Video game reviews

By ROBB GUIDO

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 8, 2001

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2

SYSTEM: PlayStation 2

MAKER: Midway

PRICE: $49.99

Round 2 plays just like Round 1 of this series. It's mindless arcade boxing with almost 30 very cool characters, including Michael Jackson and Shaq, and minigames such as jumping rope that help players build up their fighters. It's solid but shallow fun.

Grade: B

X-Squad

SYSTEM: PlayStation 2

MAKER: EAGames

PRICE: $49.99

X-Squad is a basic infiltrate-and-eliminate title, in which players take control of a team of four. It looks very good but is short and doesn't offer much more than throwing switches and shooting. Rent it first.

Grade: C+

Orphen: Scion of Sorcery

SYSTEM: PlayStation 2

MAKER: Activision

PRICE: $49.99

Orphen is one of those role-playing games that shows promise with a seemingly interesting battle system but doesn't catch fire. For starters, the battles get too repetitive, and the main character is a jerk. Try Summoner instead.

Grade: D

Swing Away Golf

SYSTEM: PlayStation 2

MAKER: T&E Soft

PRICE: $49.99

For a fun, if not realistic, round of golf, check out this title. The cartoonish characters can be built up, and players can bet their earnings in winner-take-all matches.

Grade: B+

Demolition Racer

SYSTEM: Dreamcast

MAKER: Infogrames

PRICE: $44.99

Demolition Racer was one of the best crash-'em-up racers, but the sequel for Dreamcast isn't up to snuff. The development team just didn't add much in terms of special modes. Plus, the cars fly around more like feathers than heavy chunks of metal.

Grade: C+

Sega Marine Fishing

SYSTEM: Dreamcast

MAKER: Sega

PRICE: $44.99

This title basically is Sega Bass Fishing with more fish and online rankings. Those who liked the first title will like this one, but a fishing-reel controller is a must.

Grade: B-

- Robb Guido is an avid gamer who lives in Tampa.

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