The type of game that makes you want to dust off that green felt cloak and curl up with a sack of dice.

The game wouldn't make it on the PSP, or other more powerful machines, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better recent shooter on the DS.

The type of game that makes you want to dust off that green felt cloak and curl up with a sack of dice.

If you're a fan of Neverwinter Nights 2 then this is a no-brainer purchase. The over land map section of the game is hardly revolutionary but does add a much more open feeling to the game - and finding random magic weapons and toys hiding in the trees on the way to town is always a nice bonus.

Despite the occasional dog in the roster, there is more than enough gold in Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection to justify the purchase at double the price. Older gamers looking for a shot of nostalgia will absolutely find it here, and younger gamers wondering what all the fuss was over that mysterious “16-bit era” they keep hearing about will find an excellent education in the digital classics.

Despite the occasional dog in the roster, there is more than enough gold in Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection to justify the purchase at double the price. Older gamers looking for a shot of nostalgia will absolutely find it here, and younger gamers wondering what all the fuss was over that mysterious “16-bit era” they keep hearing about will find an excellent education in the digital classics.

If you want a game with rewarding, blood gushing headshots, the HOTD arcade feeling at home and a Wii game that doesn’t try to be cute or even remotely family friendly, this is a good one to pick up.

Outside combat, unfortunately, the game drags a bit.

Whether or not you’ll like this game really boils down to whether or not you like the decidedly Bejeweled-inspired core gameplay mode, because regardless of what you’re doing in this game you’re never more than a few clicks away from it.

While it has a few issues (namely the lack of analog stick hitting/pitching) that keep it from being the hands-down, across the board best baseball on the market, MLB 09: The Show does just about everything else it can to give players a challenging, rewarding and realistic baseball experience. It looks incredible, plays smoothly, and offers enough on field and off-field goodies to please/occupy baseball fans for a long, long time.

For $10, serious fans of the original who are still playing regularly, or those who are itching to pick it up again, won’t want to miss this. But, if you’ve grown tired with the game and need something a little more meaty if you’re going to get back into it (like maybe a campaign), save your pennies; two more tiny enhancements are promised in the coming months, all three of which will then be bundled together to form one, proper expansion -- maybe even with a new faction!

A sure thing for any GBA owner and makes for an above-average multiplayer racer.

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are the best-looking games in the series, but they don't hold a candle to technical marvels such as "Golden Sun." The graphics are hardly bad, though. They look clean and colorful.

Such a vast amount of data has been squeezed into this tiny cartridge that it is nothing short of technical wizardry.

Simply experiencing the old-school "Sonic" gameplay again after so many years of 3D titles makes the title a must-have for longtime "Sonic" fans.

The graphics, though pixilated, are well done and utilize the GBA hardware competently. The monsters still look as threatening as ever, and the action animation is solid.

Subtle touches such as the clips from HotD2, voice acting, and mimicked designs of the series' various settings make PotD a fitting homage to the series.

Typifies the phrase "easy to learn, hard to master."

The graphics in Super Monkey Ball Jr. truly shine. Executed in the same style as its arcade/console counterparts, Jr. plays in full 3D This level of quality should surprise many.

A classic that deserves being reborn, and the remake is even bigger than the original. There are more levels, more beast forms, and a multiplayer mode for those who own a link cable.

The gameplay, levels, and sound definitely make up for the slight slowdown in graphics.

Ironically, while it has plenty of levels and action, the story is just too darn weird.

A game with a long life span. Colorful imagery, creative levels, and a good score add to the experience.

SNK has done a remarkable job of creating a new Metal Slug experience that feels nearly perfect on the small screen. Frenetic action, great graphics, and classic, refined gameplay are all highlights here.

It doesn't take new hardware to crank out good-looking graphics, and you definitely don't need to buy a PSP or DS to find memorable handheld gameplay.

Not only is it the most advanced golf title yet seen on the system, it easily ranks as the best golf game on any handheld.

A solid, good-looking, and fairly robust little stealth action game that sticks to the mission plan of its bigger console co-operative.

A great game. Harnessing the power of your enemy's soul at least superficially changes the ancient formula and incorporates a limited link cable mode for the bartering of souls.

Diehard fans will probably find the added cards and light quest mode to be worth the investment, but casual "Yu-Gi-Oh" players who already have "Eternal Duelist Soul" may not want to shell out $30 just for a minor update.

In addition to an in-game instant replay feature, FIFA provides a neat highlight package at the end of games that shows the top six plays of the game.

Nothing new, but it's fluid and fun, with enough freedom and detail to satisfy newcomers and pros alike.

A testament to just how thoroughly a game can be improved in its second coming.

If handheld racing is your thing, this rally title should be near the top of your list.

In short, this is "The Sims" game for people who don't necessarily like "The Sims," but it's also one that will appeal to fans of the series.

Oh-so-close to being the perfect handheld game. Its rich, entertaining gameplay can be enjoyed in nuggets, and simply put, it’s beautifully designed.

Sharp visuals, solid handling, and a rollicking soundtrack are joined by some slightly inventive play mechanics.

What's most surprising is that titles such as "Pitfall" are still a lot of fun, and even the included sports games still offer a decent amount of replay value.

When the speed stops, the fun stops. Otherwise, Sonic Advance 3 moves fast, looks and sounds good (Sonic fans will certainly groove to a remixed tune or two), and has a few multiplayer options to boot.

The type of game that tends to get over praised since its simplicity and competency are so refreshing. But you don't have to be an Astro Fan-Boy to appreciate the throwback fun of this well-made shooter.

Combines two much-maligned RPG staples, random dungeons and card battles, and somehow pulls it off with aplomb.

While the underlying gameplay of F-Zero GP Legend hasn't changed much since 1991, it's still good enough to make it one of the best racers on the GBA. Its multiple modes and bite-sized action make it ideal for the portable environment.

A solid platformer that will elicit nostalgia in some and déjà vu in others.

Despite their simplicity, there's a lot depth here, and even those that don't remember their original incarnations will find a lot to like here.

You'll often have so many paths before you in a dungeon it can be tough to wrap your brain around how exactly you can move forward, and the individual puzzles can be absolutely brutal.

It's full of story clichés, but plot in these games is as vital as nipples on guys. It's the combat that really matters, and Sacred Stones is just about as good as it gets.

The omission of a co-op mode and the lack of longevity hurt Gunstar Super Heroes a bit, but overall it's still a fantastic game that deserves a spot in anyone's Game Boy Advance library.

It's a really well-crafted game that features a fun and diverse vehicle as well as clever level design. Though it has some minor flaws, they're not enough to keep this gem from shining.

Some players may not like the pacing or the style, but by any objective standard Final Fantasy IV is as much a success now as it was on the first day of release.

By far the best of the "Yu-Gi-Oh" games to make it to American shores. Fans of the card game will most likely love it.

The game's soundtrack mix of classic football marches combined with hip-hop and drum loops...gets almost annoying by game two.

Easily the best-looking console racer to date...Expanding the kudos system to include bigger payoffs for clean racing would help make "Project Gotham" more well-rounded.

Unfortunately, aside from slight interludes and fantastic-looking, if generally pointless, prerendered end movies, any actual meaningful bits of plot are almost nonexistent for most of the characters...[yet] one of the greatest fighting games ever made.

Its original plot and setting, polished visuals, and overall high production value make this a must-have for any skilled console gamer. It's unfortunate that its seemingly complex control scheme will alienate most casual players.

The simplification of the gameplay also tends to make the game feel a bit repetitive, and it can be frustrating to repeatedly try to make the same jump to that last graffiti spot only to fall and be forced to climb all the way back up and try again...[yet] one of the best games on the Xbox.

Where its online options are concerned, Ghost Recon is simply one of the best reasons to get Xbox Live.

Between all the ship battles, alien spiders in dark caverns, and action-movie challenges, Mace Griffin delivers a good-looking and constantly engaging experience that is equal parts cinema, all-out combat, and skulk-and-kill infiltration.

While the game's difficulty will vary depending on each gamer's proficiency, the game will appeal to both action and arcade fans alike.

The single player, as compelling as it is, isn't a very good reason to buy this game. Even four-player split screen isn't a good-enough reason. But for multiplayer on your Xbox, Unreal Championship can't be beat.

The game is both visually interesting and colorful, running at a consistent 60 frames per second, and the quality of animation looks like something you'd see on a Saturday morning cartoon.

Between the combat challenges, legendary weapons to be obtained, and numerous ways to screw with the heads of townspeople, it's the bits between the storyline that will keep players coming back to Fable.

With an addictive pickup-and-play setup, simple directives, and wide variety of settings, Chase is like "Stuntman," just not so sucky.

The game doesn't feel entirely new or original, but it's well executed and consistently fun.

Throwing kicks, punches, taunts, and even princesses in homage to '70s era martial arts, this laugh-and-punch thrill ride is a ton of fun. Stupid fun, yes, but fun nonetheless.

It's a living, breathing example of the Xbox's graphical prowess and a lesson in accessibility for novice gameplayers as well as the more experienced.

Gorgeous visuals, incredibly fun but accessible gameplay, and terrific multiplayer action all mark one of the better console games so far this year. While nothing in the game is particularly revolutionary, what is included is expertly implemented.

Its only real flaw is that it becomes repetitious so quickly in multiplayer. Individual players' mileage may vary, but you can get just so much out of plain vanilla deathmatch before you crave something more.

Not since "Ullamalitzli," the ancient Aztec game where the losers were beheaded has violent sports been so much fun.

Lesser games in the extreme sports genre have a tendency to wade in a shallow pool of standard cliches, but Wakeboarding Unleashed keeps the focus squarely on the gameplay, where it should be.

The graphics are decent, good enough on the PS2 but lacking somewhat on the Xbox.

A solid game that manages to be more than just a "GTA" clone. It was clearly rushed, however, and the numerous bugs and glitches drag it down to a great degree.

Despite the wonky AI, the game mechanics are solid. And the rip-roaring story gets better with each passing hour. The problem with "Invisible War" is that it requires the player to stop bitching about every little detail and just enjoy the ride.

Its sense of speed, tight controls, and terribly addictive career mode will appeal to just about anyone.

The bottom line is that Hitz, the fun fast-paced and frantic arcade-style hockey game, made itself deeper. The result is a more satisfying game overall.

This one has the looks, raunch, and laughs, but it also packs a solid volleyball engine. It's what "Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball" should have been.

Between the race and freestyle career modes, there's simply a ton of gameplay.

The levels are fun, the gameplay is solid, and the puzzles and bosses require more than a bit of brain matter to figure out, resulting in a nice sense of accomplishment every time you reach a new milestone in Raz's adventure.

While the game doesn't look as good as it should, the gameplay and online support is terrific, and the focus on team play puts it in a class by itself.

Like a truly interactive horror movie, The Thing unfolds at a suspenseful pace...One of the most unique and compelling story-driven games to hit console systems in some time.

As beat 'em ups go, this is an excellent one. Hulk fans rejoice. You finally have a game worthy of the lovable green lug.

While there are problems--too cutscene-heavy, some lame objectives, and the fact that there are infinitely more zombies than little green men--Area 51 is more than enough to make a believer out of you.

One potential complaint with PGR2 -- the only one, really -- is the competing AI. While other drivers' performance is well scaled based on skill level, you'll find that these aren't the most imaginative bunch on the road.

The reflex-driven gameplay is almost hypnotic, and the included options are sure to satisfy most hard-core tennis fans and casual players looking for something new.

It would have been nice if the developer and Microsoft could have come up with some way to play via e-mail (or some other delayed method), but considering the price, there isn't much to complain about in Dai Senryaku VII.

Delivers a fluid and challenging (if thinly plotted) single-player experience and shell-shock multiplayer that makes this new Xbox recruit easily worth the war debt of the game's price tag.

This console version makes enough changes to the original game that even hard-core "Sims" purists will want to give it a spin.

With more imaginative level design, The Clone Wars would have been near-perfect. As it stands, the multiplayer mode is so good, it makes up for most of the title's shortcomings.

An amazing trick system only bolsters the game's personality. You can literally land three or four maneuvers before touching down, given enough momentum.

It's dark, tense, and occasionally scary. The levels also have an inordinate number of secret hiding places that spit out demons when you walk over some invisible trigger. It's a cheap design tactic that completely pulls you out of the realistic setting.

A very addictive game that continues to surprise and delight the more you play. For the money, there's plenty to do, and best of all it lets you focus on what you find fun.

The quality of the motion capture, stadium details, and playbook bring you closer to a true ballpark experience than does any other game.

The altered control scheme and new dribbling controls takes some getting used to, but you'll be leading teammates and setting up give-and-gos in no time.

It's long, complex, and difficult. There's so much freedom of control and so many passages to discover, that it's hard not to find yourself completely immersed in this dark and dangerous world.

Smart, different, and engaging, it gives action gamers something new to test their mettle with, both on and off-line.

A truly great party game -- both on and offline -- and is a terrifically original and energetic diversion from the dirge of shooters and other serious games that comprise the majority of the Xbox lineup. Just don't get caught playing alone.

ESPN is incorporated seamlessly into the game, and it mostly works well, with solid pre-game coverage, a clean interface, and some slick graphic overlays in between gameplay.

Clearly, the 24/7 mode is the most impressive element, and it could've easily been its own release. All combined, it adds up to a very good game, due largely to the breakout star.

What this title does, it does well. But to introverted Yanks like us, it makes about as much sense as putting mayonnaise on french fries.

Hits all the whoops with just the right speed. It has a solid career mode and a potent mix of open freestyle tracks and classic lap-based indoor/outdoor tracks.

Though there's room for improvement in its dynasty mode, controls, and overall presentation, NHL 2004 is a huge step in the right direction for a franchise that was recently skating on thin ice.

An excellent first start for a spin-off series, with a strong action element bolstered by a great sense of atmosphere that makes replaying campaigns on different difficulty levels a treat rather than a chore.

The solo adventure offers so much diversity that you will push yourself to keep going just to see the new areas and confront the hilarious bosses. Now, if only the stingy camera received as much care as the new graphics.

Pure strategy in a shiny candy shell. It takes the brains of a strategy game and stuffs them into the buffed-out body of an action game. The result is a tense, nail-biting experience that rarely fails to amaze.

There's enough in here to keep the hooligans entertained until the next World Cup, or at least next year's game.

A standout Xbox title that not only kicks butt in its own right, but gives the console a niche it was previously missing.

On a rudimentary gameplay level, Syberia is an average adventure game with average puzzles. But dig a little deeper and you'll find an experience that evokes a somber mood that stays with you long after you've finished playing.

Unlike so many tossed-off gunners, it makes the most of the console and will tax most players in equal measure.

We almost never find games that play as good as they look. But set a few friends in front of Rallisport Challenge 2 on the widescreen with the digital sound crashing, and they'll immediately be hooked not only by the A/V, but by the racing. For sheer playability, fun, and visual appeal most other models don't come anywhere close.

As a multiplayer sports game it's fast, furious, and fun, but gamers running plays out of the single-back set might want to kick this one around as a rental before calling an all-out blitz.

In some ways, the Xbox equivalent of "Katamari Damacy."

Despite the lack of strife, Jade Empire does an excellent job of finding a nice middle ground between action games and RPGs.

The visuals in Guilty Gear X2 are Disney quality, and the game's speed offline never wavers or chokes on the action. The backdrops for fighting have that old school, colorful quality, and it's clear that this game came out long after the "SFII" craze.

Great dialogue, visceral, vicarious violence, and a well-realized first-person experience might make you wish you could serve a little more of your sentence.

Though it's disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.

Fortunately the on-screen action moves at a blistering pace, with colorful visuals, impressive animations, and eye-popping embellishments such as motion trails, super jumps, bats bursting into fire after multiple hits, and pitches that defy physics. The depth of features isn’t quite up to the competition’s, but in terms of action and excitement, MLB SlugFest: Loaded covers all the bases.

With a decent solo campaign, The Liandri Conflict would be near unstoppable. As it is, Epic's latest is one of the best things to happen to online console blasting in years.

The game creates a distinctive, unflattering view of criminal life in the 40's, and the huge virtual city the Godfather offers is rife with missions and opportunities.

An incredibly fun game born of a fascinating concept that follows through on its potential in almost every way. If you’re a fan of hip-hop, or of solid grapplers with a huge does of the old ultra-violence, you’ll find plenty here to keep you bouncing in your seat.

NFL 2K5 has leveled the field of play significantly with its wallet-friendly price and killer presentation.

It's unquestionably a great game, and certainly the best RPG on the Xbox this year, but the aging game engine and patchwork ending make it fall short where its predecessor excelled.

If you have time to think, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

It's a perfect game for the times, and one that doesn't bother with Asimov-inspired tin cans running around spraying bullets.

Great multiplayer action, a decent single-player game, excellent presentation, and hard-hitting action all equal a topnotch military action game.

It's a WWII shooter that will teach you about what your grandpappy went through with the same gritty verve as "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan." This is the kind of game that proves war is truly hell.

Places its emphasis on subtle refinements over sweeping changes, which is what tends to happen when the gameplay is seasoned enough to already be considered a class act.

There’s a real sensation of extreme speed, and even with a large number of cars on-screen, there’s only rarely a hint of stuttering or slowdown.

Though it could stand to offer a few more play options, one thing is clear: NBA Live 2005’s got game.

Makes destroying humans fun with an original setting, enjoyable alien arsenal, and cleverly designed missions. Its sense of humor may falter once in a while, and content freaks will definitely find the game on the short side.

Dick Vitale spits out more “babys” than the local maternity ward, but he brings an air of excitement to the game that few announcers can match.

Although the graphics engine chugs along at times, this is an excellent arcade racer that manages to raise the bar in the overcrowded, clichéd street racing genre.

The game is more than the sum of its parts, offering a surprising amount of flexibility in how you accomplish your objectives, even if those objectives don't change much from level to level, in a series of memorable environments.

May not be perfect, but it's a definite improvement over 2003's game and you simply can't beat the price.

It's half a step behind EA's "March Madness," but with a $20 price tag ESPN College Hoops 2K5 costs less than a hot dog at the Final Four.

This game is the "Ninja Gaiden" of racers. It's as deadly as it is beautiful; but if you can tame her, she'll purr like a kitten.

Of all the enhancements made in NBA Street V3, it would be remiss of us not to mention the visuals, which have moved away from exaggerated, cartoon-like players to a grittier, realistic look that better suits the game's urban theme.

Online quibbles aside, NFL Street 2 easily bests its predecessor in terms of depth, visuals, and overall fun.

Refined, entertaining, and simple, it's a refreshing change of pace from most of the more violent, dark themes that tend to hound games lately.

It's hard to describe just how much better LEGO Star Wars is than it should be. All the pieces just fit together perfectly. It's cute yet cunning, easy but addictive, and simultaneously light-hearted and intense.

Unless you love Monkey Ball more than Orangutans love Tang, you can safely pass this one up. But if you haven't played Monkey Ball before, you can't go really wrong with Deluxe.

A ton of different play modes await too, assuring you won't tire of the disc anytime soon.

The owners and dynasty one-two could make MVP a must-have for detail-oriented fans, especially those without a PS2 who are locked out of "MLB 2006's" equally strong offering.

This is the first baseball release in years that smartly walks the line between reality and fantasy.

It's leaps and bounds above the mediocre, movie-based Hulk game, and smashes itself a niche in the genre.

Stand-out art for a diverse cast of heroes, villains, and soldiers helps the game excel in the graphics category, and although complex, it's set up well enough so you won't get lost in numbers, menus, and statistics.

It does drag on in a few spots, and its sci-fi bent may betray the original premise, but it brings gamers a deep, compelling story told in a clever way -- both in terms of narrative and gameplay execution.

In their attempt to dress up a solid brawler, Rockstar actually hurt the experience a bit by adding endless, tedious minigames that pretty much overpower the game in the early levels.

You just have to be willing to look past the technical bugs and the fact that you're paying full price for a game that should have been released as a mission-disc, not a full-fledged sequel.

Players who can't stand "Diablo" won't much like Legends, no matter their mutant fanaticism. But for everyone else, the mutant madness will be addictive and appealing.

The big addition to the series, QB vision, is a love it or hate it proposition, and we're not convinced it even adds to the realism. Most of the other additions are the result of EA playing catch-up with the "NFL 2K" series.

NCAA Football 06's refined approach seems to cater most to the hardcore college football fan rather than the casual sports enthusiast.

While it doesn't have the depth or complexity of the PC version, The Sims 2 brings a unique and engaging game experience to the Xbox.

NBA Live 06's seemingly small additions have improved the on-court action immeasurably, making it one of the best entries in the series to date.

Xbox strategy fans will surely have a great time reuniting our great homeland.

A damn good game of hockey, and one that shows tremendous promise for the next few years.

Once again the game to beat, though its controls will be a sticking point for the pick-up-and-play crowd.

One thing 2K Sports continually proves, however, is that it can bring the game even when it doesn't look as sharp as the competition.

The short length and repetitive sequences make it more of a rental for non-believers, but overall, excellent gameplay, a great presentation, and familiar characters make this the best superhero-based game since, well, "Spider-Man 2."

Harmonix's own "Guitar Hero" is still tops--mainly due to its cool factor--but if you need to entertain a rowdy group at your next gathering, nothing says hours of good times like Karaoke Revolution Party.

Although Summit Strike still boils down to more of the same, the Ghost Recon 2 series has proven itself to provide some of best squad-based, realistic action out there.

Despite the knocks against rivals mode and the fact that the new controls are mostly borrowed from what many consider to be a more simple golf franchise, Tiger Woods 06 is still a solid game. Where rivals fails, the more realistic PGA Tour mode is still fun, as is skills 18, a set of target-based minigames.

There's a lot to like here, and the game does a nice job of blending mindless destruction with equal parts stupid- and well-thought out humor.

Amped isn't the most fun-filled snowboarding game you can buy, but it's easily the deepest and most satisfying.

It's true that it won't make you forget "GoldenEye 007", but it's the closest a Bond game has come to that level of quality in years.

The gameplay is as entertaining as ever, and the fun, 3-D graphics give it an extra charge of humor and strategy.

Strengthening the improvements to gameplay is the addition of sliders to help customize the action, from the computer's shot block ability to foul frequency, game speed, and more.

NBA Ballers gets better as you master it. Given the sheer amount of unlockable content, the replay value appears substantial.

With tons of secrets to uncover, and a surprising array of different gameplay options, Mortal Kombat: Deception is a surprisingly fun package.

In many ways it's the best the series has to offer, but it's still probably not enough to haul in a new audience.

if you're willing to take the time to get over the initial awkwardness of steering, you're in for one of the freshest and most rewarding water racing experiences since the original "Wave Race."

Not only a great game, but also a terrific online RPG that is an ideal ambassador for the GameCube's online hardware.

All the action in the game takes place in and around a single mansion. It may be a richly textured mansion with little visual surprises in every nook and cranny, but it's still just one house and can sometimes feel a little claustrophobic.

Hard-core gamers might find the gameplay too forgiving and simplistic, but everyone else will be delighted to discover a land of beautiful graphics, intuitive and entertaining gameplay, and plenty of cool characters.

It's one of the few singularly unique titles to find its way to shelves this year and is truly great fun.

The biggest drawback to the game is that it relies heavily on multiplayer. The single-player tasks are fun, if benign, but the AI is pretty rudimentary and your behavior has no real long-term effect on your relationship with other residents.

The extremely clean graphics, married to addictive, simple gameplay are enough to recommend this title.

A fairly solid title, but it falls short of the mark for a big "Sonic" release.

The gameplay is so enjoyable, however, that it should almost be required to at least try - especially the multiplayer mode.

Capcom seems unable to accept the idea of user-controlled cameras of any sort. You'll inevitably end up shooting at monsters you can't see thanks to lousy viewing angles...Otherwise remarkable.

Though visually lacking, Skies of Arcadia proves that gameplay is still king. It may be a port, but it's superior to most other role-playing games out there.

All these modes, combined with the incredibly entertaining gameplay and four-player support, add up to a sports game with plenty of play life.

Probably the game's biggest flaw is that it doesn't do anything new to woo over gamers who don't like platformers. But it does take a waning game style and pump it so full of energy, humor, and near-psychotic malevolence that you may have to play something tame such as "Ty the Tasmanian Tiger" just to come down afterward.

The lack of a true career mode or create-a-player feature is also a letdown, as is the inability to acquire additional special moves or to put points into improving a character's core abilities.

Its swing mechanism is sitting in the light rough, but veteran golf gamers will drive it out without leaving a divot. If anything, it's odd that a golf game with so much color is so not wacky. But between all the unlockable options and excellent multiplayer mode, this is one golf game that won't leave you screaming for a mulligan.

The best Godzilla game to date. It would be a good brawler even without the big green guy, as the fighting mechanics are solid all-around.

As the videogame equivalent of washing down a pack of Pop Rocks with Coke, some will take the challenge head-on while others will listen to the naysayers. Either way, F-Zero GX is now the official barometer of hard-core gaming.

The graphics are sharper and more vivid, and some of the backgrounds are jaw dropping.

The flaws in the single player missions are very disappointing, as The Clone Wars could easily have been a near-perfect "Star Wars" title with more imaginative level design. As it stands, the multiplayer is so good that it makes up for most of the shortcomings elsewhere in the title.

From the hectic, mashy battles to the meticulous character customization, there's something here for every breed of player.

For Potter fans of all ages, Chamber of Secrets is a must-have.

Burnout 2 makes other arcade racing games seem like "Driving Miss Daisy." You won't find a faster, more visceral racing game on the GameCube or any other platform.

Fantastic gameplay.

While the gameplay is super tight, the depth is a bit lacking and the single-player modes could definitely use more variety. But for a lot of gamers, the killer personality, fast pace, and handsome looks of Ultimate Muscle will highlight the best trait the game has, it's simply fun to play.

It's authenticity is its biggest selling point, but a difficult batting interface and loose fielding controls keep it from becoming a legend.

We love all the changes to the gameplay in Pikmin 2. It's deeper, less frustrating, and ultimately, more fun. We dig the cave-like dungeons that require intense strategy and we're ecstatic over the new Pikmin types. It's a solid, charming game from beginning to end.

The first handful of hours with Echoes is truly a magical experience, but eventually you'll end up spending more time looking at the map trying to figure out where to go than actually playing the game.

The game runs at an amazing pace with every moment filled with meaningful tension and tangible atmosphere. "Metal Gear Solid" is hailed as a masterpiece with good reason, and this revised version serves its legacy well.

The limited units and resources make for tight, intricate matchups, and there are few models of the RTS that can claim to be as accessible.

It's not worth rushing out and buying four GBAs and link cables (you'll probably never use all that equipment ever again), but it's a must-have if you and your friends already have most of the required hardware and love multiplayer gaming. There's no other title quite like it.

In many respects, NCAA Football 2004 is deeper than its NFL counterparts. In fact, it's the best football game currently available for the GameCube. However, if you own multiple consoles, the PlayStation 2 version boasts inferior visuals but rather impressive online play, and the Xbox version has noticeably better graphics.

Yet despite its faithfulness to the series, its rousing music, the throwback visual style, and inclusion of familiar characters such as Epona and the owl, the game's narrow scope nonetheless elicits a twinge of disappointment.

With so much replay value in the multiplayer and a solid single-player experience to be had [in Pac-Man World 2], don't be surprised if you come down with a case of Pac-Man fever all over again.

It's a little short, but with four difficulty levels there's plenty of challenge. And since the battles play out differently depending on your actions, there's a good amount of replay value here.

Without a doubt, Donkey Konga is a ton of fun. It's offbeat, easy to play, and entertaining for one or four players. Kids will love the game, but don't let that put off older gamers, as the simple gameplay is fun for any age.

For pure dollar value -- 10 total games for $29.99 -- Mega Man Anniversary Collection is a great buy. That is, if you can make your peace with the atrocious button-swapping snafu.

The visuals immediately draw you in, with some of the best motion-capture animation seen on the diamond to date, but the gameplay is what keeps you coming back.

It’s as fast and frantic a shooter as you’ll find anywhere.

Though it’s disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.

Those who are willing to give it a shot will find that it's a great package, offering wrestling fans more than enough to keep them entertained until next year's games offer something bigger, badder, and better.