WinBack - Nintendo 64

As S.C.A.T. (Strategic Covert Actions Team) members, players must disable a rash of terrorists who've taken over a powerful laser satellite defense system capable of leveling large regions with one burst. Jean-Luc stealthily plunges into the control center, buried deep in a mountainside, lined with bad guys. This isn't a first-person shooter; the over-the-shoulder view provides plenty of screen space to plan each sneaky move, going for surprise attacks rather than all-out, bullets-flying action.

Once the player learns the somewhat complex, though natural and intuitive controls, manipulating Jean-Luc becomes an unconscious act. The fluid combination of The Matrix-style moves is entirely impressive: nothing like slinking silently against a wall, somersaulting into the open, picking off a terrorist, and then rolling into a crouch behind a crate. Just beautiful. --Eric Twelker

Pros: Excellent player controls, though difficult to master Nice animation Well-paced storyline Cons: Simple weapons Camera often errant, getting stuck behind walls or at bad angles at the worst possible times Game saves only after reaching checkpoints, resulting in frequent restarts