended games, the true strength of Pirates! is its near-infinite replayability.

If you are like me, you will be playing this one for the entire summer and break it out every once and a while to impress friends. Those with little music talent will find this title a good rental; only then will you know if it’s worth the purchase.

The duet mode extends the replay value of the game considerably and the solid playlist will keep people happy for a long time.

If you have lots of different people to play with NHL Hitz 2003 might make for a worthwhile purchase, since the length and skill level are just right for a quick pick-up game with friends.

No replay value or anything, seeing as how the game is getting kinda repetitive by the time you finish, but I didn't have any urge to go and search for all the Gold Bolts.

If you like RPGs and games that have a sense of humor you should get this now. You'll be happy that you did.

If you are a big fan of vehicular combat games (like "Twisted Metal," for example) or just plain loved Star Wars: Episode II, then The Clone Wars may be right up your alley.

"Where's the Capture function?!" In FM3, that was an awesome attack. You'd pop the enemy pilot of out his wanzer, and you could kill him and take the wanzer, or if you wanted to fight honorably, you'd hop out of your wanzer, and engage in a man to man fight. In FM4, no such luck. [JPN Import]

Officially the first fun Dragonball Z game to hit the market. While it has a couple problems in the lack of jump or flight and a few strange mini-games in story mode, this fighter is remarkably deep and entertaining.

Sly 2 is a fun game, but players will have to look through several layers of unnecessary makeup to find that fun.

With games like Far Cry Instincts and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, it's quite obvious that developers are just now starting to truly take advantage of the Xbox, and it's kind of sad to see it go so soon.

It's simple, it's elegant, and most of all, it's a blast.

Meteos stands head and shoulders above very nearly everything available for the DS right now. Only Internet play could have made this game better, and to be honest, I fully expect a Wifi-enabled sequel at some point.

An impressively solid computer AI and overall gameplay makes Stacked possibly the best Texas Hold’em game, and possibly one of the best teaching tools on the market.

At its core, it’s fairly shallow, and you really need to come into this game liking Pokemon, or pinball, or preferably both in order to get your money’s worth.

Has its ups and downs, but it's easily one of the best hybrid shooters available for the Cube. It doesn't do any one thing excessively well, but rather strikes a good balance between the two genres it wants to straddle.

The first few hours of the game can be extremely tedious, and thus the game may not be for players who have limited time for games and really can't dedicate a good amount of play time to the game.

A serviceable entry in the Castlevania series. While it's not going to ever contend for best game of all time, and while it also isn't even the best Castlevania on the DS, it's certainly better than a lot of other things out there.

For some reason, they just don't make games like this anymore, nor do these truly fantastic games get sequels. Maybe now that Monolith is back in the hands of some of the original owners, a "Shogo 2" that builds upon this game's brilliance and gives an FPS to this generation of gamers that actually has some wit and humor to it.

I will acknowledge that the graphics are well done, and the audio is superior to most; however the game plays like a mediocre console game that doesn't have the glamour of other FPS.

While Lumines is far, FAR from a killer app, it's a must have game for the PSP. It has a simple design that hooks you for hours at a time without you even realizing what happened. That, my friends, is the hallmark of a classic puzzle game.

With a lack of worthwhile online capabilities and bonuses for various in-game performances, Geometry Wars Galaxies isn't a perfect evolution of a truly old-school game. However, to make up for it, it packs in plenty of excellent action that is easy to grasp and has something for all skill levels.

I was hopelessly addicted from the first race. Unless you hate racing games or the Ridge Racer series, I'd highly recommend this one.

When comparing Tricky side-by-side with the GC and PS2, the PS2 wins hands down. It if obvious that this is a port from the PS2 to the GC and not the other way around.

Those that and can deal with the challenge and have the skill are still going to get a wide ride out of it that definitely worth the trip.

One of those few games that anyone must have played in order to truly call themselves a hardcore gamer. However, if multiplayer is what you’re after, the PlayStation version might actually end up being more affordable in a few months than two copies of the GBA version.

Second Sight finds common ground between length, story, style and freshness to deliver a game that won't disappoint. Even though it may be a tad on the easy side, you'll have fun simply by toying around with your abilities and solving some of the puzzles to be had.

If you want great arcade action with minimal thinking, then pick this game up. Because once you go Mech/Jet you never go back.

The solid gameplay foundation and attention to realism really makes this game a true hidden gem in the 2004 crop of sports games.

Gamers hoping for the next GoldenEye will be dissapointed with Frontline's mediocre multiplayer, but will have no trouble falling in love with the solid one player campaign mode. As far as first person shooters on the GameCube go, Medal of Honor: Frontline is pretty dang good.

Does a lot of things right, but sadly it is mainly for the purest of pure hardcore gamers, as Shattered Soldier’s steep learning curve and INCREDIBLY difficult gameplay, this probably will not please a mainstream gamer too much.

#Reload doesn't bring anything new to the table from the other GGX2 releases. It is simply a slightly more detailed version of a fighter that's starting to show some of its age.

If you've played or own any of the games in the NBA Street series there's enough new content here to offer a unique experience as well as plenty of familiar ground to tread while on the move.

An enjoyable romp while it lasts, I just wish driving wasn't such a big part of it all.

If you loved Diablo than you will definitely love this game. If you liked parts of Diablo than you will love the game... If you love RPG's, you will love this game... If you love God and all good things... you will love this game.

I daresay that NHL 2003 is a step down from last year’s installment in terms of fun and playability. All told, while it might be comparing apples and oranges to a degree, I enjoyed playing the PC version of NHL 2002 much more.

More RPGs could take a good lesson from the Wild Arms franchise, with the focus being on fun experiences while playing, instead of storylines that take up way too much brain power and taking the focus off of the gameplay.

A really cool game that I enjoyed a lot. Unfortunately, because of the horrid rubber band AI, I have to cut off a star from my rating. This really hurts the game in a way it shouldn't. I prefer my wins by skill and not dumb luck.

It is fairly shallow as a racing game.

For the people who really enjoy the breakdown of the pitcher-batter match up, this is the only game I've seen so far since the "High Heat" franchise that has really captures this realism.

If you can get past all this, it’s a magnificent game and easily the most solid Pokémon game yet.

If you can get past all this, it’s a magnificent game and easily the most solid Pokémon game yet.

The core of the problem is that MGS4 tries to be everything to everyone and ends up falling just ever so slightly short of succeeding-- still managing to be a very good game in its own right.

A fun game, but its main mode is a step down from "Guilty Gear X2." However, it is easily the best four-player game for the Playstation 2 (not that it had any real competition here), and Guilty Gear Boost mode is certainly worth a playthrough.

Even though I finished one character in under three hours only dying a few times when I met bosses, an average gamer can spend 10-12 hours completing each character.

Worms HD has it’s moments that dazzle on screen and in gameplay. Namely the online component is really where you’ll want to play; but it ends up as a great local multiplayer with your real-life friends (if you have any).

If it weren't for the controls, this would have been a perfect game to add to your gaming collection or Sega collection, but I figure Sega spent too much time on graphics and not enough time realizing that "Hey, these controls are worse than Tomb Raider!"

It is visually impressive, has some decent audio features, and some great ideas. Too bad the crystal system became a pain and the game was so short.

A game just waiting to be discovered. It does have its problems even beyond those involved in learning to play it, but they are minor in the grand scheme of things and, for lovers of the genre, it is the grand scheme that Master of Orion 3 captures best.

If you dig "Dynasty Warriors," this is a must buy for you. If you dig "Panzer Dragoon Orta," this is a possible buy for you. (there are less Dragon specific sequences than there are DW style sequences.) [JPN Import "Drag-On Dragoon"]

Kenshin's first castle invasion mission is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had in this style of game. [JPN Import]

If this game were just revamped to have cleaner 3D, and better framerates in 2 player mode, I think it would STILL blow everyone's mind today [March 2005]. Solid, fantastic work. If only someone had followed your lead, Alfa System...we might actually have a market for light gun shooters still.

The gameplay formula is as tight and rewarding as ever, and the slightly dated graphics can be forgiven thanks to an innovative approach to the story, logical gameplay mechanics and excellent level design.

The incredible graphics and the sense of grandeur that comes along for the ride bolster the game's average gameplay, and save it from being something mediocre. If you don't buy into the hype, you're probably going to find it enjoyable for the most part...although you will cringe. [Import]

Just the fact that this game has such variety in a limited genre is more than enough reason to give this game a spin. It's interesting to see how they jazzed up party gaming.

The most I can say for Bushido Blade is that, despite the fact that I bought this PSX title in mid-1998, when I was a fresh-faced young lad in my freshman year of high school, it STILL gets pulled down every few months for some more play. [Review Date: Sept 2005]

A very strong game! In fact it's one of the best available for the GC.

The voice acting is a wonderful complement to the in-game movies and there were many times when I was laughing out loud at the onscreen antics.

The developers took a great concept from a variety of sources, put them in a blender, hit puree and voila... a veritable slushy of gaming goodness.

The gritty feeling portrayed throughout the game is genuine, and the action is intense. While Novalogic could have slapped the Black Hawk Down name on a cheesy "Quake 2" mod and sold a bazillion copies, they decided to take the high road and produce a quality game.

An engaging and addictive experience even today. With the Card system adding an extra dimension to battles, ROTDD almost feels like a new game, but retains enough similarities to the original for series veterans to not walk away disappointed.

If you're waiting for the Xbox to get a true RPG, well, you need to keep waiting. This is about as action oriented as it gets.

New Super Mario Bros might not be QUITE as good as some review sites might lead you to believe, but there is no denying that this is a damn fine game: the game play is there, that familiar Nintendo charm is dominant throughout the entire game, the sounds are good, and it's definitely got personality. The good far outweighs the bad.

The small D-Pad dooms this game (as well as other fighters) from being a "Game of the Year" title... Pulling off these moves as well as combos, is the heart of any fighter and not doing so consistently nearly renders the game useless.

The controls are truly perfect for a boxing game; the mental aspects of boxing are well represented, and the character models look very good.

An enjoyable sequel, but shows signs of deterioration. Sorry Tony, maybe it's time you put away your board and retire while you're still on top.

Simply what a game is supposed to be. No tricks, gimmicks, and no need for hype. It's pure, addictive, mind-buzzing gameplay.

The on-foot controls are an improvement but still have a long way to go before I would consider them even remotely good, and I can’t help but miss the huge world of San Andreas. That all being said, GTA IV offers up probably the most cohesive and mature story in the series to date.

Mars Matrix may be REALLY FREAKING HARD, but it’s still a lot of fun. The alternate mode and the shop options will just keep on drawing you back. But if you can ignore the insane difficulty, you won’t regret purchasing a two-dimensional shooter for the Dreamcast.

If you can't play online, this game's a 5/10. If you can't play online and are a fan of MechWarrior, the game's about a 3. Able to play online, an 8 in its current state, with the possibility of being a 9 if the kinks get worked out, and a 7 if they don't.

Visually, it's understandable that Zipper had to make some compromises in exchange for the larger levels. As a result, SOCOM 3 looks no better than previous installments to the series and in some areas less so.

If you play platformers, you absolutely must buy this game. Meanwhile, watch as Maximo cuts the generic "jump and run" genre right in half.

I have to point out that it is a rare thing indeed for a game to grab me the way Hot Shots Golf 3 did and hold onto me for three entire YEARS, especially considering the fact that it is a golf game.

But should this game be placed above "Everquest"? Should it be played instead of "City of Heroes"? In the opinion of this reviewer, the answer to both of those questions is no, unless one happens to be a life-long fan of everything Final Fantasy.

As a quick game of nuclear holocaust, Defcon is good. As a not-so-quick game of diplomacy, Defcon is a very good game. However, given how successful the diplomacy meta game is, I can't help but feel that the inclusion of some more details, some more units, some more something, may have resulted in an even more intense game.

There's a lot of repetition in the levels, and the fact that Astro Boy's weaponry is for all intents and purposes unlimited, the game is a bit on the easy side.

The stealth portions offer up the really tense moments of this game.

The create a driver mode is well executed, and is yet another way in which you can expand the replay value. The best NASCAR game available on the PS2, and one of the best racing games overall.

Little more than a full-price expansion set. Nevertheless, with fifteen to twenty hours of gameplay and cooperative play, there is plenty to like.

The music, puts the game right up over the top giving it an epic theatrical feel that makes it a fun play every time.

I love the game and in the same breath hate it. One minute I want to cuddle up with the gamedisk on my pillow, and the next minute want to take it to practice skeet.

I have come here to tell you that I had no real problems with the control system for the Xbox, but I can see how some can find it tricky to use.

It's not a bad game, it's just nothing new or mind-blowing. It is, most certainly, still a truckload of fun.

Fire Blade does not have an engrossing plot, pre-rendered cinematics or a popular license. What it does have is an assload of rock solid gameplay, and an impressive game engine to boot.

Probably my favorite "new" feature is the DK Attack mode. This allows you to pick a level and try to complete it as fast as you can. DKC keeps track of scores of statistics, so it's nice to see if you (or someone else) can beat your time/score.

Overall, The World Ends With You is a shining example of what could be done on the DS.

Beneath the basic plot of guy saves his woman and the world; there are quite a few surprising twists in the story here.

Even though I'm not blown away by the gameplay or even the different modes of play, I can definitely see a fair amount of replay value in this game.

It's hardcore gameplay from beginning to nigh-impossible end...just the way it's supposed to be. When you beat a game, you're supposed to feel as if you've accomplished something.

With the inclusion of the chapter system and the longer days, there is an absolute guarantee that A Wonderful Life will keep gamers captivated for countless hours.

The best squad-based tactical game available for the PC. If you liked "X-Com," this will probably fit the bill for you.

There is no damage in Gran Turismo 4. This to me was a colossal disappointment. It’s not like I was expecting it, but this is supposed to be the real driving simulator... not the real bumper-car driving simulator... There are absolutely ZERO consequences for slamming into another car around a corner or brushing a barrier.

It retains everything you loved about the previous games and simply adds more content.

Due to the controlled nature of the game, the battles and leveling system are very tight and logical. It's the perfect game for a cold winter's day inside, and it can be played almost forever. If you want to know what the world “epic” means, then just go ahead and play Gladius.

Even the non-stellar titles are at least playable, and nothing that I would consider "bad," since they all had their own sort of innovative aspects.

Unparalleled graphics, improvements to the combat system and a longer gameplay experience don’t completely make up for a weak storyline and other annoyances, but the result is still solid.

Much like "Sword of Mana," Mario Golf: Advance Tour is a good game that is partially done in by really, really bad AI.