Remove the polished visuals, multiplayer options, cast of historic characters, gorgeous CG movies and nauseating English voice-overs from Koei’s "Dynasty Warriors" series. Add buckets of blood and a mostly-linear quest that seems lifted straight from the hit 2000 movie "Gladiator." Voala!

The closest an interactive experience has come to re-enacting the utter chaos and undeniable fun that is being a part of an ongoing epic battle in which you (alongside either a friend or a complete stranger online) play an important role.

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.

A very average game that is perhaps worth a weekend rental. There's too many other games that are more fun out now to give this game a better rating.

The designers do fall victim to simply giving you a gadget just to make it past an obstacle seemingly forgetting about the gadget later on. However the imagination here is pretty good making using these toys kind of fun.

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).

A confusing sport that at times is fun. Fans of the franchise who really get this game will likely be pleased while the rest of us simply scratch our heads.

Some of the best arcade football I have player in a while.

A mindless shooter indeed but when all you want to do is kick the asses of enemies without much thinking, it doesn't get much better than Kill Switch. If you loved the idea of Contra then you likely will enjoy this romp through carnage.

The auto-typing feature and ultra-dumb AI from the CPU opponents kills the joy of single-player PS2 “Jeopardy” faster than one can answer ‘Who is Ken Jennings?’ to the answer ‘The person that has sucked the fun and joy out of watching syndicated game shows.’

From reasonably good-looking graphics to kick-ass sounds (dig those funky KISS tunes!) and more gameplay modes (online as well as off) than most players will know what to do with, the PS2 version of THUG is the most complete extreme sports title ever made for any system EVER.

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.

his game makes a mockery out of both its source material and the stealth genre it pretends to be a part of.

A few small issues (empty transition levels, 'jumpy' camera, 8-10 hr. length, etc.) can't put a dampen on the thrill of finally experiencing a "Castlevania" adventure violent-enough to earn a 'MATURE' rating.

The cel shaded visuals of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take full advantage of today’s powerful consoles except for the linear-to-a-fault design of the game’s 30+ stages.

The enhanced visual eye-candy (prettier explosions you won’t find on another light gun game, PS2 or otherwise) and solid frame-rate more than compensate for the now-grating voices and repetitive music that share speaker space with some pretty cool shotgun blasts.

The PS2 version’s graphics are surprisingly close to its XBox/GameCube counterparts, and the licensed soundtrack apes Rockstar’s "Grand Theft Auto" interface in its depth and variety.

Old school fun has never looked better, controlled more awkwardly (the shifting perspectives mess with the character control), sounded more outdated or sold for a fairer price than X7’s.

Had Jak II delivered a gameplay revolution as dramatic and massive as its graphics (BEST LOOKING ACTION PS2 GAME... EVER!), excellent sounds (which take into account non-English speaking players), buttery-smooth controls and solid interface this could have become the PS2 equivalent of "Super Mario 64."

Zeke is a cool character and the gameplay is enjoyable enough for a good weekend of gameplay.

A fun and decent (albeit shallow and simplistic) way for Sega fanboys to blow steam and reminisce about their favorite developer’s glory days. Renting Marz, however, is the safest (and cheapest) way to get the most of what this PS2 title has to offer.

A deep, well written, good-looking and designed game that comes close to the greatness of any of the games it imitates.

The cartoony violence, blood spills and redneck appeal of Backyard Wrestling’s rural locales and colorful cast of characters wears thin quicker than the time it took its equally-shoddy sequel to come out.

A very good strategy game that could use some better animations and easier control.

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."

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.

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.

The truth is that simulation freaks who want their hockey tough and real could do no better. Arcade lovers should probably look elsewhere.