Its gameplay isn’t revolutionary, and a couple of its missions get a tad tedious, but Ace Combat 4 sure looks pretty, which is half the reason flying buffs play these air-combat games anyway. [Dec 2001, p.234]

A great multiplayer romp that will keep you and your friends glued to the set for months to come. [Dec 2002, p.236]

This GameDay beater is so challenging and fun that you shouldn’t feel shame for sticking to PS1 Madden for another year. [Oct 2001, p.156]

Seems like the PS2 version’s forgotten kid brother. Its graphics, plagued with texture warping and pop-ups, are bad even by PS1 standards. [Dec 2001, p.264]

This measured, almost plodding gameplay ups the tension and works well in campaign mode, but the faster-paced chaos of multiplayer only heightens your awareness of the innately awkward controls. Multi's a bit short on maps and modes, too.

The new alternate story and head-to-head multiplayer make it even more compelling than the PS2 original. [Dec 2007, p.128]

Using the same game engine as its NBA counterpart, 2K5 plays better than it did a year ago, in part because the A.I. is way smarter. [Jan 2005, p.128]

It won't blow you away, but RPG fans who can see beyond the drab look and slow intro will find a rewarding epic. [Dec 2002, p.218]

Using the same game engine as its NBA counterpart, 2K5 plays better than it did a year ago, in part because the A.I. is way smarter. [Jan 2005, p.128]

Too much force and not enough finesse - that's the problem with EA's puck offering. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting' physical, but not when it comes at the cost of disrupting the natural flow of hockey. [Oct 2003, p.138]

Daxter isn't the best platformer you'll ever play, but on a system where the genre is so often done poorly, it manages to stand out. Definitely worth a play, whether you're a fan of the series or not.

Instincts' A.I. won't revolutionize the first-person-shooter genre, but the rest of the game is still pretty damn cool. [Nov 2005, p.150]

Too much force and not enough finesse - that's the problem with EA's puck offering. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting' physical, but not when it comes at the cost of disrupting the natural flow of hockey. [Oct 2003, p.138]

This game is a beautiful mess. The Dead or Alive series has always been known more for T&A than tech gameplay; for every panty shot, there's a cheap juggle combo that involves less skill than it takes to input a cell-phone text message.

Too much force and not enough finesse - that's the problem with EA's puck offering. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting' physical, but not when it comes at the cost of disrupting the natural flow of hockey. [Oct 2003, p.138]

You have to give credit to the brilliant blockhead who forced this awesome yet fundamentally bizarro idea on LucasArts. [Oct. 2006, p.111]

Acclaim's solid first-person shooter is heavy on the fog. It is atmospheric, though. [Jan 2004, p.189]

It's "Pong" on steroids, with lifelike graphics, technically deep controls, and awesome sound effects - I love hearing my player's feed shuffle on the court and that satisfying thwop of a well-hit ball. [Nov 2005, p.154]

The first fighter I have ever felt truly comfortable playing on a portable. [Nov 2001, p.222]

ToCA 3 is not unplayable, but it definitely needs some tweaking. [Mar 2006, p.102]

You have to give credit to the brilliant blockhead who forced this awesome yet fundamentally bizarro idea on LucasArts. [Oct. 2006, p.111]

It strikes a perfect balance between racing and aerial trickery so one doesn’t overshadow the other – they’re equally important. [Jan 2002, p.220]

Short-lived, but a decent portable Spidey game. [Oct 2001, p.158]

You have to give credit to the brilliant blockhead who forced this awesome yet fundamentally bizarro idea on LucasArts. [Oct. 2006, p.111]

If you regularly immerse yourself in the crazy s*** that comes out of Japan, Disgaea 2 probably won't faze you. Everybody else: You've been warned. [Sept. 2006, p.99]

Finally, a SmackDown game that's paced like real wrestling and veers away from the usual arcadey button-mashathon.

Tune and tweak all you want, Demian, and 2K6's goalies will still be absolute sieves. And for that reason - plus 06's faster play and flashier offense - I'm giving the nod to EA's game. [Oct 2005, p.114]

LocoRoco is a simple game, one that doesn't challenge you except, perhaps, in perseverance--pick it up, and you'll be able to blow right through its whimsical, intuitively designed levels. [Oct. 2006, p.114]

It's not deal-breaker, but DOA suffers from an intermittent case of the laggies. [Jan 2005, p.137]

3D fighters didn't feature amputations before this inspired samu-riot. [Jan 2004, p.188]

If the game weren’t such a sadist – you’re gonna have to be tough and persistent to make it through this one – and if it weren’t so short (about half the length of an average RE), I’d say it’s a must-buy for any gamer. [Mar 2002, p.141]

Aside from the high-shine gloss, though, a few extra pursuers in the cop chases are about all that differentiates this version from the current-gen game. My main beefs--the repetitive race events and not-very-challenging cop chases (especially earlier in the game)--are still here.

This franchise desperately needs to spice up - and after this year, clean up - the gameplay. [Apr 2006, p.100]

I give developer Treyarch credit for its ambitious GTA-style playground game design, but the errands Spider-Man sends you on are repetitive and dull. Combat is part of the problem; you can buy all sorts of fancy moves and combos, but why bother when button-mashing works just as well? [Sept 2004, p.98]

Anyone expecting to reliably pull off a 20-hitter with Adon: Forget it. [Oct 2002, p.204]

I'm not sure which is harder: keeping Robert Downy Jr. away from a crack pipe or establishing a consistent offense in All-Star Baseball. [June 2002, p.118]

It’s a refreshing change from the weirdness you’d find in a "PaRappa" or "Dance Dance Revolution." [Jan 2002, p.208]

The game does keep up the original's compelling pace, with enemies swarming you nearly every step of the way. I never got bored - I just never got all that excited, either. [Feb 2004, p.112]

Although the title looks amazing, the gameplay feels a little stiff. In attempting to create the most realistic college experience, Sega took some of the fun out of the game. [Jan 2004, p.116]

ToCA 3 is not unplayable, but it definitely needs some tweaking. [Mar 2006, p.102]

A great combination of frantic, Japanese guitar rock and wacky anime-inspired action. [Feb 2002, p.148]

I just can't shake the feeling that I've played these games three or four times before - and the new garnish isn't enough to take the series to the next level. [May 2003, p.139]

Changes to the in-ring gameplay itself are barely noticeable. It's good, but if you're not a hardcore fan, you'll tire of it quickly. [Jan 2003, p.182]

The backdrops are more diverse, the "God of War"-like quick-time events add some much-needed flavor to boss encounters, and item maintenance is now kept to a minimum. [Jan. 2007, p.102]

I love the satisfying mix of action and puzzles as you find, disarm, and nab rogue apes, and the colorful cartoony graphics and wacky story are top notch. [Aug 2003, p.73]

Tremendously deep warrior-customization options and rich strategy elements make Gladius absolutely worthwhile and fun, but prepare to invest serious time. [Dec 2003, p.185]

Tekken loses out big time by not supporting the GBA's one-cartridge multiplayer feature. [Feb 2002, p.172]

It's a bizarre mishmash of clashing styles, concepts and gameplay that, despite being all over the map, is still a must-play title. [Nov 2002, p.72]

After playing Call of Duty 3, I wonder if maybe it isn't time for a break from WWII first-person shooters. [Jan. 2007, p.98]

While Mario Kart Wii is predictably similar to its predecessors, something has changed with this installment. Something that makes it feel subtly unlike other Mario Karts--and not a change for the better. [June 2008, p.73]

Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars does all that rather well, and even streamlines the fine BFME2 controls, letting you construct units and buildings without having to scroll back to click on the proper source structure. [June 2007, p.86]

Repetitive, primitive and even a bit tedious...and I dug every minute of it. [Nov 2001, p.220]

With 50-player tournaments, oodles of character-customizing doodads, and the promise of downloadable content, this game should have extra long legs. [May 2008, p.84]

The combat is startlingly visceral if a bit tricky to master, but your thumb may ache after hours of pressing in the analog stick to sprint. It's not a survival-horror revolution, but it's an adventure worth experiencing.

Tune and tweak all you want, Demian, and 2K6's goalies will still be absolute sieves. And for that reason - plus 06's faster play and flashier offense - I'm giving the nod to EA's game. [Oct 2005, p.114]

The character art is so good, I forgot about the graphics. More importantly, the gameplay is gripping. [Holiday 2004, p.126]

Straight dumb, violent fun, regardless of how many times you've seen it before. [Jan 2002, p.233]

And even though the series seems to be on the path of becoming a pure shooter (which it does very well), I would like to see a few more sections that reflect its platforming roots. As for multiplayer, Deadlocked again succeeds online, but it's the new splitscreen co-op feature for the main game that's the nicest touch.

You have to give credit to the brilliant blockhead who forced this awesome yet fundamentally bizarro idea on LucasArts. [Oct. 2006, p.111]

Enemy A.I. here might as well stand for "Artificial Idiocy." [May 2002, p.109]

I swear, you could probably nail players in the groin nine times out of 10 with these controls if you practiced enough. [Feb 2002, p.164]

Although MMZ2 fails to deliver anything substantially new (sorry, Phil, powering up a blaster isn't exactly innovation), at least it serves up a solid action romp. [Nov 2003, p.201]

I respect the innovation found here, but I wish the game were a little more forgiving. [Nov 2005, p.160]

The premise intrigues, but Assassin's Creed is an incomplete template based on multiple other games. [Jan 2008, p.88]

What's great about Wright is that, unlike most other games, it really gets you thinking critically, and not just within the rules of the game. [Nov 2005, p.160]

Ew, they put RPG in my tennis... [Jan 2006, p.135]

I have exactly three words for the golf snobs: unlockable trucker hats. [July 2005, p.120]

Hit & Run is so good at capturing the show's spirit and copying a great game ["GTA"] that it turns out to be real, honest-to-God fun for anyone who digs the show. [Oct 2003, p.140]

It's an adequate platformer, yes--with solid controls and great first-half pacing--but I'd never choose this over the sublime original. [Dec. 2006, p.150

The premise intrigues, but Assassin's Creed is an incomplete template based on multiple other games. [Jan 2008, p.88]

The developers should have spent more time fine-tuning the controls. [Jan. 2007, p.60]

It's not perfect--the difficulty spikes randomly throughout and spamming units produces easy victories--but it's a step up from "Heroes of Mana". [Holiday 2007, p.87]

A seasoned gamer might find Vs. easy at first, but mastering each stage in an attempt at beating the high score proves much more challenging - and ultimately rewarding. [July 2004, p.108]

It's unfortunate that the underlying mano a mano action can't match the rest of Deception's ambitious package, but precious little has been done to improve upon the last MK's ("Deadly Alliance") leaden, mash-happy combat. [Dec 2004, p.152]

From the crazy crowds to the way the camera shakes while shooting free throws, this edition even outshines longtime atmosphere king "March Madness". [Jan 2008, p.90]

Even at those speeds, the heart-pounding moments are few and far between. [Nov 2001, p.206]

So genuinely terrifying, you can't help but appreciate its incredible art direction. [Feb 2004, p.114]

For the first half of the game, varied missions keep the action interesting. After a dozen sorties, however, it get old, and all but the most patient pilots will want to pop the canopy. [Jan 2004, p.109]

A competitive and addicting game that’s full of variety, pep, and personality. [Oct 2001, p.150]

Dawn's unlockable goodies will give "Street Fighter" fans a surefire boost, but anyone simply looking for an evolution in Onimusha will leave feeling shortchanged. [Apr 2006, p.103]

It's unfortunate that the underlying mano a mano action can't match the rest of Deception's ambitious package, but precious little has been done to improve upon the last MK's ("Deadly Alliance") leaden, mash-happy combat. [Dec 2004, p.152]

The game is practically a carbon copy of the current-gen edition. Seriously, now I know why the words "Xbox 360" are scribbled on the score overlay--it's almost the only way to tell that you're playing a supposedly enhanced version of NBA 2K6.

Oh, and if you already own OutRun 2 on the Xbox, don't bother with this update. [Jun 2006, p.110]

While MLB has the basics down pat, it lacks "2K5's" sublime ESPN presentation and "MVP's" addictive minigames. [May 2005, p.132]

Online, however, Thunder deserves a salute for its wide selection of match types and well-designed multiplayer maps - the burned-out bases and beachside cabanas make for great playgrounds. [Sept 2003, p.120]

Frequent fliers of the Ace Combat series will feel like they've been on this flight before. [Dec 2007, p.122]

There's nothing in particular that demands to be played or can't be found elsewhere. [Jan 2005, p.136]

As an aesthetic showcase, SR2 triumphs, but the mediocre gameplay will only appeal to fans of the first game. [Jan 2002, p.218]

Once you catch on, using the stick feels fluid and natural – thus more immersive. [Apr 2002, p.141]

When I wasn't being mugged by the Bad Voice-Actors Brigade or rendered comatose by the game's tepid pace, I was struggling with the enormous chore of just moving around thanks to the clunky, imprecise, sub-"Resident Evil" controls. [Dec 2002, p.260]

It remains worth it for all of the reasons that made the original Tactics so engrossing: Switching between different jobs, mastering new abilities from your gear, and recruiting and building your clan all remain as appealing as ever. [July 2008, p.82]

Hot Shots may be outlandish by design, but the golf proves true. Off the tee, out of the sand, the chipping, the putting...it's all pretty realistic, and ultimately that's what will keep you playing. [Oct 2004, p.108]

As anyone who's played "Darkstalkers" on the handheld can attest to, the PSP's stock D-pad simply isn't up to the task of a 2D fighting game with all its traditional "fireball" and "dragon punch" motions. [Mar 2006, p.113]

I give developer Treyarch credit for its ambitious GTA-style playground game design, but the errands Spider-Man sends you on are repetitive and dull. Combat is part of the problem; you can buy all sorts of fancy moves and combos, but why bother when button-mashing works just as well? [Sept 2004, p.98]

If graphics and gameplay are more important to you than story, by all means dive in. [Holiday 2004, p.134]

Anyway, 07 plays just fine, but once again this edition leaves you wanting (and expecting) much more. [Dec. 2006, p.132]

Does one thing really well: the Zen feeling of hitting a jump just right, catching the curve of the dirt like a stylus in a record groove. [Apr 2005, p.116]

I find the core game to be a lot of thumb-flattening fun--it's just no "Top Spin 2." [Apr 2007, p.84]