EA has made a lot of strides with NHL 06, especially on the offensive side of the ice. That being said, the AI is still a problem area that prevents the series from reaching its maximum potential.

This is a simple: if you're a hockey fan, then NHL 2K6 is a must. At $19.99 its depth cannot be matched and although it is far from perfect, there is plenty to enjoy for both the hardcore and casual hockey nut.

Despite the fact that there are a few blemishes on the overall playability for each of the two titles, this classic compilation should earn a spot in the library of those looking for a fun filled look at how videogames were played back in the day.

The computer AI during the single-player is mixed, the graphics are just bad, the audio is disappointing, and games ending suddenly on Xbox Live make the inner poker player in me cringe.

This isn't a game anyone is going to simply pick up, press the gas and work their way through. MotoGP 3 is a game that will test a player's ability to balance speed, physics and raw skill in order to work their way to the championship.

The relationship dynamics could have felt a bit more natural, especially when opponents overreact to the slightest bump and teammates take the offensive when they claim to be working together.

I had a blast playing through the titles I loved as a kid, and even enjoyed playing some of the crappier games I'd never experienced before, and for twenty bones the price isn't bad. For the fun, and nostalgia, the price of admission is worth the ride in this game's case.

The new dance pad changes the mechanics of dance games a bit for the better even if it is a bit frustrating at times to keep your bearings while on the mat. Bring a spare shirt too because the action is frenzied and sweat is an assurance.

Absolutely rent it for a weekend of mindless fun, but return it and move on. 187 Ride or Die certainly took the best elements of some top-notch titles, but didn't execute any of them in a way not seen before.

The trucks give a good sense of weight, but stay away from being too touchy as the game is very much an arcade style driving game. The game's trading system is fairly interesting and adds to the gameplay value, but the overall lack of depth enables the game to become too repetitive too soon.

You will be hard-pressed to find a more "complete" game than The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction... One of the best action/adventures of the year and a strong candidate for the best comic book videogame ever made.

Dumb A.I., bad hit detection, and gratuitous clipping turn a good game concept into a technical difficulty. RPG elements are cool, as is the multiple-ending storyline.

This set isn't a horrible beginning for those looking to introduce themselves to the Metal Slug series, but last years Metal Slug 3 offers up no unlimited continues, the original development team's work, and a much more "Metal Slug" feel.

Darkwatch may have a few things that keep it from breaking new ground, but it does have key ingredients such as aggressive AI, tight controls and an interesting storyline that go hand in hand with the deep multiplayer experience that should lead to the game's appeal with its audience.

Overall, it's the best football game they have made to date, but it's hard to gauge how it has advanced compared to the competition, for as previously mentioned, there is no competition.

Whether you are looking for some great single player combat, cooperative gameplay or a ton of detailed multiplayer modes, Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike has something to offer everyone and it will only set you back thirty bucks to join in on the action.

If large-scale battles are your forte and you despise PC gaming, then Delta Force - Black Hawk Down is a must-buy.

While the insipid one-liners that occasionally force gamers to chuckle under their breath are still firmly intact it's the tennis action that could use a bit more refining. Despite the added depth Outlaw Tennis still falls a bit flat in the gameplay department which, as we all know, is where it really counts.

It's hard to compare FlatOut to the other extreme games on the market, but that's a good thing since it feels fresh in many aspects.

While the subject matter of pirates is intriguing, many gamers will be instantly turned off by the basic graphics, dated audio track, and strategy-heavy gameplay.

The story of Charlie and his journey into the surreal world of Wonka is completely misrepresented in this game and it is unfortunate to see how poorly executed the experience is when compared to other child friendly offerings on the market.

As solid as a football game gets in this generation.

Bungie has done their homework and listened to gamer feedback as they have come up with a collection of what have turned out to be the best maps Halo fans have ever seen.

You get the sense when playing King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Maniax that you're not really supposed to explore that third dimension, since the first two dimensions are what SNK know intimately; not an uncommon thing to happen to a company heading out into uncharted waters, but a tough feeling to swallow nonetheless.

Aside from the lack of four player action, Fantastic Four is a well crafted title that fills the void until "Rise of Apocalypse" hits the shelves later this year.

The single-player Bad Fur Day is platforming genius, although it still slightly suffers from a few of the same issues that plagued it on the N64. The multiplayer modes are incredibly fun once you get passed frustrating learning curve.

Not the deepest and not the hardest in the genre, but the overall composition and camp factor will keep you playing.

Innovative in an old-school kind of way, Capcom Fighting Evolution attempts to do more than just port a few coin-op ROM's to a hot console system.

While Batman Begins tries to introduce the concept of fear into the stealth/action genre, it needs a bit more fleshing out. The linearity of the gameplay prevents you from creating your own "fear events" and keeps things limited to scripted cinematic events.

Aside from a few very nitpicky items, Juiced performs like a well-oiled machine and brings something a bit different to this popular genre. If you're looking for a tuner-style title with a bit of a twist, look no further.

The refinement of the adrenaline and revival systems respectively would have solidified the powerful campaign. That being said, Medal of Honor European Assault is a fun, but flawed overall experience.

The sheer scope of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is mind blowing.

Sadly it falls into the realm of being one of those games that presents nothing new to the adventure genre and instead relies on the usual puzzle solving and mildly entertaining exploration mechanics of past titles.

Quite simply, is a very good action game that lacks the polish needed to be considered a "must-have" title.

A pretty decent kids game based off of a movie franchise, which is almost unheard of in the current days of the console.

It's a few steps away from having a truly enjoyable career mode and with the help of some Xbox Live functionality that goes beyond the simplistic implementation of the Friends List, this one may have turned a few heads. As it stands only the diehard pool players of the world need apply.

The amount of superbly crafted unlockables and wonderfully chilling moments is almost enough to make you forget about the numerous technical ailments. Regardless if it is a slightly misshapen circle, it is nonetheless, a complete one.

Solid, although somewhat short, single-player campaign and multiplayer modes that are just as fun as Halo 2. The story is slow to develop and tends to be hit or miss. The map editor is ridiculously easy to use.

Similar to a race car in its design. It was made to do a job and do it better than anything else out there. There's no waste, yet the technology has been used to its fullest in order to squeeze maximum performance out of the hardware.

The title features sub-par racing, horrendous graphics, lackluster audio, and focuses far too much on the weapons gimmick.

There are simply too many instances of horrible enemy AI and shoddy development to warrant a purchase. The complexity of the controls is completely unneeded.

A fairly long game for its type and it should give even the most veteran FPS fans 12-15 hours of excitement. The cut-scenes alone are with the price of a theater's admission.

Anemically lackluster gameplay and hideously sparse graphics do this game absolutely no service.

The nearly endless ways of offing Kewletts keeps the action fresh when the story starts to get a little slow.

With a solid gameplay foundation the Psychonauts story, character creation, and level design shines through brilliantly. The way in which the game designers made Psychonauts feel like a playable, adult cartoon is quite impressive and will floor anyone that enjoys the animation style that "Ren & Stimpy" helped to establish.

Like previous efforts, WrestleMania 21 has some nice eye candy in the ways of character modeling and mo-capped animations, but it ultimately fails where it counts the most...in gameplay.

It's a budget title, what do you expect? My only reasonable gripe here is that 2K Games included both Xbox Live and Custom Soundtrack support in Ford Racing 3, so why not do the same once again?

The mixture of first and third-person gaming has been done in a slick enough manner so that melee and projectile combat blend together nearly seamlessly.

The key ingredient is its mesmerizing story that complements the outstanding overall art direction. Even the action-oriented gamer should find plenty to like with the game's real-time combat system.

Unless you are an avid K9 unit fan, a glutton for mediocre shooters, or rich, your hard-earned dollars could be better spent elsewhere.

This game has everything a racing fan could ever want. What it lacks in graphical delivery the audio department and sense of speed more then make up for.

The combat is solid, and the exaggerated spy look/feel to the game gives it an extra something that sets it apart from other combat games. However, the modes aren't varied that much, and the single-payer experience is weak at best, resulting in a title that will be a blast for a few days, and then fades to the back of a collection.

It's engaging but too short. It's pretty but not beautiful enough for its genre. Its gameplay is innovative but it doesn't function as well as it should. There's a lot to like here, but just as much to dislike.

A classic example of not being the best looking or sounding game around but still delivers what gamers are really after, fun factor both on and offline.

We like that MXWT has higher priced features like custom soundtracks and a decent control set, but there just isn't a lot to do in this title.

The faithfulness to the SW Universe (as perceived in the movies) might be better than any game out there, kid title or not.

FPS fans looking for a killer single-player campaign will get just that. Players hoping for yet another awesome multiplayer shooter on the Xbox other than "Halo" won't find what they are looking for in DOOM 3, and they will just have to wait for "Quake 4" to get their fix.

Technical issues at the core of gameplay (camera) will burn any gamer's sack, especially when asked to pay the premium price tag.

The online and System Link support is the real draw as it comes off without a hitch.

The formula has been tweaked to an almost perfect mix of story and engrossing gameplay that still requires more use of brain over brawn... The presentation is off the charts with mesmerizing visuals and audio production, both of which have a major impact on how you play.

No interaction with the environments, lackluster enemy AI, and somewhat boring gameplay, results in a short and awkward title. The game felt like it had some potential, but there were too many areas that needed work. Multiplayer is solid however.

The concept of Iron Phoenix is very intriguing and it has been pulled off nicely. A sixteen player online fighter is innovative, but Iron Phoenix's execution holds it back just slightly.

It's always a good sign when the toughest decision you have to make is what game mode to start with; such is the case with MX vs. ATV Unleashed.

NARC, while flawed in many areas, still finds a way to provide some good quality fun for a budget title. The amount of humorous moments that are provided by the sheer volume of consumable drugs is great to see, and busting bad guys even has its moments.

Surprisingly fun and simple to pick up and play. The numerous game variants have a way of keeping the game fresh and the inclusion of Xbox Live support is wonderful to see from a budget game.

I hate to even recommend the game to fans, as the core gameplay elements are incredibly frustrating.

A great game with a lot of action, much more than your average budget title, and its price tag is impossible to beat for what's offered. Fans of combat shooters looking for a game that puts their trigger fingers as well as their minds to the test would be hard pressed to find a better deal on the shelf.

150 playable characters, an absolutely nuts map editor, eleven online multiplayer types, a Challenge and Arcade mode; the list goes on for this refreshing spin on the borderline ho-hum first-person shooter genre.

Fans of collectible card games will feel right at home with Phantom Dust's gameplay style and they will appreciate the game's pace.

Add in gameplay that revolves too much on slow moving creatures and fetching, and you have yourself a game that is frustrating some of the time and boring when it's not frustrating.

With 300 single-player stages there is plenty of monkey rolling gameplay in store, however, we could do without the lackluster story. Despite its flaws, Super Monkey Ball Deluxe is as addictive as the likes of "Tetris" and "Lemmings" and worth a rental at the very least.

Feels as though it could have come straight from the scenes of a '80s B-movie horror flick, with dry characters and gameplay that repeats itself to no end.

The changes implemented are purely optional, leaving the ultimate decision of use to the gamer. And that's exactly how it should be.

Kids - and by kids I mean really young kids - may get a kick out of taking control of a turtle, but that's about it. Slightly older children will find Mutant Melee too boring (it is challenging, however) and repetitive, and adults will find the lack of a technical aspect and responsive controls excruciating.

Some very fun moments arise in the various tournament offerings. Hits in the game make "Madden" look like its players are playing patty cake with each other. Controls could have been handled a bit better but what we have is acceptable.

Brothers in Arms is now the measuring stick for all war-themed FPS titles thanks to its amazing accuracy, fantastic storytelling, and dead-on presentation. Even with its flaws, there is no denying that this is an FPS that hardcore gamers have been waiting for.

The suspect cameras and lack of solid or customizable controls will undoubtedly make some gamers mad they picked this one up. The rest of you who are used to mediocre controls (read: PC gamers) and are fans of taking turns will dig Worms 3D: Special Edition in a big way.

This is one game that makes you "feel" like part of the conflict rather than just a spectator. Hardcore FPS fans will probably have a few complaints about the simplistic squad command system, the short length, and the standard multiplayer modes, but there is no doubt that this is an adrenaline rush from beginning to end.

Total Punch Control gets even better with the addition of Haymaker punches. The Career mode and mini cutman and Training games make for a fun, off-the-cuff experience. A bit more functionality online would be nice.

Those that love unique stories, settings, and characters will adore just tooling around in this mystical land, but those looking to give their reflexes a workout will be left wanting more.

Perfect for an afternoon with the tots but the target audience probably doesn't even have the attention spans to sit through the single-player game. Decent action and variation with the use of upgrades and Transport Ball mini-games are what give this game what little fun it does possess.

Awkward gameplay mechanics, sub par graphics, and bland audio keep this game from reaching any sort of potential.

Most of MLB 2K5 feels next generation; only small bits of the AI and physics engine need any pine tar.

The single-player campaign is as intense as we've ever played on the Xbox, although it doesn't last too long (anywhere from 7-10 hours depending on your skill level). The multiplayer component can hold its own with the "Halo 2"'s and "Rainbow Six"'s of the world.

The ability to play versus, mix-matched style with characters from various coin-ops is a great twist to a classic compilation, and the chance to do all of this online makes the pie that much sweeter.

The game is fun to play for a bit, but the flaws of the gameplay and the repetition creep up faster than Capone's top enforcer in a dark alley, delivering the most lethal blow to the game's bottom line.

Still has a gameplay engine that rivals anything out there and gives the best overall experience of actually playing in a big league game.

The game may have quite a steep learning curve to overcome, which may turn away a handful of potential fans, but those that are able to work beyond the game's initial challenges may find themselves quickly hooked on a style of gameplay that stimulates the mind rather than the senses.

Babylon Games has put together a decent game, but not one that can compete in current, over-crowded market of tuner-style titles.

Combining clichéd gameplay with tired audio elements are plenty to overshadow any promise that the visual style of the game may bring. Just as the game's title character, John Constantine, this game is straddling the place between videogaming heaven and hell.

Worthwhile additions such as Trick Stick control, enhanced Gamebreakers, and a Dunk Contest show that EA wasn't resting on their laurels in the offseason.

One of the most entertaining sports games you will play because the fundamentals have absolutely been nailed with a great general gameplay engine.

While Stranger's Wrath doesn't really break new ground it does present players with a much different Oddworld experience then we've become used to. The way in which the gameplay blurs the various genres it pulls from is a nice touch that keeps things from becoming too straight forward.

Suffers from a bit of schizophrenia, half the time it's trying to be "The Sims" with its purchasing of items/furniture which affect characters' moods and can help your chances of succeeding with your business. The other half of the time is spent taking pictures of half naked women and dry humping the hell out of some seriously monotonous character models.

The Marvel entity known as The Punisher is done right in this game... really right. The Havoc engine makes for pretty fun gameplay but there's not much of the core action that you haven't seen before. Interrogations and special kills are a blast.

Sadly we've got a game that's fun towards the end but with a beginning that will have you throwing back sugar pills just to keep your blood pressure up.

The intriguing plot, open-ended gameplay and fantastic visuals makes Mercenaries the entire package and the first must-have Xbox title of 2005.

There is still a bit of linear gameplay in the single player mode which could be a bit more in depth and dynamic, but as it is, blowing stuff up has never been more fun.