Hockey has never been more action packed, violent and fun than this unique and oh so Midway approach to the fastest game on earth.

The NFL has always been my game of choice but NCAA Football 2002 has caught my heart. It's not perfect but it's the most fun I've had with noname players in years.

STILL a force to be reckoned with, it's just not the must have game of the year it has been in the past. Namco needs to focus heavily on "Soul Calibur 2" for a while and let Tekken take a vacation.

Takes better advantage of the PS2 than "Tekken Tag Tournament", IMHO, with incredible physics, realistic fighters and fast action not seen in any other modern brawler.

Incredibly fun physics which give you the feeling of actually riding on a waterbased vehicle.

Though its graphics aren't as pretty as "Burnout 2's," HP2 delivers the goods: intense races, cool real-life cars being driven at law-breaking speeds, hundreds of virtual miles of terrain over which to race, a pumping soundtrack.

To say that Tekken Tag Tournament is as original for the PS2 as Tekken was for the PS would be a mistake.

The best F1 racer currently available on the PS2. If you’re an F1 nut, we whole heartedly recommend it.

A steady stream of competent enhancements (especially online) and a return to the original franchise’s goal-based gameplay a fresh experience does not make. Story mode is just plain dumb, and the art design has been needlessly changed for the worse.

It's hard but fair, gorgeous to look at and pleasant to listen to (Enya-inspired soundtrack notwithstanding).

Not since "Baseball Stars" have I enjoyed an arcade Baseball game this much.

If you love 2D fighters with loads of variety and customization and you have two or more friends handy to share in the chaos, Guilty Gear Isuka is made for you, but if you're looking for something with a deep single-player mode and online play, then you might want to pass on this one.

On an average year I'd suggest you rent NHL 2005 but, with the '04/'05 season all but lost to the NHL lockout, even a slightly-improved hockey game goes a long way.

Though expensive and gimmicky because of its headset peripheral Karaoke Revolution’s pitch/length interface is forgiving enough (depending on the selected difficulty) to let even those of us cursed with shitty voices get into the virtual act and carry a tune.

Fun but frustrating at the same time and only a few steps from being brilliant, Maximo is a must play.

It's meant for those players that can achieve a perfect rating in "Dance Dance Revolution" and are still hungry for more hand-eye coordinated punishment after working out a sweat.

Hard as hell, scored like an epic sci-fi movie soundtrack, tighter control than Billy Joel’s car and more gorgeous than a dozen Victoria’s Secret models put together; Gradius V is a real man’s shooter (sorry ladies).

A very well executed and polished rehash of a formula that is in dire need of something new or unique to take the franchise to the next level.

It's improvements, however, aren't as dramatic or gameplay-enhancing as those that EA's "PGA Tour 2002" has brought to the videogame golf genre.

Better-looking, more polished, funnier and longer (much longer) than its predecessor.

Other than its generic mission objectives and/or uninteresting sounds (including a poor attempt at camp humor) Spider-Man 2 delivers the goods and has legs to last well beyond the summer of 2004.

Delivers enough of everything (improved graphics, deep managerial options in Career mode, more vehicles/racing series, cleaner audio, etc.) to keep fans of the sport happily steering their favorite NASCAR racers to the left for another year.

I found myself enjoying the game most when I would play in 30 minute or so span times. I would get to a place that would frustrate me, turn the game off and then come back later to progress.

Everything that NHL 2003 does “NHL 2K3” can perform just as well, except for the fancy presentation aspects that EA Sports has polished to near-perfection (and which Sega Sports is still learning to implement properly).

Demands an almost religious knowledge of its source material to be fully enjoyed (in-jokes and quotes from the movie are spread throughout the game)...One heck of an action-packed, scary and violent videogame.

Difficulty varies wildly on some of these levels between infuriatingly hard and insultingly easy, but "Breakout" achieves its goal of a family-friendly title with gameplay that anyone can jump in and start having fun with.

It’s a bit on the short side, but “Sly Cooper” also looks good, controls great and sounds pleasant-enough to deserve its own BGM soundtrack.

An enticing game that takes a lot of patience but also offers hours of rewards.

It’s a looker that has enough length and new additions to justify a purchase but it misses out from being a top tier game since it’s gameplay is somewhat repetitive.

If you’d rather play a fast and offensive football game over a slower more realistic one, NFL2K2 is for you. It’s the fastest and easiest to play of the big two. If not for the sloppy AI, it might actually be better than Madden.

About as visually-appealing, user-friendly, fun and deep as Koei can make a strategy simulation without watering-down the formula completely, which makes it ideal for newcomers to the genre or the "Kessen" universe.

Highly recommended for anyone with a sense of humor (that excludes you George Lucas... out, out, OUT!

Features the most dramatic and gameplay-enhancing improvements yet seen in this series.

The best part about 2K2 is without a doubt it’s realism, however that in itself will put some players off. If you aren’t into putting thought into each and every basket you shoot, 2K2 will seem like a slow, methodical bore. But if you’re in the know, the pacing becomes a sweet symphony that is just a few hairs from greatness.

2005 is taking its first step to becoming one of the top games on the market by adding all the new features.

Playing this is the closest videogames have come to perfectly re-enacting the mind duel between pitcher and batter.

The boys and girls at Black Isle Studios put over 100,000 hours into the development of Dark Alliance II and it shows. Dark Alliance II is a great experience to enjoy either alone or with a friend and greatly improves upon almost every feature available in its 2001 predecessor.

Graphics, control, strategic thought, brawn and even the so-cheesy-you-get-used-to-it rock music and voices work in tandem for an intense experience unlike any other on PS2.

'Best Damn Shooter on a Console.'

It’s worth the cash only if you’re an FPS junkie without access to a Nintendo 64 or XBox, where “Perfect Dark” and “Halo” provide everything that Red Faction II clumsily attempts to incorporate.

It’s also a pretty damn good piece of extreme sports interactive heaven, with sweet graphics and tight control at the service of one heck of a well-coded engine.

Solid action will pump you up and the storyline will keep you involved.

Not for every baseball videogame player, but a must-play by baseball purists.

The controls are tight, the graphics good and the hidden stuff down by the Krypt ranges from junk to outstanding.

Rough, outlandish and a hell of a lot of fun.

Beautiful visuals, amazing depth and accessibility that few other fighters have been able to offer.

Deeper-than-a-Bible-sermon battle commands, philosophical in nature, cinematic by choice and at times infuriatingly self-absorbed (non-interactive 45 min. cutscenes??!!), Monolith Software’s first chapter in what will be a multi-chapter episodic RPG arc has to be admired, reviled and thoroughly experienced from start to finish.

The simple fact that you must now “work” to get a pass through really makes the game lean more toward the simulation nature. Passes no longer go directly to the teammate but rather in the general area, which reminds me of real soccer games.

A tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top brawler that conclusively proves wrestling games can be fun when gameplay and quality control take precedence over star power or licenses.

The best PlayStation 2 RPG that I've played in the past two-years.

It's pure FIFA, American style the way I've come to know and love it. Go Burn!

Even someone like me, a NASCAR illiterate, has to profess amazement at how much fun running around in circles trying to beat 43 other drivers can be.

Without a doubt it's the best shooter in years and so far the best one yet on the PS2. If you liked the original MDK, this sequel pulls off what few can do. It outshines the original by miles.

Once you complete each campaign mission, the game unlocks an alternate campaign that allows you to switch sides and fight for the forces of evil! How cool is that to get to be the bad guy after you save the day!

A deep, mature, and original plot, beautiful cel-shaded textures and plenty of hidden extras (like optional bosses, treasures, etc.) make Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga one of the greatest role-playing experiences on the PlayStation 2 to date.

If you liked “NHL 2002” then NHL 2003 is almost the exact same game.

The first PS2 motocross game that can actually go head-to-head with Nintendo’s “Excitebike 64” and challenge its unquestioned supremacy in this videogame genre.

Intelligent gameplay flows throughout the game giving gamers the ability to use their intuition and instincts rather than some obscure puzzle or scavenger hunt that frustrates to no end.

Good (but not great) visuals, excellent (but not ground-breaking) gameplay and decent (but voice-over deprived) sound/music effects make Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy a winner for THQ.

The game's wicked sense of humor (courtesy of the show’s writers/actors contributing their craft to the game) and Radical's virtual re-enactment of Springfield (along with its many inhabitants) will make even the most hardened "GTA III/Vice City" fanatic forget about the lack of weapons or mayhem.

It's still an atmospheric, disturbing, good-looking and scary-as-heck ride, but one too similar to what came before it to stand out from the trilogy.

Not only do you get a nice and colorful manual with your copy of "RayCrisis", but a decent shooter to add to the small quality library of shooters available on that system.

The destruction-oriented Hulk levels, killer graphics, good audio and a wealth of bonus goodies, however, make "The Hulk" a blast to complete.

Short and easy, but also polished and action-packed violent fun for the adult PS2 owners who haven't yet played "Code Veronica."

solid game that will get it's deserved audience and hopefully become the blockbuster the Dreamcast kept it from being. Hunt on zombie killer!

The best part is to finally be able to control a cool villain outside of the confined restrictions of a shooter or fighting game.

It's a testament to the prowess, technical execution and sheer addictiveness of its premise (race through ever-changing courses/tracks made to resemble theme park attractions) that Rides Gone Wild remains the heir apparent to "Waverace 64's" crown as the best water-based racing game ever made.

Along with "Halo" and "Half-Life", DW3 is one of the most fun single-player AND two-player co-op experiences that console gamers can enjoy in 2001 and beyond.

Controls are tighter and provide more control of where the ball and team players can be moved than ever before. Spotty visuals (PS2 version) and a complicated Career mode, however, make FIFA Soccer 2005 a good secondary choice after "Winning Eleven 7."

There’s no other arcade sports title that comes even close to matching the fun a 2-4 player Blitz match can deliver.

The shortness of the experience, reliance on a barely-improved gameplay formula, melodramatic storyline twists and stepped-up quality of its competitors (particularly Sam Fisher's "Splinter Cell" games from Ubi Soft) prevent us from scoring Snake Eater higher.

Ironically, Deception's Konquest mode that the developer has been pushing so much is the games only real weak point.

Atlantis performs OK in all levels, yet I never warmed-up to it the way I did to previous Disney games/movies. If you dug the movie then this game's a no-brainer.

Everything that the overhyped “Malice” (from the same developer) and repulsive "Catwoman" aren't.

The best tennis game ever to appear on a Sony system...Add online support next year Sega, and you've got yourself a killer-app.

A good one despite its dated appearance and wonky handling of the character's movement...captures the magical nature of its license quite well.

The variety and timeless appeal of the blue hedgehog’s better games however, combined with the low price, make this a must-buy stocking stuffer for the Sega fanboy (or girl) in all of us.

A textbook case of a videogame sequel done right.

While the game is identical to the PS One version gameplay wise, the updated graphics are sweet enough to justify having and owning both versions.

The huge number of new golf courses and playable characters, along with slightly-improved control and user-friendly online modes (not to mention the returning golfers/courses from “HSG 3”), make Hot Shots Golf Fore! the best installment of the series yet.

While R-Type Final is the hardest of the hardcore shooters, most gamers may find it too hardcore. However, for the series' already steady fanbase, Final provides a solid, exciting, and most of all... fun, experience that's well worth the $29.99 price tag.

A huge improvement in the controls and accessibility along with some killer tunes makes this remix a good time for those who love being creative. This once again is a party tool just screaming to be used.

Packs enough personality and otaku-friendly sights/sounds to compensate somewhat for its mindless, button-mashing gameplay.

A pleasant surprise that matches its lowly selling price. You truly get what you pay for here.

The tightness with which seemingly every limb and every movement (offensive or defensive) of every player on the field can be controlled with the touch of a button has remained remarkably simple over the years.

While we still would prefer to play our heroes Brett Hull and Mike Modano in a hockey game, Speedball 2100 is a great alternative.

A pretty cheap bargain-basement product that benefits tremendously from its new price of $10-15 because it's barely an upgrade (let alone a full-fledged sequel) from the first "Contender".

A decent-enough scavenger hunt to amuse youngsters for quite a few hours of simple and repetitive item-gathering and level-clearing fun.

Unleashed duplicates the look and feel of its big console counterpart remarkably well, so much so that owning both versions of the game would be foolish.

Don't expect a greatest hit and know that in the end this is still Pinball, which while cool, gets old fast.

Control issues, lagging response time and a rushed-to-market feel water-down what should have been the best soccer game on PSP.

It's a niche title, that if you're into the scooter thing you'll like. If not, it will seem a lot like a lesser version of "Grind Session." Not a prize winner, not a bad apple, just a nice little surprise for all the scooter fans out there.

Rent it and relive all what's good (length, challenge, graphics) and bad (control, pixelation, difficulty, puzzles) about one of the PSX's best action series ever.

It's the closest thing to "Super Smash Bros." that the PSOne will ever get, and based on the compromised look of the graphics on display here that's probably a good thing.

A poor-man’s 32-bit alternative to the fun Gundam antics recently unleashed on PS2’s the world over via “Federation Vs. Zeon.” It’s not a bad game per se as much as a generic and uninspired one.

There is a good core of solid gameplay ideas and control physics at the center of "NBA ShootOut 2001", but you have to live with outdated-beyond-its-time graphics to enjoy them.

I hear "SSX" is great, and if you're not getting a PS2, I'd go with the immortal "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2." Skateboarding, snowboarding, same diff.

If you were one of the diehard puzzle fanatics that were able to master the likes of "Devil Dice" (PSOne) and "Wetrix" (N64, Dreamcast) give "Pipe Dreams 3D" a shot.