Atari UK LTD GameCube Games

The game itself is, somewhat predictably, a third-person shoot-'em-up not at all dissimilar to a more balletic version of Max Payne. It's somewhat surprising though, for such a high-profile game, to find the graphics are actually a little below par and the controls somewhat clunky, but generally it all looks and plays pretty well with all the classic Matrix-style slow-motion acrobatics relatively easy to pull off.

Easily the best bits of the game are the on-foot chase sequences, usually involving agents, which are actually rather tense and a great way to show off all the running and leaping powers you've mastered in the rest of the game. The worst bits are the car chases, especially if you play as Niobe and have to put up with the terrible car handling, instead of just hanging out the window and shooting as Ghost. Still, this is a decent game overall which, although unlikely to win any awards in itself, is sure to please most Matrix fans. --David Jenkins

The game itself is, somewhat predictably, a third-person shoot-'em-up not at all dissimilar to a more balletic version of Max Payne. It's somewhat surprising though, for such a high-profile game, to find the graphics are actually a little below par and the controls somewhat clunky, but generally it all looks and plays pretty well with all the classic Matrix-style slow-motion acrobatics relatively easy to pull off.

Easily the best bits of the game are the on-foot chase sequences, usually involving agents, which are actually rather tense and a great way to show off all the running and leaping powers you've mastered in the rest of the game. The worst bits are the car chases, especially if you play as Niobe and have to put up with the terrible car handling, instead of just hanging out the window and shooting as Ghost. Still, this is a decent game overall which, although unlikely to win any awards in itself, is sure to please most Matrix fans. --David Jenkins

Despite the initially stodgy controls Destroy All Monsters actually reveals itself as a highly entertaining free-roaming fighter very much in the style of Power Stone. And despite its slow pace things can get quite tactical as you use skyscrapers for cover and employ the widely varying powers of each creature. The graphics aren't amazing but they do manage to convey a great feeling of scale, and, even better, the idea that you're actually a 400-foot man in a monster suit-–which sounds rubbish--is hilarious in practice. The only real problem with the game at all is the fact that you can only use three of the eleven monsters to begin with, with the rest having to be unlocked via the rather badly paced single-player mode. Why there's only a selection of three monsters to start with is particularly baffling since the game features an extremely enjoyable four-player mode.

Destroy All Monsters is excellent knockabout fun for anyone that likes their beat-'em-ups simple and unpretentious. It's also, at time of writing, the only fighter on the market to feature a giant city-destroying moth. --David Jenkins

Like NFL 2K3, NBA 2K3 is presented in the patented ESPN style. The game has all the sights and sounds of the NBA: the pomp and circumstance of pre-game introductions, accurate arena re-creations, realistic player animations and sizes, and fluid dribbling and shooting (including crossover moves and the ability to change shot direction in midair). All of this is accentuated with special touches such as alley-oops, tipped shots, the ability to make passes on the fly, fierce rebounding battles under the basket, and the added drama and excitement of the ball bouncing off the rim before it either falls in or goes awry.

NBA 2K3 offers a host of moves and modes on either side of the ball, with 25 offensive and 10 defensive plays from which to choose. Throw in fully customizable strategy options--everything from player clutch factor to computer shot tendencies, plus all types of shot percentages and fouls--and it's easy to create the ideal matchup and game environment. The limitless roster manager feature also ensures that league and franchise modes will keep from getting stale.

Street mode offers a break from the grind of NBA play, allowing you to go two-on-two or all the way up to five-on-five in nine playgrounds and gyms. Pick your favourite players from current teams or choose greats from the 50s through the 80s and go at it as the Ballers vs the Ringers. Street even features requisite trash talk such as "Yeah! You like that?" and grunts backed with "Get some!" --Larry White

Thanks to its smarter-than-average artificial intelligence, NFL 2K3 sports a somewhat steep learning curve that requires sound football simulation instincts. Knowing your team's strengths and weaknesses will ultimately be a big help if you hope to win at advanced levels. Be prepared to mix up your play calling and make adjustments instead of thinking the same old reliable plays will get the job done. Of course, practice mode is always there if you need to work the kinks out of your game plan and master the multitude of offensive and defensive sets at your disposal.

Graphically, sports games don't come much better looking than NFL 2K3. Among the highlights: player animations are amazingly realistic and lifelike, and a wide array of facial emotions appear that are relative to game scenarios; stadiums are painstakingly recreated to take on almost postcard-like feel; and replays access a wide variety of angles to put you right on the field or in the stands.

One area in which NFL 2K3 easily aces Madden is its game commentary. As part of the game's ESPN broadcast presentation, announcers Dan Stevens and Peter O'Keefe call every bit of the action in varied detail. Their comments are far removed from stale Maddenisms, offering worthwhile play breakdowns, player assessments, and quips that don't make you wince in disgust (at least not too often). Stevens and O'Keefe, along with the crowd, will let you hear about it when you bite it on the field. --Larry White

Like most of Sega's recent sports releases, NHL 2K3 hangs its hat on stellar gameplay and sweet graphics. Little, if anything, is overlooked: players move and react much like their real-life counterparts--goalies are especially acrobatic; the puck seamlessly glides, flips and bounces around the rink and off the posts and goalie's pads; players can be pinned to the boards during a scramble for the puck; missed shots are covered up by a diving goalie or slapped in off ensuing rebounds; arenas are painstakingly re-created and feature music and sounds specific to each. Off the ice, there's plenty of strategy and options to tinker with. NHL 2K3 boasts over 30 sliders to alter effects ranging from ice friction to referee collisions. And, of course, there's the franchise mode that allows up to 250 years of dynasty building. --Larry White

The game is similar in style to Virtua Tennis in concept, though a lot less serious. Modes of play are standard: Arcade, Tournament, Quest etc; play out the Quest mode and the similarity to the aforementioned tennis title is clear. You select one of 6 pre-set teams based on continent and elemental power. Fire, water, toxic, spirit, electric and ice form the special powers that each team can unleash on the pitch.

Teams are taken on in a round-robin style league with a special challenge offered to you after each match. The challenges are fun and in the style of Virtua Tennis; complete each one and you'll be given cash to spend in the obligatory shop, where you can purchase kit upgrades, new grounds, game artwork and more. Win the leagues and you'll be able to unlock extra hidden teams. Other game modes allow you to create a personalised super team and unlock more characters.

The game's graphics are excellent and each player is instantly recognizable with great animations and detail. The stadia are well animated and the sound effects are vibrant. The game oozes Sega quality. All in all, Sega Soccer Slam is ideal for those less serious sessions and for pick-up-and-play gaming. --Laurent S Hall

From the off, players have the option of choosing the Hero (Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles) or Dark (Dr Robotnik, Shadow, Rouge) quests, which are completely different. Sonic and his dark counterpart, Shadow, traverse levels at warp speed colleting coins and power-ups while fighting enemies in what must be considered the game's most exhilarating moments. Unfortunately, the other characters are nowhere near as fun to play. Robotnik and Tails fight through levels that require little more than constant button-mashing to shoot an endless procession of enemies and Knuckles and Rouge participate in seemingly endless levels that require looking for a variety of objects.

Graphically the game is a bit of a letdown considering the processing muscle of GameCube. Models are fairly simplistic, and level textures are sometimes bland. Game Boy Advance owners can use a link cable to download Chaos from the game to train on the go, but the rewards for doing so are minor considering the time investment involved. The one thing this game has over its Dreamcast predecessor is the multi-player modes, which are fun but offer none of the depth or replayability of standalone multiplayer games like Super Smash Bros. Melee. Still, they're a nice addition that rounds out a flawed single-player component, especially the racing games. Sonic addicts who missed this the first time around on the Dreamcast will definitely want to check this game out, but the finicky camera, tedious non-Sonic/Shadow levels in single-player, and surprisingly shallow multiplayer components (especially the Chao games) turn what could have been a great game into merely a good one. --T Byrl Baker