There were enough nuances and respect for fundamentals that I felt like I could use my basketball I.Q. as an advantage. And yet, the game is playable, even for someone who has never touched the game.

It is the best handheld baseball game I have played. This is due in large part to the easy pickup and play nature of the game.

The game is a work of art visually; you won’t believe you’re playing on a handheld. Unfortunately, the gameplay isn’t up to the same level as the graphics. [JPN Import]

MLB 2K5 is not the best baseball video game on the market, but that does not mean its bad. The presentation, graphics, and audio, as well as improvements in the online mode help overcome the game's weaknesses.

While MVP will likely fall short of fulfilling gamers wanting a true simulation, the game blends realism and arcade successfully, just as many other EA games have done in the past.

Certain flaws in NBA Street V3 held it back from getting a better score, such as the gameplay feeling awkward at times and the annoying announcer.

Even though the other two versions of this series are more fun, the incredible customization depth, tons of unlockables, and the addition of online multiplayer make up for the V3's flaws and make it the best of the three games in the series.

Even in a year when EA's FIFA series was pretty solid, Winning Eleven again reigns king because of its excellent game engine and overall depth.

A modest improvement over the previous title, but it's still lacking as a single-player game.

The recruiting systems are addicting and there is enough glitz and glamour to establish a college environment. The gameplay, in both of EA's college games, needs some more work, especially with A.I.

College Hoops is the second best sports game I played in 2004, with Madden taking the top prize.

Some of the elements need to be fine tuned in next year's version, such as presentation and audio. With these problems asides, the depth of the Legacy mode, increased Xbox Live features, and better gameplay make this a good buy at $20.

My main complaint with the AI is that it is often way too easy to beat in the traditional racing modes. The racing tends to suffer because of the ease of the game.

It would be a tragedy if this wild romp got lost among this year's many blockbusters. The variety is fantastic.

Truth is, beyond the crassness of its Story mode, THUG 2 is not radically different from last year's game. There's not a whole lot new here aside from a few gimmicks and some off-the-wall elements.

Sure, Live has the reputation of being a more fastbreaking, high-scoring game; in many ways it still is, but in trying to take a step with realism, the game lost its arcade appeal.

Flaws in the graphics and lack of improvement in 24/7 mode are outweighed by the positives of improvements in gameplay, the Association, and online.

It may not be revolutionary, but it has enough going for it to suck in most gamers, regardless of their skill level or feelings toward golf. Only haughty golf purists or those truly burnt out on the Tiger Woods franchise should consider getting their golfing fix elsewhere.

NHL 2005 does have many things going for it, but it just is not as good as "ESPN NHL 2K5." There are no glaring problems with EA's game, but it just was not as fun as it had the potential to be.

More than just a slight improvement over last year’s version. It’s my favorite version to date primarily due to the reduction of goalie ability. While the neutral zone play isn’t there like the past, overall the game plays better than ever.

To say that Madden 2005 is the best of all the games is accurate, but is it the strongest year-to-year improvement? To that, I say no. Nonetheless, Madden is king.

The additions of the VIP, online seasons and tournaments, and weekly schedules make this game hard to pass up.

I can ignore a lack of game mode additions, but when the gameplay feels untouched, the overall appeal decreases.

It serves as an adequate time killer (i.e., rental game), even if the gameplay is painfully uninspired and repetitious. Then again, fans of button mashers probably wouldn't have it any other way.

As the parity of sports games increases (almost all games have the same game modes and similar solid graphics), the difference comes in the A.I., and this is the one area where ESPN truly shines. This is my pick for the strongest PS2 baseball game on the market for this 2004 season.

Rallisport Challenge 2 should win the award as the best looking game on the Xbox. Its graphics are nothing short of amazing, but the audio package is typical for racing games.

It's not as user friendly as MVP, nor is it as realistic as ESPN. Still, it's a worthwhile purchase if you like simming games and take on the front office duties.

With a graphics overhaul (989 Sports: think louder and brighter with your color scheme) and more forgiving gameplay, MLB could be comparable to High Heat Baseball in its depth.

The combination of graphics and intuitive gameplay make this game a success.

Online play is definitely the main selling point of MTX: Mototrax and what sets it apart from other motocross titles. Other than that, though, the game does not deliver anything terribly new or innovative.

The gameplay engine is brilliant, not only for its attention to detail, but also for its perpetual challenge. I don’t think I can categorize the gameplay as “easy to pick up, but difficult to master” but I never think I’m being cheated by the CPU.

While it's merely decent as a single-player game, it absolutely shines when played with friends. Regrettably, EA has once again denied Xbox owners online play, preventing the game from reaching its full potential on the Xbox.

This is the best yet in the series. The addition of licensed cars, more rivals and highways, and a few new gameplay twists make this one fine racer.

Despite a few nice features in Rivals (crowd noise, online play, and decent neutral zone play to name a few), overall the game falls flat. It's hard to get excited about this game knowing there are much better hockey simulations on the market.

The strongest college basketball game on the market this season by a good margin.

I'm vastly disappointed with this game. I clearly remember being excited about last year's potential for the future. I thought 989 Sports would finally come through with a top-notch college basketball game, something that I don't believe has ever been done.

The game isn't the "NBA Jam" of soccer, but the propensity for high-scoring games gives it a different feel from "Winning Eleven."

Whereas most types of gamers are likely to enjoy "SSX 3," only those with an interest in snowboarding will fully appreciate Amped 2.

A great portrayal of professional basketball. While its counterpart, "NBA Live," may have more razzle and dazzle, ESPN has the fundamentals covered. If you know the difference between a "2" and a "5" when it comes to basketball positions, ESPN is your choice.

If you enjoyed "SSX Tricky," you will love SSX 3--it's as simple as that. Even if you hated "Tricky," you still might dig this sequel.

The game flows like no other basketball game out there, but a few flaws keep NBA Live 2004 from running away from its competition.

The catalog of user created courses and online flexibility make you consistently want to come back for more.

While there are some audio and AI issues, overall the game has progressed since last year. The grudge and alliance system adds a whole new element to gameplay.

I love both games, with ESPN being a better gameplay game and Madden holding the edge with game modes and options. But, graphically, the two are similar and so is the replay value.

ESPN's fatigue problems and lazy secondary play detract from the game, but the first person view, running game, and overall presentation show ESPN is a strong contender.

Last year, I gave Gameday a 67. I feel this year's game is better on many fronts, but there are still glaring issues with the gameplay and GM mode. Once those flaws get ironed out, the potential to become a third fiddle in the football gaming symphony is good.

The overall gameplay feels almost unchanged from the previous NFL Fever games.

It's so good, I find it humorous that ESPN uses Madden for its pre-game show.

The advanced controls let you take unprecedented control of virtually every aspect of the game. With it the running game is improved and the defense rises to a new level. All this boils down to one great football game.

In the end, I want substance over style, and NCAA Football 2004 is the poster child for that.

While FMX is competent, its Career mode lacks magic and its racing and freestyle components do not outshine those of other motocross titles.

The AI flaws and problems with vehicle control bring the title down. The career mode is an interesting but not enough to maintain the title.

DICE has done a respectable job of transferring the Midtown Madness experience to the Xbox.

The lack of USB wheel support and no mirrors bring the ranking down significantly. Every time I gear up for a race I think of how much better this game could have been.

This is basic no-frills baseball. The presentation is filled with mediocrity and the lack of a franchise mode and decent AI just kills the game's entertainment value. It's the NFL Fever of baseball titles - a shallow baseball game.

I'm not saying Street is more or less realistic than "Live," but Street is better at being an arcade b-ball title than "Live" or "2k3" at being a sim.

The AI, which is the weak point in this game, can be a bit cheeky at times and will often wreak havoc on the course. If you can manage the AI, you'll find a game with plenty of passing and quality racing.

The racing is intense and should appeal to arcade racing fans.

EA Sports is headed in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

If you prefer a quicker-paced game buy "High Heat," but if you like a more methodical and in-depth game, buy WSB.

There is simply so much depth that even after 4 months of playing this game, and years of playing the preceding titles in the series I am still amazed by something every single match.

I am anxious to see next year's version. 989 Sports in general is becoming more respectable - I don't know if they got new designers or more budget or what, but the quality of product is looking up.

While the stronger features like the new pitcher/batter interface are outstanding, I'm not sold that this is the king of the mound. The major problem is with the defense, and I think defense wins championships.

ASB04 has made some very good strides on the graphics side, but I have to admit that, for me, the hitting is still too much of a chore.

CM3 has only a fraction of the features of "CM2" and fails to add significant upgrades. While the sound, driving, and stages are excellent, the game ultimately comes up short.

The game play is top notch and the graphics got a great upgrade.

If it had a couple more adjustments for force feedback and pedals, and had the ability so save unfinished races, it would almost be as perfect as a racing game is capable of being today.

The most realistic playing hockey title to date and a fun one at that.

I gave "Final Four" a better overall score than College Basketball 2k3 on the basis of game play.

The excellent legacy mode is already there, so the game is just a few gameplay tweaks away from greatness.

Although the gameplay leaves much for my appetite, the rest of the game is solid. If the gameplay can be improved A LOT for next year, we might be looking at the best college basketball game on the market.

The atmosphere is there, but the game style, more so than a lack of animation or AI, is not correct.

A game that does its license proud. It's the most complete boxing game to come out recently.

While I'll play games of arcade style hockey for instant gratification, I'll stick with NHL 2K3 for its depth. It's as close to real hockey as you can find currently on a console.

Despite a year off last year, Faceoff 2003 hasn't improved enough to stay with the competition.

If EA Sports increased shot making difficulty and paid a little more attention to golf physics detail, Tiger Woods 2003 would probably be the first game I ever gave close to a perfect score.

The new addition of the lengthy franchise mode along with the addicting create-a-player portion of the game certainly makes the game more enjoyable.

Updated Career mode? Check. New tricks? Check. Online play? Check. Hopelessly addictive gameplay? Check! Yup, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 just about has it all.

Some of the major AI problems (specifically the lack of fast breaks and effective CPU team defense) mentioned above definitely took away from my enjoyment of the game.

A huge improvement over the past few versions of the game. The game has a good balance between realism and fast arcade style action.

The key is the gameplay. While there are some nagging issues, the game is balanced overall and will appeal to fans of the game.

A huge improvement from NBA Live 2002, bringing back the enjoyment that had been missing before. Obviously the FreeStyle Control has a huge role in this revival.

The sound package continues to be exceptional in this series. But the camera work is atrocious. There's simply no good camera in the game.

If the game had more depth or difficulty it would perhaps be the top arcade racer on the PS2--instead it's just a very good, though not great, game.

The AI is rudimentary; CPU teams don't shoot the ball when open on the perimeter, show no evidence of a post-up game, and generally run around like headless chickens.

The ball physics, course modeling, new swing type, and huge number of options make this a must buy for Links fans.

If this game had come out 4 years ago, it may have been worth purchasing. It's in desperate need of a patch to fix the controller and menu issues.

The AI is a pushover, the course design is rather bland, the trackside graphics are blander, and the game length is too short.

For football sim fans, we want to be able to customize just about every aspect of the AI. 2K3 attempts this to a certain extent, but it still has a ways to go.

While I thought NFL GameDay made some strides against the NFL competition, I don't think GameBreaker holds a candle to "NCAA."

The AI is weak, scoring is plentiful on both sides of the ball, and there is little strategy involved. Enjoying the game is made even more difficult by sloppy controls.

While there is no doubt in my mind that NFL 2k3 is the most realistic football game on the market, I am not sold that is the most fun. Madden does play at a faster pace, but it is much easier to pick up on and scoring is much easier.

Apart from having cool flatland tricks and an interesting road-trip theme, Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 is rather stale.

After playing GD 2003, I won't think of the series as a laughingstock anymore. The game has earned my respect, but it still has a while to go.

Apart from having cool flatland tricks and an interesting road-trip theme, Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 is rather stale.

With the new minicamp, rookie scouting, improved DB AI as well as the create-a-play feature, this game is definitely fun in the long term. Add that in with the existing franchise mode from last year and it only gets better.

For a first year title, the learning curve is somewhat excusable, however, you have to draw the line at repeating those same mistakes the second time around.

The combination of solid game play, entertaining commentary, and unparalleled replay value make NCAA 2003 one of the best sports games ever.