Nintendo 64

The whole 'Live' franchise is already a legendary one in this industry; every year, no matter how bad or unimproved the new version was from its predecessor, NBA Live is annually proclaimed the basketball game of choice by video game players and critics. So much so that newer and more revolutionary titles like Nintendo's NBA Courtside and Acclaim's NBA Jam (64-bit version) were consistently overlooked. I, for one, was never swept up in the 'Live' hysteria so I've always been a bit more objective and with this latest release, I am even more disheartened seeing the amount of praise already being showered on EA Sports.

Game Description: One of the newest additions to EA's sports lineup, NBA 2000 features more action, more slamming, and more attitude. Broadcast-style camera technology brings you to the heart of the action. Next-generation facial animation with added speech links gives the players more personality and attitude. You can go five-on-five or one-on-one on the street court, with the greatest names in the NBA, past and present, as NBA Live exclusively brings you retired names in the NBA, including the greatest all-time player, Michael Jordan. Play with one of five All-Star teams from the past decade or create your own classic matchups.

With his review, Dale has thrown down the gauntlet on the myth of NBA Live's dominance over the genre and I'm right there beside him. I'm totally baffled as to how a game with so many flaws can get so much praise from the media. This game is far from flawless (as some have actually described it!).

When it's all said and done, this is simply the best there ever was as far as wrestling games go. From the realistic look to the moves and the action, it's everything a wrestling game should have been since we moved into the 3D age. Ease-of-use usually equals unparalleled fun and Wrestlemania is a fine example of this.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes

Game Description: Are you tough enough? Over 50 of the top superstars of the WWF are ready to brawl in this take to the mat. Brought to you by the same folks who created the popular WCW or NWO Revenge, this one is a complete wrestling package: all of the characters, moves, options, and match varieties you could ever imagine. You can pick your wrestler and throw down in Tag Team, Cage, and Weapons matches, Road to Wrestlemania mode, or any of the standard modes you know and love.

There seemed to be limitless amounts of depth in the attack moves, grappling holds, reversals, and counters. And if you've ever seen it in the square-circle, chances are it's in Wrestlemania. Even more amazing is how it's all filtered through an incredibly simple and easily grasped control scheme.

Winback may lack the team strategy elements of Rainbow Six, but what it does have is an innovative control scheme that maximizes the Nintendo 64 controller capabilities and allows for what I consider, for the first-time, the ability to manipulate a videogame character with real-world stealth techniques that are practically accurate.