There are a ton of extras to open up and a load of different modes to play, adding a lot of replay value that the original lacked. [Feb 2003, p.135]

The realistic weapons and possibility of one-shot deaths give it a visceral excitement other shooters lack. [Oct 2002, p.186]

Easily the best Mega Man game to come along in ages, and arguably the most challenging of them all. [Sept 2002, p.162]

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]

It's sad that two years after SOCOM II, the A.I. has improved so little. Ditto for the graphics.

Gives the series the injection of fun it sorely needed. Updated graphics are only the beginning. The other tweaks, like the ability to see your highest grade for all three difficulties on a song at once, sneak up on you, but they make so much sense you wonder why it took this long for them to be implemented.

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]

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

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.

Despite recycled levels, repetitive enemies, chaotic combat, and unbalanced characters, just controlling four X-Men and using their powers is usually enough to make up for Legends' flaws. [Holiday 2004, p.100]

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

It borrows from the best of Sony's series, but its own unique GT mode, aggressive A.I. and simplified upgrade system make SGT feel like a very different game. [Oct 2002, p.202]

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]

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]

I've never played a movie-based game that stays so true to its source material. [Feb 2003, p.147]

It’s hard not to love CT2, but it’s harder to like it as much as the original. [Aug 2001, p.111]

The action is all the more overwhelming spread across both screens of the DS, requiring sharp changes in focus from screen to screen as Sonic sprints a one-minute mile.

Thief's visuals are so nearly pitch black that it's easy to get lost in the shadows, making mapping out new environments a plodding process. [Aug 2004, p.108]

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]

This is an RPG anyone can get behind, with depths to plumb that I simply don't have space to mention. Give it a shot. [Nov 2005, p.143]

2K5's fielding - which was well balanced last year - has become too slick. It still feels great and moves fast, but unless you adjust some of the gameplay sliders, expect plenty of web gems - to many to be realistic. [April 2005, p.113]

What makes this game such a wonderful and hellacious journey into the heart of warfare is its ability to let chaos reign. [May 2005, p.122]

Online is a blast, but I think the new targeting system limits its long-term value; while the automatic lock-on keeps aiming smooth in the solo campaign, in multiplayer it removes two of the series' most enjoyable aspects: precision shooting and the use of camouflage.

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]

Nocturne is flat-out stunning - to my mind, it's one of the most distinctive-looking games of the generation. [Dec 2004, p.161]

The game's overall length and number of hidden surprises is downright daunting, yet the story is so paper-thin, the series still lacks the impetus necessary to motivate casual racers through nearly 50 hours of gameplay. [Holiday 2004, p.96]

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]

This sequel feels like the original game on expert mode - and that's a good thing. [July 2008, p.81]

In terms of atmosphere, no other college basketball game captures the sights and sounds of a university arena quite like this.

I still wholly recommend "NBA 2K3," but Live looks like it's back on the upswing. [Dec 2002, p.258]

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]

While the on-field action feels sluggish and unresponsive at first, you soon learn to work with the pace of the game and play it like you would the sport, rather than just the videogame. [Nov 2007, p.107]

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 basic hack-'n'-slash game, albeit a really good one. [Jan 2003, p.174]

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

Still, Saints 2 evolves the genre with its character creator and the ability to play the entire game cooperatively online. [Dec 2008, p.74]

It's a truly beautiful game, too, spanning from the lush forest of Ewok-infested Endor the to the Tatooine desert (complete with hostile Tusken Raiders.) And it's just plain cool to see Darth Vader walking around kicking ass. [Nov 2004, p.124]

Two-player is so much fun it makes MAX2 a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a shallow but thrilling party diversion. And Workout mode is a blast if you're at all concerned with weight loss. [Nov 2003, p.185]

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.

Finally, we've got a 360 Tony Hawk game that looks like a 360 game. [Jan. 2007, p.97]

Totally addictive and innovative, and embarrassing to play in public, to boot! (Everything I like in a game.) [March 2005, p.133]

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]

This is, hands down, the best game for oval-track racing fans. [Sept 2001, p.145]

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]

In terms of atmosphere, no other college basketball game captures the sights and sounds of a university arena quite like this. [Jan 2004, p.116]

For wannabe thugs in upper-middle-class houses countrywide, Saints Row will seem like a sleek glock from the gods. [Oct. 2006, p.104]

Still, the core single-player experience is as addictive and elegant as ever. [Dec. 2006, p.158]

The puzzles provide an awesome balance of manual dexterity and mental prowess, and the game's pacing is spot on. [Mar 2006, p.116]

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.

This mind-boggling sequel to cult hits "Disgaea" and "La Pucelle: Tactics" is easily the most overwhelming game I've ever played, with almost infinite aspects to consider. [Oct 2004, p.108]

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

Still, Saints 2 evolves the genre with its character creator and the ability to play the entire game cooperatively online. [Dec 2008, p.74]

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

It's monotonous, mundane, and frightfully addictive - just the way I like 'em. [Jan 2004, p.132]

Newcomers should stay away ("I can't duck? or shoot up?!"), but for those of us who grew up with Capcom's blue bomber, 30 bucks for this high-quality collection of old-school favorties is a steal. [Aug 2004, p.101]

Sure, these chaotic stages look amazing, but annoying mission objectives erode a big chunk of the fun. [Dec 2002, p.252]

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]

Two necessary fixes, EA: 08 needs more online options, and let my QB get some air under the ball. Otherwise, this is brilliant. [Sept 2007, p.87]

With gorgeous visuals, a lush and sometimes haunting soundtrack, and the ability to download new powers, Dust is a brilliant counterpoint to the shooter-heavy Xbox Live lineup. [March 2005, p.129]

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]

2K5's fielding - which was well balanced last year - has become too slick. It still feels great and moves fast, but unless you adjust some of the gameplay sliders, expect plenty of web gems - to many to be realistic. [April 2005, p.113]

Forget about doing this game with the CPU. Grab a friend and play this disc the way it’s meant to be played. [Oct 2001, p.146]

The detailed plot adds an interesting twist to the genre, but honestly, all the talking gets a little old after a while, especially since the main character's usually just whining. [Feb 2003, p.135]

The new on-the-fly weapon-selection system helps me overlook TC3's inherent brevity and outdated graphics. [Nov 2003, p.187]

Street perfectly blends the arcadey feel of old-school "NFL Blitz" games with "NBA Street's" flamboyant antics. [March 2004, p.112]

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

Like any good golf game, amidst all the cartoony graphics, silly sound bites, and tropical-themed songs, somehow it makes you feel like you're a real golfer. [Oct 2003, p.162]

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 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]

The most impressive element of the game, though, is Skull Island itself. Grand and gorgeous, the environments never repeat, and the adventure never slackens. [Jan 2006, p.116]

Newcomers should stay away ("I can't duck? or shoot up?!"), but for those of us who grew up with Capcom's blue bomber, 30 bucks for this high-quality collection of old-school favorties is a steal. [Aug 2004, p.101]

It's monotonous, mundane, and frightfully addictive - just the way I like 'em. [Jan 2004, p.132]

Far deeper than most first-person shooters...A game that makes great use of its license. [Dec 2002, p.270]

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.

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

When it comes to creating an accurate table tennis simulation, Rockstar aced it. [July 2006, p.89]

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

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

Slicing through goblins and Amazon elf gals while controlling multiple armies may sound hopelessly complicated on paper, but the brilliant control scheme keeps you from feeling lost. [Nov 2004, p.150]

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 monotonous, mundane, and frightfully addictive - just the way I like 'em. [Jan 2004, p.132]

Still, even with the new levels, simpler event progression, and slightly upgraded graphics, this feels too much like my last SSX winter getaway. Next season, I want to go somewhere new and exciting.

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

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]

Finishing the game takes just a few hours, and after you're done, there's little incentive to play again... Still great fun and better than most platformers out there. [Jan 2003, p.210]

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]

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

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]