NBA 2K2
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (01 March, 2002)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $5.29
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

When Sega decided to discontinue the Dreamcast, it opted to make itsexcellent sports titles available for other consoles. And not a moment too soon. Competition is always good and Sega Sports titles, like NBA 2K2, are someof the best in the business.

NBA 2K2 features all the teams, rosters, and, most importantly, rulechanges (like the now-legal zone defense) found in the real NBA. Player faceshave been mapped to realistic body types (complete with tattoos), so you canidentify a big man like Shaq or a speedster like Iverson without looking attheir numbers. The game takes full advantage of the graphics-rendering power ofadvanced consoles by including better texturing, lighting effects, facialanimations, and a higher polygon count to make sure all the jukes, spins, jumps,and dunks are as realistic as possible. The audio is also good, particularly theplay-by-play, which is accurate and speedy.

The controls are intuitive--even for people used to the Dreamcast--especially inthe area of on-the-fly play calling. You can now use the right analog stickinstead of the digital pad, so you don't have to take your thumb off the maincontrols (left analog stick) to call a new play or change formations. Othercontrols let you quickly and fluidly box out your opponent, spin, shoot, pass,fake, and dunk.

There are also eight street-ball courts, and this addition makes for almost anentirely new game. In this respect, it is the equal of the EA Sports NBA Liveseries. But NBA 2K2 surpasses EA's title with its excellent AI. This gameis challenging, satisfying, and fun in both single and multiplayer modes.--Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Gorgeous graphics
• Intuitive controls
• Great AI

Cons:

• A release date too long after the start of the NBA season

(This review refers to the PlayStation2 version of this game.) ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Worst game ever
This is the worst game I have ever played in my life.

Same as the first.
This game is almost exactly the same as the first. The gameplay is pretty cool, the graphics are great, and the create player mode is awesome. All together its a pretty cool game.

Best Hoops game on ANY platform
I used to LOVE EA Sports's NBA Live series.But, EA started putting emphasis on Dunks and fancy animations, whereas Sega's NBA 2K series concentrated on the nuances of basketball.Whereas in NBA Live every other shot is a dunk (even on the top difficulty level), in this game you have to work for your points, and John Stockton is not going to dunk on Shaq (Something that I saw in Live 2002; I returned that game within a couple of days).
GRAPHICS: Very good.The faces and coaches could use some work, though.
ANIMATION: Superb.The spins, jukes and dunks are all very real.
CONTROL: Very good, with a bit of a learning curve.The new "deflect pass" option is the best innovation in years.
OVERALL: A solid "A". ... Read more

Asin: B00005V6BR
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Sports    5. Outdoors   

NFL Fever 2002
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (02 November, 2001)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $5.29
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

When Microsoft released NFL Fever 2000 on the PC in 1999, it gaveMadden a serious run for its money. It's been a few years, butFever and Madden are once again going head-to-head on the Xbox,and once again Fever proves itself a serious threat to EA's perennialfootball powerhouse. That's not to say that NFL Fever 2002 is a perfectgame, because it isn't, but it does offer great graphics, decent AI, and plentyof bone-crunching gameplay.

NFL Fever 2002 features several gameplay modes, including practice,single game, and season, which itself contains a couple of different options,including dynasty and fantasy challenge. Fever 2002 has a full NFLlicense and includes all 31 current NFL teams--and 15 fantasy teams--along withall the current stadiums. Dynasty mode is where most players will findthemselves, as this mode lets you manage all aspects of your team, includingsigning and cutting players, negotiating trades, and making sure that your teamcomes in under the salary cap.

A great feature in dynasty mode is Dynamic Player Performance, which adjustsplayers' ratings (which determine how well they play) based on past gameperformances. So if you have a second-string running back who rattles off threeor four great games in a row, his rating will increase, which should keep himperforming at that high level. On the flip side, if a player has several poorgames, his rating will decrease.

Because it was designed specifically for the Xbox (unlike Madden NFL2002, which was ported to the Xbox from the PlayStation2 version), NFLFever 2002 looks awesome. Player animations are highly detailed, thestadiums look fantastic, and the weather effects are topnotch. Beyond theobvious features, though, there are many subtle details that really add to theexperience: the field will get torn up in wet weather, player uniforms will getstained with dirt, and the crowd will begin to thin out if the game is ablowout.

In terms of gameplay, Fever 2002 delivers a solid experience. The AI ispretty solid, especially on the defensive side, and if you call a perfect gameit's possible to get a shutout against the computer, even on the higherdifficulty settings. On the downside, the computer rarely runs the ball, evenwhen it has a high-powered running back like Corey Dillon, and AI play callingis rather suspect at times.

Those complaints aside, Fever 2002 is a lot of fun. It offers greatgraphics, multiplayer is a blast, and the dynasty mode features a good deal ofdepth. If you only want one football game, NFL Fever 2002 deserves yourconsideration.--William Harms

Pros:

• Dynamic Player Performance
• Great graphics
• Solid defensive AI

Cons:

• Computer rarely runs the ball
• Gameplay a little arcadelike at times

... Read more

Reviews (144)

best football game ever
madden does not even come close to this game. madden gets way to boring and the game play is bland. fever on the other hand has outstanding graphics and the players look like their out of nfl blitz. the game play isn't as acurate as madden but they make it interesting. i could play this game for 6 months strait and take a day off before i play another 6 months. the gm side of the game is accurate with the draft, trades, free agentcy, and more. the best part is that unlike madden you can rely on a 76 overall runner to get a hundred yards insted of having to trade of sign a guy for 7 mil. my friend got michel bates to run 2000 yards in a year. the best thing is that your players stats switch during the season to improve or to get worse. in madden you have to wait till the year is over before you can develop players. the newer fevers tried to be too much like madden so do yourself a favor and get the best game ever for a really low price. you must be crazy not to get it

Its 2004, but...
...I'm going to review this game anyway. Its a awesome NFL game that gets five stars. But whats the point? Is anyone actually even reading this? Anyway, this game is a great game with great graphics and everything... But it might be a little too late for this review. Ah well. I still play it.

fun but not enough to do but looks great
This game is fun for the first mounth you own it.But after that it is kinda lame.Also they need updated rosters every year.But the plus is the graphics.the are so detailed i say one of the best looking games ever! ... Read more

Asin: B00005NZ1M
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Sports    5. Outdoors   

Spider-Man
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (19 April, 2002)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Spider-Man: The Movie brings your friendly neighborhood web slinger to life with engrossing realism, proving that a superhero game of such complex nature can be achieved with nearly flawless and nonintrusive gameplay. Be it wandering the city's environs in search of villains, or just checking out your surroundings by web-swinging high above them, you truly can do whatever Spider-Man can. It's all here: high-flying aerial battles, the ability to web up and yank your enemies close for pummeling, and the capacity for crawling or web-zipping up, down, and over any surface--and that's just for starters. All in all, this is one involved game that does not fail to live up to the hype.

The game parallels the motion picture's story line, steering you through a progression of challenges that begins with the hunt for Uncle Ben's murderer and ends with a final showdown with the Green Goblin. You begin as Peter Parker dressed in his wrestling costume and must defeat a variety of thugs throughout each level before advancing to the next set of challenges. The game gets progressively tougher as you encounter, in turn, Shocker, the Vulture, Scorpion, and, of course, the Green Goblin.

Visually, Spider-Man is a treat: cityscapes unfold in realistic detail and are enhanced by sunlight shining between buildings; cutscenes offer seamless animation; interiors are painstakingly re-created; and Spider-Man and his enemies are well rendered, moving about the screen in clean fashion. As an added bonus, most characters are voiced by their movie counterparts, and the training mode features the sarcastic wit of Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell. --Larry White

Pros:

• Detailed controls bring Spider-Man to life
• Challenging gameplay enhanced by numerous fight styles
• Stunning visuals at every level

Cons:

• Camera angles slow to respond at times
• Some interiors too dark
• Repetitive one-liners

Note: This review refers to the PlayStation2 version of this game. ... Read more

Features

• Platform: Xbox
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Action/Adventure

Reviews (107)

WHAT THE F*** ?
Did a blind man design the camera system? You can't see who is attacking you! You're getting your butt handed to you becuase you are encircled by a gang and are helpless to do anything about it? W T F????
This game COULD have been awesome, THANK GOD they got it right with spiderman 2. It's a shame because the graphics are good, but the controls are AWFUL. Avoid this like the plauge, spend the extra bucks and get the second spierman movie game....it's a world apart becuase that game is actaully good while THIS ONE SUCKS

Great Game
I loved this game.I have played levels over and over again.It is really fun.I don't think it's all that hard.Okay so the big machine in Oscorp and hiding from the Oscorp is a little challeging, but overall it is fairly easy.I recomend this game to people who love to go across the city via web and to anyone who liked the movie.

Nice, but....
Visually attractive, the storyline is loyal to the movie plus some adds to it like the scorpion chracter. Cool combo moves and nice backgrounds. Ok, here's the dilemma, when Spiderman is searching for the bad guys, where the hell is the web hanging from? a cloud? a helicopter that follows Spiderman wherever he goes? I know it's just a little detail but it is very notable. Besides that, the game itself is good but it gets from very easy to very hard from one level to the next. Buy it if you liked the movie, rent it if you want to distract yourself a while. ... Read more

Asin: B00005U8TR
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Action    5. Adventure   

World Series Baseball
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (24 May, 2002)
list price: $49.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

In 2001, Sega and developers Visual Concepts--the same people who brought you the NFL 2Kx series and other sports games--turned out a solid console baseball game that was a major improvement on the previous version and the first with head-to-head Internet play. This version for the Xbox marks a similar leap in quality, combining some of the best features of its competitors into one well-considered whole. Alas, the only thing missing is Internet play.

Going beyond motion-capturing batting stances (there are 89 distinct ones in here by my count), they've done a great job of animating pretty much every aspect of the game in pitch delivery, fielding, and base-running. The instant replay system, which borrows from and improves upon the one seen in the High Heat series, allows you to move the camera anywhere on the field to see the realistic movements at any speed. You can also use the feature to see the game's sophisticated artificial intelligence--for example, there's a brief, realistic delay when a player tags up from third on an outfield fly.

There's also a solid pitching game that lets a starter like Tim Hudson get off without a shelling when pitching heat down the middle, but try it with a pitcher like Byung-Hyun Kim and you're bound to see different results. And the TV-style zone chart shows which locations each batter is best at connecting to and where your sequence of pitches has landed.

A number of the new features are so obvious that you may wonder why you've never seen them before. One is a controller map in the pause menu that quickly shows you exactly which buttons perform the task you want. An option is also included that sets the relative speed of pitches to the plate. This really comes in handy when coming from another baseball game like All-Star Baseball 2003 where pitches seem to blur to the plate.

To put it bluntly, the game has almost no downside. There are some very powerful GM and manager functions--including a fantasy draft and exhaustive franchise tools--though using them is somewhat counterintuitive. Stealing is kind of tough to pull off; in one game, Ichiro got caught twice out of three attempts. And, as stated above, there's no Internet play--but that gives us something to look forward to for next year. --Porter B. Hall

Pros:

• Realistic player movement
• Smart AI
• TV-style zone chart marks hot and cold areas for each batter
• Variable pitch-appearance speeds

Cons:

• No head-to-head play over the Internet

... Read more

Reviews (53)

Franchise
The franchise mode for this game is unbelievable as you can now watch your players develope throughout their entire careers. Cons of this franchise mode is that there are glitches such as during the middle of the your season your lineup may be discomobulated by the computer. The gameplay sucks as it always has. World series 2k1 is by far the best baseball game ever. So if you want pitches to come in unbelievably slow then this is the game for you.

Stats dont even carry out through carrer, game [bad]
I bought this game after reading how great it was and I found out after many hors playing that is is a patheticclly boring game. Theres no salary cap and stats dont carry through careers. dont buy this gam trust

i love this game!!!!!!!
i love this game because of the great franchise mode and how real the players look. it also has great gameplay and features. ... Read more

Asin: B0000664J8
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Sports    5. Outdoors   

Elder Scrolls: Morrowind
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (12 June, 2002)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a sprawling, first person, open-ended fantasy role-playing game. It's a direct port of the PC version, and truly shows off the power of the Xbox.

Morrowind can be described with a single word: mind-numbingly-massive (okay, I cheated). You can do virtually anything you want. There is a main quest, but there are also hundreds of side quests (over 350 of them), and the game is completely nonlinear. You can be a hero, a villain, a pilgrim, a saint, or even a vampire. You name it, and chances are you can be it. There are also no geographical constraints; you can wander where you want, when you want.

The amount of control you have in Morrowind is stunning. When you create a character, you can either choose from premade classes, have one assigned to you depending on how you answer a questionnaire, or create your own class. You can also choose one of 13 signs under which your character is born, which will give you bonuses, handicaps, or both. There are so many stats and skills to accumulate, you can easily spend hours experimenting with character types before you even start the game.

Morrowind's magic system brings a tear to my eye--not only do you have seven schools of magic (Conjuration, Illusion, Destruction, Restoration, Mysticism, Alteration, Enchant), but you also have an alchemy system, from which you can create potions from ingredients you can either buy or find in the wild. In addition, you can trap the souls of enemies you kill and bind them into items to create magic artifacts. Very cool. And of course, there are all the scrolls, magical items, etc., that you find in your travels.

Another boon is the thieving system. You can pick locks, disarm traps, pick pockets, and learn acrobatics. You can taunt, insult, or intimidate others as well as haggle for better deals in the market. And since you can steal (or try to steal) almost every item you see, business is good! This game was designed with a thief's eye.

The game itself is gorgeous. The graphics, sound, frame rate... all smooth as silk. You can spend hours just looking at the outlandish scenery and picking the flowers (literally). The musical score is rousing, and never gets old. The different creatures and people have their own voices and sounds. This is a game that makes anything but high-end computers cry, and it works on the Xbox without a hitch.

Okay, so Bethesda's Morrowind sounds like the greatest thing since... well... Bethesda's Elder Scrolls II, but does it have any flaws? Well, Morrowind is definitely geared toward magic users and thieves, but it is lacking when it comes to fighting. There are many battles in Morrowind, but they boil down to clicking your button and hitting your foe with either a melee or missile weapon. That's it. Combat gets old fast. In addition, the travel journal is purely elementary. It lists all the quests you undertake, but there is no way to sort them, or erase quests that you have finished. After a while, it takes a long time to find information. This is probably the biggest flaw in the game.

Bottom line: Morrowind is a PC-style RPG for a PC-style console. This game is reason enough to buy an Xbox, and will have hard-core RPG fans singing its praises for years to come. --Bryan Karsh

Pros:

• Thief and magic-user heaven
• Do whatever you want
• Beautiful graphics and sound

Cons:

• Simplistic battle system
• Can't sort/edit quests in travel journal

... Read more

Reviews (264)

wooooow!!! this is a good game
that kid brainmuff that
thinks this game is stupid probaly
the stupidest kid.
THIS GAME IS AWSOME.
i will tell you why.
first it doesnt
take long to kill anything.
If you just get good armor
magic and WEAPONS it wont take
a sec.BUT dont get fooled this game
is damn hard to steal and the
enemys are strong.SECOND,listen carefully
YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT
AND GO ANYWHERE.third is this games
has very nice grapghics
that move smoothly and thats
another think that gives the game
a 5 star rating.that brainmuff kid is stupid and just dont listen when he said this game
sucks.oh ya,and if you agree
with him you should die to.

ultimate rpg
this game has it's ups and downs.the ups are its massive worlds and vast storyline.the cons include its repetitiveness and have the potential to overwhelm users not used to rpgs.i consider this the mother of all rpgs because it is so massive.at first i was overwhelmed by its complexity that i had to back off from it for quite some time.i got back into it later, but i just don't have the 400 hours needed to finish the main plot.i suggest beginning with the dark alliance series and then d&d heroes before getting into this game.i applaud its complexity, though i need no life to play it.

One of the best games of all time...
I bought this game about two years ago(around when it came out) and I still play it all of the time. In fact ive used almost half of my xbox's harddrive playin this thing! It's that good. It's too bad that this game didn't get the amount of attention that groundbreaking games like DOOM or QUAKE got because it sure as hell deserves it.

REASONS YOU SHOULD BUY:
-This game is HUGE! You'll almost never runs out of things to do.
-Graphics and detail is amazing.
-Vvardenfal, the fantasy island the game takes place on, is almost a lifesize continent. It would take you days to cover all of it.
- The amount of creatures and people to find, kill, rob or have a good chat with is neverending.
- Completing quests (main or side) and treasure hunting can keep you occupied for days or even months (it's that addicting).
- And the most important reason of all, YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! In fact you don't even have to do the main quest if you don't want to(although you should because it's a good storyline and you get a bunch of skills, cash, and good items along the way).

Now you want to know the bad parts right? Well i can only think of one which is the fighting. The action in this game is pretty damn limited which turns alot of gamers off. But id still recommend this game to you action fans (like myself) who have never been a fan of rpg's because by the time your through with this game you will be. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OWBL
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft   

HALO
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (09 November, 2001)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

More often than not, when a game is in development for more than threeyears, it does not live up to the hype. Bungie's Halo is the exception.Not only does it meet expectations, it greatly exceeds them. This sci-fifirst-person shooter is a nearly perfect blend of gameplay, graphics, and sound.

The story revolves around the conflict between humans and an alien race known asthe Covenant. The aliens have discovered a powerful artifact--on the ring-shapedplanet called Halo--that will shift the balance of power, and it's up to theplayer to stop them. In addition to several first-person-shooter levels, thegame offers numerous opportunities to engage in vehicular combat. Both the enemyand allied artificial intelligence are extremely impressive. Enemies will usethe terrain and layout to put you in tight spots. Allies will know when to coverand aid you. For instance, if you hop into a jeep, an ally will know to jump inand man the turret on the back of it.

The graphics are exquisitely detailed, but only move at 30 frames per secondrather than 60. The sound effects and voice acting are superb. The level designis among the best ever; most of the game is engaging and challenging withoutbeing frustrating. There's also high replay value thanks to the built-insingle-player, cooperative, and deathmatch modes.

Much like the outstanding GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo 64, Haloraises the bar for console first-person shooters. All console action games willbe measured against Halo for years to come. --Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Outstanding game design
• High replay value
• Impressive AI

Cons:

• Several maps are used multiple times
• Save functions could have been better implemented
• Graphics move at 30 frames per second, not 60

... Read more

Features

• Huge Weapon Variety - Vanquish your enemies with a vast array of Human or Covenant weaponry ranging from the stealthy (semi-automatic pistols and needler guns) to the fierce (rocket launchers and blasters).
• Vehicle and Foot-Based Action - Tackle missions anyway you choose - be it storming an enemy base or taking the wheel or gunnery position of a variety of powerful vehicles. Vehicles range from stolen Covenant flyers to Human buggies and more.
• Indoor and Outdoor Combat - Fight seamlessly in Halo's ultra-realistic indoor and outdoor environments as you hunt the Covenant in a variety of single player missions and multiplayer battles.
• Intense Multiplayer Shoot-outs - Form a team, choose a role, and fight cooperatively with your friends, battle it out Deathmatch style via intense split screen, LAN-play or fight co-op with a friend through the single player missions.
• Incredible Mission Variety - Fight the Covenant in a variety of missions as you uncover the darksecrets of halo. Among your many objectives - attack enemy outposts, raid underground labs for advanced technology, rescue fallen comrades, steal alien vehicles and weaponry and snipe enemy forces.

Reviews (1608)

Setting the bar for First-Person Shooters
I admit, I never had any desire to even buy an X-Box. I was convinced that it didn't have any games that could match, let alone surpass, anything of the same genre on the PS2. Oh, how wrong I was.

First a word of oh-so-obvious warning, this game has been givin a well-earned "M for Mature" rating. In other words keep it away from the kiddies.

Now that that's outta the way here's the skinny. You start as the Master Chief, The last of the Spartan-II super soldiers. The ship you're on, The Pillar of Autumn, is under heavy attack from the enemy, An alien race know as the Covenant. Outgunned and seriously outnumbered, you must fight you way to an escape pod and that's just the first level. It doesn't get any easier from there.

The music goes really well with the levels and is by far one of the best scores ever written. The actors do a splendid job performing their roles. I could swear that SGT. Johnson is the same cigar chomping sarge from "Aliens" but maybe that's just me. The graphics are outstanding. The different enviorments add to the mystery of this strange alien device called Halo.

I must emplore everyone reading this review to remember when this game was released. Naturally this game's graphics can't compare to something like Final Fantasy X, but again check when they where released.

The weapons are very well done. If the enemy get too close you can use you gun for a melee attack and no two are alike. The human weapons have a very military feel to them. Each one built for it's speical use. The Cov. weapons are really fun. Whereas I am fond of the Needler gun, others may prefer the Plasma Rifle. Maybe that's because once you're out of ammo you can find more for the Needler, but you have to find a new gun with the Rifle.

Keep an eye out for ammo cashes and medpacs. There are a few in every level but sometimes you have to find them. Best of all some have different weapons you may need. Perhaps just as useful is the Chief's built-in flashlight. Very helpful in those foggy and lowlight areas. Yes, it does let them enemy (Cov or...) know your postion, so use it wisely.

All in all this Game is the single reason the X-Box is still even on the map, much less the market. Microsoft knows this. Why do you think Halo 2 is so short? Microsoft is gonna need something to get thier X-Box 360(I think That's what they're calling it after all that fuss) off to a good start. I hope this review is helpful.

2 thumbs way up!
Hmmm, where to begin?This game kicks, that's all there is to it.No cheat codes, great storyline-escept for the fact that the marines fight for the UN, and not a more worthy world power, but no biggie.Great sound effects, storyline, wepon selection, music, charachter customizability, co-op, multiplayer, and maps.The enemies AI, however, will probably leave something to be desired...

The xbox's first killer app
I was the biggest Sony fanboy for so long.I refused to believe that the stupid xbox could outshine my gorgeous PS2.This all changed in the summer of '04.That was the fist time I played Halo.Since them I've probably beaten the game 30 times.My xbox is now my best friend, and sometimes my PS2 and Gamecube just have to sit and watch.

Halo is no doubt the original killer app for xbox.Halo 2 has since taken the crown thanks to its phenomenal multiplayer, but every loves to go back to Halo and relive that first rush they got playing the game and beating it on Legendary.In fact, I believe that this game was made to be played on Legendary.It may be frustrating at times, but when you finally beat it, there's a sense of relief like no other.

The single player game is awesome.Sure, the levels may be slightly repetitive, but you'll have your finger on the trigger so much that you won't even notice walking through the same hall a dozen times.When the end product overshadows any little things that may bother some people, you know you have a winner.The AI is amazing, especially on Legendary.You may quickly find yourself being ambushed, and those brushes with death make the game truly shine.

Halo brought on what many people believe is the biggest multiplayer revolution since Goldeneye on N64.With the addition of vehicles, it was easy to spend hours playing 4 player FFA or 2 vs 2 team games.When I discovered that you could link 4 xbox's together to system link, I was in awe.8 vs 8 games of CTF on Blood Gulch is still classic.NOTE:Halo is NOT xbox live capable.PC owners are reviewing on the xbox game stating how fun it is to play online.This feature is PC only for Halo.If you want online play, go for Halo 2.

So if you were like me, a Sony, or even a Nintendo fanboy, I dare you to give Halo a try.You might find yourself going to Best Buy tomorrow to pick up your own xbox.And at a newly released Platinum price of 19.99, it's hard to say no. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NZ1G
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Action    5. Adventure   

Max Payne
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (18 December, 2001)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Max Payne's wife and baby daughter were slain by junkies hopped up on adangerous new synthetic drug. For three years, Max has worked undercover to findthe source of these drugs, and, just when he's almost got it figured out,somebody ices his superior and pins the murder on him. Now it's payback time asMax faces off against the Mob, the police, and much, much worse. MaxPayne has jumped from the computer screen to the PlayStation2 and there'sgoing to be hell to pay.

Max Payne uses extremely realistic graphics to showcase a grittyfilm-noir-inspired New York City. Payne stalks subways, tenements, nightclubs,and even government installations as he takes his vengeance out on a horde ofgun-toting bad guys. Taking a page from the visual style of famed directorJohn Woo, as well as TheMatrix, Max Payne lets the player launch into a slow-motion modegenerally known as "bullet time," which makes dodging enemy fire and dishing outyour own return fire a breeze, all while leaping side to side. While this looksextremely cool to do, it also evens the odds and can only be used for limitedamounts of time, making it a strategic as well as aesthetic option.

And speaking of aesthetics, the game is packed with exciting moments, weapons,and locations, even if the enemies get a little redundant after a while. Thelevel design ranges from inspired (a multilevel parking garage) to humdrum (awarehouse) and several levels actually take place in the twisted wonderland ofthe hero's warped psyche. The introduction scenes consist of painted photospresented in graphic-novel style, which is a stylistic choice that paysdividends, even though the writing is hilariously bad and the voice acting is,if possible, even worse.

Needless to say, all this is violent, disturbing, and not at all for the kids.Pay attention to the Mature rating; it's not there for decoration. --BobAndrews

--This review refers to thePlayStation2 version of thegame.

Pros:

• Photorealistic graphics
• Fantastic cinematic action

Cons:

• Terrible writing
• Even worse voice acting

... Read more

Reviews (190)

"Max killed himself as he faced another tedious maze!"
Having recently bought an X-Box there were a few games that I decided to buy after reading the hyped reviews. It could even be said that some games fall into the so-called "classic" family of games; Max Payne was touted as one. I got this pretty cheap so bought it based on the recommendations and glowing feedback.

Well let's say I half hated it and half liked it (Not loved it). I only just like it a bit more than I hate it, and I think after beating it to the end I'll either trade it in, sell it, or let it sit for days when I just want to play a couple of levels shooting people and nothing more.

What really killed the enjoyment factor of this game for me is the
awful writing and faux - ( for kids, this means fake ) - wanna-be,Raymond Chandler-esque storyline. I have pretty much everything Chandler wrote on my shelves at home and let me tell you *I* was turning in my grave... I ain't even in it, yet. Lord knows what Chandlers thinking about now. Some of the dialogue was beyond lame and it just bogged down into drivel; tedious at that. There was many a time that had I not needed to find out where in the story line I was, I would have happily skipped the cut scenes with dialogue. Yuck factor 9.5.

Then the biggest thing to kill the pleasure of this game, the coup de grace of annoyance and rage that formed a hatred in me for this game...

THE MAZES!!!! and the BLOOD LINES!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

There was nothing more tedious, pointless, plot destroying and just plain stupid than these devices. I saw no point in totally slowing down the pace of the story with these idiotic drug and dream sequences. Running along in darkness with the aim of jumping and balancing for loooooooong periods of time with controllers like the X-Box type made me hate this game more than anything else! Everytime I got a whiff of a pending dream sequence I could feel my blood pressure rising.

I have actually paused the game in the middle of another blood line sequence in part three, to come and write this review. My hatred of these sequences is so strong it compelled me to write this review just to warn people that this is what you have to look forward to as a reward for getting through the tougher parts of the game ... not that it's that tough, but wheres the rewards?! Instead they want to torture you with these mazes that drone onnnnnnnn and oonnnnnnnnn.

I'm giving the game a 3 for the actual shooting aspects as I enjoy the gunning and running. If I could give the game 2.5 I think this would be more realistic. I don't even want to buy Payne 2 because I am so put off by the mazes in this game. I also think the game has saves in some really stupid places which makes you tediously repeat some sections over and over when you have come a long way through them.

I hired GTA 3 the other night and this is my idea of a game...

Max Payne is fun and yet tedious; the fun is good fun but the tedium is too much. I don't mind mazes either, I've played and loved Prince of Persia which has awesome mazes. Max Payne is pretty much, Max PAIN in the *SS. If you like it that way then then your in for a real treat!

Lot of fun if you're in a "shooter" state of mind
I'm not a game expert but I had a lot of fun playing this game. True you shoot every thing that moves but the scenes are cool and realistic. If you feel like shooting, get this game...

I'd rather drink cyanide than play this again.
I believe the title spells it out people. This game is the worst game ever. I'm a 17 year old and playing this was like torture. I love killing things and blowing them up as much as the next guy, and prolly a little more. But come on now! EVERYTHING IN THIS GAME DIES!

I was a little annoyed after watching those junkies kill his wife and kid, and i said, ok maybe this is just the beginning. I played it until just after entering the bank through the subway, (for those of you who haven't experienced the misfortune, thats like the 2nd section of the 1st level) and by the time I got there I took it out of my XBOX, broke it, and through it away. I wouldn't even pawn this on another gamer because it was so bad! Crappy gameplay, script, graphics, story, everything. Bullet Time was OK, except he seems to dive everywhere, he can't just stand in one spot and shoot, but that coulda been just me.

If you are one of the few people who haven't played this game, be VERY happy! AVOID IT! I wish I could take back the few minutes I played on it, because they were completely wasted and I think i got dumber from playing it. (Not to mention disgusted as hell) ... Read more

Asin: B00005RCQ5
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Action    5. Adventure   

Project Gotham Racing
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (17 November, 2001)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Bizarre Creations, the developer of Metropolis Street Racer forDreamcast, makes its Xbox debut with a sequel of sorts. Project GothamRacing is very similar to its predecessor, except with refined gameplaymechanics and vastly improved graphics. The focus of this racer is unique, asit's centered on the "kudos" system. Players are rewarded bonus points forsustaining slides, riding on two wheels, catching air, clean driving, andpassing other drivers. Chaining any of these actions together results inhigh-scoring combinations. So in addition to trying to finish the race first, theplayer must worry about style and technique to succeed in this game. The kudossystem is fun and definitely makes this game stand out from the competition.

Another highlight is the game's detailed graphics. The more than 200 circuitsbased on London, Tokyo, San Francisco, and New York are extremely authentic.Those familiar with the cities are sure to do a double take at the numerouscourses. The game's cars are also beautifully rendered and feature impressivereflection and lighting effects.

Gameplay is quite diverse with quick race, arcade race, kudos challenge, timeattack, and multiplayer modes. Kudos challenge alone features nine differenttypes of gameplay that range among races, time trials, and obstacle courses. Theonly significant drawback with Project Gotham Racing is its difficulty.Most players will find that two-thirds to three-quarters of the way through, thegame becomes exceedingly difficult to the point where it's more frustrating thanfun. Despite this problem, it still provides dozens of hours of entertainmentfor most and a challenging time for hard-core gamers. All players will findProject Gotham Racing a truly distinct and beautiful racer. --RaymondM. Padilla

Pros:

• Unique gameplay
• Exquisitely beautiful cars
• Detailed levels that look like the real cities

Cons:

• Frustratingly difficult towards the end
• Fewer cars than other racing games

... Read more

Features

• Kudos reward system - players are rewarded by a ratings system scoring their style, dexterity and ultimate success. Kudos is a measure of the recognition players personally receive for the skill, flair and daring they drive with, and for the accomplishments achieved throughout the game.
• 20 radical and stylish cars from top manufacturers - wide range of vehicles offer players a variety of high-performance driving experiences.
• 300+ circuits, in four cities (London, Tokyo, San Francisco, New York) - the large number of tracks offer players the best circuit-based racing in four of the world's greatest cities.
• Each of the 12 areas in the four cities has been accurately modeled to capture their most intricate geographical details.
• The look and feel of each city is enhanced with radio stations and DJs broadcasting the hottest tunes.

Reviews (229)

Great game, not as good as the second though. (Obviousely)
No doubt that Project Gotham Racing is an extremely fun game, but it is just not as good as the second one. I will make this review in PRO/CON format. It is basically your average racing game with the addition of Kudos, which are basically points that you get for cutting sharp turns.

PRO:
1.Graphics are over average
2.Audio (If you like rap)
3.The idea of Kudos is pretty neat.

CON:
1.Not as many cars as PGR 2
2.Not as many maps as PGR 2
3.Not very realistic
4.Not online
5.Can get frustrating at times

This game definetely gets a 5/5 in terms of how fun it is, but there is just way less features in this one then there is in the second PGR 2 which is the reason why i gave it a 3/5.

Awful
I didnt think id see the day where there would be a racing game this bad. No career mode at all, theres no storyline, it takes forever to unlock things and all you can do is quick race and arcade race. HUGE waste of $20. Dont buy unless you like bieng bored to death.

Project Gotham Racing
Metropolis Street Racer may have been announced early on in the Dreamcast cycle, but by the time the game was released, the system was on its last legs. Never mind the fact that this took place over the course of under two years -- it was a shame on all parts. MSR had its problems, but the fact that someone had taken the racing simulation and tried to pull off something truly unique was to be applauded.


In a stroke of luck, not only was the developer Bizarre Creations recognized for their work, but they were given the opportunity to do their racer one better for the launch of a new console system. While Project Gotham isn't quite a sequel, it's certainly a revamp of the MSR formula, and a honing of the Kudos formula that made the game so unique. It's a new way to look at racing, and while it's going to be criticized for focusing on a different aspect of racing than most people are used to, that's also part of what makes this game a new experience worthwhile for anyone who calls themselves a racing fan.

For those of you that felt like Gran Turismo's levels were too long and drawn out, you've got your savior. Of course, you've probably also got Attention Deficit Disorder, but either way, a big bulk of Gotham's gaming takes place in tiny, bite-sized pieces that stress specific skills. The entire game is sectioned up into three major modes: Kudos, Quick and Arcade races, each of which tests your general driving skills, your racing skills, and your technique skills respectively. Each mode is split up into race sets, and you can choose the order of each race, and beat them at your leisure. Can't finish all for races in level one of the Arcade race mode? Try playing the Kudos mode until you unlock a faster car, then go try it again. It's freeing to be able to play the races in the order you want, when you feel like it.

Part of the reason the game is structured this way is because the game is about technique, not simple wins. So you can unlock cars by getting first place in a set of races, by beating a certain car in a one-on-one race, or by getting a certain total number of Kudos. Even in races, the Kudos are always the factor in winning, not simply a place number. At first, the Kudos bonus you get for getting in the top three is enough to have you win a race, but as you get further in the game, things will get tougher, and you'll have to actually place and get a minimum amount of Kudos to win. You can't just play sloppy and expect to get far in Gotham -- you're going to have to learn to play like a champ.

Fortunately, the Kudos system is a lot easier to handle in Gotham. You can points by sustained slides (without hitting any walls), for getting on two wheels, for catching air, overtaking another car, and of course combos based on doing any of them in quick succession. In Arcade mode it's even tougher, because in order to hit the high scores needed to get gold in the races, you'll have to do all the above while keeping yourself going through sets of green pylons at a speed fast enough to keep the score from totaling. It's brutally tough, but so much fun that you'll put yourself through sweaty sessions on one race just to learn to read the track and get you and your car playing perfectly.

Your competition is just as ruthless as the courses, and when you're in one on one races you'll spend most of the time peering through the rear view mirror, trying to block your opponent from passing you. Sometimes you can manipulate the AI to your advantage by simply slamming cars to slow you down and help you around corners, but they're smart enough to aggressively seek out gaps and pass you on straightaways. More often than not you'll be slamming your fist because a stupid cornering mistake you've made, not because you felt the AI's been unfair or overly stupid.

I was a big fan of the heavier feel of the cars in MSR, and I instantly fell in love with the control in Gotham, particularly in the subtleties between the cars. Because you're doing so much turning, sliding, and braking, you'll find yourself intimately aware of the differences between an Audi TT Coupe and a Focus, just on how well they brake at certain speeds, or take tight turns. This is a game that should be judged on its control first and foremost, and in that regards this is a fantastic example of racing precision.

This one's not for everyone. That being said, neither is the Tekken or Gran Turismo series. Both are games that require some heavy duty dedication to really find the beauty of their respective play mechanics, and Gotham is no different. It's a tough game that demands perfection more often than not, and to beat some particular races you'll be restarting the entire race the moment you've made an error. But if you're meticulous enough to enjoy getting into the meat of a deep title like this one, you'll find that the designers have really tried to create a new driving experience, and for the most part, succeeded in doing just that.

Though I wish the environments were handled with more flair, the cars are beautiful, and the gameplay is polished and fun. If you can get over the tight corners and lower-speed racing involved, you'll be amazed by the depth of the game, not to mention the technique required to master it. Add to that the most in-depth music manager of any Xbox game yet, and an amazing pack-in soundtrack, and you've got yourself an awesome reason to buy an Xbox as a racing fanatic.


... Read more

Asin: B00005NZ1J
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Racing    5. Flying    6. Sports    7. Outdoors   

NFL 2K2
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (11 January, 2002)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Sega Sports NFL franchise charges onto the next-generation footballgridiron with NFL 2K2, an electrifying new game that's exciting to watch and even better to play. Created by the team that owns the genre on Dreamcast,NFL 2K2 for the Xbox video game system combines the superior gameplay ofits predecessors with brilliant graphics and broadcast-quality presentationpossible only on today's most sophisticated interactive entertainmentsystems. On the field, the offense is juiced with true-to-life QB logic andan advanced passing/catching system that redefines receiver intelligence. Onthe sidelines and in the booth, the authenticity of an NFL contest shinesthrough with detailed player faces, TV-style camera work, and colorcommentary. Complete with updated rosters and stadiums for the 2001 season,prepare to generate the power of the NFL in 2K2! ... Read more

Reviews (36)

NFL 2K2
Bought this tape for my kids, they love it.

This game rocks!
I got this game for my birthday this year.I can honestly say it is the most realistic football game to date.I'm not knocking Madden because that game is good too.NFL Fever is weak, its like playing with Super Mario guys.Totally unrealistic.NFL2k3 on the other hand looks and feels like you are watching a REAL NFL game.The addition of the ESPN license didn't kill this title it only made it better.You will feel like its really sunday and you are watching a real game.After the play the players with help each other up, pat each other on the back, or wince when they drop a pass.And during the game you get scores from around the league via an ESPN news ticker, just like on the real ESPN.I have loved NFL2k series since it first came out and have only bought them.Your either a Madden fan or a Sega fan.I'm a Sega fan and glad I am.

Extreme difficulty levels
I am a new XBox owner, much older than most players, and 2K2 is my first game. With that said, the graphics and sound are tremendously lifelike. To a casual observer walking past the TV the game almost looks and sounds like a real game. The game has three difficulty levels. On the rookie level, after a few practices I picked a mediocre team, the Cowboys, and blitzed undefeated to the Super Bowl Championship, winning 42-7. I switched to the second level of difficulty and was continually slaughtered. Receivers almost always dropped the ball or the pass was intercepted. Three defenders smothered the receiver or the runner no matter what play I tried. So I am disappointed that there is that much difference in the levels of difficulty. I will have to be content to playing the rookie level unless I want to depress myself playing the next level. ... Read more

Asin: B00005QWWF
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Sports    5. Outdoors   

Burnout
Average Customer Review:
Video Game

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (14)

Get ready to crash!!!
This game is one of the only few games that you can crash with cars. The awesome thing is that it tells you how much money you would have to pay for both for your damage and the damage of the other cars. You can flip in the air!!! My gosh. If you like car racing games and you positively LOVE crashing. Just spend a little bit of $$$ for this great game!!!

sweetness
In this game, there is no such thing as saying "slow down".It is really fast and if you are a wreckless driver you can go even faster.It also has great graphics and sound.The crashes are really realistic and it gives you an insurance cost for each crash.But there isn't very many cars to choose from and not very many courses.But besides that it is the coolest game in the world and you have to buy it.

Burnout-A Review by NewAtomMan
If you're looking for a great racer for Xbox,look no further than Burnout.It has great graphics,it's exciting,and the crashes are very realistic.

Burnout plays like any ordinary racing game.Try to finish in first place.But,you also have to drive recklessly through a fully populated city.If you drive into oncoming traffic,and almost miss other cars,you'll fill your Burnout meter,and when it's full,you gain an incredible amount of speed.So fast,everything around you (cars,ECT.) will start to blur!

PROS:
1.Great graphics
2.Exciting gameplay
3.You get to go super-fast
4.You have to weave through a fully populated city,avoiding crashes
5.Realistic crashes

CONS:
1.Only a few cars to choose from
2.Only a few courses
3.Whenever you crash,the game shows two or three replays of it,meanwhile other cars are leaving you in the dust
_________________________________________________________________

GRAPHICS: 9/10
Not the best on Xbox,but still good.You can see windows shatter into particles,reflections off of you car and on the road,ECT.
_________________________________________________________________

SOUND: 10/10
Your car's engine sounds realistic,you can hear the glass break from a crash,cars smashing against the ground,and horns beeping throughout the city clearly.
_________________________________________________________________

CONTROLS:10/10
The controls are simple. Right trigger for gas,left for brake,ECT.

_________________________________________________________________

GAMEPLAY:8/10
You still have to finish in first,but to add a little excitement,you have to dodge cars and fill up your Burnout meter.Whenever you crash,you have to watch two or three replays of your car crashing,and after them,it shows the crash's points,in insurance money.Once,one of my friends got a $600,000 fine for destroying a tanker along with several other cars.

_________________________________________________________________

Overall,Burnout from Acclaim is a great arcade-like racer for Xbox,GameCube,and PS2.If you don't have it already,then you should wait for Burnout 2 to come out on May 1st.Burnout 2 is a lot better than Burnout 1. ... Read more

Asin: B0000631VI
Sales Rank: 2658
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Racing    5. Flying