Nintendo 64

Game Description: Strategy fans, get ready Rainbow Six adds a new twist on gaming. Choose your character directly from the Tom Clancy thriller that inspired the game, and then put your thinking cap on, because you’re going to have to plan out this entire mission on your own. Once you’ve set everything up, sharpen your reflexes and jump into the fray, taking on terrorists, diffusing bombs, and freeing hostages. The 12 amazingly detailed missions ensure that the game will last a long, long time. There’s even a Two-Player mode that puts you and your friend on the same team!

I have to admit that after trying my hand at the demo of the original Rainbow Six on the PC, I was so overwhelmed by the strategy and planning that went into it that I never gave the game much of a chance. Having played Rainbow Six for the Nintendo 64, I realize now that that was a huge mistake. Granted as Chi said, the game is more simplified, this is a good thing in my book because the controls were a lot more approachable and the planning phase didnt feel like homework.

On one level, never before on the N64 system has there been a game that achieves such a balance of depth, realism, maturity, and intensity the way Rainbow Six does. This is a game that may look like an FPS on the surface, but in actuality, its more a real-world simulation of squad-based tactics during 12 rescue or assault-type operations.

Actually the third release bearing the Turok name, Rage Wars unlike its two previous efforts, jettisons the traditional one-player mode for full-featured multiplayer options instead. That's not to say that there isn't any semblance of a single-player game.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence

Game Description: In a twist on its predecessors, Turok: Rage Wars ditches some of the involved storyline to bring you more unadulterated combat. Start in Scenario mode, as you try to unlock 14 different characters in your training for battle. With 19 ranks to achieve, 25 player skins to unlock, and 50 medals to attain, you’ve certainly got your work cut out for you. There are 17 playable characters in all, as well as 13 different Universal power-ups this game isn’t going to get boring any time soon.

Well first off, being the defensive player that I am I take issue with the design of the levels as well as Chi's "cowardly tactics" comment. I like wide open areas that allow for some degree of hiding and I wasn't thrilled by the fact that I couldn't go too many steps in some levels without running into another player or opponent. The other thing is the sheer monotony of the single player. Don't get me wrong it is functional but it's obviously been made for those who couldn't get enough of four-player GoldenEye 007 and Quake 64 II and are dying to build up their skills here and later show them off against friends.

I think Chi made some good points, but not many of them were important enough to require a similar rating from me. The fouling is an issue, but it adds a bit of realism to see the computer try to get back into the game late and I was happy to actually see a 4-point-play in a console game. Admittedly, I wouldn't have minded if the computer made a few quick trips downcourt and launched some 'threes' to get close, but it wasn't a big deal. And the little bugs Chi mentioned just looked awkward but never really forced me to get up and scream at the TV screen or anything.

Game Description: Instant replay, player editing, and performance adjustments contribute to the true-game feel of NBA Courtside 2. More than 300 NBA players, including Kobe Bryant, are accurately modeled after their on-court counterparts. Each is rated for shooting percentage and range, foul tendency, dribbling, passing, speed, jumping, rebounding, strength, dunking, stealing, blocking, and stamina. In addition to the standard moves you'd expect from a video game basketball player, NBA Courtside 2 adds tons of new, user-controlled actions, such as spin moves, first-step fakes, changing hands on the dribble, post-up moves, calling for the pick, and boxing out opponents. As coach for your team, you'll also be able to call plays using the digital control pad. Moves that you can control include box, perimeter, low post, high post, isolation, motion, inside triangle, and outside triangle.

The main problem is that Courtside 2's attempts to improve upon the original either do not alleviate the old flaws or end up unearthing entirely new ones. For example, foul calls were extremely unbalanced in the original Courtside.