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.

Arc The Lad Collection is a love affair with the single most impressive packaging I've seen in ANY media, that includes music and DVD's.

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.

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.

This is the best NFS game to come out in years. We predicted that only having Porsche's would make the game dull but oh did EA prove us wrong.

The visuals are a little dated but everything else about this package screams ‘class act.’

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).

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

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.

Being the only 32-bit baseball title with up-to-date rosters, however, doesn’t mean a heck of a lot when everything else looks like the rehashed and barely-improved years-old product that this title actually is.

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

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.

The story and writing is so strong that I easily forgot about the archaic graphics and even more primitive battle engine.

While the single-player modes are merely OK is in its multiplayer and online modes that this third Offroad Fury game earns its worth.

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

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).

The fielding, hitting and baserunning still play second-fiddle to the intimidating pitcher interface though.

If they can continue this pattern we just might have the best soccer game next year.

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

One of the finest efforts yet from Sony. This is truly a surprise in this day of next generation consoles.

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).

It does enough things right to merit the attention of the few gamers still willing to put up with 32-bit "RE" gameplay (circa 1996) in the year 2001.

If you get into this one, it give you that same feeling you had from watching the cheesy 80's Ninja movies all over again, except for the embarrassing dubbing.

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

Music has never sounded better than MTV Music Generator 2 which pleases us. Do yourself a favor and expand your own horizon by giving this a try.

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

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.

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.

Its graphics and sounds play second fiddle to "GTA: Vice City," but True Crime's excellent incorporation of skill acquisition via the 24/7 training facilities, multi-layered mission objectives (some required, some random) and decent one-on-one fights give its gameplay an identity of its own.

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

An absolute blast to play, especially with friends online or off. If you love action RPG's then I can't imagine you'd find a better one than this.

Exceeded all expectations that I had for the game, and then some. It does everything a game of this calibur can possibly do, innovating on some aspects while integrating several new ideas, molding the genre into a fun, sadistic package the likes of which we rarely see.

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

Truly one of the best one-on-one online games of its generation.

The online play is fantastic, the new wall moves add to the arcade feel and the music simply rocks. I highly recommend this game!

Mild entertainment but nothing too deep or significant for the money.

From fantastic special effects to authentic (though recycled) voices/music from the TV show, and from new useful moves (teleportation!) to a keen balance between overkill and authenticity to its source material in the graphics, this is it.

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

A godsend for those who prefer almost no control over their players.

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.

Although there is little different this time, the game continues the same path that made Lara a superstar.

Solid and consistent. If you loved 4 then you're almost certain to love 5. On the other hand if you've always hated Megaman then move on as this is truly more of the same.

While Spider-Man for the PS2 has its fair share of faults, it simply does so many things right, that you can't help but be sucked in by the experience.

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 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.

Living with outdated rosters that have legendary baseball greats to play around with isn't worth giving up for an update that looks/plays/sounds the same as last year's.

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.

If you liked "Colony Wars," or if you like "Star Trek," you'll probably like this game. I didn't like "Colony Wars," and I don't like "Star Trek."

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

The most fun I have had playing online as far as the first person shooter genre goes. This is one of those games you will want to have for sure just to see how good online play can be!

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

989 Sport's MLB 2002 continues the tradition of Deja Vu with an aging foundation that is still fun to play.

Worth replaying a thousand times over just to experience the balance of eye-candy, time-tested gameplay and soothing-without-grating music/sound effects.

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

Other than the voices though, the rest of the audio package in "Legends 2" is just vanilla-plain decent.

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.

It delivers on all pistons with plenty to keep gamers playing for months.

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.

With all of the variety and unlockable content, you'd be hard-pressed to find a game more gut-wrenchingly intense and disturbing as this one. That being said, it makes for one hell of a good time.

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.

A deeper, more challenging and ultimately more rewarding driving experience than "Auto Modellista” (PS2) or “Apex” (XBox).

Takes the best of the first two games, skips that crapper of a third game, adds to the series ten-fold and once again threatens to turn your head into a nightmare hotel.

The game's only original feature, a morale meter that affects gameplay based on a player's on-the-field performance, comes across as a tacked-on gimmick.

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.

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

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.

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

Highly recommended IF you’re old-enough to afford waxing nostalgically about the good old Atari VCS days.

Worth renting, but not owning unless you're a diehard fan of the movie.

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

Less-than-impressive graphics and underwhelming sound aside, we cannot help but recommend highly Le Mans 24 Hours to the simulation driving fans out there that are done (or stumped) completing "GT3: A-Spec".

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.

Shoddy control and awful collision detection only worsen what could have been a decent game otherwise.

Despite its flaws (mostly remnants of four-year code still at the core of this engine) LOK: Defiance is a polished, challenging, entertaining and adult interactive experience to die for. I can’t recommend this game high enough, especially for those that quit playing the series out of frustration (and will find in Defiance all the answers that left them scratching their heads).

With its mix of "Dynasty Warriors" gameplay, "Starship Troopers"-type setting (complete with umpteen million giant bugs to kill) and interesting characters Crimson Sea 2 is an above-average hack-and-slash adventure.

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

A masterpiece in it's genre. It's a shame its a genre that most casual players won't like.

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.

The game is filled with imagination, color and good solid fundamental platforming elements. With the success that Toy Story has generated gamers will enjoy getting a chance to take control of Buzz Lightyear and giving those bad toys a real lesson in butt kicking.

Fans of previous Metal Gear stealth adventures will have to adjust their tolerance level to ‘HIGH’ to deal with MGA’s insanely hard and complex new turn-based card system.

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.

In the end "X-men" is well done with many good ideas that plays just a bit too stiff for my liking.

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