Game Zone by Jae-Ha Kim

Peter Pan: The Motion Picture Event
(Atari; Game Boy Advance; $29.99) **
How do you successfully take a motion picture event and encapsulate it into a game for a GBA? Well, you really don't. "Peter Pan" works on some levels; the storytelling is adorable -- from Peter's first meeting with Wendy through his final battle with Captain Hook. The gameplaying is pretty good -- you can make Peter Pan dive, fight and fly his way through the various scenarios. Unfortunately, solving puzzles to get to the next level can grow old fast. And the visuals are stunted on the tiny screen. Youngsters will however enjoy this. (E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Nintendo; GameCube; $49.99 ***1/2
        The "Final Fantasy" series finally comes to the GameCube, albeit in a slightly altered, more kid-friendly form.
        Gone are the sweeping CGI cutscenes, the romance subplots between the androgynous heroes and heroines and the turn-based hitpoint combat that fans have come to expect. As a replacement, you play as a character from one of 32 characters from four different tribes. Each tribe has specialities and traits which prove useful at some point in the game. You live in a world threatened by a lethal smog-like substance called "miasma" that can only be neutralized by drops of myrrh.
        The graphics are gorgeous, but the single player game isn't as much fun as multi-player. Trouble is, the multiplayer game requires all players to have a Game Boy Advance and a cable to link it to the GameCube. Still, the gameplay will hold the attention of younger gamers and fans of the series. (Rated T for fantasy violence). --Misha Davenport

American Idol
(Codemasters; PlayStation 2; $29.99) ZERO STARS
This is a fine example of a total waste of game-playing time. Here's a singing game that doesn't require singing. As a song plays, you hit or hold specific buttons to match an on-screen meter. It's not like the button mashing matters. The judges' comments seem to be random. In one round, Simon trashed me, Randy gave me a so-so score and Paula told me she was "glad the three were all in agreement because I rocked!" The game is nothing more than a blatant attempt to milk a cash cow. (E for everyone)
--Misha Davenport

Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest
Sony Computer Entertainment; PlayStation 2; $49.99 **
Moving from one exotic setting to another, you use your sword (or other weaponry) to get from one place to another as quickly and efficiently as you can. If you're lucky, you'll be able to advance to your next mission. If you're not, you'll have to listen to some guard lecture you ad nauseam.
You have the option of playing as a number of heroes, both male and female. Unfortunately, the genders don't look that different -- except the women wear less clothing and are much more pneumatic-looking. The game's developers did add a nice touch by giving players an allotment of points that may distributed as needed to increase a character's intelligence, strength or endurance. -Jae-Ha Kim

World Soccer Winning
Konami; PlayStation 2; $39.99 ***1/2
        "Winning Eleven" is to soccer what "Madden NFL" is to football. It's the type of video game people camp out for at stores. At least everywhere else in the world, that is.
        While this is the seventh entry in the franchise, it's only the second to be released stateside. We Yanks don't seem to care that much about soccer and -- judging from sales figures -- if we do pick up a soccer game, it's EA's "FIFA" series, not Konami's "Winning Eleven."
        Though EA's "FIFA" has a shorter learning curve, Konami gives sports fans a soccer game without the training wheels -- and that's a good thing. If you don't know the basics about passing the ball, why should you be able to "bend it like Beckham?" EA's game looks like kiddie league next to "Winning Eleven."
        The artificial intelligence is flawless. International soccer players like David Beckham maintain all of the skills and attributes they've displayed on the field in the game. It makes them more than worthy opponents. Your matches often head scoreless into overtime -- much like the real game. When you finally manage to move the ball down the field and set up a shot, there's a sense of accomplishment. Miss the goal and you'll feel agony's bitter sting. Make it and you'll know why Brandi Chastain pulled off her jersey after converting the decisive penalty kick at the 1999 Women's World Cup.
        The graphics are nicely detailed, with stadiums and players rendered fairly accurately. There are a few minor complaints, however. Some of the game's menus are unnecessarily complicated and the game is also missing online play. The biggest snub is an absence of MLS teams. It would have been nice to see the Chicago Fire up against the likes of Manchester United or Real Madrid, for instance. Despite those shortcomings, "Winning Eleven 7" is a winner. It's no wonder the rest of the world loves this franchise. (Rated E) --Misha Davenport

Lupin the Third: Treasure of the Sorcerer King
(Bandai; PlayStation 2; $49.99) **
Created in 1967 for a manga (Japanese comic book), Lupin draws inspiration from Maurice Leblanc's books about the gentleman thief Arsene Lupin as well as Ian Fleming's James Bond. While popular in Japan, Lupin is more of a cult hit in the U.S., where an anime series is featured on Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" line-up of mature cartoons.
Your mission in the game is to steal the treasure of a mystical king, relying on stealth movement and disguises to avoid detection by guards and chief nemesis Inspector Zenigata. The game does a great job of capturing both the anime style and humor of the television series, but those unfamiliar with the cartoon will find the core gameplay -- solving puzzles in one room with clues you find in another -- to be a bit of a bore. (Rated T for mild language and violence) -- Misha Davenport

Lifeline
KONAMI; PLAYSTATION 2; $39.99 ***1/2
        Set 25 years from now, "Lifeline" begins with the opening reception for the first space station hotel. Before dignitaries and the press can raise a glass in toast, the Christmas Eve celebration quickly turns into a bloodbath as alien creatures forego the buffet line and cash bar to make dinner of the invited guests.
        Separated from your girlfriend Naomi, you wake up to find yourself locked in a control room and the monitors are focused on a locked holding cell where Rio -- a blonde cocktail waitress from the party calls out on her headset to you -- her lifeline.
        In addition to your controller, "Lifeline" utilizes the USB microphone headset (I played the game with both the "SOCOM" headset and the "Karaoke Revolution" one -- either works). Incorporating the headset into the game could have easily come off as a mere gimmick, but thanks to the superb plot, it's intricate to the storyline and makes sense.
        Voiced by Kristin MIller ( D.D Cummings on the syndicated show "She Spies"), Rio is clearly more than just a cocktail waitress and her true identity is revealed throughout the game. For reasons that are explained later, Rio needs your help to find a reporter and you need Rio to find Naomi and spring you from the locked control room.
        On your part, you'll utilize the headset to feed Rio commands. She recognizes over 5,000 words and 100,000 phrases, but you'll probably find yourself using "run," "shoot" and dodge" the most as you guide her through this science fiction/horror survival game.
Of course, your success is tied heavily into your ability to enunciate clearly at all times. Not exactly easy when four or five creatures have cornered poor Rio and you get caught up in the moment and shout unintelligible commands.
        It's also a bit frustrating getting her to investigate something when you can't tell what the object is ("Thing? What thing? What are you talking about?").
        Still, it's a particularly satisfying experience overall. You actually do start caring about Rio as a character and oddly enough, though it's a one player game, by the game's end, it feels like you've played as part of a team. (Rated M for blood and violence) -- Misha Davenport

Jet Li: Rise to Honor
Sony Computer Entertainment ( PlayStation 2; $39.99) **{
The graphics are great and the fighting can be thrilling. But overall, this game doesn't realize its potential and is too repetitive to be a truly fun game. There are times when you would just like to fight the dude who's attacking, but you really can't effectively battle until you do what you're supposed to do first. For instance, I had no idea I was supposed to throw the guy over the wall, rather than into it. Also, you know how films are full of fight scenes where a gang surrounds the hero, but only fights him one at a time, which gives him plenty of time to whoop all their butts? It'd be nice to get the opportunity to fight them together and see who the real
master is. (Rated T for violence) -Jae-Ha Kim

Pitfall: The Lost Expedition
(Activision; PlayStation 2; $39.99) **
The original "Pitfall" for the Atari 2600 was a classic game. In terms of the bastardization of fond childhood memories goes, Activision's attempt to bring its Pitfall Harry character into the 21st Century falls somewhere between "The Grinch" and "Scooby Doo." It's a decent platform game with solid controls and kid-friendly graphics, but like "Grinch" and "Scooby," the heart and look of the original source material seems garishly blown-up. (E for mild suggestive themes and violence) -- Misha Davenport

What's your game...Richard Marx?
"You'll laugh because it's an older game on an older platform, but one of my favorite games is F-Zero X for Nintendo 64. I am the reigning household champ at that game. My oldest son has pointed out that I'm the reigning champ because I won't play him again, which is true. How would I be able to stay the champ otherwise? My kids are very good. They can beat me at Tekken 4 for PlayStation 2, but I really love that game anyhow. Another really great one for PS2 is NBA Street where you get to pick teams and play pickup games in all these cool settings. I'm pretty good at it, which is about the only way I can win at basketball."
--Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Richard Marx

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
KONAMI; GAMECUBE; $39.99 ****
        "Hideo Kojima's "Metal Gear Solid" was hailed an instant classic when it debuted on the PlayStation in 1998.
        Looking back, it's easy to see why. In that game, Solid Snake -- a one-man army -- single-handedly infiltrated a South African fortress and destroyed "Project Metal Gear," a souped up battle tank with a nuclear arsenal. Kojima resisted the urge to merely make the game a first-person shooter and instead made stealth --Snake's ability to hide, crouch or hug walls to go undetected
as he made his way through the levels -- the cornerstone of the game.
        It's hard to imagine how different a game Ubisoft's "Splinter Cell" would be had Kojima not first paved the way with "MGS." Yet, credit for the game's success does fall squarely on merely what was at the time innovative gameplay. "MGS" told an engaging story line that remains unparalleled in its depth and complexity.
        The bad news is, "Twin Snakes" features a script that is an almost word-for-word remake -- not exactly a GameCube port of the old PlayStation game, but a "reimagining" of "MGS" with re-recorded dialogue.
        In the near future, Solid Snake is called back into action to infiltrate an Alaskan nuclear base, rescue hostages and stop genetically-altered terrorists from setting off a nuclear bomb. Leading the terrorists is Solid Snake's old boss, Liquid Snake (hence the "Twin Snakes" title). If you've played the original, "Twin Snakes" -- with its complex plot that twists and turns like a well, a snake -- this will hold no surprises. If you haven't played "MGS," however, you owe it to yourself to pick this game up.
        Even those gamers who have played through the original should take "Twin Snakes" for a spin. It's still a great game. The difference between the original and this game is akin to watching an old videotape of a classic film like "The Godfather" followed by the special edition DVD. Sure, it's the same story, but the image and sound is better and the experience is much richer for it. (Rated M for blood, gore, suggestive themes and violence) --Misha Davenport

Scooby Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed
(THQ; Game Boy Advance; $29.99) *
Poor, poor Velma. Without question, she is the brains of Mystery Inc. -- the group of teenage crime solvers that also includes Fred, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby Doo. Velma's reduced here to a finger-wagging instruction-giver while gamers take control of the more popular characters. It's a pity because the game could have benefited from the injection of some much needed brains. Of
course, it's not like "Scooby Doo" is high art. The plot of the game mirrors that of the film -- a madman has created a machine that brings to life all of the Scooby gang's worst monster foes. It would have been nice to offer gamers more of a scooby snack than this ho-hum platformer with repetitive levels that grows old fast. Still, kids will want to pick it up after seeing the movie because Scooby reveals a GBA code at the end of the film that unlocks a new ending (Rated E for comic violence). -- Misha Davenport

MVP Baseball 2004
(EA Sports; GameCube; $49.99) ***
EA Sports' baseball franchise scores another winner with this latest version of MVP. The playing is intuitive and surprisingly realistic. When the runner on third is sliding toward home plate, the gamer almost instinctively curls his or her legs into a defensive position. The checked-swing capability is a nice touch that lends realism to the games. There also are plays that lend a sense of anticipation. For instance, a foul ball doesn't necessarily end with an automatic out (or an unintentional Bartman), as I learned the hard way. The game's not perfect. Sometimes the players' reactions within the game are so slow you wonder how they made it into the major leagues. But overall, this latest incarnation of MVP is a good reproduction of America's favorite pastime. (E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

MLB 2005
(Sony Computer Entertainment; PlayStation 2; $39.99) ***
Finally, Sony Computer Entertainment's 989 Sports division scores big with this baseball title. Sony touts this as the only baseball game to offer strike zones proportional to individual hitters. Novice players can make good use of the variable batting features, which allow players the opportunity to study pitches before taking swings at them. Veteran gamers should opt for the all-star batting controls, which lends the game a fast, realistic feeling. Play well enough and you'll be able to utilize some of baseball's biggest stars. A nice addition to this year's model is the EyeToy, which enables gamers the opportunity to scan their own faces and actually play as themselves in the game. Given that they'll enter the ranks as rookies, be prepared to get sent back to the minors. (E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

Ninja Gaiden
TECMO; XBOX; $49.99 ***1/2
        Forget coming in like a lion, March has instead taken a more stealth approach and come in with samurai and ninjas. There are no less than four titles out this month, and while the marketplace might be crowded, make no mistake, "Ninja Gaiden" is the best of the lot.
        The game has come a long way from when I first encountered it in the arcades in 1988. Though "Gaiden" (pronounced guy-den) loosely translated means "side story," the original arcade hit -- a side-scrolling two player -- didn't have a plot. Characters and story arcs weren't fleshed out until the franchise made its debut on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 and two sequels in 1990 and 1991.
        Unfortunately for fans of the popular NES games, the latest "Gaiden" forgoes the previous story altogether. You play as Ryu, a ninja in control of the Dragon Sword. Your village has been attacked and the evil Dark Dragon Blade -- the antithesis of the blade you wield -- has been stolen. You set off on a journey to retrieve it.
        The plot is weak and lacks the epic sweep of the original NES stories. Thankfully, everything else about the game is awesome. The graphics are detailed and Ryu moves with the kind of grace you would expect from a stealth ninja. The controls were easy to pick up. You'll also come across a diverse number of enemies -- each with their own weapons and abilities. The enemy AI is challenging, but not impossible.
        That's not to say that this is just a hack-and-slash game. It isn't. There are elements of an action adventure sprinkled in the 15 levels of the game. Ryu has the ability to run up, over and alongside walls much like Ubisoft's "Prince of Persia." You'll need to search for hidden items and purchase weapons and skills upgrades at the occasional shop you find in the many villages you come across.
        While its story line lacks the depth of previous games, "Gaiden" doesn't disappoint. (M for blood, gore and violence) --Misha Davenport

Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku
(Sega; PlayStation 2; $39.99) **1/2
Based on former Chicagoan Genndy Tartakovsky's Emmy-award winning animated show on the Cartoon Network, Samurai Jack is a warrior sent through time by his arch-nemesis Aku. As Jack, you search for a time portal that will return you home, fight Aku's minions and rescue villagers who sound suspiciously like Warner Bros.' Marvin the Martian. It gets repetitive fast. Sega scores points for graphics that mirror the distinct look of the cable show, but as a fan of the animated "Jack," I wish the game had emerged from behind the shadows of the show to offer something that matched the cartoon's originality. (Rated Teen for mild violence) -- Misha Davenport

Fight Night 2004
EA Sports; PlayStation 2; $49.99 ***1/2
        What would it have been like if Muhammad Ali had fought Sugar Ray Leonard? Yeah, yeah. I know they're in different weight classes, but wouldn't it have been cool? Thanks to EA Sports' awesome new Fight Night 2004, we can find out for ourselves how these two champions would have fared against each other. We also can take on Evander Holyfield and a slew of other fighters, like Roberto Duran. One of my favorite matches was when I pitted Roberto Duran against, well, Roberto Duran. (The darned computer-controlled Duran won, by the way.)
        Though you don't have a fight-club option, you can make your guys box in a dingy gym or in the opulence of something like Caesars Palace.
        With a few exceptions, the players' depictions are dead-on. Ali is Ali, right down to his graceful foot movements. Leonard looked less like the handsome boxer head on, though his profile is more realistic. And when the players are hit in the head, the blood streams out at just the right moment.
        Then there are the ring girls, whose bodies look like real-life centerfolds. Unfortunately, their stiff mannequin faces don't match the realism of their bodies.
        A nice touch is the ability to overcome a knockout. When you're KO'd, the screen shows fuzzy multiple images of a referee. If you're able to use your joysticks to merge those images back into one, you remain in the match. If not, you lose.
The one disappointment is that when the players are knocked out, they all tend to wobble to the mat in a similar, wimpy manner. Not that he was KO'd a whole heck of a lot, but that is not how Holyfield hit the mat. (Rated T for teen). --Jae-Ha Kim

Pokemon Colosseum
(Nintendo; GameCube; $49.99) ** 1/2
A group of thieves called Team Snagem has developed a way to steal pokemon from their trainers and turn them into shadow pokemon capable of attacking both other pokemon and trainers. Playing as "Hero" -- a reformed former member of Snagem -- you have to recapture the shadow pokemon and purify them.
I breezed through story mode in this game in a few hours without much of a poke-strategy. The graphics -- while rendered in 3-D -- aren't really anything special, either. Of course, the big attraction for fans is the ability to download the pokemon you've collected in "Colosseum" to your "Pokedex" in your GBA Pokemon games. While that's probably enough incentive for fans, it probably won't win over any new gamers. (Rated E for mild fantasy violence) --Misha Davenport

Backyard Baseball
(Atari; PlayStation 2; $29.99) ***
Ever wonder what Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa and Derek Jeter were like as kids? I'm guessing they weren't quite as adorable as their animated childhood counterparts in the latest of the "Backyard" games. But that doesn't take any of the fun away from this interactive baseball game, where gamers get to choose from 10 pro players. Batters are up in a variety of makeshift 3D fields. You'll hear the roar of a car driving by as young A-Rod hits a homer and scampers across the plate.The cute factor may dissuade some older gamers from giving this one a shot. But if you're embarrassed, get your kid (or kid brother or sister) the game and insist on helping him or her brush up on their skills. You won't regret it. (Rated E for Everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

Resident Evil Outbreak
Capcom; Playstation 2; $49.95 *** 1/2
        Perhaps it's "Area 51" paranoia, but there has always been something bone-chilling and plausible about the premise of Capcom's "Resident Evil" series. In trying to make us safe, governments sure do a lot of things that threaten our security.
        In the "Resident Evil" series, a corporation -- rich with a big, fat, no-bid contract -- works in secret on a biological weapon that accidentally or intentionally gets released on an unsuspecting public. Biological weapons like anthrax have found their way into the public, so I suppose it's only a matter of time before something akin to "Evil's" T-Virus turns us all into flesh eating zombies, right?
        There is a sense of immediacy to "Outbreak" unseen before in the franchise. Previous games have focused on people somehow connected to the events that led to the T-Virus. Games followed a plot that was equal parts detective novel and horror story. This time around, there is no plot. Gamers play as one of eight ordinary citizens in Raccoon City when the virus is unleashed. They are innocents at ground zero and their survival depends on you.
        The off-line single player mode puts you with two characters selected and controlled by AI. Online play has you with three other people, and it works the best. Like the characters in the game, you are all strangers, each with differing skills and agendas, hopefully united in your goal to work together to survive the zombie onslaught and escape the city with your lives. And the best part? Lose your life and you join the undead and turn on your former friends.
        The game is far from free of errors, though. It would have been nice to have some sort of voice interface to communicate with fellow gamers, and load times really break up the game's flow. If you've recently sprung for the PS2 hard drive, follow Capcom's advice and download the game to it. (Rated M for blood, gore and intense violence; content may change during online play)   --Misha Davenport

World Tour Soccer 2005
(989 Sports; PlayStation 2; $39.99) ***1/2
I'm not sure what happened to World Tour Soccer 2004, but this latest entry in 989 Sports' football (as the rest of the world calls it) franchise kicks major butt over the 2003 installment. One of the complaints of the older version was it was too easy to play. So while novice gamers enjoyed being able to score major shots from just about any angle, veterans were miffed it took such little skill to play such a subtle sport. It's much more complicated this time around. Players have to earn their chances to score. Just as in real-life soccer, there are times when you will not score even one goal. But that doesn't detract from the awesome realism and ridiculous fun this game provides. Tip: The right analog stick is your friend here -- use it wisely to change formations at whim. (Rated E for everyone.) --Jae-Ha Kim

Seven Samurai 20XX
(Sammy; PlayStation 2; $39.99) No Stars
Dear God, what an unholy mess! This game sets Akira Kurosawa's classic film about a band of 16th-century Samurai in the distant, high-tech future. Mel Brooks' "The Producers" kept flashing through my head while playing it. Like the audience in that film, all I could do is stare with my jaw agape at this atrocity. Fortunately, it's a standard hack-and-slash game that requires frequent mashing of the square button, so you don't even have to watch the desecration on the screen if you don't want to. Here's hoping Sammy has better luck with "Casablanca 20XX." (Rated T for blood, gore and violence) --Misha Davenport

Bomberman Jetters
Majesco; GameCube; $19.99 ***
        Taking off where the Bomberman Generation left off, this giddy, fun game is reminiscent of "Pokemon," "Super Smash Bros. Melee" and "Super Monkey Ball." The characters live in a fantastical world of water, fire, vegetation and -- dun-dun-dun -- the underworld. It's your job to get from one place to the other. But don't worry, there's help on hand.
        The characters are adorable, but they're not simple-minded. Run into a Charabom and you're in good luck. The little critters can only be activated one at a time, though, so use them wisely. One aerobic charabom was good enough to win a gold medal for the high jump at the Olympics, but I found the critter that lets you fly to be the most beneficial. And the Bomberman himself can satiate his need for speed with a little upgrade as well as accessing a variety of potent bombs. That said, try not to blow yourself up. It's easier to do than you'd like to believe.
        In one of the vignettes, the gamer is asked to round up a bunch of balloms, which are cherubic little beings who enjoy following the leader. The catch is that the more balloms you get, the slower your Bomberman becomes.
        But my particular favorite was the "Revenge" mode. After I accidentally blew myself up, I got to sit along the sidelines and play dodgeball with the remaining Bombermen. The revenge? My ball was a bomb, and once I hit a Bomberman, I had the option of making him switch places with me.
        Truth be told, it was just as fun torturing them from the sidelines. (Rated E for everyone)   -- Jae-Ha Kim

Space Raiders
(Mastiff; GameCube; $19.99) **1/2
Borrowing heavily from "Independence Day" and "Starship Troopers," "Raiders" updates Taito's classic "Space Invaders" with decent 3-D graphics and three separate and solid story lines.
Teenager Justin is looking for revenge after invaders murder the rest of his street gang. Naji -- an African-American policeman -- is out to avenge his fallen partner. Ashley is a 23-year-old camerawoman searching for her boyfriend amid the rubble. Amid the fire and smoke from the first wave of alien invaders, aliens rain down on you. The creatures from the original game weren't all that menacing. Not so here. Swarms hack, slash and spray acid at you as you fire round after round at them. Like the original, it can get old fast, but old-schoolers are sure to appreciate the update. (Rated T for Teen, for blood, gore, brief nudity and violence) -- Misha Davenport

Destruction Derby Arenas
(Gathering; PlayStation 2; $39.99) **
I'm torn when it comes to this game. While it's loads of fun driving around in circles and crashing into other cars -- without worrying about your insurance rates skyrocketing -- it grows old fast. There's a little bit of skill involved, but not a heck of a lot of finesse. You score points for hitting the other cars. The more complicated the crash, the more points you nab. Your high school driver's ed instructor would be mortified, but he should take heart -- the cars are too boxy to be mistaken for anything even remotely real. As for your kid brother or sister, they'll probably think this is pretty darned cool. Too bad they're probably too young to play it. (Rated T for teen) -- Jae-Ha Kim

NBA BALLERS
Midway; PlayStation 2; $39.99 ***1/2
        It's all about the benjamins, here baby. If you don't have a phat wallet stuffed with a wad of cash, it doesn't matter how much game you got. Combining America's love of basketball with its seemingly endless need to see how the rich and famous live, NBA Ballers gives you the ball with plenty of doses of bling bling.
        First, let me say that the players' likenesses are freakishly lifelike. This makes the game a load of fun to play, but it also makes you feel a tiny bit guilty taking over their lives by just showing up at their decked out homes. Does Jason Kidd really want us checking out his crib in between matches?
        The games here are one-on-one street style, with plenty of room to run, dribble, shoot and score. You can play by the rules or you can play dirty. And as we all know, dirty is so wrong but so much more fun. I enjoyed performing a few "Matrix" like slo-mo aerial moves, but I had particularly good luck using my opponent's face as the backboard. And I more than held my own when he gave as good as he got.
        The beauty of NBA Ballers is it's a basketball game that'll hold the interest of people who don't even like basketball.
        And if you like your basketball with a little Harlem Globetrotters thrown in, you'll love the showy moves (throwing the ball behind your back to score etc.) you can master fairly quickly.
        Note: If your opponent is worthy, he or she will most likely figure out fairly quickly that it just takes the push of one button to stop the action. (Rated E for everyone)              --Jae-Ha Kim

Samurai Warriors
(Electronic Arts; PlayStation 2; $49.99) ***
After selling more than a million copies in Japan, "Samurai Warriors" makes its way over to the United States this week. Set in 16th-century Japan, this game is a must-have for fans of the warrior mode who enjoy a good, fierce battle that isn't always fair.
Your choice of weapons will depend on how well you do. The blades are impressive, but the guns are way more efficient. There's no real art to this game, which is a shame because the gorgeous graphics make you long for more. But it does take some skill to navigate your way around feudal Japan. Riding horseback will save you some time, but take care with your steed. Ride him too hard and he can die on you, leaving you pretty much in the middle of nowhere just waiting to be attacked in a way that's unseemly for any warrior, much less of the samurai kind. (Rated T for suggested themes and violence) --Jae-Ha Kim

Shrek 2
(Activision; Xbox; $49.99) ***
Perhaps I'm being too kind to "Shrek 2," but compared to the mess that was TDK's game based on the first movie, Activision appears to have scored a major hit. Gone are the farts and burps that made up the core of TDK's gameplay. They have thankfully been replaced by a solid action/adventure platform where you control four characters with different talents and abilities. Best of all, the game preserves the humor of the films. Multiplay spreads the humor to you and up to three friends. Sound-alike voice actors fill in for the likes of Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Some levels are a bit repetitive, but overall the game is a joy. (Rated E for comic mischief and cartoon violence) --Misha Davenport

What's your game...Sharon Foo?
'We got out of control playing [PlayStation 2] games on our last tour. We haven't played that many on this tour, but 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' is sooooo much fun. But we can't play it anymore because we lost it somewhere."
--Sharin Foo, lead singer of the Raveonettes

MARIO VS. DONKEY KONG
Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, $34.99, *** 1/2
        First it was all about love. This time it's about the benjamins. In 1981, "Donkey Kong" invaded arcades, became an instant classic and changed Nintendo -- the company that made the game-- from a playing card company to a video game giant. The plot featured a tiny guy in overalls and a cap (he was unnamed at first, the name "Mario" would come later) facing off against a giant ape Both man and ape are enamored with the little guy's girlfriend Pauline -- the ape going so far as to kidnap her.
        My, how times have changed. Pauline hasn't been seen since. Mario and Donkey Kong finally face off again, but this time the motivation is money. The Kongster has figured out the perfect way to fill his cupboard with bananas --steal the hot-selling wind-up Mini-Marios from the toy shop and sell them on the black market. Of course, Mario is determined to keep the ape from monkeying in on his business.
        There are ladders to climb, springs to jump on, and conveyor belts to run across like in the original "Donkey Kong. There's also a bit of "Donkey Kong Jr." in here with Mario climbing ropes and dropping hanging fruit onto enemies below. What's new is the introduction of strategy. There are six worlds, each with six levels. Most are made up of two boards. The first features a key and a locked door that the key opens. Fetching the key and getting it to the door usually require the manipulation of switches that turn on and off certain barriers. On the second board, you need to retrieve the Mini-Mario to move onto the next level. The final two levels on each world consist of returning the Mini-Marios to a toy chest and a boss battle with your old nemesis.
        The game features bright colors with both title characters nicely rendered in 3D. Each of the levels are unique, so you won't tire of the game.
        This platform/puzzle game doesn't disappoint. (Rated E for mild cartoon violence) --Misha Davenport

ESPN Major League Baseball
(Sega; PlayStation 2; $37.95) ***
Take me out to the ballgame? How about leave me home to play "ESPN Major League Baseball"? This Sega winner is right up there with EA's plethora of aggressive sports titles. You play as any of your favorite teams with their current real-life rosters. The controls are simple to navigate and very effective. It's easy to steal, advance runners or even throw your heat (that's a fastball to you, newbie) when it's called for. As your players make the big play or drop the ball, their confidence level changes accordingly, affecting the rest of the game. Playing the game, you'll quickly notice that the whole vibe is similar to watching a real ballgame on ESPN. (Rated E for everyone). -- Jae-Ha Kim

Red Dead Revolver
(Rockstar; PlayStation 2; $47.99) **1/2
The story mode provides a compelling tale: you are a young man whose parents have been killed by bandits. Filled with bitterness, you grow up to be a bounty hunger whose mission in life is bringing these murderers to justice. This means plenty of fun for gamers, who get to use gun fights as means to seeking vengeance on the bandits. The gameplay in the first person player storyline is fast moving and decisive. There's an adrenaline rush navigating your way through the gun fights, as you peek out to shoot from behind rocks and wagons as the enemy charges at you. But in the arcade gunplay, it's uncontrolled mayhem with a handful of armed men shooting at everything and everyone for no apparent reason. While fun for about 20 seconds, the chaos gets old fast. The game could use a little more structure to keep things really interesting. (M for blood and violence). -- Jae-Ha Kim

Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
CAPCOM; PLAYSTATION 2; $49.99 ***1/2
        The "Onimusha" series has consistently offered everything you look for in an action/adventure involving a 16th-century warrior and his never-ending battle against an army of the dead. "Demon Siege" -- the third and allegedly final installment of the series -- offers a nice resolution to the story lines and conflicts that began with the original and manages a few surprises along the way.
        Samanosuke Akechi, the hero introduced in the first game, returns. When we last saw Samanosuke, he had defeated Nobunaga Oda -- the king of the demons. It's hard to keep a bad demon down, though, and Nobunaga is back. Before the pair can face off again, Nobunaga's henchman, an evil inventor called Guildenstern, develops a method of time travel. Before you can say, "Sacre bleu!" Guildenstern and an army of zombies have invaded modern-day Paris. Samanosuke is thrust into the future while 21st century Parisian cop Jacques Blanc (French action star Jean Reno) is sent back in time. Both are united in their quest to defeat evil and find their way back through time to their respective homes.
        Admittedly, it sounds a bit trippy, but the sci-fi element works brilliantly, with the strange plot working in concert with hack-and-slash gameplay.
        The game's graphics are another strong point. Ancient Japan and modern Paris are beautifully rendered and the CGI cut scenes are breathtaking and cinematic in scope.
         The game's biggest puzzle is one only Capcom can solve: How can such a great game feature some of the worst voice acting you'll hear this year. Reno voices his character in French, but someone else dubs his English and the two sound nothing alike. The English dubbing of Japanese characters is equally bad. Fortunately, the story, gameplay and graphics compensate for this shortcoming. (Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content and drug use) -- Misha Davenport

Game Boy Advance Video: The Fairly OddParents! Volume 2
(Majesco; GBA; $19.99) ***1/2
Somehow, Majesco has managed to cram 45 minutes' worth of full-color video into the compact GBA cartridge, and we couldn't be happier. We reviewed "The Fairly OddParents! Volume 2" -- one of 10 titles now available. The volume contained four full-length cartoons from the hit Nickelodeon show. Sound quality was decent and though the GBA screen offers a less-than-DVD-quality picture, at $19.99 it's cheaper than buying a portable DVD player and movie. Unlike a portable DVD player, the GBA video didn't skip once during all the bumps and shakes of a recent morning L commute. Majesco has hinted that it may soon push the technology to hold 90 minutes of content, which would put full-length features in the palms of gamers' hands. For now, we'll settle for 45 minutes of cartoon bliss. -- Misha Davenport

UFC Sudden Impact
(Take Two; PlayStation 2; $19.99) **1/2
Ultimate fighting isn't exactly a major genre in video games, so it's difficult to compare "Sudden Impact" to another title. But playing it reminded me a little bit of EA Sports' "Fight Night 2004," which pitted boxer against boxer. Here, you take it to the extreme. Literally. There are no gloves or protective head gear. In your quest to become the ultimate fighting champion, you will have to tackle masters of many disciplines, such as Thai kickboxing, jujitsu and even Greco-Roman wrestling. Because you need to learn so many different styles of fighting, you have to sit through a tedious training session. But once you've conquered that, you're on you way to grappling your opponent into submission. (Rated T for blood and violence.) -- Jae-Ha Kim

Hitman: Contracts
Eidos; Xbox; $49.99, ***
        As one would imagine, the job of hitman varies substantially than -- say, the fry guy at McDonald's. Sure, there isn't an equivalent assassin lunch time rush, but the job isn't without it's own set of pressures and stressing situations.
        Agent 47 --the bald-headed, Armani suit-wearing killer-for-hire is back with a host of open-ended missions. And that's a good thing. Anybody can fire a gun or use dental floss to strangle a target. To get the attention and admiration of your peers --not to mention that coveted Hitman of the Year award at the annual convention-- why, that takes finesse! Thankfully, the game is chocked full of some of the most creative ways to do in pesky international terrorists, sleazy politicians and back-stabbing crime bosses (meat hook, pool cuestick or pillow --I just can't decide).
        As many paths there are to take in completing your objective, Eidos is determined to make an honest hitman out of you. Unlike the "Grand Theft Auto" series, "Hitman" frowns on killing innocent bystanders and your scores on levels will definitely reflect it if you've had a lot of senseless, sloppy kills. Which, if you think about it, is the way it should be. A hitman gets paid for eliminating a specific target. Killing anyone else amounts to a "freebie."
        Having said all that, like "GTA" this game is definitely for the 17 and over crowd. It's plot and action are equal parts "The Godfather" and "Reservoir Dogs."
        The graphics are a bit darker this time around. The game makes better use of light and shadow which suits both the stealth aspect of the gameplay itself as well as some of the more seedier scenes in it.
        While darker in both mood, graphics and tone than the previous games in the series, "Hitman" like Agent 47 himself, hits the mark. (Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content and drug use)   --Misha Davenport

UEFA Euro 2004
EA Sports; PlayStation 2; $29.99, *1/2
This game, unfortunately, isn't going to do much to win over Americans when it comes to the awesome game of soccer. There are some good points -- the controls are easy to use, the gamer can make players do some neat maneuvers; the flying bicycle kicks and the awesome graphics made the athletes look lifelike. As its title implies, the teams here are some of the best in the European league. I enjoyed pitting top-rated France against the Netherlands, but the game play that followed was lacking. It was so tedious even the most ardent soccer fans will find themselves just waiting to get the match over with. Non soccer fans make jokes that watching real-life soccer is like watching paint dry. But few would argue that soccer players are some of the most agile and quick athletes on any playing field. This sense of urgency ,however, is lacking in this game version. Players move so slowly you have to wonder if they're on the injured reserve list. (E for mild lyrics). --Jae-Ha Kim

Van Helsing
Vivendi Universal; Xbox; $49.95, **
Blame it on repeated viewings of "The Exorcist" or the countless hours I've spent playing survival horror games like "The Suffering" and "Silent Hill," but "Van Helsing" suffers from the same malaise as the feature film on which it's based. Though it contains all the horrific characters from Universal's cannon of classic monsters, (Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein's monster) it's missing all of thrills, chills and jump-out-of-your-seat moments. Graphically, it's a nice looking game, though there are frustrating camera issues. If you're a fan of Hugh Jackman or the movie, there are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than playing this, I guess. (Rated T for blood, gore and violence --Misha Davenport

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure
Nintendo; GameCube; $49.99 , ***
        Just when you thought Nintendo had sucked all the marrow out of the bone that is "The Legend of Zelda" franchise, here comes a heaping help of game goodness. Despite an over-reliance on the gimmick of GameCube/Game Boy Advance connectivity, "Four Swords" shows our hero's blade remains sharp.
        Link is called back into to once again save boy Princess Zelda and her kingdom of Hyrule. The evil wind demon Vaati has escaped from his prison and kidnapped Zelda and six of her Shrine Maidens. To even up the fight, Link takes hold of the Four Sword, splitting himself into four colored copies of himself.
        In single-player mode, you control all four Links. Multiplayer has each player controlling his or her own Link. Before you call three friends over for a Zelda fest, you'll need to make sure everyone owns a GBA and a cable to hook the GBA into the GameCube. One cable comes included with the game, but your friends will need to bring their own, Still, there's really no other way the multiplayer game could have been done and still allow the freedom of individual movement. As a result, you can enter a cave while the rest of your party is still in the woods. You just shift your eyes from the TV to the GBA screen for your personalized adventure and rejoin the group (and return to watching the TV) when you're ready.
        The game shifts seemlessly from TV to GBA screen without any lag. Of course, this was achieved at the expense of the graphics. Those expecting the lush richness seen in "Zelda: Wind Waker" are in for a bit of a disappointment. Graphics have been dumbed down to the level of the GBA.
        Despite these limitations, the game does serve up "Zelda's" trademark blend of hack and slash adventure and puzzle-solving gameplay in eight immense worlds -- each containing three stages that amount to over 20 hours of gameplay. (Rated E for mild fantasy violence)    --Misha Davenport

Eye Toy: Groove
Sony; PlayStation 2; $28.88; $43.95 for game camera bundle, **
Any misconceptions you may have about being a cool dancer will be negated when you play this harmless, but not particularly challenging game. Is it fun? Yeah, if you're a little tipsy and enjoy karaoke-type events. But if you're the least bit camera shy, don't even attempt this because your image will be projected onto the TV screen as you're busting a move. You need the Eye Toy camera to play this game, so dig up your old copy of "Play," which came with one. Or you may purchase a bundle that includes the camera with the game. Just remember -- "Groove" is unforgiving to the dance-challenged set and you might end up looking like a much more spazzy version of that frisky old man in those theme park commercials. (Rated E for everyone.) --Jae-Ha Kim

Transformers
Atari, PlayStation 2; $49.99, **1/2
The game tells the tale of a plucky group of Transformers who find a sub-group trying to escape enslavement. This third-person action shooter is a welcome walk down memory lane -- for a while. But just like culottes and feathered hair, it's something that doesn't need to be resurrected for the present. Once you get over the novelty of playing something familiar from your childhood, you quickly find yourself wanting a little more stimulation.
Even if you're young enough that you might not remember, say, the Go Go's or the Bay City Rollers, you'll be disappointed by the lack of sophistication compared to today's games. Basically you forage, shoot and score. And then repeat, repeat, repeat! (Rated T for fantasy violence.) --Jae-Ha Kim

Game of the Week: Full Spectrum Warrior
THQ, Xbox, $49.99, ****
        "The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on." - -- Joseph Heller, Catch-22
        'Full Spectrum Warrior" is not a particularly enjoyable game, but that's exactly the way it should be. "Warrior" began as computer simulator commissioned by the U.S. Army to ready troops for combat in urban areas, where danger literally lurks behind every building corner. It neither romanticizes nor fictionalizes the combat experience. Everything is deadly serious, because the men and women who initially commanded the pixilated soldiers in the simulation are now responsible for the life and safety of our troops.
        The action in this real-time, military-strategy game takes place in the fictional country of Zekistan. The fanatical ruler of that country -- Mohammad Jabbour Al Afad -- has ticked off both the United Nations and NATO by offering sanctuary for members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party and ex-Taliban.
        There is an initial training mission that is quite long. Consider it boot camp, soldier. While the game controls are not complicated, it's the only way to really familiarize yourself with them.
        You give orders to two four-member teams on missions both day and night, contending not only with the hostile enemy but also the environment with its rain, heat and sandstorms. The eight men you are responsible for are neither nameless nor faceless. They have wives, girlfriends and families. They joke with one another and have hopes, dreams and aspirations for life beyond the combat zone.
        The game ends when more than one of your men gets injured, you accidentally kill one of your medics, or one of your men dies. Unfortunately, that's where the game's realism stops. There would be no need for war memorials if we could only hit reset. (Rated M for blood, gore and violence)         -- Misha Davenport

Custom Robo
Nintendo; GameCube; $39.88, **
        When it's robot-on-robot violence, is it really that compelling, worrisome or suspenseful? Nope. Let's face it, these are mechanical robots we're talking about, not brooding creatures like the one Jude Law played in "A.I." So you lose a robo? Eh, no big deal.
        The premise here isn't bad -- a group of robots skitter around wreaking havoc. One, however, appears to be able to think for itself. (Insert your preferred sci-fi theory of choice here.) Unfortunately, there's not much for gamers to think about because this is just an excuse to shoot 'em up. The main function of the game appears to be an exercise for your trigger fingers to fire away at everything in sight. While I won't pretend that isn't fun at times, it doesn't sustain your interest in the long run.
        It doesn't help that the robos look suspiciously similar to one another during battles. But then again, does it really matter who wins?(Rated T for comic mischief and mild fantasy violence)    --Jae-Ha Kim

The Legend of Zelda
Nintendo; GBA; $19.99, ***
It's hard to believe I got as lost in this game as I did when it was first released in 1987. Yet, the world of "Zelda" -- though crude by today's graphics -- is still immense, with seemingly endless patches of forest and mazes of rooms in several dungeons. Very little of the plot is revealed in game -- it's in the game manual. But fans won't need to read it. It's the plot of just about every Zelda game: some evil punk has kidnapped/imprisoned Princess Zelda, a hero must rise to combat the evil, etc. In 1987, it was original. Pity Nintendo recycled it so much that it now seems cliched. Still, "Zelda" is an essential old-school game that's to be admired for once being innovative. Now if Nintendo would only give us something new to enjoy... (Rated E for mild fantasy violence) -- Misha Davenport

Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2
Namco; PlayStation 2; $39.99, **
While it's fun playing tennis in real life, playing a video-game version is about as compelling as watching a match on television. It just doesn't grab you. This game moves at a relatively slow pace with the payoff not really worth waiting for. But there is some fun to be had.
"Smash Court" allows you to unleash your inner Andy Roddick or Serena Williams. Literally. But while it may be fun playing as an already established superstar, there's something to be said for creating your own player with a unique style and stance. Of course, this also means it'll take a while to get to tournament mode, since you have to pass a series of training sessions before you're allowed to advance. Once you do, you may slowly rise up in tournament ranking. Pride aside, there's incentive to do well -- lots o' swag. The better you do on the court, the better you look. Winning earns you the right to do a little shopping at the pro shop. (Rated E for everyone) -- Jae-Ha Kim

Psi-Ops: The Mind Gate Conspiracy
Midway; Xbox; $49.99, ***
        What do you get when you cross the stealth action of "Splinter Cell" with the Psychic Friends Network? Why, "Psi-Ops," of course. And the game experience is much better as a result.
        At first glance, the game is just your average stealth shooter. You play as Nick Scryer. In the lengthy prologue, your character has his mind wiped clean, then he's dropped into combat, where he's immediately captured by a military terrorist organization and taken to their top-secret hideout. Before the rogue group can brainwash him into fighting for them, a double agent helps him break out of solitary confinement. The plan all along was for you to infiltrate the group and thwart their plans. A few stealth levels later, you meet up again with the mole and she injects you with a serum that slowly revives your memory. Your psychic abilities also return, and that's where the game becomes innovative. The first power to return is telekinesis. It's rather handy for flinging enemies up against walls and moving objects, but you also can climb atop a crate or use it to levitate yourself high above your enemy. Other powers include pyrokinesis (the power to start fires), mind control, astral projection (the ability to project your mind outside your body) and mind drain (in which you suck the psychic energy from your enemies).
        There are a few collision problems with your character disappearing into walls as well as the usual awkward camera issues. Enemies also seem to show up out of nowhere -- especially when your back is turned. Finally, some of the dialogue is B-movie quality. It's a given, though, thanks to the game's plot.
        Despite those faults, I enjoyed "Psi-Ops." The star of the show is its great physics engine. Objects and enemies look as realistic as possible, given you're moving them across the room with the powers of your mind. You'll never tire of raising a guard above Nick's head and shaking him like a rag doll. I know I didn't. Also available for the PlayStation 2. (Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence and strong language)     -- Misha Davenport

Thief: Deadly Shadows
Eidos; Xbox; $49.99, *
        Meet Garrett. Garrett is a master thief. See Garrett steal. Steal, Garrett, steal. He can't knock out guards, so see Garrett hide. Hide, Garrett, hide.
        That's about it in terms of gameplay. Granted, there's a hokey plot set in medieval-like times about a struggle for power between some nature-loving Pagans and a more tech-savvy group called the Hammerites.
        The graphics are decent. While new levels offer different sites to explore (I'm partial to the zombie-infested ship), the strategy on each of the levels remains unchanged. For the most part, you'll be sneaking around. Once you've mastered that, you might as well call it a day. Buy this game and you'll feel like you were robbed. Also available for the PC. (Rated M for blood and violence) -- Misha Davenport

Catwoman
EA, Reviewed for Playstation 2; $49.99, ***
        I'm suffering from a serious case of cat scratch fever. Halle Berry is without question one of the most beautiful women in the world. She's leant her voice and likeness to the video game based on her latest movie, "Catwoman" and I can't put it down. In pixilated form, Berry holds up purr-fectly well. Her cat just might replace Lara Croft as the sexiest video-game character.
        This game follows the plot of the film. Patience Philips (Berry) is a milquetoast graphic artist working for Hedare Beauty -- a giant cosmetics company. While working on their latest campaign -- a revolutionary anti-aging product -- Philips inadvertently discovers the product has a deadly, long-term side effect. Company goons murder her before she can tell anyone about it. After her body washes up on the shore, a mysterious cat named Midnight breathes new life into her and Philips is reborn as Catwoman, possessing the speed, movement and agility of a cat.
        You control Berry as Catwoman on her mission to exact revenge. You'll literally have to claw your way to the top -- Catwoman has steel nails which enable her to scale walls and climb buildings and fences. The controls are the best part of the game. Instead of the usual button-mashing, players use the two analog sticks -- the left controls movement and the right controls her whip and, when crouching like a cat ready to pounce, her highly choreographed set of combat moves. It enables you to whip or kick in every direction. Of course, this takes a bit of getting used to. I was a tad frustrated in an initial level when I had to use the whip to swing from post to post. Once I mastered it, it was as fun as web-swinging in "Spider-Man 2."
        If there is one flaw, it's in the enemy AI. Guards simply wait their turn to attack, even when they hopelessly outnumber the pretty kitty. Still, this action adventure game is the cat's meow.
        Also available for GameCube, Xbox and PC. Alternative version also available for Game Boy Advance (Rated T for mild language and violence)     -- Misha Davenport

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Ubisoft; reviewed for PlayStation 2; $49.99, ***
Meet Sam Fisher, stealth spy extraordinaire. Those familiar with Clancy's novels won't be surprised by the plot here -- a bin Laden-like leader holds the United States hostage with a series of terrorist attacks. Capture or kill him, and his followers will unleash a series of deathly viruses across America. It's Fisher's job to make sure the safety of the United States isn't compromised. The gameplay is fast and fun. The good news is if Fisher gets injured, make a dash for the nearest medical center. There, he has the chance to regain part or all of his strength. But don't freak out if you accidentally kill him off early in the game. You actually can learn to play better by figuring out where you went wrong. Also available on GameCube, Xbox, PC, Game Boy Advance. (Rated T for blood, drug references and violence.) --Jae-Ha Kim

Karaoke Revolution Volume 2
Konami; PlayStation 2; $39.99, **
I'm no pop music critic, but me thinks Konami has hit a sour note with Volume 2 of "Karaoke Revolution." Though revolution is in the title, there isn't anything revolutionary about it. It feels more like an expansion pack than a new game. Despite the addition of quick play, which enables you to select and sing along with a single song like a real karaoke machine, the core game play remains unchanged. The ability to purchase and download additional content is suspiciously missing. What's left is a hodgepodge of 35 new songs to select from with an emphasis on current hits like Britney Spears' "Toxic" and '70s tunes like the Steve Miller Band's "The Joker." It's a good thing they added quick play. If your musical tastes run like mine, you might only find one song worth crooning.(Rated E) -- Misha Davenport

What's your game...Sebastien Lefebvre?
"I've been playing this game called "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles" a lot with my GameCube these past days. It's actually the first game that lets you use the Game Boy Advance as a controller. It's very nifty -- you can use it to see maps, status, lists, and stuff like that while you play with other people.
"I also play "Dark Cloud 2" on my PlayStation 2. I know it's been out for a while, but I just recently got into it and I love it. You have to combine and put together items that you find in the dungeons. This is so that you're able to invent stuff that allows you to recreate different towns. Sounds complicated but it's really cool!"
-- Sebastien Lefebvre of Simple Plan, part of Saturday's Warped Tour show at the Tweeter Center

Doom 3
Activision; PC; $54.99, ***
        Do not -- I repeat -- do not try anything cute like playing this game with the lights off and the speakers turned way up when you're home alone. This game will scare the bejeezus out of you. Also -- parents take note -- this is an "M" title game, equivalent to a R-rated movie. That means it's for players who are 17 or older, so don't let your junior high kids play this no matter how much they beg.
        OK, now that I have those caveats out of the way, I can say "Doom 3" kicks major butt. This sequel to the 1990s franchise has the suspenseful intensity of a truly scary horror film and the intricate gameplay of a first-rate shooter video game.
        You're a futuristic space warrior out to rid a Mars corporation of beings from hell. For real. As if that's not enough of a problem, your nightmare kicks into high gear when your friends stop being your pals and morph into gross zombie-like monsters who hate you. Don't be like those fools in the movies who want to see the good in their former pals. There's none left. Kill them, and kill them fast because they won't think twice about doing the same to you when it's their turn to slice and dice.
        Note: Much of the action takes place in the dark, so be on the lookout for glowing orange eyes. Those belong to the demons, and will give you a clue as to when you're about to be attacked. They're not the brightest of creatures but they move surprisingly fast.
        Oh, and I know this is just a video game, but when your character is attacked, it's pretty gory. And if they get you good, there'll be too much blood and sticky parts in your eyes for you to see well. The less you protect yourself, the weaker you get, which will put an end to this game quicker than you may have liked.
        Clearly, "Doom 3" is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it particularly subtle. But if you like films such as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Nightmare on Elm Street" or even those "Alien" flicks, you'll probably get a kick from this well-worn franchise. (Rated M for 17 and older; blood, gore and intense violence.)        --Jae-Ha Kim

Sudeki
Microsoft; Xbox; $49.95, **1/2
        With the Xbox's superior graphics capability, it's surprising there are so few decent role-playing games for that system. Unfortunately, "Sudeki" isn't going to change things.
        The plot is traditional to the genre: a light god banished the dark god centuries ago, the dark god returns. Four heroes are assembled to fight the forces of darkness: a scantly-clad sorceress called Ailish, the female warrior Buki, a gun-slinging intellectual named Elco and a swordsman with machismo to spare called Tal. Many personal conflicts set up in the beginning are never truly resolved. Characters are rendered in 3-D, but are strictly flat and two-dimensional. Also, the game features the worst voice
acting this side of a '60s "Godzilla" flick.
        The saving grace is the combat system. "Sudeki" departs from turn-based formula and features real-time fighting. The game is like your dream prom date: pretty and OK for a dance, but too shallow to take home to meet your parents. (Rated M for blood, gore and violence)   --Misha Davenport

Namco II: Ms. Pac-Man
Jakks Pacific; $19.99, **1/2
Ms. Pac-Man's back and still not getting the props she deserves. The latest battery-powered, plug-and-play TV Games product (no video-game console required) features the familiar lipstick and bow-wearing dot chomper as well as arcade classics like "Pole-Position" and "Galaga" -- all contained in a retro-looking joystick. Lesser-known games like "Xevious" and "Mappy" are
also thrown in, so it's five games for the price of one. The only problem is the joystick. It's a lot stiffer than your average arcade stick -- Ms. Pac-Man doesn't always go the way you want. "Galaga" fares a little better because you're only moving side to side, of course. Still, even with the sticky joystick, it's a healthy dose of nostalgic bliss for fans of old-school arcade classics. (Rated E). --Misha Davenport

Tales of Symphonia
Namco; GameCube; $49.99 , ***
        Strong storyline, appealing characters and plenty of action -- this Japanese role-playing game has it all. Early on, you are introduced to Lloyd, the swordsman who is your character. He has taken it upon himself to travel and protect the Chosen One -- who is part angel -- as she attempts save the world from a group of slave traders called Desians. Though Lloyd and his buddies are all perfectly anime cute, they are anything but docile.
        One of the things the developers did with this game that makes it so outstanding is they put as much thought into the vocal talent as they did the animation and gameplay. When Lloyd is talking to the Chosen One, it's so easy to get swept up in their conversation that you have to remember to have your fingers ready for action.
        Speaking of which, it can be a little confusing at first figuring out what button controls which action. But this is what we call a good problem, since there are so many choices during the battles. Playing the game by yourself is fun, but get a friend to join in if you can. Predicting what the GameCube is going to automatically generate can be tedious. But reacting to your buddies' impulses can be a hoot. You'll see what I mean when your posse encounters some monstrous creatures. Some will attack with a nimble agility that you'll have a difficult time defeating, while others will move at a snail's pace that will try your patience. How your team reacts to them can be instrumental to how much further you'll progress in the game. Here's a hint: The X button is your friend when it comes to blocking. Use it often. (Rated T for teen)    --Jae-Ha Kim

Kim Possible 2: Drakken's Demise
Disney Interactive; Game Boy Advance; $29.99, ***
Kim Possible is kind of a mix between Sabrina the teenage witch and Buffy the vampire slayer. Cute, perky and very athletic, this cartoon character is a popular high school cheerleader by day and a crime fighter at night. Instead of just knocking out the bad guys, she cartwheels and does back handsprings to set up her neat little jabs. Implausible? Perhaps, but not impossible for our little Kim.
Fans of the animated Disney show will be familiar with our heroine, as well as the spunky music in the background. The designers of the video game are the same ones who created "Ice Age," so it looks fabulous. The one problem with this game is that while its cartoon look obviously is aimed at the young audience the TV show caters to, the gameplay may be a little too difficult for the little ones to maneuver their way through. (E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

In-Fisherman Freshwater Trophies
Take 2 Interactive; PC; $19.99, **
Part of the fun of fishing is the whole experience -- figuring out what kind of bait to use, picking the perfect spot to fish and then taking your photo afterward with the big catch of the day. While this video game offers a decent enough simulation of what kinds of freshwater fish are out there, it lacks the spontaneity of a real fishing expedition. And for sports-related video games, that is an integral component for their enjoyment. What would a Madden video game be like if it didn't simulate pro football?
That said, the graphics are crisp and the fish do look realistic. The developers also know how to set the mood of the day, from bright sunny skies to ominous dark clouds. But playing this game left me wanting to go out to fish for real, rather than sitting inside faking it. (E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

X-Men Legends
Activision; XBOX; $49.99, *** 1/2
        Marvel's X-Men comic books, from titles like Uncanny X-Men and Ultimate X-Men that chronicle the team of superhero mutants' adventures, to books like Wolverine and Emma Frost, detailing individual characters' heroics, are one heck of a popular and profitable publishing franchise. The first two films based on the characters were also box office success stories. Things haven't been as rosy in the video game world for Team X, however. With a few exceptions, "X-Men" games have been ho-hum ("Wolverine's Revenge") or just plain horrible ("Children of Atom").
        But this X-Men game is X-traordinary. Activision has crafted a game that fans of both film and comics will love.
        The game's biggest asset is its plot, written by a quartet of writers called Man of Action (Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey and Steven T. Seagle), who have all worked on various X-Men comic books over the years. Bad-mutant Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants are seeking to either enslave or destroy the non-mutant world, and it's up to the X-Men to stop them.
        Man of Action's familiarity with characters and previous story lines means fans will chuckle as they discover bits of history sprinkled through the game. This role-playing game is also accessible for those unfamiliar with the world of the X-Men, too. Playing alone or with up to three of your friends, you control a team of four superheroes from a roster of fan favorites including Wolverine, Rogue and Storm. Because skills vary, deciding which characters to use requires strategy if you're going to defeat bad guys like Toad and Mystique. It also helps that your team gains experience points with every foe you defeat.
        Of course, one of the most welcome additions to multiplayer is the ability to join or leave a game at any time. Playing with a buddy and have to take a bathroom break? No problem. Just activate the AI to control things while you're gone. It means that you won't have to break up the action until everyone's ready to call it quits. Also available for GameCube and PlayStation 2. (Rated T for blood and violence)     --Misha Davenport

Law & Order: Justice is Served
Legacy Interactive; PC; $29.99, **1/2
Doing Dong! Unless you haven't watched TV in the last few years, you're probably familiar with the foreboding two-note intro that starts every episode of "Law & Order" and its spin-offs. The latest in the "Law & Order" PC game franchise takes you into the world of an Anna Kournikova-ish tennis star who is found dead the day before she's supposed to play at a big tournament. Was she killed by an ex-lover? An angry coach? One of her fans? Just as on the TV show, you'll be thrown a few curves. The game features the voices of the actors who portray the characters on the TV series. Some of them are even better in the game than on TV. While Elisabeth Rohm comes across as one-dimensional on the show as attorney Serena Southerlyn, her stiffness works surprisingly well in a video game. (Rated T for Teen.) --Jae-Ha Kim

Mario Pinball Land
Nintendo; Game Boy Advance; $34.99, **
        Mario the plumber has been everything from kart racer to champion golfer. As a pinball, I wouldn't recommend he quit his day job.
        The plot is standard Mario fare. The princess is kidnapped. Mario has to collect coins, stars and keys to free her --only this time as a pinball.
        Would it kill Nintendo to add just a hint of authentic pinball action in their pinball games? "Mario Pinball Land" not only suffers from the inability to tilt, as seen in last year's "Pokemon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire," it's missing the ability to bump the table entirely. Don't even get me started on the absence of ramps or rails. Without these pinball standards, the game falls flat. (Rated E for comic mischief)    --Misha Davenport

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo; Gamecube; $49.99, ****
        It's hard not to think history is repeating itself. The original "Paper Mario" game was released in 2001 on the Nintendo 64 (N64). It came at the tail end of the N64's life cycle and it turned out to be the role-playing game N64 owners had been waiting for since the system debuted in 1996.
        The race to see which next-generation console will be first to market is well under way. Nintendo execs continue to insist Mario and crew will be first to cross the finish line. If 2005 proves to be the last year in the GameCube's life, the latest "Paper Mario" game sends the system out with an appropriate bang.
        As anyone who has ever played a game featuring Mario can attest, the princesses forever are giving their royal secret service the slip so they can go off on their own adventures. They inevitably get kidnapped, resulting in yet another rescue by Nintendo's fearless plumber. It happens so often, you have to wonder when Mario finds time to fix toilets and sinks.
        "The Thousand-Year Door" doesn't stray too far from those plot confines.
        The game succeeds in exactly the same areas as its namesake predecessor. All characters are presented in 2-D against colorful 3-D backgrounds. When characters turn, they are indeed paper-thin. You're even able to put the gimmick to use. In the course of the game, Mario will need to fold himself into a paper airplane, turn sidewise and walk through narrow spaces or roll up into a tube to roll under objects or into small spaces.
        Unique level designs also manage to keep things fresh. Nintendo even finally gets around to responding to the runaway success of the "Grand Theft Auto" series (er, sort of) with open-ended gameplay and the addition of the "trouble room," where you can go to pick up non-storyline missions that earn you coins and other items that will prove useful in regular gameplay.
        With more than 30 hours of gameplay, "The Thousand-Year Door" is one portal worth going through. (Rated E for mild cartoon violence)    --Misha Davenport

Crash Twinsanity
Vivendi Universal; PlayStation 2; $49.99, ***
Trepidation abounded after the last Crash Bandicoot game, "Wrath of Cortex." Fortunately things are much better this time. The Wicked Twins have set their sites on conquering the island Crash Bandicoot calls home. They also vow revenge on Crash's arch-nemesis Dr. Cortex.
You'll take control of Crash, Dr. Cortex and Cortex's goth niece, Nina, through various points in the game. You'll also need to control Crash and Cortex simultaneously. Some of the game's laugh-out-loud moments come when Crash sends the evil genius crashing into objects, tosses him up to objects otherwise unreachable, or even uses him as a human sled. The only things keeping this from being a great game are the camera issues that have plagued the franchise since Day One. You'll lose many lives thanks to the shoddy in-game camera -- something with which fans of the series are unfortunately far too familiar. (Also available for Xbox. Rated E for cartoon violence) --Misha Davenport

The Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee
Ubi Soft; Reviewed for PlayStation 2; $29.99, *1/2
Let it be said I'm all for nostalgia. If someone made a Brady Bunch video game, I'd be first in line to initiate a slap fest between Peter and Bobby. But when you're working with a kitschy series like "The Dukes of Hazzard," it's a shame to take such a serious approach to the game. The show wasn't art and the game doesn't need to be anything other than an outlet for some good ol' boy racing.
Unfortunately, it fails even in that aspect. Gameplay is uneven and the General Lee drives about as well as an out-of-gas sedan. There's no hair-raising gameplay here, which is a shame when you're already dealing with a couple of fluffy-haired heroes. (Also available for Xbox. Rated E for alcohol reference, mild violence and suggestive themes.) --Jae-Ha Kim

BloodRayne 2
Majesco, Xbox; $49.99, *** 1/2
        Bloodrayne, the scantly clad heroine of the video game franchise of the same name, has certainly been all over the place. Some might say she was on the verge of being over-exposed a la the other video game character she is often compared to, Lara Croft. Rayne's been in music videos. A film based on the franchise is currently being lensed. She's even let it all hang out in the pages of Playboy. I think that's a first for a video game character (though I'm not a regular reader, so it's quite possible I missed the issue where Ms. Pac-Man took off her bow).
        It's pretty evident that Majesco was more concerned with maximizing their brand-recognition than they were crafting a plot. The game's story is the only weak point to an otherwise exciting, mature adventure. The first game had the "dhampir" (half-human/half-vampire) Rayne taking on both occult-dabbling Nazis during World War II and the vampire who raped her mother thus siring the heroine.
        Now that Daddy Dearest has been dispatched, the sword-wielding, Rayne has set her sights on doing a little pruning of the family tree. While beheading the remaining heads of the family, she uncovers a vampire plot to block out the sun and destroy the human race. If you're going to steal the plot from "Blade II" at least solve its plot problems (namely, who will vampires feed on after there are no more humans?) Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
        It is, however, a "Bloodrayne" game, so the plot doesn't really matter. Much like the first game, this is purely a guilty pleasure. The action is violent, graphic and occasionally funny (Quentin Tarantino should really be directing the film). Rayne has picked up a few new skills (the ability to acrobatically leap from flag poles stands out) and new weapons (You may call her Ishmael -- she wields a harpoon better than Captain Ahab ever did.). The boss levels are even easy so as not to take too much time away from the action inherent to any "Bloodrayne" game.
        Turn off the porch light, keep the Halloween candy for yourself and spend a few hours alone with Rayne. You'll be glad you did. (Also available for PC and PS2. Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence, sexual themes and strong language.)   --Misha Davenport

Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django
Konami; Game Boy Advance; $29.99, **1/2
The sun has faded a bit on Konami's sequel to the game with the solar sensor built right into the cartridge. You still use sunlight stored into said sensor for the solar powered weapons you use in the game to defeat vampires and other sun-fearing ghouls. It picks up where the storyline of the original game left off with vampire hunter Django off to fight new creatures of the dark. It even gives you the chance to enter a code from the first game to upload all your weapons and experience points into the new game (a nice feature more sequels should take advantage of). So, what's the problem? Try the weather. Chicago's usual overcast, autumn days make playing the game nearly impossible. To make matters worse, producer and game designer Hideo Kojima has made the game harder. Unlike the first game, players can't adjust the difficulty level and gameplay is on par with the first game's most difficult setting. The end result is more trick and less treat. (Rated T for animated blood and violence) --Misha Davenport

Mortal Kombat Deception
Midway; Reviewed for PlayStation 2; $45.95, **1/2
Since 1992, Mortal Kombat has been a mainstay in the arcade/videogame genre. It was the game for a generation of players. And tennis player Pete Sampras even picked his wife out from the film version of Kombat. Which begs the question -- is there still any life left in the venerable genre? The fighting can be frustrating for diehards who want to kick some mortal booty. But its inclusion of Kombat Chess -- in which characters compete as chess board pieces -- is a clever addition to the franchise. Back in the day, Kombat was vilified for its overt use of violence. But in an era of Grand Theft Autos and Virtua Fighters, Mortal Kombat seems almost quaint by comparison. Also available on Xbox. (Rated T for teen). --Jae-Ha Kim

Tony Hawk's Underground 2
Activision; Reviewed for PlayStation 2; $46.95, *** 1/2
        When it's all said and done, you've got to give your props to Tony Hawk. Though the extreme athlete is getting a little long in the tooth (dude, he's in his 30s!), he's got a nice little franchise going with his eponymous skateboarding videogames.
        Never mind that there's a repetitive factor. Once you've played one -- any one -- you can' "Underground," but there are just enough new elements to induce gamers to plop down another $50 for the new version.
        Here, your character is less the center of the skateboarding universe than in the last game. It's assumed you made your mark in "Underground." Now it's your turn to cause some chaos and destruction against your opponents, who will pull the same dirty moves to beat you. There's a reason this game is referred to as "THUG 2."
        Your level of enjoyment will depend on how you feel about all the "creative" options available to this game. As in last year's version, you can scan your own face into the PS2 format. Unique to this version, you have the ability to tag buildings. It seemed a fitting tribute to tag the old Sun-Times building, since the site is being demolished to make way for Donald Trump's super tower. It also is inarguable that all these bells and whistles have nothing to do with skateboarding. Hawk purists want more of a focus on the
tricks, especially since the boarding aspects of this game aren't that much of an improvement from say, two years ago. But that said, the additions enhanced game play for me, giving the game a sense of immediacy. I liked that skateboarding is used to enrich the storyline.
        A nice bonus for any music fan is the eclectic array of songs available in this game. You've got your Iggy Pop and the Stooges, the Sugarhill Gang and X. But my favorite is Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," which holds up remarkably well even in this era. Also available on Xbox, GameCube, Gameboy Advance and PC. (Rated T for teen)   --Jae-Ha Kim

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus
Konami; PlayStation 2; $39.99, *
I didn't think it was possible, but Konami has gone and done it. They've released a sequel that is even worse than the original. Last year's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (TMNT) featured frustrating camera problems, a lack of enemy AI, tediously repetitive action and a lack of multiplayer capability. Multiplayer has been added to TMNT 2, which is about the only good thing I can say about this game. That, and the vastly superior 1989 arcade classic is an unlockable feature. Trouble is, you have to suffer through this truly
flawed game. Things don't get any better with multiplayer as the puzzles you encounter still require only one person to solve them. That leaves the rest of your party to watch you and perhaps pray for a power failure. Trust me, they'll have more fun just sitting around in the dark. Gamers should send these turtles back to the sewers where they belong. (Also available for GC, PC and Xbox. Rated T for mild violence) --Misha Davenport

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Nintendo; Game Boy Advance; $34.99, ***
A creature called Dark Mind has invaded Mirror World and now mirrors reflect only a person's inner darkness. First to fall victim is Meta Knight, who isn't transformed into Dark Meta Knight He sets the game off by slicing our pink, bloblike hero Kirby into four different Kirbys. The quartet must investigate Mirror World and reverse the curse before it spreads home to Dream Land.
The latest Kirby adventure features immense worlds to explore and new copy abilities, including arrow shooting. (Kirby has the ability to copy foe's moves). Mini-games like "Speed Eaters" offer a respite from regular gameplay. The only thing keeping this from being a really great game is the amount of backtracking you'll need to do in some levels. (Rated E for mild cartoon violence) --Misha Davenport

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Sony; PlayStation 2; $39.99, *** 1/2
        There's never been a year quite like this. So many great games have been released for all three consoles. That's great for gamers but bad news for game publishers. A quality title that would have been celebrated in an off year has to fight for both gamers' attention and shelf space alongside "GTA: San Andreas," "Metroid Prime: Echoes" and "Halo 2."
        "Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal" -- the third entry in the popular franchise -- is one such title. It has the potential to become a vastly underplayed flop like Ubisoft's great game from last year, "Beyond Good & Evil" (though, "Arsenal" will no doubt benefit from a huge advertising push from Sony).
        The plot this time, while still hilarious, is of the standard "evil robot hell-bent on wiping out humanity" ilk. Dr. Nefarious has teamed up with a warrior race called the Tyhrranoids to kill every living thing. The cat-like Ratchet and his ever-faithful sidekick robot Clank are called back into action. Thankfully, the rapport between the two title characters turns the cliched story on its head. There are, of course, tons of new weapons upgrades that help to keep the game fresh. You'll also come across a slew of unlockable 2-D side-scrolling games that help break up the otherwise predictable storyline and action.
        Many reviewers have put this game in the platform genre -- even going so far as to suggest that the platform king Nintendo has lost ground. It has me scratching my head wondering what game everyone else is playing. The first entry into the series was certainly a platformer. However, "Arsenal" is an action adventure shooter with platform elements. It's a notable distinction that becomes even more apparent through online play. Sony has touted this as the first online multiplayer platformer. The online play, while enjoyable,
is no more a platformer than is "Halo 2" -- both offer death match and capture the flag. Gamers will just have to wait for the first online
platformer. Fortunately, "Arsenal" will fill the void. (Rated T for crude humor and fantasy violence) --Misha Davenport

World Championship Poker
Crave Entertainment; Game Boy Advance; $19.99, **
A game once considered dirty and unrefined, poker has hit the mainstream. So it's not surprising video games have cashed in on the craze. This is a fun way to play Blackjack, 5 Card Draw, Texas Hold-Em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha Hold-Em and even video poker. The game is set in a town that consists of a few casinos and a loan shark. As you play, you earn comps from the casino,
which range from T-shirts and drinks to owning the casino and touring with rock stars. It doesn't take long to learn each character's playing traits (one lets out an exuberant yell with each card, only to check his bets). Novices will learn how to play the games and get a feel for the odds of making a hand, but don't bet on this to help you beat the odds playing against real people in Vegas. The betting strategies are pretty transparent and everyone will follow you "all in" when you have a good hand. It's like taking candy from a baby -- and where's the challenge in that? (Rated E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

Taiko Drum Master
Namco; PlayStation 2; $59.99, **
I don't want to work, I just want to bang on the drums all day. Trouble is, this drum -- a plastic version of a traditional Japanese taiko drum -- makes an awful racket when you beat it with the plastic drumsticks that resemble oversized chopsticks. The sensors in the drum are none too sensitive, which means you really have to pound on it. Doing so naturally causes it to move slowly across the surface of whatever you've put it on, so you spend half the time beating the drum and the rest trying to keep the drum from falling
onto the floor. Pound. Slip. Pound. Slip. Crash. Curse. Repeat on your choice of 30 songs. The game is a staple of Japanese arcades; perhaps it's better experienced in that setting. (Rated E, some songs contains suggestive lyrics) --Misha Davenport

Jak 3
Sony; PlayStation 2; $39.99, ***1/2
        The "Jak and Daxter" trilogy took a decidedly darker turn with last year's "Jak II," the follow-up to 2001's successful game that introduced the duo to gamers. Gone were the cartoonish colors and settings of the initial game, replaced with a brooding hero liberating a "Road Warrior" type town called Haven City from the totalitarian rule of Barron Praxis. Had it not been for Jak's wisecracking sidekick, the half-weasel and half-otter Daxter -- who remains one of my favorite video game sidekicks of all time -- "Jak II" might have been a bit too dark for most gamers.
        Things don't lighten up in the final entry, either. Thankfully, Daxter's one-liners once again manage to keep the plot from delving into darker (and decidedly un-fun) territory. The game begins with the pair wearing out the heroes' welcome they received upon returning to Haven City at the end of "Jak II." Three groups are now vying to control the city. They include Errol and the Metal Heads from the second game and Count Veger, a kind of uber-corrupt city alderman-type guy. After the palace is attacked and destroyed, faster than you can say Patriot Act, Veger blames Jak for the deed and succeeds in banishing our pair, along with the half-monkey, half-macaw Pecker, to the outlands where they are left for dead. They are rescued from the desert by a group of nomadic warriors, who take the trio in.
        The major theme of the first game was redemption. The second had revenge as the overall arch. The third (and reported final) entry focuses on rebirth. Jak -- who had been subjected to dark eco experiments in the second game that altered both mood and ability -- picks up light eco abilities that balance things out.
        Game play remains unchanged from the second game, with the exception of the addition of dune buggy driving and Jak's light eco abilities. Graphics are also on par with the second entry, though Jak's light eco abilities do provide for some stunning new visuals that I won't spoil here. The game's biggest strength remains its storyline and abundant cut-scenes (there's still about 90 minutes of cinematics in between the 12-15 hours of game play). You can even unlock DVD-type animator commentary to play over the scenes.
        Of course, some hard-core gamers will argue this is more of a movie than it is a game. The final entry does very little to attract a new audience. (Let's face it, very few people come into a trilogy at the tail end, anyway.) For fans, "Jak 3" brings the series to a satisfying conclusion, though. (Rated T for comic mischief, language, mild violence and suggestive themes.)   --Misha Davenport

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Konami; PlayStation 2; $49.99, ***
This game definitely lives up to its name. Dropped into the jungle of Cold War-era Soviet Union, you must complete your mission of recapturing a top Soviet scientist with minimal weapons, stealth and cunning. As for food, well, that's what the snakes are for. The keys to completing this game are camouflage and patience. You can infiltrate with blazing guns, but that'll only make it harder on you. This is a game of belly crawling through the brush and sneaking up on the enemy. When you do fight, it's going to be close quarter combat, which is very impressive. There are many fairly easy-to-master commands to make sure you take out the bad guys with more than the standard kicks and punches. Some of the controls are awkward (using the START button to change camouflage and accessories is a tedious interruption to the game play). Like most games of this genre, you really don't have too many options about the paths you take. It would be nice if there was an option to sneak up on the enemy across terrain rather than traveling down a fixed path. (Rated M for mature) --Jae-Ha Kim

NCAA March Madness 2005
Electronic Arts, PlayStation 2, $49.99, **1/2
There comes a point when you've played so many similar video games you begin to wonder, do I really need this game? Such is the case with "NCAA March Madness 2005." It's certainly not a bad game. But it's not particularly distinguishable from other college hoops games you've already played and possibly even own. That said, there are some sweet touches here that add an authentic flair to the tournaments. The one-on-one feature offers the chance to test your coordination skills. And when a home crowd roots for its team, you can literally feel the shaking stadium and thunderous ovations. (Rated E for everyone) --Jae-Ha Kim

        Video games aren't just for kids anymore. The Entertainment Software Association's most recent data shows the average age of gamers is 29. While many games still are marketed for the kiddies, video gaming these days is hardly child's play.
        So whether you're trying to chill out a few hours before heading out to your office party, dining with in-laws or looking for something your significant other won't return this year, here's our picks for grown-ups who like to play around. And remember, if you are intent on getting any of these games for children, please remember these rated "M" titles are not appropriate for anyone under the age of 17.
        THE MUST-HAVES: If you don't already own Madden NFL 2005 (Rated E and available for all consoles from EA Sports, $29.99), Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Rate M for blood, gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content and drug use. Available for the PlayStation 2 from Rockstar Games, $49.99) and Halo 2 (Rated M for blood, gore, language and violence from Microsoft for the Xbox, $49.99) any or all are sure to make gamers' seasons bright.

FIFA Soccer 2005. Soccer fans will get a real kick out of this game, which presents realistic players in awesome stadiums. As with real soccer, game play can get a little slow if players aren't cooperating. But once you figure out how to maneuver your team and get them to use their heads-literally-to score, you're in for a good time. Includes more than 350 official teams and an option allowing gamers to create your player to bend it like Beckham. (Rated E for everyone. Electronic Arts, $49.99) -Jae-Ha Kim

Mario Power Tennis. Once you get past the cute characters and colorful presentation, "MPT" is a surprisingly realistic sports game. For those who pride themselves as being weekend warriors on the court, you'll love the ability to lob, slice and topspin on your volley. In addition to the traditional clay and grass courts most of us are used to playing on, there's alternative court types offering new challenges (you try going 30-Love on a court with convey belts, for instance). Go ahead. Tell yourself you're buying this one of the kids. When they're tucked away asleep, we'll see you courtside. (Rated E for cartoon violence. Nintendo, $49.99) -Misha Davenport

Call of Duty: Finest Hour. War is never anything but intense, so it's fitting this game captures the realistic unknown of fierce battles. "Call of Duty" allows gamers to view war from the perspective of British and Russian soldiers, as well as Americans, during World War II. You have to be careful, though, because your brothers in arms actually may contain an enemy. Choose your own weapons-pistols, grenades and super powerful sniper rifles. (Rated T for Teen. Activision, $49.99) -JHK

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. If you're looking for the best game released for the GameCube this year, look no further. This sequel has female bounty hunter Samus Aran dispatched to investigate the disappearance of an entire squadron of marines. Before long, she is sucked into a war between two alien beings -the Luminoth (light beings, so they're the good guys) and the Ing. The Ing have driven the Luminoth almost to extinction. As Samus, you try to even the odds in this action game. (Rated T for animated blood and violence.
Nintendo, $49.99) -MD

Prince of Persia: The Warrior Within. The sequel to last year's critically acclaimed sleeper hit picks up several years after that game. Having released the sands of time, the Prince is now being hunted by a creature responsible for guarding the timeline. The only way out of the mess is to go back in time and prevent the sands of time from being created in the first place. It's a good thing the Prince has time-traveling abilities on top of his gravity-defying acrobatics and sword-wielding skills. All royals should be so lucky. (Rated M for blood, gore, intense violence and sexual themes; Ubisoft, $49.99. Also available for PC, PS2 and Xbox) -MD

Viewtiful Joe 2. Capcom's blend of action and anime is back with one major difference. Joe's girlfriend Silvia -reduced to the cliched role of damsel in distress in the first game- gets to kick major butt in the sequel. You can actually swap between Joe and Silvia at the touch of a button -pretty useful because Silvia can do things that Joe can't. To paraphrase a line from the game, it's girl power-a-go-go, baby! (Rated T for cartoon violence. Capcom, $39.99. Also available for PS2) -MD

Katamari Damaci. In this bright, technocolored fantasy, you roll a ball around, collecting object. As the ball grows in size, so do the objects you're able to pick up. Reach a certain circumference before the timer expires and you'll get to watch your ball launch into space as a replacement for the stars the king of the cosmos (your dad) destroyed on one of his benders. It's quirky, infectious fun for all ages. (Rated E for for mild fantasy violence. Namco, $19.99) -MD

Need for Speed Underground 2. As far as racing games go, this one will make you feel like a grown up version of Speed Racer-skilled, but still a little perplexed about why people can't play fair. Here, your rep is everything. So when a rival tries to top you, it's to your benefit to do whatever necessary to stay ahead of the game. Literally. And if that means driving a little dirty, then so be it. (Rated E for everyone. Electronic Arts, $49.99) -JHK

EyeToy: AntiGrav. Interactive gaming your thing? Then the EyeToy is your best friend, helping to create a "you were there" feeling. This extreme racing game dares you to navigate a hoverboard through a setting filled with antigravity launch pads and skyscrapers (perfect for that perfect grind!). (Rated E for everyone. Sony Computer Entertainment, $49.99) -JHK

Killzone. The first time I played this, I was startled at how quickly my character was shot dead. Yeah, this is just a game, but it still hurts. Dark, ominous and hopefully as close to war as any of us will ever get, this isn't for the weak of heart or those who are slow with the trigger. (Rated M for realistic blood, violence and strong language. Sony Computer Entertainment, $44.95) -JHK

GoldenEye: Rogue Agent. James Bond has nothing on this 00 agent gone wrong. Better suited for a life in crime, he's recruited by Auric Goldfinger in a battle against Dr. No. Is this agent as bad as he seems-or worse? The storyline is infectious and the graphics are sharp. I couldn't figure out if I enjoyed the gameplay more or the cosmopolitan settings our antihero frequents. Regardless, this game rocks. (Rated T for teens. Electronic Arts, $49.99) -JHK

Half-Life 2. Who knew the world of science could be so much fun? The followup to "Half-Life" picks up with research scientist Gordon Freeman trying to rid the world of alien beings intent on destroying life as we know it. Indiana Jones has nothing on Freeman, who uses brains and brawn (and a little bit of "MacGyver" ingenuity) to figure out how to save the human race from extinction. (Rated M for mature. Sierra, $49.99) -JHK

Pacific Fighters. Airplane buffs will love this game, which allows you to fly a variety of fighter jets and World War II bombers. Landing on aircraft carriers will give you an idea of how difficult it is for real-life pilots to jettison onto a relatively small space. But the real thrill is when the Allied squads face the elite from Japan's air force. (Rated T for teen. Ubi Soft, $33.99) -JHK

Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile. There's a certain flair to this game that will appeal to players who liked using Legos as a kid. Like SIMS, the characters here interact and have free will (or as much as they can have in a videogame). How they interact can play a detrimental role in the city you create for them. (Rated E for everyone. Myelin Media, $39.99) -JHK

Dead or Alive Ultimate. Tecmo's ultimate martial arts fighting game is actually two games for the price of one -Dead or Alive and Dead or Alive 2. Both games have been enhanced and now feature online play. So, you can work your holiday aggression out on strangers instead of your family.(Rated M for sexual themes and violence. Tecmo, $49.99) -MD

Fable. Ready to create your own fable? Gamers are provided with a bare bones storyline (a young boy sees his parents murdered and is taken in by an academy that trains heroes) and then fill in the blanks by completing missions as they see fit. Of course, your in-game decisions impact both your character's look and the environment around him. Healthy doses of humor keep
this role-playing simulation fresh .(Rated M for blood, strong language and violence. Microsoft, $49.99) -MD

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
LUCAS ARTS; XBOX $49.99, *** 1/2
        If "Star Wars Knights of the old Republic II: The Sith Lords" (KOTOR II) were actually a "Star Wars flick, I'd be inclined to compare it to "Return of the Jedi." While not quite as good as the original, it hasn't sunk to the depths of --say, "The Star Wars Holiday Special." The 45-hour role-playing game manages to hit most of the marks that fans of either RPGs or the "Star Wars" franchise will be expecting. My chief complaint is it's just a good game --not a great one.
        KOTOR II picks up five years after the events of the first game. You play as a new character of your creation, but characters and happenings from the first game are frequently eluded to, connecting both storylines.
        Your ship, the Ebon Hawk, is drifting through space; the majority of the crew is dead, though a few (including yourself) are critically wounded. After the ship finally docks at a mining station called Peragus, the game begins in earnest with your character emerging from a healing tank. You're possibly the last Jedi knight alive --nearly guaranteeing you'll spend a good portion of the game being hunted down by Sith assassins. The Sith are the Jedis' advisories and they're on the verge of eradicating the Jedi once and for all. Unfortunately, this plot device doesn't really hold any tension. Anyone wondering if the Sith succeed need only be reminded that the events of KOTOR I and II take place before the events of the films.
        Of course, there's even some question at first as to whether or not you are a Jedi. You've either lost or forgotten how to use the Force, if you are. To make matters worse, someone has reprogrammed the mining droids with a single mission to destroy all lifeforms and you don't have your light saber (or any weapon for that matter). Those gamers dying to get their hands on a light saber should be prepared to wade through at least ten hours of gameplay before obtaining the weapon. Heck, you spend the first hour or so of the game in just your skivvies ("Pants," I say. "My droids for pants!").
        You soon meet up with the remaining survivors on the station. They include the mysterious Kreia --an elderly, cloaked woman who likes to talk in that annoying riddle-speak so that you immediately clue into the fact that a.) she probably knows more than she's letting on and b.) you'll have to suck it up and deal with her sometimes-annoying dialogue because she is your guide through the game. Can you really trust anyone who hides behind a cloak, anyway?
        Before long, your group is rounded out with a colorful cast of characters human, alien and android. You're capable of playing through the game with up to 10 party members, who you control in battle. It's a richer, more real simulation as a result. Each of your party members has their own AI and their own goals and agendas.
        Like the first game, your actions influence which side of the Force you lean towards --which in turn impacts your abilities and the gameplay. KOTOR II ups the ante even further and your actions now also impact everyone else in your group. If for instance a certain member of the party isn't fully on your side and you head down the path of the dark side, that member might be more willing to jeopardize your missions or usurp your authority completely.
        Though, it is refreshing to again see gamers held responsible for their actions in the game (unlike the ultra-violent "Grand Theft Auto" series). It's perhaps too easy to approach the mythology of the Star Wars universe solely on Judeo-Christian terms of good versus evil. For me, the light and dark have always had greater Taoist implications. When you get down to it, there isn't really a heck of a lot of difference between the light and dark sides of the Force. Both Jedi and Sith use their powers to manipulate people or bend their wills. Both kill in the name of their side. No one wears the morality hat in Lucas' space opera. So, just who would the Sith be without the Jedi (and vice versa)? Nothing, that's what. They define each other.
        Good thing you have a lot of time to ponder philosophical issues like these. The game's biggest drawback is the incredibly long load times. Several missions will require you to do a hefty amount of backtracking between areas. Still, if you're looking for an engaging, epic role playing game, yo