Features

• In Advent Rising, a common legend pervades the galaxy - that of a powerful, ancient race that will one day unite the universe
• Millions of cultures from vastly different worlds revere and hallow these mythological beings known as humans
• One race, the Seekers, know humans actually exist and are threatened by their potential power
• Under the guise of benevolent explorers, the Seekers travel throughout the galaxy in a desperate attempt to eradicate any human society they unearth

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

Features

• A collection of brand new moves put even more control in your hands
• Dynasty mode lets you build your team and watch your franchise flourish for up to 25 seasons
• For 1 to 4 players
• Become an offensive All-Star and dominate the court in NBA Live 2005
• Take on All Stars from around the country in online tournaments

Reviews (28)

Amazing!!!
I got this game a few days ago and have barely put it down. It is very realistic and has wonderful gameplay. It has ups and downs but overall it is great.

Pros:
Realistic and fun gameplay
Many cool gameplay modes

Cons:
Shots, do not look realistic at all

Ridiculous at lower levels, great at All Star level!
I owned the game about a month, won the championship with the Lakers(!) at the Starter level.All you had to do was steal the ball from the opponent, throw it up court on a fast break and dunk.Won most games by 20 while playing 8 minute qtrs.Fun for the first couple games, extremely boring after that.Then I tried the All Star level....way different ball game!...and much more enjoyable.It is very realistic in my opinion.Fast breaks are far less frequent but still possible, especially if you play like a real team (i.e. change individual match ups and defenses) and force turnovers.Offense is real challenging.The quick plays are great once you understand the purpose of each play.If you work for your shots and pass the ball you can get good open shots and finish with a high team shooting percentage (~50%).Now playing 12 min qtrs, and scores are realistic.I stunk, with the Lakers, to start the season, but I finally picked up on how to play and have had more success.I expect to be below 0.500 for the season which is what the real Lakers finished.2nd season should be more fun.

My only complaint is with the quick plays.I would have had a lot more fun right away if the plays were explained.You have to really know basketball to know how the plays work.After some research I learned how several of the plays work and I started to do better.And forget the Prima guide.I picked one up for cheap, but it did not discuss any of the plays either.It went over the basic functions (e.g. steals, fade aways) but that was it.It mostly covered the slam dunk contest stuff and individual ratings which is helpful if you are more interested in in-game functions.

ONE OF THE BEST...
THIS IS THE BEST BASKETBALL GAME OUT, IF YOU WANT A FASTPACED GAME THEN BUY THIS TITLE! THE FREESTYLE IS EVEN BETTER THIS YEAR AND EVERYTHING LOOKS BETTER THAN IT DID IN O4. iF I WERE YOU I WOULDNT PAY MORE THAN 25$ FOR THIS TITLE. tHE ONE THING I HATED WAS THE PLAYER RATUINGS, THEY GAVE LEBRON AND CARMELLO LOW RATINGS ALONG WITH SHAQ AND EVEN YAO MING, THEY BOLTH DESERVE 99 RATINGS THEY ARE UNSTOPABLE! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Sports    7. Outdoors   

Features

• Control and interact with over 15 breeds of dog, each with distinct traits and abilities.
• Real game variety - each dog handles differently and can be used to solve different puzzles.
• Unique smellovision mode which allows you to see the world through Jake's eyes.
• Massive free-roaming environments to explore, with a wealth of characters, mini-games and interactive features to play with.
• Over 40 hours of accessible play.

Reviews (23)

Fun, amusing game.
I am a teenager, and I really enjoyed this game.In Dogs Life, you control a dog, Jake, who is trying to find his friend.If you win some of the games, you can control another dog for a limited amount of time.Here are some of the pros and cons of the game:

Pros:
*easy to move Jake around.
*if you are bored, you can always collect smells
*you can meet and talk to different people
*you can use or not use a memory card and it is fun both ways

Cons:
*is not really that inappropriate to be rated teen
*you sometimes have to find items for someone like eggs or batteries and that can get a little tiresome.

Really Fun
((This is actually Barb's daughter, but I'm over 13 so I didn't want to use the kid's review form...))


This game is really fun!I just got it today in the mail, and I was plesently surprised, when, after a few hours of playing, it showed that it's not just one of those you can beat them in two hours kind of game.Of course, everyone's level of video game playing is different, but so far I'd guess I'm only 1/3 of the way done.The missions aren't impossible or frustrating, except sometimes if you don't know where you are, and you can always choose not to urinate (and the like) if you don't want to.

The controls are easy to use, except for maybe the different 'special' type combos, but those are soon memorized.The 'smell-o-vision' is a key factor in the game, as I think it's been mentioned before... Once in this mode, you collect different colored scent clouds, and also, sometimes there will be a glowing pillar of light; I'd suggest checking those out ;).

Depending on the number of bones you have (which you receive by completing missions and the like) different dogs will react differently to you.If you have less bones, the dog may act aggresive, and you might not be able to get into some nifty spots.But if you have more bones, you are the dominant dog, and thus the other dog yields to you; usually.As long as you have a good number higher bones than the other dog.

All in all, I'd give this game a 5 out of 5 stars; it's really fun!


*A few player-to-player hints; to get clean, you can just take a swim, then climb out of the water and shake off.A few shakes, and you're as good as new!Or, of course, you can just go to the Poodle Parlor, or other places like that, though I'm not sure where or what they are, if there are any...
And make sure when you're searching for scent clouds, you look ALL over, and I mean everywhere.You never know where they might be :).*

~K.

Best kids game yet!
This is one of the best games i've played! Esrb was a bit harsh when they gave it the t rating. When you poop you can see the poop and you can pick it up again! You can chase chickens and cats and annoy people by barking whenever you like! The only bad part in this game is that although the graphics are great you mouth doesn't actually move when you talk(Imagine that! A talking dog!)and when the people talk there mouths move in a simpsons hit and run fashion. Altogether this is a great game with so and so graphics.
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure   

Features

• Choose to play as one of ten different characters, including Donkey and Puss in Boots
• Use each character's special abilities to solve puzzles and accomplish objectives
• For 1 to 4 players
• Based on the movie, you guide Shrek and pals through this action adventure
• Explore Far Far Away and all-new areas like the Spooky Forest and Dwarven Mines

Reviews (9)

daughter loves it
My husband just bought this for my five year old daughter (preschool graduation gift:)). She hasn't been able to leave it alone. Now, she's a little more advanced in the world of gaming than some her age, and definitely better than me, her mom - so I can't recommend it for every kid - but if your kid is adept at x-box - they should enjoy this one. It doesn't hurt that she loves the movie as well.

Great overall but it needs work.
This game is fun and injoyable, but the bonus levels are questionable and it is almost better with less people.

Fun for kids and the not so hard core gamers.
We bought this for my 6 y/o daughter to go with the X-Box we bought for Christmas.We have not owned a game system except for a game-boy since the original Nintendo came out.This game has been fun for us all. We all play at the same time, which makes for some family fun. My daughter is able to play some alone without getting too frustrated and does well when we all play.Personally I enjoy the comedic elements that have been well thought out.If you are a hard core gamer you will probably get bored of it quickly.It may not be as challenging as you like.We have gotten over half way through without a cheat book, which is amazing for most games.
... Read more

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

Features

• Unique graphics render game environments in deeply saturated, chromatic tones -- the entire game feels like a classic samurai film
• Warlord Mode lets you create characters by playing a series of mini-games
• Avoid the many traps and obstacles you'll face -Circular blades, false staircases, and other traps lay hidden within each castle
• The new Active Mission System(AMS) triggers new mission variations each time the game is played
• Auto-Formation System(AFS) randomly generates castle levels and conquest routes, for a new experience with each play

Reviews (5)

You know, this isn't so bad! In fact, it's great!
I had read a number of reviews claiming that this game was exactly like Dynasty Warriors, except worse. Well, I must confess that because of these, I held out from purchasing this for a long time. However, when I found this title in the bargain bin of a certain large chain store (for ten bucks), I finally said, "What the hey?" and purchased it.

Oh, I was not disappointed...

Indeed, Samurai Warriors does have a great deal of similarity with its Dynasty Warrior counterpart. You take control of a character, and hack your way into Japanese history. The time period is the end of the so-called Sengoku, or Warring States, a long and bloody civil war between many participants which ended with the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The game starts with Nobunaga Oda's attack on the Imagawa, the "ruling" clan at the time. Historically, Nobunaga was far outnumbered by the Imagawa, but managed to gain a bit of luck due to a driving rainstorm.

The game concentrates on a few battles (some real, some fictitious) and a few participants (initially, only five are available, but ten more can be unlocked, including Nobunaga himself). The action moves forward by means of missions which the player may embark on. Succeeding (or failing) a mission will open new missions. Furthermore, each person has a scenario and (at least) two different endings to find. In general, this game is quite a bit harder than Dynasty Warriors, but I found this pretty fun (if at times frustrating - the "Betrayal at Honnuji" level is a killer even at "normal" difficulty).

Character growth is pretty fun, as they grow depending on how you decide to defeat each level (or, you can look online to learn how to max out all character stats). The graphics are a bit weak for an entry this late into the DW genre, but the gameplay makes up for it, in my opinion. Level 5 weapons are quite difficult to get as well.

All in all, I think the game is worth the incredibly cheap price I got it for, and is probably worth three times that. Oh, and one more thing, Nobunaga isn't really all that much like Cao Cao (Cao Cao was a very skilled diplomat, whereas Nobunaga's diplomacy came at the tip end of a sword, so to speak). But anyway, I foundthe game well worth the money.

I'd rather be playing Dynasty Warriors
I love the Dynasty Warriors series, so when Koei came out with Samurai Warriors I was thrilled.I thought it would be very much like DW, but with Japanese history and characters.In many ways they are alike, and in some ways they are different and that's still good.The "musou" attack in SW is sort of a time freeze where you are still in control of your character unlike DW. I thought that was a nice change, although I still like the Musou attack in DW also.
In SW it feels like I am constantly trying to figure out where I need to be and I never seem to be close to the right place.The maps are more confusing than DW.It shows an X marking where I need to be, I begin heading that way and find a closed off gate.I am then forced to backtrack, losing mission time.
The game is pretty cool in some ways, but I find myself yelling at it more than enjoying it.
I would rather play Dynasty Warriors 4 Empires personally.

Dynasty Warriors only in Japan
this game is very fun but can be diffcult. for one thing the castle levels i think are almost impossiable because fo the booby traps. but it is too easy when you fight on the fields because you can easily demolish everyone. i do have one suggestion that you do two player mode for the campaigns because you can do multiple objects at the same time
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Great Deals (Outlet store)   

Features

• The Wall is the 5th ManUse the wall at each venue for strategic moves and dynamic passes.
• Break the Game Wide OpenCharge your Gamebreaker to show-up your opponent with dramatic trick moves that earn unbeatable shots and big highlight moments.
• Rule the StreetCreate your own players, develop your characters, and earn respect. Unlock rewards and steal players from the opposition in this single-player game mode.

Reviews (4)

no title necessary
I have just played this game for a little over an hour, but already I can tell I'll be playing this game alot.It has a bit of a learning curve when you start out.Jumping right into a game out of the box can be frustrating if you don't view the street trainingvideo a couple of times.It's very satisfying game play once you understand how maneuver.The tricks are literally mouth watering.
After you learn how to earn your combo shots (the ones that are practically impossible to block)you don't feel so ripped when the AI rips one through w/out possible defense.
In general I despise sports games, because I suppose I despise most sports Excluding Soccer.
This is a top quality arcade soccer game.Even as it is arcadish you will find that you have to master play, and it isn't simply a button masher as many of the arcade style sport games are.
After playing this just briefly I can't wait to see what the other EA FIFA games have in store.I'm sure they are a bit more refined, but EA has won me over with this title.
I definitely recommend picking this up if you are a soccer fan.

Moves to make your mouth water
Ronaldinho is a living legend.....check out his moves

http://www.fifastreetmovie.com

Is he for real?

Good Player Roster, Graphics, but Poor Controls and Gameplay
I'm a big fan of the EA Big Street series.I'm also a huge fan of soccer.I was pumped to play this game.

Unfortunately I am underwhelmed.The game play seems a bit lame and static compared to what you would expect from the street series.Most of this comes from controls that are not responsive.The point of the game is to beat your opponent with wild dribble moves.Unfortunately when the opponent uses a move on you, you literally lose control of your player while the animation shows your guy getting schooled.The soccer AI in this game is so poor that none of your other players can be counted on to help out your stranded teammate.

I just don't see a lot of replay value in this as the controls and gameplay are so static and frustrating.

Also disappointing is the fact that when you create a new team to play through the single player mode, your team is ranked at level 13 and your first opponent is level 25.I played ten matches and won only once because my players are hopelessly outclassed.

Some redeeming qualities of the game... there is a huge roster of real life soccer stars from several countries.Fans of European soccer will be happy to see Beckham, Henry, Totti, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, etc.Unfortunately, if your favorite star does not come from one of the dozen featured countries, forget about finding him in the game, which means no Schevchenko, Van Nistelrooy, Ljungberg, and none of the Greeks who won last year's Euro Tournament.

The graphics in this game are very nice.The players look stylish and are dead-ringers for the real players.The environments are decent looking too.

The lack of XBox Live play is absolutely unforgivable in a sports title of this nature.This is a terrible oversight.

In the end, I cannot recommend FIFA Street to anyone besides the most avid of soccer fans, and even then, don't expect to get a lot of replay value out of this. ... Read more

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

Features

• Play mini-games such as Buckbeak's Hippogriff Glide
• Connect to the GameCube to care for and race your own owl
• For 1 or 2 players
• Adventure game
• Play as Harry, Ron and Hermione

Reviews (20)

Harry potter 3 is the best game yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this game. After I get home from shool I play this game

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azakaban GBA Game
Very good game, excellent quality. The game sticks to the book more than the movie does! Easiest to play when you start at the begining and work your way up to beat the game. I got the game a few days ago and already I'm on the part where you have to go back to Hogwarts when you come back from the Shrieking Shack. Some parts are tricky though and take a couple of tries to accomplish (i.g. Whomping Willow, Crabbe + Goyle, mazes, etc.).
The game is fun to play and can sometimes be addictive!!!!

Why did you bloody cut out brooms?
I realy love Harry Potter.I think It's safe to say I'm obssesed. So naturally, I bought HP3 on Gamecube and on GBA.I loved them both quite alot, but I always loved QUIDDITCH.I played the game and you don't even see a broom in the Gamecube version, and you see one broom in GBA and you NEVER ride it.It's all Buckbeak.Not that it's not an absolutly wicked idea, I do love to ride Beaky, but I was realy looking forward to Quidditch 3rd year.The GBA version was definatly fun, and I advise you to buy it, but before you do, If you have a Gamecube, PS2, or XBox systom, play it on there first THEN if you like that version buy a portable version (GBA or GBA SP)of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Signed,
Haley (Harry's Girl 4 ever) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   

Features

• New game modes for all night dancing fun
• Customize dance steps in Edit mode and exercise in Work Out mode
• For 1 player
• Xbox Live enabled--download content, compete online and more
• New, exclusive songs for the U.S., licensed songs and dance hits

Reviews (21)

One of the best dancing games out there!
Now before i start this review i have to say that Dance Dance Revolution Max on PS2 has a way better song selection then this one does. However, that doesnt mean that this game isn't worth picking up for all Dance Dance revolution lovers!

Graphics- The graphics in DDR are obviousely very simplistic, the extent of the graphics being 2d models of dancers dancing away at the music in the background. There is hardly any background design, except for flashing lights, but there doesn't have to be in this kind of game right?

Gameplay- So what is DDR? If you don't even know what DDR is and your reading this review for the sake of it i minus well explain what it is.

Basically its a game testing your timing and reflexes. You basically have a dance pad (you don't need to have one but DDR isn't DDR when your just using the controller) and there are four arrows on it, left, right, up and down arrow. As a certain arrow comes up onto the screen you need to push that same arrow on the pad. Seems easy right? Well...maybe if you play on the "light" difficulty but otherwise it can be extremely hard. Insane dancing patterns/combos can come up leaving you tired and sweaty and forcing you to play more because it is so addicting.

Although the songs aren't as good as the PS2 version of this game, they are definetely good enough. There are over 45 songs to choose one each one requiring a certain amount of skill. I actually find that the songs where the arrows move slower on the screen are harder because its much more difficult to get into the rythm of the song. Thats why i tend to go more for the faster songs with a better beat.

When your playing single player, you can play buy yourself trying to earn a grade depending on how many dance combos you get and how many you fail to get. There is also battle mode where you play against the CPU and there is workout mode where at the end of the round it tells you how many calories you burned, and i have to say it works extremely well!

Overall, the gameplay in DDR is great and cannot be missed!

Audio- There isn't much to say about the audio aspect of the game. The songs sound great although not as good as the PS2 version like i already stated. The beats are great forcing you to play all night long no matter how tired/sweaty you are! The music revolving around mostly techno

Online- Now although the online aspect of the game is fun the opponents on it can be very cheap. The reason that they can be cheap is because they can use the regular controller and just mash all four buttons at the same time, therefore guarantee to win 95% of the time. This can really ruin the fun when your trying to put up a competition, but your opponents refuse to actually dance and they just sit their mashing the buttons, i mean, is that actually fun?

But besides that the online portion of the game is great, the ranking system works amazingly well unlike DDR 2 where it messes up a lot, it never disconnects and it never lags, thank god!

In conclusion, DDR ultramix is definetely worth your money for all dancers out there or for people who need to lose weight!

This version was my introduction to DDR.
I will not compare to any playstation or arcade version of DDR, since I do not play or own any of those.I bought this because I love to dance.

I think that the rhythms and beats are very catchy and the steps are designed well with the music. I even enjoy the cheesy (but catchy) lyrics in many of the songs (can anybody tell me why we build Castles in the Sky?) The songs seem to be representative of popular music genres and the given artists are clever imposters. It is amusing to try and guess at what popular song or artist each song is trying to imitate.(For example they have an artist named "Thuggie D" that sound suspiciously similar to "Heavy D")I downloaded new songs from XBox live and I am pleased with those.I was able to use those downloaded songs in the next version of DDR for Xbox which I recently bought.

I enjoy the variety of styles from hip-hop, latin, disco, R&B, jazz, world beats, sugary up-beat Japanese techno. etc. There is enough of a selection that I don't really get bored repeating the songs.

I will say that I don't like some of the really darker monotonous techno beats, like Paul Oakenfeld. Sadly Oakenfeld is a "real" artist on the playlist and his songs are some of the least entertaining in the game.

I have been able to master many of the songs up to level 3, but it was challenging to get there, and after a year of playing this game, there still remain a few songs that continue to elude me.

I. LOVE. THIS. GAME!!!!
The pe teacher offers ddr classes at my school, and she just *happens* to own this one game. This is a compilation of some of thier past songs. Here are allll my favorites:
Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha - Castles In The Sky(I think this one is based on the movie castle in the sky. I have that movie.)
Paul Oakenfold - Ready Steady Go
dj. TAKA - 0.59( I LOVE this one!!! It sounds like x-files)
Riyu Kosaka - Candy *Heart* (vocal version)(I sing along to this one)
BeForU - DIVE
RevenG - exotic ethnic
SySF feat. Anna - Look To The Sky (True Color Mix)
Togo Project feat Sana - Sana Mollete ne Ente(I love the little "Suki suki" Sounds in the backgrond at the end)
Crystal Aliens - SEXY PLANET (oh oh oh oh! oh oh oh oh!)
DE-SIRE - Healing Vision (Everyone one in my pe group is addicted to this one!)
NAOKI 190 - Hysteria
2MB - La Senorita Virtual(this one is really hard, but is addicting and the song is AMAZING.)
jun - Sweet Sweet *heart* Magic(Ive had this song stuck in my head ALL DAY.)
RevenG vs DE-SIRE - Tsugaru
And Colors (for EXTREME), but I dont know who its by.


I just wish this one had Waka Laka and Butterfly, because those ones are basically what pops into my mind when I think of ddr. I cant find the soundtrack anywhere.... ... Read more

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

Reviews (22)

Solid gameplay with a (mostly) realistic feel
If you're looking for a game that makes you feel like you're actually playing or coaching college basketball, this is a pretty good game to get.The game is, for the most part, accurate:

* The arenas all have the right names (as far as I've checked), and if you're playing in a high- or mid-major team's arena, the court is a good facsimile of the real thing, but teams from low-major conferences are generally given generic courts with the team's logo at center court.

* All 31 Division I-A conferences and their teams are in the game, but if you're looking to play as Savannah State or TAMU-CC or any other independent, you're out of luck.

* Season schedules are set up randomly (of course, nonconference games can be changed, although teams can reject playing against you).The number of times you play against each team in your conference is correct, at least (i.e. if you are in the SEC East, you play each team from the East twice, each team from the West once).

* You can edit each player's physical features, name, jersey #, and so on, but the hair choices are very limited (no afros, Adam Morrison hair, etc.).Also, you can only save about 275 player's names into your roster file (at least that's the point where my PS2 would always freeze when I tried to add anyone else's name).

* The crowd noise really doesn't seem to be too distracting once you get used to it.If you play against, say, Duke at Cameron Indoor, the crowd will be fairly noisy as long as Duke is ahead, and the camera will shake a little, but after a while it's not very noticeable.Also, unlike NCAA Football 2005, there is no way to manually intensify the home crowd.They just get louder when the home team makes a shot and quieter when the road team makes a shot.

* Dynasty mode is good, with the following exceptions.1) Players commit violations way too frequently, and this makes it fairly likely that if you don't suspend players for several games for each violation, the NCAA will sanction you at the end of the season.2) The amount of recruiting points you have seems to be too small.You can set how you want to prioritize training vs. recruiting, but when it gets down to you wanting to do everything you can to land top recruits, you often have to use up a lot of points just finding out how good various recruits are and trying to get them interested in your program (especially if you're not a big-name program).Otherwise, recruiting is fun and it's a good way to make you feel more like you're a real coach with a real program that you need to develop and maintain.

* The game does include realistic conference tournaments (i.e. the brackets are set up correctly), and the locations seem to be realistic (i.e. the major conference tournaments are played in a no-name arena, while the 2005 West Coast Conference tournament is played at Santa Clara, which is where it was played if I recall correctly).The NCAA tournament has similar realism, with games in the 1st and 2nd round played in generic arenas, and the regional semis and finals played at Texas-Austin, Syracuse, The Pit in Albuquerque and DePaul near Chicago.The seedings are not always realistic, however (during one season, UNC Wilmington was able to get a 5 seed), but teams mostly get the seeds that you would expect, based on their performance through the season.Once February starts, there is an option called Tournament Watch which shows you who the automatic bids are from each conference as well as the probable at-large teams and bubble teams, and gives the RPI for each of them.


As far as gameplay, I have a few more comments:

* If you are used to the EA Sports style of gameplay, this game should be comfortable.ESPN's College Hoops has a very different feel, and it takes some time to adjust in going from one style to the other.

* It is a lot harder to score on this game than on NBA Live.If you have a very quick team and are going up against a weak opponent, you probably can run fast break after fast break, but in most games you will have to run plays from the Floor General playlist at least occasionally.You can still do basic things like posting up, running a pick-and-roll or an isolation just like on NBA Live, but they often don't work quite as well as on Live.

* If your (computer) opponent has a decent big man, expect to get blocked a lot when going to the rim.This happens particularly when you try to run a fast break.Unless you have someone who can dunk with authority, the computer will get an inordinate number of blocks (same problem exists on Live).

* The Floor General playcalling is a great thing to have, although on easier difficulty levels the plays will be successful too often.On the hardest difficulty level, the computer will sometimes not be fooled and block what should be a wide open shot coming off of a screen.The flip side of the playcalling, of course, is that once you get used to your opponent's plays, you can tell what he's going to do and try to neutralize the play.


All in all, I love this game and have played some 200 games and still going.I suppose that's as good a recommendation as I can give.

A Cane's Review
As a huge Canes fan, I really looked forward to the 2004 version of this game (Carmelo on the cover), because it would be the first with our brand new Convocation Center. It disappointed, though, as the arena in the game was clearly patterned after the Convo, but lacked its feel and was actually still called the Miami Arena.
Anyways, all that has changed for 05. The stadium looks great, the only flaw being that ACC isn't painted right below the free throw line, and our cheerleaders seem to be wearing blackish-green. But those are so minor compared to how well they rendered the building. Plus the gameplay in general is so much better than 04, and if you start Eric Wilkins at the point (instead of Okpalobi- Anthony Harris is a middling reserve) you have a fighting chance of competing, because he can finish at the rim when he penetrates. Or he can kick it out to Mo Diaz or Rob Hite for 3s.
But... I would advise against buying the game. While the Dynasty mode is great, it has one major, huge flaw. After my first season, one in which I finished 4th at 9-7 in the conference, beating UNC, GT, and Wake along the way, not only did I not make the postseason (justifiable based on my weak non-conference record), but I was inexplicably booted out of the ACC in favor of Louisville (while none of the SEVEN teams below me lost their spots).
While I'm sure that in spite of our success this year, the ACC bball fans would still love to boot the Canes, this was ridiculous. And considering how much I've come to love the conference, I just couldn't keep playing the dynasty without being a part of it.

best college game ever and best game this year
this is the best game ever i play it like 2 hours a day my dad even plays it with me!You got to get this it isn't good it is awesome.GET IT NOW!!!!



sincerly,
this games #1 fan ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure    7. Sports    8. Outdoors   

Features

• Remake of two SQUARESOFT titles that laid the foundation of the FINAL FANTASY series.
• Original event scenes have been revamped and new event scenes added to intensify the emotional impact of story elements.
• Enhanced graphics breathe life and detail into all game elements, from deep dungeons and vast worlds to menacing creatures and wandering heroes.
• New opening theme songs and improved sound quality immerse the player even further into the game experience.

Reviews (63)

Final Fantasy origins warning
Overall the game is a tad boring, and it takes a long time for stuff to really happen in FF1.
...

The games that launched an empire....
It pains me. Only when all nine planets are in perfect alignment is it possible for me to hate a Square-Enix game. For the game to come from the much-loved Final Fantasy franchise, there has to be a lunar and solar eclipse at the same time. Anyone's heard the story right? Square was a struggling developer back in the eighties facing bankrupty. They made a RPG styled after Dragon Quest, Japan's top-selling RPG, which turned into a mega-hit, saving the company and launching one of the most revered videogame series ever.
It's strange that I never played Final Fantasy when it first came out on NES. I know that my family owned the cartridge, but I'd never played it. I figured that the first game would be something special. Final Fantasy to me has always been the epic stories, the memorable characters, and the solid gameplay mechanics. Those were the qualities that just enthralled me when I became hooked on Final Fantasy II (the 4th one really) for the SNES. Unfortunately, the story is barely there and the characterization is nil. You are a band of heroes that is plopped down in a medival fantasy world and given the task of restoring the four crystals which will save the world. That's it. Most of the time you are wandering about aimlessly, trying to figure out where you are supposed to go. The method of exploration is go into cave, if monsters kill you in one hit, leave cave and find another. There are some towns you can visit and be treated to wonderful dialogue like "Bless the Crystal!" only thing half the idiots in this world say.
If that weren't frustrating enough, this is a really hard game. Unfortunately, the difficulty feels like it comes from poor game design than actually being meant to challenge you. Perpare to spend tons of time leveling up. You'll be attacked often, after one or two steps sometimes, the monsters appear in droves, and your attacks will miss as much as they hit. In dungeons, there are no save points for you to save and restore your health with a tent. The healing items and magic is woefully inadequate most of the time. The magic system is also messed up. Instead of having magic points to use as you please, Magic is divided into 8 levels and you can buy 3 spells from each level. You can only use magic from each level a certain number of time. This annoying because by the time you reach level ten most of the low level spells are practically obsolete but you'll have tons of them and few higher level spells. There are also no items to revive fallen party members, so you have to leave the dungeon, track back to town, and get a priest to revive you. This is really annoying when the town doesn't have a priest and you have to go halfway around the world to find one.
I managed to play for 10 hours before I could stand no more. Final Fantasy II is a little better. You play as a group of youths fighting for a rebel resistance movement. The characters have personalities and the game actually gives you missions to accomplish. However, I didn't like the leveling system. Depending on how you fight, your stats increase and decrease accordingly. You'd think that would have the characters highly customizable? Wrong! The characters are still inclined towards certain jobs and weapon types. Maria has low HP and can't hit the broad side of a barn, so she has to be a mage. Give her a javeline instead of her bow and arrow and some animals will have gone extinct before she lands another hit. It takes forever to get the stats to increase.
The presentation of the games are pretty good. The graphics and spell effects are bright and attractive. The music is still exceptional. If you loved Final Fantasy I when it first came out and have been itching to play it again, ignore this review and buy this right away. These games have never looked better and they come will a host of unlockable extras. For everyone else looking to play the RPGs are yesteryear, get Final Fantasy Chronicles or Anthology, as Square has perfected the formula for RPGs by then.
Final Fantasy Origins is a relic of a long-ago era in gaming that has aged like Buddy Hackette. It's a definitely a historic benchmark for the industry, but for me it's only novelty is that it shows that "You've come along way, Baby!"

The origin of Square Enix
A great collection of the games that started THE greatest video game series of all time. The first chapter in the series is a great game but still not as great as the second which is a lot more story involved. I loved them both they show that they are the games that defined the roll playing genre. Loaded with special fetures, there really is no reason not to buy this collection of RPG greatness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    5. Action Fantasy    6. Action Science fiction (scifi sci fi)   

Features

• Comes bundled with one Taiko Controller!
• Perfect the art of playing the Japanese drum-known as "taiko"-by tapping to the rhythm of over 30 songs.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and match each song's beat by tapping on the surface and edge of the Taiko Controller.
• Choose songs at varying levels of difficulty. You can challenge yourself with the most difficult songs as your skills improve.
• Pick a favorite song and hone your taiko talent by tapping the taiko to the rhythm of the music.

Reviews (15)

Fun for parties.
I bought this for my brother-in-law for Christmas, and went out the next week and bought it for myself.The game is a lot of fun (forget "Oni" difficulty though, it's impossible).

The real fun came in though when I picked up the Red Octane accessory drum for 2 player mode.Break this out with friends over and the fun factor goes up %500.In two player mode the two players don't play all the same notes.Player one might play the lead at one point with Player two creating the fill, then it will switch.This way, instead of drumming "over" one another, the two players work together to make the tune sound good.And when it doesn't sound good everyone gets a good laugh and round 2 starts (then 3 then 10.. it's very addicting to play).

I've had friends go out and buy it after a night of playing this game.It's a blast and now that it's down to $50 (It came out at $80), it's a great deal.I just home they make another game to play using the drum controller.A second game with new/more songs would be great!

Coolest game ever!
I got this game a few days ago,and I can't stop playing it! This was the best game I have ever gotten! The songs are really cool and if you beat them you can unlock more. Kind of exspensive but it's really worth it.I have a blister on my hand from playing so much! The only bad part is that you have to hit it really hard or it won't work right.

Fun, Yes, Exciting, no.. dissapointment but its ok..
Well.. 1st off, bought this as a xmas gift. It looked fun, reviews looked great and all. However.. 1st off.. was there is a lack of songs. I mean wouldve been nice had there been more songs in this.

I mean the style of it is ok as you hit the sides or dead center on left or right to work the game.

Sure its fun to play and all. But when you played too much DDR and knew what to expect from that and hoped this wouldve been similar, youll be upset because its not.

The one thing that IS fun are the mini games. Play this with 2 people and thats where its fun, but the songs itself, not really. It isnt that hard and thats what makes it sad, thought this wouldve tought you how to drum some and not just how to beat the stick. =/

Overall a kid would love it, but if your in the 20s and played enough DDR and still do, you probably will find out you wasted your money. =/ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure    7. Classics (Classic)    8. Retro   

Features

• More than 30 songs
• Competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes
• For 1 to 4 players
• Music and rhythm game
• Play along with music using the DK Bongo drum controller

Reviews (48)

Fun party game!
This game is a fun party game. We took our bongos up to a family gathering and had everyone in the house clamoring over them! It was a hoot!

Grate game!
Donkey Konga, a mix of music, bongos, and (no other than) Donkey Kong. I only own about 5 Gamecube games because I like PS2 better. This is a pretty fun game. You get a whole bunch of songs and drum to the beat of it. The songs are not very new but.... what the heck! Some song are "Wild Thang", "All the Small things", and some gamecube game's theams. Like Zelda and Pokemon. There are mini gaems you can buy with coins you get from drumming in "Street Mix" But, you only get about (if your good) 200 coins every time. The lowest price for a mini game is 4700 coins. How the heck are you supposed to get that with out playing for hours and hours and hours. Plus, the songs are not by the bands that play them, but by people the nentino probley hired to sing. And it`s all because of one word. Copyright! Dang copyright law. That is what gives this game minus one star. Another star down the drain becaues all the minigame and songs for different modes and the fun sounds( Insteand of the bongs soung, you can do different souds, like dogs) cost WAY TO MUCH! I am hoping Donkey Konga 2 will be better

fun all around
Okay, if your out for a game to teach your kids to count, this isnt something you need.now if you are looking for something to entertain your hyperactive cousin while his/her parents are out, then this is a really good idea.at first, it is kinda difficult to play because you feel alittle ridiculous, but i promise that feeling will pass.the only problem i have found with this game is it is EXTREMLY adictive.the rythym fills you and all of your problems melt away.everything seems trivial as you beat on the drums.but your hands do get pretty raw after about 3 hours of clapping and slapping.but like i said, its pretty hard to stop.if you have a hard time getting the kids to do chores now, wait till they start to beat the drums and play along to thier favorite songs.once you play you wont be able to wait for the release of the next game in this series! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Gamecube (Game Cube, Game-cube)   

Features

• Players include Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Lebron James, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett
• Play as one of 30 NBA teams or choose a Backyard team
• Play a season, single games or minigames
• Head-to-head action through the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable

Reviews (1)

Backyard Basketball is so cool!!!
I like Backyard Basketball.Forst, there are different courts.Second, there are great players like Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neil.Mostly, I like playing because I win a lot and it is a lot of fun.I recommend this game. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Sports (Sport)    5. Outdoors (Out Doors)   

Features

• Use the Game Boy Advance Link Cable to share your Pokedex and Hi-Score information with a friend
• Play on both the Ruby and Sapphire fields
• For 1 or more players
• Play pinball with your favorite Pokemon from Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
• Shoot the Poke Ball to find, catch, and evolve Pokemon

Reviews (32)

Not fun
This game is really boring. Whats the whole point of playing pinball with pokemon. I mean, you would just hit a ball and the pokemon getting hurt. And then you would be like, "Why the heck did I buy this piece of junk?" So you wasted money. Also, the first pinball was better. It came with a rumble pack and this one doesn't
Kelly Park

It's pinball!!! With...Pokemon?
Yeah, I'll admit, I don't like Pokemon games, they try to be good rpg's but, I don't like the concept of leveling up, catching, and evolving every single monster in a game.This game takes out some of the rpg elements (keyword here: some) and placed it into a pinball like mini game that could have been used in the other game.So, is this game fun?Yes, it is.

Most people might be led away from this game because of the title (I know I was, until I tried my friend's) but it is a unique pinball game, it really isn't the generic pinball game, but it adds a different type of gameplay, similar to Pinball of the Dead.In this game, you have to catch pokemon, using the bumpers at the top of the screen. Then you hit it a few times and voila, you've caught a pokemon!!What's the point of this, you may ask.The point is, if you collect 3 pokemon, or evolve 1, then a mini-game will come up.These mini-games, are really fun, and hey some of them can be challenging and down-right fun.The only downfall to this game, is well there are only 2 boards based off the themes of the ruby and sapphire games, and i guess both boards have pokemon you can't catch on the other anyway, most of the monsters I saw were newer (Hey, I really only played the original Red and Blue games) and I was confused at what they were.

Pros:
* Great Pinball experience
* Cool Mini-Games
* You can buy stuff that affects the game
* Good Graphics
* You can save in the middle of a game

Cons:
* Only 2 boards to choose
* It has pokemon (this can be a pro if you like pokemon games)
* There are only 4 mini-games (not included the Catch 'em or evolution mode)
* The sound is okay, but just not that great
* You might be confused by what the heck you just caught (ex. Spoink, what kind of name is that?)

NOT what I expected
I love pokemon and video games (even though I am a girl) and I was so happy when this came out. I begged 4 it 4 Christmas from my grandpa but when I got it I was dissapointed. See the graphics r sweet and the poke dex (or how ever you spell it) is awsome cause u can see all the pokemon you catch but the game is kinda boring. See all you do is play you get it in the whale or birds' mouth then you can catch pokemon by hitting these glob things on top. Yah it does'nt sound so fun huh? My brother and my dad end up playing it. I guess it's more of a boy game in my opian. But it is pretty cool that it's ruby and sapphire! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Classic    5. Retro Arcade    6. Strategy (Strategic)    7. Action    8. Adventure   

Features

• 1st ever Painball game for a console
• Xbox Live enabled
• 20 unique real life locations, 179 different field layouts
• 21 top pro=players
• 3 types of game objectives:- Elimination- Capture the Flag- Center Flag

Reviews (23)

Could teach other FPS games a thing or two
This game is quite a surprise...the FPS action is better than it is in a lot of "shooters" where you are basically a mass murderer. The AI is challenging, even startling. It really is like playing against real opponents. The control scheme is just as good as Halo if not better, and there is a very strong element of fun that seems to be missing in a lot of FPS games. You really get into the tournaments and the gear and the teammates. I just got Chaos Theory and it sits on the shelf while I spend my time playing this and Phantom Dust (and I'm a SC fan).

paintball
This game is great. Its almost exactly like paintball. The only thing that I didnt like was that some of the products were messed up like G7 packs and paint? I play paintball and im on a team so I think that this game is great.(greg hastings in real life stinks Ollie lang is the best)

Great Game
This game is great i recomend this game soo much. This game is so good that you get addicted to it. Its so addicting that you try to win the game the first day you have it. You can buy your own equipment and go into many different fields from forest to air-ball.
Buy this game and you wont regret it. Go online and play against players all around the world. Or go head to head with the computer in arcade mode.
Buy it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Xbox (x box)    3. Microsoft    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Sports    7. Outdoors   

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

Features

• Experience the most exciting and memorable scenes from Star Wars, Empire, and Jedi
• Control Luke as he becomes a Jedi, fight Darth Vader and Boba Fett, escape from the fearsome rancor beast, and destroy the Death Star
• Achieve victory with moves including the Jedi Power Slash, the Force Push, and the Jedi Jump
• Pilot an X-Wing across space, and drive lightning-fast Speeder Bikes through Endor Forest
• Battle in fast-action single-player and multiplayer adventures

Reviews (10)

vonce agayn it 'tis soopa guyd
ya aya fjdsklajfksfj it is very good go star varws ya man who let the dogs out?

don't get it
now don't get me wrong, i love this game, it's just that i can't seem to get past the 2nd level. when i'm in the desert, fighting the sand people, and when the music swells, and the screen smalls up, I once sat through that for 20 minutes trying to get past the enormous horde of sand people, but no luck, eventually my health ran out and i went back to the last door. ditto. someone please tell me how long you have to go through that particularly long one.

Are we there yet?!
This game should serve as an example of how not to make a platforming adventure game.It manages to get almost everything wrong.

The story is the Star Wars trilogy, and it's told from Luke Skywalker's point of view.Your character throughout the game is Luke, and he has to blast and swordfight his way from the beginning of Episode IV to the end of Episode VI.

Let's start off with the only bit of good news here.Visually, this game is appealing.The backgrounds and characters all look great.Character animations are exceptionally good.Luke runs and jumps around fluently.His moves with the light saber are well animated.Storm troopers, jawas, and other characters all look great.No complaints in the visual department.

Unfortunately, this is where the good news ends.The sound here leaves a bit to be desired.At the beginning of each episode, we see a text scroll accompanied by the Star Wars music, just like in the movies.The music here could've been better."Star Wars: Flight Of The Falcon" did a much better job with this music.During the game, we hear a variety of themes from the movies.They're all decent reproductions at best.The sound effects here are better.Laser blasts all sound pretty much like they're supposed to, as does the light saber.R2D2 accompanies Luke through some of the levels, and the little droid makes faithfully reproduced beeping noises when he accesses a terminal or wall socket (which he does frequently).He also makes that whining sound when he gets hit by a laser blast.So our sound department is a mixed bag.Effects are good.Music could've been better.

All of this would be acceptable if not for the game-play, which does a great job of bringing this game down.The problems here are so numerous, I'm not sure where to begin.For starters, this game does way too much talking.As mentioned, the story is told from Luke's point of view, and we are subjected to him telling the entire story...in detail.Along with static scenes from the movies, he'll tell us what's currently going on at any given point during the game.This is all pretty redundant and annoying to have to skip through at a couple lines of text at a time.

This game is mostly a side-scrolling platformer.Throughout Episode IV, Luke runs and jumps around with his blaster, shooting tusken raiders and storm troopers.At the beginning of Episode V, he gets his light saber.I know it sounds promising and engaging, but this is some very mediocre gaming (if not worse).The level designs are very pedestrian, and there are many levels here to traverse.

To make matters worse, there are frequent freeze-frame encounters, during which hordes of storm troopers must be eliminated before you can progress.When you reach a certain point, the screen is surrounded by black borders, and storm troopers will come on-screen from the left and right.You have to kill them all before you can advance.This happens so often, it becomes extremely monotonous.I lost interest before Luke arrived on the Death Star.First he had to go through several levels of tusken raiders, then several more levels of Mos Eisely.By the time he arrived at the Death Star, it was already becoming tiresome.I kept entering a doorway and finding myself in yet another level full of storm troopers, and I was thinking "Aren't we there yet?"It doesn't get better.It just keeps getting worse.Level after level of probe droids and snow troopers.Level after level of storm troopers at Bespin.And so on.

The controls are also part of the problem.To aim up or down with the blaster, you have to hold the R button while standing or crouching, respectively.This aims the blaster diagonally, and there's no way to aim straight up or down.This is incredibly awkward, and there are numerous times where Luke has to shoot storm troopers who are above or below him.The light saber doesn't get much better.There are a variety of light saber moves that Luke can do, but none of them are much of a match for a good blaster at your side.With the light saber, you're walking up to opponents who are shooting you.Add to that the need to jump over prevalent chasms in order to reach the opponents, and you're better off just bringing out the gun.

For the assault on the Death Star, Luke pilots his X-Wing fighter in an overhead view reminiscent of Sinistar.It's pretty silly.The X-Wing and tie fighters bounce off of each other, just like the ships in Sinistar.The trench run is also presented in a silly overhead view.The only thing I liked about this sequence was that Darth Vader and his two escorts show up at the end, and Luke has to dodge their fire until the Millennium Falcon comes on the scene.But the space combat that precedes this little treat is about as awful as the rest of the game.

A built-in save feature automatically saves your progress, and Luke has unlimited lives.If you get killed, you'll restart at the beginning of the current level.This game is begging to be played all the way through, but is it worth the effort?I quit after the first confrontation with Vader.Even if the final third of the game is awesome, it wasn't worth playing through the other two thirds to see it.I have a feeling that the final third is just as dismal as the rest of the game.The designers tend to use the same motifs over and over throughout the game.

To sum up, this game is incredibly awful.Great visuals, good effects, decent music (I've heard better), some awkward controls, and terrible game-play.I don't care how good everything looks.This game isn't fun.A good-looking game that isn't fun is going to look good on the shelf, collecting dust. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Star Wars (Starwars)   

Reviews (25)

AWSOME!!!!
It can't get much better than this!It's SIMZ to the limit!It is one of my favorite games.I give it a 5 star rating and if you get it you will probaly do the same.Tons of outfits,rep groups,friends, I LOVE IT!!!I think it's great for children[if they are good at video games and don't give up to easily] from the ages probaly 7 and up!It was the second ds game I got[I only have 2 ds games] and I am still trying to beat it.It's just too much fun to miss out on.

bottom line, If youre kid wants a ds and a game get him/her Urbz:Simz in the city.unless they've played othe simz and don't like them

I LOVE IT!

Great... For a little while
I got this game a couple mounths ago and I loved it. Then I won it. It got really boring after the 5th time I played the story line. But it has great gameplay. the 1st time you play it thats all you will ever do (like most sim games) anyways I hope if you get it you will enjoy it very much.

this game is strange
this game is definetly among the strangest games ever, your guy is always acting cool and talking about his house being a "crib".
But the music is good for a handheld and the minigames are fun,also people i nthe game tell jokes, but the story is cool. Daddy bigbucks is trying to ruin everyones life by giving everything expensive fees.
How will he do that? by buying sim city! he's that rich, has funny hair and you have to stop him. there's no shooting i n this game and I would not reccomend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA   

Editorial Review

If you're still suffering the lingering effects of Pac-Man fever, you'llbe excited to hear that Namco's Pac-Man Collection repackages theinfectious original with three other Pac-Man-themed games in a new anthology forthe Game Boy Advance.

Pac-Man Collection contains the original Pac-Man, plusPac-Attack, PacMania 3D, and the never-before-seen-out-of-the-arcadePac-Man Arrangement game. Pac-Man plays like you remember, andlike Namco Museums's picture perfect re-creation of Ms. Pac-Man,it features spot-on control, graphics, cartoon cutscenes, sound effects, and,best of all, music from the coin-op (who can forget that opening theme?). Assuch, it's easily the best of this collection.

PacMania 3D is basically a 3-D version of the original, and is just aboutas uninspired now as when it came out. Pac-Attack is a cool variation onsuch puzzlers as Tetris and Columns, and as such it's perfect forhandheld gaming. Pac-Man Arrangement is an odd little game that playsmuch like the original but adds weird power-ups that, for example, make yougigantic.

Because Pac-Man Collection is a perfectly emulated package, there isn'tmuch to gripe about, save that Ms. Pac-Man is a far, far better game thanthe original, and you'll have to shell out more money if you want that one. Butfor retro gamers on the go who also want to track down ghosts and eat powerpills, this package is sure to sate your hunger. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Perfect graphics and sound
• Perfect controls
• Pac-Attack is a fun Tetris variant

• It's missing the best Pac game, Ms. Pac-Man
• Pac-Man Arrangement and PacMania 3D aren't really great games

Features

• Platform: Game Boy Advance
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Strategy

Reviews (49)

WARNING:DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME!
OH MY GOSH..THIS IS THE WORST GAME IN GAMEBOY GAME HISTORY!
BE AWARE!