72 ALIEN HOMINID (O3 Entertainment, 2004)
The story behind Alien Hominid here is that it used to be a cool Flash only game on the Internet. I never hear of a game like that becoming a full console game so talk about a success story, eh? Alien Hominid is a simple 2D action/shooter much like a Metal Slug or a Contra but you control a small little alien that just got shot down by evil FBI agents. The agents just stole your space ship and now you or a friend must fight off countless annoying humans from different parts of earth to make it back home. I love all the funny cartoon-like graphics where you can cut enemies in half and the unlockable mini games are cool as well but the game play in the main game may be too difficult for the average gamer so try before you buy. Still if you are looking for a straight up action game with some interesting violent graphics then be sure to look out for Alien Hominid.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
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97 ANIMAL CROSSING (Nintendo, 2002)Animal Crossing is going to be one of those games that you either really love or you just hate. This game sure doesn't look like much since the graphics are ultra cute and all but if you get pass the game's oddball style then you're in for a real treat. So what's AC main draw here? You basically get the chance to live in your own in your virtual town with its own virtual citizens, plus if that wasn't enough the game even plays in real time so your actions or inactions will effect what goes on in the game. AC is such a very interesting simulation game with lots to do and discover.
Game needs 58 to 61 blocks of memory to save
Gameboy link compatible
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 4
sound: 6
gameplay: 10
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81
BEYOND GOOD and EVIL (Ubisoft, 2003)This great game is just like the other versions of it but what's the deal with the Letterboxed perspective here? Anyway, Beyond G&E is a very creative adventure game featuring a women trying to uncover a massive government cover up. The game may look a little weird but if you like games like the Legend of Zelda then be sure to give this game a look too.
For 1 player only
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 8
sound: 9
gameplay: 8
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67 BOMBERMAN JETTERS (Majesco/Hudson Soft, May 2004)I'm always excited about a new Bomberman game because of the great Super NES and Turbografx-16 versions of the game but Hudson usually disappoints me when it comes to the next generation titles. Unfortunately Jetters is no different since the new ultra cute one player adventure is about fun as watching paint dry. There should be a rule that Bomberman will never talk in a game ever again! The multi-player is still awesome so if you want a fun party game then be sure to look this up.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 7
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87
BURN OUT 2: Point of Impact (Acclaim, 2003)Although Burn Out 2 may look like your typical 'been there, done that' driving game, as soon as you play though it you will should realize that this is something special. Sure, you still have to win races to be successful and all that boring stuff but this game actually rewards you for doing crazy things like doing jumps, ramming into another cars, and even driving on the wrong side of the road. Even though the game has your average Championship and Versus modes that are fun to play, it is the game's new Crash mode that really steals the show. In Crash mode you get the chance to create the biggest and messiest multi-car pile up on the busy roads. It sounds unbelievable but it is true! The more costly the overall damage is, the more points you get! If you haven't played a Burn Out game yet you are doing yourself a huge disservice.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 9
sound: 8
gameplay: 9
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76 CAPCOM VS. SNK 2 EO (Capcom, 2003)
This 2D one on one brawler as so many options that fans of both companies will go nuts for all the different set ups alone. The announcer may be super annoying and the graphics are not the best I seen for a 2D fighting game but at least there are over 40 characters which is just nuts.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 9
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32 CHARLIE'S ANGELS (UBI Soft, July 2003)The Charlie's Angels films are not only some of the dumbest big budget movies to ever come out but the official video game is your typical Final Fight 3D clone that just looks very unrealistic and super cheesy. Although these girls usually show up in some revealing outfits like swimsuits and other skin clothes, the characters have such poor animation and lack of detail that they don't even look attractive unlike in the women in the Dead or Alive series for example. The grade system here adds a little depth to the fighting action here but that alone can't save these angels. These girls may be professional spies but don't expect to play anything technical like a Splinter Cell here. Charlie's Angels is more nothing but a very cheap cash in.
For 1 player only
graphics: 3
sound: 5
gameplay: 2
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47 CRASH BANDICOOT The Wrath of Cortex (Travellers Tales/Universal, September, 2002)
Every diehard Playstation owner may shred a tear since their beloved Crash Bandicoot lands on the rival Nintendo Game Cube but I don't think Sony is all too worried one bit after they found out which Crash the 'Cube' actually got. If you're a hardcore Crash fan or you're somebody looking for something simple in your 3D platform game than maybe this is for you but be careful of the many flaws here.
For 1 player only
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 3
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60 DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION MARIOMIX (Nintendo/Konami, November 2005)
After playing that rather disappointing McGroove game I'm glad Nintendo and Konami came together to make a true Dance Dance Revolution title for the Gamecube. This should teach these lame third from releasing crap like that to the public. Is this DDR game any good though? This game does a lot of things right. The new story mode was a little basic but a nice touch to the series and the different Mario related remixes were cool. Unfortunately, seasoned DDR arcade vets will be upset just how easy it is. If you played any DDR before you should be able to blow through the Normal story mode no problem. I also had a problem with the game's lack of songs and overall weak almostly textureless graphics. Still, I liked this game and I hope there is a sequel to it in the future. Fix those problems though!
*Dance pad recommend
For 1 to 2 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 5
sound: 7
gameplay: 5
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82 DEF JAM VENDETTA (EA Sports Big/Aki, 2003)I thought THQ was crazy for dropping Japanese developer Aki in favour of Yukes for their wrestling games but THQ's lost is EA's gain. Def Jam Vendetta here uses that famous Aki WWF No Mercy engine so if you are familar with that control set up then you feel will right at home here. The big difference is that this game uses some real and fictional rap artists to create a unique and quite edgy street wrestling game. Although the Story mode was cool and the actually wrestling moves look awesome, you can only use four characters in the main mode and there is no Create A Wrestler feature either which is a rip off. Mixing rap artists and wrestling sounds like a really bad idea until you realize that guys like John Cena and Ron Killings are getting to be fairly popular in real promotions, eh? Def Jam Vendetta is easy to learn, the game looks and sounds great and the wait till you see some of these killer finishing moves here.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 8
sound: 9
gameplay: 6
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89 DEF JAM VENDETTA Fight for New York (EA Big/Aki, September 20, 2004)
I was a pretty big fan of the original Def Jam for the GameCube and surprisingly enough the sequel doesn't mess it up and there are even some noticable improvements too. After you rescue your boss from going to the slammer you get to costumize your character and enter a underground wrestling curcuit to earn some cash and respect. Def Jam Vendetta Fight for New York is not only the most vicious wrestling on the planet but it also has tons of style and it plays great.
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (M) for Mature
graphics: 8
sound: 9
gameplay: 8
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77
DONKEY KONGA (Nintendo/Namco, 2004)It takes a while but Nintendo finally released a rhythm game for the GC and chances are you played nothing like it before. To play Donkey Konga it is recommend you get it with the special Bongo controller and once you get it all set up (which is easy to do by the way) you can slam and clap away to various music tracks. The music is definitely one of the bright spots in DK because there are many tracks from popular from artists like Queen, Willie Nelson, (although are not done by the original guys though) and more. DK certainly isn't much to look at and playing a lot can hurt the hands a bit but there is no denying this game is a blast to try out.
*Bongos recommend
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 2
sound: 8
gameplay: 5
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55 DONKEY KONGA 2 (Nintendo/Namco, 2005)
A sequel already? Just a few months after the original Donkey Konga did well here is part 2 but it isn't really that improved. The game is still the same old wrack the bongos adventure where you match beats with sereval on screen notes to many musical tracks Nintendo included here. You do get some new music made famous bands like the Crystal Method, Pink, and R.E.M. but the tracks are still not done by the original artists so you can't helped feeling a little ripped off. The backgrounds are now 3D but the animation still stinks especially compared to the original Donkey Kong Country games on the Super Nintendo and even the cinemas are just boring still shots. Nintendo really needs Rare back since Namco isn't doing a good job with the visuals here. Sure, the game is still fun but a halfass sequel just deserves a halfass score.
*Bongos recommend
For 1 to 4 players
Rated (E) for Everyone
graphics: 2
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
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16 DRAGONBALLZ SAGAS (Atari, 2005)
Just when you think the Dragon Ball Z series was finally getting it's act together when it comes to video games here comes Sagas to ruin everything. Unlike the other games of the series this isn't just another one on one fighting game because your spiker haired heroes can go on a quest for icons. Sadly, there are invisable walls everywhere so you are on a set path, the controls are very unresponsive, and the whole game just feels rushed and unpolished. Dragon Ball Z Sagas may have the unique story the series is known for, it's too bad the game sucks.
For 1 to 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 2
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Total Recall Dud of the Month!
43
ENTER The MATRIX (Atari/Shiny, May 15, 2003)The Matrix Reloaded is easily one of the biggest movies of 2003 and it was also one of the most anticipated film sequel ever. It would seem only natural that a movie about a bunch of hackers trying to fight through a advance computer program would get its own video game, uh? So here we have this Enter the Matrix game that was released on the same day as the Matrix Reloaded movie. Since this is the first Matrix video game finally comes to the console markets here, this is no ordinary 'cash in on the movie' type of game. Although the game gives the player some brief background on the sometimes confusing movie story lines here you still won't fully understand this unusual universe after it is all said and done. Don't forget the game itself has some very substandard driving and flying scenes, a extremely limited fighting system, and the game is almost too forgiving for its own good. ETM is a good enough game to satisfy those Matrix fanatics but as a video game itself this title is nothing too ground breaking at all and maybe the Walcosisk Brothers should stick with movies instead or play some more Zelda.
For 1 or 2 players
Rated (T) for Teen
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
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