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

Despite the wealth of eye-candy, the true brilliance behind the game is the sharp level design. [Sept 2001, p.141]

Only Psygnosis could bring a sci-fi flight sim to the consoles and make it fun. [Jan 2004, p.188]

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

If you were to lock a group of mad scientists in a room and force them to come up with a formula for a diabolically addictive platform game, chances are the result would play a lot like Up Your Arsenal. [Holiday 2004, p.123]

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]

Creepy, creative, and tenacious, the Cobra team outdoes even the wicked Foxhound squad from "MGS" in terms of flat-out coolness. The nerve-racking, ambitious duel against one boss, code-named The End, will likely go down as one of gaming's finest. So will the game itself. [Holiday 2004, p.110]

The dark humor knows just when to give you a good kick in the balls. And isn’t that what we’re really looking for in a video game? [Aug 2001, p.110]

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

Though they suffer a bit when things get hectic, the Wii-mote-enabled controls generally serve RE4 well: Aiming weapons, swiping your knife, and shaking off face-sucking nasties with real-world moves adds urgency to an already incredibly intense experience. [July 2007, p.82]

It's unlike anything else you've ever played, and so you may love it or you may hate it. Count me firmly in the "love" boat. [Nov 2005, p.142]

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]

Quicksilver pacing, white-knuckle tension, and spit-shined effects put Gaiden among the most remarkable action games ever made, but it's every bit as hardcore. [May 2004, p.104]

Everything included has been executed so ridiculously well that it's easy to forget this is a PSP game and think you're back swinging your blades on PS2. [Apr 2008, p.84]

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

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]

Fantastic game, but who can forget the terrible intro and dialogue? [Jan 2004, p.189]

[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]

Visually, it’s a dead heat between the GameCube and PS2 versions, but both look fantastic, so who cares? [Jan 2002, p.202]

All I know is that Aria of Sorrow is the best GBA title to date. [Shane; June 2003, p.116]

A sprawling, horrific 3D action game starring a guy with a very weak chin. [Jan 2004, p.188]

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]

The A.I. is even brainier than before (teams now put extra pressure on the goal when trailing and sit back with the ball when ahead), the shooting controls are less sensitive - a good thing - and the visuals are finally comparable to FIFA's.

Online Mario Kart has one fatal flaw--you'll have to accept that you aren't actually the world's greatest Kart player. And even if you are the world's greatest, you can't rub it in, what with no chat options.

If you like the racing games, and you like the Xbox Live, then buckle the f up. This is the best realistic (well, fairly realistic) racer since "Gran Turismo 3," and in many ways, it's even more fun. [Jan 2004, p.150]

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.

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

With its sumptuous visuals, intuitive problem solving, and affectionately crafted storyline, Ico is like a favorite bedtime story that bears listening to over and over again. [Nov 2001, p.208]

If you can overcome its fairly steep learning curve, occasional A.I. hicups, and periodic difficulty spikes, you will be floored by GRAW. It's truly a next-gen masterpiece. [Apr 2006, p.90]

Everything your typical RPG is not - fast-paced, action-oriented, colorful and lighthearted - yet it's the best game the genre has seen on the GBA. [Jan 2004, p.162]

While THUG offers some innovation, it remains fundamentally the same game...Fundamantally, Hawk hasn't evolved enough. [Jan 2004, p.112]

The amazing 3D actin game that made capturing monkeys popular again. [Jan 2004, p.188]

While tolerable at the time, should've been titled "Metal Gear Weak." Try again, sorry. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Exactly the sequel I'd hoped for... Scarily addictive - I found myself awake until the wee hours playing to unlock past NBA greats and upgrade my own player's attributes. [May 2003, p.118]

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]

Pure gaming bliss, offering precise and simple control over every action on the court. [Jan 2002, p.232]

ESPN's franchise mode is much improved, but I'm not entirely sold in its biggest addition, Weekly Prep, either. [Sept 2004, p.94]

By all rights, a "Zelda" game controlled entirely by stylus should be a disaster, but somehow Nintendo has performed a miracle. [Nov 2007, p.114]

Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]

You'll get plenty of quick-fun fixes from just free-skating around and linking tricks. [May 2002, p.115]

It's the expanded portfolio of vehicles and strategic subtleties and wealth of new commanding officer combos that really make this game sing... Result? Super-addictive strategy gaming. [Sept 2005, p.118]

Handily bests the Crash games in every way. [Jan 2002, p.210]

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]

The fast gameplay, ample strategy, and gorgeous graphics make it hopelessly addicting. [Sept 2001, p.144]

Burnout Revenge is hard to rate. On almost every level, it's superior to Burnout 3, yet it lacks the impact of that game, which had so many pieces come together to create arguably the best arcade-racing experience ever.

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]

Hardcore gamers will savor every beautiful moment of Orta, and they'll keep playing it religiously to unlock the vast trove of amazing secrets - hidden stages, riders, cinemas, and an entire separate game. [Feb 2003, p.157]

If you're a role-playing freak who hasn't given this series a shot, I'm comin' to take your nerd card. [Jan 2009, p.88]

It's like playing witih explosive-laden Tonka trucks, with no mess to clean up afterwards. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]

Nowadays, the game’s blocky, out-of-proportion players are showing their age. [Dec 2001, p.260]

Still, it's one of the few games that can overcome shaky fundamentals in light of an astonishingly engaging adventure. [May 2008, p.77]

I felt liberated by the lack of a time limit in the sequel's new cave system, and you WILL get addicted to collecting every beautifully rendered junk trinket in the game. [Oct 2004, p.112]

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]

Still, it's a solid end to the Prime trilogy. [Nov 2007, p.98]

The A.I. is even brainier than before (teams now put extra pressure on the goal when trailing and sit back with the ball when ahead), the shooting controls are less sensitive - a good thing - and the visuals are finally comparable to FIFA's.

This is, without a doubt, the best first-person shooter you'll find on the PS2. [Dec 2002, p.224]

A must for car-loving 360 owners. [Aug 2007, p.80]

Everything runs silky smooth, the PS2 pad actually seems to respond better than the GC controller, and except for the occasional bit of grainy graphics, this is a perfect replica of the original. [Oct 2004, p.106]

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

[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]

For the second consecutive year, it leaves the competition slack-jawed and two steps behind with its finesse game. Aside from being the best looking of the latest hockey titles, it's also the most realistic. [Oct 2003, p.138]

Teens in clam diggers save the world again. Doesn't have "FFVII's" rep, though. [Jan 2004, p.188]

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

What makes Duty so special is the A.I. Enemies make great use of cover; they charge when it's to their advantage and give up positions when they know they're beat; they actually seem to understand grenades, running from them or tossing them at the perfect spot to draw you out of hiding.

Burnout Revenge is hard to rate. On almost every level, it's superior to Burnout 3, yet it lacks the impact of that game, which had so many pieces come together to create arguably the best arcade-racing experience ever.

DQ8 is so freaking big that it's almost like the dandy RPG fan's answer to "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." [Dec 2005, p.154]

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]

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]

It takes sound football strategy and patience to be successful, so when you finally beat the game on All-Pro mode, you know you’ve accomplished something big. [Feb 2002, p.164]

As unique as it is captivating with great controls (outside of a small problem with bomb-carrying Pikmin) making it all possible. [Jan 2002, p.200]

It's playing solo that puts this one over the top. Creating a custom hoopster and earning respect never feels repetitive. [March 2005, p.116]

Fable II is the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for folks who hated(and liked, too)the latter. [Dec 2008, p.80]

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

Nothing on the Legacy of Kain scale, but compared to the SNES carts it’s like a mosquito that won’t leave you alone. [Aug 2001, p.112]

L4D is one zombie apocalypse I completely and utterly embrace. [Jan 2009, p.84]

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]

Blocky 3D brawler borrowed from "Virtua Fighter" to bring grade-A whoop ass to Sony's console. [Jan 2004, p.189]

What really makes this trek through mythological ancient China stand out from the rest of the RPG pack is indeed the combat. BioWare has freed itself from the shackles of turn-based battles to produce an ingenious real-time fighting system that involves as much strategy as it does quick reflexes.

While THUG offers some innovation, it remains fundamentally the same game...Fundamantally, Hawk hasn't evolved enough. [Jan 2004, p.112]

If you're not a hardcore fan of the genre, GX will fast make you furious. The game's punishing difficulty will push many gamers past single-digit exclamations and into an extended rant of DEFCON 1-level profanity... But a lot of you are looking for an ultradifficult racing challenge. Here it is. [Oct 2003, p.158]

It's playing solo that puts this one over the top. Creating a custom hoopster and earning respect never feels repetitive. [March 2005, p.116]

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

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 frame rate has also been improved upon over NHL 2002 on the PS2, and runs as smooth as Michael Jordan’s newly shaved head.

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]

You know a soccer title is doing it right when a match can end in a scoreless tie and you've had as much fun as when you've lit up the scoreboard. And this is in large part due to WE9's A.I., which plays such a smart brand of footy that it continually keeps you on your toes.

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]

The excellent stealth gameplay, tangible sense of danger, and believable scenario (take that, "MGS2") render this a must-play experience. [May 2003, p.120]

After the novelty wars off, the gameplay can get monotonous. [Feb 2002, p.166]

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]

Aside from offering a deeper, feature-heavy dynasty mode (now complete with minor league squads), 2004 revolutionizes the art of videogame batting muich like 2003 did with pitching. [Apr 2004, p.117]

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

Sonic’s only real problem is the god-awful camera control. [Sept 2001, p.146]

It's a fun, beautiful, and intense alien-zombie game wrapped around a mediocre sci-fi horror center. [Dec 2008, p.70]

Get FES no matter how familiar you are with "Persona 3". [June 2008, p.86]

Better than before, this sequel lets you take on Umbrella as Leon or Claire. [Jan 2004, p.189]

WSB2K3's lifelike player models, fluid animations, and countless customization options help it stand out among this year's crop of baseball games. [Apr 2003, p.132]