Its deep plot, decent battle system and engaging character personalities make Suikoden III an easy choice for players that value story-telling prowess over flashy visuals.

The visuals are dated but everything else about Katamari Damacy is too wonderfully weird in its simplicity for anyone to explain.

The car sounds are just a bit bland with hardly any exciting over the top effects. The announcer is quite a smartass but not really in a funny way.

Thunder 2002 comes as close as any NASCAR title ever could to making me a convert to the sport, which is a high complement from someone that finds NASCAR races on TV way too boring and repetitive.

Quite simply the most amazing game I have ever seen, and that does include "Madden 2001"... The real problems appear with the AI which is dumb as can be.

A visceral and exceptionally well-done PS2 FPS that gets by as long as you haven't played it online.

In the end yours truly would rather park his limited NASCAR interest in Tiburon’s garage than Monster Games'.

If it were just a little less linear, a little bit longer and a little less unforgiving in some of its latter stumpers (lots of 'littles' for a game trying to compensate for its lack of... well, you know!)

Live 2003’s identity crisis and average-at-best graphics are inexcusable. It belongs next to “ShootOut 2003” in the rental bin while “NBA 2K3” spins happily ever after.

Not to mention, cheap AI, stiff controls, the "I can be beaten in a weekend" story mode, and an overload of psuedo-censored rap music hold this wrestler disguised as a street brawler back from being truly great.

It may not have the cult personality of the "Dance Dance Revolution" series but it definitely has hooks that are capturing.

It features one mother of an expanded Create-a-Wrestler mode, a deep Season mode and almost as many gameplay modes as there are wrestlers.

One of the best action strategy games I have ever played.

The charm of being original is worn off leaving us with more of the same. ATV Offroad 2 is enjoyable but not really much of a change.

I can’t emphasize enough how imperative it is for this game to be played with fellow human beings, since the boring layout of its virtual land and questionable (i.e. retarded at times) artificial intelligence work against the replayability of its single-player modes.

The game is just too short and easy for the average PS2 action junkie reared on a steady diet of "Sly Cooper," "Ratchet & Clank" and/or "Jak & Daxter."

Emphasizes flashy visuals, corporate sponsorships and ease-of-use over the seedy aspects of street racing. The competitors’ AI goes from dumb to aggressive in the blink of a tail light too.

Those of us that want our sports games lengthy, deep and polished to near perfection, however, will be dunking balls over at Sega Sports’ courtyard with "College Hoops 2004" while EA Canada gets its act together.

The ATV handles amazingly realistic and the ability to performs wheelies and other tricks makes it quite a joy.

Only its short length (a meager 7-8 hours) and lack of multiplayer support keeps The Two Towers from overtaking Koei’s “Dynasty Warriors 3” as the system’s best mindless hack-and-slash action/adventure.

A handful of extra modes that cater exclusively to the hardcore DDR player and some meaningless FMV extras makes DDRMAX 2 a rather poor evolution from last year’s DDRMAX prequel.

Though not the ultimate representation of the sport we are still awaiting, the game gets the action through and should satisfy most fans with its packed gameplay. Definitely worth a look.

Hours of deep strategic gameplay, excellent music and interesting stories (particularly in "The Dual Darkness' chapter of the saga) make Growlanser Generations a keeper for RPG strategists in need of a noggin-shaking fix.

Has a handful of minor flaws (the lead character's limited control over his 12-member mercenary team, PC-like graphic stutters, lackluster multiplayer mode, etc.) that prevent it from reaching the heights of immersion and addictive fun that characterized its spiritual predecessor, "Hitman 2."

A collaboration of love for gamers who have been fanatics of either or both series.

Survives its transition from PC to PS2 with its gameplay depth and well-acted voices intact, but with its graphics severely chopped and its control scheme compromised by the Dual Shock 2 button layout.

It was rather boring and lifeless. The graphics were rather flat and one dimensional and just got old really quick.

It's a few visual tweaks, collision-detection issues and A.I. adjustments away from being outstanding.

Unfortunately, like other games that have an incredible opening act but don't know how to close the show (certain overhyped Konami action/stealth game come to mind?), "Max Payne" sometimes falls into "Soul Reaver 2"-like pretentions of grandeur that fall short.

If you have the patience to endure all that dungeon crawling, and a bothersome camera, there's a very addicting game underneath. Don't expect a Final Fantasy caliber story-line, or Zelda-esque adventure gameplay.

The racing is very detailed but without being a hardcore fan it can come off a bit too repetitive.

It's a few screws short of perfection, but "Crazy Taxi" is worth playing just to see how the opposite end of the "Gran Turismo 3" scale of driving gameplay stacks up.

Light on story and depth but packed with tons of action (particularly in multiplayer), Legends is an X-Men fan’s dream come true and the best non-fighting game ever made featuring Marvel’s legendary team of superheroes.

Without the really well balanced online play I would have REALLY given this game a beating. However the multiplayer aspects continue to be a draw.

Ubi Soft should be commended for not only being the first developer/publisher to appeal to a niche audience like console chess players, but to do it with a affordable quality product that can be enjoyed online just as much as offline with friends and family.

We need more humor in our gaming diet, and "Citizen Kabuto" delivers that sandwiched between a tasty dose of shooting excitement and the condiments of an acceptable (but not perfect) PC to PS2 port.

If “PTO IV” and “ROTK VII” rock your boat then this is a must-own PS2 DVD.

The game may seem easy and cute, however don't let it fool you. This is a seriously challenging game. A winner in our books regardless.

Once you've made the Meganite under your control turn an invading Volgara robot into junkyard fodder a couple of times the hook will be in.

For the most of us, Sky Odyssey will remain an overly difficult game with little reward for the complicated and time consuming missions.

It's this sense of bike duty and absurd self-imposed goofiness (the game has a sunny and lighthearted side to complement its brutish exterior) that ultimately make this game the perfect '7.'

A brilliant game if experienced in short bursts... the game was obviously not designed with long term play in mind.

IT'S TOO DAMN EASY AND UNCHALLENGING.

An acquired taste that blends mainstream graphic appeal with a methodic pace and a compelling story to great effect.

The best arcade racer on PS2.

What it lacks in flash, longevity and accuracy to the “Contra” universe (no weapon pick-ups??!!) Shattered Soldier compensates for with old-fashioned, thumb-blistering, bang-your-head-against-the-wall hard shooting antics of the 2D and 2.5D variety.

If you’re the type that likes independent movies and underground techno, you know the art house type stuff, Rez will appeal to your senses. It’s got style written all over it and it’s fairly snazzy to play as well...an experience like no other.

Fun stuff!

Shox’s handful of self-titled innovations (Shox Zone, Shox wave, etc.) and good-looking engine can’t quite save it from its repetitive three-lap gameplay, cheating A.I. and sticker Shox price tag (sorry, couldn’t help it!).

Innovation is a word not in the minds of Namco developers, since they're too busy keeping the races fast, competitive and fun for gamers of all age.

Worth the forty bucks IF “Legaia 2” or “Suikoden III” left you hungry for more.

The control gimmick of "Cookie & Cream" not only works like a charm, but also serves as the basis of one hell of a brain-teasing, pulse-pounding and reasonably-complex series of "Crash Bandicoot"-like forward-scrolling levels.

Good-looking stuff even if what most gamers will recall from their time with Dragon Quarter is being blinded by the darkness and a PSOne-sponsored shade of the color brown.

Multi-console owners should consider the Xbox version of Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (or either of the original Gamecube versions) over this slowdown-riddled and slow-to-load PS2 port.

The original PC version's RPG trappings have been watered down, effectively diminishing strategy and story-telling in favor of lengthy fetch quests and mucho butt-kicking action.

This unusual marriage of strategy and RPG (regardless of how inconsequential Gladius' storyline actually is) manages to work despite an acute lack of polish in the graphics (mostly blocky and undetailed with few exceptions) and the somewhat-huge interface (lots of variables to keep track of).

With the Dual Shock 2 available in every PS2 box, why do we still not have analog control here? Other than that the game plays as it always has, acceptable.

There’s just something weird about playing a Disney-sanctioned, watered-down version of "Tony Hawk 4" that will put-off as many grown-up players as it will enchant.

Not for little kids, senior citizens or the easily-discouraged, Dropship demands serious commitment and many hours before revealing its true worth. Once it grabs you though, Dropship makes "Ace Combat 4" and "Lethal Skies" come across as trainee rookie simulators.

In the right frame of mind and with enough patience, "MGP2" is an absolute blast for players who want their racing semi-realistic, hard and with a convincing sense of virtual speed hitting their windshield (i.e. the TV screen).

When it clicks it's such a magnificent marriage of concept and execution (particularly the control) that we wish everything in it had been as well thought and designed as the portions which were given more attention (like the graphics).

A unique trick system combined with beautiful graphic design are enough to give it a whirl. Difficult is the key word.

Those who desire the more strict interpretation of European Soccer will find this style more to their liking. Those looking for fast fun gameplay will want to rent first to see if this taste appeals to their tastebuds.

Predictably-competent (but soulless and extremely short).

There’s still room for a more user-friendly control scheme and fun virtual surfing experience to come down the pike.

A lot of fun, offers great music but could use a more sensitive, less frustrating controller.

Challenge mode offers lots of goodies to unlock, but its unique physics may turn off as many gamers as it turns on.

This port needed more time to clean up the framerate and spruce up the visuals.

It's very beautiful and easy to control, but there's nothing much that's new or improved here.

In gaming terms, ASB is like SNK in the "Street Fighter" versus "King of Fighters" debate, good but not quite the best.

Although not shallow-enough to be deemed brain-dead, the antics of MX 2002 aren't going to make "GT3" gearheads sit up and take notice.

It has some bad control issues, but comes with plenty of boxers, solid AI, a new faster engine and some of the best boxing graphics yet.

Just as average, unremarkable and underwhelming as its predecessor where it counts: gameplay.

The story is cool, the voice-acting & music superb and the action sequences intense. The visuals are merely serviceable though, and emphasizing firepower over psychic abilities lessens the impact of the latter.

Neither TransWorld Surf nor "Sunny Garcia" tap the videogame potential of surfing as far as the "Dave Mirra"/"Mat Hoffman"/"Tony Hawk" franchises pushed the interactive representations of their respective sports.

It's still too boring and esoteric an experience for some of us to even take seriously. Add an extra point to our score for Save The Homeland if you're a fan of the series, or feel free to ignore whatever we say.

Unfortunately Toy Story Racer does everything just about dead-average.

If you can tolerate the outdated-looking frosting, the gameplay cake underneath "HHB 2002" is yummy-enough to be had (visual warts and all).

Just mute that terrible music and you'll be set, mmkay?

If The Bard’s Tale played as well as it pokes fun at hack-and-slash RPG clichés we’d be talking about a ‘10’ here. The repetitive combat and reliance on tried-and-true RPG conventions, sadly, bring down the score.

An acquired RPG taste worth sampling with a rental.

Another new addition is icon passing. This actually works really well, especially for those who are more advanced gamers.

Learn to live with the darn “Tonight Show”-type BGM tunes, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2’s over-the-top madness will win you over as well.

At less than a buck per game the 24 titles in this compilation are videogame royalty that more than earn their keep in gameplay worth though.

A massive improvement over the decent shooting/evading/customizing/dashing action from its predecessor. No mech fanatic would be sane without checking it out.

A game that is not quite what the Sony hype built up for but is fun nonetheless.

Safe and well-executed, but predictable and innovation-free.

By being forced to set-up a premise that MIGHT evolve into something interesting in the long haul, ".hack's" storyline drags and plays second-fiddle to average-at-best (and done better elsewhere), random-dungeon clearing RPG fodder.

There are far better prospects on the horizon which hopefully means BAM will get a clue and change.

Lacks the longevity, punch, fun factor (grows too boring and repetitive way too fast) and replayability that separates the best free-roaming hack-and-slash games from the rest.

Too bad the game’s bloody battles (starring Agrippa) far outpace its stealth segments (featuring Octavianus), resulting in an uneven experience that makes players anticipate half the game and loathe the other.

The more aggresive and less deep cousin of "Kessen" (the system's current champ for armchair generals who dig the strategy more than action, the exact opposite of "DW2"), and a fine way to kill an afternoon without having much to show for it.

While not deep modewise, I found the game charming enough to keep my interest and ultimately give me enjoyment.

If what you want is a sim, look elsewhere...It looks great, sounds great and most importantly plays great.

Aside from the insanely confusing menus and overly arcadish feel, Live isn't a bad game.

Few licensed videogames have captured the essence of their source material as well as Rage Software has captured the heart and soul, not to mention the over-the-top style of the boxing matches, that makes a “Rocky” movie click.

The implementation of “NBA Live 2003’s” Freestyle Control doesn’t mesh perfectly with this particular engine’s loose physics. The sameness of the b-ball courts and annoying cutscenes from “Live 2003” don’t help the cause either.

A jack of many videogame trades (RPG, “Mario Paint”-type paint program, “Pokemon”-like arena battles, etc.) that somehow succeeds at making a fun and coherent whole out of its many disparate elements.