Nintendo 64

With Rare's first 3D attempt at the genre on the Nintendo 64, that was exactly the case. Banjo-Kazooie was released to huge fanfare as Rare successfully produced a game that not only did everything the groundbreaking Super Mario 64 did, but did it better. Heaven achieved.

Game Description: For anyone who enjoyed playing the original Zelda game on the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask should come as a pleasant surprise. This game again features Link, the young elf who has been the star of every Zelda game so far. This time, however, he has to stop the moon from crashing into the land of Hyrule. Link must travel back in time 72 hours to avert the disaster; otherwise Hyrule will be destroyed. There are four dungeons to explore, with many other places to visit. In addition, Link can use over 20 masks to gain even more abilities!

Playing The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask is like returning home after a long time away.

Writing a review for a game in Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series is different than writing a review for other games, because Nintendo's work allows discussion of higher level elements such as form and structure rather than implementation. The camera for example, which has been the bane of most other third-person games, Majora's Mask somehow improves from Ocarina of Time.

When I first played Acclaim's All-Star Baseball 2000 last year, I was convinced that this was as good as baseball could get on a console and quickly proclaimed it the best baseball game I've played in recent memory.

Unlike so many other baseball games before it, All-Star Baseball 2001 simply takes the time to put elements of the game that so many other games choose to ignore. This means that pitchers actually throw wild pitches that get away from the catcher or fielders misplay balls by overthrowing the receiver or booting the ball. Base runners get picked off for leading too far or caught stealing on a pitch out. Batters develop hot and cold streaks.

Game Description: The All-Star Baseball series slides into a new season with tons of new features and gameplay details. All 30 Major League Baseball teams (with more than 700 players) play ball in each of the 30 MLB stadiums—all rendered in realistic 3D. Players can even assemble the first ever Hall of Fame team, featuring Reggie Jackson and Nolan Ryan. A new batting practice mode warms up players against different pitches, locations, and deliveries. Once primed, it's time to hit the diamond for some realistic baseball action in exhibition, season, playoff, or home run derby mode. Batters choose from over 100 stances and home run swings. The advanced batting interface allows players to adjust the sweet spot for power or contact hitting. Pitchers are offered plenty of options as well, including a pitch after-touch feature that allows throwers to control the ball's movements after release.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Language, Violence

Game Description: Enlist some of your favorite characters from the Mario universe for a game of doubles in Mario Tennis. Boo, Daisy, Bowser—even new character Waluigi, brother of Wario—and more are here for a game that sets accurate tennis physics in an unpredictable fantasy world. Where else could you play tennis on a court surrounded by lava? Play solo or with up to three friends simultaneously. Exhibition Mode provides a friendly, straightforward game, while Tournament Mode will settle the bets. There's also a Ring Shot Mode, a tennis variant that has players trying to send balls through as many golden rings as they can.

Camelot and Nintendo combined to create an engaging game that will reach out from the most rank amateur to the tennis pro, and offer them both something to sink their teeth into.