Down and Dirty Reviews: Xbox -- N - Z

It's the all powerful X Box! The X-Box really made a name for itself, mostly because of all of these great games. Here are the games I had a chance to play so far.

The scores are out of 100.


The graphics, sounds, and game play are out of 10.

Score / Name

62 NAMCO MUSEUM (Namco/Mass Media, October 2002)
You get 12 games here complete with retro style graphics, cute sound effects, and great action. When do Xbox owners get a chance to play the legendary Pac Man, Pole Position, or Galaga, eh? This is a smart buy for people looking to relive their past but don't expect too many bonus features.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 2
sound: 3
gameplay: 8

Find this game on eBay here!

38 NARC (Midway/Point of View Games, February 2005)
It's a shame that Narc is getting all this big time press simply because you can use drugs in it. That means people may actually want to play this garbage. Don't be fooled by the $19.99 tag price; the game looks ugly, the controls are poorly done, and the gritty story line gets dull in a hurry. There is some decent action here and there but quite frankly the game is so bad it smells worst then bad weed.
For 1 player only
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 4
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find this game on eBay here!

75 NEED For SPEED UNDERGROUND (EA, November 2003)

The always edgy Need For Speed now takes a page out of all those illegal street racing flicks like the Fast and the Furious. Here we have Need For Speed Underground. Underground gets off to slow start because you only use a few cars and do a few touch ups at the beginning but if you stick with it then the gambling/high risk style game play can be addictive.
For 1 to 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 8
Find this game on eBay here!

The Total Recall Dud of the Month
50 NHL RIVALS 2004 (Mircosoft, November 18, 2003)

Not only are these Xbox exclusive sports games able to support the Xbox Live so you can play gamers from around the world online (unlike most of the Xbox versions of the EA sports games) but some of XSN games like Top Spin Tennis and Amped 2 have been great titles so far. Can Microsoft give us an innovative Hockey game with its new features like Rivalry games, and Pivot-Control ideas or is this game too inexperienced to compete in the big leagues? Maybe I wouldn't be so hard on NHL Rivals 2004 if there weren't so many other great Hockey games already available but that's the way it is. ESPN Hockey has far better presentation, NHL 2004 is a better simulator, and NHL Hitz Pro has much more furious action. NHL Rivals is good for Microsoft's first try because some of the sharp graphics and in-game commentary but all that just isn't enough.
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 6

Find this game on eBay here!


51 NIGHT CASTER (Microsoft, December 2001)

Here is a game that started out great. In a interesting story; you help a young magic user get revenge on invading demons that destroyed your village. Your Night Caster has a special aura that can shoot 4 different and even upgradable spells plus it can also fire in multiple directions. The graphics are overly dark but they are colourful and well detailed plus the sound isn't too bad either. Sadly, the game's biggest downfall is that it's too demanding when you have to pause just to switch spells. Night Caster tries to mix both Arcade action with some Role Playing elements to create something unique for the Xbox but it doesn't excel well at none of them.
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find this game on eBay here!

41 NIGHT CASTER 2 (Jaleco Entertainment, December 2002)

If you ever wanted a sequel to a video game, I bet Night Caster wasn't it, eh? I could think of so many other games like the Guardian Legend, Blazing Lazers, the stupid game with the monkeys and tons more that deserve a sequel more than NC here. Night Caster II has a terrible menu system, the graphics are still too dark, and the new music doesn't fit here. Bottomline Night Caster isn't very good for action/RPG fans and so is Night Caster II!
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 5
sound: 1
gameplay: 6

Find this game on eBay here!

84 NINJA GAIDEN (Tecmo, March 2004)
Another hero made famous on the 8-bit Nintendo makes a successful comeback to the game scene! Ryu is back and wait till you see all the cool new moves he can do now. Sure, the game is a little on the hard side and the camera can act up a bit but these are only minor complanits in a other wise perfect action game here. The heavily detailed graphics are incredible, the music fits the game, and there is enough action here to make sure boredom hardly ever sets in.
For 1 player only
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 9
sound: 8
gameplay: 8
Find this game on eBay here!

93
ODDWORLD STRANGER'S WRATH (EA Games/Oddworld Inhabitants, January 25, 2005)
This unusual action game is highly addictive, it's easy to pick up and play, plus the whole western theme is very stylist. Oddworld Stranger's Wrath is an excellent departure of this already great series and now you don't have to worry about going to prison for throwing innocence animals anymore. There is no denying that this is a fantastic and very original action game that Xbox owners shouldn't miss.
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 9
sound: 7
gameplay: 9

Find this game on eBay here!

70 OUT RUN 2 (Sega/Am2, October 20, 2004)

Fans of deep racing simulations (like Gran Turismo) or insane over-the-top games (like Burnout 3) will be disappointed with Out Run 2's overly simple arcade-like play mechanics. However, the game's great graphics, easy to master controls and great use of LAN and Xbox Live support are sure to please all of the casual gamers out there. The bottom-line is that Out Run 2 is a great game for arcade thrills and how can you hate driving a Ferrari with a babe by your side, eh?
*Xbox Link compatible
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 to 8 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 8
sound: 5
gameplay: 6

Find this game on eBay here!

The StarSoldier's Game of the Month!

88 PANZER DRAGOON ORTA (Sega/Smilebit, January 16, 2003)
Sega's original Panzer Dragoon series was highly acclaimed for being some of the best video games for the Sega Saturn because of the game's rich story, unique 3D graphics, and fitting musical scores. The only problems with these games is not the way they were made but the ill fated system they were on. For many years, the only way you could play one of these great Panzer Dragoon games was to have a Saturn, that is until now. What I like most about Panzer Dragoon Orta is that this is a fusion of the furious arcade action of the first two Panzer Dragoon games and the RPG cult favourite Panzer Dragoon Saga. There is also enough story text here to fill a novel, you get some wicked fantasy graphics, great sounds, and there is enough super crazy arcade action that people are just bound to love.
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 9
sound: 9
gameplay: 8

Find this game on eBay here!

69 PITFALL the lost expedition (Activision/Edge of Reality, February 18, 2004)
The game is not the best looking or sounding title on the market but with its colourful bunch of characters, easy to learn game play and constant action, the game is still worth a try if only just to see how far games have come since the days of the Atari 2600. When it's all said and done, Pitfall the Lost Expedition is a solid but very typical 3D adventure game.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 7

Find this game on eBay here!

63 The PLAYBOY MANSION (Arush/Cybercore, January 2005)

Although I had some problems with the game's blatant ripping off of the Sims and the overall easy difficult, I still think Playboy the Mansion is fun enough to be an above average experience. Managing your own nudie magazine isn't for everyone (for God's sake you better keep this away from your girlfriend or wife ……. unless they are very liberal, heh heh) but you may be surprised how playable and interesting it is to be just like Hef.
For 1 player only
Rated (M) for Mature

graphics: 6
sound: 8
gameplay: 7
Find this game on eBay here!


87
PRINCE of PERSIA Warrior Within (Ubisoft, December 4, 2004)

This game doesn't really do anything that you haven't seen before in many other action games available but this is one of the few titles that manage to do all the key ingredients really well. The story is rich and entertaining, combat is realistic and intense for action fans plus the game is filled with enough difficult puzzles and pitfalls to challenge fans of the old school 2D Prince of Persia games. If you are looking for a great action game Prince of Persia Warrior Within is the total package.
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 player only
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 9
sound: 8
gameplay: 8
Find this game on eBay here!

Worst game of 2003
TTR Dud of the Month Collection
03
PRO CAST SPORTS FISHING (Capcom, August 2003)

This ultra generic fishing game is easily one of the worst Xbox that was ever released for the system. The graphics are boring enough to put you to sleep, the game play is nothing ground breaking when it comes to fishing titles, and the music is very annoying on top of that. Its sad when there are so few fishing games on the Xbox because this title has almost no competition.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 1

Find this game on eBay here!

86 PROJECT GOTHAM RACING (Bizarre Creations, November 15, 2001)
This racing game adds something new to the tired old trend, instead of racing for the best times or top spots all the time, you race for something called Kudos points. The more of these points you earn the bigger the reward. Project Gotham Racing is a very interesting racing game!
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 9
sound: 8
gameplay: 9
Find this game on eBay here!

18
PULSE RACER (Jaleco, December 10, 2002)

Who doesn't love Super Mario Kart? A cute kart racer with fun weapons, well designed tracks, and even the speed was impressive. Mario Kart was a great example of a superior product and Pulse Racer here tries to recreate that same magic on the almighty Xbox. Too bad all we get here is some awful character design mixed in with some boring track features and there are even some loading problems during a game. Avoid this weird futurist racing game.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 4
sound: 1
gameplay: 3

Find this game on eBay here!

76 PURE PINBALL (XS Games, September 2004)

Don't be fooled by the game's cheesy babe cover artwork used to sell it, Pure Pinball is an excellent recreation of an arcade favourite. Although the game doesn't have too many bonus features and the different tables are similar in design, you still get 4 challenging and very realistic looking pinball tables at your disposal. Most importantly the game can be very hard to put down and I often find myself saying 'I just gotta beat that high score!' Pure Pinball is what it is: a simple yet very effective game!
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

Find this game on eBay here!

61 RAYMAN 3 Hoodlum Havoc (Ubisoft, March 25, 2003)

Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc should have been a great title especially after the first two amazing adventures. Unfortunately, the more I played through the game the more I started to lose interest. The environments may be very detailed and all but most of them don't contain a lot of action or enemies so you're it feels like your just playing a overly basic platformer here plus it doesn't help matter when you have to deal with a fussy camera that can give you some terrible angles as well. I was also disappointed in many of the new power up costumes that don't do anything too special. The game is still a solid title with some excellent visuals and ok music but Hoodlum Havoc just doesn't recapture the same magic I remember with that old Atari Jaguar game many years ago.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 5

Find this game on eBay here!

30 ROADKILL (Midway, October 2003)

Is this a Grand Theft Auto III clone, is this a Twisted Metal clone? That's a yes on both accounts because those two have made millions and who wouldn't want more of a good thing in a game like Road Kill? Sadly the generic Road Kill is not nearly as good as either game thanks to the boring missions and the radio feature absolutely stinks!
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 5
sound: 1
gameplay: 4

Find this game on eBay here!

32 ROBOTS (Sierra, March 8, 2005)

A lot of great movie based games have been coming out lately; just take a look at the Chronicles of Riddick for example. Robots the game isn't one of them! This game is nothing more but a bare bones action game with average graphics and sounds but what really kills the experience is the overly frustrating camera. Sure, if your kids just watched the movie and you want to shut them up for a bit, picking up this game sounds like a good, easy way out for parents. The rest of us will be smart enough to go no where near this.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 5
sound: 2
gameplay: 3

Find this game on eBay here!

63 SCOOBY DOO Mystery Mayhem (THQ, March 2, 2004)

Scooby Doo MM is sure a great game for the original fans of the series. Not only is the game easy to pick up so the casual person can learn in no time but it's also like you're getting a bunch of new episodes without actually having to watch them on the cartoon channel. The game feels and sounds just like the old TV shows! Common video games fans, however won't be as impressed. If you hate game's where you are always fetching items and back tracking locations over and over again then you won't like this title either. All you have to do is take away the Scooby Doo license and then Mystery Mayhem here becomes nothing more then a mundane adventure game.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 5

Find this game on eBay here!

70 SEGA GT 2002 (Sega, 2002)
Although their last Sega GT didn't make waves on the Dreamcast, here on the X box Sega GT 2002 looks like a fairly really decent Grand Turismo killer. There are some balance issues because some tracks are either too easy or too difficult plus the selection of cars is a little small at times too. Sega GT 2002 is still an excellent game for racing fans!
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 9
sound: 7
gameplay: 8

Find this game on eBay here!

60 SHOWDOWN: LEGENDS of WRESTLING (Acclaim, May 2004)

I can only imagine how great Showdown here could have been if only the game was given a few more months of development. Major bugs like spotty collision detection and poor lag time ruin a title that could have scored a higher 70 or 80 easily. I also found the play modes a bit lacking since the time travelling Showdown game is very generic and the special classic matches were great but there just isn't too many of them. Showdown Legends of Wrestling may have its problems but it is a solid game that both easy to master controls and has a great list of legends to play as too. There is definitely some fun here for die-hard wrestling fans but everyone else should be cautious going in and you're better off renting this one first, 'Brother!'
*Custom Soundtrack compatible
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 6

Find this game on eBay here!

46 SHREK 2 (Activision, May 4, 2004)

As much as I disliked Shrek 2, the game does do a few things right. The multi-player aspect may be limited but it is a fun way to get your friend involved in the action and the presentation represents the movies well too. Unfortunately, what killed the experience for me were the constant back and forth mini games. The worse part about these usually simple mini games is that they are no challenge at all. Unless you really stink at video game you'll breeze through this adventure in no time. The game could have been a great title if there was a reason to play it after the game is completed. The game does have a few bonus extras but I can't find any replay value in the main game here. Maybe you should just see the movie instead.

For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphicss: 6
sound: 5
gameplay: 6

Find this game on eBay here!

66 SHUENMUE II (Sega/Am2, 2002)

Shuemue is back and here is the big sequel that is finally available in North America exclusively on the Xbox but the problem is who really cares? While the first Shuemue tried hard to do something different to the RPG genre, the game ended up boring most of the gaming public with its awkward use of real time dialogue and questionable fight scenes instead. The sequel here is nothing more than a expansion pak of the first Dreamcast game and overly detailed story and chunky game play is ready to bore a whole new audience again. If there are any good points here, it's that the graphics are not that half bad and the story is quite interesting as well. The Xbox version of Shuemue II also comes packaged with a bonus DVD called Shuemue the Movie and it features a look back at the first game so you understand why you are here in the first place. Before you start think this is a two in one set you should be aware that this disc isn't playable and basically you are just watching someone else play the game. Since the demo is non-interactive, you would think that it should have really showed off the power of Shenmue, eh? Sadly this 30 minute video is absolutely pathetic because it was edited so poorly that it shows all of graphical and sound errors that plagued the Dreamcast game during the whole thing. To be perfectly honest, Shuemue the Movie has to be the worse DVD I ever had the misfortune to witness! It was clear that Shuemue II was just too ambitious for its own good.
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

Find this game on eBay here!

68 SILENT HILL 2 (Konami, 2002)

I think the Silent Hill series had the potential to knock Resident Evil off as the Survival horror champ but after playing this edition I don't know if that's possible now. Not only does the game get off to a very slow start since you have to run over a mile of this bland city to see anything special but the extreme use of fog blocks can easily get you lost if you don't go to the annoying Map menu every few seconds. The heavy fog was cool for the original Playstation One game since it was a great gimmick and it was on more limited technology but now it just look made the game too hard to see and it just feels so outdated now. Silent Hill 2 had it moments because I did care about the game's story line and you can even play as another character unlike in the PS2 game but you should be prepared for a lot of boring action here too.
For 1 player only
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 6

Find this game on eBay here!

45 SNK vs. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS (SNK Playmore, September, 2004)

Now I love fighting games as much as the next guy but talk about beating a dead horse! Despite having a few new cool characters added to the line up, too many characters here have just been recycled from all the countless past games, the game play is often unfair and cheap, plus there isn't enough play modes here to justify the game's high 70 dollar Canadian price tag. A few months ago I rated a great Xbox fighting game called Guilty Gear X2 # Reload. That game not only had tons of cool play modes to hold any player's interest for a long time but you could buy it new for only 20 dollars US. "What's wrong with that picture!?" 2D fighting games are struggling to stay alive in an ever growing industry and developers need to really pull out all the stops to wow us. Unfortunately, Chaos feels too much like the same old thing.
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 6
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Find this game on eBay here!

90
SONIC Mega Collection Plus (Sega, November 2004)
Although there isn't much here that Sega Genesis and Game Gear fans played to death already and it would have been great if we got more games here too, still this collection of titles are as fun as they once were and if you are new to these games this is sure a great place to start. You get not only get tons of the most popular 2D action games from the Genesis here, but there are also some driving, pinball, puzzle games all rolled up into one so there is something for everyone. Sonic Mega Collection Plus not only makes GameCube owners jealous since you are getting more games in the set but it is still a great deal overall.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 9

Find this game on eBay here!

83 SONIC HEROES (Sega, Feburary 11, 2004)

It has been over a decade now since Sonic first made his big debut on the once mega popular Sega Genesis system and he still shows no signs of slowing down (no pun intended). If you hated the previous 3D Sonics before then Sonic Heroes will not change your mind because the game is still fairly difficult to control at high speeds and the camera doesn't keep up very well either. What the game does excel at is delivering an intense action/adventure title with colourful visuals in its many stages plus there is even a lot of replay value here thanks to all the different stories and modes to try out. Sonic Heroes maybe one tough game with a tough grading system but in my opinion, it's also one of the best platformers on the Xbox.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 8
Find this game on eBay here!

Star Soldier's Game of the Month!
Videogames101's 2003 Game of the Year!
96
SOUL CALIBUR II (Namco, August 26, 2003)

Now you don't have to dig around at flea markets or eBay for a Soul Calibur title which used to be a dreamcast only game. This medieval fighter is an one on one hack and slash adventure to find the legendary Soul Edge sword that is filled scary powers. Joining the SC II crew is the warriors Raphael, Talim, Yunsung, and Cassandra. Soul Calibur II for the Xbox also features Spawn: the edgy comic book anti-hero with a eerie glowing axe. Although this game isn't a huge leap over the last Dreamcast adventure, this is still a must have title for the Xbox because of all the new multiple weapons, secret characters, and depth.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 9
sound: 8
gameplay: 10

Find this game on eBay here!

16 SPACE ACE (Digital Leisure, 2002)

This game was released way back in the 80's but the reason it looks so good is because it's one of those Full Motion Video game, meaning you press a command every few seconds just to get anywhere or you can just watch the video and see most of the adventure without pressing a single button. The problem I have here is the unresponsive DVD button controls on the remote. You need the DVD kit to play this old fashion game by the way. "Kimmy!"
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 4
gameplay: 1

Find this game on eBay here!

78 SPIDERMAN 2 (Activision, 2004)

The movie made millions at the theaters and that usually means that the game is really going to suck anyway. Fortunately that didn't happen because Spiderman 2 the game is actually pretty good. In Spiderman you play a conflicted super hero that can shoot webs and climbs walls with ease but his super powers also means he must protect New York City from crime while balancing his normal life as well. What makes Spiderman 2 so much better then the last game is that you have the entire virtual 3D NYC to explore now. This means you can either go on various side quests (help citizens or other crazy stuff like delivery pizzas) for cash or you can go on other more important missions so you can prevent a huge disaster. All this sounds great but Spiderman 2 has its share of problems. The big complaint I have is that the game is almost too big because it is easy to get lost or lose something just because it may be up in a building and not the ground. Still Spiderman 2 is one impressive looking game with actors from the movie doing the voices plus most importantly the game controls well and is very fun to play.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 8

Find this game on eBay here!

70 SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: Battle for the Biniki Bottom (THQ/Heavy Iron, October 2003)

Spongebob's game here is an amazingly good action title with some great presentation that follows its licensed product very closely. Although the game is easy to play so that almost anybody can pick up, that is also part of the problem. You can die as much as you want here and you'll never see any kind of Game Over screen what so ever. There is even a giant hand that picks up one of your heroes if they travel too far off the game play area which makes the game even easier. Spongebob Squarepants: BFTBB is not very challenging and the sea whole theme certainly isn't for everyone but if you are searching for some solid platforming action then you may want to look at this Bikini Bottom for some fun.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find this game on eBay here!

77 STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT (LucasArts, 2004)

In Star Wars Battlefront you get to relive the epic battle scenes from all the famous 6 movies including Episode III. You can control unique Star Wars characters like Storm Troopers, Federation robots, Rebel fighters and much more. It's a nerd's dream come true! The game is a lot of fun but there just isn't much challenge so you can complete various scenarios in no time. The multi-player fights are way better then the single player stuff though.
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 8
sound: 8
gameplay: 9

Find this game on eBay here!

The Total Recall DUD OF THE MONTH
65 STAR WARS Episode III: REVENGE of the SITH (Lucas Arts, May 5, 2005)
This Star Wars game created a lot of controversy when it first came out. Just weeks before the actually movie was released, Lucas Arts released the official Episode III video game. Was the game released too early or is it the best Star Wars game yet? Lucas Arts has a lot of guts to release a video game that is filled with tons of spoilers and movie clips of one of the most highly anticipated films of all time. I guess the logic behind that is most Star Wars already know the story so why not show it in a game? Spoilers or not the game is straight up 3D action with a amazing story of conflict and betrayal. Overall the game is just way too short and I wish the controls were a bit more responsive as well but Revenge of the Sith is still a action packed title with lots of cool powers at your disposal.
For 1 to 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

Find this game on eBay here!


94
STAR WARS Knights of the Old Republic (Bioware, June 2003)

Here is the original Star Wars RPG that took the world by storm and it is easy to see why! In it you travel back 4,000 years before the events in Star Wars Episode 1 to a time when the evil and powerful Sith Lords were trying to conquer this galaxy. If you are new to this popular Sci-fi universe the Jedi are the good old fashion heroes that fight for peace and balance while the Sith are the warriors who fight only for greed and power. Both sides are cool because both can wield deadly lightsabres and master the art of the Force (kind of like a form of telekinesis). I bring this up for a reason. The coolest part in KOTOR is that you pick either good or evil path based on how you interact with certain people. As you play through this game can let you be a total jerk to people if you want to! This game isn't the best looking RPG around and the menu system is confusing at first but Knights of the Old Republic has a absolutely awesome story complete with some very deep game play.
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 9
gameplay: 9
Find this game on eBay here!

90
STAR WARS Knights of the Old Republic II: THE SITH LORDS (Obsidian, December 10, 2004)

Although many players were worried that the new developer Obsidian wouldn't be able to put off the job Bioware did, this game still came off rather well. Alright, the game doesn't have the graphical upgrade we were waiting for but the game is a huge adventure with tons of difficult moral decisions. It will take weeks to see everything across this incredible story. If you loved the first game, fear not, Knights of the Old Republic II is just as addictive and open ended as ever.
*Xbox Live compatible

For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 9
gameplay: 9

Find this game on eBay here!

75 STREET FIGHTER ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION (Capcom, 2005)
Although I'm upset there weren't too many extras or more games in the collection, there is no disputing that the two titles here are still incredible brawlers. Street Fighter II is a classic and very accessible to both casual and pro players alike while Street Fighter III: TS is an underrated gem with its stunning graphics and sounds. Street Fighter Anniversary Collection should please gamers who are looking to let loose some aggression.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 8
gameplay: 7

Find this game on eBay here!

77 SUDEKI (Microsoft/Climax, July 2004)

Despite all the talk about the problems with this game while in development, Sudeki still turned out rather well in my opinion. The game has a cool story with a lot of side quests, the character advancement system is deep, and the graphics are incredible. Here a bit of advice if this game does well and Microsoft and Climax deside do a sequel though; please get rid of that real time battle system for a more traditional turn based one. The hack n' slack combat can be fun but fighting large groups of enemies is just too chunky and confusing. Sudeki is still a fine action/role playing experience and currently there is nothing else like it on the Xbox.
For 1 player only
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 9
sound: 7
gameplay: 8

Find this game on eBay here!

22 SX SUPERSTAR (Acclaim/Climax, June 25, 2003)
SX Superstar is a very uneven dirt bike racer with some awkward Baja tracks and a uncomfortable shunt system. What's worse, you have to control and fight your way through this confusing set up in the heat of a race. This is no Superstar that's for sure!
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 3
sound: 1
gameplay: 5

Find this game on eBay here!

88
TAITO LEGENDS (Taito, 2005)
Now here's a game I been waiting for! In this budget title you get 29 famous (and not so famous) quarter stealing arcade classics in one disc. Some of the games include the original Space Invaders, Rastan, Phoenix, Bubble Bobble, Super Qix, Jungle Hunt and many more. Some games even have bonus material like interviews, cabinet info, and other forms of history. Sadly this collection includes a few duds here too like Electric Yo-Yo, Gladiator and there are even few gun games but they don't support any of the Xbox's light guns. Despite some minor problems this is a really great buy for arcade freaks.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 6
sound: 7
gameplay: 9

Find this game on eBay here!

48 TERMINATOR 3: Rise of the Machines (Atari/Shiny/Black Ops, December 2003)

Arnie is back to reprise the role of a killer robot yet again and despite all the big money going into this project, this movie to game looks very sloppy for a First Person Shooter. Although it's cool that two old Atari legends (Missile Command and Centipede) hidden away here, in the age of Metroid Prime and Halo this linear game has no place in a market this competitive.
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 3
sound: 6
gameplay: 5

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39 TETRIS WORLDS (THQ, 2002)

I'm a big fan of Tetris but THQ changed the basic mechanics of the famous Russian brain tester so much that they totally sucked all the fun out of it. Although you can play this game with up to 4 players (you can even play it on Xbox Live if it's the 2003 edition) here, you can't even write your name or initials if you get the most lines in the multiple Arcade games. That's another thing, there is no classic score system that made the Nintendo, Atari, and PC games so popular. Tetris Worlds is ultimately just a big waste of time.
*Custom Soundtrack compatible
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 3
sound: 6
gameplay: 3

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51 The GUY GAME (Gathering/Top Heavy Studios, August 2004)

If you look past the encouraged drinking and breasts here The Guy Game just doesn't offer much to the standard video game player. Playing through the previous episodes is way too easy since the questions are the same and when you are only answering questions here with few mini games, the game play is too one dimensional. The Guy Game is good for a few party nights if your friends haven't play it already but be warned that the game has almost zero replay value.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 1

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43 WWE WRESTLEMANIA 21 (THQ, 2004)

Before the WWE became all crappy they had some really good wrestling games out there. This is not one of them! The game tricks you into thinking it's good with a great roster of then current and past WWE/WWF talant like Cena and Andre the Giant, Xbox Live support, and some damn fine looking graphics. It quickly goes downhill with it's many issues though. For one the story can only be played with a created male wrestler and in the story mode here the guy was a complete jerk just mouthing off to people and hating his tag partners. It was cool that it had real WWE stars doing the voices but you don't have a lot of options to do what you want. Secondly there are glitches everywhere like when guys are stuck in midair and I even heard of save files being loss. WWE Wrestlemania 21 is still playable but it should have been much better.
*Xbox Live compatible
For 1 to 4 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 4

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Star Soldier's Game of the Month!
86
WWE RAW 2 (THQ/Anchor, September 2003)

Goldberg, Hulk Hogan, Stacy Keibler, and many other join the cast of the new and vastly improved Xbox Raw where you and your friends can battle it out in a cool new Season game. You can even use your own Music from your Xbox in a very innovative move. The game still has it's problems with the controls but it's a great buy for video game wrestling freaks.
*Custom Soundtrack compatible
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 9
sound: 7
gameplay: 9

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50 WWF RAW (THQ/Anchor, February 2002)
This very delayed and much hyped wrestling game for Xbox is a fairly solid title for wrestling fans however in my opinion it's still nowhere near as complete as the infamous N64/Aki games. WWF No Mercy for example won so many rave reviews because it features some of the WWF's 1999-2000 storylines (Raw has none), specialty matches (like ladder fights), and there are well over 1,000 moves in the Create a Wrestler game. WWF Raw does deserve a rental first before you drop the big bucks and if you like what you played then dive right in, but be careful, better playing N64 games still go much cheaper at $5-10 a pop.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 8
gameplay: 6
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77 XGRA (Acclaim, September 2003)

When we think of great racing games, we usually think about big games like Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, but those serious games can only do so much. Racing games like that just don't seem all that special when you're screaming through the air at over 700 miles per hour on a high speed motor bike that packing heat. It's true, usually Acclaim games tend to suck big time (Total Recall or SX Superstar anyone?) but I think they have a real winner here. What the game lacks in originality, XGRA still has sick graphics, lightning speeds, and the game has an interesting and addictive career mode where you can unlock several new features. If speed could kill then you better be careful because XGRA may just leave ya breathless.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

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