Metroid Prime 2 is a rip-off. That's a compliment, because Samus' second 3D adventure happens to be ripping off The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. And like Link's greatest adventure ever, Metroid Prime 2 features parallel light and dark worlds where alterations in one affect the other, creating some ingenious puzzles. Add to that the Metroid franchise's trademark moodiness and isolated exploration and you have the impossible: a game as good as the first Metroid Prime.
The all-new multiplayer mode pales in comparison to Samus' single-player mission to save the light world's gentle Luminoth from the dark world's evil Ing. But overall, combing through the gorgeous alien environments of planet Aether is the most fun you'll have on GameCube.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (E) (3.5 stars)
Activision
GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Though most film-to-game adaptations are themselves unfortunate events, this playable version of the upcoming Jim Carrey vehicle is oddly endearing. The difficulty level (or lack thereof) is certainly geared towards children, but navigating the Baudelaire orphans past their nefarious uncle makes for a short series of entertaining events.
Karaoke Revolution (E) (4 stars)
Konami
Xbox
Whether you dream of being the next American Idol reject or are just too lazy to even exert your thumbs, Karaoke Revolution offers hours of gaming entertainment. This Xbox version has added an assortment of Motown classics, so gamers everywhere can have Marvin Gaye rolling in his grave with their off-key renditions of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."
Gretzky NHL 2005 (E) (3 stars)
Sony Computer Entertainment
PlayStation 2
Gretzky NHL feels like Little League hockey. It can be fun, but with its unrealistic scoring rate and somewhat limited franchise mode, it seems too juvenile compared to real hockey. And the defensive A.I. is so bad, you start to wonder if the other team just showed up to practice its figure skating.
Ultra Bust-A-Move (E) (3.5 stars)
Majesco
Xbox
Despite the arbitrary addition of the word "Ultra," this is the same bubble-popping puzzle game we've been playing for years. It was addictive when it was simply known as Bust-A-Move, it's addictive now, and it'll still be when they call it Super-Mega-Jumbo-Bust-A-Move.
Matthew Scott Hunter has been known to mumble, "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start" in his sleep. E-mail him at
[email protected].