Metal Gear Solid Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (05 November, 1999)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

You are Solid Snake, a superspy who's half James Bond, half Snake Plissken, and you are mean. Your mission isn't terribly new (infiltrate a terrorist base and blow everything up), but the gameplay is: your numerous enemies are watching for you, and you are encouraged to sneak rather than simply charge in. Every level brings new challenges. You fight snipers, invisible ninjas, psychic warriors, and even an M-1 tank! As the father of the modern spy game genre, this game is an instant classic.

Your allies and superiors speak to you via a cool, implanted radio,monitoring your progress, offeringtips--but failing to give you the full story. The combination of a mysterious and engaging plot and high in-game tension makes this a thrilling ride. Campy humor also abounds as you rescue beautiful women, verbally spar with your allies, and blow up enemies in the bathroom. A user-friendly control interface allows for sniping, hiding, crawling, and running, and the graphics leave nothing to be desired. If you like espionage, spy movies, or just want to own and play a piece of gaming history, then this is a must have. Metal Gear Solid is one of the all-time greats. Game tip: Secretly attach plastic explosives behind an enemy, sneak out of the room, and see what happens. --Allen Stewart

Pros:

• Story well-integrated into gameplay
• Stealth favored over brute force
• Challenging puzzles

Cons:

• Puzzles can be frustrating
• Torture scene too intense for younger gamers

... Read more

Features

• 3rd-person shooter that launched a popular series
• Players assume the role of Solid Snake
• Emphasis on covert actions, rather than blazing guns
• Linear, story-driven progress
• For 1 player

Reviews (266)

This hasn't aged particularly well, but.....
After eight years without a new Metal Gear game, this franchise got it's third entry with Metal Gear Solid. The graphics have not aged well at all. Textures are very pixellated, animation is very jerky, and the framerate can get rather slow at times. The audio, however, has lots of great dialogue, combined with a catchy musical score.

The gameplay is based around stealth. You are Solid Snake, a spy working for a secret agency whose objective is to stop a device called Metal Gear, and save a couple of old guys. The story is deeper than that, of course, but in a nutshell, that's it. The controls, while laid out well, can be very unresponsive at times. The game itself is very fun (sneaking around to either get past or silently eliminate enemies), but is very easy to complete, and take away all of the cinematics and dialogue (12 hours of it all!), and you've got just three hours of gameplay.

Metal Gear Solid hasn't aged well at all, but is still very fun and happens to be a nice collector's piece for fans of the series. But should you start here? No, grab a GameCube and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (a next-gen remake of this) instead, then grab Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance on the PS2 or the Xbox.

Brilliant, possibly the best action game ever created...
Metal gear solid has the most complex and often perplexing storyline I have ever seen in a video game, hands down. It will always have you on your toes, literally. I have seen many movies, and I can honestly say this game has a better storyline than most movies. Here is what you need to know..

Graphics- 100/100 The graphics were top of the line when this game first came out, and even to this day they look great. There is so much detail to every aspect of the game, and even compared to most newer games, this game wins out. Back when I first played it in about early 2000 or so, the graphics were the best the playstation had to offer, and that's a year or so after this game came out, which is pretty astonishing. There is even a scene where Snake is in the girls bathroom, and there is a mirror which perfectly reflects everything. I mean, back when this game came out that was a pretty big feat both graphically and attention wise. Most games just don't pay the kind of attention this game does.

Sound- 100/100 Perfect. Just flawless. There isn't much of an actual soundtrack, but the music is incredibly atmospheric and will make you feel like you are Solid Snake, infiltrating a nuclear base. The voice-overs are the best I have ever seen in a video game. Solid Snakes voice over is perfect, and just about everyone elses fits their personality and there image. Otacon's fits him perfectly, so do Meryl's and Liquid Snake's.
Seriously though, this game has incredible sound and has never been surpassed by any action game to date.

Gameplay- 100/100 I have heard people complain about the poor camera views limiting the gameplay, but in my opinion, the camera views perfectly fit this game and the game wouldn't be the same without them. Sure, it would have been nice to have a first person perspective while using the weapons, but it's all the same to me. I think it is perfectly fine having to shoot enemies in a third person view, and it works better with the type of graphics that it has. When you are spotted, enemies will storm in from all directions to stop you, something that seperates this game from all others. This game gives you good reason to want to play it safe, but still allows you you have some action packed fun as well, if you want to take a chance that is. Also, this game has an incredible storyline but doesn't throw it in your face all the time. MGS2 drags the storyline on eccesively and bores you with excruciatingly long cut scenes and codec conversations. I remember using the square button to skip most of the cut scenes in MGS2. The problem with MG2 is that the storyline is too complex for the good of the game. I mean, much of it is pointless grubble and the game bores you by making you listen to conversations about crap that doesn't apply necessarily to the main storyline, making it a waste of time. This game, however, truly has a wonderful , complex storyline that you will WANT to watch and listen to. Every conversation and cut scene adds to the game flawlessly, so you will probably never get bored, although I am sure you will find yourself reading the codec conversations manually instead of listening to the people talk, since they tend to talk rather slowly and take up a bit too much gameplay.

Overall- 100/100 This game is as perfect as it gets, and I have beaten it at least 15 times, if not more. Even to this day it is a pleasure to play, and I don't think it will get old any time soon.

Metal Gear Solid
Well this is one game that I love playing and I always will. This game has it all, everything you would expect in a movie. Im talking about true military action which features, VR training, special weapons, and ofcourse the hero and the villains.

You are Solid Snake, and your mission is to find and eliminate the nuclear war head 'Meatl Gear Rex'. But beware, expect challenges through out your mission, be preared for antthing. Only you have been chosen to attempt this mission and you know you can do it. Prepare yourself for stealth action like you have never seen it before, and experience the life of a genetically born soldier. ... Read more

Asin: B00001X50M
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Action and Adventure    3. Military and Spies    4. Sony Playstation (Play station)    5. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    6. Shooters   

Chrono Cross
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

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Editorial Review

Chrono Cross, the sequel to the Super Nintendo classicChrono Trigger, turns out to be well worth the wait. Taking off20 years after the first game, Chrono Cross follows a boy namedSerge across parallel worlds--both the world in which he lives and onein which he drowned 10 years earlier.

Chrono Cross will wow players with beautiful prerendered graphicsand a unique battle system. Elements replace magic and items in battle,and using the same element three times in a row will ultimately increaseyour power. In addition to using elements, the accuracy of physicalattacks is determined by probability, with easier-to-land weak attackssetting up fierce blows.

The plot, while a bit slow to develop, is full of interestingcharacters. Players will need to travel between the two worlds toadvance the plot. While many of these areas will initially appear tolook similar, you'll find them to be quite different upon closerexamination of the details. For instance, a plant that is extinct in oneworld thrives in the other.

My only qualm with Chrono Cross is that, despite the complexitiesof the battle system, veterans will have an easy time with earlybattles. Still, there's much to like about this SquareSoft epic.--Robb Guido

Pros:

• Lavish, vibrantly colored graphics
• Unique battle system involving elements and casting awayrole-playing clichés like experience and magic points

Cons:

• Easy battles due to powerful offensive and cure elements
• For hours, players will be saying, "Get to the time travel stuff"

... Read more

Reviews (293)

Chrono Cross -- On its own
When I purchased this game, I had no idea that it was a sequel, and had never played the first game, Chrono Trigger. I really can't say how well Chrono Cross stands up as a sequel, but as a game on its own, it gets 3 stars from me.

Good things about Chrono Cross are the graphics (very nice, including the movie sections), the character designs (there are dozens of characters, and each one's look has been well thought out), and the music (even the world map music is good).

The gameplay is mostly fun, though the battles drag on and on when you start the game and don't have high-leveled characters. Once you get the hang of the battle system and have some good spells and characters to use, they become far less repetitive.

There are definately some bad things about Chrono Cross as well. Having never played Chrono Trigger, the plot made absolutely no sense whatsoever to me. This made it even more difficult to figure out what I was trying to do. At times, I had to wander aimlessly because the game wasn't clear what I was trying to accomplish at that point. Another low point of the game is the number of characters (40+). I got the feeling that the point of the game was not to try to save the world, but to see how many characters you can collect. Which brings me to my last gripe. You're expected to beat the game more than once (preferably at least 3 times all the way through). There are other events that you can trigger to happen and other plots which can unfold by choosing other paths, but honestly, I didn't feel the game was worth wasting another forty hours to beat just to get all 40 characters and seeing a different ending, especially when the original ending was so weak.

Overall, if you've never played Chrono Trigger, expect to be lost a lot. It does have its moments, but for the number of hours required to beat it, you're better off looking for something else.

Chrono Cross Versus Chrono Trigger
Chrono Cross is a game that you'll either love or hate.Your opinion is based largely on whether you view the game as the sequel to Chrono Trigger, which is a somewhat controversial issue as the game description states that it is while a game producer, during an interview, said that it's not.

One aspect of the game many find repulsive is that there are 40+ characters, resulting in shallow storylines and 9 or 10 lines on average per character throughout the game.The flip side is that you get to experiment and combine very different characters to form a team that you want.If you enjoyed the intimate friendly party in CT, you'll find that lost in CC.

In terms of storyline, CC does a good job of creating a story that is complex but makes sense at the same time.However, as mentioned above, if you're hoping for a continuation from Chrono Trigger, you'll once again be disappointed as none of the characters from CT are playable in CC.In fact, at least one character from CT meets a tragic end, which throws out the happy ending in CT.In terms of continuation, the plot does follow CT well minus the fact that Schala from CT looks completely different in CC (No wonder Magus couldn't find her!)

Anyway, Chrono Cross is a great game if you view it alone and avoid comparing it with the classic Chrono Trigger.The storylines take on a more complicated poetic tone and the characters system is largely different.These, however, still work in this new game.I would highly recommend Chrono Cross to those who have not overly idolized Chrono Trigger and were hoping for a Chrono Trigger clone on Playstation.

Happy gaming!

(...)

Its no Chrono Trigger...but still an amazing, beautiful game
I finally played this game recently, quite a few years after it's release. At first I had serious doubts about it, as there seemed little connection to Chrono Trigger (which I am a big fan of), and the gameplay and story just didn't seem to be nearly as good. However, once I gave it a chance I really started getting into it.
I think one of the big downfalls of this game is that it is a sequel to such a phenomenal old SNES game, and everyone wanted it to be as good or better, which would have been a hard thing to achieve. In it's own right, this is an amazing game, regardless of it being a sequel or not.
It is a true sequel, and the story does tie in directly to the events in Chrono Trigger, however, that's about it...the story. If you want to see the characters or environments of Chrono Trigger, you're out of luck, as this game has all different characters and takes place in the El Nido archipelago, in the same world as Chrono Trigger but never explored in that game.
The other thing this game has in relation to Chrono Trigger is just the over all feel of the game...you can tell the same people made it.
The graphics of the game are incredibly beautiful, and though already quite dated, they still stand up well (they are comparable to say...Final Fantasy IX). The environments range from beautiful tropical regions to complex castles and dungeons, and all areas are very well thought out, fun to explore, and interesting. I'm glad they kept the overland map the same as in Chrono Trigger, making it fast and easy to get around. The music is wonderful as well, and while I would have liked to have heard a few more Chrono Trigger classics, I really can't complain...the music is beautiful and very well done.
The story is twisting and complex, and it's actually quite hard to keep straight what's going on sometimes and what world you are in, as the game takes place in two different dimensions of the same world as opposed to different time periods. The two different dimensions are very similar and it can be hard to keep straight what world you are in. Still, the story was very good, keeps you involved, and does end up having a lot of direct and very interesting tie-ins to Chrono Trigger. There is also a plethora of characters (near 40, I think), almost all of which have there own mini-stories.
That was one aspect of the game I have mixed feelings about. On one hand it's great and interesting to have so many unique characters to be able to use, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. But on the other hand, having so many characters makes it hard to really get into them, their stories end up being rather shallow, and you can never really power all of them up. You'll likely end up with a couple favorites of every color attribute that you use most often, which really isn't bad. Overall, they did a good job with the characters, and I like the system they used.
The gameplay is very fun, and although it is in most ways straight forward RPG, they do throw in some interesting twists to combat. Overall quite enjoyable.
There is an almost infinite amount of secret tidbits to unlock, so much that it would almost be impossible to find them all without the strategy guide. The direction of the game can change depending on choices you make, and conversations are always different depending on who is in your party. The game is incredibly open ended, and has multiple endings as well. This coupled with the fact that it has a new game + feature gives it incredible replay value. I just beat it the first time and I'm already replaying it again with all of my equipment, elements, and experience from the first play through to try and get a different ending.
Overall, I give this game five stars. It has excellent story, dialogue, graphics, sound, characters, and gameplay...every thing about it is great and it is a world you'll want to get lost in again and again. Alas, it is no Chrono Trigger, and a large part of me wishes they could have tied in some of the characters and places from that game a little more, but oh well. They did a different game in the same style as Chrono Trigger, and it's great fun. There are at least some fun little nostalgic elements, like at one point when you find an enertron and you can hop into it to fully revive your party, and when you get out you find "you're still hungry", along with the stomach growling straight from Chrono Trigger. Very fun stuff. Highly recommended to fans of Chrono Trigger, or just anyone who loves a good RPG with lots of replay value. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TC6E
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Final Fantasy VII
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (27 March, 2000)
list price: $19.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Long recognized as role-playing games par excellence, the FinalFantasy series gets a technological makeover in this installment (and seriesdebut on the PlayStation). Shedding the two-dimensional graphics and limitedsound capabilities of its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII features lush3-D graphics, beautifully animated "movie" sequences, and soundtrack-qualitymusic. Coupled with the game's intricate storyline, endearing characters, andimmense yet highly imaginative world, these new advancements make for a quite anengrossing experience.

The story of Final Fantasy VII centers around a solider named CloudStrife, who joins forces with Avalanche, a group of resistance fighters, to takedown an evil mega-corporation known as Shinra. (The fate of the world hangs inthe balance, of course.) Truly epic in scope, this four-disc game requires aconsiderable amount of time to complete---this reviewer gladly gave up over 80hours of his life to finish it. But it's definitely a rewarding adventure thatevery PlayStation owner should consider undertaking, especially since it's nowone of the low-priced "Greatest Hits" titles. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Intricate and absorbing storyline with endearing characters
• Immense and highly imaginative game world
• Special battle system
• Beautifully animated movie sequences

Cons:

• Your friends and family may feel neglected

... Read more

Features

• Join AVALANCHE, an organization sworn to put an end to Shinra corporation's destructive practices
• Move around the world using flying vehicles, submarines, and Chocobos
• Fill the Limit gauge to perform each character's special attack
• Play 7 mini-games, from arcade-type to betting
• For 1 player

Reviews (1073)

Not as top notch as the other FF's!
To sum things up, FF VII is a good game, but I find it is overrated.When it was released in the late 1990's it set the standard for graphics not only for RPG's, but for all video games from there on out.But in terms of the game itself, it leaves some things to be desired.

The characters for example, were not as well developed as they should have been.The lead character, Cloud, got about 80% of the character development, while the others only small bits are known about them.But I will say that each character does have his or her own unique personality so this area may not bother players too much.

The music in FF VII unfortunately, was horrible in my opinion.Especially when compared to other Square titles such as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, and even Final Fantasy IV (which is well over 10 years old).The battle music was good, but the rest was flat and uncreative, especially the music on the world map.Those of us who are familliar with the work of Square had expected much better in this department.

The game play was good.The materia system was a nice touch that added variety to the basic magic-using RPG.Basically, every character in the game can use spells, but they have to equip a materia onto their armor or weapon, and gain points through battles to learn each spell the materia has to offer.The only downside is that once the materia has been unequiped, the spell(s) go with it.But nonetheless, the materia system had breathed new life into the RPG world of magic-using.

You also have side quests, secret/hidden items and weapons, and secret characters just like most RPG's.The graphics are good, although the characters look very polygonized in their smaller forms.The CG scenes are beautiful.This is one area Square always dominates.They did a great job with those in FF VII.

It saddens me to give this game only 3 out of 5, but I must be honest.I love RPG's, especially the classics from Square, but I just don't think that FF VII deserves to be up there with CT, FF IV, and FF VI.Even the ending of FF VII was disappointing, because they did no follow-up on the characters.It's a good game overall, but it had the potential to be great.

:)
best characters and storyline iv ever played....plot twists..great character development..this game does everything right.. Cloud:the main character is a bad ass, manley man..despite the fatc it probaly takes him 3 hours in the morning to do his hair..but hes cool none the less..barret: a black guy who is also manley and has a really bad temper...tifa:huge boobies, wears short shorts and is probaly really pretty if the graphics were better..oh and shes nice and obviously wants to get into clouds pants...aeris: a good girl who probaly shouldnt stand under balconys or anything somebody can jump on top of her... cid: foulmouth badass...this game has a lot of bad asses...red XIII: plays the role of the wise old man...though hes not a man and techinically in his years hes onky a teenager

GET THIS GAME...ull love it...if u like rpgs ull love this game and follow it like a religion

"I don't care where, Cloud, Just stop it!"
I love this game. It is absolutely THE BEST vg i have ever played.

Follow the life of Cloud Strife, an ex-soldier who joins AVALANCHE, a club who is full of crime fighting agents such as Tifa, Barret and Yuffie. One time on a dangerous mission, he meets Aeris, a flower girl from the slums.they THEN set out on an adventure to defeat Shinra! ... Read more

Asin: B00000JRSB
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Fantasy    4. Sony Playstation (Play station)    5. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    6. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    7. Adventure   

Final Fantasy VIII
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (22 September, 1999)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

SquareSoft has always had a sure-fire hit when releasing any of their Final Fantasy titles, and Final Fantasy VIII should be no exception. The basis of a good RPG (role-playing game) has always been the story; spectacular graphics are secondary. Final Fantasy VIII's involved and interesting story line is filled with great twists, well-developed characters, suspense, and romance. As an added bonus, the graphics are beautiful. Everything--from the low-lit jazz club to the steam-filled railroad tunnels--is gorgeous and perfectly sets the mood and tone of a scene.

The game mechanics are standard fare for an RPG: acquisition of items and spells, turn-based combat, experience points earned in combat allowing advances in levels. From exploration to battles to dialogue, Final Fantasy VIII has it all. However, Final Fantasy VIII falls to that great weakness of RPGs: random battles. While necessary for advancing in levels, the battles occur with such frequency that they can grow annoying, making for a tedious game experience.

The epic storyline spans four discs--over 40 hours of gameplay--and is based around a mercenary cadet who finds himself caught up with an underground rebel faction. He winds up in a plot to assassinate the sorceress who has just seized power from the president.

You could complain of limited replay value, but this gripe is of no consequence: the game is such a satisfying experience, it doesn't require replay. Final Fantasy VIII is easily worth both the hype and the wait. You can't buy a much better game. --John Cocking

Pros:

• A story to beat all stories
• Characters worth caring about
• Hey--it's from SquareSoft
• Stunning animations

Cons:

• Too many random battles
• Combat is, as always, turn-based and offers minimal excitement
• Weak souls might give up after two or three discs of play

... Read more

Reviews (955)

To final fantasy players.
Before I got this game I was playing Final Fantasy 7 and was use to it.When I got this game it stunned me with how many battles you have to fight, but that's ok becuase it keeps you busy.At first I did not like it, but as the game progressed I ended up getting hooked on it.All I can say is that if you do not like role playing games you should not buy them, but if you are into role playing and a Final Fantasy fan this game is for you.

Why does everyone hate this game?!!?!?
Ok. In 1999, this game was releaed. Many people were like, "OMG! thiS gam3 suck comp@ too vee eye eye!!" But I loved it. It's not as good as VII, but only by a hair.

Gameplay:10/10: A new RPG where you are in the military SeeD. You have many summons called GF's. It's a long game, about 45 hours. Lots of sidequests, too.

Ok, many have complaints aboutthe Junction system. "It's too complicated! Wahhhh!" Well, READ THE GODDAMN TUTORIAL!!!! *Is glad to get that out of my system.

Graphics:10/10: For the time, they are excellent. The FMV's kick ass!

Music:10/10: Another high point. You might be humming the great tunes!

Story:9.5/10: OK, there is a lot of bashing with it. Personally, I liked Squall and others because they act realistic. Plus, lots of plot twists.

Overall, a great game overlooked by many. So relax, and quit complaing, guys!

Terribly lame in content ...
My reviews contains spoilers.That being said, you should read it anyway.

Graphics: A+
It was pretty. Possibly brought out the PS's greatest potential.

Gamplay:B-
Wasn't terrible, but wasn't a lot of fun either.

Mini-games:A
FFVIII has a very fun card game you can opt to play.It was my favorite part of the game.

Story:F
A ridiculous love-story mixed with pubescent amnesiac orphan-soldiers fated to destroy a witch repeatedly due to a time-loop.Try to imagine all of the most horrendous story cliches thrown together.If you can't, FFVIII would be an enlightening though torturous experience for you.

The Characters:F-
Only the lead character has any amount of depth, but it never turns out to be more than: "At first I was a lonely brooder.But now that I opened my heart to friends and love, I have the strength to fight!!"Everyone else receives no true development what-so-ever.Most of them have practically identical pasts(amnesiac orphans).They're all teenage soldiers, much like the cast of power rangers.They all have distinct cookie-cutter personalities, much like the cast of power rangers.And these uninspired piles of cliche-excrement that saves the world routinely, much like the cast of power rangers.
The only explanation I could think of for this terrible, un-dynamic cast is that Square wanted to appeal to younger gamers by making a game about a soap opera about pretty high schoolers that have no parents and kick butt.

Anyway.With so few redeeming qualities, don't subject yourself to it.To be honest, I *liked* this game when it first came out.But I was also 13 at the time.Replaying it with more mature tastes, I've realized the content was terrible.There's no better way of describing it then: It's *stupid.* ... Read more

Asin: B0000296O5
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Sony Playstation (Play station)    4. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    5. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Final Fantasy IX
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (17 November, 2000)
list price: $39.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (622)

Open Mind
Hey guys.I love this game, flat out.It has great characters, a good plot, a good system, and fantastic music.A lot of people think that the game is boring, or maybe they don't like the plot, but I think that those people need to just give it a chance.This was the 7th Final Fantasy I have beaten, and now I have finished 1-9, and this game is in my top four.

There are some problems with this game, but I don't think they are very critical.Most of them affect the first couple hours, but they are nothing toreally have too big a problem with.First of all, the begining is slow.There are about 4 battles in the first hour, and you finish only about 20-50 in the first few hours.Also it takes a little getting used to to get into the gameplay.Characters gain magic and abilities based on what equipment they have on.

Anyways, I put this in my top list of games, which are in order of which is most important to play

Final Fantasy VI
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy VII
Earthbound
Final Fantasy IX
Chrono Cross
Xenogears

Play those RPG's and you will have experienced the best games ever made.

This is to the people
Look, I realize you are entitled to your opinions, as am I.So, let me get my two cents in.This is to the people who do not like FF( because only mages can use magic(like cure, fire, etc.).Stop complaining!Not only can Garnet and Eiko cure, but Amarant uses Chakra to cure, Freya uses a skill to cure, and so can Quina.This game DOES return to the roots which has only certain characters use magic.It makes it harder.Now, to those who claim this game is childish because of certain things.I am twenty-four years old, and I like this game a lot.My friends like this game.Even my twenty-eight year old brother likes this game.None of us think it is too childish.
To those who complain about the storyline, claiming a thirteen year old could do better.I've read the fan fictions people of such age write about the Final Fantasies; trust me, they ARE NOT BETTER.If you think you could do better, try it.By the RPG Maker, and DO IT!Betcha can't, though.If thirteen year olds COULD do better plots, you would think that such companies as Square Enix would hire them.Duh.

Great Game, despite all other opinions
First of all, I'd like to point out that I haven't played many other Final Fantasy Games, so I'm not going to compare them.

On to my thoughts about FFIX. It was the first real RPG Playstation game that I ever bought and it's the one that got made me love the genre.
Plot: 4/5 Great plot, however they fail to really explain some crucial details (for example: why does Zidane sees Garnet's memory?). A little more explanations would be nice for my lack of brain cells.
Characters: 5/5 You really do get attached to Zidane and Garnet, you laugh at Amarant's oblivious and cynical nature, and just want to shoot Thorn and Zorn. The point is, the characters are interesting and have a personality.
Gameplay: 4/5 At first it's hard to understand how to train the characters and use different accessories to learn attacks. However, once that is settled, the gameplay is great. Also, it took me forever to realize that pressing Select on the world screen brings up a map: VERY USEFUL! You'll get lost if you don't use it. Other than that, good gameplay.
Graphics: 6/5 :) Gotta love the grahics. Squaresoft created different cultures/architectures for each different country. Gaia is absolutely gorgeous. The FMVs are amazing. Two thumbs way way up for the graphics.

Overall: Though it required a lot of time training to beat Kuja and the final bosses, the game is really fun. The minigames range from "fun-for-two-seconds" (Jumprope Vivi) and "takes-forever-but-gotta-love-it" (Chocobo Hot and Cold) and the game itself is great, long and never boring. Five stars out of five it is, then. Great way to get yourself in the world of Final Fantasy. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Y57G
Sales Rank: 65
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sony Playstation (Play station)    3. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    5. Great Deals (Outlet store)   

Final Fantasy Anthology
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (16 November, 1999)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Showcasing two installments of SquareSoft's wildly popular role-playinggame (RPG) series, Final Fantasy Anthology features the U.S. debut of FinalFantasy V, and reintroduces one of the best RPGs of all time, Final FantasyVI, originally released as Final Fantasy III on the Super Nintendo gamingsystem.

Both games are straight Super Nintendo conversions, so their 2-D graphics and 16-bitsounds are admittedly subpar by PlayStation standards. However, SquareSoft has addedbrand-new, beautifully animated movies for both titles, and has given Final FantasyVI the star treatment it deserves by adding a bonus mode where gamers can accessloads of supplementary material, such as artwork and data files on the game's monstersand items. As an extra bonus for hardcore fans, an audio CD featuring music from bothgames is included, making this quite the collector's package.

While Final Fantasy V is one of weaker entries in the series, Final FantasyVI alone is totally worth the price of Final Fantasy Anthology. Endearinglymelodramatic characters, a genuinely epic story line, and rock-solid gameplay makeFinal Fantasy VI just as absorbing today as it was when it was Final FantasyIII. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Brand-new animated movies and bonus music CD soundtrack
• Reissues Final Fantasy VI, one of the best RPGs ever
• Lots of supplementary material for Final Fantasy VI

Cons:

• Dated graphics and sounds may bother some gamers
• The previously unreleased Final Fantasy V may as well have stayedunreleased

... Read more

Features

• Includes both Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI
• Includes brand-new animated movies and bonus music CD
• Original 2-D graphics and 16-bit sounds
• Includes extra material, such as artwork and data on the game's monsters
• For 1 player

Reviews (201)

The Best Fantasy AND How To Fix the Load Time Problem
I've noticed a couple people complain about the load times (especially during battles).There's a quick and easy fix for PS2 owners:In the main menu under the PS1 Driver, there's a setup option for "Fast Loading".When you turn that on, the game will load as fast as the original cartridge did.Problem solved.

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And now for the game: FF6 *is* the best version of Final Fantasy made to date (imho).FF7, FF9, and FF10 are also very good, but FF6 got the RPG formula perfect: Great characters, great story, great battle system.If I had to sell all my RPGs, FF6 is the one I would keep & play over-and-over.


As for FF5, the story is rather weak, but the gameplay is really really good, thanks to the job system (like FF10-2).What I like to do with FF5 is to experiment:
- What if I had 4 white mages?
- What if I had 4 black mages?
- What if I had 4 fighters?
- Would I survive the battles w/ such weak teams?

Thanks to its job system, FF5 has a great deal of replayability.Even after you beat the game, you can go back and replay with a completely different team, and new complications (trust me, beating this game with 4 black mages is NOT easy).

Bottom Line: Buy Final Fantasy 5/6 right now.If you're like me, you'll cherish it forever.

i remember a time, not so long ago...
when the name final fantasy on a game box meant something. final fantasy 3(6) represents the best square has ever put out. don't get me wrong, i enjoyed ff1, ff7 and 9 too. i cant speak for ffx2, or 11, as i haven't played them. square, if you are thinking about how to make your next ff, create something as good as ff3(or even just close) and your fans will love you for it. i am glad ff has come to the gamecube, but lets be serious, crystal chronicles is weak...very weak. online capability is ok too, but the strongest point of a good rpg should always be single player. i know that you can make a good game square/enix, you have it in you, so please do us a favor and no more ff10's or crystal chronicles. sorry about the spiel, i highly recommend this anthology, ps2er's(or ps1) shouldnt be without it.

An awesome classic FF game!
Final Fantasy 6 is without a doubt one of the best RPG games on the market! ... Read more

Asin: B00002R28C
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Fantasy    4. Sony Playstation (Play station)    5. PSX (PS1 PSOne PS (1 one I)    6. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)    7. Great Deals (Outlet store)   

Grandia 2
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (11 December, 2000)
list price: $49.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

See if this sounds familiar: You're from an outcast mercenary class thatupstanding folk don't want around until there's trouble. You're sent on amission with an innocent, idealistic woman with whom you don't immediately getalong. Forces of darkness, safely contained until recently, have escaped and arethreatening a world-ending clash with the forces of light, unless yousuccessfully intercede. This is one of the safest templates for consolerole-playing games, as well as the story in Grandia II.

Thankfully, however, everything else in the game is fresh and provides hoursupon hours of fun. The backdrops and character designs are colorful withoutbeing flashy, the game has a great pace (for an RPG), and players never have tostand around too long for the next thing to do. Even the writing, within itscookie-cutter plot, is smart, well translated, and occasionally funny.

The game's strongest element, though, is its battle system. Taking the best ofturn-based and real-time battle engines, Grandia II forces you to chooseyour moves carefully with respect to timing and position. The battles are verysimple in the beginning, but grow increasingly complex as you fight largernumbers of monsters with a growing party of allies. How you meet yourencounters--whether you initiate the fight, are ambushed, or meet headon--affects both the timing of the blows and the positions of the contestants.Battles emphasize counterattacks and combination blows, but you'll soon findthat movement and defense keep you alive against the tougher enemies. Elementalmagic, items, and skill books are just icing on the cake. Even if the battles dogrow old, the random fights are fairly easy to avoid, and a versatile AI optionlets you cruise-control through the rest.

Grandia II may just be the traditional role-playing game that Dreamcastowners have been waiting for. The question of whether or not it is tootraditional doesn't matter, since it offers a better experience than most thathave come before. --Porter B. Hall

Pros:

• Battle system creates interesting, complex fights
• Solid, traditional role-playing game for a system with few others in thegenre

Cons:

• Predictable plot and characters

... Read more

Reviews (81)

Come on buddy, give the poor game a break
I don't know what kind of personal vendetta the above reviewer has against Grandia 2.Whether the game beat him up, or peed in his shoes is beyond my knowledge, I have to step up and defend this aweseom Dreamcast game.
As one of few stellar and eagerly awaited RPG's for the system, and for it's time.Grandia 2 shines.Whether it is the deeply constructed battle system, or the better than ever voice acting, Grandia 2 was a game that I couldn't stop playing.

The story, while it was not up there with the giants like Chrono Trigger, Panzer Dragoon Saga, or Phantasy Star, it had it's moments to be remembered.Despite being typical RPG character cliches, (The female healer, the angsty young buck that'll save the world once he confronts his feelings, the huge axe wielding silent guy) they do an above average job of fulfilling these requirements.

Get this game, especially since its cheap now.

Like an RPG buffet...
...mostly pretty good, more than you could possibly eat, and just a bit overcooked.
Probably the most noteworthy observation of Grandia II is that it fits on one disc! It's an incredibly expansive game, with voice-overs, some cinematic FMVs, and a stunning level of graphic detail that makes every doorknob, crate, or street lamp pop off the screen. Not an RPG enthusiast myself, I was hooked after a few hours and couldn't turn it off. I killed almost three days, playing for around 15 hours straight at one point (lucky I didn't burn up my Dreamcast), and finished in about 35 game hours, enjoying nearly every second.
Exploration is the main gameplay mechanic: each world is large and complete with an immeasurable number of NPCs, all of which will lend a wealth of conversation. The amount of text in this game alone could fill a short novel, and most of it is coherent and well-organized, no small feat for a Japanese-English translation. I regret rushing through the game so quickly, it's best played in short intervals over a few weeks, so that the intricacies of each new world can be explored and appreciated.
The combat system is a mixed blessing: the extreme complexity gives a player something to sink his teeth into as the game progresses, but requires a lot of manual study and hits pretty hard initially with its steep curve. Attack animations and just the sheer variety of maneuvers are pleasantly overwhelming, but be prepared to wait through some pretty long boss battles. Leveling-up against common enemies and sub-bosses is a breeze: it nearly becomes a tiresome annoyance after half the game. But boss battles are often unnecessarily difficult due to the radical variation of individual attacking appendages from one boss to another. Creatures with six or seven attack points will be awarded with almost twice as many turns as the player's party, while many super-bosses are relatively easy with only one or two offensive points. Otherwise, a great battle system.
Interaction with characters really builds a strong empathy for the NPCs, and that's the strongest hook an RPG can offer. The story is fairly typical Japanese RPG: a bizarre and often nonsensical tale of apocalyptic destruction, undercut by a budding love story, camaraderie, and good spot of well-aimed humor. The rant on religion (which apparently ends up as some sort of endorsement of atheism?) is excessively preachy and rather illogical, eventually deteriorating into an intellectual train wreck endorsing, as best I understand it, the truth and falsehood of both everyone's beliefs and no one's. I wouldn't spend time criticizing it if I hadn't been forced to A-button through every inane bit of text that all added up to a whole lot of nothing. Fortunately, the bonds between characters are the main focus of conversation, and the friendships you build are the true foundation of the game's theme.
This is one of the really great adventure games of this era. I can't imagine a gamer whom I couldn't recommend this to; well, maybe someone without a lot of time on their hands.

Diamond in the rough
I must say, when I found this game buried in the used rack, I wasn't expecting all that much (having no previous experience with the original).But being a fan of RPG's (and searching for cheap Dreamcast games to add to my collection), I thought "why not"?And thank god I did.
After 5 minutes, I got the sense that this game was something unique.After 15, I was beginning to like it. And after 30, I was completely and utterly hooked.I recently finished the game, and I think it is a testament to how great the game is when I say that I nearly shed a tear at the game's close.
My only issue with the game was it's rather predictable and often-times cheesy plot.I found myself repeatedly guessing (correctly)not only what was about to happen, but what was to happen several plot points down the line.But this was dwarfed by all the things I adored about the game.
First and foremost, the writing. More specifically, the dialogue writing.This game sports some of the best writing I have ever seen period.Not just in a game.The dialogue worked fantastically with the plot and characters to greatly enhance the experience.On a similar note, the voice acting was first-rate.The interspersing of voice-acting and text-based dialogue was quite well-done and did much to draw me into the game.But I think the thing I liked most of all about the writing was that it had a great sense of humor.From Ryudo's constant sarcasm, to Millenia's innuendoes (see her Heel Crush attack for my favorite line), and everything in between, the writers are the unsung heroes of this title.I mean come on!How can you not love a character that yells out "Deep-fried goodness!" when casting a lightning spell?Hell, that still cracks me up.
The battle system was another element that rapidly drew me into the experience.The hybrid turn-based/real-time system is at the same time like and not like several other RPG battle systems I've seen.The 3-D battlefield that forces the characters to run around to hit their opponents is intriguing, especially the often-useful technique of Cancelling an opponents attack.If you choose the right attacks at the right time (and if you're lucky), it's possible to defeat some of the bosses without them getting a single attack off.Also, the special attacks and magic spells looked gorgeous.The graphic artists on this game should be commended as well.From anime-style cut-scenes to the battle animations to the characters and environments themselves, this game is a joy to look at.
I know I sort of covered this already with the voice acting, but this game not only looks great, it sounds great too.The music is downright incredible for a video game (especially for one that's 3+ years old).They give you an Audio CD with the game with all the music on it, which is really cool so you can revisit all the excellent tunes anytime you want (it's still in my car's CD player in fact).
Finally, the game is very accessible to gamers of all skill levels although it is on the slightly easy side for more-skilled ones.This is not a hindrance, I have found, as I can say, without any reservations whatsoever, that Grandia II is my favorite game of all time and will remain so for a very long time to come. ... Read more

Asin: B00004UDVL
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Sega Dreamcast    3. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (17 May, 2001)
list price: $34.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of two new Zelda games for the Game Boy Color, TheLegend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons is the more action-focused titleof the duo. The Triforce has alerted Link to trouble in the land ofHolodrum, where the General of Darkness has kidnapped Din, the Oracleof Seasons. The villain hopes to transform Holodrum into a wasteland bychanging the order of seasons. It's up to you to help Link saveHolodrum by rescuing Din.

The game features more combat and fewer puzzles than its sister, makingit better suited for younger gamers. Its mechanics and menus aresimilar to those found inLink'sAwakening, also for the Game Boy. This is classic overheadrole-playing at its best. The key item in this game is the rod ofseasons, which allows Link to change seasons at will. For example, animpassable lake becomes a quick stroll by using the rod to changeseasons from summer to winter.

Although this game is extremely enjoyable on its own, you'll want touse it in conjunction with its sister title:Oracle of Ages.After you complete one game you'll be given a password that lets youbegin with all your items, statistics, and progress intact in theother. Certain characters will appear only by playing both games. Byusing a link cable, players can trade items. Game Boy Advance userswill find a store that's exclusive to them.

While this is one of the best Game Boy titles ever, a truly sublimeexperience can be had playing it with its companion title. --RaymondM. Padilla

Pros:

• Hours of outstanding gameplay
• Great as a standalone; outstanding in conjunction with its sistergame
• Nice bonuses for Game Boy Advance owners

Cons:

• Lots of reused sound effects from previous Zelda games
• Longtime gamers might find the story and level design contrived
• Your thumbs will get sore from all the battles

... Read more

Reviews (124)

A Truly Amazing Game
I own both Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Zelda Oracle Of Ages. Both of these games Are truly amazing. I found Seasons to be a bit more challenging than Ages. If you are a first time Zelda player I would reccommend getting Ages and if you like it then get Seasons. I am on the final boss of Ages and it only took me 5 days to get to that point. But take into consideration that once I get a new game (especially a Zelda game) I play it non stop. So if you are looking for a more complicated, battle packed Zelda game then this one is for you.

I'd rather save Nayru, Oracle of Ages
I played Oracle of Ages first, and it was a better game, although both are worth playing.

When they say that Oracle of Seasons is more focused on the combat, they're not kidding!There were very few puzzles and, in my opinion, a lot of meaningless sword-swinging.Most of the bosses need to be hit by the sword many times and then they are defeated.In Ages, you actually had to use the item that you just got.Up to the boss, Onox, it is really easy.Getting from level to level was a little hard for me, but that's because I always overlook the obvious.Other than that, it went so much faster than Ages.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to defeat Onox yet.I can't even get past the second stage!I don't understand how a sword can't cut through him but if you use hero's skill it can!He's a chunk of rock! So the boss is HARD!

The Maku Tree isn't as loveable as in Ages.He just sleeps!Doesn't even hit on you...

As in all Zelda games, it's much more enjoyable if you take it slow (although it's hard in this one) and talk to all of the people in it.They have funny things to say!One of my favorite parts is Subrosia with the Like-Likes!They're so cute!So instead of traveling through times, you change the seasons and go through portals to Subrosia.Dancing there is great!It's a little easier than the Goron dancing, though they are both difficult.

About the seasons...it gives the game a lot more flexibility in how the levels can be arranged.Instead of having 2 ages, you get 4 seasons, each with different "hidden" parts.I really like how you can bounce on the flowers in the spring!And the people say different things at different times!It is fun!

You get to see many of the same characters as in Ages, the important ones as well as the town folk.And there are some different items.I especially liked the Magnetic Gloves and Roc's Cape.The level design is pretty straightforward and the dungeons are rather easy.

Overall, it's a good game to play, but you should definitely try it's companion too.I can't use the codes to link them yet until I beat this one, so I'll try!

Great music, as always!

Get this game and Ages, so that you can further your Zelda gaming skills!

A must have.
I am fairly new to games, and have only been playing them for about a year now. I heard a lot of good things about TLOZ series, and decided to give this game a try. Well, It sort of took a little while to grow on me, but I ended up loving this game. It is just good in every aspect. It can be very challenging, has a pretty good storyline, and is also quite lengthy. This is the first game I every played that took me longer than just 4-5 days to beat. In fact, I played it for at least a month before I beat it.

In this game you play as Link, the hero of Hyrule who was sent to the land of Holodrum to rescue a goddess named Din, who has been captured by the dark lord Onox. Din is the oracle of Seasons, and Onox plans to use her to his advantage; casting the seasons of Holodrum into chaos. You have to find eight essences of nature, by traveling through eight dungeons. These dungeons are filled with all sorts of challenges, and will require some thought. I was never stuck too long in a dungeon. However, getting to the dungeons can be a problem. Your "guide," the Maku tree, will give you a vague hint as to where the next dungeons lies. However, he will give absolutely no inclination as to the three or four things you must do to get there, which could include finding a rusty bell in a strange place, and then giving it to a pirate.

The dungeons themselves are great, although they all follow a certain pattern. Link must basically find his way through the dungeon, find a new item, fight a mini-boss, and then fight a big boss. Every single dungeon is designed that way, but its just a small thing. Don't worry, you'll be challenged by every single one.

The graphics are pretty good for a GBC game. The view is from the top-down, and you can see every character clearly, right down to there facial expressions.

The hardest part to this game is actually the bosses. It took me a week to beat the final boss of a game, and I never beat any boss in less than three tries. I have never played a game with such hard bosses.

The oracle of seasons is a great game. I loved it, and I bet you will too. ... Read more

Asin: B00005ATSM
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    4. GBA    5. Action    6. Adventure   

Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (17 May, 2001)
list price: $34.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of two new Zelda games for the Game Boy Color, TheLegend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is geared towards the cerebralgamer, with its heavy focus on puzzle solving. The Triforce has alertedLink to trouble in the land of Labrynna, where the evil sorceress Veranhas possessed Nayru, the Oracle of Ages. Veran travels back in time,setting up events that lead to a world where evil dominates. It's up toyou to help Link stop Veran and set things straight.

Game mechanics and menus are similar to those found inLink'sAwakening, also for the Game Boy. As in almost every Zeldagame, you have to traverse eight dungeons and find eight key items. Theharp of time is vital to your quest--it's required to manipulate eventsand stop Veran's rewriting of history.

Although this game is extremely enjoyable on its own, you'll want touse it in conjunction with its sister title:Oracle ofSeasons. After you complete one game, you'll be given apassword that lets you begin with all your items, statistics, andprogress intact in the other. Certain characters will appear only byplaying both games. By using a link cable, players can trade items.Game Boy Advance users will find a store that's exclusive to them.

While this is an excellent game, it might be too complicated foryounger gamers or those looking for mindless fun. --Raymond M.Padilla

Pros:

• Dozens of crafty puzzles
• Great as a standalone; outstanding in conjunction with its sistergame
• Nice bonuses for Game Boy Advance owners

Cons:

• Lots of reused sound effects from previous Zelda games
• Longtime gamers might find the story and level design contrived
• Be prepared for many puzzle-induced headaches

... Read more

Reviews (103)

Best game ever
This game is awesome beyond all of the zelda series.It has a excellent story line and is perfect,.

Legend of Zelda:Oracle of Ages.......
One thing I absolutely despise about alot of Gameboy games, anymore, is how you have to buy them in twos just to be able to finish them. Such is the case with Legend of Zelda:Oracle of Ages & Oracle Seasons.Originally planned as a trilogy, this two-part adventure is exceptionally good which is why I highly recommend that you add them to your collection.
It all begins in Oracle of Ages. Veran(The Sorceress of Shadows) kidnaps Nayru(The Oracle of Ages). Because Link feels directly responsible for her kidnapping(as you find out while playing the game), he sets out to find her and save her. With the Harp of Ages, he travels between the past and present meeting familiar faces (some of which you'll recognize from Ocarina of Time)in his effort to make things right. That's when the storyline deepens and the fun truly begins. Rest assured, though, he's not alone in this one. Along the way, he enlists the help of Moosh, Dimitri, and Ricky.
Out of two games, in my opinion- this is the harder game of the two...but the most rewarding. I think Capcom did an outstanding job with their first effort in the Zelda series and I hope Nintendo continue to let them develop future installments for the Gameboy and the Gameboy Advance.
Again, I highly recommend you add these games to your collection. They're awesome.

The series just get better with every new game!!!!
I like Ages because it has lots of puzzles. I love puzzles better than fighting, so I chose this game as a favorite beacuse the storyline is really clear and has great sounds and graphics. I'm not saying Seasons is bad, though. The best part in when you link up, because you really get more out of your games. I would recommend Ages to anyone that loves puzzles. ... Read more

Asin: B00005ATSN
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    4. GBA    5. Action    6. Adventure   

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Solve brain-bursting puzzles, defeat barbaric bosses, and escape dark dungeons
• Improved graphics and addictive gameplay
• For 1 player
• Play as the heroic Link, who finds himself stranded on a mysterious island after a shipwreck
• Find the 8 instruments of the Sirens and awaken the omnipotent Wind Fish

Reviews (83)

Best Game Boy game ever; second best Zelda game ever
With The Minish Cap coming out soon, and looking to be another disappointment (I will reserve final judgment until I actually play it, but it has a definite Wind Waker vibe), the handheld gamer would do well to revisit this classic. The gameplay is incredible and compelling and the story is perhaps the best in the series; the only two faults with this game are minor for any true gamer. The graphics aren't very good; the sprites are simply poorer-quality A Link to the Past sprites oftentimes, but the game is so good one will hardly notice. The sound effects are pretty poor, but, thankfully, there's always the music to compensate for that...and what good music.

It feels like ALttP, looks like it, plays like it, and is second only to that excellent SNES game.

Unstoppable!!!
I borrowed this game from a friend and I couldn't put it down! YOU HEAR ME?! I was playing for three hours straight until I had to give it back.I was at the end of Face Shrine.GET THIS GAME.It's worth the money.

fun but frusterating game
I think that this is a really fun game and all, but it is really frusterating trying to get past that seventh level. If anyone has some advice for me it would be really appreciated.The reason I rate this game with four stars overall is because of the thought they put into making it but it would have been five stars if it had anything to do with the fabled princess Zelda from the other games.But this game is ultimatley fun and anyone who hasn't tried it should try it.Another game or two people should try is The Legand of Zelda a Link to the Past, The Legand of Zelda Ocarina of Time, and The Legand of Zelda Majora's Mask.Personally I've beaten all the games listed there. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWYT
Sales Rank: 2565
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Action    4. Adventure   

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge
list price: $39.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time may be the greatest single-player video game ever created in any genre. It's that good. Those new to Nintendo's enormously popular Zelda series will be glad to know this game stands completely on its own. Our hero, Link, starts the game as a young boy living in a magical forest village populated by elf-like children. But there is evil lurking in the world. Strange monsters are appearing, and the land is changing. It's up to Link to discover why, defeat the monsters, and stop the evil at its source.

The game world's ever-changing environment looks like a fairy tale come to life. Majestic waterfalls, towering castles, and magical forests are a feast for the eyes and ears. Rivers flow, rain falls, the sun and moon rise and set. There's even an erupting volcano! Exploring this world is half the fun of the game. Along the way, you learn musical tunes that you can play on the flute-like Ocarina, a magical device that helps you teleport, alter the weather, even control time itself.

Character interaction is important to gather clues. The fairy princesses, singing frogs, and dragons you'll meet can be cute, humorous, or somewhat terrifying. Sprinkled liberally throughout the game are hundreds of secret treasures and enjoyable minigames (one of which, the fishing game, would almost be worth buying by itself). Game controls are easy to learn. There's even an elaborate fight training course built right into the game. Controlling the hero quickly becomes instinctive, and you can concentrate on saving the world. To win the game, you'll have to use not only Link's sword, but your mind as well. This game's challenging and inventive puzzles really make you think. In fact, to keep from getting stuck, it's worth spending a few bucks on an official player's guide. With The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Nintendo has come up with an all-consuming adventure title that will provide days of engrossing gameplay. --Eric Fredrickson

Pros:

• Best single-player video game
• Freedom to explore a rich, complex world
• Helpful fairy guide gives hints
• Charming, humorous, lighthearted, yet challenging

Cons:

• Some puzzles can be frustrating
• Only one saved game per player--don't save when you're stuck!
• Much more fun with Rumble Pack

... Read more

Features

• Variety of items and secrets
• Fully 3-D rendered graphics
• Clear background music and detailed sound effects
• Highly interactive environment

Reviews (832)

What a revolutionary LoZ game
The most recent LoZ games, in my opinion, have all been fairly average.Wind Waker was the latest actually good LoZ game.But of all the LoZ games, OoT is just plain incredible.

In this game, you play as Link as he grows from a child into a young man while on his quest to defeat Ganon and save the world from ultimate, evil rule.Along the way, you meet many friends and face amazing boss battles.

The graphics (at the time) were just incredible.It really made me enjoy looking at and playing the game.Nintendo really did a great job in this department.

The gameplay is like no other.One of the few incredible games to utilize the C Buttons for vital controls, this game felt really comfortable to play, and there's tons to do in the game besides just beating it.Also, throughout the game, you are forced to travel back and forth through time and play as Young or Adult Link to complete the game, which is awe-inspiring in my opinion.Sadly, after doing little everything, there's no addictive mini-games to really play and not much else to do, but go through the game again and again.

The sound is incredible, and the music has never been better.I found myself turning the volume on the TV all the way up while playing this game, because the sound was that good!

If you're an avid gamer, yet you've never played this game, then something's really wrong with you.Pick this game up and play it 'till your fingers fall off (which I guarantee you'll do).This game is worth buying and owning for as long as you even are alive.

An epic classic! Still the greatest game to roam the Earth!!
A long time ago... in the unevolved time of 1985, a video game company emerged on the scene, known as Nintendo... And from a classic platform (genre) named Mario came a new series: The Legend of Zelda....

I love this game so much, I have to play almost all the time. This is THE greatest game to walk the planet. Or roam. Or kill the other video games. Any are true. This classic is the first 3D legend of zelda, and is still an amazing game to date.

Well, if it's such a great game, why's it so good? What makes it good? Here's a fork in the road where opinions split into multiple directions, but personally, I think the freedom of galloping on horseback on a wide, open, orange-green field, courtesy of the setting sun. This is just awesome for me. I never understood the game when I was young, but now I know all the characters, and all the dungeons. Or the whole game. Whatever. Off topic.

Another great thing is the ever-changing environment. In the night, things get noticably unsafer than in the day, just like reality. The gate to the town closes so you have to battle these skull things that rise up out of the ground. The sun sets and rises every few minutes, (which is kinda scary, in 5 minutes it becomes night), and the moon appears when it's nighttime.

Now the BESTEST thing is the interactiveness, and more importantly, the side quests. The Oot is an eploring RPG, so you don't HAVE to do what the plot tells you to do. There are TONS of mini-games to do. One, you can go fishing. Yes, you heard me correctly, F-I-S-H-I-N-G. How cool is that? There's also archery shootouts, on-horseback shootouts, and even a treasure chest game.

There are tons of things you can do in this game. One nice thing is that the game jumps for you, so it's easier to do things. You can swim and ride on a horse. Oh yes, and dive.

The plot is swirling and amazing, truly spectacular. This is THE best storyline I've ever seen in a videogame besides the Windwaker, which is as good, if not better than the Oot, but I'm preferable to the Majora's Mask. I'm not gonna tell you the story, so I don't spoil the excitement of learning what you have to do.

ALL IN ALL, I think the Oot is a must-have game for any N64 or Gamecube owner. It's the revolutionary classic. Once you play the game, that's when you'll realize. If you realize it's the greatest game you've ever played, rock on. If you think it sucks, go to hell.

Why can't there be more games like this one!?!
This is the best game I have ever played.It has very good music,grapics,and the story is great!I really love this game,but the only really big problem with this game is that it has this one(long and boring)temple that is very hard,and(please)don't take this game lightly,the bosses are hard,but the story is so good that you will want to play this game again and again!But the other Zelda games are lame!So only (if you want to)buy this game and maybe 'the legend Zelda A link to the past'. PROS:the story is great,It's a fun game,and the great fairys(Fairys that will power you up and give you new weapons) are easy to find.CONS:switching around the camera is a little bit hard,and finding the goldskull tokens(gold coin like tokens that you win from beating spider monsters)is easy at the beginning of the game but hard at the end.This is a great game,so I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy games,I would also recommend'final fantasyI&II dawn of souls'and'The legend of zelda:the wind waker'. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DMB3
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Role Playing Games    3. Nintendo 64 (Nintendo64)    4. N64    5. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (26 October, 2000)
list price: $59.99
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Reviews (451)

Stange is good
Majora's Mask is a strange game: while it is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, it is clearly a Zelda game of a very different shade.

It begins with Link slowly trudging deep in the Lost Woods, with his trusty horse, Epona, when he is attacked by a masked and mischevious Skull Kid - who steals his precious Ocarina and Epona. Worse still, the Skull Kid turns Link into a Deku form of himself, and Link finds himself in a strange Mirror - like Hyrule. Things turn even worse when Link finds the moon slowly getting bigger over the course of 3 days...

Majora's Mask features the very same Gameplay as Ocarina of Time, with a few exceptions. The entire course of the game is set within 3 days or 72 hours - and hours seem to pass like minutes, giving a player a total of just over an hour. While this may seem off-putting, it is implemented very well - people have set schedules over the course of the game, meaning you will be pottering around the Clock Town while not in dungeons, with the promise of an upgrade - or even a new mask.

Masks, as the title suggests, play an important role - some make you run faster, talk to enemies, summen foes or sooth arguements and more. There are a total of 24 masks to collect, the reward being a mask containing "The Merits of all masks". The best of the masks are the ones that allow transformation. (Let's face it, who HASN'T dreamed of swimming as a Zora or rolling as a Goron) The Zora Mask, the Goron Mask and the Deku mask. they allow you to transforminto all your favourites from Ocarina, each with the gifts of the species - Super fast swimming, Incredible strength, and, er, spitting nuts.

Majora's Mask is harder, darker and more original than Ocarina of Time - the unique aspects of the game are implemented very well but the way the game is played may be off-putting for some. Brilliant and totally original.

P.S. the start bits kinda boring.

The darkest in the Zelda catalogue
If only that damn site IGN didn't take my idea first. They described this game as the Empire Strikes Back in Zelda and it's true. It's more darker, more gloomy and at times it can even be depressing. Unlike Ocarina of Time which oozed coolness and wonderment or Wind Waker which was cheery and uplifting due to its look, Majora's Mask is quite different than other installments but in no way is it bad, it's just different.

Story: I always considered this game more like an epilogue to Ocarina of Time rather than a full sequel. At the start of the game directly taking place after Ocarina, Link is in a forest and gets ambushed by Skull Kid and is turned into a Deku(they look like tiny trees with a long mouth) and enters a portal. From here Link finds himself in Termina, a land that is gonna be destroyed by a falling moon in 3 days. So it's up to Link once again to save the day using the powers of time and this weird masks.

Graphics: Reviewing this game in 2005 with such games as Metroid Prime, Halo and Metal Gear Solid 3 of course puts Majora to shame but remembering the graphics at that time, it's more of an extension of Ocarina only darker and not as vibrant. Due to maybe the Expansion Pak or just the game itself, the game does have framerate issues and some rough textures. Beware that the Gamecube re-release on the Collector's Edition sometimes freezes the game.

Gameplay: All Zelda games pretty much to this day revolved around some kind of "gimmick": in Ocarina it was time travelling, Wind Waker was controlling the wind, Minish Cap was the ability to shrink to thumbnail size and the Oracle series revolved around time travelling and season changing. Majora's Mask revolves around, yep you guessed it, masks. Link with the benefit of 24 masks(25 if you get all 24), Link can turn into different characters such as the Deku race, Goron race(big tough creatures with a taste for rocks) and the Zora race(fish people roughly). Or there's different masks like Postman, Ghost, or Bunny mask which makes him run faster.

The other aspect for the 3rd time in Zelda's history revolves around time travelling, once in Ocarina and the other in Oracle of Ages. Only this time it's different. You see the game's clock makes 3 days take about roughly 50 minutes before the moon crashes so with the Ocarina you can go back to Day 1 and start over, even make the time go slower so you have more time. This is quite annoying to say the least since your funds, arrows and bombs revert to zero if you go back to Day 1, your items are intact, your extra stuff isn't. And also you could be in the middle of a dungeon to be really close only to be on the final day and have to reset to Day 1, which incidentally cancels any progress you made in the dungeon.

Not to say the game is bad(it's just slightly hard) but it's quite enjoyable to go through, if you don't mind it's tone anyway.

very very good but,not as good as 'ocarina of time'
I played the Legend of zelda ocarina of time in 1997,WHAT A YEAR THAT WAS!!!I had so much fun!then in gameinformer magazine the new preveiws page said that there was going to be a new game called 'the legend of zelda:majora's mask'it was about link going to a new land where the moon is falling and he has only 3 days to live and on the third day link has to play the song of time so that he can go back to the first day,I HAD TO HAVE IT!but then half a year later when it came out,I was very upset because when I played it,it was too easy and I beat it in almost a week!when I played'Ocarina of time'it took me almost two YEARS!but other then that it was a fun game,Very fun in fact.I really liked that you can upgrade your sword,when in 'ocarina of time'the master sword is what you see what you get!PROS TO MAJORAS MASK:There are lots of masks that you can get and they give powers(like fast running),you can upgrade your sword twice,there are new songs for link to play on his ocarina and there is a bank so link can have alot of money!CONS:you have to play 'the song of time'way to often because the moon is falling for some reason and you have only 3 days to live,finding more then half of the masks are very hard to find,the game has only four temples and they are all very hard way too short.but all in all this game is worth around $15.00,so if you like the other Zelda games try this one too! ... Read more

Asin: B00004U1R1
Sales Rank: 552
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo 64 (Nintendo64)    3. N64    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Paper Mario
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (09 February, 2001)
list price: $49.99
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Editorial Review

Nintendo 64 owners have been patiently waiting for a decentrole-playinggame, and, at long last, one has arrived in the form of the perplexingPaperMario. World-famous video game icon Mario stars in this unconventionalRPG,which was originally announced as Super Mario RPG 2. Don't be fooled by the cutesy visual exterior of this game, which borrowsheavily from the well-established Mario universe. Yep... it's the same lovableMario who dons his familiar red overalls and unkempt moustache. However, thecatch is that Mario now stubbornly appears as a two-dimensionalcharacter--despite the largely 3-D exterior gaming environments that surroundhim. When ourflat-headed friend turns around, his paper-thin presence becomes immediatelyapparent. It's a cool gimmick, but fortunately Paper Mario is far fromacut-and-paste cartoon caper.

As with most RPG titles, players must battle with several menacing enemies asthey travel from place to place on their quest. Each encounter requires gamersto strategically choose between various modes of attack. For example, Mario isparticularly handy with the hammer--thus you might opt to select hishangover-inducing hammer attack. As the adventure progresses, additionalcharacters willjoin your quest. Your ever-growing posse gives you more fighting power, aseachteam member brings new attack moves and powers worth mastering. To advancewithin the game, you'll need to pay close attention to your health meter,enemyhit points, and your ever-expanding attack options. The game starts withenemiesthat are easy to defeat, but it quickly becomes quite difficult to survivesubsequent attacks without careful planning.

Unlike most RPG games, each attack sequence is enhanced by a special actionfunction. Instead of passively sitting back and watching each attack moveoccur,the player can enhance your attack by pressing a button or moving thedirectional controller at precisely the right time. As someone who has rackedupseveral hours (and more than a few snoozes) during repetitious RPG attacksequences, the action feature is a welcome addition to break up the monotonyofmultiple attacks.

Fans of the traditional Mario games will appreciate the return of familiarcharacters, such as Princess Peach and Luigi. Perpetual baddie Bowser evenplaysa key role in this addictive adventure. Best of all, there are plenty ofhiddenareas and extras to uncover. Paper Mario may boast elements of theclassic platform gaming genre, as well as the traditional RPG--but itultimatelycuts through all expectations to deliver an experience that appeals to bothcasual and hard-core gamers. --Brett Atwood

Pros:

• Weeks of gaming due to expansive environments
• Hidden goodies to uncover
• Classic Mario gameplay mixed with traditional RPG action

Cons:

• Highly addictive (prepare to lose some sleep)
• Cartoon exterior may not appeal to some hard-core gamers

... Read more

Reviews (237)

Excellent
Well, I won a free game rental at Video Plus, so I chose this game. Let me tell you, I was happy with my choice. I loved everything about it. I played for about 10 hours every day (I'm not kidding about that), and finished it before my rental period was over. I'm glad I managed that feat, because otherwise I would have wept when it was time to return it.

The worlds you'll travel to are so cool. I found myself exploring a giant toybox, a colorful garden, and a gorgeous desert palace, among many other environments. Since I didn't use a strategy guide, I was constantly wondering what would come next.

As I travelled the extensive world, I met many party members who would help me out, both in battle and in puzzles and exploration. Each partner has their own distinctive combat abilities, puzzle solving skill, and personality. For example, Watt, a sweet, good-natured sun ball that joins you in the Shy Guy Toy Box, can use electric shocks to attack in battle, and you can also use her to light up dark rooms. Parakarry, a distracted mail deliveryman, used dive-bomb attacks and could fly me across short gaps. The list goes on and on.

The combat system is a mix of action and RPG elements. You select commands from a menu to attack, but if you time your button presses carefully, you can do a lot of extra damage. Press A just as you rebound from your jump to do a double-jump; Rapidly flick the control stick to build power for a dive bomb; each attack has its own button combination, so you won't get bored.

Outside of combat, you can level up your HP and FP (FP are like MP), collect badges that make you more powerful, find Super Blocks to grant your partners new moves, and, most importantly, solve the perfectly-done puzzles. Each puzzle makes perfect sense; if you look carefully, you'll always find a way to solve it with a combination of you and your partners' abilities.

Finally, there are some little extras that can really make a difference. The graphics are bright and colorful, and look great even today; they make even minor characters memorable. There are a few sidequests, such as delivering letters and collecting Star Fragments to earn new badges. And after every world you complete, you'll get to play a short interlude where you control Princess Peach. It's these bells and whistles that really make the game unique and fun.

Buy this game immediately. It may be on a last-gen system, but the masterful gameplay and pure fun are timeless.

its good!
I like this game. Its fun some times it gets a littel borring but i reccomond it. The bake rounds are lovely and pretty and some times you get to be princess peach!

Got Cheats and Hints Here
Ok, now seriously this game is da bomb. The enviroment is great. The Mario line just keeps getting better. The game is very challenging for first timers. However, once you beat it you can beat the game in half a day.
Here are some cheats for the game:
iN tOAD tOWN AFTER YOU get the super boots in boo's mansion, go to Merlon's house and spin jump in his house 3 times. The quick change badge will fall fro the ceiling. It allows you to change party members without taking up a turn.
On Huff'N'Puff, use Bow on ultra rank and her fan smack to do ten damage. Then switch back to mario and use Star Storm from Skolar. You'll kill him in about 4-5 turns.
Do not use Chet Rippo ( the big blue dude standing next to the other Item shop. He ups one stat but lowers the other 2.
On any boss or hard to beat person, use Watt she does 5 damage for 0 FP. She breaks the defense rule.
When you have to pick what Mario hates after chapter 3 in Bowser's castle, pick Magikoopa, Koopatrol, and Hammer Bros. They give you 5-8 star points apiece.
If you need help on dry Dry Desert, go to Ign.com and type in Paper Mario. It gives you a map and tons of hints. Also it has walkthroughs and more cheats.
Theanks for reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
... Read more

Asin: B00004U1R3
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo 64 (Nintendo64)    3. N64    4. Role Playing Games (Game, rpg, rpgs)   

Crystalis
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (30 June, 2000)

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Editorial Review

Like Super Mario Brothers DX and several other recent Game BoyColor titles, Crystalis is an improved version of a game previouslyreleased long ago for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The NES version wasreleased three years after Nintendo introduced Link to the world in his veryfirst 8-bit Zelda adventure.

The story in Crystalis revolves around a young warrior who wascryogenically suspended before an earthly cataclysm that was scheduled to takeplace October 7, 1997. After the doomsday event, the earth is being rebuiltunder the threat of trouble erupting again. After 100 years in a cryogenicstate, the warrior is revived with the hope that he can stop the world frombeing destroyed for a second time. An evil menace named Draygonia is dead set ondestroying the world, and it's your job to help the warrior stop him.

The game offers plenty hack-and-slash combat. A very Zelda-like inventorysystem is extremely handy, and the game relies heavily on special items. WhileCrystalis doesn't come close to offering up the same level of gamingexperience as other games in this genre, it does offer an entertaining questnonetheless. In the end, anyone who's a fan of Nintendo's Zelda serieswill no doubt find this a nice adventure to romp through (at least until Linkreturns). --Todd Mowatt

Pros:

• Plenty of hack-and-slash combat

Cons:

• Not as entertaining as others in its genre

... Read more

Reviews (19)

Terrible rip off of Zelda
This game cand not be compaired to Zelda. Just can't, and you know why. Because this is nothing of the a third rate game with dum monsters and no skill once or ever. Play The first Zelda game. Its way more easy.

they took the original one and butchered it
ok first of all i must say this is one of the best rpg's in NES but not so much in GB. since the GB color's screen was so small the game was edited so that the character would look bigger on screen taking away some visual radius,meaning you will be closer to the enemies before you can see them.
they also changed the story a little, in the first one the main character was a scientist who built a flying tower and was frozen before the end of the world due to nuclear war and mutants roamed the lands of the future were magic is also available. in the GB version he was one of the people who developed magic powers and went into hivernation,the tower's there too and so are the beasts but more magic less sciece. simply put an age of magic replaced an age of technololgy(vissionaries style).but that's not so important.
now the worst thing they did was to change the musical score completely and replace it with a horrible one, if you played the original game and remenber how cool the music was, playing while listening to the new music might be frustrating and even anoying. i don't recomend this version exept if you're too curios to see the differences but in my opinion its not worth it.

Great classic adventure game!!
This is one of the best adventure games I have ever played. I had it for my NES, and as soon as my firends saw it they got it. This is a classic adventure game that Zelda like game fans should not miss. ... Read more

Asin: B000046S3Z
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Action    4. Adventure   

Shenmue
Average Customer Review:
Game Cartridge (10 November, 2000)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

To say that Shenmue is an anticipated title is an understatement;the game made huge waves in Japan upon its release, and American gamers havebeen waiting since then to see what the fuss is all about. It's a game in whichthe concept itself is the selling point. What if you could portray a young heroin a fully realized Japanese city? Would you like to participate in andinfluence an over-the-top kung fu-style action-mystery flick in your livingroom? What if lots of combat, cinematic flourish, detail, and a dash of romancewere thrown in?

The game itself is awash in small details, crammed into a confined space. Thecity of Yokusuka circa 1986 is rendered beautifully in a short series ofneighborhoods that are long on detail even if short on variety. The story itselfis ripped straight from a chopsocky flick: you portray the young hero RyoHazuki, whose father (a kung fu sensei, naturally) is killed before hisvery eyes by a mysterious and frightening villain. Ryo must uncover the identityof the killer and fight his way through the city in an effort to avenge thiswrongful death.

Shenmue's Yokusuka might be short on space--in total, it represents maybea square mile--but the detail is overwhelming. You can interact with nearlyevery person or object that you see; 300 citizens go about their daily routines,and whom you encounter is as much determined by where you are as when you arethere.

Much of this interaction involves combat that ranges fromDragon's Lair-style reaction tests (such as timing a button press tododge an oncoming car) to freeform kung fu fighting. Further, each second ofreal time equals about a minute of game time, and Ryo has to be home by 11 p.m.each evening. The game moves at a brisk pace, and each challenge or battle feelslike a race against time. Some might say that gaming doesn't get shallower thanthis (you are essentially performing tasks and exploring, instead of gaming),but the game feels like no other and is ultimately satisfying by the time thatit all ends. In this way, Shenmue is more than a game--it's an eventthat's worth experiencing. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Compelling, well-told story
• Good action and combat
• Fantastic sound and graphics

Cons:

• Plot is familiar to fans of kung fu action films
• Task-and-exploration gameplay might seem slow to action gamers

... Read more

Reviews (300)

The realistic sphere of emotion and time
Shenmue is a graphic adventure game from 2000 exclusive to the Sega Dreamcast.The setting is Japan in 1986.You're placed in the role of Ryo Hazuki, an 18-year-old student and martial arts disciple on a winding, multi-faceted quest to uncover the mystery behind his father's murder.Along the way you'll traverse myriad locations and interact with countless non-player characters, as well as engage in side interests and attend to personal issues.

The progression of gameplay is quite open and arbitrary.There is no particular pace you have to keep in playing; you can sprint through the entirety of it, or you can devour days and days roaming around, engaging in the oddities, practicing martial arts, chatting with passersby, playing mini-games or whatever else.The hands on the clock tick away in real time in Ryo's world.The date and time of day--morning, afternoon and evening--is presented in convincing fashion by the game, and is reflected in the towns and villages and industrial areas you'll be visiting.The streets may be thronged with pedestrian traffic during mid-day, shoppers and businessmen, families and children.But after nightfall things change.After the streetlights flicker into life, the locales take on an aura of eerie stillness as the crowds thin and--in the urban and industrial areas--are replaced by members of the seedy nightlife, while in the residential districts they begin to bob their collective heads towards sleep.Many, although not all, businesses, shops and residences are open and interactive for you to explore. Time of day comes into effect here, for certain businesses and shops are only open during particular hours of the day or night.In addition to the realistic sphere of passing time, there are varying weather effects in place as well: sun, rain, and even snow as the calendar edges into the winter months.

Your home is the Hazuki Dojo in Yokosuka.Ryo's mother and father, his