What do you get when you mix an upstart console with an upstart game developer? You get a flagship title called Halo.

The graphics are marvelous, the sounds enthrall you, the character models are remarkably realistic looking, the environment is engrossing and the controls are optimized to control Gordon Freeman and all of his actions.

As you walk through eerie forests, spooky castles and haunted mines, the game pretty much thrusts you into the feeling of despair.

After playing the game for many hours, I realized why this game sold so many copies and won so many awards. Almost every aspect of the game is done to perfection.

The story to San Andreas is by far the best of any GTA game to date. As you progress, you will experience turning points to this story that drive you to see the next cutscene, something that has never been done in a GTA game before.

While feature-packed, Halo 2's Live interface will take a little getting used to. It's not that it's laid out poorly or anything like that. It's just that the sheer number of options you have available to you for Live play are staggering.

GT3 simply is one of the best looking racers to date on any system. In fact, it's one of the best looking games available for the PS2, even being two years past its initial release date.

As much as this review has so far been my picking apart Oblivion’s flaws, I’m compelled to get across to you the point that I do love this game and enjoy every minute I’m playing it.

Ubi has improved virtually every aspect of the gameplay from the previous two versions, and introduced even more new options and gameplay types. With the solo campaign, co-op campaign and online multiplayer, it's almost like having three games in one.

Barreling your vehicle down the road towards your impending doom will cause uncontrollable giggling, with the excitement of a kid on Christmas, at the mayhem you're getting ready to unleash and witness during your replay.

When it comes to video games based on the Star Wars universe, gamers have often been disappointed by games that lack compelling stories, interesting characters and sub-plots, and truly enthralling gameplay. Not to fear, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic (KOTOR) finally delivers.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow takes things to the next level, improving on virtually every aspect of the original, and adding great and innovative new on-line multiplayer capabilities as well.

To simply say this is a 'viewtiful' game to play would be an understatement.

Ubisoft just can't seem to miss. They are on the verge of having a hitting streak reminiscent of Joe DiMaggio's 56 game run in the 1940's, and in doing so are on the verge of becoming one of the most successful publisher/developers around.

ESPN NFL 2K5 is the single greatest football game ever made. Even with a $49.99 price tag, this game would surely have been a huge seller. However, the $20 price makes this game a steal.

Embark on the ride of your life as you prepare to careen down SSX3's three peaks with your favorite characters, including four new riders. It's you versus the mountain in this extreme snowboarding challenge.

The second installment of the Soul Calibur franchise simply bursts with greatness. The sequel to the already great fighting game is, quite simply, bigger and better.

Madden 2005's Franchise mode is unrivaled at any level by any game. The level of creativity that can be expressed in this game is amazing.

The sights and sounds in MOHAA are also amazing. Each pull of the trigger releases an ultra-realistic sound effect that 2015 recorded from authentic World War II weapons.

Replicating the playing of an actual guitar was no easy task, but Harmonix pulled it off with flying colors.

The robotic army better watch themselves because it is all about your arsenal. There are plenty of unique weapons to obliterate the opposition.

Now, don't think it's like The Jungle Book here; this isn't a jungle full of furry critters and swinging apes. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

There aren't many action/adventure games that can compete with Ninja Gaiden. In fact, it may be the best game of all time in that genre.

It's clear after playing Sega's latest, that all others will bow down when ESPN comes to your town.

When people get together and play as a team, the game truly shines. Battlefield 2 is the ultimate package. You’ve got gorgeous visuals, excellent gameplay and superb sound.

As great as the first Project Gotham Racing (PGR) was, the second installment has improved on virtually every feature of the first, while adding a few new ones to boot.

Maxis could have included a few more items and ideas rather than wait for the first expansion pack release. Even with that misfortune, The Sims 2 is the type of game that almost anyone can enjoy.

The next generation of shooters has arrived. If you’re a fan of the series, or even if you’re just a fan of good military-style shooters, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter is a must-buy.

With the main idea behind THUG being customization, it delivers on every level.

In last year's title, aiming your swing was almost irrelevant unless you wanted to hit the ball to one direction or the other. This time around, it is crucial to know where you'll point the left analog stick.

What EA Sports has achieved in MVP 2004 is creating one of the deepest and most re-playable baseball games I've ever encountered.

It contains all the elements that made the first 3 so great, plus improved controls, graphics, and many more goals.

This just goes to show you what the GameCube is really capable of achieving.

Call of Duty 2 is easily one of the best war games I've ever had the chance to play. It features one hell of a campaign as well as a solid online game to boot. Infinity Ward has created a near masterpiece in this amazing sequel. Call of Duty 2 is a must have game, any way you look at it. What are you waiting for? Go buy it now!

Builds upon everything that was so spectacular about Burnout 3, and just takes it all to a whole new level. It's fast, gorgeous and just an absolute blast to play.

From the second that they catch you in their radar, these boys are all over you like white on rice and these guys are not afraid of trading paint to put you into a guardrail or two. Just getting through the course without getting pinched is an accomplishment in itself.

If you love college football, you will love this game.

If you are looking for a topnotch flier, you can call off the search. This one is a must-have for any PS2 owner.

Max Payne is a gritty, blood-filled, third person shooter from Rockstar. If you are appalled by slow motion and gory killings, then you should look elsewhere.

Gamecube owners, you are unfortunately left in the dark for online play this year. This can become a horrible burden, as it is a hassle to try and manually complete all the trades for each team so your rosters are correct with the times.

Not only is this new shooter one of the most beautiful-looking games ever made, but it’s quite possibly one of the best single player adventures ever.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay has breathed new life into movie-to-game adaptations. It is the wonderful mixture of graphical beauty and seamless gameplay, that we've all waited for.

Top Spin is THE game for tennis fans and even not-so tennis fans like me.

The squad based combat was a great idea and the developers executed it perfectly.

One hell of a good platformer with an awe inspiring story to keep it going if gamers feel the platforming is getting redundant.

The graphics are amazing inside the ring. You can see cuts, gashes and welts form on the face as you are going along in the match.

It brings everything that was great about the first two iterations, while adding jaw-dropping graphics and even more Xbox Live goodness.

Employs a completely new Geo-Mod game engine that lets you destroy the environment unlike anything ever experienced before.

Honestly, I can pronounce this to be the finest offering for NCAA football ever seen on any home platform.

All the great things from last year's NHL 2K3 are back and better than ever. Even more bells and whistles have been added, the least of which is the addition of the ESPN name which goes much deeper than just the name itself.

In Morrowind: Game of the Year Edition, or GOTY, both of those expansion packs become available for the Xbox Morrowind fan. Hundreds of hours of gameplay have been added to the 200+ hours in the original, making this one of the largest RPG's ever.

Although repetitive and flawed at times, Doom 3 is still one of the very best games to grace the Xbox.

Released in August, prior to the NHL lockout, ESPN NHL 2K5 is as close as you're likely to get to the real thing this year.

The graphics in Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath are breathtaking. The in-game graphics and especially the cutscene graphics are, honestly, the best graphics I've seen of any EA game that's been on the Xbox to date.

The Owner's Mode is pretty nifty. You not only control the team rosters, but now you control absolutely everything on the team.

You should like this game even if you have never played a flying game before. Crimson Skies doesn't get old very quickly nor does it involve redundancy or tediousness as seen in some other games.

It is an arcade racer at heart but a frantic, action packed, total-your-car racer in every other light and it makes its way to Xbox owners sporting improved crash physics, improved AI, more speed, new game modes and custom soundtracks.

I’ve never seen a game like this before, where the graphics, sounds, and surroundings actually make the game creepy.

Having improved on virtually every aspect of the original, as well as adding 16-player Xbox Live support, RalliSport Challenge 2 (RC2) is set to move out of the basement and be this year's full-fledged off-road racing blockbuster.

It is something that everyone who enjoys a good Action RPG should pick up. You won’t be disappointed. It contains great graphics, crisps sound and music, and the replay value is like no other.

When I first bought the game, the worker at EBGames said, "You better have some time to spare." Here I am over a year later, still learning new things about a truly remarkable game.

As a whole, the Race for the Heisman mode is a welcomed addition to an already superb game.

For those of you that have sat behind the wheel of your favorite console racing game, STRAP YOURSELF IN! This is not your ordinary race-to-the-finish driving game.

Just pick up a copy of MechAssault, along with an Xbox Live starter kit, and the wonders of online gaming on the powerful Xbox await you.

Beyond Good & Evil is easily worth the 9/10 I award it, and maybe even a bit more based of the power of the story alone. Hurry up and go buy it.

This year, the presentation has been upgraded very little, but the little changes made it look so much better.

The gameplay is smoother than ever, the presentation has increased and the brand new Owner's Mode is a real delight to play.

Almost every ingredient, from the engrossing storyline, to the solid graphic engine and wondrous sound options brings this game to the forefront of the action genre.

Madden NFL 06 ultimately turns out to be a mixed bag of tricks, and your impression of it will likely depend on a few different things - not the least of which will be your previous experience with the series.

With Rockstar's solid reputation for developing games that sell well and are fun to play, it's no surprise that this game is easy to play right out of the box.

You can't play a LucasArts game and not notice the sound. Even their other licenses are top notch and, of course, a Star Wars game is no exception.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is easy to get into, fun, exciting, challenging and downright addictive.

RS3's team-based gameplay, combined with good AI troops and enemies, and a cool voice command system that's incredibly simple to use make this game amazingly fun to play.

What is easily one of the coolest things about Unreal Championship 2 is the ability to deflect ranged shots back at your enemies.

It combines fantastic visuals with a solid story and, most importantly, the gameplay is top notch.

The depth and detail in this game is unbelievable and Disney and Square have thought of absolutely everything, down to every last detail in all the worlds and the appearances of the Disney and Final Fantasy characters.

By far, the best RPG I've played since "Final Fantasy 7."

Everything works well together and Clap Hanz should be complimented by improving on an already successful formula.

Just when you thought that there couldn't be any more tricks added to a Tony Hawk game, they add more.

With more than 50 areas to explore, a random dungeon generator - so that each time you play the dungeons are unique - and over 10,000 randomly placed items, this game has a little more depth than just your regular garden variety hack n' slash RPG.

Another technical point of the game that’s stunning is the amount of zombies that can be on the screen at any given time.

In this game you have not one, but two choices of a season mode. We have the return of the Dynasty Mode, but we also have ourselves a second option: the Owner's Mode.

The biggest fault I found in Deadly Shadows is the A.I. The guard’s awareness at one point can be very high, but then in other situations you’d think he was deaf.

Have you ever wondered who would win a fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Muhammad Ali? Alternatively, have you ever wanted to mimic Rocky and become a contender? EA Sports gives you that chance in EA Sports' Fight Night 2004.

The enemy AI is quite possibly the best I've ever seen in a console game.

Customization is the main attractor for games of this style, and Underground seems to have taken this aspect to a completely new level. Each and every part that can be bolted on is officially licensed from the manufacturer.

Overall, this game is a three pointer from downtown. Granted, it was banked off the boards and hit the rim, but it still went in.

This game can be summed up quite simply: If you love tactical RPGs, then you will love this game.

Viva Piñata is more than just a game…it’s an experience.

A definite must-have for fans of the movies and action junkies, pick this one up at your next opportunity and I'll guarantee you a good time.

Yahorn! Let me try that again. Yahorn! Okay now that's better. With one simple word, I've separated those who haven't played Return to Castle Wolfenstein from those who have.

Just looking at the cover of the game, you can tell that it is good.

Deux Ex: Invisible War is incredible, pure and simple.

The game is damn good. Although there are still issues that need to be addressed, all of those things are overshadowed by the amazing gameplay.

It gets even better with the new feedback system that has been implemented. At the conclusion of each game you play online, you can either rate your opponent positive, negative or neutral.

Ubisoft just can't seem to miss. In early August, they find themselves once again delivering a sure fire hit with Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow.

I almost guarantee that if more games paid this much attention to narrative, the comparison of the gaming industry to the movie industry would become more valid than ever before.

When the end of the 2004 year of gaming comes, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy may end up being the sleeper hit of the year.