You can't ignore Zero Mission's artful graphics, haunting soundtrack, and brilliantly balanced gameplay. This is a must-have for all GBA owners. [March 2004, p.128]

Far from being a ponderous sci-fi exposition, Mass Effect boasts a dynamic, well-constructed story with a broad emotional range. [Holiday 2007, p.82]

Sounds stupid, I know. But once you start playing, you won't be able to stop. [Oct 2002, p.196]

Okami developer Clover obviously put a lot of love into its creation and, as you travel the countryside, painting barren landscapes into bloom, that love radiates from the screen. [Sept. 2006, p.100]

You've gotta give it up to Nintendo for bundling a phenomenal suite of over 25 Wi-Fi multiplayer minigames with the single-player game. [July 2006, p.96]

An absolutely phenomenal experience... GameCube desperately needed a title like this. [Feb 2003, p.151]

A strategy role-playing game where the timing and placement of attacks means everything. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Not only do the backgrounds look amazing, but their realism combined with the confining effects of fixed camera angles makes this the scariest RE of all. [June 2002, p.116]

Thankfully, EA has addressed my biggest complaint with last year's addition of NCAA: the visuals. Everything has been touched up. [Aug 2005, p.111]

EA's improved everything in this game, from graphics to putting to new arcade modes that help pass the time. There's just no better golf game out there. [Oct 2003, p.136]

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

EA's improved everything in this game, from graphics to putting to new arcade modes that help pass the time. There's just no better golf game out there. [Oct 2003, p.136]

The single-player game is a perfectly adequate sequel to the original, but the multiplayer stuff may well be the best online experience on the PS2 right now. [Aug 2004, p.102]

Although flawed, Liberty City Stories is a remarkable achievement; it shames the efforts that many other developers have put into their PSP games.

That the game manages to both come to a satisfying conclusion and still make it clear that Kratos' adventure is far from over is quite a feat and a lesson that other action-game developers could learn something from. [Apr 2007, p.90]

The level design is brilliant, the weapons combat is a freakin' blast, the subtle tweaks really do change everything, and the characters are more appealing than the last go-round. [Dec 2003, p.218]

One helluva college football experience... The gameplay isn't quite as confining as "Madden's", allowing for more open-ended games. [Aug 2003, p.118]

Thankfully, EA has addressed my biggest complaint with last year's addition of NCAA: the visuals. Everything has been touched up. [Aug 2005, p.111]

As expected, the control is perfect. Samus' myriad movies activate with precision and ease - all games should feel this good. [Jan 2003, p.214]

Based on the classic "Tetris Attack," Pokemon Puzzle League is a highly addictive substance. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Add to that the experience and reward system, 16 maps out of the box, and the party system, and COD4 delivers a knockout one-two single and multiplayer shooter punch. [Holiday 2007, p.71]

The speed is staggering, and the smashes spectacular...Burnout 3 blows the doors off its predecessors with bliteringly fast online play, a massive single-player mode lousy with unlockables, and all the right gameplay tweaks. [Oct 2004, p.100]

08 is the best hockey game in years. [Oct 2007, p.87]

One of the most wicked arcade-racing games I've ever played. [Nov 2002, p.284]

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

The rock-solid gamelay has been tuned to perfection and no other game sweats the details like this. [Jan 2003, p.176]

08 is the best hockey game in years. [Oct 2007, p.87]

Add to that the experience and reward system, 16 maps out of the box, and the party system, and COD4 delivers a knockout one-two single and multiplayer shooter punch. [Holiday 2007, p.71]

EA's improved everything in this game, from graphics to putting to new arcade modes that help pass the time. There's just no better golf game out there. [Oct 2003, p.136]

One of the freshest, most lovingly crafted side-scrollers that still plays well to this day. [Dec 2002, p.272]

"Guitar Hero" is still the way to go for lone wolves, but if you have the space, the manpower, and the means($170), Rock Band unquestionably, unequivocally rocks. [Jan 2008, p.92]

The option to equalize the stats of both teams in an online contest stands out as particularly brilliant. Not that most of it isn't already brilliant. Because it is. [Aug 2004, p.100]

Lara Croft came and third-person 3D action-adventures haven't been the same since. [Jan 2004, p.189]

No other game comes anywhere close to replicating what it feels like to lay down two streaks of rubber in a '69 GT40 when the green flag drops, or hit 200 mph on the back straight at Le Sarthe. There are few games that can draw you in so completely that you forget you're playing a game in the first place, and this is one of them.

The option to equalize the stats of both teams in an online contest stands out as particularly brilliant. Not that most of it isn't already brilliant. Because it is. [Aug 2004, p.100]

This new portable Metal Gear installment finally gives us the tactical espionage action we expect from an MGS title...and a whole lot more. [Feb. 2007, p.98]

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

The final, and best reason to play SOCOM II: it's incredibly addictive online multiplayer game... The new maps rock like nobody's business, and deeper setup options (sniper rifles only, no explosives, that sort of thing), add even more variety. [Dec 2003, p.206]

A huge selection of new minimissions allows for more time playing as famed series stud Solid Snake, and they further exploit "MGS2"'s strongest suit: the gameplay. [Apr 2003, p.111]

Going from mouse and keyboard to gamepad is always a hairy transition, but developer Valve did it perfectly--HL2 controls extremely well with the Xbox pad.

"Guitar Hero" is still the way to go for lone wolves, but if you have the space, the manpower, and the means($170), Rock Band unquestionably, unequivocally rocks. [Jan 2008, p.92]

This game bursts with one brilliant design decision after another - including a Gamebreaker power-up system that is, finally, perfect. [Mar 2007, p.86]

Almost every deviation X-2 takes from the established Final Fantasy norm has paid off. [Jan 2004, p.136]

A racer in the vein of "San Francisco Rush," with tons of shortcuts. [Jan 2004, p.189]

An improvement in every possible way over the original MotorStorm, this is what we all knew the original could be. [Dec 2008, p.76]

A very pretty reprise of the original Star Fox story, but with new stuff. [Jan 2004, p.189]

While "Live" has made great strides this year, 2K3 is so far ahead of the curve, it's astounding. [Dec 2002, p.236]

Great controls. Solid game design...Tony 3 has more personality, movies and creative stages than you know what to do with. [Apr 2002, p.146]

Even though you get more varied action from a "Metal Gear Solid," what's here is so well designed, I remained jaw-dropped impressed from start to finish. [June 2003, p.126]

A remake of the original RPG on Sega CD with a metric ton of bonus material.

A thinking man's hoops game that looks (the lay-ups and fadeaways are sweet) and plays better than any other. [May 2002, p.112]

For me, Project Gotham Racing 3 is the best of 360's launch titles; it grafts the series' appealing mix of sorta realistic (much more so than Ridge Racer) but still forgiving (much more so than Forza) handling to some of the most impressive graphics I've ever seen on a console.

Voice chat makes this, by far, the best version of an already amazing experience. [July 2003, p.116]

Responsive controls; beautiful, crisp 2D graphics; and old-fashioned gameplay that'll keep you up way past your bed-time. [Nov 2005, p.158]

With superb dungeons, exciting combat, and one of the coolest gameplay gimmicks ever (shrinking down to Minish size), this is definitely one Zelda you don't want to miss. [Feb 2005, p.116]

The difficulty curve is perfect. Can't win a particular race? No problem. Take a practice run to look for shortcuts or shell out some prize money to upgrade your character, and you'll be right back on the road to snowboarding superstardom.

You really can’t go wrong with this finale to a LucasArts legacy, so be sure not to miss the boat. [Aug 2001, p.111]

Still excellent despite the fact that its biggest innovation really amounts to an unnecessary step in the passing game. I'm more impressed by the little tweaks--precision passing, smart routes, the "truck stick" for those Jerome Bettis moments--that improve the overall experience.

Despite the difficulty, it's almost impossible to put Rogue Leader down, and that's the sign of a truly great game. [Dec 2001, p.258]

As someone who's closely followed Criterion's racing series for the last seven years, it warms my heart to see it evolve into something as innovative, satisfying, and polished as Paradise. [Feb 2008, p.74]

I am frankly astonished by how much playing this game feels like playing the guitar for real.

Seriously, random villagers in this game have more character than major players in other RPGs, and certain moments are literally laugh-out-loud funny. [Dec 2004, p.168]

DKR looks better than "Mario Kart," but it's a little too cutesy for us. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Until the developers master the riddle of team A.I. (players here don't always respond properly in certain situations), work remains undone. Even so, this year's model is great.

The most immersive NASCAR title ever on any console...The ultimate mix of speed, beauty, gameplay and worthwhile extras. [Nov 2002, p.306]

As fun as the original Excitebike (8-bit Nintendo), and it even has a custom track editor. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Quotation forthcoming. [Sept 2005]

Still excellent despite the fact that its biggest innovation really amounts to an unnecessary step in the passing game. I'm more impressed by the little tweaks--precision passing, smart routes, the "truck stick" for those Jerome Bettis moments--that improve the overall experience.

If every game sucked me into its world like this one, I'd drop out of society, move into the Unabomber's cabin, and never turn off my PS2. Seriously, NCAA 2003 is too good. [Sept 2002, p.150]

This is the best hoops game I've ever played. [Apr 2002, p.141]

I can't remember a game with almost nothing I would change...No other golf game keeps the action moving so well from one shot to the next. [Apr 2002, p.138]

As someone who's closely followed Criterion's racing series for the last seven years, it warms my heart to see it evolve into something as innovative, satisfying, and polished as Paradise. [Feb 2008, p.74]

I love this game, but I've eaten enough snow to have some gripes. It's too difficult to catch rails—miscalculate ever so slightly, and you'll wipe out hard, killing any combo and losing tons of turbo.

I can't recommend this game enough. [Nov 2002, p.300]

This is simply one of the finest, most beautiful, PC-style RPGs you can get. [May 2007, p.82]

So wholesomely original, so finely polished, so expertly crafted, that you can’t help but fall in love with it. [Jan 2002, p.227]

I was utterly addicted the moment I started playing Hitman 2. [Dec 2002, p.204]

Between the vastly improved Franchise mode and the peppy online play , there's no reason why football fans shouldn't be playing this for the next 364 freakin' days. [Oct 2002, p.184]

It's easily the best all-around basketball game on the market this year. [Dec 2002, p.250]

Find three friends to play with (you can play a limited four-player game with one cart), and you'll never want to put your DS down again.

Online play, a much-improved franchise mode, and the integration of the ESPN license dot the i's in an already great series. [Dec 2002, p.204]

It might not look too hot, but F-Zero X is one hell of a racer. [Jan 2004, p.189]

If you compare HH to the rest of this year's baseball crop, there's no contest:... High Heat triumphs by focusing squarely on gameplay. [Apr 2003, p.111]

The difficulty curve is perfect. Can't win a particular race? No problem. Take a practice run to look for shortcuts or shell out some prize money to upgrade your character, and you'll be right back on the road to snowboarding superstardom.

The technology works perfectly - spinning your GBA around feels utterly alien yet supremely fun. [Apr 2005, p.135]

It’s amazing that the now two-year-old engine is still kicking butt…Only if you don’t own a DC or a PS should you buy this. [Sept 2001, p.147]

From the unexpected-surprise department comes Rayman 2, an outstanding platformer. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Blows the doors off anything that came before it. [Nov 2002, p.283]

Features unparalleled depth in terms of character customization and on-field tactical arrangment. Plus, FFTA doesn't drown in its own complexity and impenetrable plot. [Oct 2003, p.166]

It's rare to find a racer that's so easy to pick up and play - and so immediately addictnig. It's not a serious sim, but you'll be too busy enjoying yourself to care. [July 2004, p.102]

Until the developers master the riddle of team A.I. (players here don't always respond properly in certain situations), work remains undone. Even so, this year's model is great.

Like most games with "Mario" in the title, it's good stuff. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Massively addictive gameplay. Intricate move sets, responsive control, and creative characters (all three newcomers are keepers) make SC3 a tough beast to put down, especially once you and your buddies graduate to high-level play.

Tweaks to gameplay, visuals, and controls make this action-packed sequel a winner. [Jan 2004, p.189]

A necessary part of any adventure gamer’s balanced breakfast…Masterful storytelling and superb graphics. [Sept 2001, p.144]

There is so much to Golden Sun that I can't help but fall head over heels for it. Every aspect of the game is soaked through with quality. [Jan 2002, p.233]

There has never been a computer opponent that is this cunning. It even plays smarter than most of my buddies, and perhaps more importantly, it doesn’t whine after a loss. [Dec 2001, p.250]

Top Spin's control is wonderfully simple... With an incredibly deep Career mode and online opponents, all that's missing from this glorious package is mixed doubles matches. [Dec 2003, p.228]