3/22/2006
Five years after the first SSX, EA continues to pump out these crazy snowboarding games. SSX On Tour may be the same ole' [expletive] with a fresh coat of paint, but I like it anyway. It took some time to grow on me, but On Tour is probably my favorite SSX game yet. Unlike previous editions, it lets you dive straight into the action. In addition to the standard races and trick contests, there are many unconventional challenges, including "tagging" other riders, catching a certain amount of air, or initiating "close calls" with the casual skiers on the slope. I found it frustratingly difficult to execute fancy tricks until I learned that you have to "wind up" spins or flips before your jump - you can't initiate them in mid-air as in past games. The instructions do a poor job of conveying this major detail, but once you've got it down, you'll be pulling off crazy tail-wag/sinful-indy/rubber-chicken-salad/meatball-spaghetti combos with ease. The controls are flawless, and the Gamecube's analog stick proves ideal for carving the slopes. Performing grinds is pretty much automatic, and I like how tapping B lets you recover from falls. Performing tricks is extra easy, because your character makes an effort to re-orient himself before landing. The single-player "tour" mode is madly addictive, and it's particularly satisfying to "climb the rankings" after each win. Naturally, you can also race against a buddy via the split-screen. Like all other SSX games, the courses are loaded with obstacles, lights, fireworks, roller coaster-like rails, and strategically placed ramps. While never boring, they do tend to be a bit "much", and I wish there were a few open, more natural-looking trails. SSX On Tour features a classic rock theme, with menus that resemble doodles from an old high school notebook. While some of the songs sound dated, gems like Def Leppard's "Let It Go" and Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills" are standout tracks. SSX On Tour has appeal that goes far beyond the extreme sports crowd, and gamers of all types should enjoy the high-speed thrills this one has to offer.Rating: Everyone 10+ (Crude humor, mild violence)
1 or 2 players
Check for SSX On Tour on Ebay, Amazon
As much as I hate to say it, the critics were perfectly justified to lambaste Shadow the Hedgehog as they have. This game has some serious issues. While Shadow attempts mix shooting action with Sonic's trademark speed, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Too often than not you'll gain a full head of steam, only to collide with enemies you're supposed to shoot. You also need to contend with poorly designed stages, bad camera angles, and confusing objectives. The third stage, Cryptic Castle, is the single worst stage I've witnessed in ages. In the single-player story mode, our "anti-hero" attempts to piece together his past, and this is conveyed through some extremely boring intermissions. Like every Sonic game conceived since the beginning of time, your ultimate objective is to find seven chaos emeralds. Shadow's simplistic graphics are about Dreamcast quality, which is not necessarily bad, but won't turn any heads either. The branching stages take you through interesting worlds like burning cities, tornado-swept desert canyons, and Halloween-inspired castles. Unfortunately, navigating their elevated platforms is a colossal pain because when he moves, Shadow inexplicably slides around like he's on freakin' roller blades! Even executing simple jumps can try your patience. The ability to hang onto balloons or drive vehicles is unique, but steering a flying bat proves to be a nightmare. Available weapons include shotguns, lasers, a rocket launcher, and a Halo-inspired sword. The auto-aiming is sufficient most of the time, but the shooting action feels like an afterthought, and it's often easier to dash right past most enemies. The two-player mode is an abomination, as you fight the camera in a futile attempt to find the other guy. On a positive note, Shadow's soundtrack kicks ass, and the rocking intro got me all pumped up for what should have been a good time. I truly wanted to like this game, but the frustration set in after the first few stages, and it didn't take long to realize Shadow the Hedgehog wasn't worth my time.
Submitted by RPG correspondent Jonathan Hawk
The first Smuggler's Run (Playstation 2) provided some fantastic two-player off-road action, as both players raced to grab cargo and deliver it before it could be stolen by another vehicle. With the addition of three and four-player modes, I was confident that Warzones would be the ultimate Smuggler's Run game, but I was wrong. In fact, I am absolutely stunned by how bad it really is. Rockstar removed all the fun and threw in a bunch of unwanted crap. My buddies and I, who would play the original game for hours on end, had zero fun with this sorry excuse for a game. Instead of reasonably-sized locations like those in the first game, Warzones has HUGE, sprawling wastelands making every race to the cargo feel like an extended ordeal. And the multi-player modes feature no computer-controlled vehicles, which greatly contributed to the fun of the original Smuggler's Run. None of the multi-player variations are enjoyable, and the single-player modes are equally bad. New "countermeasure" elements like smoke screens and turbo boosts add nothing to the gameplay. Throw in some repetitive, headache-inducing music and a lousy control scheme, and you have a recipe for disaster. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Soccer Slam is to soccer what NFL Blitz is to football and what NBA Jam is to basketball. It's a three-on-three game (not counting goalies) played by zany but nicely animated caricatures. By making no attempt to be realistic, Sega maximized the fun factor while eliminating the boring aspects such as out of bounds, low scoring, etc. It's wild and insanely fun. The themes of the six teams are fire, water, ice, electricity, spirits, and toxic chemicals. Each squad has a combination of beefy strong thugs, thin agile sprinters, and middle-of-the-road players. The controls include a "deke", turbo, and power-up button. You can execute slow-motion "killer kicks", which add a Matrix (read: slow mo) element to the game. The action is intense and never lets up. On defense you can slide to steal the ball from an opponent, or just beat the crap out of him. The field is small, and the camera stays close to the action at all times. The CPU-controlled goalies are intelligent and fair. Most shots are scored by follow-up kicks (with the goalie on the ground), one-timer shots (like hockey), or amazing "powered-up" kicks. An addictive single-player "quest" mode lets you earn money to purchase power-ups and open game secrets. The multi-player mode allows up to four players to compete at once, but it's not without its flaws. Since the camera only follows the guy with the ball, other players are often left off the screen, wondering what the heck is going on. Otherwise this underrated game is pure fun.
If you enjoyed the first Sonic Adventure, you'll freak out over this killer sequel. With more emphasis on action, better visual effects, and two-player head-to-head modes, it's everything a Sonic fan could ask for. The first stage takes place in a San Francisco-inspired city, and it is truly a tour-de-force. When you're not skateboarding through traffic or grinding rails, you're sprinting for your life as a huge Mack truck barrels down the hill behind you, ramming into parked cars and sending them flying in all directions. While most stages are not so intense, Sonic Adventure 2 does offer a nice variety of challenges. You'll control other characters like Tails or Knuckles in stages specifically designed for their special abilities. Some stages let you control a "mech" (manned robot) that unleashes devastating guided missiles. There's even some "kart" racing, and who doesn't like that? The only stages that wore thin were those featuring Knuckles. Although Knuckle's ability to glide is cool, his stages require him to collect hidden items, which can be confusing and tedious. Since the game is linear, you really can't avoid them. The camera is a little dicey but better than the first Sonic Adventure. Also like its predecessor, the cut scenes are corny and the voices absolutely suck. The new two-player mode is decent, but players familiar with the stage layouts have an unfair advantage. For the most part Sonic Adventure 2 manages to take what was so good about the first game and offer a whole lot more of it. It's a bit on the easy side, but undeniably fun.
It may not be the groundbreaking spectacle it once was, but Sonic Adventure still packs a wallop. Its bright graphics are still gorgeous five years after its original release, which I consider a testament to the greatness of the Dreamcast console. The first stage bounces our blue hedgehog between islands with lush tropical scenery and shimmering blue water. It's easily one of the best-looking stages I've ever seen in game. Sonic Adventure's gameplay is a mix of fast action stages and less-exciting "adventure" levels that require you to locate and manipulate certain items. The "action" stages are reminiscent of the classic Sonic games, so you can either carefully explore them or whiz through as fast as you can. There are certain ultra-high-speed sections in these stages where you find yourself simply pushing up on the control pad while watching Sonic zoom through loop-to-loops and corkscrews. Sure it's shallow but still fun to watch. The adventure sections attempt to add variety, but they drain the game's energy. Fortunately, this Gamecube edition offers additional hints to keep you from getting stuck in these tedious adventure areas. Sonic Adventure's control is responsive enough, but the camera is something you'll need to wrestle with almost constantly. It's the one thing that will remind you that you're playing a 1999 game. Sonic Adventure DX provides a generous amount of gameplay for the money. You can play through the game as six different characters, and doing so unlocks a Gamecube-only "mission" mode. In terms of audio, Sonic Adventure's music is absolutely superb, spanning a wide range of genres from rock to soul to new age. One thing I hate about Sonic Adventure is how characters like Sonic and Tails have been given voices. Bad idea! The little kid voices and corny dialogue make the cut scenes almost unbearable. One feature I was surprised to see preserved from the Dreamcast version is the ability to download "Chao" mini-games. The original game copied the games to VMUs (Dreamcast memory units), but DX lets you use a Game Boy Advance. Gamers who already own the Dreamcast version might be interested in the many Sonic Game Gear titles that can be unlocked. For those who don't know, the Game Gear was Sega's portable system from the early 90's. Sonic Adventure may not be the visceral thrill it once was, but it still has an appealing charm and arcade sensibility that's hard to resist. If you missed out on it the first time around, Sonic Adventure DX is worth a look.
Sonic Gems Collection (Sega 2005) B-
The Sonic Mega Collection (GameCube, 2002) was an enjoyable compilation for the GameCube, but longtime Sonic fans were miffed by the conspicuous absence of the highly regarded Sonic CD (Sega CD, 1993). Sonic Gems addresses that glaring omission, and tosses in a bunch of miscellaneous Sonic titles for good measure. To be honest, I never considered Sonic CD to be as good as the original Sonic titles for the Genesis . The whole time travel aspect is confusing because all the stages tend to look the same. They lack imagination as well, which is evident when you consider it contains another pinball stage and yet another slow underwater stage. Still, the sole fact that this it's classic 16-bit Sonic is good enough for most fans. The load times are practically zero (unlike the original edition), and you're treated to a smoother, cleaner version of the kick-ass animated intro. That "Sonic Boom" song is one of my personal favorites - it rocks! The next game is Sonic R (Saturn, 1997), a 3D foot-racer that never received much attention in its day. Although plagued by mediocre controls and confusing track designs, it's not half bad once you get the hang of it. I really like how the stages change time and seasons, and that woman who belts out the background vocals can sing her ass off! Those upbeat dance songs are pretty good! Next up is Sonic The Fighters, an arcade game that no one has ever even heard of before! All things considered, it's not bad, with crisp 3D graphics and fast-action gameplay. The big heads and short arms reminded me a lot of Virtua Fighter Kids (Saturn 1996). There are some beautiful backgrounds, including one where you're careening down a sunny river on a boat. Sonic Gems also includes six Game Gear titles, but it's hard to get excited about those unless you're a Game Gear fan. Still, I have to admit that these games look damn good on my big plasma TV - especially considering they were designed for a portable system from the early 90's. There's a nice menu interface for selecting games, but each seems to have its own way of quitting back to the main menu, which is confusing as hell. Scanned manuals are available for all the games, and you can unlock a "museum" of illustrations, many of which I recognize from old magazine covers. Rounding out the collection are the unlockable Genesis hits Vectorman and Vectorman 2, which are arguably better than any of these Sonic titles. Sonic Gems is not a must-have collection, but if you enjoyed Sonic Mega Collection, this is a pretty sweet addendum.
Like many gamers, I was very skeptical about this new Sonic game, considering that lately we've only seen the blue hedgehog in re-releases. It seemed as though the Sonic Team had run out of ideas, but Sonic Heroes proves they still had a few tricks up their sleeves. The basic gameplay is similar to Sonic Adventure, with remarkably long stages and fast, non-stop 3D action. But this time you control three characters that move as a single unit, and depending on the lead character, they assume a certain formation and can perform specific special moves. There are four groups of characters to choose from, the default one composed of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Each character has his own special ability, including speed (Sonic), flight (Tails), and power (Knuckles). You can change "lead" characters on the fly, so if you're outrunning a huge boulder, you'll want to employ Sonic's speed. If you're blocked by a tall wall, you'll want Tails to give the team a lift. And if your path is blocked by powerful enemies, Knuckles can step up and kick some booty. This swapping of characters provides for some nice strategy and technique. The special moves are simple to execute, using only the A and B buttons (or Z for the effective but visually weak "team attack"). The bright, colorful stages are magnificent, with sparkling water effects, inviting exotic island environments, and cities with towering skyscrapers. Although the level of detail is slightly less than most Gamecube titles, you'll be moving too fast to notice. Mario World-style cannons let you shoot yourself to far-away places, and rails lets you perform Tony Hawk-style grinds. There are some exhilarating moments in Sonic Heroes, like running from giant rolling wheels or escaping a rising pool of lava. As in Sonic Adventure, there are several sequences where the characters are running at light speed and you basically just keep pushing up on the controller and watch them zip all over the place. These sequences may turn off some gamers, but you have to admit they look pretty cool. The more I played Sonic Heroes the more I enjoyed it. Like the old Sonic games, you have the option of whizzing through the stages or thoroughly exploring each one. The game is definitely on the easy side, but amassing 100 rings to win a free life is still a challenge. So what didn't I like about Sonic Heroes? Well, Tails sounds like a whiny four-year old (cringe), and Knuckles sounds as if he's shouting a bad word whenever attacking. Also, I didn't care for the two-player "race" mode, because falling off the edge of a platform takes you WAY back and out of contention. Otherwise Sonic Heroes is a terrific, light-hearted romp that will really win you over if you give it a chance.
The Sonic Adventure games are fine, but once you experience this fine collection of the original Sonic games for the Genesis, you'll have to admit Sonic was best suited for 2D. Most of these titles have aged extremely well, with their artistic graphics, simple gameplay (one button!), and memorable soundtracks. Mega Collection contains Sonic 1, 2, and 3, as well as Sonic Spinball, Sonic and Knuckles, Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and Sonic Blast. The "regular" Sonic games are all outstanding, with polished graphics, toe-tapping tunes, and hyperactive gameplay. Most stages can be whizzed through fairly quickly, but patient gamers will enjoy hunting for secret passageways and hidden surprises. You really can't beat the colorful scenery in these old games, like the shimmering water of the Green Hill Zone or the gorgeous red skyline of the Chemical Zone. Not just easy on the eyes, these majestic backdrops make the stages feel more expansive than they actually are. Sonic Spinball was a mediocre attempt to make Sonic into a pinball game. With its choppy animation and sub-par visuals, it's evident that the game was not produced by the original Sonic team. Sonic and Knuckles offered more of the same traditional Sonic action, but introduced a new character named Knuckles who could glide and climb. As the first (and last) "lock-on" cartridge, it could also augment the gameplay of Sonic 2 and 3 by incorporating Knuckles into those games as well. It was an innovative concept whose time never came. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine was a Tetris clone, and like most, it can be madly addictive. Sonic Blast was Sonic's first foray into the world of 3D, but its slow, deliberate pace hardly lived up to the hedgehog's reputation. One truely glaring omission is the absence of Sonic CD, which was a big hit on the Sega CD. The Game Gear titles are also included, but these have to be unlocked, which really sucks. The games are near-perfect ports, right down to the distorted two-player split-screens and occasional slow-down. The original manuals can be viewed and several old 16-bit titles can be unlocked (Flicky, Ristar, and Blue Sphere). Bonus features include illustrations, comic book covers, and a few video clips. I love watching the Sonic CD intro movie with its catchy theme song, but the History of Sonic video is pretty lame. Mega Collection could have been better, but the quality of these games can't be denied. Sonic veterans will find themselves instantly transported back in time, and even younger gamers should appreciate these finely crafted oldies.
I first played Sonic Riders when it was on display at a Gamestop. I wasn't impressed at the time, but figured the game would be enjoyable enough once I got the hang of it. I was wrong. This game is just wretched. Sonic Riders places Sonic, Tails, Amy, and a few new faces on floating boards as they race through wild, twisting tracks. Unfortunately, the action is so frenetic and confusing that most players will wonder what the heck is going on! I don't do drugs, but I imagine playing this game while stoned out of your mind is exactly the same experience as playing it straight. Your character gets tossed all over the place, the camera swings wildly, trippy music blares, and fiddling with the controls seems to have little bearing on events. The developers seemed to have the right idea by doing away with the accelerator button, implying the races would be full throttle all the way through. But then they go ahead and incorporate pit stops to recharge you "air gauge"! What were they thinking?! The courses are chaotic as hell, but that's okay, because half the time your character is completely out of your control anyway. More often than not you'll find yourself either riding on an opponent's "turbulence" (slip stream) or being slung all over the place in sequences that are supposed to be visually arresting but are really just disorienting. The tracks are wide, but the atrocious "air slide" mechanism makes cornering impossible, so you'll be scraping against the sides at every opportunity. The B button provides a boost and lets you "attack" opponents, but this depletes your "air" meter. Once that's gone, you're left holding your board, looking for the next pitstop. While in mid-air, you can perform Tony Hawk-style tricks, but they tend to be simplistic and unsatisfying. Five flashy courses wind through a city, factory, desert, and a river. There's also a jungle track that reminded me of a similar stage in Sonic Adventure 2. Sonic Riders includes a four-player split screen mode, but based on what you're heard so far, would you really expect it to be any good? I had a few friends (who were also Sonic fans) over to give this game a workout, but after a few minutes their eyes glazed over as they watched in bewilderment. Sonic Riders is a complete mess. This hedgehog will need a complete overhaul if he's bound for the next generation of systems.
The first Star Fox game for the GameCube, Star Fox Adventures, received tepid reviews for its run-and-gun platform style of play. Star Fox fans were hoping Assault would return to the high-flying shooting action the series was known for. Sadly, Assault is an awkward mix of both flying and on-foot action. The game gets off to a fast start with a rip-roaring first stage that feels like a roller-coaster ride through space. Viewing the action from behind your ship, you fly through a hectic, Star Wars-style space battle, picking off small ships and taking out large cruisers piece by piece. The stage's linear design is a throwback to old shooters like Silpheed (Sega CD, 1993), Panzer Dragoon (Saturn, 1995) and Star Wars Arcade (1983). Sadly, after stage one the fun factor drops precipitously. Most stages adopt the standard "sandbox" style of play, with Fox running around repetitive, uninteresting environments. If the uninspired scenery, confusing objectives, and boss-heavy stage designs don't turn you off, the pitiful controls should do the trick. Fox's movements are overly sensitive, and there's no targeting mechanism, forcing you to adopt a "run and spray" approach. Switching between weapons is awkward, and the semi-transparent map overlay tends to obstruct your vision. Star Fox Assault is a real mess, and reviewing it was a hardship. The endless text in the cut-scenes sets a new standard for boredom, and even the four-player split-screen modes elicited yawns from my friends. The best part of the game is its awesome explosions. Occasionally you'll be able to save your friends by shooting enemies on their tail, and this harkens back to better days for the series. Assault is a great title to pick up - if you want to gain a new appreciation for your old SNES and Nintendo 64 Star Fox games.
In the same vein as its Nintendo 64 predecessor, Rogue Leader is a compelling air/space combat game. The game's presentation is impeccable, with movie clips playing on the menu screens, fantastic explosion effects, and huge starships rendered in meticulous detail. Rogue Leader is fun, and has easy-to-grasp controls that even let you give orders to the rest of your squadron. Your targeting computer (which highlights enemies on the screen) is invaluable, since distant Tie fighters don't stand out in front of the star-littered backgrounds. Your 3D radar display directs you to your next objective, but trying to locate a specific enemy can be tough. If Rogue Leader has a flaw, it would be the unclear mission objectives. They can be awfully confusing, and it's easy to get stuck on a particular mission. The difficulty of the stages is also uneven. For example, I struggled through the so-called "training mission", but breezed through most of the later stages with minimal effort. Despite the inconsistencies, Rogue Leader is still a quality title Star Wars fans can't live without. 
Rogue Leader III begins inexplicably with a scene showing all of your favorite Star Wars characters cutting the rug on a disco dance floor. I guess it's supposed to be funny, but the irreverence of it all turned me off. Rebel Strike contains all of the trademark dogfighting action that made the series such a hit, but it also expands the scope by incorporating ground missions, both in vehicle and on foot. Unlike previous editions, Rebel Strike's storyline involves actual characters from the movies like Wedge Antilles, Mace Windu, and Luke Skywalker. The first stage is mainly a rehash of the Tatooine training stage from the previous game, with a million tedious objectives to complete - thank goodness you can skip it! Subsequent stages are composed of a series of short missions, and it really hurts when you lose a life during the final portion and have to start over. The air/space combat is first rate as you would expect, with Tie fighters that magnificently explode or careen out of control when blasted. But, like the last Rogue Leader game, you may find yourself asking, "What am I supposed to do now?" The difficulty is wildly uneven; some missions that are nearly insurmountable, and others you could sleepwalk through. The ground missions provide a welcome change of pace, but their graphics are a bit rough and the targeting system is clumsy. Despite the occasional frustration, Rebel Strike has its share of exciting moments, and the constantly changing scenarios will maintain your interest. Some of the battlegrounds are fascinating, like the water planet with its jaw-dropping waterfalls. I also enjoyed the delayed-explosion sound effects of the sonic charge weapons - very cool. Rogue Leader III is certainly ambitious, but the pieces don't quite come together as well as they could have. In one instance, my pilot kept talking over his radio long after his ship had been blown to bits! Despite the rough edges, fans of the series will appreciate Rebel Strike's fresh new challenges. A two-player, split-screen, cooperative version of Rogue Squadron II is also included.
Basically a ground-based version of Rogue Leader, Clone Wars puts you in command of hovercraft, low-flying starships, and even wild animals! There are also opportunities to guide Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Mace Windu around on foot, slashing everything to bits with your lightsaber. This game is similar to Battle For Naboo (Nintendo 64, 1999) in terms of gameplay, and that's not a bad thing. Unfortunately, the graphics and framerate also resemble Battle For Naboo, despite the fact that the GameCube is a far more capable machine. Objects look inordinately blocky (especially when running around on foot), and the framerate goes to hell when the combat heats up. But Clone Wars is still a blast to play, thanks to the nicely paced, diverse stages, and non-stop shooting action. Equipped with regular shots and missiles, you'll be strafing and firing almost constantly (much like a first-person shooter). I love how enemy craft burst into flames or spin into the air when blasted. It's also satisfying when Mace Windu throws his lightsaber and cuts down scores of bad guys at a time. If you're a fan of Attack of the Clones, you'll recognize all the imaginative new vehicles and villains from that film. Clone Wars is not what I would call easy, but at least when you lose a life you continue close to where you left off. I found the multi-player modes simplistic and lacking in strategy. Also, my friends disliked how we couldn't all be on the same team. Clones Wars has its moments, but it's definitely not a must-have.
My friends and I always have a blast playing Super Mario Strikers, and a few of the guys insist it deserves an "A" for its intense four-player competition. I certainly enjoy the high scoring, non-stop action of Strikers, but it's not a flawless game. As with other Nintendo sports titles, Strikers incorporates familiar characters into a simplified, arcade version of soccer. There's no out-of-bounds or penalties, and the matches run just a few minutes. In addition to precision passing and pinpoint shooting, you'll perform "dekes" to elude defenders, lay big hits on ball handlers, and unleash devastating power-ups to send the entire contest into chaos. The action is fast but silky smooth, and the raised camera provides an optimal view of the action. Perfect passes and special shots are punctuated by dramatic slow-down and pulse-pounding sound effects. Whether you're playing against some friends or the CPU, Striker's gameplay never lets up. I only have a few issues with the game. First, only your "captain" is a major Nintendo character like Mario or Donkey Kong. Your teammates consist of diminutive characters like toads or koopas. On the field, it's not very easy to distinguish the teams with so many types of characters, especially since the goalies are green crocodiles. The controls are responsive - maybe too responsive. I always seem to be making inadvertent extra passes, and it drives me nuts. In addition, the intense matches are murder on your hands! But despite its shortcomings, Strikers stands out as one of the more entertaining soccer titles in recent memory. You don't even need to like sports to appreciate Striker's simple yet frantic brand of arcade gameplay.
There's a certain feeling of joy that comes with playing a brand new Mario game. Yes, after an extended vacation, that pudgy plumber is back, and Sunshine radiates with all the fun and charm that we've come to expect from a Super Mario game. It's not revolutionary like Super Mario 64 (N64), but Sunshine still provides some remarkably entertaining platform action. The storyline revolves around a Mario look-alike who has vandalized the beautiful Isle of Delfino. Mario has been charged with the crime, and is sentenced to clean up the island with the help of a water-spraying backpack. The water pack actually adds a whole new dimension to the game. It's a blast to hose down the nasty sludge, and you can even turn the nozzle on your foes! And the water pack has a surprising number of other uses as well. You can turn windmills from afar to expose new areas. You can rock yourself to incredible heights on a giant swing (this one actually gave me motion sickness - no kidding). You can even aim your nozzles down to use it as a jet pack! Naturally, there are plenty of areas to explore and coins to collect. In terms of graphics, Sunshine is a stunning game with the best water effects to date, including some amazing reflections. The Isle of Delfino is a tropical paradise that reminded me of both Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast) and Jack and Daxter (PS2). The music is wonderful, and some of the sound effects are throwbacks to classic Super Mario games. Sunshine has a reasonable learning curve, and helps you along when you get stuck. You can save your place at any time. And last but not least, Yoshi is BACK! It's a shame that a mediocre camera system rains on the fun. Okay, I understand that adjusting the camera is a fact of life in 3D platform games, but in Sunshine, you need to wrestle with it constantly. At times, even a simple jump can be difficult to execute thanks to the wildly swinging camera. Also, I'm not crazy about the "triple jump" move - it's hard to get the hang of. Don't get me wrong - I love Mario Sunshine and find myself coming back to it time and time again.
I think I've already discovered the definitive party game for the Gamecube. For gamers who thrive on multi-player action, Super Monkey Ball is solid gold. Rolling monkeys around in clear plastic balls has never been this much fun. The electrifying "party" mode features three incredible multi-player games. Monkey Racing plays like a wild "kart" game, with momentum playing a huge role. Monkey Fight lets you punch other players with oversized boxing gloves and knock them off an elevated platform. Monkey Target is the most innovative event, featuring airborne monkeys attempting to parachute onto distant targets scattered in an ocean. All of these games have minimal controls and are simple, addictive fun. Better yet, there are three additional games you can unlock that are nearly as good. They include Monkey Bowling, Monkey Billiards, and Monkey Golf. This leads me to my one, major complaint. In order to open these mini-games, you have to earn points in the one-player mode, and that really sucks! The single-player mode plays like those old marble games where you tilt a board on both axis to navigate a maze. This time you have to traverse some very elaborate (and sometimes moving) platforms without falling off. The first few challenges aren't bad, but the advanced levels are like walking a tightrope! Opening the mini-games soon becomes a major chore, and you'll be looking up and down for a cheat code. Other than that significant flaw, Super Monkey Ball is a great package that will keep you and your friends occupied for hours on end.
I absolutely loved the first Super Monkey Ball game, with its simple controls, good-natured humor, and competitive four-player action, but this second edition feels more like a rehash. In the first Monkey Ball, there were three games available from the start (race, fight, and target), and three additional games (bowling, billiards, golf) you could only unlock by playing the torturous single-player mode. Super Monkey Ball 2 presents all six of those original games up front, and each boasts new graphics and features. I like how Monkey Target is now played on a split-screen, but most of my friends prefer the old-fashioned way of taking turns. Unfortunately, to play any of the new games you'll have to endure that tedious single-player mode again, which is basically a series of platforms to traverse without falling, and it's quite difficult. After playing it for an hour, you'll see a message like "You now have 560 play points. Only 5,347,124 needed to unlock the next game!". Okay I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea. Don't ask me if the new games are any good, because I haven't unlocked any of them - and probably won't until I locate a cheat code! There's also the new Story Mode that pits our monkey family against the evil Dr. Bad-Boon, but if you're over the age of 5, this sugary sweet dialogue will turn your stomach. If you don't have the first Super Monkey Ball, SMB2 will serve you well, but if you already own the first one, subtract two letter grades.
Just like the original Super Smash Bros (N64), Melee lets you kick butt with all your favorite classic Nintendo characters. The all-star lineup includes Mario, Pikachu, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Fox McCloud, Ness, Captain Falcon, Ice Climbers, Kirby, Samus, Zelda, Link, and Sheik. There are a bevy of bonus characters to unlock as well, and all of the battlefields and musical tunes are inspired by old Nintendo titles. While the game's main attraction is its four-player battles, I didn't find these too compelling. With all the chaotic mayhem going on, it seems more like an exercise in button-mashing. The object of each battle is to knock the other characters off a set of platforms. Unfortunately, even after they've been knocked a mile, characters can often work their way back to the platform by jumping on "air" a few times - one of the most idiotic things I've ever seen in a video game. There is technique involved, but it requires getting to know each character's moves very well. I prefer the event mode, which provides a series of single-player challenges. Melee also contains a slew of mini-games, and there are all sorts of secrets and goodies to be discovered. Although I found the gameplay pretty average, Nintendo fanatics will consider this game a "must-have". Indeed, with all the classic characters, background graphics, and music, the game is a virtual Nintendo museum. Only die-hard fans would even notice or appreciate some of the inside jokes or minute details. Overall, Smash Bros Melee is a high quality but very silly fighting game. Newcomers should beware, but those who liked the first game should have a field day with this one.
I've never been a big fan of Tiger Woods golf games, but this one is pretty solid. The analog swing control is finally beginning to grow on me, and it works better for a GameCube controller than for a Playstation 2 controller. Unlike the "old-school" golf games that use "swing meters", pulling back on the stick engages your backswing, and pushing forward swings through. Tapping the Z button during your backswing adds power, and tapping it while the ball is in mid-air applies spin. The Z button is in an awkward position to tap, but you'll get used to it. Changing the ball's rotation in-flight is hardly realistic but it sure is fun. The camera always provides a nice angle of your shot, and holding the A button expedites the sequence so you don't have to wait for those long, slow rolls. The courses are simple and plain, but at least you have twelve to choose from (nine real, three fantasy). The golfer animation is silky smooth, and the facial close-ups look nearly photographic. Besides Tiger and a few other pros, there are also some humorous characters including a sumo wrestler and an old man who doesn't move his body at all when he swings (hilarious). Your golfer begins the game with minimal abilities, but you can augment his skills with your winnings. The swing setup screen is well organized, but I hate how the "distance" information alternates with the general hole stats. Something that important should remain on the screen at all times! The X button provides a nice zoom to the spot you're aiming for, but hitting for proper distance is tricky and can be frustrating for new players. Exceptional shots are dramatized by slow-motion effects and a thumping heartbeat. The game has some bizarre sound effects, and at one point I thought I was being attacked by a roving band of spider monkeys. Likewise, the generic rock music seems very much out of place in a golf game. If you're looking for replay value, however, Tiger Woods delivers. Besides the standard fare (skins, match play, stroke, tournament), there are several addicting single-player modes. "Tiger Challenge" lets you compete against individual players to open additional golfers, courses, and other prizes. The "Scenarios" mode provides 50 specific tough challenges covering a wide range of strategic situations. You constantly open new features and earn awards. More realistic than Hot Shots but with an arcade sensibility of its own, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 really makes a name for itself. 
Imagine a game where you play a kid wandering around a virtual Universal Studios theme park, collecting items and visiting attractions that play like mini-games. It sounds promising - especially if you enjoy theme parks as I do. Sadly, this game takes that perfectly good concept and butchers it beyond recognition. It's as if the developers went out of their way to make the gameplay as frustrating and awkward as possible. You begin by selecting between six of the most hideous "children" I've ever seen in a video game. Then your guide, Woody Woodpecker, provides a short introduction. Could they have come up with a more annoying and unlikable guide? I doubt it. Whenever I hear that high-pitched voice, I just feel nauseous. The theme park itself doesn't look bad, with its lush scenery and crowds of people walking around, but navigating the place is a real chore! You're extremely limited as to where you can move - there are invisible walls all over the place! You'll see all sorts of interesting buildings you'd like to explore, but as I learned - if you want to go there, you can't. The fixed camera angles are disconcerting, and it's sometimes even hard to locate your kid amidst the other pedestrians. Entering an attraction lets you play a mildly amusing mini-game, like riding a bike in the side-scrolling ET stage, or shooting targets in the first-person Wild West level. Other attractions, like Water World, simply consist of watching about five-seconds worth of not-so-special effects. I didn't get to try all of the attractions, because most of the time Woody Woodpecker says, "You can't get in here because there's too many people". What the [expletive] is that all about? When Woody won't let you in, there's not much to do except pick up trash around the park. Can you believe it? Instead of experiencing the wonders of Universal Studios, and I'm forced to collect trash instead! Who designed this thing? You can stop and talk to people, but it's pointless, as they just utter rubbish like "Hello", and "This is exciting!" Exciting? What game are they playing?! There's also an idiotic movie trivia game, which offers really bad multiple-choice questions about inconsequential films like Dragon Heart, Patch Adams, and Back to the Future 3. Due to a bug in the game, occasionally the choices aren't even displayed on the screen! Univeral Studios Theme Park Adventure is an absolute travesty - the video game equivalent of raw sewage. I'm usually quite amused when I review bad games, but this one just left me feeling disgusted.
Here's an unusual game that's certainly innovative but somewhat over-hyped. Viewtiful Joe offers dazzling 2D gameplay and is without a doubt one of the best-looking video games you'll ever see. It's about a kid named Joe who's sucked into an old-fashioned super hero movie, where he must assume the leading role and rescue his girlfriend from a dark villain and his robotic henchmen. The cartoonish presentation is stylish with subtle humor, but I found the storyline to be grating, and often wanted to skip the predictable cut-scenes (but couldn't). The rich graphics resemble a 3D graphic-novel, with bold outlines and vivid color. Everything looks hand-drawn, yet clean and sharp. The gameplay is definitely unique. A "danger" symbol is displayed when an enemy is about to attack, allowing you to duck or jump to setup a devastating counter. But the most useful feature lets you "slow down" the action in order to dodge bullets or perform Matrix-like attacks. Not only is it fun and easy to perform (just hold down the left trigger), but it looks incredible and transforms the action completely. Beating up the robots is enormously satisfying because your punches and kicks are so devastating that they send metal parts flying in all directions. You later acquire the additional abilities to trigger the blindingly fast "Mach speed", or "Zoom in" mode for special attacks. These two powers add some variety, but make the action so chaotic that it's hard, if not impossible, to tell what's happening. The "Zoom in" ability requires the C-stick, which I found to be awkward to reach in the heat of battle. I do appreciate how the game incorporates these special powers into the puzzle-solving aspect as well as the fighting. With all the frantic button-pushing, Viewtiful Joe will take its toll on your hands, and Capcom would have been wise to include a "medium" difficulty in addition to the "Adult" and "Kid" skill levels. Viewtiful Joe is a refreshing change from all the cookie-cutter 3D platform games out there, but I didn't find it to be especially addictive once the initial novelty wore off. I also think the name sucks. But I will give Joe credit for originality.
This is quite a step up from the Nintendo 64 Wave Race. Yes, the gameplay is basically the same, but the water effects are night and day. The waves are so clear you can even view sea life and coral on the ocean floor! As you tear through the rougher courses, you really need to battle the waves to maintain position! This is what a jet ski game should be like. It's quite a rush! The tracks provide a nice variety of scenery, ranging from exotic beaches, to autumn forests, to arctic icebergs. The weather conditions are a nice touch, and the thunderstorms are particularly amazing. In my opinion, Wave Race Blue Storm is the best jet ski game out there.
Also known as "Tetris on acid", Zoocube is a crazy addictive and spectacularly original 3D puzzle game. Gameplay involves rotating a cube in the center of the screen as odd shapes approach it from four directions. Each shape has distinctive colors and features that vaguely resemble a specific animal. For example, the "walrus" is a brown circle with two protruding incisors. Stack two of the same shapes and they combine and disappear, triggering a cute animation and a distinctive animal sound. During advanced stages (and multi-player games), it sounds like a real zoo as animals are released in rapid succession. Control is tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it feels pretty natural. Although you can get by using the main analog stick, expert players will also use the "C" stick to rotate the cube more efficiently. There's plenty of room for technique, and floating power-ups and bonuses add spice to the action. Your game ends when a column of animals on one side of the cube becomes too long. The game's single major flaw is that when a column is about to reach its limit, it turns solid gray. This makes it hard to make out the animals on the stack, complicating matters at the worst possible time. Zoocube has its share of special modes and multi-player games, but the shapes are much smaller and hard to discern on the split-screen. The new age music playing in the background is absolutely amazing, and combined with the cerebral gameplay, it will put you into a trance-like state. Zoocube is one-of-a-kind, and guaranteed to appeal to men and women of any age.