BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 1

FREE!

& ® SUMMER BUYER’SBUYER’S GUIDE

The Best Video Games from the 2003 “Electronic“Electronic EntertainmentEntertainment Expo”Expo”

Over 50 games previewed! HotHot peripherals!peripherals!

Top Picks! PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits! Platinum!

From The Editors of ® BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 2 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 1 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 2

® & The ESRB Ratings Guide The interactive electronic entertainment industry SUMMER BUYER’SBUYER’S GUIDE utilizes a voluntary rating The Best Video Games from the 2003 “Electronic“Electronic EntertainmentEntertainment Expo”Expo” system developed by an independent organization— elcome to Best Buy & GamePro’s Summer the Entertainment Software Buyer’s Guide! Video games have become Rating Board (ESRB)— W so consumers know what big business, and store aisles are packed with to expect before buying more choices than ever before. No longer “just a video or PC game. The following is a quick key to for kids,” video games appeal to all ages and the most common ratings; interests, and this buyer’s guide will steer you for a complete description, check out the ESRB’s toward gaming’s newest stars. website at www.esrb.org Each year, the entire industry or call 800/771-3772 for more information. convenes in Los Angeles for a couple days for the Electronic Entertainment Expo (). Here, Titles rated companies showcase all the latest and greatest Everyone (E) have content suit- games that will be released throughout the rest able for persons of the year. Unfortunately, this is an industry- ages six and older. These titles will appeal to people only event, but we’ve got you covered. The of many ages and tastes. editors of GamePro magazine, the world’s They may contain minimal largest independent multiplatform gaming magazine, have violence, comic mischief, or crude language. scoured the show floors to give you an insider’s look at the top titles for each game system plus the hottest, most useful peripherals to enhance your gaming experience. Games rated Teen (T) are We hope you’ll use this guide to help you make all your video-game-buying decisions suitable for ages at Best Buy this summer (and influence those who might be buying for you by checking 13 and up. These off boxes on the handy Wish List). For the most up-to-date video-game news, reviews, games could have violent content, strong language, previews, and codes, be sure to pick up GamePro wherever magazines are sold and visit and/or suggestive themes. BestBuy.com and GamePro.com regularly. Game on! Games rated Mature (M) are appropriate for Table of Contents older gamers, generally 17 and up. 4 PlayStation 2 Mature-rated games may contain more in- 12 Xbox tense depictions of vio- 20 GameCube lence, stronger language, and, on occasions, 24 Game Boy Advance sexual themes. 30 PS2 and Xbox Bargain Hits The Rating 32 Wish List Pending (RP) icon may appear in early reviews Produced by GamePro—world’s largest of soon-to-be-released independent multiplatform gaming products. Look for the magazine! For up-to-date video-game actual ESRB rating icon on the game’s package, news, reviews, and game codes, visit: check the ESRB’s web- site, or call its toll-free Entire contents copyright 2003 by IDG Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without prior written permission by the publisher is prohibited. The GAMEPRO ® name and logo are phone number for up- Registered Trademarks of International Data Group, Inc. Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, and the 3D “N” logo are Trademarks of Nintendo of America, Inc. PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and the PlayStation logo are Registered Trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The Xbox name and logo are either Trademarks or Registered Trademarks of Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of dated rating information. their respective owners. All products and the characters contained therein are owned by the respective trademark and copyright owners. GamePro does not claim any copyright in the screen shots herein. Copyright in all screen shots contained within this publication are owned by their respective companies. All materials listed in this guide are subject to change and the publisher assumes no responsibility for such changes. Printed in the U.S.A. BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 3 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 4

Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! True Crime: Streets of L.A. Final Fantasy Published by Activision Available September Also on Xbox, GameCube ESRB: MATURE X-2 True Crime: Streets of L.A. Published by Square Enix U.S.A. shoots from the cinematic hip, Available November ESRB: Teen placing gamers in the filmic The time is two years after Titus persona of Nick Kang, a ren- and Yuna went on their fateful egade ex-cop who’s been re- journey in Final Fantasy X; and cruited as a member of the with Sin all taken care of in the Elite Operations Division. last game, Yuna’s dropped the Loose cannon Kang (think a summoning racket and is currently young Chow Fun Fat playing searching for her old blitzball- Martin Riggs) battles Asian playing flame from the last FF and Russian crime organiza- sequel. As a result, the plot’s less tions using martial-arts techniques, RPG-like and more like Yuna and expert marksmanship, and a lead Rikku going on a Thelma and foot to restore law and order in Louise–style road trip across the the City of Angels. world. FFX-2 introduces a number Any time the phrases “mission- of new features to the renowned based driving” and “wasting criminals RPG series, including switchable PLAYSTATION 2 in a huge 3D city” are breathed in job classes like Gunner, Mascot, the same sentence, it’s hard not to Gambler, and even Pop Star, all it!… think of a certain series by Rockstar. accessed using the game’s new But it’s not fair to write off True Dress-Up system. There’s also sim- Crime as “Grand Theft genre”— plified world travel and a return to there’s a branching story structure the active-time battle system from (the outcome of a mission can vary previous Final Fantasy games. the resulting events wildly) as well as a strong RPG-style character- improvement element to let players choose how they progress. Gamers can also learn 10 different martial-arts styles, all of which were motion-captured using professionals. The game will also feature plenty of twin-pistol combat with a flexible targeting system and some cool –style slow-motion dodging attacks. The action takes place in a huge, realistically modeled chunk of Los Angeles, roughly 300 come out in 1995? Then again, it in 2004, can have if we we’ll take square miles, from downtown to the beach and

system, the PSP, in 2004 honor of the 10th anniversary is being released from LAX to Sunset Boulevard. Big-name Holly- wood talent like Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, and Michael Madsen are among the voice cast. And with three types of gameplay wrapped in a Hong Kong–style package, it certainly sounds like True Crime will feature plenty to, er, woo eager gamers. Sony announced that its handheld Sony of the PlayStation. Um, didn’t that 4 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 5

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Gran Turismo 4 The Angel of Darkness Published by Sony Available Winter 2003 ESRB: Everyone Published by Eidos Available now ESRB: Teen Sony is pulling out She’s raided tombs, fought all the stop signs dinosaurs, uncovered hid- for Gran Turismo 4, den conspiracies, and saved promising an even the world, but when Lara’s more exciting ride framed for murder, can she where realism over- save herself? Core and Eidos shadows everything will be asking that question else. Improvements in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: to the game include The Angel of Darkness. advanced A.I. opponents, Billed as “Lara Croft as more refined physics, and you’ve never seen her be- much more detail for each fore,” this new Tomb Raider car. You can now choose promises to be something from over 500 vehicles that newer and darker, wrapped up with the good ol’ range from historical clas- platform-hopping, impossible-gorge-leaping gameplay sics to tomorrow’s concepts, that Lara’s fans have come to crave. And if her two then race on up to 100 PLAYSTATION 2 trademark pistols aren’t courses like the streets of enough, then a new suite or the dirt paths of stealth-based moves and of the Grand Canyon. Even a second playable character better, you can now test named Kurtis should help your prized hotrods against out a bit. up to six players online.

Resident Evil: Dead Aim Madden NFL 2004

what a tease! Fans of the first Published by Capcom Available now ESRB: MATURE Published by EA Sports Available August Also on Xbox, GameCube, GBA

— ESRB: Everyone 3 Resident Evil: Dead Aim takes place aboard Now entering its 14th season, the Madden series is a cruise ship that’s been overrun by a plethora one of the all-time best, and Madden NFL 2004 beefs of monstrous Umbrella creations—zombies, mutant up its already formidable frogs, tyrants, and more. Dead Aim utilizes the Gun- array of features. Monday Con 2 controller (you move via third-person view, then Night Football’s John Mad- switch to first-person mode on the fly), but if you lack den and Al Michaels com- this peripheral, the regular PlayStation 2 controller mand the commentary as works surprisingly well. The visuals are clean and finely you take on the 32 teams detailed, and the 3D Silent Hill–ish play engine is a of the current NFL or nice departure from the prerendered environments great squads from the of previous Evils. Another past (in the PS2 version unique play mechanic is the only, you’ll also be able use of stealth as you’re fre- to play online). This year, quently forced to dispatch Madden’s great Franchise enemies while making as mode enables you to play little noise as possible. owner as well as coach and GM. You can build your own stadium and manage it right down to ticket sales and the price of beer. This is video- …Max Payne 2:…Max Payne Rockstar at E by was announced but not shown The Fall of Max Payne game are left only to dream about what the gritty cop with nothing to lose will do in his return engagement.… about what the gritty cop with nothing to lose will do in his return to dream left only game are game football at its finest. 6 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 7

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Medal of Honor Ratchet & Clank: Rising Sun Going Commando Published by EA Games Available November Also on Xbox, GameCube ESRB: Teen Published by Sony Available November ESRB: Everyone The war’s not over yet for Ratchet & Clank: Going the Medal of Honor fran- Commando is the sequel to chise as its action shifts to one of last year’s best plat- the jungles and islands of the form games. The first thing Pacific theater in Medal of to look for is a matured Honor Rising Sun. You play Ratchet, who is more self- as one of the many thou- assured of his heroic stature and eventually becomes a sands caught in the surprise commando, hence the title. attack on Pearl Harbor, es- You wouldn’t expect a game caping from a sinking battle- that had almost 40 hours of ship to ship out to the Pacific gameplay to get even longer, for action in Guadalcanal, but Going Commando will Burma, Singapore, and the do just that levels that are 150–200 percent larger. Philippines, where you fight Ratchet is more than up to the added challenge with alongside (but don’t control) the ability to earn expe- PLAYSTATION 2 squad members. Levels now rience points to boost have multiple paths and se- his health and attack cret areas, and excellent multiplayer options mean strength, as well as ar- two players will be able to play through all 10 single- mor and weapons that player levels in cooperative split-screen play. are upgradeable.

Jak II SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs Published by Sony Available September ESRB: Teen Published by Sony Available November ESRB: MATURE Jak and Daxter’s story starts immediately after the As the first online ending of their first game, which is now part of the shooter for the Play- Greatest Hits lineup. The duo travels to the future, Station 2, SOCOM: where Jak is captured and incarcerated. Jak’s two- U.S. Navy SEALs has year stay in isolation in- proven that it can hold volves countless tests with its ground in popularity. Dark Eco, an element that The game not only of- turns his body into an ab- fers hours of enjoyment normality. Daxter eventu- online, but its single-player ally frees Jak, and their game is, at the very least, adventure begins. Much of captivating. Sony promises the gameplay (3D platform more of the same in the hopping) in Jak II remains sequel but with gameplay unchanged, but it includes enhancements that will get additional moves for a now- even the most stoic soldiers mature Jak. He uses an stoked for battle. Notable upgradeable gun and hover- features in the sequel include board, but still possesses a more weapons for your ar- vast array of jumps, punches, mory, online improvements, and kicks—along with a and 12 brand-new single- brand-new set of moves player missions that take

…The line for Half-Life 2 was very, Half-Life …The line for very long—but that the wait was worth it. most agreed held The demo theater only about 20 people, to a stunning, treated were but they detailed,Valve, half-hour demo with the head of developer.… the game’s when he’s fully powered place in Albania, Algeria, , and Russia. A headset up with Dark Eco. won’t be included with this version, but Sony will sell 8 headsets separately this fall. BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 9

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Goblin Commander: Rise to Honor Unleash the Horde Jet Li has been completely The brains behind StarCraft motion captured for this and Diablo bring you a new all-out action game. You RTS designed specifically with can take on enemies us- consoles in mind. Unite the ing a unique 360-degree five Goblin clans under your martial-arts system, which banner and bring peace back includes combos, counter- to the land of Ogriss! ing, and super strikes. Jaleco Available November Also on Xbox, GameCube ESRB: Teen Sony Available September ESRB: Rating Pending ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES Datel Action Replay PlayStation 2 Online Pack If you can’t beat ’em…cheat! The Action Replay gives The future of gaming is online —and Sony’s newest gamers more power than they thought possible; it version of the PlayStation 2 can take you there. The quickly and easily allows players to temporarily change package comes with the Network Adaptor at no ad- the parameters of their favorite game —any and all of ditional cost, so you can hook up your telephone line them! Skip levels or or broadband Internet cable for online gaming. The

PLAYSTATION 2 get infinite life, un- PS2 itself features an improved DVD drive, a built-in limited wealth, extra IR sensor for using universal remotes, support for characters…plus you can even watch im- progressive-scan televisions, and even a quieter fan. ported DVDs on If you’ve somehow resisted the urge to get a PS2 for your PS2. New codes this long, now’s the time to give in. for the latest games are always available from Datel’s website as well as in GamePro magazine. (This prod- uct is also available for the Xbox and GameCube.) www.codejunkies.com Pelican Stealth If you need to keep your PS2 gaming quiet, the Stealth’s Eye Toy innovative built-in headphone jack could be the perfect Smile —you’re on PlayStation 2! Sony’s Eye Toy is a solution. The Stealth’s cable taps USB camera specifically designed for use with the PS2; into your AV output it lets you interact with the console without using a to feed the sound traditional controller. The camera, which was in de- signal to a jack in velopment for two years, tracks your motions—watch the controller, but yourself on the screen, then wave your hand over the it doesn’t cut off start button that’s floating next to your head to begin the standard audio a game. The Eye Toy comes with 12 mini-games, many output—so you can still use the TV of which are funny reflex contests with names like speaker without dis- Kung Foo and Wishi Washi, but connecting. The pack- there’s a lot of potential for age includes low-rider other uses, such as video con- earphones, but you can just ferencing and cool Minority …Craziest publicity stunt: tattoos—real free G4 offered network ones. Television wanted, you Anything flesh, into your inked permanently as part of it. somewhere on there a little G4 logo got as long you And yes, had takers.… they as easily connect your own Report–like menu navigation. 10 hi-fi headset. BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:55 PM Page 11

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Brute Force Enter the Matrix Published by Atari Available now Published by Microsoft Available now ESRB: Teen Also on PS2, GameCube, PC ESRB: Teen B rute Force is a science-fiction action/ You never can get enough of combat game where teamwork pays The Matrix! The story line for Enter off. You control four galactic com- the Matrix was actually written by mandos (human, non-human, and Andy and Larry Wachowski, who XBOX in-between), each with his, her, or directed the movies, and in fact its own special abilities and expert- intertwines with those of the films ise, as you stamp your brand The Matrix: Reloaded and The Matrix of justice on the galaxy of the Revolutions, as well as the Animatrix future. Your “beat” covers 50 DVD (a collection of nine short- star systems called the “Known story Matrix animes). World,” which is comprised The video games serve up an of human colonies and several interesting mix of third-person alien races. combat action and vehicle-based Solo soldiers will skirmishes involving cars and hover- es 720 progressive scan mode looks on es 720 progressive traverse six worlds craft. You can play as one of two in an extensive characters: Niobe the pilot, or the Xbox games to see if they support games to see if they this mode.…Xbox single-player campaign, but a friend can join the patrol at any martial arts expert, Ghost, who time by just plugging in his controller. For cooperative sor- are both from The Matrix: Reloaded. ties, up to four players can play together through the main Familiar characters from the first campaign, and up to eight players can play each other with movie —Trinity, Morpheus, Neo, two Xboxes connected via System Link. If that’s not and Agent Smith—make cameo enough, Microsoft will provide downloadable campaigns, appearances, too. Your task is to missions, and maps over its Xbox Live online service. protect the human safe haven, At the heart of Brute Force is its squad-based Zion, from the onslaught of the gameplay. You can change which squad member you’re con- machines. Also, check out the trolling on the fly, giving you access to that character’s two-CD The Matrix: Reloaded weapons and special abilities. This plays a valuable role movie soundtrack, which includes in the game’s tactics, as you’ll use the different abilities making-of footage on this game. to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles in your way. Your squadmates will follow you and guard your back, but each of them also reacts to situations according to a unique personality. Tex, for instance, is a one-man wrecking crew who likes to lay down the blitz with guns blazing. When you want to keep peace in the universe, sometimes it takes Brute Force. plasma monitors. That is to say, gorgeous. set, on a high-definition television Xbox running your If you’re check the back of your …If a game was available for multiple platforms, multiple for …If a game was available on the Xbox. it was being shown chances are Why? the hi-r the way love Developers 12 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 13

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Who needs pavement when you’re behind the wheel of a souped-up MINI Cooper? Tear through subway stations, rip apart golf courses, and plow through storm drains as you pull off the ultimate gold heist.

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A high-octane arcade racer based Race through L.A. Master 4 modes from death-defying Bonus features including movie on the 2003 blockbuster movie. driving 10 different vehicles. stunt driving to multiplayer madness. footage, concept art, and more!

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® & © 2003 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved. Climax and the Climax logo are trademarks of Climax Group. Eidos Interactive and the Eidos Interactive logo are registered trade- marks of Eidos Interactive, Inc. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. TM, ® and Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo. ©2001 Nintendo. The ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association. All rights reserved. BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 14

Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Deus Ex: Invisible War StarCraft: Ghost Published by Eidos Available Fall 2003 Also on PC ESRB: Rating Pending Published by Blizzard Available November Also on PS2, GameCube ESRB: Rating Pending It’s a dark near-future world, and you’re a bio- In StarCraft: Ghost, you play augmented antiterrorist agent battling militant fac- as Nova, an elite psionic sol- tions, each with its own plan for world domination. dier who is featured promi- Technology has advanced in the 15 years after the nently in the three-way war XBOX first Deus Ex, and you represent the cutting-edge in for domination among the body modification. As the game progresses, you’ll mostly human Terrans, the choose how you want to customize yourself by se- insect-like Zerg, and the lecting bio-mods to match powerful psychic Protoss. your gameplay style. The As you complete missions choices you make in the involving infiltration, sabo- game will have serious im- tage, and straight-up com- r gamer, you’ll want it.… pacts on the way the game bat, you’ll use Nova’s insane plays out. State-of-the-art agility, superhuman speed, graphics technol- and cloaking powers to get ogy will meld with

ust about every kind of cable you can think kind of cable you ust about every the job done. Fans of Bliz- innovative game zard’s PC strategy series design to deliver a will get a thrill out of seeing game experience their favorite units in up- unlike almost any- close action, including the Zerg Hydralisk and the Ter- thing else you’ll ran Firebat, and gamers new to the series will have play this year. plenty of stealthy combat action to look forward to.

Crimson Skies: XIII Published by Ubi Soft Available October Also on PS2, GameCube, PC High Road to Revenge ESRB: Teen Published by Microsoft Available October ESRB: Rating Pending XIII is a unique first-person In Crimson Skies, you play shooter that endeavors to as Nathan Zachary make you forget the kiddy in an alternate-history ver- connotations associated with sion of our world in the cel-shaded games. The story 1930s. and other unfolds in a gritty, noir-style air-based technology domi- manner that stays true to nate the skies, leading to the popular French graphic- packs of air pirates and mas- novel series that the game sive Hindenburg-like flying is based on. You play a char- carriers. This con- acter that wakes up with sole version of the PC hit amnesia due to a near-fatal will feature Xbox Live sup- bullet wound and discover a port, which will enable 16 mysterious “XIII” tattooed players to stage dogfights in on your chest. The Presi- any of the game’s 11 different dent of the aircraft. Crimson Skies’ em- has been assassinated, and phasis on simple and fun fly- it looks like you’re next on ing physics, rather than a full- the hit list. Fortunately, you can use crossbows, on flight simulation, means that the focus is on the …Pelican showed an awesome A/V switcher called the Pro System Selector. called the Pro A/V switcher an awesome showed …Pelican eight inputs, It will offer outputs, two and support j for of: composite, S-video, component, optical audio, Ethernet—the and even gaming, network as a hub for thing works too. a powe If you’re sniper rifles, automatic weapons, and even shards action, not on keeping track of horizons and G-forces. of glass with the skill of a born professional. 14 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 15

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Counter-Strike Legacy of Kain: Defiance Published by Eidos Available November Also on PS2 ESRB: Rating Pending Published by Microsoft Available December ESRB: MATURE The PC’s most popular on- Legacy of Kain: Defiance will unite the protagonists of line action game is debuting Blood Omen and Soul Reaver in one new vampire on Xbox Live this holiday adventure. Focusing on action and story this time — season, giving console as opposed to the repetitive

XBOX gamers their first taste of puzzles of previous games these thrilling online team- in the series—developer based battles. Up to 16 Crystal Dynamics has intro- players divide into teams duced fast-paced, tense of terrorists and counter- combat and dramatic new terrorists, then square off camera angles. Gorgeous

e marshals for over- e marshals for in classic firefights, hostage environments filled with rescues, and defuse-the- tough enemies will chal- bomb scenarios. The mis- lenge you to your vampire sions will be derived from best (worst?) as you control the PC version of Counter- both Kain and Raziel, and Strike: Condition Zero but drink the blood and souls will include new Xbox- of your foes. Telekinetic exclusive levels. Gamers abilities and an all-new will also be able to check combo-based combat sys- out Condition Zero’s single-player game. Player rank- tem should ensure that the ings will let you find worthy opponents, and Micro- new Kain title turns out soft also promises to incorporate cheat prevention. more thrilling than the last. the first exhibitor to have its power shut off by show management.… show shut off by its power the first exhibitor to have — 3 WWE Raw 2 Return to Castle : Published by THQ Available Fall 2003 ESRB: Teen Tides of War Published by Activision Available now Soon, you too will be able to experience the thrilling Also on PS2 ESRB: MATURE life of the pro wrestler in THQ’s WWE Raw 2 for Taking the role of Ameri- the Xbox. Up to four players can Captain B.J. Blazkow- can get in on Triple Threat, icz, you’ll start your Allied Fatal Four-Way, Battle Royal, adventure in Africa King of the Ring, and TLC with your S.A.S. matches. With more than 45 buddy, Agent One. superstars to choose from, But before long, you’ll you’ll have hours of enter- find yourself in fabled tainment at your fingertips. Castle Wolfenstein If you think Ric Flair is a itself—and in deep wuss, go on and use the trouble. Zombies, tried-and-true Create-A- Nazis, killer dogs, evil experiments, secret passages, Superstar mode to build hidden treasures, punishing weapons, situational logic your own beefcake. Plus, puzzles, and more surprises await you as you take on you’ll be able to put that the Third Reich from a first-person perspective. Sev- built-in hard drive to good eral aspects of the PC game have been rebuilt for the use by ripping your own Xbox, including new, more sinister-looking enemies music tracks to create a and the addition of a fresh weapon, the shotgun. The personalized “Ultimate

…Tecmo’s steamy DOA Online stage show (featuring models dressed as the company’s female fighting characters) got shut down by fir by shut down fighting characters) got female as the company’s models dressed (featuring Online stage show DOA steamy …Tecmo’s attendance. of E touting that it was the bad boy release issued a cheeky press The company ability to save anywhere and the use of frequent check- Superstar Entrance.” points are also welcome inclusions. 16 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 17

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Crash Nitro Kart Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Crash Bandicoot returns An ex-con-turned-bounty for another round of out- hunter scours the galaxy rageous kart racing; this seeking those who framed time, he’s saving the Earth him. This first-person from destruction. You can combat game mixes in- take on 17 out-of-this tense gunslinging on the

XBOX world raceways in four ground with outer-space worlds for high-speed fun. dogfights. Universal Available Winter 2003 Also on PS2, GameCube, GBA ESRB: Everyone Black Label Games Available now Also on PS2, GameCube ESRB: MATURE

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel Hulk The console cousin to Based on this summer’s

booth, brave anybody one of the best PC RPGs film, Hulk pits the jade of all time, Brotherhood giant against the Leader, a of Steel puts you in a power-mad super genius e been given muzzles instead.… muzzles e been given bleak, post-apocalyptic hell-bent on taking over future filled with mutants, the world with a massive monsters, and other haz- horde of gamma-radiated ards to your health. creatures. Interplay Available October Also on PS2 ESRB: Rating Pending Universal Interactive Also on PS2, GameCube Available now ESRB: Teen NFL Fever 2004 The Great Escape NFL Fever 2004 is tough- This game version of the ening up its brand of 1962 film will feature action wide-open pro football along the lines of its source by intensifying the artificial material as you’ll play as intelligence on offense several different characters and defense. Effortless who all share a common Xbox Live online game- goal: escape a POW camp play will also star. during World War II. Microsoft Available August ESRB: Everyone Gotham Games Available July Also on PS2 ESRB: Rating Pending

ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES Mad Catz MicroCon Microsoft Xbox Live Some gamers (especially younger ones) find the Xbox Starter Kit controller’s contours to be too bulbous and bulky. Enter If you’re ready for some real competition, Xbox Live the MicroCon, a scaled-down gamepad (20 percent is where you’ll find it. Microsoft’s online gaming network smaller than normal size) for gamers with smaller hands. is simple to set up and hard to The button layout mimics that of Microsoft’s own Con- stop using—plus, some games troller S, and the 10-foot cable is still plenty generous. feature new levels or updated Better still, it works great and it’s more comfortable rosters, all free to down- than you might expect. (This product is also available for load. The Starter Kit gives the PlayStation 2 and GameCube.) you the Xbox Communi- cator headset, the setup software, a copy of Tetris enough could jump up on a small stage and sing their heart out. their efforts, for T-shirt a got They but some of them should hav …Mad Catz is making the microphone for Xbox’s Music Mixer package, Music Mixer Xbox’s for …Mad Catz is making the microphone machine. console into a karaoke which turns your In Mad Catz’s World, and a year’s subscrip- tion (you bring the broadband Internet connection). Pick your unique online Gamertag, build your reputation, and meet your match! 18 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 19

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Soul Calibur II Mario Kart: Published by Namco Available August Also on PS2, Xbox ESRB: Teen Double Dash!! Soul Calibur II is the highly Published by Nintendo Available Fall 2003 anticipated follow-up to one ESRB: Everyone of the best fighting games of Pure, unadulterated joy returns all time. Soul Calibur is known to the GameCube this fall as Mario for its straightforward gameplay Kart, the original big-head kart that’s both easy to pick up and racer, hits the track. This time, difficult to master, and the se- you can pack two characters at quel doesn’t stray far from this once in a single kart—the charac- winning formula. The popular ter in front drives, while the one Weapon Master mode also re- in back hands out banana-peel or turns with 200 new weapons tortoise-shell justice against fellow

GAMECUBE to collect and the ability to unlock racers. You’ll pick from a cast of secret characters, features, and characters, including Mario, Luigi, stages. The other modes available Princess Peach, Baby Mario, Baby are Arcade, Vs., Time Attack, Sur- Luigi, Yoshi, Wario, Waluigi, Don- vival, Team Battle, and Practice. key Kong, Diddy Kong, Bowser, Soul Calibur II will be available Bowser Jr., and everyone’s favorite, across the three next-generation Birdo. What’s more, you’ll be able platforms, and each version will fea- to switch the driver and gunner ture one exclusive character. The on the fly to better use each char- GameCube version includes Link from the Legend of Zelda series, who acter’s strengths. promises to be a versatile character. Besides his sword, he can fire off arrows to help land tricky air-based combos. He even has a supply of bombs he can throw at knocked- down enemies. PlayStation 2 own- ers receive Heihachi from Tekken, who will be the first fighter in the series without a weapon. Last but not least, Xbox players get comic- book Spawn, whose moves, such as the ability to freeze himself and launch attacks from mid-air, will be unlike anything ever seen in the series. A total of 20 characters fill out the roster, which includes returning characters like Taki, Mitsu- rugi, Nightmare, and Ivy. New chal- lengers like Talim, Raphael, Cassandra, and Hong Yun Sung are also entering the fray. fueled only by their burning passion to see as many games as possible in what becomes a very short days. their burning passion to see as many by three fueled only , 3 …Some people skip lunch at E Then again, argument, a good one look at the concession prices offers too: a quesadilla?!… $8.50 for 20 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 21

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! F-Zero Rogue Squadron III: Published by Nintendo Available August ESRB: Rating Pending Rebel Strike Published by LucasArts Available Fall 2003 ESRB: Rating Pending F-Zero is the continuation of a game series that achieved legendary status on the Super NES and Star Wars Rogue Squad- Nintendo 64. It’s about time ron III: Rebel Strike could the real deal returned, too— eclipse Rogue Leader in without the original F-Zero, both graphics and new there would be no Wipeout, gameplay options. A couple Tube Slider, or Jet Moto, not of the new scenarios will to mention an entire genre include speederbike chases of futuristic racers. Thirty and AT-ST battles set in the craft and over 20 tracks forests of Endor, and an as- (including a completely re- sault on the Death Star. As

GAMECUBE built Mute City) are set to in The Clone Wars, you’ll make their debut. The em- be able to jettison your ship phasis here is on speed at and play as various char- its purest: The tracks twist acters on foot in a third- and spiral like Super person mode in addition Monkey Ball stages, to switching ships midlevel. and 1000 mph is Rogue III will also feature nothing more than various multiplayer modes an average speed in addition to what should in most areas. be a wicked single-player experience. The Force is strong with this one.

Beyblade V Force Final Fantasy: Published by Atari Available November ESRB: Everyone Crystal Chronicles After its successes in the Dragon Ball Z arena, Atari Published by Nintendo Available November ESRB: Rating Pending is turning its attention to the latest craze in animated Although Final Fantasy: TV. For the uninitiated, Crystal Chronicles is Beyblade is a hugely Square’s first GameCube popular cartoon series RPG, it really isn’t the where the characters epic you may expect construct wild spinning from the series’ other tops and compete by adventures. The empha- battling with them in sis instead is on multiplayer and Game Boy Advance arenas. The hook is connectivity, and as a result, it plays more like Secret that the tops are also of Mana than a traditional RPG. The gameplay is available as toys for fans standard hack-n-slash with a few Zelda-style puzzles to tweak and play with. for good measure. Magic is more complicated: You Atari has licensed the need magic jewels, picked full rights to the series up by defeating enemies, to and is cooking up a cast anything. While a GBA

Sony throws a big party artist. big-name musical with a similarly throws Sony Beck and Macy Gray; by included performances have Past years fighting-game-style ad- ,

3 isn’t required, having one will venture that stays true greatly enhance the experi- to the characters and ence. Up to four players can tops from the show, join in at once, potentially challenging gamers to making it a great party game this year, Fighters. it was none other than the Foo in demand.… always party are Sony invites why know you Now …Every year at E …Every year become World Bey- for RPG geeks. blade Champion. 22 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:56 PM Page 23

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II Wario Ware, Inc.: Published by Atari Available now ESRB: Everyone Mega Microgame$ Published by Nintendo Available now When Akira Toriyama drew the first ESRB: Everyone Dragon Ball comic in 1984, the idea Catch a baseball. Kill Mother- of turning it into an international brain. Suck up snot. Cut bamboo. phenomenon made up of action Dodge arrows. Race in F-Zero. figures, collectible card games, 500 Balance a stack of books on a uni- cartoon episodes, and countless cycle. Can you keep up? Nintendo’s video games probably never oc- betting that if you can’t, you’ll be curred to him. Now, Atari’s second able to soon—and gosh darn it, wave of Dragon Ball Z titles, start- you’ll like it. With Wario Ware, Inc.: ing with The Legacy of Goku II for Mega Microgame$, Nintendo has the Game Boy Advance, is rapidly created a new kind of game expe- advancing toward an eager fan base. rience, hurling microgame after Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of microgame at the player with little Goku II is the sequel to the original breathing room. Each game lasts GBA action/RPG that came out in May 2002. The story line begins with for no more than five seconds— the debut of Trunks, runs through the entire Android story arc, and ends and they keep on coming until you with the Cell Games stories—all told, about 75 anime episodes worth can no longer keep up. Don’t ap- of plot. Not all of it is from proach it like your regular old Nin- Goku’s perspective, either: tendo game. Instead, try to adapt. The game features five play- able characters (Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks, and Piccolo), and for the most part, you’re GAME BOY ADVANCE free to switch between them at will. Legacy of Goku II isn’t absolutely beholden to the anime, however. Although most of the dialogue is straight out of the show, there are some side quests to solve here and there, including a spy caper inside Cap- sule Corp. and the rescue of a small town from a horde of triceratops. With over 200 maps to explore and 20 to 25 hours of gameplay, The Legacy of Goku II is three to

…Microsoft’s press conference featured loud music, featured conference press …Microsoft’s fans, screaming and some of the anywhere.tastiest hot dogs to be found Oh, games, good and really too!… four times as long as the 24 original game. BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:57 PM Page 25

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Sonic Battle Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow A showdown between You’ll gather hundreds the characters of Sonic of weapons and special Adventure, Sonic Battle powers from the souls lets you choose one of you slay as vampire-killing eight characters, pick an student of the future arena, set the rules, and Soma Cruz in Castle- then have at it with each vania: Aria of Sorrow, other in 3D environments. Four players can duke it out! the latest in Konami’s masterful side-scrolling saga. Available Fall 2003 ESRB: Rating Pending Konami Available now ESRB: Teen ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES Nintendo Game Boy Pelican Starter Kit SP If you’ve just picked up a GBA SP, Advance SP you’ll probably want some acces- Let there be light! Nintendo’s sories, and the Starter Kit SP has latest hardware revision, the a bunch of handy items in one Game Boy Advance SP, features package. The Kit includes a rugged internal lighting as well as a and well-designed Wacky Pak SP robust Lithium-ion battery carrying case, a slim and cleverly that’s good for 10 hours of engineered Flip N’ Play screen playtime with the light on maginifier, a Two-Player (and nearly twice as long Link Cable for head-to-head with it off). The new flip matches, Game Jackets for keeping design gives it a sleek loose cartridges safe and free from laptop look as do the damage, and even a pair of stereo metallic colors. The

GAME BOY ADVANCE earphones. All that good stuff makes original GBA is still the Starter Kit SP an attractive and available, but the affordable all-in-one SP solution. SP represents the current state of the art. NOKIA N-GAGE

Available Winter 2003 (MMCs). A total of 10 N-Gage MMCs are slated to go on sale The N-Gage, which Nokia prefers you call a “mobile game with the system, including Tomb Raider from Eidos, MotoGP deck” instead of a game system, is a fairly powerful device — from THQ, a Sonic the Hedgehog title from Sega, and several it’s a wireless phone that also plays games that completely Nokia-produced originals. The system can also play the Java outclass the competition in the games currently available on color handsets today, which can graphics department. Besides be stored in the N-Gage’s internal memory. this, it also has a full range To the gamer, though, the of PDA-style features— N-Gage’s most inno- MP3 playback, built-in vative feature is its FM radio, e-mail, in- wireless multi- stant messaging, player compat- XHTML web ibility. The system browsing, and can deal with two more. The system types of multiplayer has 64 megabytes of gaming: up to two play- memory built in to ers within a single room store all this stuff. and online with the rest of Games for Nokia’s system the world. Either way you go,

…Activision’s Vampire: …Activision’s The Masquerade —Bloodlines had the coolest booth logo: a watched. blood while you filled with streaming backlit wall that periodically Icky fun!… will be made available on special it spells the end of link cables for memory packs, called MultiMedia Cards multiplayer games forever. Superb stuff. 26 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:57 PM Page 27

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! Oldies can definitely still be goodies. Here’s a guide to the top classics on the PS2 and Xbox—they’re all fantastic games, but their best quality is their dramatically reduced price! PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits Xbox Gran Turismo 3 A-spec The crown prince of racing games, Gran Turismo 3 de- This game’s name may not bring excellence in racing livers superb simulation-style racing with real-world cars to mind but driving its snazzy cars sure will. Your ranging from Dodge Vipers to Mini Coopers. If you like pulse will pound as you dart around corners in tracks driving fast, this game is one of the best ways to do it. modeled after the streets of New York, Tokyo, London, ESRB: Everyone and San Francisco. ESRB: Everyone

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire A stylish espionage masterpiece, Metal Gear Solid 2 Departing from movie territory, the world’s most focuses on the art of infiltration as you sneak through famous spy tackles an original adventure about an enemy territory to halt a terrorist threat. The graphics evil cloning plot. 007 deploys gadgets, dons tuxedos, are dazzling and the action’s tense as you slip through and quips with the ladies when he’s not blazing away the night against overwhelming odds. ESRB: MATURE at the forces of evil. ESRB: Teen

NBA Street The Simpsons Road Rage NBA Street puts pro ballers on the playground for excit- All the characters from the classic TV show hit the

BARGAIN HITS ing three-on-three street hoops where dunks and tricks streets of Springfield in this fun driving adventure. matter as much as points. It’s easy to learn and is packed Mr. Burns has jacked up the bus fares, so Homer and with action rather than realism, which makes it a great company battle their way through the now-crowded sports game for players of all ages. ESRB: Everyone streets. ESRB: Teen

Midnight Club: Street Racing Namco Museum Street racing rolls up to the starting line in this pop- The classic arcade games are always a blast to play, ular test of nerves and reflexes. You’ll rocket through and this compilation assembles six of the best: Pac- the realistically modeled streets of New York and Man, Galaga, Galaxian, Dig Dug, Pole Position, and London in late-night races with pink slips on the line. Ms. Pac-Man. ESRB: Everyone ESRB: Teen

Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies III: Morrowind This popular airplane-combat series gets the next- For the swords-and-sorcery set, Morrowind is truly generation treatment with eye-catching visuals, a new an open book. You create your own adventurer from story line, realistic aircraft, and 24 missions to test scratch and then tackle an almost endless series of your dogfighting skills. ESRB: Everyone quests where the freedom to do what you want and be who you want is exhilarating. ESRB: Teen Loaded with 34 different brawlers, Tekken Tag Tourna- Max Payne ment is the home conversion of a popular entry in Told in the style of a gritty noir detective thriller, Namco’s arcade fighting games. The “tag” comes into Max Payne is all about mowing down the bad guys play by letting you alternate between a pair of fighters in gunfights accented with Matrix-style bullet-time for furious fisticuffs. ESRB: Teen effects like slow-motion dives, leaps, and rolls. Cup of joe not included. ESRB: MATURE Test Drive Racing doesn’t have to be realistic to be fun, and Test Dead to Rights Drive’s action-packed competitions mix easy-to-drive A noir thriller in the vein of Max Payne, Dead to cars with frantically busy streets, crazy collisions, and Rights puts you in the gumshoes of Jack Slate as he an alluring mix of exotic and muscle cars. ESRB: Teen pursues a tale of betrayal and corruption. The game- play mixes fisticuffs with gunfights and adventuring, III including cool slo-mo moves. ESRB: MATURE The game that began a phenomenon is an absolute must-play for anyone who hasn’t yet trawled the RalliSport Challenge streets of Liberty City. Delve into a life of crime, Off-road rally racing comes to life in four events stealing cars and taking shady jobs in a free-roaming ranging from hill climbs to ice races to rallycross. 3D world. ESRB: MATURE Choose from 25 cars and race solo against the clock or take on up to three others in split-screen action. Stuntman ESRB: Everyone Stuntman puts you behind the wheel as a stuntman for movies ranging from Bond-style capers to Indy- Crash Bandicoot: style adventures. If you can hit your marks perfectly, The Wrath of Cortex you’ll send your car spinning into amazing stunts. This classic platform character returns, but he’s not fly-

…Snoop Dogg and his posse showed up in Activision’s booth to take a look at True Crime:True a look at booth to take up in Activision’s …Snoop Dogg and his posse showed of L.A., Streets and Sinbad was Arts’ sneaking a peek at SSX 3 and Medal of Honor Rising Sun.… area spotted in Electronic ESRB: Teen ing solo this time. Crash’s sister Coco is a fully playable character as the duo roams 30 huge levels to put an 30 end to Dr. Neo Cortex’s latest scheme. ESRB: Everyone BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:57 PM Page 31

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Be sure to check out GamePro.com for more great video-game coupons redeemable at Best Buy! PLAYSTATION 2 XBOX GAMECUBE Games Games Games ■ True Crime: Streets of L.A. ■ Brute Force ■ Soul Calibur II ■ Final Fantasy X-2 ■ Enter the Matrix ■ Mario Kart: Double Dash!! ■ Lara Croft Tomb Raider: ■ Deus Ex: Invisible War ■ F-Zero The Angel of Darkness ■ StarCraft: Ghost ■ Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: ■ Gran Turismo 4 ■ Crimson Skies: Rebel Strike ■ ■ Resident Evil: Dead Aim High Road to Revenge Beyblade V Force ■ ■ ■ Madden NFL 2004 XIII Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles

WISH LIST ■ ■ Medal of Honor Rising Sun Counter-Strike ■ ■ Ratchet & Clank: Legacy of Kain: Defiance Going Commando ■ WWE Raw 2 ■ Jak II ■ Return to Castle Wolfenstein: t years, how- Tides of War ■ SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs ■ Crash Nitro Kart . ■ Goblin Commander: ■ Unleash the Horde Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter ■ ■ Rise to Honor : Brotherhood of Steel ■ Hulk Accessories ■ NFL Fever 2004 ■ Datel Action Replay ■ The Great Escape ■ PlayStation 2 Online Pack GAME BOY ■ Pelican Stealth Accessories ADVANCE ■ ■ Eye Toy Mad Catz MicroCon ■ Microsoft Xbox Live Starter Kit Games ■ Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II ■ Wario Ware, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ ■ Sonic Battle ■ Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Accessories ■ Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP ■ Pelican Starter Kit SP

NOKIA N-GAGE

■ Nokia N-Gage er, the crowd; he didn’t put on a skate demo for in fact, center in the convention anywhere wasn’t a half-pipe to be found there ev …And of course, Tony Hawk was lurking behind the scenes to demo his newest skateboarding game, Tony Hawk’s Underground. game, skateboarding …And of course, was lurking behind the scenes to demo his newest Hawk’s Hawk pas Unlike Tony Tony 32 BestBuy_36pages 6/24/03 5:58 PM Page 33

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