This entry is for the Playstation 3 version of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. Rainbow Six: Vegas is the first entry into the Rainbow Six series that I have found accessable. This game is just alot of fun to play, and the squad tactics while important, are never overemphasized as they were in previous iterations of the series. The storyline and visuals are pretty ho-hum now compared to other games on the Playstation 3 console, but the gameplay continues to be top notch. I have never found any of the online modes to be particularily compelling, but perhaps that's just me. The single player is alot of fun though. If you have a chance to play this game, you should give it a try.

This entry is for the Playstation 3 game Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Let me be perfectly clear. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was given to me by someone who had it packed in with their Playstation 3, and knew they would never play it. I had played the first Gran Turismo back in the days of Playstation 1 and didn't care much for it then. I thought I'd give this game a try, since I'd hear so much hype about it. I was surprised to see that basically nothing has changed since the first iteration of the series. Sure, the graphics look amazing...but it pulls you right out of reality when you realize that there is no damage being inflicted on the cars. I don't expect Burnout, but if your car hits something, I expect a realistic driving simulator like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue to show damage. Other than that, it just isn't very much fun to drive the cars. You'd have to be a dead serious gearhead or someone who drives cars in real life to appreciate this series. Inaccessible and full of itself, this game is eclipsed by many driving games that have gotten the most important factor right: fun. I despise this game.

This entry is for the Playstation Network version of Mega Man 9. Mega Man 9 is an 8-bit sequel in a series that the previous entry was 32-bit. Does the mean it's a step back? Yes. Does that make it a better game? Absolutely. Mega Man 9 actually manages to recapture the feeling of playing the best series on the Nintendo Entertainment System in its glory days. Mega Man 9 is a triumph in everything it tries to do. The graphics are 8-bit but colorful and compelling. The music is 8-bit but the compositions are some of the best in the series. The gameplay is classic Mega Man 2, no sliding or Mega-Buster takes the game back to its more hardcore shooter platformer status. The story and cutscenes are amusing and appropriate. The new features are a phlethora of different modes, from Time Attack to Protoman Mode, an online leaderboard, and downloadable content. One incredible feature the game has in an in-game achievement system. Mega Man 9 does so many things surprisingly right, it's hard to think of what it does wrong. It was easily one of my top gaming experiences of 2008. I can't recommend this game enough, if you remember the good old NES days of Mega Man. If not, you may just not understand.

This entry is for the Playstation Network version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. HD Remix is the result of a team of people who carefully studied the old Super Street Fighter Turbo and developed a game that is perfectly balanced, perfectly fair and basically for Street Fighter tournament fighting fans. The graphics have been redrawn for high definition and the music remixed, but the original sprites and music tracks are available for purists. The online mode is excellent, especially since the players don't know which character they're being pitted against before the match. This is the definitive version of Street Fighter II. It is absolutely necessary for anyone who is serious about fighting games.

This entry is for the Playstation Network version of Bionic Commando Rearmed. Bionic Commando Rearmed is a full remake of Bionic Commando for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The graphics and sounds are excellent, and the gameplay has already been proven. The best version of Bionic Commando. If you have any love for this series, this game is a must-own.

This entry is for the Playstation Network version of Gunstar Heroes. Gunstar Heroes was developed by Treasure, best known for their Super Nintendo Entertainment System classics Contra III: The Alien Wars and Super Castlevania IV. Not long after they developed those games, they released Gunstar Heroes on the Sega Genesis in 1993. It was an amazing game back then and it's an amazing game now, even compared to other games on the Playstation Network. Fast paced shooting action with stellar graphics and sounds are more than any gamer from the Sega Genesis in 1993. The Playstation Network version plays perfectly, and includes Playstation trophies. The best version of this game, in my opinion.

This entry is for the Playstation Network game Super Stardust HD. Super Stardust HD is a space shooter that is very similar to Asteroids, Robotron 2084 or Smash TV from back in the day. It has very high productition values, top notch control and a gradual challenge that keeps the player addicted. This was also the first game to ever support Playstation trophies. An excellent arcade shooter.

This entry is for the Playstation Network version of Echochrome. Echochrome is an extremely unique puzzle game with a very interesting premise, you guide a human over a series of obstacles by changing your perspective. If something looks as though it's connected from your viewing perspective, your human will be able to walk over it. The entire game includes downloadable content, user created levels, a level editor, various gameplay modes and Playstation trophies. A decent puzzle game.

This entry is for the Playstation Network game Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is a dual analog shooter that strength lies in its multiplayer. Commando 3 doesn't have much to do with original the Commando, but it is a decent arcade shooter with online capabilities and pretty graphics. A mindless game, really.

This entry is for the Nintendo DS game New Super Mario Bros. Over the years, Nintendo has ported every two dimensional console Mario and Super Mario 64 to portable systems. It came down to either porting Super Mario Sunshine to the DS or creating an entirely new title. Luckily, the opted for the latter. New Super Mario Bros. is surprisingly simple, but surprisingly fresh. It takes all of the evolutions of a variety of Mario franchises and combines them into a top notch platformer. The humor of Paper Mario, the overworld board style of Mario Party and the characters that appear in many Mario Sports titles and puts them into a simplified Super Mario Worldesque game. Don't get me wrong, when I say simplified I'm not saying that this title is like Mario is Missing, I mean the the complexity found in Super Mario World has been made accessable to all types of players. New Super Mario Bros. is the perfect amalgamation of Mario's legacy and by the end of the game you'll be completely satified with this platformer. Is it better than Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World? Doubtful, but it comes very, very close. Because of that fact alone, that probably makes it the best game on the DS and the best platformer this decade (00-09). Don't miss this amazing game. You'll be reminded of why you play video games in the first place.

THis entry is for the Nintendo DS version of Super Mario 64. When Super Mario 64 launched with the Nintendo 64 in 1996, it blew everyone away with its amazing graphics, great control but most of all...gameplay that had never been experienced before. The first 3D platformer to have a playable design, let alone the design that would set the blueprints for every 3D platformer to be released afterwards, Super Mario 64 is regarded as one of the best games on all time. Take away the Nintendo 64 and put the game on the DS, the game loses its analog control and gains a screen. That's where all the problems lie in this version of Super Mario 64, is in the control. This fact was not oblivious to Nintendo, so they redesigned the game to more successfully make use of the digital pad on the DS. Mario can be controlled by the touch screen as well, but its a gimmick control scheme at best. In order to soften the blow of the loss of the analog stick, the game stars four characters instead of one. Luigi, Wario and Yoshi are all playable along with Mario, and their abilities, control and play style vary from character to character. So the game has been redesigned to make the player think of which character is best to tackle which obstacle. Do you remember acing a platforming sequence in the original game that you're having trouble with because of the control? Why not switch to Luigi with higher jumping and bypass the obstacle completely? Is an object unreachable from where you are? Why not switch to Yoshi and grab it with your tongue? Is an enemy more difficult to defeat than you remember? Why not use the all-powerful Wario and punch the enemy into next week? While it isn't immediately obvious, this version of the game has had a very serious redesign and for the better. While many disagree with me, now that I've played this version I can't go back to the original version of the game. The content is the DS version is just too interesting. As for the control issues, most of the time the game controls fine. When you hit a problem resulting from control issues, there is always a character to help you get over it. The biggest crime this game commits is the fact that it rewrites people's memories of the beloved Nintendo 64 original. Yet I can't help but prefer this version, just because there is more to it. And it's portable.

This entry is for the game Mario Kart DS for the Nintendo DS. With all of the iterations of Mario Kart out there, one may ask what is left for the series besides the inclusion of online play, which was sorely missing from the previous Gamecube iteration, Double Dash. Mario Kart DS not only includes the online play so many gamers craved but adds a number of useful upgrades to the series. First of all, the new tracks are well designed...some of the best in the series. Secondly, there are more tracks in this game than any other Mario Kart before it. The game includes a Retro Cup mode, which has a number of tracks from pervious iterations of Mario Kart, bringing the track count to almost 32. The inventory, while solely missing the feather, is one of the best compositions the series has to offer. Balancing is an issue with online play since it is possible to cheat. Nothing beats the fact that this is a fully featured Mario Kart on a portable system, a true leap forward from Mario Kart Advance. With wireless LAN play, online functionality and portability, Mario Kart DS is the most playable game in the series. Don't miss this one.

This entry is for the Nintendo DS game The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Phantom Hourglass is a unique game for many reasons. First of all, it's the first Zelda game for Nintendo dual screened handheld. Second, the game is completely controlled by the stylus and touch screen. Third, it's a direct sequel to Wind Waker, and adopts the art style from that game as well as the continuation of Wind Waker's story. Fourth, it's a really good game. That's right, as weird as all of these things many sound together, Phantom Hourglass is one of the better games in the series. The stylus control fits perfectly, and feels natural in no time. The art style looks great on the DS as it hides alot of the limitations of the DS hardware. There are some design problems, like returning to the same dungeon multiple times throughout the game, but these are minor quibbles compared to some of the truly innovative moments found within this game. I won't give them away here. Play this incredible game and find out for yourself.

This entry is for the Nintendo DS game Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow. This game chronologically takes place after Aria of Sorrow for the Gameboy Advance and is the final game in the Castlevania timeline. On the Gameboy Advance, Aria of Sorrow was an amazing game. It's soul collecting was intuitive and new, and the graphics and sounds were the best Iga's crew could do with the Gameboy Advance. Dawn of Sorrow takes place a year after Aria of Sorrow storyline-wise, but development between the two games might be the same length of time. That's not to detract from Dawn of Sorrow though, because it is superior to Aria of Sorrow in almost every way. The soul collecting is almost exactly the same as the previous game, but the graphics and sounds are a true generational leap above the Gameboy Advance. Michiru Yamane returns to compose the music in Dawn of Sorrow and some of the tracks represent the best work of her career. The control and character animations have all been reimagined for the DS, and many of the art assets have been carefully redrawn for the visual upgrade. Perhaps the best thing about Dawn of Sorrow is its second quest, in which Soma has succumb to the darkness and become Dracula and you, as Alucard, must fight through the castle and finish him. A fitting and dubiously unclear ending to the Castlevania timeline, Dawn of Sorrow is an amazing game that should be played by everyone who enjoys Castlevania and a must-play for fans of Aria of Sorrow. Highly recommended.

This entry is for the Nintendo DS game Castlevania Portrait of Ruin. This game chronologically takes place between Bloodlines for the Sega Genesis and Aria of Sorrow for the Gameboy Advance. While many were disappointed with this game, I think that Portrait of Ruin is the best game i the Castlevania franchise since Symphony of the Night. First, it changes the Metroidvania gameplay style from one giant area to many smaller areas and the central Castlevania castle hub, while staying true to the item unlocking area nature of the previous games; not unlike Simon's Quest for the old Nintendo Entertainment System. Second, it introduces two character gameplay, where you control two characters throughout the adventure, evolving this gameplay aspect from Dracula's Curse from the old Nintendo Entertainment System. Third, it introduces a quest system to the series that makes the gameplay completely fresh and new. Fourth, storyline-wise it completely ties up loose ends from the more modern-era games of the series, like the way Symphony of the Night tied the timeline into one cohesive story. While the soul-collecting aspect from Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow is gone, the weapons of both characters can be leveled-up..as if to substitute for the loss. Luckily, I don't miss the soul collecting. Fortunately, graphics and sounds are top notch, as is the music with Michiru Yamane composing most of the tunes. Portrait of Ruin also has a ton of unlockables when the game is through, but nothing as good as Dawn of Sorrow's second quest. A great game, a real evolution to the series that I cannot recommend enough. If you like Castlevania, you simply must play this game.

This entry is for the Nintendo DS game Castlevania Order of Ecclesia . This game chronologically takes place between Circle of the Moon for the Gameboy Advance and Bloodlines for the Sega Genesis. Order of Ecclesia is one of the best games in the series to date because of its evolved design, excellent production values and tried and true platform action adventure gameplay, which compliments the Nintendo DS so well. What was pioneered in Portrait of Ruin has come into fruition here, the quest based gameplay over several Metroidvania type maps set in the outskirts of Transylvania conjures up memories of Simon's Quest for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The music is amazing, some of Michiru Yamane's finest compositions are in this game. The levels are completely unique and realized, and the design is centred around the multiple quests that take place within each level. The game is good about never having you do the same thing in the same area twice, and like its predecessors, the game's length can double based on how much of the story you uncover, and in this case, how many villagers you can find. The protagonist is not a Belmont, but a witch named Shanoa, so using magic is a very important aspect of gameplay. This is easily the best Castlevania on the Nintendo DS, I can't recommend it highly enough.

This entry is for the DS game Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no Mamoribito, obviously the Japanese version of the game. While I played the original Nintendo Entertainment System Dragon Quest, known as Dragon Warrior where I'm originally from....I didn't like it much at all. Even though it was my first RPG, I couldn't come to grips on what the point of the game was. That was 1989. Fast forward twenty years later, and I find myself picking up Dragon Quest IX to help improve my Japanese, nothing more. I had no idea I was going to enjoy this game so much. First, the obvious differences between this game and other JRPGs are easy to highlight. First of all, it was designed with all of the DS' capabilities in mind from the online shops to the local trading of items and treasure maps with nearby players. Second, it is one of the first JRPGs I've ever seen that with let you create your entire party as custom characters, like Icewind Dale for the PC. This makes the treasure hunting and loot collecting aspect far more enjoyable. In fact, it gives it alot of the addictive qualities that Phantasy Star Online had back in the day. And finally, most of the games quests are designed like those in Elder Scrolls games (Oblivion) with quests being administered by non-player characters and branching off depend on how you complete them. This makes the game incredibly easy to put down for a week and then come back to, you never get lost or forget what you were doing. It's obvious to me the reason this game spent more than two years in development. Aside from the fact that it looks and sounds beautiful...the cel shaded art style really hides the DS' hardware shortcomings, the care that went into this game is surprising. There is an epilogue mode to keep player searching for rare items long after the initial story quest is over. The story is standard JRPG fair, nothing innovative but very entertaining and well told. If this game is ever released in English, I think English speaking RPG gamers will be pleasently surprised. If they can get over the cutesey character design, they will find a deep, involved RPG....one of the best....if not THE BEST on the Nintendo DS.

This entry is for the Nintendo DS game Contra 4. The Contra series has always been about incredibly fast paced, shooter platformer action. The first two Contra for the Nintendo Entertainment system perfected this formula. The follow-up Contra III: The Alien Wars on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System set the bar for Contra games from that point on. Unfortunately, every Contra from that point on has been an utter failure and disappointment. Until now. Contra 4 brings back the 2D action shooter platformer to its roots, and the result is a game that is so Contra it'll leave you wondering if it wasn't released years ago. Visually, it's a beautiful DS game, and the control is spot on. The action takes place across two screens which can be daunting, but very comfortable once you get used to it. This game is difficult. Luckily, the game has a training mode and mission mode that with take you through the tough areas of the game and ease you into memorizing the terrain for the real thing. As bonuses, Contra and Super C are included as unlockables. Contra 4 is brutal old school, and a shocking reminder of how easy games have become. Highly recommended.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Super Mario Sunshine. After Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64, many thought that Mario's next three dimensional platformer would arrive on that system. A sequel didn't come out until after the Gamecube was released so expectations were high. Super Mario Sunshine failed to live up to those expectations. While Super Mario Sunshine is an expertly crafted platform game, it lacks many elements that previous Mario games, including Super Mario 64, that make Mario such a unique experience. The island theme of Super Mario Sunshine limits most of the environments to tropical areas. The cleaning theme and water backpack never really feels like anything other than a gimmick. The difficulty is inconsistant making the game inaccessable for novice players. As a hardcore platformer, Super Mario Sunshine offers some very unique environments, some extremely unique gameplay and an overall experience that is pure quality. As a Mario platformer, it fails miserably. Is it worth playing? Absolutely. Is it Mario's lowest point? Other than Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, yes. Still, a bad Mario game is still a pretty good video game. As far as contemperary platformers go, Mario holds his own even with this title.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of The original Legend of Zelda found on the The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition Gamecube disc. When this game was released in 1987, it redefined what a video game was for many people. Up until this point, video games were about collecting points or finishing a game in one sitting, as like Super Mario Bros. A game that could be saved so that you could continue playing later was something that perhaps one people who played games on PC's had experienced, but not a game like this. Arcade action with a quest more interesting and involved than adventure games on the PC and you have a game that is legendary. Still playable now, this classic shows superiority of design over technology. Another of the best games of all time.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link found on the The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition Gamecube disc. A perfect port of the Nintendo Entertainment System classic, The Adventure of Link turned alot of heads when it was released in 1988 but for mostly the wrong reasons. After the hugely successful original Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link abandoned the overhead perspective from the previous game and adopted a side-scrolling view popular with platformers at that time. The Adventure of Link played alot like a platformer too, but surprisingly more like a traditional RPG more than any other Zelda game in the series, with the inclusion of magic spells and experience leveling. While not badly recieved by any means, many gamers were left wondering if they would ever get an overhead perspective sequel to the Legend of Zelda. A decent game, and the most unorthodox game in the series, despite it only being the second. A historical classic.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time found on the The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition Gamecube disc. When this game hit in 1998, it was years ahead of its time even back then. It set all the standrads for third person action games and all Zelda games for years to come. It was the first 3D action game with very natural feeling controls and fully functioning open world. It was also the first 3D game that got vast wide open spaces right, without constant draw-in or break-up. This game was a first for so many things technically, but most importantly, it told what turned out to be the root story for the entire Legend of Zelda series, and the characters introduced in this game have become series mainstays. While the game has aged a bit, in terms of design many modern games can't compete. This game heralded many perfect "10" scores from gamers and critics alike, and it isn't difficult to see why. If you haven't tried this game, then why are you playing video games at all? This is one of the best games ever created, hands down.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask found on the The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition Gamecube disc. Majora's Mask is an interesting game for a number of reasons. First of all, it's the sequel to what is widely thought of as the greatest game of all time, Ocarina of Time. Second, it's designed in a way that no action-adventure game has ever been designed before or since. Finally, it breaks almost all expectations from fans delivering something that very few of them could comprehend. In alot of ways, Majora's Mask repeats the history of The Adventure of Link just by being so different that its predecessor. Ocarina of Time's winning 3D graphics engine and wonderful controls have all been ported over perfectly, and most of the characters from the aforementioned game make an appearance. The flow of time in the game makes the greatest departure from the norm, where time is limited to three in-game days and must be constantly repeated. This design choice was made so that scripting non-player characters to certain schedules and events would be easy and believable to a point not seen in games up until the point where Majora's Mask was released. Interaction with non-player characters is heavily stressed in this Zelda game, and keeping their schedules is a daunting task. This makes Majora's Mask easily the most difficult Zela in the entire series. Ironically enough, even though the character of Link is a child, this is the darkest Zelda game ever created. The ominous countdown to the third day always leaves the player with a little anxiety. One of the most innovative games ever created, but one of the most hated games as well. Like Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, this game requires alot of stamina. Do you have what it takes to get to the end? Alot of gamers don't.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. After dismal sales and fan criticism of The Wind Waker and the following financial disaster that was Four Sword Adventures, Nintendo thought it was time to giv fans exactly what they asked for. So strong was the fan reaction when this game was unveiled that fanboys were literally crying. That's why it's ironic that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the Zelda game that takes the fewest risks. Of course, this isn't a bad thing at all if you enjoyed the Ocarina of Time. In fact, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a direct sequel to that game, although the references are very subtle. The world in Twilight Princess is the biggest yet, with Hyrule broken up into provinces. Having Link paired with his horse near the beginning of the game allows for players to start exploring this vast world fairly early in the quest. While the story does only a little to advance the Zelda lore, the gameplay is a perfect amalgamation of the entire series' tried and true gameplay mechanics. That isn't to say that there isn't anything new or inovative in the game, but in this Zelda such things take place in the last half of this long game. As for the game's length, this is the longest action adventure game in existence. While the art direction hasn't held up over time as well as the Wind Waker, it certainly looks great. Twilight Princess' greatest strength lies in its ability to produce awe through its characters and environments, and it does so continuously. While the blueprint for Ocarina of Time is followed very closely, Twilight Princess is an amazing game in its own right. The pinnacle of the Zelda series, it's going to be very interesting to see where they can go from here, Nintendo has outdone themselves. If you haven't played this game already, don't miss it. It's everything a proper sequel should be and more.

This entry is for the Gamecube game The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The Wind Waker caused alot of controversy when it was first unveiled to the public. While 2000's Majora's Mask for the Nintendo 64 had been Nintendo's response for a demand for a sequel to 1998's Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64, few felt that Majora's Mask was a proper sequel to the legendary Ocarina of Time. Therefore, especially after Nintendo showed CG footage of a Ocarina of Time style Link fighting Ganon at the unveiling of the Gamecube at Spaceworld 2000, there were high hopes for a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time on the Gamecube. When The Wind Waker was revealed, fans immediately lost hope and most players shunned Nintendo. Instead of a dark, adult looking Zelda game players were hoping for, we got a cel-shaded, child-like character who spend most of their adventure sailing a boat rather than riding a horse. Nintendo insisted that this was the direction they wanted to take the series, and most gamers wrote them off for it. When The Wind Waker was finally released in 2003, it was the worst selling Zelda game up to that date, only beaten there after by Four Sword Adventures. Was the skepticism justified? Absolutely not. Now in retrospect, The Wind Waker not only expanded the series in ways that complimented the overall lore, the art design chosen has actually kept the game from aging as badly as its comtemperaries of that generation. To this day, graphically The Wind Waker can hold its own against games from the initial HD generation, and The Wind Waker's design is better than most of those games as well. The gameplay ends up being the logical evolution of the standards set by Ocarina of Time and used in following Zelda games, such as Twilight Princess. Storyline-wise, The Wind Waker is one of the few Zelda games to directly reference the events of another game, and it references Ocarina of Time heavily. It's funny how in retrospect, the entire opinion of this game has changed. Now it is hailed as one of the most intuitive Zelda games, and survives through its sequel, The Phantom Hourglass on the Nintendo DS. If you love Zelda, then The Wind Waker is a must-play. Even if you prefer travelling Hyrule by horse rather than sail boat, you owe it to yourself to play this historically controversial game.

This entry is for the Gamecube game The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures. Though not a traditional Zelda game, Four Swords Adventures is one of the best games on the Gamecube and a great Zelda game as well. It's unfortunate that most gamers didn't give it a chance when it was first released, making it one of the worst selling Zelda games in history. Like Final Fantasy: The Crystal Chronicles, Four Swords Adventures is meant to be played with three other people, yet the price of admission is high. Like Crystal Chronicles, Gameboy Advances are required for multiplayer, but in Four Swords Adventures, the Gameboy Advances are implemented better than any other link cable game on the market. Since each player has their own screen, they can enter buildings and caves without waiting for the other players. This encourages players to explore on their own as well as keeping the group in mind, which fuels the delicate balance between co-operation and competition. While you can't greif other players for the entire game, there are times when it's appropriate; in between working with your team mates to forge ahead. This is the genius of Four Swords Adventures. Of course, the game can be played as a single player adventure without the Gameboy Advance, and even as a single player game, you are still getting quality two dimensional Zelda. It's too bad most players will never try this game. It is a very fun, unique and memorable experience. Highly recommended.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Metroid Prime. Metroid Prime is one of the greatest video games ever made. Like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metroid Prime is the perfect transformation of a previously two dimensional series into a three dimensional series. Metroid Prime also changes the dynamics of the standard first person shooter into a sub-genre known as the first person adventure, a design format which has now been copied countless times. The visuals and audio are some of the best of the Gamecube,PS2 and Xbox generation, let alone the Gamecube. Metroid Prime succeeds with its incredibly immersive sense of atmosphere, its perfect pacing and its simple yet enjoyable combat. I cannot praise this game enough. A must-play for any fan of video games, and a must-own for anyone who owns a Gamecube. A legendary experience.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Echoes is the sequel to the massively successful Metroid Prime, which was the first game to put the Gamecube on the map. Unfortunately, Echoes was not nearly as well recieved as its predecessor. Designed very much like the Super Nintendo Entertainment System hit, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Echoes is split between co-responding worlds, a light world and a dark world; the later a somewhat mirrored version of the former. Switching in between the two adds a very interesting element into already proven gameplay, but it also stresses memorization of both environments. While this has never been a problem in two dimensional games, in three dimensions it can be a little daunting. The primary problem is if you put the game down for a week or two and come back to it, you'll have alot of trouble figuring out what you were doing despite and excellent map and mission objective display. A slight blemish to a game that is easily one of the Gamecube's greatest, this game demands attention despite its difficulty. Give it a try and see if you have the stamina the make it to the end.

This entry is for the Gamecube game, Star Fox Adventures. Star Fox Adventures began development as an Nintendo 64 game by Rare called "Dinosaur Island". "Dinosaur Island" was Rare's response to the success of action adventure role-playing games seen by titles such as Ocarina of Time and Soul Reaver. Due to the quick death of the Nintendo 64, development of the game was switched over to the Gamecube. As time went on, Rare thought that it would be advantageous to insert Nintendo's Star Fox franchise characters into the game...since Rare's own original characters for "Dinosaur Island" strongly resembled the Star Fox cast anyway. Shoehorning the Star Fox characters in meant changing many gameplay elements and greatly changing the story that was originally planned. The result of this became Star Fox Adventures, a excellent action adventure game that fits the Star Fox characters surprisingly well. Of course, Rare's love for ridiculous Scottish accents and toilet humor can sometimes come across as out of place in this game, but such events don't happen often. Despite it's Nintendo 64 roots, Star Fox Adventures was a beautiful game at the time of it's release...one of the few games that looked that it would be impossible to do on Dreamcast, which set the bar for the generation extremely high. Fox's weapon of choice is a staff rather than a blaster, but it ends up being a fitting choice for this type of game. Star Fox Adventures' visuals and gameplay make it easy to recommend, but it shouldn't be missed simply because this is the only Rare game ever released for the Gamecube. Nintendo sold Rare to Microsoft a short time before this game was released, making this Rare's swan song for Nintendo development. It should not be missed.

This entry for the Gamecube game Star Fox Assault. Believe it or not, Nintendo has not developed a console Star Fox game since Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo 64. For whatever reason, Nintendo saw fit to have the rights to Star Fox farmed out to third party development houses. Nintendo chose Namco to do Star Fox Assault as a four player dogfight multiplayer focused game. Over years of development a single player mode also emerged that was surprisingly, a direct story sequel to Rare's Star Fox Adventures. In the spirit of that game but keeping true to the format set out by Starfox 64, Star Fox Assault attemps to bring the two gameplay styles together. In my opinion, the game is a success. Star Fox Assault delivers an amazing variety of gameplay, in Fox's Arwing, the Landmaster and on foot with blaster in hand, the modes of play that made Star Fox 64's multiplayer so fun. Unfortunely, it delivers almost an equal amount of these forms of action, even including stages that have you hopping between a number of vehicles. While the scope of the game is ambitious, it garnered alot of negative criticism simply because people expected a rehash of Star Fox 64. I want to comment on the multiplayer, but I've never been able to get anybody to play it with me. I await that day. I really like Star Fox Assault, and I think that it is worthy of the franchise's name. But this is not Star Fox 64. Keep that in mind, and you may just enjoy it. Alot.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Pikmin. For the Gamecube, there were three franchises that defined the system. The Metriod Prime series, Animal Crossing and Pikmin. Pikmin is a real-time strategy game that has a unique premise...you are an astronaut stranded on a planet that very much looks like someone's backyard, and you have only the plant-like Pikmin creatures to help you. The Pikmin must be reproduced and manipulated in order to carry out particular tasks related to repairing your damaged spaceship. A unique and charming game, no console game has ever taken real-time strategy and fashioned such a console friendly version of the genre. The control is excellent, and the games pace is so gradual that even people who don't normally play video games find Pikmin appealing. A truly unique experience, and an experience unique to the Gamecube, Pikmin must be played if you have the means. Highly recommended, a true classic.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Pikmin 2. Although Pikmin is one of the intellectual properties that defines the Gamecube, the second Pikmin was met with lukewarm reception, even though critics loved it. It addressed everything that was flawed about the first game and fixes it, and then creates a deeper more strategic experience. It's an absolute pleasure to play, easily a better game than the first. With multiplayer and two new classes of Pikmin, the sumo-like purple Pikmin and the white Poisen Pikmin this game offers much, much more than its predesessor and is the kind of hardcore experience Nintendo fans have been asking for. Pikmin 2 is a bit of a rare game now, but will soon be re-released for the Nintendo Wii.

This entry is for the Gamecube Version of Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II. Phantasy Star Online was another game that was launched for the Dreamcast back in 2000, and was an absolutely revolutionary product. The first online RPG on consoles, Phantasy Star Online made Gauntlet style dungoen crawling extremely enjoyable due to an excellent communication system, variety in character creation, extremely advanced character building options and a phlethora of items, armom and weapons to discover and trade with your teammates. Since the original Dreamcast's online service was free, there was absolutely no entry barrier. For many of us, it was our first online experience. Now, Phantasy Star Online is an old game and all of the online servers that hosted the game are no longer in service making online play impossible. By the time, Version 2 and the Gamecube Episode I & II game came out, Sega was charging a monthly fee to play the game online, which significantly decreased its online population. The Gamecube version of Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II contains all of the levels, items and characters from the Dreamcast original, and adds a second chapter with four new levels, new enemies, two new character classes, a new town/lobby system and a number of new features. These features include a challenge mode where players can see how far they can get without dying and a versus mode where players fight each other over items. Now in the Gamecube version, up to four players can play the game split screen, so all of the abilities of item trading and multiplay can live on without an online component. This makes the Gamecube version the best version of the game to play now....now that the online service is no longer provided by Sega. Phantasy Star Online is a great game and if you have friends that are playing it with you it becomes one of the best multiplayer experiences to be had ever. Even if you are just playing solo, there is so much to see and do in this version...and the character building is so addictive...this may become your most played Gamecube game of all time.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Skies of Arcadia: Legends. On November 13, 2000, Skies of Arcadia was released on the Dreamcast with very little fanfare. It quickly became a system favorite with critics and Dreamcast fans who were won over by its charm, excellent visuals, moving soundtrack, complex but easy to follow story and most of all, lovable characters. While the game had many RPG staples that were common at that time, random battles, airships, magic casting cinemas and a story about an unlikely boy with two female companions taking down an evil empire, it had two features that were absolutely new. It was the first turn based JRPG in full 3D (meaning you could look from Vyse's eyes in a first person mode if you so chose) and something that was years ahead of its time: downloadable content. In 2000, this familiar yet new RPG experience was refreshing, as it harkened back to the 16-bit era of JRPGs, for at the turn of the century other big RPG franchises like Final Fantasy had become too serious and long-winded. The Gamecube version of Skies of Arcadia: Legends contains all the downloadable content from the Dreamcast original, improved visuals, new characters and interactions. The new content doesn't distract from the greatness of the original game, in fact, it only adds to it. The characters in Skies are cheerful and energtic without ever coming across as fake or annoying and while the game has no spoken dialogue, the characters facial expressions convey emotion really well. The game contains only seven controllable characters, so the rooster is never too crowded and it gives you ample opprotunity to build up each character. Don't worry about a shortage of things to do as you will also be building-up and improving your airship, adding members to your crew, and building a base of operations for you and your pirate regime. There are also a number of locations to discover all over the world map while you complete your quest, and all of these things affect your reputation as a pirate and your ability to take care of your crew. At certain times, you will have to think of the right thing to say and answer from a number of preset answers in order to show your bravery, wisdom and leadership qualities. While the random battle play out like most turn based RPG's with a balance of physical attacks, magic, condition and item management, there are also "ship battles" where you must take part in a fight with another airship. Surprisingly, these battles make for a very memorable part of the game as they play out more like turn based strategy than an RPG battle. The game takes between forty and forty-five hours to finish if you blaze through, but not one moment of the game is boring or drags. Skies of Arcadia: Legends is the best RPG on the Gamecube in my opinion, and I will go as far to say the best JRPG of the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube era. If you have a means to play this game you absolutely must. While it may look a little dated now, its simplicity combined with its depth and charm is a rare trait that few games have managed to duplicate well. Highly recommended.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Soul Caliber II. Soul Caliber was launched for the Dreamcast on September 9th, 1999 as the sequel to 1997's Soul Blade on the original Playstation and 1996's Soul Edge in the arcade. Soul Caliber was such a revolutionary fighting game that everyone forgot about all previous entries in the series, and the game became the standard for 3D fighting games done right at the turn of the century. This game, Soul Caliber II, had alot to live up to and for the most part, it did, by sticking very closely to the Soul Caliber formula. Soul Caliber II is an excellent 3D weapons based fighting game which has a very deep combat system, disturbingly sexually charged characters and excellent production values. Maybe for the sake of character balance, only three new fighters are introduced into the ongoing Soul Caliber lore, Talim, Rapheal and Cassandra. Special appearance characters in this game also include Necrid, designed by Todd McFarlane of Spawn fame, and Link from Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series. While Link surprisingly fits in well with the rest of the cast, Necrid does not. While the game features an impressive rooster of characters, one is soon disappointed by the number of texture swapped characters in the game (characters that have the exact same move set as another character despite appearing to be different) although in the games defence, the texture swapped characters strengths and weaknesses have been tweaked in order to change to strategy of nhow to play them. As a single player fighting game, Soul Caliber II actually outdoes its predecessor by including a World Tour mode which is very deep that resembles the popular World Tour mode from the original Playstation Soul Blade game. While Soul Caliber works best as a multiplayer game, this mode makes the single player experience enjoyable for an impressively extended period of time. With all of the visuals and audio surpassing its Dreamcast predecessor as well, Soul Caliber II is easy to recommend....as by default, the makes it the Gamecube's best fighting game.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Capcom vs SNK 2 EO: Mark of the Millenium. Capcom vs SNK 2 EO for the Gamecube is the best two dimensional fighting game on the Gamecube. While there isn't much competition for that category, don't be fooled, this is still an excellent fighting game. Capcom vs SNK 2 would be more accurate if it was called Street Fighter vs The King of Fighters due to the fact that it contains little or no characters outside of the aforementioned series. There is an impressive rooster of fighters here; on the Capcom side most of the World Warriors from Street Fighter 2, a few from Alpha, Nightstalkers, Final Fight and a few from Street Fighter III, while the SNK side brings all of the familiar characters from the King of Fighters series along with a few staples from Samurai Showdown. While this sounds like it should be the most awesome combinations of fighters of all time...and it is, this game does suffer from some inbalancing issues, but nothing worth fretting about unless you are a dead serious tournament fighter. If you are a dead serious tournament fighter you would probably stay away from the Gamecube version, due to the Gamecube controller's tiny digital pad. This is not a terrible strike against the game, since there are other controllers that work well with this game including an arcade style Fighting Stick controller available from Namco and a Super Nintendo Entertainment System joystick from Hori that is actually more playable than the Wii's classic controller. It is possible to get used to and do well with the Gamecube's tiny pad if you are so inclined. What makes fighters turn up their nose at this game is the inclusion of a simplified mode (which can be turned off) that allows players to do special moves with the press of a button. This feature actually makes the game incredibly appealing for anyone who is just starting their fighing game career, or casual players. Nevertheless, despite a negative vibe due to all of the pros grumbling the Gamecube version of the game is the most inclusive and technically proficient if you can get over or find an alternative to the Gamecube's tiny digital pad. A personal favorite.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. Sonic Adventure was originally a Dreamcast launch title that launched with the system on September 9th, 1999. It was fairly revolutionary when it was released, and looked better than anything on the market up to that point, other than the original Soul Caliber. In 2003, four years later, it was released for the Gamecube with some Gameboy Advance/Gamecube connectivity features, new missions included and a few new modes. Nothing at that time was able to save the game from being dated, but in retrospect almost ten years later, this turned out to be Sonic's best 3D platforming adventure, and probably the best version of the game. If you like Sonic the Hedgehog or even 3D platformers, this game is an excellent choice.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Crazy Taxi. This version of Crazi Taxi is a straight port of the Dreamcast version that hit stores almost a decade ago. At the time, this game was revolutionary. San Fransico Rush had owned the open world racing genre, but it was Crazy Taxi that game the genre more depth, challenge and fun. Maybe one of the last truly great "Arcade" experiences, Crazy Taxi only offered two different environments, but the depth of gameplay and detail in the environment kept the game interesting long after players had seen most of its virtual world. Definately a period piece in gaming now, Crazi Taxi reeks of the turn of the century with its overly materialistic advertising of many companies that have long gone under and its overuse of four punk-pop metal songs by Offspring and Bad Religion. The Gamecube version is an excellent port, but scored low due to the timing of its release. If you have any interest in Crazy Taxi, play this game.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Resident Evil Zero. Resident Evil Zero follows the story of Rebecca Chambers, a minor character in the original Resident Evil and her partner by fate Billy Coen, chronicling the events leading up the the original Resident Evil. While it isn't a series first, both characters can be used at the same time. This remains the mode of play through out most of the game, where the characters are separated from time to time with the player being able to swap between the two at will. For a game that started development as a Nintendo 64 game, you wouldn't know as its visuals are on par with the Resident Evil remake that was released only nine months before it. This close proximity hurt Resident Evil Zero's reception back in 2002 but don't let that stop you from playing this incredible game. One of the better Resident Evil games and worth playing, albiet not very popular.

This entry is for the Gamecube remake of Resident Evil. The Gamecube remake of the original Resident Evil is better than the original Playstation game in almost everyway, and it almost isn't fair to the Playstation version to compare the two. While the game still uses the often criticized "tank" control scheme, and unlike the previously released Code Veronica for the Dreamcast the game uses static backgrounds with fixed camera angles...no panning here; there are still a number of impressive improvements. First of all, the static backgrounds are only static in reference to the camera angle, in actuality, they are full of animations and excellent effects, as if all the polygons in the game were dropped over top of a DVD quality FMV sequence. While that sounds like a horrible idea, it really is seemless the way the foreground and the backgrounds meld. The game looks better than the CG animation sequences in other Resident Evil games. The game has greatly changed in scope and story, with many of the areas being entirely new and the story expanded togive greater explaination to the later chapters in the series. Other than Resident Evil 4, this is probably the best Resident Evil game there is.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Resident Evil: Code Veronica X. The Gamecube version of this game is a port of the Playstation 2 version of the game, which was a port of the original Dreamcast game. When the game was first released in 2000, it felt fresh. Not because of the controls, which are still the "tank" based controls from all previous entries to the series, but because this Resident Evil was the first game in the series with fully polygonal backgrounds, and while the camera angles were still fixed, they would now move with you and pan and scan, which made the game control much better. While the game had you playing as two different characters like many games in the series before it, both characters were not available from the beginning of the game and must be played through in a particular order. While often over-shadowed by almost every other entry in the series, Resident Evil: Code Veronica X was a landmark title when it was released for the Dreamcast in 2000, and while it lacks a number in its title, it is completely relevant and necessary to the Resident Evil lore.

This entry is for the Gamecube version of Resident Evil 4. Resident Evil 4 is the best Resident Evil game ever made and the best Resident Evil game on the Gamecube. The presentation is breathtaking...other than Twilight Princess, this is the best looking and sounding game on the Gamecube. The gameplay is amazingly fun, the over-the-shoulder view and shooting mechanics work quite well in this game, and is probably the best third person shooter of its generation. While the story is a simple, how it is mixed with the gameplay in the variety of situations in which it throws at you is amazing. The bosses are challenging, the environments are creepy and the enemies are surprisingly intelligent, not the stupid, shuffling zombies from previous entries. This game is an absolute joy to play and an experience that must be had by every gamer. One of the best games ever created, and an absolute must play on the Gamecube.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Reqium. Eternal Darkness is one of the best story-driven survival-horror adventure games ever created. Its insaninty meter is a gameplay mechanic that still hasn't been replicated nearly a decade after its release. As you suffer more tramua, your sanity decreases until you start hallucinating...and the hallucinations are what put this game head and shoulders above the rest. Brought to you from Dennis Dyack and the original team that made Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Eternal Darkness still stands out as the pinnacle of their career. With a story that is better than 95% of the horror movies out there, control that is excellent and varies depending on the build and dimensions of the character, and gameplay mechanics that are still unique to this day, Eternal Darkness easily takes its place as one of the best games of all time. This game must be played. It really is that good.

This is for the Gamecube version of Animal Crossing. Originally released in Japan for the Nintendo 64, Animal Crossing comes to the Gamecube with a load of gimmicks, no visual upgrades but gameplay that is now twice as addicting as it was before. The Gamecube game is still considered one of the best versions because of all of the secrets available, although some of them are little impossible to get due to the obscureness of the peripherals required. The Gamecube/ Gameboy Advance connectivity feature is reasonable and it allows you to travel to a special island in the game, and islands can be swapped with other players using a couple of Gameboy Advances and a link cable, but the items and events that require the e-reader card peripheral are a little more ridiculous. The inclusion of a number of playable Nintendo Entertainment System games are also a real draw for Nintendo fans but getting a Nintendo Entertainment System in the game itself is somewhat of a challenge. Despite all of this, Animal Crossing is highly recommendable, even if it looks and sounds like an Nintendo 64 game. If you play Animal Crossing, you are most certainly going to enjoy yourself. A great game.

This entry is for the Gamecube Game Mario Kart Double Dash. The last Mario Kart ever released that didn't have online play or a Retro cup...Double Dash is very hard to recommend. Everything that makes a great Mario Kart game is here...the tight controls, the addictive play, the excellent presentation....but the inclusion of only sixteen tracks in the entire game is inexcusable, especially after the previously released Gameboy Advance version had twenty. While almost all of the tracks are extremely well designed, it's hard to feel anything but slighted by the overall "lightness" of the features in this package. The are all the standard modes...and even a LAN mode...but who has two televisions, two Gamecubes and two copies of this game? The most disappointing Mario Kart but Double Dash is still worth checking out.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. While the Gamecube is not known as an RPG gamer's system, it certainly has some of the best RPG titles outside of Final Fantasy. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an absolute pleasure to play and a very, very unique RPG. Definely a mix between Mario's platform games and the RPG elements found in any other turn based menu driven RPG, The Thousand-Year door stands out from the rest because of its amazingly light-hearted but entertaining story, its innovative gameplay, and amazing presentation. The characters that you meet in this game, both familiar and new, have very believable and distinctive personalities. In fact, the dialogue is so well written and such a pleasure to read, you'll never find yourself skipping through it and you will actually laugh out loud in a few spots. This game takes something that should be ridiculous, like Mario's universe and turns it into a living, breathing believable and entertaining place...even for adults. Don't let this childish look of the cover keep you from playing this game...it's one of the best RPG experiences out there. I can't recommend this game enough. Everyone should play it.

This entry is for the Gamecube game F-Zero GX. F-Zero GX is one of the most difficult racing games ever created. Every inch of the track must be memorized in order to place, and every move must be mastered in order to rank in the top 3. The game is not impossible, but it sure does feel that way. While it may be extremely difficult, it is also extremely fun. The sounds and visuals are the best that they have ever been in the series, and the game benefits from a darker, more mature design thanks to Sega's AM2 development team. If it wasn't for the punishing difficulty I would easily proclaim that this was the best F-Zero ever made, but at times it can be too much. Even though I love this game myself, it's hard to recommend it to anyone other than sado-masochists, who have a special pride about being "hard core". It doesn't get any more "hard core" than this.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Mario Golf Toadstool Tour. Toadstool Tour is not the first Mario Golf game, but in my opinion it is the best. The controls are excellent, and the variety in the courses is interesting and challenging. There are a variety of play modes, including mini-games that have you doing some very unique exercises related to the game of golf. The presentation is top notch as Mario and company have never looked better and the soundtrack is appropriately cheerful for this type of game. Definately the best golf game on the Gamecube, and one of the greatest golf games ever created.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Wario World. Another game that is not very popular, Wario World is a simple platformer in which Wario must collect a number of items in order complete each world. Developed by Treasure, best known for Super Castlevania IV, Contra III: The Alien Wars and Gunstar Heroes, Wario World is actually an incredibly well designed and well balanced game with a variety of environments and bosses, even though the game is a tad short. With alot of extras to unlock, including downloadable microgames to the Gameboy Advance, I found Wario Ware to be an engaging, challenging and enjoyable platformer. Highly recommended for 3D platforming fans.

This entry is for the Gamecube game Mario Party 4. Mario Party 4 was the first entry of the series for Gamecube and as far as I am concerned, it is also the best Mario Party game on the platform. The mini-games are extremely enjoyable and the boards have a variety of excellent themes and are very interesting. Always a great party game, everyone should own at least one Mario Party title.