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

Editorial Review

Though it looks like a toy, don't be fooled: the Nintendo GameCube is a powerful video game console that rightly deserves its place among the other next-generation game systems. In fact, its playful, appealing design and small size (the unit is a not-quite-cubed 6 inches) aren't the only features that set it apart from the others.

For starters, Nintendo has quite clearly made this a game-only machine. It doesn't try to play your CD collection, run your movies, read your e-mail, or store your MP3 files. The company has concentrated its efforts on games. All the prelaunch titles we've seen play smoothly, with bright, fast graphics and great sound. Nintendo says its engineers have removed traditional bottlenecks that have, in the past, slowed down processing. New components designed by IBM and MoSys, as well as a large-capacity secondary memory cache, keep instructions moving through the system's microprocessor (MPU) at peak levels. In English: the GameCube is optimized to push speed up while pushing costs down; hence its position at the lower end of the price spectrum.

The GameCube is the first Nintendo video game system to use a disc-based medium rather than cartridges for its games. Moving the software to disc media generally means lower development costs for the publishers, which, in turn, trickles down to the consumer not only in price, but also in availability and quality, as it's then easier to try out untested game ideas (Pikmin, anyone?). While most other systems likewise have their games stored on discs, the GameCube's 3-inch format is smaller than everyone else's, and is so designed to fit in a shirt pocket as much as to deter would-be software pirates.

Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that it's the home field of one of the world's premier game designers: Nintendo. While powerhouses Electronic Arts and Sega make games for all systems (including this one), you can play Nintendo games only on a Nintendo system. And Nintendo, you might recall, has been hitting them out of the park since it started with Donkey Kong. In fact, here's a roll call of characters and series you won't find on the other consoles: Mario, Legend of Zelda, Perfect Dark, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon. A few names that the GameCube will share with the other guys: Madden, Tony Hawk, Sonic, Batman, and Star Wars.

The system also comes with four built-in controller ports, so you can easily plug in extra controllers and let friends join in for the multiplayer games--it's even got a built-in handle so you can easily move it to a friend's house. It comes with two memory card slots for saving your progress through games, and there's the capacity for future expansion into the world of online gaming.

In short, the GameCube isn't an all-in-one entertainment system, and neither is it the most powerful of the modern video game consoles. But for video game enthusiasts who want to stick with their favorite characters, its value cannot be beat. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• MPU (Microprocessor Unit): 485 MHz custom IBM PowerPC Gekko
• Graphics Processor: 162 MHz custom ATI/Nintendo Flipper
• Texture-Read Bandwidth: 10.4 GB per second (peak)
• Main Memory Bandwidth: 2.6 GB per second (peak)
• Pixel Depth: 24-bit color, 24-bit Z buffer
• Sound Processor: 81 MHz custom Macronix 16-bit DSP
• Sound Performance: 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding
• Polygon Performance: 6 to 12 million polygons per second (peak)
• System Memory: 40 MB
• Main Memory: 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM
• Disc Drive: 128 ms CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) system
• Data Transfer Speed: 16 Mbps to 25 Mbps
• Media: 3-inch, 1.5 GB capacity disc
• Controller Ports: Four
• Memory Card Slots: Two
• Audio-Video Output: Analog and digital
• Dimensions: 4.3 by 5.9 by 6.3 inches (height by width by depth)

Reviews (264)

Have it ...DEAD
Two words IT (...). Nintendo revolution comin in 2006 cant wait for the systems controller A controll stick and and one big DUB button...NOT!!!!!

Worst gaming console out of Xbox, PS2, and this one.
Let me just start this review by saying that i used to be a huge fan of nintendo. Its games were great and beyond addicting, the graphics were pretty good CONSIDERING the gaming systems back then and overall it was just a wonderful system. I also used to have all of the portable systems to including gameboy advance, sp, color and the normal gameboy.

When gamecube came out, all of this changed.

If you go to the stores you will see that this system is much cheaper then the rest of the systems, over $50 cheaper, (therefore making it a worse system then PS2 and Xbox.) If you look at the controllers you will see that they are horrible gimicks. It looks like someone has taken all of the buttons and placed them randomly around the surface of the controller. Also, the size of the buttons are completely "messed up." The "A" button is twice the size as any other button on the controller. The "B" button is smaller then the xbox's "black" button. The "y" and "x" button are just long strips that look retarded, and overall the controller just looks like its from another planet and is extremely confusing when you are trying to play a game, unless you are used to it. The only pro i give this controller is that its extremely comfortable unlike the Xbox and PS2 controller, but thats nothing to brag about Xbox's and PS2's controller makes more sense and are way better then this "hunk of junk."
The gamesystem itself is actually ok. Its quite small unlike the other up to date systems, just a small cube, (hints the name "gamecube") making it very portable and easy to travel with if you want to bring it to your friends/family's house to play. Xbox's and PS2's are much harder to do this, considering they're size is much bigger then nintendo gamecube's size.

Now on to the games. The games are actually "ok." They are obviously geared more towards kids considering that 75% of their games are rated "E" for everyone. Now this doesn't mean that the games are bad. Gamecube does have some great games such as Mario Kart Double Dash, Metroid Prime Echoes and Resident Evil, which are all very fun and challenging games to play.

The graphics for this system are ok, they're not bad, but they're not great. Considering the mind blowing graphics on Xbox, Gamecube doesn't even come close to this, and i think that if they are going to come out with a gamecube #2, they need to rethink how good and accurate the graphics will be in comparisn to the other systems that are coming out around the same time as the sequel is to gamecube. The only problem with the graphics on the gamecube is that its very colorful and adds more of a "kid" like theme to it, most of gamers are over 13 and prefer Xbox and PS2.

The sound on the Gamecube obviousely depends on the game, but is usually pretty average. Its ok, but once again, its nowhere near how good it could be if nintendo put some more time into making this sytem.

More problems with the gamecube are that you are not able to upload music onto it from CD's like you are on the Xbox. There is also no online capability like their is on Xbox and PS2 which is an extremely fun experience playing with other people online but once again, Gamecube fails to add another great feature into its poor system. You are also not able to watch DVD's like you are on the PS2 and Xbox which is another wonderful feature if you don't have a DVD Player, but most people do now-a-days. Another one of my few pros that i give gamecube is its extremely quick speed in both loading and gameplay. You hardly have to wait anything for it to load, and when your actually playing, the speed is rather impressive, might even be as good as Xbox, definetely faster then PS2.

Overall i think that Gamecube was extremely rushed in terms of time so that it could come out around the same time as Xbox, (PS2 was made over 1 year before both of these systems came out) therefore was nowhere near as powerful and fun as the Xbox console. It is very obvious that Nintendo is definetely geared towards younger kids, but the fact is, is that most of the gamers now-a-days are definetely over thirteen and are playing more of the "adult" games. I think that if Nintendo had put some more time into creating this system, it could have been way bettter then it is now. Thats some advice for you guys nintendo for when you make your sequel to gamecube!

Graphics: Pretty average graphics, nowhere near as good as Xbox and PS2's graphics though.

Speed: Very fast, one of the few pros for gamecube is how quick it is in terms of gameplay and loading time.

Gameplay: Ok, not great, but definetely not bad. Not as fun gameplay as PS2 and Xbox. (In my opinion.)

Online: No online capabilities for the gamecube which is a huge downfall, perhaps one of the reasons why nintendo is quickly slipping in economy.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????
This really stinks.My cousin has it and he likes it.But the buttons are too far away.THIS STINKS!!!!Dont buy it.THIS STINKS!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Gamecube (Game Cube, Game-cube)    3. Consoles    4. Bundles   

Editorial Review

Following in the footsteps of the award-winning titles Full Throttle and Grim Fandango, visionary designer Tim Schafer delivers his newest creation--the bizarre, psychic adventure, Psychonauts.

For years, the Psychonauts have deployed their psychically-armed operatives all over the world, but now there is trouble brewing in their own boot camp. A deranged scientist is abducting camp cadets for their brains! One student, a mysterious and powerful new arrival named Raz, stands alone against the lunatic. Raz must develop and unleash an arsenal of paranormal powers, including his most powerful weapon of all--the ability to launch himself telepathically into the minds of others. Ultimately, he must enter the psyche of his worst enemy and destroy his dark plans at their source. Entering the mind of madman has its challenges, and Raz must struggle to preserve his sanity while he battles to save the day.

In this third-person shooter, you will explore 13 levels--three that are set in the "real" world, and ten that are set inside the mental jungle-gyms and terrifying prisons of dementia. Journeying through the mind of a lunatic, Raz, you will rise through the ranks as you collect figments of imagination, sort emotional baggage, clear out mental cobwebs, and crack open memory vaults. After you complete special training missions, Raz will learn new psychic powers, such as levitation, telekinesis, invisibility, pyrokinesis, clairvoyance, and confusion.

With tightropes, trapezes, ladders, poles and other dynamic environmental features, you'll zip through an engrossing story injected with humor, vivid characters, and a spectacular range of wild, imaginative environments. The non-linear plot offers incredible depth of play, loaded with multiple paths and strange sub-challenges like digging up imaginary atomic elements, finding lost brains, and telekinetic canoeing.

You'll thoroughly enjoy the journey with Raz as you make your way through weird worlds and the dark recesses of Schafer's creative, squishy gray matter in this oddball, puzzle-game shooter. Psychonauts delivers monsters that slink like cats in the night and puzzles that will bend your brain like string theory--you'll be dazzled, confused, and challenged. ... Read more

Features

• Explore 13 incredibly unique levels--three set in the real world and ten set inside fantastic mental playgrounds and horrific dungeons of dementia
• Rise up in rank as you collect figments of imagination, sort emotional baggage, clear out mental cobwebs and crack open memory vaults
• Complete special training missions to learn the power of Levitation and the ability to focus Razs mental energy into a powerful PSI Blast
• Rank up to earn additional psychic powers including Telekinesis, Invisibility, Pyrokinesis, Clairvoyance and Confusion
• Put your thoughts to useRaz can grab the thought bubble over his head and pull it down around himself as a shield, hang from it like a hot air balloon, or jump on top of it and ride it around like a skateboard

Reviews (3)

So good that I achieved supreme wood.
man this aint the best game i ever played but it is really really really awesome.i been playin it for 38 out of the last 50 hours and i get real mad when i die but the game looks awesome.it looks so good that i get wood sometimes which is awesome.playing the game is awesome because you can do all kinds of awesome stuff like light things on fire which is really awesome.i'll tell all of you to run out and get this game because its pretty awesome overall.

Psychonauts - Clever, Imaginative, Fun!
Let me start off this review by saying that I play a lot of different videogames, and owe allegiance to no genre in specifics, which is why I'm not going to compare this game to others.There are a variety of aspects that the game has which make it awesome, and I will cover these individually, in seperate paragraphs.

First off, creativity.This is not a spoiler, so have no fear as I progress.The game revolves around a ten year old child with psychic abilities by the name of Razputin, or "Raz".Without his parent's knowledge, Raz sneaks into Whispering Rocks Psychic Summer camp, a secret government training facility for young psychics.Once discovered by the camp counsellors, he is informed that his parents have been called, and will pick him up in a couple of days.Until then, he is not allowed to participate in any psychic training or activities.Of course, this doesn't stop our young adventurer from doing exactly that, and this is where the game begins.The game invites you to actually explore other character's minds, usually to help them solve an internal problem (frequently due to insanity), and each of the levels creatively reflect that character's problems.For example, you are invited into the mind of Fred, a distant relative of Napoleon, who has a split personality disorder as a result of continually losing strategy games to one of the inmates at the asylum.As you enter his head to kick Napoleon out and restore Fred's sovereignty of his mind, you are invited to play a game of strategy versus Napoleon's embodiment in Fred's mind.

Humor: I have to admit that I have been particular to Tim Schafer's sense of humor ever since playing Grim Fandango, and this game made me laugh a lot. For instance, at one point in the game you find yourself in the mind of a former high school wrestler.The walls inside the sewers of his mind are decorated with high school lockers, and one passageway is designed as a gym shower room, at which Raz remarks "Man, I feel like I'm back in High School...Which is wierd, because I'm only ten years old"The game is full of clever little side comments which make the game a blast to play, and the interactions with the other characters are constantly amusing (My favorite character is a psychic camper by the name of Mikhail, who is from Russia and has an obsession with finding a hairless bear)

Gameplay: I like the style of gameplay a lot.This is one of the first platformers I've played in a long time that seems to actually get everything right.If it's possible, you just have to try.If it's not possible, then there's no way to hack around it until you're supposed to.Some games tend to screw this up and allow the impossible, and it's nice to play a game that has a good environment to it.Moving on, the control system is nice.You move with the left analog, adjust the view with the right analog.You can assign three psychic powers (out of a possible 8) to hot buttons, and the game pauses while you assign them (you assign by pushing right on the d-pad).You can pull items out of your backpack, which never gets full (which doesn't break realism because at any given time you only have a max of something like 13 items of small-medium size).The game allows double jumping, which I usually think is cheap, but Psychonauts excuses it by defining it as an innate psychic ability which can be improved once you get the active psychic ability "levitate".The only thing I disliked about the gameplay was the fact that when you tried to target things, you had to be fairly close to your target, which seems silly when the main reason you would target something in Psychonauts is to use a ranged weapon like Psi Blast.

Sound/Music: This game has an awesome soundtrack.Every mind you invade seems to have the perfect music written for it, from the Mexican-themed "Black Velvetopia", to the Godzilla-like "Lungfishopolis".I'm not really an expert on describing music, which is why this part is going to be short, but let it be known that the music is just as awesome as the rest of the game, I just can't describe it owing to my own deficiencies.

Graphics: This game uses the xbox's graphical potential fully.I experienced no lag at all while playing, and yet could see clearly that everything was richly textured, high on polys, and gorgeous to look at.The graphical style is a little cartoony, which is something that I love in videogames, but I understand it is an acquired taste, so that is something you should definitely be aware of.In addition, each mind uses the game's graphics slightly differently, and gameplay varies a lot from mind to mind.For example, the earlier mentioned "Black Velvetopia" has a somewhat inverted color scheme, as if the world was being viewed under a blacklight.

So here we go with a final summary, which is probably the only thing most of you readers will read anyways.
Creativity: 10
Humor: 9.5
Sound: 9
Gameplay: 8.8
Graphics: 10

Overall: 9.5 - This game is one of the best games I've ever played, and is one of the best out there for xbox.Get it! :)

One of the best so far this year
Everytime Tim Schafer creates a game, I know it will be a blast.Having been on a roll starting with The Day of the Tentacle up through The Grim Fandango, each game has been delightfully intelligent, creative and an overall wonderful experience.Psychonauts is no different.In fact, it is one of the best games I have played not only this year but in a long time.

The setup is that there is a camp for psychic children who feel different in the outside world.At the camp, the counselors teach children how to harness their power to become Psychonauts, psychics who actually enter people's minds and sort out their problems.Because of this setup, each and every world is completely different from the others.Connected to a hub world of the camp, each real "level" is a person's mind.And each mind reflects the person's personality, fears, phobias etc.For instance, the beginning level is that of your drill instructor.His level is a warzone complete with mines, air plane drops, explosions, barbed wire etc.

Tim Schafer's touch is also evident in the characters who are actually characters.They all have a personality and are very emotive.I haven't laughed at a video game so hard since Conker's Bad Fur Day.This game is hillarious.From the kid who practices looking through a peep hole in the day to get practice for when it's filled with girls to trashing a town Godzilla style, the game has it in spades.However, there are some surprisingly disturbing moments in the game that are also darkly humorous.Because you have psychic powers, you also can do some pretty cool stuff from pyrokinesis, telekinesis, levitation, invisibility, etc.These moves help you progress through the levels and pick up hidden items throughout the game.

Graphically, the game is awesome on the Xbox.The levels are done in vivid colors and with a wonderful cartoon style.The campground seems alive as there are creatures walking your path.From squirrels, crows, pigeons, lizards, bears, etc, the world seems populated and just feels real.You can tell a lot of time and effort was put in to make this game come alive and it works.The game is presented in 480p, for those interested.

Aurally, the characters are voiced to perfection.Some great voice actors have been employed and it really helps create characters that are lovable.The only audio glitch I've noticed is that sometimes my speakers will "click" as voices come in or as the sound changes sometimes.The game is also presented in 5.1 surround in game.

Since the game is a platformer, all of the standards apply.In the real world and in each person's mind, there are a ton of things to collect.In the real world, there are arrowheads that can be pulled from the ground that represent cash.There is a scavenger hunt also going on that will earn you rank (which gives you new powers) and there are cards that can be formed as more rank.In each person's mind, there are also different things to collect such as emotional baggage, mental cobwebs, figments of the imagination and safes which you much punch open to reveal some of the person's past.Some of these slide shows are funny and some are actually kind of sad as you see how these people came to be who they are.I list these items to collect just as a note that the game definitely exhibits all of the charms of a platformer.But there actually is a reason to collecting everything and they fit together in this humorous world.

The game moves quickly and besides one or two intstances of panning that had the game do a wave type pattern, it is perfect.My recommendation if you play the game is to take your time talking to everyone.It helps flesh out the story and if you listen and keep making rounds after each world you will see minor breakups, makeups, humorous instances involving squirrels who tell one kid to kill everyone, and plain funny dialogue.Take your time with this one and you will definitely be rewarded.

This game is great, it's just what I was looking for.It helped remind me why I play video games.When a person can create such wonderful worlds and allow you to play in them, you realize why you play games.It is so creative.Where else can you be chased by a giant fish, rage across town as a Godzilla-like creature, be in a disco world where you must race, pin-ball style, wage war against a Napolean complex and set fire to squirrels?If you want a creative and fun video game that will take approximately 10-15 hours of your time, then this is definitely a must buy.Sure some say the game is too easy and relies on platforming cliches but honestly when you are having this much fun, does it really matter?Why quibble over small faults when you will genuinely have a complete and utter blast playing the game?I absolutely cannot recommend this game enough.And unfortunately, it's one of those games that will end up like Ico or Beyond Good and Evil where no one hears of it and no one plays it.Don't let that happen.Play this game because its games like this that the industry needs to keep creating.

A must buy.Creative and excellent. ... Read more

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

Features

• Customize dance steps in Edit mode and exercise in Work Out mode
• Links with previous games for special features
• For 1 or 2 players
• All-new exclusive songs, licensed songs and dance hits
• New game modes and graphical interface featuring music videos

Reviews (121)

Much better than seditary gaming!
I love this, I still don't understand how anyone can actually do the advanced levels (seems impossible to me).The thing that I'm not sure about is if it will save info for 2 players?Overall fun and a good workout for body and mind and spirit.

"Patrick Swayze Would have been proud of me"
Last Friday, my aunt Chris and uncle Chris (no joking they have the same exact name; on a side note though, for laughs I like to call uncle Chris aunt Chris, lol)came into town to go to some formal dinner of some sorts with Mom and Dad. I was supposed to go to 9 Mile with Lyle and look at guitars with him but Mom and Dad said I had to baby-sit Chris and Chris's 12 year old daughter (my cousin) Trisha.

She was kind of spoiled but that's what happens to most only children. Anywho, she brought over this new virtual reality game for the PS2 called Dance Dance Revolution 2. Whereas the point is to stand on these pads and, you guessed it dance. Lyle ended staying over to keep me company while bratty Trisha played with her High Brow toy. She ended up having two of those virtual reality pads so two people could play. When she offered, Lyle immediately stated, "NO WAY, those are strictly for girls and Asian guys", I quickly followed his lead to save face with him (he was a little irritated that we had to skip guitar browsing, so I didn't want to push it).

Around 10:30 Trisha went to bed so Lyle and I watched Black Dog (a great Patrick Swayze movie, by the way), Lyle went to bed right after the movie ended, but I told him I wanted to stay up a little bit to practice my harmonica. After about 15 minutes when I thought he would be a sleep, I kind of betrayed him and turned on Dance Dance. I played and it grew on me really quick. Before I knew it, I was dancing like my feet were on fire. After about twenty minutes I thought how fun it would be to go head on head with someone else. Since I dared not to wake up Lyle or Trisha, I had an ingenious idea.

What I did was I boxed in the second pad with the couch, loveseat, and chairs, then I tied a bog biscuit to a string and hung it from the light fixture above the pad. Then I woke up Morris (my dog) and did a quick grappling bout with him to riel him up. When I found him ready enough I put him in the furniture enclosure and showed him the dog biscuit. The match was on! We played straight for about a half-hour. I danced like there was no tomorrow while he jumped up and down trying to get the treat that was just inches from his grip. In the end I pretty much annilatted Morris, I think he only beat me like once.

In conclusion, Virtual Reality is finally starting to show some promise. It's been a long road for it. I just hope the world can show the future generations of virtual reality the tolerance and acceptance that Morris, Trisha, and I have.

Now at the Review writing section it asked me 2 questions.The first was "How much fun is this game?".Well thats easy.It is a Tuttleman approved 5 stars of fun.The second question was "How do you rate this game overall?".The problem is that I could never admit to Lyle that I actually liked this crazy contraption.Do you know how many cool points I would lose if Lyle knew I was (for one night only) a solid-gold lord of the dance with feet of fire!?ALL OF THEM.So I'm rating it 1 star over-all, just in case Lyle asks me what I rated it.That way I won't technically be lying to Lyle.Later.

DDR Rocks!
This game is fun, addicting, and healthy for you! DDR Max 2 is well worth its price. Although most of the songs in it are not all that common, the music selection is still pretty good and I would recomend this game for any beginners in the world of DDR.

It teaches you the basics and also allows you to choose harder options for those of whom are already hooked to the arcade version. ... Read more

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

Features

• Own the PlateMove in the batters box to adjust to where the pitcher is working you, or keep the defense honest by laying down a drag bunt.
• Precision PitchingPaint the corners and send a message with the all-new Precision Pitch Meter, or catch runners napping with unparalleled pickoff control.
• Enhanced Big Play ControlMake user-controlled stretches and dives, and beat pickoff throws with the all new manual leadoff control.
• Build an Empire From setting ticket and concession prices to throwing promotional days, control every aspect of your organization in all-new Owner mode.
• All-New Create Ballpark FeatureBuild a pitchers paradise or a hitters dream. Will you spend your earnings to upgrade your ballpark or to sign that cherished key free agent?

Reviews (21)

My favorite diversion.
My only concern with the game is that the pitching and hitting don't seem to be of equal difficulty.At All-Star, I'm dominant (ERA around 1.50) with the Yankees' starting pitching despite losing Carl Pavano to injury for most of the season.However, my super-high-priced lineup bats about .240 (with way too many Ks) despite far too much batting practice.The net result is that most games are pitcher's duels, which is enjoyable for me- I'm frequently calling bunts, pinch runners, defensive substitutions, mound visits, pitchouts, and otherwise keeping Joe Torre very busy trying to squeeze out a one-run victory.

That said, the game comes with a bewildering array of adjustable parameters, and I'm slowly tweaking the game more towards realistic play for me.The major statistical anomalies I've noticed are that I rarely if ever walk a batter unintentionally (pitchers have exceptional control over all pitches), and pitchers fatigue very slowly and recover quickly- it's more than possible to run a three-man rotation even if they're pitching complete games roughly half the time.Outfielders are somewhat dopey in their positioning and tracking of gappers, so you see a lot of triples.

Baserunning is challenging- stolen bases require a combination of outthinking the AI, a weak catcher's arm, a fast runner, picking the right pitch to go on, and even altering your slide at the last instant based on where the throw is leading the covering infielder.It's only recently that I've broken the 50% mark there, but it's becoming a bigger part of my game.Taking extra bases on base hits is a bit easier- the computer is pretty conservative with its throws, and will often throw to second or third to halt baserunners rather than risking a hard throw to the plate.

The computer AI is a lot better than last year's, most notably in that it now tries to steal bases when prudent, and moves runners over well.As an example, with a runner on second and no outs, the computer goes well out of its way to hit to the right side of the field in order to move the runner over on a sac fly or groundout.It also makes sensible substitutions- pinch runners, hitters, and on defense.

Finally, all the little things are done well.Players have realistic motion, the announcers (usually) describe plays accurately, the parks look like their RL counterparts, and you can play at any level of detail, down to playing countless minor league games, recruiting future prospects, and (literally) adjusting the price of popcorn at your stadium.

MVP Baseball 2005
This is a great game.It is the most realistic baseball game I've ever play and I only play sports games.The pitching meter is awesome.It's like in real baseball, when the pitcher throws a bad pitch, the hitter hits it over the fence.It's the same in this game.If you are early or late, you will throw a bad pitch. I also love that you can send out the manager to argue a call.You can choose the intensity of the argument and if it gets too intense, the manager gets kicked out the game.Also, when the batter gets hit by a pitch, you can make him charge the mound.I won't say any more because the other reviews say the rest.It is an awesome game.

MVP Baseball 2005
MVP Baseball 2005 shows alot of improvment from last year's game. This year's owner mode has improved also. You can even create your own baseball field and manage your improvments. It has the upto date rosters in it. I just loved this game overall. It could be better and the price is right but ESPN 2k5 has the lower price and might make the difference between the two. ... Read more

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

Features

• Use power-ups like Warp Whistle and Frog Suits
• Battle in the land, air and sea
• For 1-4 players with Game Link cable
• Help Mario and Luigi stop Bowser and his trouble-making kids
• Run, crush and stomp over your enemies as you conquer 8 different worlds

Reviews (149)

Excellent!
My niece got this game and some other games but i think she likes it the best. so do i. She is so shellfish that she doesn't let me play. so i told my mom to buy one for me.FUN. I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IT.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE MARIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a really good game and I strongly reccommend it for ANYBODY!!!!! I love all if the levels and they never get old!!!! This game is AWESOME!!!!

still my childhood favorite
This game is excellent!It is just like the super mario brothers games that were out when I had my first Nintendo game player.It is identical to the Super Mario Bros 3 original, but they added additional secrets and graphics that give it a more modern video game appeal. Absolutely the best game for kids, it has goals and requires strategy, which many video games today lack.This is a game I still enjoy playing as an adult. ... Read more

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

Features

• Choose from a huge cast: Luigi, Peach, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario and many more
• Link the game with eight other players using a broadband adapter and race each other
• For 1-8 players
• Kart racing game featuring classic Nintendo characters
• Pick a partner and race through wild courses as you compete in tough circuits

Reviews (228)

One of the Most Replayable Games of Recent Years
Mario Kart Double Dash!! is one of the most phenomenal video games ever made; a game that makes me fondly remember what video games used to be.
Firstly, for Mario Kart veterans (who I am sure have already picked this game up), this is the most unique game in the series.Two racers now occupy each car.The racer in front steers while the character in back handles weapons and attacks (you can punch nearby players now and steal their weapons).If you play single-player, you control both characters, stearing and firing weapons, while a single tap of the 'Z' button will switch character positions.This comes in handy, since each character can carry a weapon, while only the character in back can use them.So, if the driver has a banana or a shell you want to fire, and the character in back has nothing, tap 'Z' and switch positions in an instant, without slowing down your car at all.
Because of the two-character mechanic, there are now two types of weapon boxes that you drive through to recieve your weapon: single boxes give only the character in the back of the car a weapon - so if the charcater in back is already carrying one, switch the charcater's positions when you drive through a single weapon box so that both your racers will now carry a weapon.Double weapon boxes give each racer on the kart a weapon, (if one charcater is already carrying one, the other racer will recieve a weapon regardless).In single-player, if both characters have a weapon, and the one in back fires theirs, the characters automatically switch positions on the car, so the character with the remaining weapon is instantly ready to fire.
In multi-player, you have a few options.Each player can control their own car and both characters on it, or you can each pick one character to race on the same car.If you choose the latter, both players will have to push 'Z' simultaneosly to switch positions on the car.So, if one player prefers driving, and the other prefers handling the weapons, you can stay that way the entire race, since the characters will not automatically switch positions (instead, the player in front can tap the fire button to toss his weapon to the player in back when they are empty-handed).Multiplayer is incredibly addicting; especially (surprise) in battle mode, which makes a welcome return.For players used to ballon battle from Mario Kart 64, the levels in Double Dash will seem small at first (though you can unlock a few more, one of which is bigger), but give balloon battle a chance.It is incredibly addictive, and nothing is more satisfying than hitting your opponent with an expertly timed shot of a green shell from across a level.(There are also two new battle modes this time around, but I found balloon battle to be the most enjoyable.)
One thing that surprised me was the game's difficulty.The learning curve is perfect, with three difficulty levels as usual, 50cc, 100 cc and 150cc racing modes.But for a Nintendo game, 150cc proved fairly difficult, which was a welcome challenge.Computer opponents are smart on 150cc mode, but make similar mistakes to the ones you'll find yourself making.They win races not by cheating (like in other games), but by firing weapons at strategic moments in the race, or using power slides around turns (do it correctly and you'll get a mini speedy boost at the end of the power slide).So, regardless of how far ahead you may be on 150cc mode, one simple error can prove devestating.On the flip side, if you are behind, one great, well timed shot can be all you need to take the lead.The gameplay is expertly balanced, and there is even strategy involved now in selecting your team and your car, since different players and cars have varying weights and pros and cons.Plus, each character has a unique special weapon.
In addition, the course design, as usual in the Mario Kart series, is flawless.Every course is unique, and you'll develop strategies for approaching each one.Moreover, the graphics are sharp, bright and colorful.Each course and each character has their own personality.
The replay value is infinite.There are plenty of unlockables in single-player, inlcuding new characters, courses (racing and battle), cars, and game modes.Once everything is unlocked, multiplayer alone will keep you coming back for more, not to mention besting your best course times in time trial mode.
This game is a great reminder of what used to make games great - gameplay and replayability, not graphics, physics or online modes.This is a brilliantly crafted game, a game that will appeal to all ages, both genders, gamers and non-gamers alike.
A true classic!

great
this game isfunbutit is greatwithbudies

Good game.
This game is pretty fun and has pretty decent things to do and awesome cars!!! The courses are great to!! I love playing this game with my friends and kicking their butts!!!! Lol. I love this game!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Gamecube (Game Cube, Game-cube)    3. Action    4. Adventure    5. Racing    6. Flying   

Features

• Simple play controlled with analog sticks only; no buttons to press
• Dimensions change drastically as clumps grow; 2-player battle mode
• For 1 to 2 players
• Ball-rolling and object-collecting gameplay with quirky, infectious humor throughout
• Insanely cosmic animations; wacky musical stylings; royally contagious storyline

Reviews (90)

Very original game, if I do say so myself!
At first glance, this game doesn't seem great, but after 5 minutes, you'll find your eyes glued to the screen as you play KD.The object of this game is to build a huge ball of everyday objects to advance through levels.Sounds boring, but you'll find yourself saying otherwise.This is one of the few games that fully require analog controllers.The gameplay itself is original, and the sounds are quite nice to listen to.If you like odd-yet-original games, this one is worth buying.

One of the strangest games...ever
Katamari Damacy is far and away one of the strangest, most original games to come along in years. The gameplay concept, the visual style, the soundtrack, even the backstory are all conceived and executed with such a unique flavor that, when presented as a whole, it's difficult not to be drawn in by all the weird little idiosyncrasies. It's not a complex game, nor is it especially challenging, or long.

Using the analog sticks exclusively, you'll roll the katamari around with tanklike controls. Pushing both sticks up moves the katamari forward, pushing both sticks down moves it backward, and pushing one stick up and one stick down will cause it to turn. There are a few other tricks, such as moving both sticks up and down really fast to gain a quick boost, or pushing in on both sticks to hop on the other side of the katamari and quickly change directions--but this is basically all you'll need to know in order to control it. However, controlling it well is a more nuanced thing. The shapes of the things you collect will affect the overall shape of your katamari, thus affecting how it actually rolls. So, if you roll over a bunch of pencils or a ladder or some carrots, it can make your going a bit more challenging.

It will suprise you how fun this game truly is-
Whoever decided of developing this game, I give them my thanks. I never thought in a million years that rolling around a ball that collects junk would ever be so fun or would demand so much thinking. Then there is the fantastic quirky music and strange cinema scenes. The game is a complete package that will satisfy all ages, both boys and girls. Ironically, it was my older sister who introduced me to this game and she had never touched a PS2 before.

There are three basic type of levels. There are levels where you have to roll up your ball to a certain size before the time stops. Then there are the levels in which you collect specific items to create constellations- the first is crabs for Cancer. The last type of level is you grow the ball until you can collect the larges item of a specific constellation. Here is an example- for the constellation Taurus, you must pick up the Giant Cow to make a bright constellation. If you pick up a little cow, a cow man, a cow cone, a cow vending machine, etc. the level comes to a stop and you have to settle with what you got. These levels may seem impossible, but I have pulled them off.

When I first finished the entire game, it felt very short for me. Then I found out about how I can get falling stars and make my constellations brighter if I do a better job on the levels. I don't know how many times I have gone back and replayed the levels to get everything possible.

Don't wait any longer. This game will surprise you with how fun and funny it truly is. ... Read more

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

Features

• Use the magic of the cap to shrink and explore the world of the Minish lying hidden just beneath your feet.
• With the help of all-new items like the Gust Jar and the Mole Mitts, shoot blasts of air or claw through dirt to reach new regions.
• Unravel the secrets of the Kinstones to solve puzzles, unlock hidden areas, and restore happiness to the people of Hyrule.

Reviews (55)

Beautiful! Miyamoto brings back more fun!
Okay, hour 1 of minish cap: It's 6:00pm and I'm still stuck on this one puzzle, the size of a piece of dust and Ezlo isn't helping me... success! I found the Jar of Gusts! I suck the spiderwebs off (You're sick if you're thinking what I think you're thinking I'm thinking you're thinking.) with the jar and get out of the extra entrances, quite frankly I'm entertained.

Drowning in puddles... teardrops and getting jumped by pieces of pollen... what's not to want or need?! Mr. Miyamoto did not fail us, the gameplay engine was solid, the graphics, good for a GBA game, sound... wonderful! I swear, playing as a super-chibbi is fun, so if you want an affordable good game... don't buy this game... buy it if you want an awesome affordable game! Go Zelda!!!

Cool Game
This is fun, even when you play it again. There is a HUGE amount of kinstone fusions to do, it will take a lot of time to come up with everything. I had to make a separate game where I don't finish the four sword, since i miss a lot of fusions from the town. Also, try making your name dude or cheesy. People start saying really weird stuff.

So Much Fun
I had a ball playing this game. It took a while to finish but it was worth it. Going to start all over again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)   

Features

• Comes with a free carrying case from ALS
• Just like the classic Nintendo Entertainment System
• Features the classic games Super Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and Ice Climber
• Comes with headphones designed exclusively for the GBA SP
• Game Boy Advance SP Classic bundle

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

Features

• New playable characters.
• Enhanced battlefield stronghold system challenges your strategic decision-making in the midst of combat.
• More characters per screen for an added challenge.
• New fighting moves and attacks.
• Reduced fog and improved draw distance to show more detailed backgrounds.

Reviews (9)

Dynasty REPEAT
DW. 2, 3, 4, all great. But this is the same hack n' slash gameplay we've seen! I'm sick of this game! I could buy DW 4 and save some damned money!!! I'll leave it at this. It's like watching the same movie over and over and over and over and over and over and over again! The camera angles sometime get annoying. If your a DW fan, pick it up, otherwise, this game isn't going to turn you into one.

More dumb fun, but a bit hackneyed now...
CAVEAT: I love the DW series, having purchased all of them (even the original for PS1). I love this game as well, although it seems to be the most shallow of the bunch.

48(!) characters join the fray this time as you once again take control of a personality of the time of the Three Kingdoms and do battle with your nemeses. Each character has their own storyline, complete with events seen only in that character's story (this is a plus, as it was quite tedious to fight through each kingdom multiple times in order to see all the characters in DW4). Weapons no longer need to be upgraded (another plus), and orbs are now rare items found by playing on hard mode. A "chaos" mode has been added, and it is NOT for the faint of heart (the difficulty is more like Very Hard mode in DW3:XL, as opposed to DW4:XL, but no one drops any meat buns!). The graphics are much better in this installment, and True Musou is actually more valuable than Musou in this game.

However, this game suffers from the same slowdown issues as the previous games (which is really unforgivable now, as this is the same game engine that has been used for six previous installments of DW). The siege weapons are even more useless here than in DW4 (unfortunate, since I thought that this could add a bit of depth to the strategy portion of this game). The camera is incredibly frustrating (not as much as, say, Samurai Warriors, but it's still pretty bad). Character balance is rather poor, though not as bad as previous installments (Lu Bu and Zuo Ci are incredible, Zhang Jiao and Meng Huo are horrible, the rest are OK). While large battlefields are nice, the game is frustrating until you obtain a horse saddle (another rare item).

All in all, I love the game. Why 3 stars? Well, I'm trying to diminish my bias. The fact is, if you are a fan of these games, you've probably already purchased this. If you didn't like the others, you won't like this one. And if you have never played a DW game before, this is probably the best of the lot. Still, I would have enjoyed a bit more originality and variety in this one (really, it plays exactly like DW2, which is five years old).

Huge leaps and bounds, major improvements in gameplay.
I had most definitely not expected this.I had a love/hate relationship with Dynasty Warriors 4, and Dynasty Warriors 4:Empires was so bad that I popped in for two days and then sold it off.Dynasty Warriors 5, however, seems determined to correct every flaw about the two above games and the results are surprisingly impressive.

DW4:Empires was a stinker to me because of endlessly respawning enemy generals, a tiresome "stronghold" system, worthless allies, and an inability to build up your fighters since they start at Level 1 at every new game.Much to my delighted surprise, all of the above problems were fixed.

PROS:
- The gameplay is now a hybrid of DW4 and Empires where enemy generals stay dead when you kill them (thank heaven), checkpoints and supply bases can be realistically captured without having to wait at one location for 10 minutes to defend it against endless enemies.The system of taking down enemy supply bases works very well; you actually see a marked turning of the battle in your favour as you proceed.
- No more levels where you kill a dozen enemy generals only to have a single, artificially enhanced enemy reinforcement pop up next to your commander to ruin your game.Your commander is no longer a dummy that can die with a poke.Obviously, this allows you to do more fighting and less running around saving your allies' butts.
- Fighter training is back (which was impossible in Empires), though a little more difficult than before because now your weapon doesn't go up in levels at the same time the character does; you have to find these weapon items while playing the levels, and the quality of weapons you find is proportionate to the difficulty of the level.Tougher than DW4, but manageable, and the system is logical enough.
- The biggest surprise:Allied AI became far, far superior.DW4 players will remember this hyper-annoying situation where if you slaughter every one of the enemies except their commander, your allied soldiers will run towards the commander like idiots, not attacking, and pushing the commander around so much that you can't get at him.That is, happily, history.Allied generals are now almost as skillful as enemy generals, and your bodyguard (now only one, rather than a team of eight at once) is now very helpful, aggressively attacking, healing themselves and you, getting you out of jams.About time!
- Happily, they kept the control system from Empires so that now you can fully control where your combos face.This was like a breath of fresh air.Now if you miss a hit, it is indeed your own fault, and not the computer messing you up.
- Marginally better voice work.Some of the changes in voice actors were for the worse -- Zhou Yu, Cao Cao and Lu Bu had good voices in DW4; now they sound silly.And new character Xing Cai is abysmal, sounding like a six-year-old reciting bad dialogue.But the overall quality of voice work has improved, with fewer stiff deliveries.Diao Chan, Yue Ying, Sun Ce, and Lu Meng all sound far better than before, and Jiang Wei's character lost that horrible accent and is now quite nice to listen to.
- Improved graphics.Seems like they added some shadowing, and the look is now more textured, a little grittier.
- Improved map design.You still have to do some running around, but aside from the labyrinthine "Battle of Chen Cang" level, no more levels like that insufferable He Fei map from DW4, where you had to run along the length of the map six to seven times to beat the level.
- The "peons" -- enemy footsoldiers -- are more numerous and less hard to kill.The later soldiers in DW4 were so hardy they were tiresome to fight; no such problem here, at least at Normal difficulty level.

CONS:
- No more duels.I personally don't miss this feature, but I know that one of the top requests from DW4 players was the ability to challenge computer enemies to duels.Instead of refining the duel system, they've dispensed with it altogether.
- No more customized officers of your own design.This was one of the more fun aspects of Empires -- gone with the wind.
- The new Musou Mode will not be to everybody's taste.Now, instead of choosing a side and having all of the officers of that side available to you, you choose a character who has a specific story arc, and you can't swap fighters midway.There are advantages to this -- more varied storylines, deeper gameplay -- but the downside is the inability to switch characters, and now you *have* to master every single character to finish the game.
- Enemy generals do an insane amount of damage.It's just not fun in any context to face an enemy that can take half your life bar with one single combo.It's nice that enemies do less of the "block you to death" trick, but to have to pay for one mistake with half your life bar is excessive.It doesn't ruin the game, but it mars the enjoyment.
- Cao Pi, Pang De and Xing Cai are all pretty unappealing as new characters.Cao Pi's moves are pathetic, Xing Cai is slow and unremarkable (terrible voice, too), and Pang De looks like a nameless general.It's as if they ran out of character-design ideas.Ling Tong's nunchaku are neat, but why not have a character use a mace ("liang ya pang", or "wolf's tooth club"), a whip, a quarterstaff, or tri-sectioned nunchaku?
- Character balance has actually suffered.The new weapons system, where each weapon has a "weight" rating which affects how fast you attack, actually skews the game even more -- the fast, powerful characters become overwhelmingly strong (Jiang Wei is almost unstoppable with the new weapons system), while "alternate", more joke-like characters like Zhang Jiao, Xu Zhu, and Diao Chan are now nearly feeble -- the slower characters are crippled by heavy weapons, short-ranged characters get overwhelmed by the increased number of peons, and slow-moving characters will get pummeled by the insidious enemy AI.They should have given these harder characters a little something to balance the odds.

Overall, this game has successfully restored my faith in the series.It was more appealing to pick up than DW4, and leagues above Empires in design and gameplay.Highly recommended for fans of brawler games -- not perfect, but the best example of this game series I've seen and played yet. ... Read more

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

Features

• Execute synchronized attacks coordinated with other characters to attack enemies
• Lush, fully polygonal graphics, cut scenes, and an orchestral score create a magnificent environment
• Contains all the features of the Japanese Director's Cut version
• Set in SD 772, the hero Fayt Leingod searches for his family and loved ones
• Move through fullly 3-D battlefields and control three characters simultaneously

Reviews (25)

it's official
i got a chance to play this game when i first played it in my friends house. it wasn't the best rpg ever made. but the gameplay is worth playing and the graphics are nice.

Largely Disappointing
Probably one of the biggest surprises I've ever enjoyed during my years in front of a video game console came when I first tried my hand at an unsuspecting little package dubbed Star Ocean: The Second Story. This old, overlooked two-disc pack for the PSone had been literally gathering dust on my shelf for years before I bothered to even test it out, and I suppose that complete lack of any kind of previous expectation was a big part of why I was so totally impressed and engulfed by what I found within the game itself. Unfortunately, by overwhelming me so effectively in its first American offering, my expectations for the future of the Star Ocean franchise went through the roof. In a way, it's funny; I loved the precursor because I expected nothing of it and received everything I ever could've wanted, and then subconsciously built up the sequel to the point that nothing it could muster would ever be enough to appease me.

To start with, the story is beyond terrible and the characters are even worse. When I first met Fayt and Sophia, the two leads, I couldn't help but grimace. They're so paper-thin, so incredibly dull and intelligence-insultingly bland, I initially mistook them for a heavy-handed satire of the role playing genre in general. This is, honest to god, the most uninspiring cast I've seen since console RPGs were just gaining their footing in Final Fantasy I back on the NES. They'll say and do things that'll just make you stare blankly for a few seconds and then explode into unrelenting laughter. Fayt, in particular, is the very epitome of a stereotype. He has no flaws, and as a result he makes an incredibly boring leader. The characters seem so out of touch with reality that nothing ever seems to carry the kind of magnitude you'd hope for, even when entire worlds are exploding and individual races are being completely wiped from existence. By the time the third act comes around, bringing with it the one really interesting revelation in the storyline, you're forty hours in and have cemented your opinion of the game as a whole. Before that, it's cliche after cliche, with absolutely no originality thrown in to keep things halfway interesting.

Like its predicessor, TtEoT's gameplay is its greatest triumph. The battles have remained every bit as enjoyable and strategically brilliant as I remembered, and the controls are incredibly easy to comprehend. You'll have, at most, three characters in your party at any one time (which is a major gripe I've had with the RPG genre in general for years now... why would six people stand by and watch their three buddies struggle in a fight with monsters, rather than joining in and cleaning house?) and they're all performing individual actions at the same time, to say nothing of the monsters on the other side of the battlefield. At a glance it would appear to be mildly organized chaos, but in action it's really pretty simple. Before, after and during the battle, you can set a specific attack style for the characters you won't be directly controlling, so they aren't wasting all of their strength on a meaningless enemy while a tough boss fight is just around the corner. If you want your weakest character to avoid physical confrontations and concentrate on healing, it's as easy as changing a setting. Usually, two members of your party will be following these instructions at any time, while you'll be directly in control of the third. Yet, despite the seemingly-obvious directions, the computer AI will occasionally find a way to screw up. Whether they're running headfirst into an explosion with low HP or repeatedly casting heal on a teammate who doesn't need it, your comrades will generally leave a lot to be desired. I even ran into a few instances where I'd found myself single-handedly taking on half a dozen enemies while my two teammates stood off in a corner somewhere and cheered me on.

Aside from the cutscenes, this is generally a visually uninspiring game. The characters look about as stale and unexciting as they act, and the environments and spells are nothing that hasn't already been done better by a previous title. To be frank, the Sega Dreamcast could have more than likely produced graphics equal to the ones seen here, and that's a tremendous knock at this stage in the PS2's life cycle. With the PS3 peeking over the horizon, this should be the point in time when game developers are really starting to stretch Sony's aging console to the limits with amazing graphical effects, not leaning back and kicking out weak, flat displays such as this. Occasionally you'll run into an enemy or dungeon that's up to par visually with its contemporaries, but on the large I wasn't impressed. The graphical direction and wardrobe designs are solid enough, but it looks like a lot of the charm was lost in the translation from pen and paper to fully interactive three-dimensionality. As I alluded to earlier, the cutscenes are outstanding, but you'd expect that from a Square-Enix RPG.

This current-gen revisiting of developer tri-Ace's shining star feels like a hollow, emotionless shell more than it does a sequel five and a half years in the making. Rarely have I been more disappointed in a big follow-up title than I was with this one. It's strictly average, with passable graphics, weak voice acting, horrible characters and a mind-numbingly slow story killing any forward progress made by the battle system, which is still quite a blast. I feel dirty for considering this as a contemporary to The Second Story, although I'm beginning to question if even the PSone rendition was actually as good as I remember it. I don't think the ultimate goal of a sequel should be to force its fans to re-evaluate their feelings about the original.

Horrible battle system
The latest installment in the Star Ocean series has a battle system that's unreasonably tedious, insulting, badly-planned and frustrating. The concepts of "fury" and the "battle guage" were bad ideas that slow down the story to a crawl, debilitating your characters in any fight.

Here's how it works: After every single action you take in battle, your "fury" (or stamina) decreases. When your fury is low, your character just sits there panting or doubled over in exhaustion, leaving you vulnerable to being critically hit. I can see how that seems realistic with fighting, but how is that the case with short movement and using items?

Being vulnerable to attacks in this way wouldn't be so bad (after all, none of the battles for the first half of the game are challenging at all) if it didn't break down your battle gauge.

The only method of gaining experience (and thus growing more powerful) is bringing the battle gauge to 100% and gaining the experience bonus from it by initiating attacks in the first few moments of battle. But after all the time you put into raising the battle gauge (it can take hours), it breaks when the character is critically hit- when can happen when your fury is low.

So here's the typical scenario: spend a boring, mind-meltingly tedious amount of time raising the battle gauge in hopes of gaining a reasonable amount of experience. Achieve 100%, use an item, pant in exhaustion, get hit, and the gauge breaks. Repeat process.

The battle system takes away a good chunk of enjoyability from gameplay. Maybe next time, Square. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure    7. Role Playing Games (rpg, rpgs)    8. Strategy (Strategic)   

Reviews (3)

So much has not been discovered...
CoP marks the first major expansion of the FFXI world since its release to the US. This expansion does not add any new jobs or raise the maximum level you can attain in the game (still 75), but it does add many new areas, monsters, missions, quests, NPCs, recipes and equipment. The new areas are divided into those you can enter as soon as you install the expansion, and those which you need to complete missions to get to. The ones you can freely enter include new monsters, treasure and fishing areas, but are not hugely different than the areas adjacent to them. However, one thing I've learned is that there is more than meets the eye since many changes are below the surface and take many weeks for them to be discovered.

The areas that are locked out require quite a bit of work to get to. You will need to have a character of lvl 30, with appropriate equipment in order to complete 3 missions to gain access. Since there are a few job combinations that work well, you may need to start a new job, or gain a high enough level in that job to use it. This can be a big time commitment, however many people already have a job or two that they can use around level 30 so it's not terribly difficult to participate. Each of the missions may take between 1 and 4 hours to complete, and you will need between 6 and 18 players to help you. This makes it quite a hassle just to enter the new zones, so don't expect to be able to see everything advertised as soon as you install the game.

The areas that I have been in are absolutely breathtaking and the music fits the atmosphere of that area. There is a new beastman race that you can fight called Moblin, who have their own cities, culture and history. There are new super powerful dragons that give those that are already 75 something to do. One of these dragons took 30+ level 75 characters over 5 hours to kill. There are new recipes for crafters, new spells for mages, new avatars for summoners and new weapons and armor for melee jobs.

That being said, I still give this 5 stars based more on my experiences with the current game than on what is in the new expansion. It will take many months for people to complete all the missions and gain access to all the zones included in this expansion, which is really required to write a comprehensive review. This is probably the reason why very few review are posted.

Was hoping for more..
FFXI has it's flaws. Well, okay, quite a few.
I was sincerely hoping this would at least attempt to fix some of them. I have no idea what I was thinking. Not only did the customers who ordered the game as it came out have to run hours worth of upgrades to fix glitches in the expansion, most of the quests and items weren't available due to further problems. Which makes me wonder if Square-Enix just threw the game out as soon as possible, without actually putting any effort into it.
So far, there's absolutely nothing I find useful from the expansion. It HAS introduced a few new items, but most can only be used by classes that already have a nice variety of items available to them. The expansion pack also introduced new areas, one of which is a new city. Wait, no, Square isn't just going to let you go to the new town after you bought the expansion, you'll have to undertake series of horribly tedious missions to unlock the passage. The missions are exactly the same; wait around a few hours to form an alliance then try and survive a trip to a boss fight, except each area looks *slightly* different.
I will admit the new areas that can be accessed freely [...] were pretty fun to explore and introduced some fairly cool monsters, but haven't benefited me in a single way.
NO new jobs were introduced with this expansion. The J&R Music review points out you can get Dark Knight, Summoner and Ninja, but all those jobs are available without Chains of Promathia.

All in all, this expansion didn't introduce much of anything useful (with the exception of some interesting boss fights with familiar FF characters and new areas). Though, it's not horribly expensive so you might as well get it.

The new world of Vana ' Deil, gets even bigger
The world of Vana ' Deil gets bigger in this new expension pack.

Chains of Promathia features new regions to explore, frightening new enimies to engage in cobat, and an mystery to confront.

See ya' ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. PS2 (PSX2)    3. Sony Playstation (Play station) 2    4. Playstation2 (Play station2)    5. Action    6. Adventure    7. Role Playing Games (rpg, rpgs)    8. Strategy (Strategic)   

Editorial Review

Normally, Nintendo contract players such as Mario, Pikachu, Link, DonkeyKong, Bowser, and Kirby are generally happy and well-mannered, but in SuperSmash Bros. Melee, the pleasantries get thrown out and the gloves (exceptfor Mario's) come off. This update of the N64 favorite features these and othervideo game icons in furious, yet utterly absurd fisticuffs that usually make fora smashing good time. Just make sure you have at least one human opponent topound on.

Starting off with 14 characters (an additional 11 are waiting to be unlocked),the game has a pretty standard premise--let Nintendo's stars beat on each otheruntil the timer runs out. However, a lot of emphasis is put on knockingopponents off ledges while avoiding the same fate. In typical Nintendo manner,there are quite a few power-ups to assist you in the melee. The actual combatisn't as intricate as in other fighting games; however, the ultra-cartoonylayout of the many, many arenas sometimes adds a strategic element not usuallyfound in similar titles.

Super Smash Bros. Melee's strength lays in the mayhem created infour-player fights. The camera does an excellent job of positioning itself so allcombatants are constantly visible. Also, Melee sports some of the bestvisuals seen in a Nintendo product. All the characters are highly detailed, andthe movements of each are smoothly infused with personality. Donkey Kong lumbersand Princess Peach fights with grace.

As the multiplayer mode is the key reason for this game's existence, thesingle-player mode is decidedly weak. The game features an adventure mode that playssomewhat like an old-school, side-scrolling Mario game. Sadly, despite its goodlooks, its gameplay is rather uninspired. This game is clearly at its best whenthere are two or more players with controllers in their hands. --MarkBrooks

Pros:

• Fantastic graphics and sound keep the action upbeat
• Many new characters and other goodies to unlock

• Single-player experience is comparatively weak
• Too cute for a few folks
• Adventure mode is boring

Reviews (997)

The Greatest of All Nintendo Games
This game excels in every area, and does not require a multicategory review to prove it. The sequel to one of the best video games ever, this is a monumental achievement.
This game shows exactly why everyone loves Nintendo.

Well, it used to be that way.

Sony and Microsoft are celebrating over their triumph over the powerful Sega Dreamcast system, and glad that it'll probably never gain the strength to once again be a major force in video games. Now the two supergiants want Nintendo out of the picture, too. Gamers look more and more for graphics and action rather than new ideas, and since Nintendo does the latter, it won't survive long.

Sad to say this, but Nintendo's on its way out.

Here's a list I made predicting the future of games:

1.) Nintendo will die sometime during or after the next console generation. It will not be taken over by Sony or Microsoft, who will consider its games "kiddie" and "worthless".
2.) These game genres' popularity may change:
First-person shooter: Increase
Fighting: Increase
Racing: Stay the same
Platformer: Extinct
Puzzle: Extinct
RPG/Strategy: Decrease
Sports: Stay the same
3.) Future consoles will move their focus even more from games to features, such as DVD, Internet, "Home" systems, etc.
4.) Sony and Microsoft use their mighty money powers to create a monopoly for themselves.
5.) These ESRB games will:
EC: Extinct
E: Decrease
E+10: Decrease
T: Stay the same
M: Increase
AO: Increase
6.) Game systems hit a level of "Maximum realism".
7.) Game mascots (ex: Mario, Crash Bandicoot, Mega Man, etc.) will no longer exist; all characters will be realistic people.
8.) Second Great Video Game Crash will occur somewhere from 15 to 25 years from now when consumers lose interest.
9.) Sony and Microsoft in their ultimate clash; unsure if Sony or Microsoft wins.
10.) Sony and/or Microsoft easily overpower all third companies with new consoles. This leads to less variety in games and consoles.
11.) After the Second Great Video Game Crash, neither Sony nor Microsoft may be able to save the industry they've destroyed. No third companies will help, as they will have been wiped out long ago. There will be no Nintendo to pick up the industry once again, as it had in the First Great Video Game Crash of 1983 with its