BBCF has made an excellent debut, bringing a game that blends a deep recruiting engine with an unparalleled breadth of team playcalling control.

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.