Outside of the somewhat annoying need to replay missions over and over in order to move on in the game, Spy Hunter is totally solid. [Nov 2001, p.210]

Dicing up the undead with your oversized Ginsu knife is a helluva lot of fun (if you can live with the occasionally annoying camera angles). [Oct 2002, p.188]

By ironing out the wildly unfair difficulty spikes, cutting down on the dullsville between-mission backtracking, and offering kinder, more frequent mission midpoints, Jak 3 (unlike Jak II) succeeds at making you not want to snap it in half.

"Groovy," "trippy"...however you want to describe it, Extreme does right by the classic. [July 2008, p.84]

Nothing beats wondering weather something will work - can I possess that sniper in the watchtower, make him shoot the other sentries, then dive to his own death - and discovering that it does. [Aug 2004, p.102]

But fans of the last game will be glad to know that the levels, traps, and puzzles are once again masterpieces of design. [Jan 2005, p.126]

Although Namco's "Smash Court" plays similarly and boasts big names like Agassi, Sampras, and Kournikova, it is Sega's superior gameplay and mighty World Tour mode that win out in the end. [Sept 2002, p.152]

Even if the game is largely formulaic, Capcom still pulls it off better than anyone else out there. [Jan 2003, p.190]

Live gets the nod from me this season, partly 'cause of its extras, which include a three-point and surprisingly deep slam-dunk contest. [Bryan; Dec 2004, p.158]

All in all, this raccoon's game is still fun - no need to call Animal Control just yet. [Nov 2005, p.146]

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]

With smooth graphics, fast action, and intuitive controls, plus Xbox Live or network multiplayer matches, UC's easy to enjoy. [Jan 2003, p.85]

2K5 looks better, moves better, and controls more intuitively than EA's hoopster. [Dec 2004, p.158]

As deep as any RPG, but its focus on fast-paced gameplay makes it as visceral as the spazziest beat 'em up. [Jan 2003, p.194]

You'll find way more pimp than punk here. [Apr 2008, p.72]

What surprised me most, though, were the incredible, lush visuals. [Jan 2003, p.180]

This game gets no points for creativity whatsoever... That said, Murray is loads of fun and provides that twitchy instant gratification every well-implemented action-sports title should. [July 2003, p.108]

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

FIFA's Off-the-Ball control not only increases your offensive potency tenfold but also provides hardcore soccer studs with an added level of gameplay they've been beggin' for from the series. Plus, no other game of footie has such stellar graphics or electrifying stadium atmosphere. [Dec 2003, p.204]

Performance, of course, is more important than appearance, and Underground boasts better handling than any other arcade racer. It's also faster. [Jan 2004, p.118]

A better game than "THUG", and in turn is the most finely polished extreme-sports game ever released...However, the degree to which it improved doesn't match the jump seen from "Tony 4" to "THUG", something fans should know before taking the plunge. [Dec 2004, p.144]

For me, this is what I had hoped "MotorStorm" would have delivered. With the exception of online racing, Dirt delivers on much of what that game so sorely lacked. [Aug 2007, p.78

Quite possibly the best superhero game to date. A slow start soon gives way to "God of War" intensity that takes of and never looks back. [Sept 2005, p.108]

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]

The player models - especially the detailed faces - look amazing, right down to Allen Iverson's tats and Larry Bird's disturbingly tight shorts. [June 2004, p.92]

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.

What clever things Future Perfect does within its trek-across-the-time-continuum framework... It works in the only way it can: with a whole lot of humor. [April 2005, p.115]

It's a steep, steep difficulty curve...but extremely rewarding once you conquer it. [Aug 2007, p.84]

Performance, of course, is more important than appearance, and Underground boasts better handling than any other arcade racer. It's also faster. [Jan 2004, p.118]

Eliminating enemy forces and hoisting our country's colors high above Manhattan rooftops never feels repetitive... Sadly, Freedom Fighters is over too quickly, it's easily completed during a weekend sitting. [Oct 2003, p.131]

But fans of the last game will be glad to know that the levels, traps, and puzzles are once again masterpieces of design. [Jan 2005, p.126]

That the game's multiplayer co-op is integrated perfectly with the single-player campaign, allowing friends to jump right in and join at any point without any fuss, is just gravy. It's something I'd love to see other developers do more of. [Mar 2007, p.90]

Parity's finally come to Madden multiplayer, though - the new difficulty-balancing feature works great, and it allows me to finally play competitive games against better players. [Sept 2008, p.80]

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

Simplicity is bliss, and these puzzles are satisfying, but Picross requires patience of both the mental and physical variety. [Sept 2007, p.98]

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]

Despite the hour-long cinemas, it has more gameplay than most RPGs thanks to its deep battle system, tons of customizable stats, detailed minigames, and absorbing side quests. [Mar 2003, p.128]

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

May be old, but it's still one of the best puzzle games ever made. Thankfully, this handheld incarnation delivers a stunningly accurate port. [May 2003, p.136]

Even with these ill-advised changes, it's still one helluva game: Creative, unpredictable levels keep you on your toes, killer bosses pepper the levels, and impossibly good graphics erupt from your aging GBA.

A better game than "THUG", and in turn is the most finely polished extreme-sports game ever released...However, the degree to which it improved doesn't match the jump seen from "Tony 4" to "THUG", something fans should know before taking the plunge. [Dec 2004, p.144]

Core defines "great portable experience." [Apr 2008, p.86]

It's the innovative use of the right analog stick that seals the deal. [Dec 2002, p.212]

I'm all about bringing the embarrassment, insanity, and fun of karaoke bars into living rooms across our nation - this is a game that anyone can pick up and instantly enjoy. [Dec 2003, p.216]

Once you adapt to the slightly weird controls and learn to deal with the unpredictable enemy A.I., you'll find a good-looking game that does an excellent job of putting you in a hitman's shoes. [Aug 2003, p.121]

The adventure genre (hell, the industry in general) should take notes. If your mind's open, let this one in.

But fans of the last game will be glad to know that the levels, traps, and puzzles are once again masterpieces of design. [Jan 2005, p.126]

Sure, the game isn't a masterpiece, but until the PS3 raises its role-playing anchor, it'll at least help keep the PS2 afloat. [Feb. 2007, p.94]

With all of those unique traits, I wish there had been more ways to show off my little troopers. An "Animal Crossing"-style society and level of interaction would have been a perfect fit. [Oct 2005, p.124]

It may not be the only game to put the Wii Remote through its paces, but it's certainly the most interesting. [Feb. 2007, p.82]

For years I've been saying that the only significant problem with the Tiger games is the putting interface. So what did they do this year? They made putting harder by removing caddy tips and employing the same analog swing interface as tee shots.

A pocket adrenaline rush; it's the perfect complement to the more moderately paced Mario games already in your collection. [May 2003, p.136]

It's slow, it's difficult, it's unapologetically complicated...but it's also incredibly realistic, unique, and engrossing. [Jan 2003, p.204]

With all of those unique traits, I wish there had been more ways to show off my little troopers. An "Animal Crossing"-style society and level of interaction would have been a perfect fit. [Oct 2005, p.124]

A solid, fun racer, but its repetitive single-player events and limp four-player online multi (Xbox only) sap its power. [Jan 2006, p.120]

As an example of how to forge a modern action game for DS, Dragon Sword has no equal. [Apr 2008, p.80]

Rocket Slime is that rarest of breeds: a kid's game that completely rocks. [Oct. 2006, p.118]

Developer WayForward has delivered what Konami of Japan was largely too afraid to give us: a straight-up, balls-to-the-wall, classic-feeling Contra. [Holiday 2007, p.86]

The more you play, the more you realize just how much freedom you have... [yet t]here's something kind of sick about tending to a virtual character's toilet and hygiene needs while neglecting my own. [Feb 2003, p.140]

FFV Advance may seem the least of the trio, but don't be put off by its simple graphics or the fact that it's on the GBA--it's one of the series' best, and this is a better-than-perfect port. [Jan. 2007, p.111]

This is the fastest, best-handling F1 game since Bizarre Creations’ F1 ’97. [Feb 2002, p.168]

It's been a while since I played a game with such engaging, pure, and thrilling action, and on top of the excellent single-player game, there's a pretty cool co-op mode to nicely round out the package. [Apr 2004, p.114]

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]

While the A.I. could use some improvement (one guard spots you, and they all suddenly know where you are), it's the save system that totally knocks a point off for me. [June 2006, p.112]

The best part of all, though, is the story mode, which not only has a great create-a-fighter option, but also a surprisingly good story that almost flawlessly ties all aspects of the game together. [Nov 2004, p.132]

Fusion's control, graphics and tracks are so spot-on that once mastered, weaving through the curves at supersonic speeds becomes second-nature. [June 2002, p.112]

The highly acclaimed sequel to Namco's arcade-style flight sim. [Jan 2004, p.188]

Square's first entry in the strategy-RPG genre. Uneven, but a classic. [Jan 2004, p.188]

As with the last Battlefront, I still feel like I'm controlling cheap plastic toys rather than real soldiers, tanks, or spaceships. Everything looks and feels so insubstantial, with no tangible weight or physics.

With all of those unique traits, I wish there had been more ways to show off my little troopers. An "Animal Crossing"-style society and level of interaction would have been a perfect fit. [Oct 2005, p.124]

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

A surprisingly captivating little adventure. Its main selling point - the sun sensor - is one of the most original ideas to come along in years, although it's not always practical. [Oct 2003, p.164]

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 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]

It's fairly shocking that a game this fast works this well on a handheld system. [June 2005, p.108]

Take the time to savor Odin Sphere--they don't make too many like it anymore. [July 2007, p.92]

Easily a contender for sleeper hit of the year, providing an excellent mix of platform-style exploration and fast-paced, action-packed gunplay that manages to stay fresh and interesting throughout. [Dec 2003, p.199]

And on the eighth day, God created Mario Kart. He saw it, and it was good. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Pulse's career mode is perhaps its biggest achievement, with a progression system set up in grids that unlock as you go. [Mar 2008, p.84]

So while Legend may not innovate, it works, and I had a ball playing it. [May 2006, p.97]

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

Nintendo's interpretation of Namco's signature racer is surprisingly good. [Jan 2004, p.189]

The player models - especially the detailed faces - look amazing, right down to Allen Iverson's tats and Larry Bird's disturbingly tight shorts. [June 2004, p.92]

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]

Gameplay is instinctive, chaotic, and breathtaking. Unfortunately, the entire thing is still very linear, a bit too segmented, and repetitive. [May 2003, p.124]

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 most impressive element of the game, though, is Skull Island itself. Grand and gorgeous, the environments never repeat, and the adventure never slackens.

As accurate a port as one could hope for on GBA - the 3D engine runs smoothly, mimicking the look and feel of the GC game while maintaining its tight controls. [Feb 2003, p.158]

The most impressive element of the game, though, is Skull Island itself. Grand and gorgeous, the environments never repeat, and the adventure never slackens.

Whatever your skill level, good luck finishing the last three levels without unlimited credits. [Nov 2004, p.143]

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]

Keeping the "set" locations small allows for some impressive and immersive detail--throw in quality script and voice acting, and the whole experience is compelling enough (and very well paced) to transcend its brief playtime. [Aug 2007, p.74]

The same addictive Zelda-meets-Metal Gear gameplay returns here, and its satisfying mix of slashing, shooting, and roleplaying never disappoints. [Mar 2007, p.94]