GameCube Reviews S

Five years after the first SSX (Playstation 2, 2000), 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 On Tour is probably my favorite SSX yet. Unlike previous editions, it lets you dive straight into the action. In addition to the standard races, there are many unconventional challenges like "tagging" other riders and initiating "close calls" with the casual skiers on the slope. Performing fancy tricks is frustrating until you learn to "wind up" spins and flips before you take off. You can't just initiate them in mid-air as in previous games. The instructions do a poor job of explaining this vital detail, but once you get 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. I also like how your character makes an effort to re-orient himself before landing a trick. The single-player "tour" mode is madly addictive, and it's fun 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". I would have preferred a few open, natural-looking trails. SSX On Tour features a classic rock theme and menus that resemble doodles from an old high school notebook. The hard rock soundtrack sounds dated at times, but Def Leppard's "Let It Go" and Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills" are standout tracks. All in all, SSX On Tour offers high-speed thrills that even the most casual gamers should appreciate. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

I got a real kick out of Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights (Xbox, 2003), and expected this new edition to deliver the same brand of wacky ghost-chasing mayhem. But Unmasked isn't as good, party because it looks like doggy-doo. These graphics are butt-ugly. Everything looks totally dull, poorly defined, and plain. The hub of the game is a monster museum with creatures fabricated from a magical substance called Mubber. You'll also spend a good amount of time in China Town and its sewers in a sequence of stages that resemble a bad Tomb Raider knock-off. Here you'll witness every platform cliché under the sun, including rising platforms, conveyer belts, trampolines, and gas that shoots out of pipes at regular intervals. You control Scooby throughout the game, only interacting with the other characters to provide them with key items. Scooby is well animated, and he looks really funny when he slides on his butt or climbs hand-over-hand. He can perform Crash Bandicoot-style jumps and spins as he breaks crates and bashes rats and spiders. Occasionally he'll dress up like a Kung Fu fighter, a bat, or Robin Hood, giving him a whole new set of moves. Though not terribly interesting, Unmasked is still quite playable thanks to its responsive controls, forgiving gameplay, and fine camera system. Even when faced with a harrowing set of obstacles, you'll usually whiz right through them without breaking a sweat. Occasionally you're treated to a special stage, including a wild ride down an underground river. The game's voice acting is very good, and pleasant jazzy tunes play in the background. You can save your progress at any time from the pause menu. Scooby Doo Unmasked doesn't do a lot, but if you're looking for a light-hearted, easy platform game, this should do the trick. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

As much as I hate to say it, the critics were perfectly justified to lambaste Shadow the Hedgehog as they have. This game was an attempt to mix shooting action with Sonic's trademark speed, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. More often than not, you'll gain a full head of steam, only to collide with enemies you're supposed to shoot. You'll also contend with poorly-designed stages, lousy camera angles, and confusing objectives. The third stage, Cryptic Castle, may be the single worst stage I've ever played. In the main story mode, our "anti-hero" attempts to piece together his past, 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 (enough already!!). Shadow's simplistic graphics are about Dreamcast quality, and while that's not necessarily bad, it 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 elevated platforms is a colossal pain because whenever he walks, Shadow inexplicably slides around like he's on freakin' roller blades! Even executing simple jumps will push your patience to the brink. The ability to glide on balloons and drive vehicles is fun, but steering a flying bat proves to be a nightmare. A few of the available weapons include shotguns, lasers, a rocket launcher, and a Halo-inspired sword. Shadow's auto-aiming is sufficient most of the time, but the shooting action feels like an afterthought, and it's often easier to simply dash past most enemies. The two-player battle mode is an abomination, as you'll battle the camera in a futile attempt to even find your opponent! On a positive note, Shadow's soundtrack kicks ass, and its rocking intro got me all pumped up for what should have been a good time. I wanted to like Shadow the Hedgehog, but the frustration was too much to deny. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Submitted by RPG correspondent Jonathan Hawk
Skies of Arcadia (Eternal Arcadia to you import gamers) was a popular, highly-acclaimed Dreamcast RPG. Consequently the folks at Sega decided to release this "director's cut" for the GameCube with improved graphics and additional missions. The fantastic world of Arcadia has no ground - the entire population lives on floating "islands" in the sky and transits via flying ships. Naturally, where there are ships, there are bound to be pirates! In Skies of Arcadia Legends (SoAL), you play Vyse, a young, dashing air pirate accompanied by two constant companions: his spunky childhood friend Aika, and the shy, mysterious Fina (both hotties!). Early in the game it becomes clear that your quest is to prevent the evil Valuan Empire from acquiring six lost relics that would give it the power to conquer the world (sound familiar?). The gameplay doesn't differ much from its Dreamcast predecessor, with the same solid turn-based combat. What sets SoAL apart from most other RPGs is its two different types of battles: hand to hand combat and aerial ship battles. Your pirate ships are upgraded throughout the game, and likewise your characters learn new and advanced techniques. One novel feature is how you can call on your crew to assist you in battle. Arcadia's dungeons and puzzles are well-designed and not particularly difficult. This GameCube version was given a slight graphics touchup, boasting bright, crisp, and rounded characters and environments. SoAL doesn't use pre-rendered cut scenes, but instead relies on the game's graphics engine, giving the characters a full range of movement and facial expressions. SoAL's music and sounds effects are crisp and clear. Only two flaws are apparent with the game. First, although you can change the color of your weapon to deal more damage to certain monsters, it's mainly guesswork as to which color to use. Secondly, instead of full-blown voice acting, the developers combine text dialogue with cheesy sound effects like "Uh-uh", "Yay!", "Yes!", etc. I recommend Skies of Arcadia Legends for any RPG fans, but its simple gameplay will accommodate any gamer who appreciates a good story. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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. Sonic Adventure's gameplay is a mix of fast action stages and less-exciting "adventure" levels that require you to locate and manipulate items. The "action" stages are reminiscent of the classic Genesis Sonic games, in that you can carefully explore them or whiz through them as fast as you can. 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. There are certain ultra-high-speed sections where you'll 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 depth, but they drain the game's energy. Fortunately, this Gamecube edition offers additional hints to prevent you from getting hopelessly stuck in these tedious areas. Sonic Adventure's controls are 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. Still, 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 feature I was surprised to see preserved from the Dreamcast version is the ability to download "Chao" mini-games. The original game transferred these games to VMUs (Dreamcast memory units), but DX lets you use a Game Boy Advance instead. This disk also contains several Sonic Game Gear titles that can be unlocked. If there's one thing I dislike about Sonic Adventure, it's how characters like Sonic and Tails have been given voices. Bad idea! Their kiddie voices and corny dialogue make the cut scenes almost unbearable. 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. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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 yet 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), 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 second game included 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 seasons, as well as the time of day. The upbeat dance songs are pretty good, and that woman belting out the vocals can sing her ass off! Next up is Sonic The Fighters, an arcade game that no one has ever even heard of! All things considered, it's not bad, with crisp 3D graphics and fast-action gameplay. The big heads and short arms are limiting however, and reminded me 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 recognized 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. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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 have 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 platforms, and winding 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, and Knuckles sounds like he's shouting a bad word whenever he attacks. I also didn't care for the two-player "race" mode, because falling off the edge of a platform instantly takes you out of contention. Otherwise Sonic Heroes is a terrific, light-hearted romp that will win you over if you give it a chance. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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 better in 2D. Most of these titles have aged extremely well, boasting 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 "normal" Sonic games (1 to 3) 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 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. Changing gears a bit, Sonic Spinball was a mediocre attempt to make Sonic into a living pinball. Though fun in its own way, the choppy animation and sub-par visuals make it evident that this was not produced by the original Sonic team. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is a Tetris clone, and like most Tetris clones, 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 truly glaring omission is Sonic CD, which was a big hit on the Sega CD system. All of the games on this disk are near-perfect ports, right down to the distorted two-player split-screens and occasional slow-down. The original manuals can be viewed on the screen and several additional 16-bit titles can be unlocked (Flicky, Ristar, and Blue Sphere). Bonus features include illustrations, comic book covers, and some video clips. I love watching the Sonic CD intro movie with its catchy theme song, but the History of Sonic documentary is brief and lame. Mega Collection could have been better, but the quality of these classic 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. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

I first played Sonic Riders at a display in the local 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 so naive back then! 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 would imagine that playing this game while stoned out of your mind is exactly the same experience as playing it straight. As you whiz through the courses 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 pleasing but more often just disorienting. The tracks are wide, but the atrocious "air slide" mechanism makes cornering impossible, so you'll be scraping against guard rails at every turn. 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, river, and a jungle track that looks as if it was lifted from 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 some Sonic fans over to give this game a good workout, but after a few minutes their eyes glazed over as they looked on in bewilderment. Sonic Riders is a complete mess. This hedgehog will require a complete overhaul if he's bound for the next generation of systems. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

The previews for Space Raiders described it as a re-imagining of Space Invaders, retaining classic elements while incorporating modern conventions like 3D graphics, a story, and bosses. We've seen this approach with many classic games (Centipede, Frogger, Missile Command, Defender, etc), and it never works. Therefore it should come as no surprise when I tell you Space Raiders sucks in the worst way. While not technically deficient, it's fun factor is sub-zero! The game is completely devoid of the challenge and suspense that made the original Space Invaders so compelling. You move a human character side-to-side across the bottom of the screen, firing away at alien creatures dropped from the sky. Three barrels let you take cover, but since they tend to just get in the way, you'll quickly learn to clear them out. The insect-like aliens are creepy enough, but most can absorb a ton of gunfire. The bland scenery consists of back alleys and war-torn streets. After completing the first wave, you might think, "That wasn't so bad!" Little do you know you're destined to spend the next 20 monotonous, mind-rotting waves staring at the exact same scenery! Adding to your misery are special aliens who fire back and cancel out your shots, extending certain waves to unbearable lengths. The bosses are the worst kind. Not only can angular beasts withstand 10 minutes of constant bombardment, but they show absolutely no sign of wear-and-tear until they finally succumb. Couldn't the programmers have made them blink red at least? I mean, throw me a [expletive] bone here! The story mode offers unlimited continues, which manages to eliminate both the frustration and challenge in one fell swoop. I thought the two-player simultaneous mode might save Space Raiders, but it's even worse! Since both characters occupy the same plane, they are constantly bumping into each other! I'm grateful Taito didn't slap the Space Invaders moniker on this, because that red mother ship would have been rolling in her grave! © Copyright 2009 The Video Game Critic.

The GameCube era produced a glut of 3D platformers and Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy was one of them. This good-looking third-person adventure is set in an Egyptian-inspired universe with sand dunes, tombs, sarcophagus, obelisks, and collectable scarabs. Your character "Sphinx" is some kind of semi-human creature with great agility. The action gets off to a slow start with an arduous search for a lost artifact. The sparse scenery, annoying camera, unskippable cut-scenes, and lack of save points make a lousy first impression. Without a weapon you have to do everything the hard way. The game improves dramatically during its second act however as a diabolical plot unfolds and you explore an opulent palace. You'll take part in fun treasure hunts, death-defying Tomb Raider-style climbing, and thought-provoking puzzles. Upon acquiring a sword you'll make short work of skeleton warriors, giant spiders, and pesky munchkins that split in two. Stealth is required to sneak past comical "eye watchers" that spring to attention upon detecting your presence. Later in the game you play as a mummy wielding fire and electricity, providing a nice change of pace. The orchestrated music is pretty dramatic and the colorful sunsets, sparkling water, and starry night skies are easy on the eyes. Interestingly enough, playing the game on an HDTV actually undermines an early puzzle. You're required to toss a rock into a hole, but the "hole" looks more like a spot on a wall. I hate the camera in this game. It's in constant motion so I had to keep my sessions short to avoid nausea. The game is also plagued by bugs. The two I personally experienced were overcome by reloading, but in theory you may be forced to restart the entire game! Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a exotic adventure with style, humor, and variety, but you'll need to play at your own risk. © Copyright 2016 The Video Game Critic.

It's the most popular Nickelodeon series of all time yet many parents don't let their kids watch Spongebob Squarepants due to its subtle adult references. Heck, even the title "Battle for Bikini Bottom" is bound to raise some eyebrows. I've never seen the show but enjoyed the game's intro in which an evil sea creature named Plankton inadvertently creates an army of marauding robots. The dialog is amusing, and I like how the audio remains in sync with the text even as you page through it. Spongebob is an agile little fellow who must collect spatulas to unlock new areas in his undersea home of Bikini Bottom. His spinning attack makes short work of converging robots and his ability to blast upward through floating wooden totems is awesome. The destruction quotient in this game is outstanding, with explosive sound effects punctuated by flying gears and bolts. The colorful graphics provide a host of bizarre sights and sounds. Cannons fire kitchen sinks and giant anvils fall from the sky. There's a snail who only says "meow", and when you fall from a cliff a digitized human hand snatches you out of the air. Bob's health is measured in pairs of underwear. You'll also play as secondary characters like Patrick the sea star and Sandy Cheeks the squirrel. The platform gameplay is pretty standard, borrowing elements from other games like the ability to roll into a ball, glide, slide down hills, and throw watermelons at switches. The controls are super responsive and at times feel effortless. When you hoist a watermelon to throw, white gloves point to where it's going to land. The stages are a mixed bag. Positioning mirrors in the lagoon to direct a beam of light is tedious, but the frenetic battle in the lighthouse with crumbling floors is epic! Each stage provides many paths but it's not always obvious where to go. When the game says "saving" you'll think you're at a good stopping point, but when you reload you find yourself in a totally different spot! The camera requires extensive babysitting as dangerous robots often lurk in your blind spot. The tropical music matches the underwater theme, but I was confused to see lakes and streams...? Apparently that's "goo" which is somehow heavier than water. Let's not to overthink this. Battle for Bikini Bottom is good clean fun with enough charm to make even the most jaded critic smile. Fans can bump up the grade by a letter. © Copyright 2019 The Video Game Critic.

I think I hate this game. Oh yeah, I hate it. The original Star Fox (SNES, 1993) was a 3D space shooter that stunned gamers with its cutting-edge polygon graphics. A kick-ass sequel delivered more explosive action on the Nintendo 64 in 1997. So why in the God's name did Rareware opt to transform the stellar series into some half-baked Zelda knock-off?! Instead of flying over treacherous planet surfaces while blasting everything in sight, Adventures has Fox marooned on a planet of sickly dinosaurs. When it comes to the history of bad ideas, this ranks right up there with "the new Coke". If you think a dinosaur planet sounds compelling, keep in mind that these "beasts" look more like Barney than actual dinosaurs. Despite its sky-high production values, Star Fox Adventures embodies everything that's wrong with free-roaming 3D adventures. You'll page through the text of a lot of boring conversations. You'll smash crates, collect nuts, and solve "slide the block" puzzles. Not only do you need to shop for critical items, but you even need to haggle for them (oh joy). Fox's main weapon is a staff, and you attack foes by tapping the A button repeatedly. You get a baby dinosaur companion, and there hasn't been a less appealing sidekick since Jar Jar Binks. Adding insult to injury, you need to feed the brat periodically! No, I'm not kidding. At one point the little critter instructs you to press specific buttons on your controller! In another game low-light, you have wait until sunrise for a Wooly Mammoth to wake up from his slumber. Good times! Since tunnels and passages tend to look similar, I often found myself wondering if I was treading new ground or heading back where I came from. I could go on and on about blind jumps and swimming against water currents, but what's the point? Many of the basic controls are lifted from Zelda, including automatic jumping and first-person aiming controls. The collision detection is hit-and-miss however, especially when it comes to throwing explosive barrels at cracks and doors. That's just unacceptable for a game like this. It may be awful, but Starfox Adventures looks like a million bucks. The animation is smooth, and the graphics are so finely detailed that you can even see the hairs on Fox's head! The rolling meadows and flowing water look inviting, as do the snow-encrusted evergreens of the mountain stages. The controls are responsive, and you can save at any time. But the quest itself is so tedious and lame that even the dinosaurs look bored! They seem to speak in some kind of foreign language. Are you telling me that someone actually took the time to concoct a whole new language for this lousy game!? What a colossal waste of time!! I tried to like Star Fox Adventures, but it has an intangeable quality that makes me nauseous. Its only thrills come from its brief space shooting stages, which offer a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

The first Star Fox game for the GameCube, Star Fox Adventures, received tepid reviews for its free-roaming platform style of play. Star Fox fans were hoping Assault would return to the high-flying shooting formula 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. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

Rogue Squadron III kicks off with an animated sequence featuring all of your favorite Star Wars characters cutting the rug on a disco dance floor. It's supposed to be funny, but it's bound to turn off serious Star Wars fans like myself. The game itself contains all of the trademark dogfighting action that made the series such a hit, but expands the scope by incorporating ground missions, both in vehicles and on foot. Unlike its predecessors, Rebel Strike's storyline incorporates actual characters from the films including Wedge Antilles, Mace Windu, and Luke Skywalker. The first stage is mainly a rehash of the Tatooine training stage from the Rogue Squadron II, with a million tedious objectives to complete. Thank goodness you can skip that! Subsequent stages are really a series of short objectives strung together, and it really sucks when you die during the last one and have to start all over. Rebel Strike's air/space combat is first-rate as you would expect, with Tie fighters that careen out of control and magnificently explode when blasted. But like the last Rogue Squadron game, you may find yourself asking, "What am I supposed to do now?" The difficulty is wildly uneven. Some missions that are nearly insurmountable, while others you can practically 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 keep you wondering what the next stage has in store. Some of the locations 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 highly ambitious, but its pieces don't quite come together as well as they could have. In one instance, my pilot could be heard talking over his radio after his ship had been blown to bits! Despite the rough edges, fans of the series will appreciate Rebel Strike's fresh set of challenges. A two-player, split-screen, cooperative version of Rogue Squadron II is also included. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

After playing the original Super Smash Bros., Melee comes as a shock to the system! The graphical upgrade is tremendous. The fuzzy, angular fighters have been substituted with crisp, rounded characters that move with fluid motion. The confined, static stages of the first game have been replaced with expansive, dynamic environments. It's hard to believe the original game was released a mere two years prior! The expanded roster includes Mario, Pikachu, Bowser, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Fox McCloud, Ness, Captain Falcon, Ice Climbers, Kirby, Samus, Zelda, Link, and Sheik. There's only one thing better than having so many sweet, loveable characters in one game, and that's seeing them beat the living [expletive] out of each other! The battlefields and musical tunes are inspired by classic Nintendo titles, including Icicle Mountain (Ice Climbers), Mute City (F-Zero), Hyrule Temple (Zelda), and Pokemon Stadium. The underlying gameplay is the same - for better or worse. Each four-player free-for-all takes place on a set of elaborate platforms, with the object being to knock the other characters off the playing field. The action is fast and chaotic with an appealing arcade flavor. Novice players can button mash, but experts will employ a host of techniques. Melee is extremely customizable, and after each fight your bonus is determined by a long list of specific categories. You'll earn extra for "combo master", "cliffhanger", or "first strike", but lose points for being a "stalker" or "spectator". For die-hard Nintendo fans, Smash Bros. Melee is a treasure trove of classic references and unlockable bonuses. Melee's added depth makes it more enjoyable than the original game, but it still suffers from the same fundamental flaws. During four-player battles it can be tough to tell what's going on. The animation is smoother and the graphics are cleaner, but those benefits are offset by larger stages, flashier effects, and a more active camera. The fact that opponents can often work their way back to the platform by continuously jumping on "air" is still one of the dumbest things I've ever seen in a video game. The two Ice Climbers are a tandem that I found incredibly confusing to control. Melee includes a few new solo modes, but the only one I found moderately entertaining was the "event" mode with its list of short challenges. People's enjoyment of Smash Bros. Melee is largely a function of their loyalty to Nintendo, but even casual gamers will find themselves drawn to its slick graphics and simple gameplay. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

For a bargain bin title, Swingerz Golf seems like a good deal but its long-term play value is suspect. Swingerz looks a heck of a lot like Hot Shots Golf, and I wouldn't be surprised if the same developers were responsible or the same engine was used. The rolling green fairways are extremely appealing, and the sunny tropical beach resort course is a feast for the eyes. The cartoonish players are likeable enough - not irritating like so many of the wacky characters in the Hot Shots series. The action moves at a brisk pace with minimal pauses, and exciting camera angles follow the ball through the air. Pleasant (but repetitive) background music plays throughout, and the difficulty is reasonable. You're always provided with the ideal club for your next shot, the greens are huge, and the putting is forgiving. It sounds like a winner, but controls are the game's Achilles Heel. Instead of embracing the three-press swing mechanism of Hot Shots or the analog swing of Tiger Woods Golf, Swingerz uses a bastardized combination of the two. You pull back on the analog stick to start the swing meter, and then press forward once it's reached sufficient power. Instead of offering the best of both worlds, the scheme feels unnatural and imprecise. This lack of precision is not an issue for the first few courses, but when you're trying to nail tough shots in the advanced stages, the controls will let you down again and again. Besides the standard tour and match modes, Swingerz offers a set of mini-games, but these must be completed in succession, and it's really easy to get stuck on one. Another flaw is how hard it is to open up new characters, especially since you only get two from the start. Swingerz Golf makes a good first impression, but in the long run it comes up short. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.