Fight Night Round 3 brings back Fight Night, the undisputed champion of boxing games. It's one of the best looking and playing sports games on the market. Now it takes the action outside the ring — where gamers can establish rivalries through pre-fight events, putting purpose and passion behind every hit. It's the closest thing to being in the ring without getting punched. Film-quality graphics - Gamers rely on facial expressions and body language to gauge an opponent's health and energy creating a more emotionally immersive experience Online gameplay for wilder boxing action against real-life opponents

Showcasing two installments of SquareSoft's wildly popular role-playing game (RPG) series, Final Fantasy Anthologyfeatures the U.S. debut of Final Fantasy V, and reintroduces one of the best RPGs of all time, Final Fantasy VI, originally released as Final Fantasy IIIon the Super Nintendo gaming system.

Both games are straight Super Nintendo conversions, so their 2-D graphics and 16-bit sounds are admittedly subpar by PlayStation standards. However, SquareSoft has added brand-new, beautifully animated movies for both titles, and has given Final Fantasy VIthe star treatment it deserves by adding a bonus mode where gamers can access loads of supplementary material, such as artwork and data files on the game's monsters and items. As an extra bonus for hardcore fans, an audio CD featuring music from both games is included, making this quite the collector's package.

While Final Fantasy Vis one of weaker entries in the series, Final Fantasy VIalone is totally worth the price of Final Fantasy Anthology. Endearingly melodramatic characters, a genuinely epic story line, and rock-solid gameplay make Final Fantasy VIjust as absorbing today as it was when it was Final Fantasy III. —Joe Hon

Pros:

• Brand-new animated movies and bonus music CD soundtrack

• Reissues Final Fantasy VI, one of the best RPGs ever

• Lots of supplementary material for Final Fantasy VI

Cons:

• Dated graphics and sounds may bother some gamers

• The previously unreleased Final Fantasy Vmay as well have stayed unreleased

The only Final Fantasy that was never localized in the United States, Final Fantasy III has been reborn, incorporating the latest in portable gaming technology. Using the features of the Nintendo DS to their fullest, Final Fantasy III features graphics that have been reworked and remodelled in 3D, while maintaining the mythical Final Fantasy look and feel. This is the fans' chance to complete the circle. The legend of Final Fantasy III is reborn.

Long recognized as role-playing games par excellence, the Final Fantasy series gets a technological makeover in this installment (and series debut on the PlayStation). Shedding the two-dimensional graphics and limited sound capabilities of its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII features lush 3-D graphics, beautifully animated "movie" sequences, and soundtrack-quality music. Coupled with the game's intricate storyline, endearing characters, and immense yet highly imaginative world, these new advancements make for a quite an engrossing experience.

The story of Final Fantasy VII centers around a solider named Cloud Strife, who joins forces with Avalanche, a group of resistance fighters, to take down an evil mega-corporation known as Shinra. (The fate of the world hangs in the balance, of course.) Truly epic in scope, this four-disc game requires a considerable amount of time to complete—-this reviewer gladly gave up over 80 hours of his life to finish it. But it's definitely a rewarding adventure that every PlayStation owner should consider undertaking, especially since it's now one of the low-priced "Greatest Hits" titles. —Joe Hon

Pros:
Intricate and absorbing storyline with endearing charactersImmense and highly imaginative game worldSpecial battle systemBeautifully animated movie sequences

Cons:
Your friends and family may feel neglected

Two years after the fall of Dalmasca, the citizens are without guidance and direction. In the capital city of Rabanastre, the denizens gather and await the introduction of Archadia's new consul. To Vaan, a young man living on the streets of Rabanastre, the Empire is a hated enemy who took the life of his brother, the only family he had left. In an effort to exact revenge, Vaan hatches a plot to break into the palace and steal from the occupying imperials. There, he gets more than he bargained for as he runs into Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne. Together, the two will embark on an incredible journey through Ivalice, tracing the mysteries behind the Archadian Empire's invasion. The choices they make will determine the very fate of the world. License board gives the player the ability to customize each character's skills and abilities

Vaan and Penelo from the original Final Fantasy XII are back in a whole new adventure! Vaan has now officially made it to being a full-fledged air pirate, and together they travel around Ivalice searching for adventure. When they discover the floating continant of Lemures, home to a magical Sacred Crystal, destiny calls! Developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings is an all-new experience that makes full use of the Nintendo DS's unique features. Featuring full Touch Screen functionality, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings allows players to control massive armies, unleash special moves and activate Gambits, all with the use of the stylus. The world of Ivalice comes alive through the respected musical stylings of Hitoshi Sakimoto and the direction of Motomu Toriyama, the director of Final Fantasy X-2 and the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII. Familiar monsters from across the spectrum of Final Fantasy games, including perennial favorites like Chocobos and Tonberries. ESRB Rated E10 for gamers aged 10 and up.

Forza Motorsport revs up gamers who are passionate about cars andracing. It's the ultimate car-lover's playground, letting gamers buy, sell, trade, tune, modify and race their customized car collection. On the track, players experience an impressively accurate simulation, putting their performance-tuned creations to the test against the best the online world has to offer on Xbox Live! Take online racing from intense multiplayer wheel-to-wheel racing to challenging individual bests and beyond Gorgeous graphical showcase — well-balanced reflections, lighting, and shadows; Real camera effects like blooming, lens flare, heat shimmer, light rays, depth of field, and haze create TV-quality presentation

Gears of War thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. players live and breathe the role of Marcus Fenix. A disgraced former war hero, Marcus seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against an onslaught of merciless warrior fiends. Gamers immerse themselves in an experience so intensely emotional and gut-wrenching that playing will be like controlling a blockbuster action movie. Control Marcus Fenix and his fire team as they pit advanced human technology against the overwhelming and horrific Locust Horde. Gears of War unites next-generation technology with classic, emotional storytelling and a revolutionary tactical combat system, engrossing the gamer in a horrifying epic story of war and survival Unreal Engine 3 technology pushes high-definition visual designs and brings out the smallest details in the largest battle. Experience a rich dynamic world with an unprecedented level of detail

GoldenEye 007has been a huge success for Rareware, and it's easy to see why. More than a simple movie translation, this has earned its top-seller status on its own. Fans of Doomand Quakewill recognize the first-person shooter perspective, but there the similarity ends. James Bond 007 has too much style to simply blast everything in sight and move to the next level. No, as 007, the player has a variety of different missions to perform, each with its own specific objectives. Each mission follows the film closely, and so James must use stealth and cunning as much as brute force. But if you see a Kalashnikov rifle lying around, by all means pick it up.

Controls are easy to master, which is impressive considering the variety of actions the onscreen hero can perform. James can run and walk at variable speeds, duck, pivot, hide, attach mines to enemy helicopters, block doors from opening, and more. The optional auto-aim feature is especially nice. Of course, James Bond is proficient in a wide variety of weapons. You get to use them all, from the trusty Walther PPK (with silencer) to double sets of full-auto machine guns.

The game's faithful tribute to the Bond legacy includes briefing dossiers on each mission, complete with wisecracks from Q and flirtatious comments from Moneypenny. And the 3-D representation of locations and characters from the movie is very impressive. The Rareware team spent time on the set with digital cameras, and it shows.

One of the distinguishing features of the game is the outstanding artificial intelligence of the enemies. When attacked, squads will rush to hit the alarm. If they make it, reinforcements come running. Enemy soldiers respond to being shot or blown up with chilling realism. According to Rareware, there are over 30 different animation routines that come into play, depending on where the soldier is hit. For those who prefer the challenge of human opponents, there are six clever multiplayer modes where up to four players can shoot it out, as teams or solo agents.

With excellent gameplay, intelligence, and style, GoldenEye 007is a first-person shooter that'll keep you coming back for more. —Jeanne Uy

Pros:

• Built-in save capability for up to 4 players

• Auto-aim feature helps novice players feel like a sharpshooter

• Rich, complex game world filled with detail and variety

• Great bonus missions

Cons:

• Sometimes cinematic scenes for fulfilling mission objectives are a bit anticlimactic

Golden Sunis the first original role-playing game for the Game Boy Advance to appear in the U.S. And despite perhaps a too-familiar story line, Golden Sun's jaw-dropping graphics, deep magic system, and unique multiplayer arena mode truly show that the Game Boy Advance is capable of a serious RPG.

Game developer Camelot (which also made the legendary Shining Force series for the Sega Genesis, and, more recently, Mario Golfand Mario Tennisfor the Nintendo 64) designed Golden Sunfrom the ground up to take advantage of the GBA's horsepower, and it shows. Sharp, vivid landscapes, detailed towns and dungeons, and awesome weather effects—it looks like a Super Nintendo game with some extra zing squeezed onto a handheld system. Fans of Secret of Manaor Chrono Triggerwill appreciate the feel of this game.

But the game's greatest strength is its magic system. Your characters each have their own latent psychic abilities based on one of the four elements of alchemy (earth, water, wind, and fire). The characters will be called upon to use their individual forms of telepathy and telekinesis to solve various puzzles in the game. Also, you can collect Djinn (elemental spirits) and link them to your characters. Not only can these Djinn be summoned in battle, they can also bolster or hinder your characters' latent psychic abilities, give them special attacks, and even change your characters' class. This system is similar to Final Fantasy VIII's guardian system, though far more intuitive and easy to master.

Golden Sunemploys a basic turn-based battle system, but it has amazing spell and fighting techniques that really take advantage of the GBA's technology. The game achieves a nice balance between flashy attacks and the brevity of these same attacks—a lesson the makers of other RPGs should learn. Battles are beautifully and quickly fought, and don't overtax the gamer.

The game also has an addictive arena mode in which players can fight monsters they've already encountered in the game. Players can also link up with another GBA (this feature requires another Golden Suncartridge) and fight against another party. While it's not true a multiplayer option, it adds a great replay value to the game.

Golden Sun's weakest point, however, is its standard-issue story. In essence: boy wakes up amidst disaster, meets stalwart friends, and rises to the challenge to save the day (all while living up to the image of his dear departed father). The story is a little stale, but the mechanics of the game transcend this flaw and bring the gamer into a state of handheld nirvana. —Bryan Karsh

Pros:

• Vivid graphics

• Deep, intuitive magic system

• Addictive multiplayer arena mode

Cons:

• A plot straight out of "RPG Story Lines 101"

Return to Golden Suns epic saga of magic, swordplay, and adventure as you continue the quest to restore the power of Alchemy to the land. Explore new continents, new cultures, and new dungeons as you travel across the world of Weyard. Walk, fly, and even set sail across the seas of this massive world.