If you have a love for the Koei/Omega Force titles, you would be a fool not to check out Samurai Warriors, which trumps "Dynasty Warriors" in just about every area.

While the style of game isn't anything we haven't seen before, the implementation of a free-roaming environment and the scale of the environment all comes together for a fantastic gameplay experience.

The online play, with tournament support, is incredibly fun as the intense and upbeat tempo of the series lends itself well to Xbox Live battles.

The game should be fun for wrestling aficionados, but non-wrestling fans and gamers looking for current superstars won't have much interest in this title.

Xbox’ers are getting the strongest version of this unique product by far. Kudos to the team over at Mix Max for creating such a thorough application that is also totally user friendly.

Codies also knows how to write code for Live, making the twelve car action run as smoothly as a baby’s bottom. Graphics are pretty weak, and so are any chances for replayability, since everything is left hand turns.

DRIV3R is next-gen in neither concept nor execution. Issues like pop-in should not be a part of a next-gen title. Even though DRIV3R relies much more on driving, it still smacks of the genre innovator, Grand Theft Auto.

Powerdrome set out to create a white knuckle racer that will keep players on the edge of their seats, and that is certainly what they accomplished. For those players looking for an in-depth driving-sim, this is certainly not the place to look.

A mediocre title that is fun to play, but won’t last more than a handful of hours for the average gamer. I’d recommend this game for anyone out there who grew up playing games that flourished on the N64, such as the excellent games from Rare, who might also have young kids who can share in the fun of a game both parent and child can enjoy.

One of the best values when considering that it fully supports Live and System Link play, has HD graphics support, and one of the best audio tracks ever laid down in a video game.

A much more innovative game than anything we have seen in a long time.

The very basic gameplay is further dumbed-down by the imbecilic computer AI to make for a game that even novices can breeze through in one night (and we don’t mean a long one either).

The game does have issues, such as poor collision detection and very clunky controls. Add that to the relatively easy gameplay, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has some problems.

This is certainly one of the most innovative games on the Xbox and one that even non-military buffs should check out. I have a feeling this is just the start of an exceptional series.

One the one hand, the story is fantastic, presentation is amazing, the gameplay solid, and the visuals are some of the best to date. On the other hand, the game isn't very difficult, it is extremely short, there are no multiplayer modes, and there is very little replay value.

While I applaud the extra missions, MSCS shadows their importance and lessened my affinity for this unreal coin-op title.

There are times when the subject matter doesn't quite measure up to the gameplay, and vice versa. Thief: Deadly Shadows, although a killer PC title, doesn't seem to have the flair that makes for a strong console title.

LAN party freaks will definitely want to chuck this one in when the Halo multiplayer gets boring, whenever that is.

If Van Helsing had a camera on the right thumbstick it would be near the top of the movie franchise game list, and probably TeamXbox editor’s choice winner. Everything else is there; fun and varying gameplay, excellent graphics and sound, and online scoreboards.

It is very simple to recommend this game to anybody that is a mid-level or below racing game fan. There is mucho gameplay content, great online playability and features, and amazing graphics encoded on the RalliSport Challenge disc, making it one of the more entertaining racing games for the Xbox.

Fanatical soccer fans who really missed the European tourney mode in "FIFA 2004" may want to pick this game up..."FIFA 2005" is slated to support Live, which makes the purchase a UEFA Euro 2004 that much harder to justify.

Very much an arcade shooter at heart, Revolver has that ability to be a title that can be picked up and played without getting sucked in for hours.

Overall, Shrek 2 will surprise many gamers with its fairly advanced combat, delightful, fairy-tale like missions, and light-hearted characters which play differently from one another.

On one side you have a truly engaging experience that makes the gamer think about their actions and study the environments in order to be as efficient as possible. The AI is great and the replayability factor is high. On the other side of the blade you have a cumbersome inventory system, suspect character control, and perplexing animations.

An experience like no other. The gameplay isn’t revolutionary, but when all factors are brought together, the game will not disappoint those looking for a departure from the normal spy-like stealth action genre.

Other than the split-screen camera, there are no aspects of Alias that haven’t been done before and better. The simple combat system can turn out some pretty cool fights, but there is no flow to the game with the constant interruptions from HQ and the multitude of save points.

Even though the game boasts online play, better animations, and a more accurate hitting system, it still doesn’t catch up to MVP’s dazzling action and ultra-deep franchise mode. ESPN MLB definitely gets the nod as far as online play goes.

At first I was ready to send my controller sailing out my front window, but patience prevailed and I found myself immersed in the feel of the game.

The Custom Baller options are extremely deep and the visuals are stunning in 720p. Even though this is primarily a one-on-one game, NBA Ballers shines when you have a crew.

Expect many to rejoice in trivia paradise online or with friends at home to this basic, yet solid, title. Now put down the mouse and pick up the die because it’s time for me to roll on out. Cheesy? You’re damn straight it is!

Every single aspect of the original game has been improved upon: the story, the interface, the gameplay, visuals, so on and so on. When you tie in the multiplayer game modes (which are like nothing you've played before), Pandora Tomorrow is an early candidate for game of the year.

Those looking for the most realistic graphics and the most thorough baseball history lesson really can’t go wrong with All-Star Baseball 2005.

Fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! should probably give this one a rent, then take the change and buy a couple of booster packs; it will immediately become apparent what method of collectible card gaming is more fun.

This is a game that breaks the mold and forces players to think, react, and interact with their environment unlike any other game to date.

Offers gamers a great look into the secret and mysterious world of the silent ninja, and players who enjoy the more subtle approach to gameplay will find their patience and use of strategy rather than the sword may pay off nicely.

Mafia contains none of the features which make a game next-gen on the Xbox. There is no online, multiplayer, or system link play. The game is brought to us by a two year old pc game so it is safe to say that the graphics have been seen before.

While The Suffering hits a bulls eye in almost every cinematic category, it misses the mark in a few of the areas which make a good game, namely unique gameplay and high resolution graphics.

MVP 2004 mixes both player control and stats in a way that makes the gamer feel in control of the finer points of a player that already has a rated ability; in control of an X factor if you will...The unique gameplay feel along with the crater-deep Dynasty Mode makes MVP 2004 the best baseball game to date on any system.

Those that are hardcore and want a no-frills title with great execution of what really matters in rally, then jump in your recee and high-tail it down to your local gaming store.

What Dead Man’s Hand lacks are the basics which are integral to stellar game. Things such as a steady framerate, next-gen level graphics, and semi-intelligent enemy AI are items which must be present for a game to even have a chance at being anything but mediocre.

There aren't many titles that become increasingly satisfying as a gamer goes on, but Ninja Gaiden is one of them. By combining gameplay elements from almost every genre, and doing each one well, Tomonobu Itagaki and Team Ninja should be applauded.

This title could have gotten my complete blessing with a few minor tweaks, with the most important being a co-op mode. Single player mode only notwithstanding, Mystery Mayhem is easily worth its weight in Scooby Snacks.

Guys and gals that got off on "T.H.U.G." will also find a lot of gameplay value here since they will be able to dig deep into the lengthy Career Mode. Gamers jonesing for the return of the motocross track editor, a la "Excitebike," will want to check it out as well.

The gameplay is truly unique when coupled with the uber-peripheral and the unique community of dedicated players. The one nice thing about Line of Contact is that the price of entry almost guarantees that there will be a strong community of gamers years down the road.

A very straightforward version of the titles we hold dear in the watercraft racing genre, with Xbox Live giving it a little kick in the ass.

Pitfall snagged me like a trophy bass. The gameplay is simple enough for any gamer to pick up, yet challenging for even seasoned gamers. The storyline and dialogue keeps things light-hearted while keeping the focus on the game’s addictive gameplay.

Does a great job of blending elements of action, stealth, and driving to create one of the greatest Bond game ever, just after the all-time classic, Goldeneye. Everything or Nothing starts players off with a kick in the ass and doesn’t let up until the credits roll.

MX Unleashed, however, has a lot more tracks available for those who don’t want to make their own. The nod for gameplay goes to MX Unleashed as the controls are more responsive and the overall play is more fun.

As a multiplayer game, Wrath Unleashed proves to be a solid title, but as a single-player experience it proves to be entirely too short. If you are looking for a mix of the strategy and fighting genres, then give Wrath Unleashed at least a rental.

Those not fanatical about the Silent Scope franchise will probably want to pass on the whole experience unless they are in the market for a cool light gun or have $90 burning a hole in their pocket.

The XMP mode can be a ton of fun with at least 4-on-4, but with any less it seems rather slow and unsatisfying. The visuals are unimpressive, minus the nice weapon particle effects.

With limited memory capacity and graphical power, Intellivision games left quite a bit to the player’s imagination, and this may turn off some gamers. However, it’s interesting to see the surprising amount of depth and gameplay found in these early titles.

Deal of the century? How about deal of the millennium! If you have even a passing interest in racing games or online competition you should put this one in the glove box, stat.

The camera system prevents the story mode from being the heart pounding, wind-through-your-hair experience that was intended. The team-based gameplay feels forced and takes a lot of the creativity away.

Packed full of great new features, tons of new enemies, and a perfectly flowing storyline there is none better than Dark Alliance II. The graphics are stunning, the audio is brilliant, and the gameplay shows why Dark Alliance II is still at the top of the genre.

For players with Xbox Live, the game has even more depth to offer. However, the incredibly tough controls as well as the unforgiving gameplay are sure to drive away many players.

Those encountering BoS without ever playing "Baldur's Gate" will definitely find some sweet RPG style gameplay and some nifty real-time action to boot.

While Shattered Universe does a fair job at capturing the unique feel of a Star Trek episode, it somehow manages to exhibit gameplay as simple and archaic as the series itself.

The single player game modes have a fairly decent amount of depth to them, but this game really shines in multiplayer. The computer AI, even at the harder difficulty levels, provides only a moderate challenge for heavy duty football gamers.

I loved the gruesome environments, humor of the goblins, and the vast array of adventures that I encountered along the way. Sadly if they had spent more time on updating the dated graphics I feel this game would be much more eye catching and well-rounded.

The multitude of careers and social interactions provide plenty of longevity, and the new format of the two player split-screen play is a nice touch.

Corvette does feature over 80 cars, but being they react so similar (regardless of the terrain) there is very little incentive to play entirely through the entire game. The default computer AI is mindless, but adjusting the difficulty level is a must for real racers.

Without a doubt the best of the Ridge Racer series, and its name suits it well as it has evolved to modern gaming.

A competent entry into the genre. Any fan will enjoy reliving the best fight scenes with their favorite character, and perseverant players will be rewarded. Don’t let the budget price tag fool you.

One of those games which you know is going to grate the nerves from the get-go; a cut-scene to show a door opening?

Hardcore pool players should be pleased with this simulation and ability to compete with online opponents, but for the casual player, World Championship Pool 2004 seems to lack the excitement that attracts today’s gamers.

Simply just an average survival-horror type game. The puzzles are rather simple, the items are easy to find, and the game is laid out in a very easy fashion. The only thing that other survival-horror titles should take into consideration is the control system Curse uses.

The primary downside to The Sleeping Dragon is its linear gameplay and simplified control scheme that will turn off some gamers. Overall I felt that TSD was a breath of fresh air.

The game provides a stiff challenge throughout, which may turn off some youngsters that are initially attracted to its cutesy style.

The whole presentation seems to be lacking the polish that is evident in other action titles available on the Xbox.

You won’t find too many brawny offensive weapons that would be sure to set off numerous alarms and draw way too much attention to your presence. Instead you’ll count on your wit and problem solving abilities to achieve mission goals.

It’s nice to see those of us who own the best hardware benefit from titles that actually push its limits; this seems to be the antithesis to many developer’s strategies, but one that will keep me an Eidos fan for a long time.

There are plenty of methods in which to wreak havoc and weapons like the Land Shark Gun are fun as hell, but no matter how you dress things up, Armed & Dangerous is simply an above average third-person shooter.

Wonderful direction, excellent storytelling, and a compelling plot. The gameplay is good enough to hold its own within the cinematic confines and actually does its fair share to charge the story forward.

The problem lies in the fact the sights and sounds included in IHRA 2004 are completely sub-par which leaves player with little more than an advanced drag car setup program.

Fails on pretty much every gameplay level. The whole production, from beginning to end, has an unpolished feel that makes it quite hard to stomach.

A good example of how to properly bring a cartoon that has violence as its main focus to a console; keep it simple, keep it fast paced, keep it for the kids and the kids-at-heart.

Short, short, short. The game can be completed in less than 10 hours and there is little reason to play through again even with the additional gameplay modes. There are a few tough levels, but overall Max Payne 2 isn’t too difficult.

I urge every Xboxer to at least rent this one in order to not only relive the past, but to experience the proper design and content for a videogame mix CD.

Spawn: Armageddon isn’t going to turn the action/adventure category upside down, but it will get the attention of its based-on-a-comic-book competition.

The hefty price tag of $65 (and $20-$30 for a second pad) is a bit much, but if you are looking for a unique and incredibly fun experience then DDR Ultramix is worth every cent.

Does a great job recreating the epic lightsaber duels that most of us have come to love, but the big question is will gamers be willing to play through the first few mundane missions in order to get to that point? Initially I would have said no, but I was drawn to keep playing regardless of how bad I felt the visuals were, and even as the framerate chugged along at a snail's pace.

This is one of those games that leaves you feeling like you’ve actually be there after the game is over, and even then you'll find yourself replaying the action in your head...preparing for the next time you pick up the controller.

The best racing game ever, period. The gameplay with the kudos system along with the ability to race eight at a time on Live AND receive rank updates via the scoreboard makes it unique and somewhat revolutionary as of right now.

There is no question that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has what it takes in terms of gameplay, graphics, and audio to be one of the top five Xbox titles ever. Only the sands of time will tell if it has a theme interesting enough for people to justify a purchase.

The only major advantage that Rivals holds over the other Xbox hockey titles is XSN support, but even that can’t make up for the lackluster gameplay, absence of depth, and mediocre visuals.

This title does a great job of adding familiar elements of platforming and first-person shooter titles to an intense fast-paced action game.

Definitely worth checking out for the humor aspects and watching Spank abuse Redmond to no end.

Using both real-time action and strategy elements, developer Secret Level has pulled off a wildly challenging, but addictive game.

This past year Microsoft put a large amount of time and effort into the creation of XSN, so let’s hope this means they’ll have that extra time to beef up the gameplay and depth of the sports titles themselves for the 2005 season.

An extremely stylistic experiment with a well-tailored story and high production values that offers us a glimpse of what lies ahead in gaming, but overwhelmingly shows that we still have a long way to go.

Military buffs and the hardcore flight fans will gobble this one up, but I think most causal gamers that have Live will sadly pass over this one.

Hardcore racing game types and those generations enamored with the sport compact market will definitely need to add this one to their collection.

An almost perfect blend of great control and deep gameplay that will meet any college hoop fan’s criteria.

Hoops stronger in presentation, graphics, and management but "Madness" being better in gameplay.

The level of immersion that it provides is possibly the best that Xbox gamers have seen to date...The single-player campaign mode warrants a purchase alone and when you factor in the Xbox Live multiplayer options, this is the best Xbox game since "Halo."

Sadly it seems as if this revamp of the old Defender of the Crown, is simply an update in graphics and sound with very little thought put forth to update the gameplay. All of the extra modes are repetitive and lack any sort of attention grabbing features.

Anyone with even a bit of interest in RTS games but who thought they were always too complicated should take a serious look at one of the few decent console based strategy games currently available.