Dance Dance Revolution		Grade: B-
	Publisher: Konami (2001) Reviewed: 2002/1/29 Rating: Everyone

Despite being a heterosexual male, I tend to enjoy music and dancing games. I think Bust a Groove (PS) and Samba De Amigo (DC) are two of the best party games of all time, and Dance Dance Revolution is cast from the same mold. DDR's gameplay involves pressing buttons in rhythm with the music, but in this case the buttons are laid out on a "dance mat" (included with the game). The game contains literally dozens of songs, but you're not likely to recognize any of them. Heck, I couldn't even tell the song titles from the artist names! As far as the quality of the music goes, it's a mixed bag. Most of these up-tempo tunes are pretty good, but a few are almost unbearable. Using the dance mat requires coordination and practice. Expect to get a pretty good workout! You can purchase better mats, but the one included is hard to stay situated on, as it tends to slide around. And don't expect to learn how to dance playing this game, because you'll be looking pretty ridiculous playing this. The game is definitely fun, but the difficulty is a bit harsh for beginners. Playing with the normal controller is much easier, but that defeats the purpose of the game, doesn't it? © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Darkstalkers		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Capcom (1996) Reviewed: 2001/6/8 Rating: Teen (violence and blood)

If there was ever a fighting game that valued style over substance, it's Darkstalkers. Basically it's Street Fighter II with monsters, including a vampire, a werewolf, a mummy, and a sexy cat-woman. Darkstalkers is loaded with funny animations, gorgeous backgrounds, over-the-top moves, and scantily clad women. Each of the ten characters has their own arsenal of attacks and super moves, and the ladies are quite easy on the eyes. What more could you ask for? Well, better gameplay, for one thing. Darkstalkers is rather shallow, and the shape-shifting moves are hard to follow and encourage button mashing. The action gets particularly confusing with faster characters like the hyperactive werewolf. The load times are a bit extreme, and the title sequence is idiotic. Still, if 2D fighters are your thing, Darkstalkers should keep you entertained for a while. It's only an average fighter, but at least there's plenty of eye candy. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Darkstalkers 3		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Capcom (1998) Reviewed: 1999/7/15 Rating: Teen (violence)

In case you're wondering what happened to Darkstalkers 2, that game was called Night Warriors and only released for the Sega Saturn. Compared to the original game, Darkstalkers 3 is a noticeable improvement. There a many more characters, and they tend to be larger and better animated. At its core it still plays like Street Fighter 2, but its offbeat humor and macabre style give it a distinctive flavor. The fun, sometimes nightmarish backgrounds are highly detailed and a feast for the eyes. It's not the deepest fighter in the world, but fans of the series should flip over Darkstalkers 3. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Dead In The Water		Grade: F
	Publisher: ASC (1998) Reviewed: 2000/8/10 Rating: Everyone

It's difficult to remember the last time I enjoyed a game less than Dead In The Water. The premise of the game - Twisted Metal with boats - certainly has potential. The boats themselves are imaginative and detailed, and you can even soup them up with the money you win from races. Unfortunately, the sea resembles a huge vat of Jello and the gameplay is just hopeless. Unresponsive controls and poor track design make navigation difficult to say the least. The weapons don't do nearly enough damage, so the battles just go on forever. That sissy machine gun isn't even worth messing with, and neither is this game. Despite a boatload of options and features, Dead In The Water is a disaster of titanic proportions. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Dead or Alive		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Tecmo (1998) Reviewed: 2004/1/2 Rating: Suggestive Themes

Dead or Alive has become a well-respected fighting game franchise, but its debut was somewhat of a joke. All anyone could talk about, it seems, is the game's over-the-top simulation of bouncing breasts. Dead Or Alive is probably the best looking fighter on the Playstation, with visuals that even exceed the Tekken games. The characters feature remarkably smooth, well-rounded bodies, and Kasumi looks unbelievably hot for a Playstation character. It's a shame that of the eight fighters, only three are female, because the males seem boring by comparison! Graphics notwithstanding, Dead or Alive one is of the better fighters available for the system. Each character has literally dozens of moves (listed in the manual), and the silky-smooth animations make the bouts entertaining to watch. The gameplay is solid but not quite as deep as Tekken 3. I like how you can stomp a fighter who's on the ground, but it's a shame there's no side-step move. Dead or Alive rewards aggressive behavior, so don't be shy about pounding the buttons. The breathtaking background graphics feature photorealistic city skylights, tropical islands, and industrial areas at sunset. The music is equally good, and it varies greatly from stage to stage. Playing modes include training, team battle, survival, time attack, versus, and tournament, but my favorite is the "Kumite Mode", which pits you against a series of computer opponents. Since the minimum number of battles in Kumite mode is 30, you may want to set the match point to "one round" before undertaking this. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Destruction Derby		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Psygnosis (1995) Reviewed: 2004/7/4 Rating: Kids to Adults

When it comes to single-player racing action on the Playstation, it's hard to beat the original Destruction Derby. This oldie provides more visceral thrills, intense competition, and out-of-control mayhem than any other Playstation racer. There are two types of contests: smash up derby and stockcar racing. The smash up derby mode places you into a circular arena with 19 (!) other cars. The boxy-looking cars do incur damage to some extent, and it's quite a thrill to plow into a group of vehicles. While the gameplay seems mindless at first, there is some strategy. To maximize your score you'll want to nail opponents in the side-rear, sending them into 360-degree spins. The stockcar racing modes are even better, taking place on narrow, enclosed tracks. Just the fact that you're racing against 19 other cars is pretty cool, but the multi-car jams that litter the track ratchet up the excitement dramatically. The best tracks are the ones that intersect themselves, maximizing the collision potential. I don't know what's more fun - narrowly slicing through cross-traffic or plowing into the side of a speeding car. It's a challenge just to complete the race, since your car will eventually break down after sustaining enough damage. A diagram in the lower corner of the screen indicates what parts of your car are most vulnerable, and it's suspenseful when your car is on the brink and you're trying to complete that last lap! Destruction Derby's graphics are modest, but the flying polygons and smoke effects combined with digitized sounds make for satisfying collisions. I noticed a bit of slowdown in the framerate on occasion, but nothing objectionable. Despite its digital-only control scheme, your car handles exceptionally well. The link cable is supported for two-player action, but that device isn't useful unless you have a friend who also owns this game. The worst aspect of Destruction Derby is its music - if you can even call the random samples over generic beats "music". Otherwise, I love this game and highly recommend it. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Destruction Derby 2		Grade: D
	Publisher: Psygnosis (1996) Reviewed: 2004/7/4 Rating: Everyone

The first Destruction Derby was awesome, but this one is a piece of [expletive]. In theory, Destruction Derby 2 (DD2) has a lot going for it, with improved graphics, faster gameplay, and more interesting tracks. Unlike the first game, cars can flip over and get knocked high into the air, resulting in more spectacular wrecks. But DD2's gameplay positively stinks! The circular smash-up-derby arena from the previous game is back, but this time it's virtually unplayable. As soon as your car gets hit, it goes sailing into the air. Then you find yourself getting gangbanged against a side wall as cars relentlessly plow into you. You can never seem to regain control, and it feels frustrating and pointless. The racing modes are better, but not great. The tracks are wider this time around, minimizing the congestion and pileups that made the first game such a hoot. Although there are some exciting jumps, some ramps are crooked, causing your car to inconveniently flip over. Your vehicle handles poorly, and each time your car bangs into something, you end up facing the wrong direction. Consequently, a tedious three-point turn is required to get back on track. There's a pit stop available, but just like so many other racing games, it's not very useful. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of DD2 is that it contains no two-player options at all! I highly recommend the original Destruction Derby, but steer clear of this lackluster sequel. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Destruction Derby Raw		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Psygnosis (2000) Reviewed: 2004/7/4 Rating: Everyone

Despite addressing most of the issues that plagued the ill-conceived Destruction Derby 2, Raw is still not very exciting. The reason is simple - the collisions are lame! The crashes in the original Destruction Derby were punctuated by flying debris, billowing smoke, and ear-crunching sound effects. In Destruction Derby Raw, you basically just bounce off the other cars, which is not satisfying at all. It's a shame, because otherwise this is an impressive effort. The analog steering has a nice loose feel and the cars handle like a dream. The dirt tracks have a gritty, industrial look and feature some interesting layouts. Unfortunately, they also tend to be pretty wide and long, so even though you're racing against 19 other cars, it's possible to go a whole lap or two without even seeing anybody else! In addition, you rarely witness any major wrecks or pile-ups. As a one-player racing game, Destruction Derby Raw is respectable, but the split-screen action is a bore. DDR's graphics are good, and its grinding rock music isn't bad either. It's a decent racer, but it would benefit from more "Destruction" and less "Derby". © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Diablo		Grade: B
	Publisher: Electronic Arts (1998) Reviewed: 2001/1/13 Rating: Mature (violence, blood, gore)

This is a very nice adaptation of the popular PC action/adventure. Viewing the action from a tilted overhead perspective, Diablo takes you through sixteen dungeon levels teeming with goblins, spiders, and demons. Naturally there's an obligatory village area where you can gather information at the pub and purchase items. Diablo starts off as a slash-fest, but once you acquire the ability to cast spells, there's a lot more strategy. You'll outfit your warrior from head to toe, and there's an amazing variety of armor, weapons, scrolls and items. We all know the PC game is great, but how does this Playstation version compare? Well, the dark dungeon graphics are not nearly as detailed and small creatures are difficult to discern. The control scheme takes some getting used to, and you're likely to waste a few spells before you get comfortable with the button combinations. The audio is fantastic, with creepy sound effects and intense background music. The biggest problem with the game is its excruciating load times between levels and during game saves. PC gamers will find this Diablo second rate, but newcomers will find this Playstation edition engrossing enough, and should also check out the exclusive two-player mode. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Die Hard Trilogy		Grade: A
	Publisher: Fox (1996) Reviewed: 1999/7/15 Rating: Mature (blood and violence)

Die Hard Trilogy is an incredible value when you consider it consists of three completely separate games, including a third-person shooter, a light-gun shooter, and a driving game. Each of them are of exceptional quality, featuring top-notch graphics and exceptional control. The light-gun shooter (based on Die Hard 2) is the best of the bunch, boasting a level of realism and gore unsurpassed for a 1996 title. Blowing away terrorists in an airport has never been so much fun! In the third-person shooter you controlling a little Bruce Willis trying to infiltrate an office building, and it's hard as hell. The driving game involves finding a time bomb in a city and features Sam Jackson's frantic yelling. No question about it, Die Hard Trilogy is one very impressive package. Note: Namco's Guncon controller is not supported in this game. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Die Hard Trilogy 2		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Fox (1998) Reviewed: 2000/12/10 Rating: Mature (blood, gore, violence)

The first Die Hard Trilogy game was a huge hit, released when the Playstation system was still fairly new. This game on the other hand didn't much media attention. Like the first Trilogy, this sequel features a third-person shooter, a light-gun shooter, and a car chase game. The "arcade mode" lets you dive right into any one, and the "movie mode" alternates between all three games, tying them together with full-motion-video cut-scenes. The third-person shooter is outstanding, with large characters and interesting stage locations. An auto-aiming feature makes it a pleasure to mow down the bad guys, and believe me, there's a lot of blood-letting to be had! The light-gun game is also impressive, and it supports Namco's Guncon - the most accurate gun you can get for the Playstation. You'll need it, because many targets are quite small, including knives being tossed your way (a la Lethal Enforcers). In the driving game you ram over cars to destroy them, but it's probably the weakest of the three. You'll race through the country as well as downtown, but the steering is problematic. Even with the analog control, your turn radius is too wide, making it difficult to turn around. Die Hard Trilogy 2 does feel a bit like a rehash, but it still delivers a lot of bang for the buck. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Dino Crisis 2		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Capcom (2000) Reviewed: 2002/1/29 Rating: Mature (blood, gore, violence)

The first Dino Crisis was basically Resident Evil with dinosaurs, and much of its gameplay consisted of slow puzzle-solving exercises. This terrific sequel takes just the opposite approach however. In Dino Crisis 2, the dinosaurs just keep coming, turning this into an arcade shooter with endless Jurassic Park-inspired scenes. Much of the time you're literally running for your life! The controls have been improved so you can now run-and-gun, and a clever aiming system makes it easy to pick off raptors that seem to come out of the woodwork. The creatures look remarkably lifelike. The raptors are ruthless, but the T-Rex is so slow and dumb you can run circles around him! Killing dinosaurs earns you points used toward the purchase of weapons, items, and tools. The graphics are Resident Evil-quality, which is to say, excellent. A ridiculous storyline nearly spoils the game, but the frantic action makes that easy to overlook. Once I began playing Dino Crisis 2, it was difficult to stop! This is one of the most exciting adventures you'll have on your Playstation. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Disney's Hercules		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Disney (1997) Reviewed: 2000/6/20 Rating: Everyone

Just like the classic Disney games on the 16-bit systems, Hercules combines high quality cartoon graphics with simple platform action. All the characters from the movie are here, and they are exceptionally well animated. The colorful, multi-tiered backgrounds are brightly detailed and fun to look at. Although most of the action is 2D, there are some 3D stages, including the amazing "Cyclops Attack" level where you run down the street of a crumbing city as a giant cyclops looms in the distance. Hercules generally follows the storyline of the movie, and even contains film clips between levels. The comical voice samples and background music are lifted straight from the film, and there's even a music video included! Most importantly, Hercules is fun to play, with plenty of variety, secret areas, bosses, and power-ups. Whether you enjoyed the film or not, this is a very entertaining title that will appeal to gamers of all ages. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Doom		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Midway (1995) Reviewed: 1999/7/15 Rating: Mature

This is a first-rate port of the PC classic that made the first-person shooting genre the juggernaut it is. This disk contains all of the levels from the original Doom and Doom II, and there's even a special Playstation-only cheat mode. The pixelated graphics no longer impress, but Doom is still a very fun game at its core. A few of its classic stages, like "cat and mouse" and "tricks and traps", are very clever and extremely intense. The control is right-on, and the sound effects are downright terrifying at times. If you have any appreciation for video game history, you should have a copy of Doom in your collection. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Driver		Grade: A-
	Publisher: GT Interactive (1999) Reviewed: 1999/8/23 Rating: Teen (mild language

Driver places you in the role of a criminal on a series of exciting missions that usually send you racing through the streets while eluding cops who are trying to run you off the road. Driver's graphics are superb and its frame rate is smooth, giving the game the look and feel of a Starsky and Hutch car chase! It's quite a rush to bounce over curbs and side-swipe cars in a desperate attempt to flee from the cops. This was one of the first games to let you drive freely through a city with traffic and pedestrians. The heart of the game is the mission-based story mode, which features a number of 1970's trademarks including afros and jive talking. Most gamers however will prefer the "survival mode", where you see how long you can last against a squad of kamikaze police cars. It's absolute chaos, and you can't help but laugh at the carnage that ensues. None of my friends could even last for more than a minute! Following each try you can view an instant replay, and these are hilarious. The game's four locations include Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Although the cities do contain familiar landmarks, they are not laid out like the real places. The scenery is detailed and attractive, but Driver suffers from a terrible case of "draw-in", where entire buildings suddenly appear in front of you as you approach. There's also some slowdown when things get hectic, but that should be expected considering the nature of the game. There are some technical issues, but they should not chase you away from this thrill-a-minute title. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

ESPN Extreme Games		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Sony (1995) Reviewed: 2004/1/1

This oldie but goodie was first released as ESPN Extreme Games but later renamed "1 Extreme". See that review for details. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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Einhander		Grade: B-
	Publisher: Squaresoft (1998) Reviewed: 1999/7/15 Rating: Everyone

Rendered in graphically stunning 3D, Einhander ushered side-scrolling shooters into a new age. Its layered backdrops, swinging camera angles, huge adversaries, and realistic explosions make Einhander a feast for the eyes. There are several weapons available which you can aim on the fly. Einhander is fun, but you must always begin on stage one, and reaching the later stages is difficult and time-consuming. Also, since your ship is large and the bosses are huge, there's rarely enough room on the screen to maneuver around. It might not be a classic, but many fans of the shooting genre consider this an old favorite. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Elemental Gearbolt		Grade: B
	Publisher: Working Designs (1997) Reviewed: 1999/7/15 Rating: Teen

This arcade-style light-gun shooter offers a moving point-of-view, in contrast to most light-gun games where you take aim from a stationary position. It's both refreshing and fun. Elemental Gearbolt's storyline resembles an RPG, and the attractive 3D graphics are rendered in an anime style. The animation is smooth and exhilirating scenes make you feel as if you're moving at high speeds. The scenery is spectacular at times, and a two-players cooperative modei is a nice bonus. As icing on the cake, Elemental Gearbolt is also compatible with Namco's Guncon controller. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players