Shop for games

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 48 reviews

The Bottom Line: Spore merges multiple run-of-the-mill building blocks into a big, entertaining game. Read review

Specs: Everyone 10 and older, Maxis, Strategy, Miscellaneous - virtual life, Strategy / tactics / wargame - real time, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.5 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: This 3D real-time strategy game features enough dazzling visuals for several games of its type, but it's hampered by its been-there-done-that gameplay and poor unit intelligence. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Charybdis, Strategy, General Strategy, Science-fiction, 1-4 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.9 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The engine simulates Civil War warfare about as well as a round peg fits into a square hole. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Erudite Software Inc., Strategy, General Strategy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.0 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: There's plenty to do in Port Royale 3, but little of it is fun. Read review

Specs: Teen, Kalypso, Strategy

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.2 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: This is a triumphant remake of a classic strategy game, featuring an intoxicating blend of action, strategy, role-playing, and pure fun. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Firaxis Games, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Not an intensely complicated game with intricate strategic developments to begin with, it's now just a guess-fest. Read review

Specs: Everyone, NMS Software, Strategy, General Action, 1-4 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.1 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Settlers III combines city building and combat, focussing primarily on the former. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Blue Byte, Strategy, General Strategy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  1.5 stars Poor

  Overall score: 3.0 (1.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: If this haphazard collection of minigames was the best the developer could muster for an Apprentice game, The Donald may be due for a firing spree. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Legacy Interactive, Strategy, Miscellaneous - virtual life, Adventure - first person adventure, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Everyone 10 and older, Paradox Development Studio, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: With strategy being a scarce commodity on the GameCube, it's hard to argue with the game's bargain-basement price tag. Read review

Specs: Teen, Pandemic Studios, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.9 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: At its heart, Rites of War proves to be fairly enjoyable if you can get past all its many rough edges. Read review

Specs: Teen, DreamForge Intertainment, Strategy, General Strategy, 1-4 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Everyone, Natsume, Strategy

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The DS version of this great tower defense game can be a little confusing but is a lot of fun to play both solo and competitively. Read review

Specs: Everyone 10 and older, PopCap, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Even though the game engine is definitely showing its age, hard-core strategy game players should still find a lot to like about Waterloo. Read review

Specs: Everyone, BreakAway Games, Strategy, General Strategy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.5 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Most of the micromanagement from the console versions is gone, but laying out parks and interacting with attractions is still fun. Read review

Specs: Everyone, DC Studios, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - entertainment park builder, Miscellaneous - kids / children's games & entertainment, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Everyone, Monte Cristo Multimedia, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Hasbro Interactive, Strategy

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.1 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Despite its intriguing premise, Braveheart's assorted play mechanics coexist about as peacefully as the Scottish clans depicted in the game. Read review

Specs: Mature, Red Lemon Studios, Strategy, General Strategy, 1-4 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.5 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Instead of wrestling with rival nations, you'll tussle with unruly advisors in this naval trading sim. Read review

Specs: Teen, Nitro Games, Strategy

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The latest addition to the Settlers series is a blend of the fresh and the familiar. Read review

Specs: Everyone 10 and older, Blue Byte, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - real time, Fantasy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Despite the disappointment of a rather short campaign, Neighbors From Hell is still worth a look for any strategy or puzzle game fan. Read review

Specs: Teen, JoWooD Entertainment AG, Strategy, General Strategy, Fantasy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Taking a page from the Civilization handbook, SimCity Creator offers an enjoyable evolutionary building experience. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Electronic Arts, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - city building, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Despite its slightly aged appearance, the accessible strategy and comical violence retain most of their appeal. Read review

Specs: Teen, Team 17, Strategy, General Strategy, 1-4 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Fortress, by Majesco, is a competitive puzzle-strategy game that answers the question, "What if Tetris were a battlefield?" Read review

Specs: Everyone, Pipe Dream Interactive, Strategy, General Action, 1-2 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland is an engaging, long-lasting experience, and it may just be some of the most fun you can have on a lazy weekend afternoon. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Victor Interactive Software, Strategy, Console-style RPG, 1 Player