This may not be an innovative title, but it's an excellent example of developers really nailing a game's design and clearly shows what separates the experts from the amateurs.

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]

Unfortunately, it feels a bit dull after performing your 50th 200-hit combo. [Nov 2005, p.146]

But between the high frustration factor and the frequent need to crisscross the large city (some kind of warp option would be nice), I feel Rush tries a little too hard to turn me off.

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

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.

A frenzied student section, suffocating full-court presses, Dickie V. shouting about God knows what - that's college basketball, all right. And it's exactly what you can expect from EA's university hardwood. [Nov 2005, p.131]

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]

It's unbelievable how a game that's so addictive and enjoyable on the big consoles can lose so much in its transition to portability. [Dec 2005, p.174]

Now, if they could just manage decent graphics-the game slides dangerously close to PS1 territory at times-ditch the freakish characters, and pen a halfdecent tale to go with the gameplay, SaGa could finally become a series worth paying attention to.

But between the high frustration factor and the frequent need to crisscross the large city (some kind of warp option would be nice), I feel Rush tries a little too hard to turn me off.

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.

A frenzied student section, suffocating full-court presses, Dickie V. shouting about God knows what - that's college basketball, all right. And it's exactly what you can expect from EA's university hardwood. [Nov 2005, p.131]

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 "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]

This is a thinking man's game; jump out and rush like Rambo and not even a pair of well-oiled pecs will save you.

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

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

You'll have to complete a few too many fetch quests, and listening to the in-game tunes is about as pleasant as Sandshrew's nails on a chalkboard. Even so, if you haven't spent quality time with Pikachu for a while, Gale is a good series re-entry point.

Once you've figured out how to keep your gal alive on her own and she gains gourmet-cooking prowess, life becomes a beach. [Nov 2005, p.162]

Slow to start and quick to finish, Trace holds your attention by the thinnest of strings: a deire to fill the blank pages of the story. [Oct 2005, p.122]

When its fundamentals are botched this badly, not even Dragon Song's semidecent story can save it. [Nov 2005, p.162]

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]

A gory good time. And that's really all that matters.

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

The camera doesn't swing around fast enough after a change of possession, causing some turnovers and missed fast-break opportunities. Plus, the dynasty mode, slam-dunk contest, and three-point shoot-out have all basically gone untouched.

I'm a hardcore basketball fan, so 2K6 had me immersed immediately. The upgraded graphics help, but it's the ingenious shot stick that really dominates the feel of the game.

A gory good time. And that's really all that matters.

The camera doesn't swing around fast enough after a change of possession, causing some turnovers and missed fast-break opportunities. Plus, the dynasty mode, slam-dunk contest, and three-point shoot-out have all basically gone untouched.

I'm a hardcore basketball fan, so 2K6 had me immersed immediately. The upgraded graphics help, but it's the ingenious shot stick that really dominates the feel of the game.

The camera doesn't swing around fast enough after a change of possession, causing some turnovers and missed fast-break opportunities. Plus, the dynasty mode, slam-dunk contest, and three-point shoot-out have all basically gone untouched.

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

Faceless-cyborg-smashing melee battles are repetitive, uninspired, and glitchy. And with each story line presented in a series of minimissions averaging 3 to 4 minutes apiece, you spend a lot of your time switching characters and saving and loading instead of just playing the darn game.

The only disappointment here, besides the frustrating new co-op mode (trying to coordinate movement just adds another layer and slows the game down), is how little has changed. [Nov 2005, p.144]

A solid smash-em-up. [Nov 2005, p.145]

On the field, 06 mostly nails the Madden feel. [Nov 2005, p.156]

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.

Faceless-cyborg-smashing melee battles are repetitive, uninspired, and glitchy. And with each story line presented in a series of minimissions averaging 3 to 4 minutes apiece, you spend a lot of your time switching characters and saving and loading instead of just playing the darn game.

The meltdown that results when too many characters join the fray and the camera freaks out often renders the game unplayable. [Nov 2005, p.150]

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

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.

Faceless-cyborg-smashing melee battles are repetitive, uninspired, and glitchy. And with each story line presented in a series of minimissions averaging 3 to 4 minutes apiece, you spend a lot of your time switching characters and saving and loading instead of just playing the darn game. [Nov 2005, p.138]

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.

Control is a bit janky, maknig cheap deaths easy. The camera also tends to obscure things. [Oct 2005, p.120]

It's real-time-strategy warfare made simple, complex, and messy, all at the same time. [Nov 2005, p.152]

Were it not for the sometimes-unclear objectives (coupled with a tough-to-follow map); puzzles that almost always involve throwing an enemy into a wall, spikes, and the like; and some minor annoyances, this one would be award worthy.

Were it not for the sometimes-unclear objectives (coupled with a tough-to-follow map); puzzles that almost always involve throwing an enemy into a wall, spikes, and the like; and some minor annoyances, this one would be award worthy.

What once seemed so charming and fresh comes across as competent but stale from othe crypt. [Oct 2005, p.120]

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.

The best has to be Ash's undead sidekick Sam (never mind Crispin and Jon D.), since he serves to break up the monotony of the combat (you use him to solve puzzles) and gives Bruce Campbell someone to play off of for one-liners.

There's no sense of progression, only a sickening sense of tedium as you're dropped into the next box of a level and take on another too easy minion, too tough boss, and the too bewildering camera.

The thing that really impresses me about Legends is the way the developers managed to translate the breakneck pace of "Burnout 3" to a handheld. [Nov 2005, p.154]

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.

The best has to be Ash's undead sidekick Sam (never mind Crispin and Jon D.), since he serves to break up the monotony of the combat (you use him to solve puzzles) and gives Bruce Campbell someone to play off of for one-liners.

If Dr. Frankenstein made a game, he'd probably patch together something like this self-proclaimed puzzle/platform/driving/actioner. [Oct 2005, p.122]

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]

I like that in 06's franchise mode each NHL team has its own objectives - be the Wings and anything short of Canada's Holy Grail is a disappointment. [Oct 2005, p.114]

Unfortunately, the game takes way too long to come together. The result is slightly reminiscent of "Fable" and "Suikoden"--and too disjointed.

I like that in 06's franchise mode each NHL team has its own objectives - be the Wings and anything short of Canada's Holy Grail is a disappointment. [Oct 2005, p.114]

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]

I like that in 06's franchise mode each NHL team has its own objectives - be the Wings and anything short of Canada's Holy Grail is a disappointment. [Oct 2005, p.114]

Team chemistry and prestige are just as important as your personal points standing in NASCAR 06, which makes the whole experience much deeper. [Oct 2005, p.113]

MotoGP re-creates the fast, dangerous world of bike racing better than any other game out there, with stop-on physics and a control scheme that's both newbie friendly and deep enough for the grizzled two-wheel veteran all at the same time. [Oct 2005, p.117]

Team chemistry and prestige are just as important as your personal points standing in NASCAR 06, which makes the whole experience much deeper. [Oct 2005, p.113]

The lack of a season mode or player development helps make this the perfect Friday night pick-up before (or after) hitting the town. [Oct 2005, p.118]

Slightly better than last year's game, but it's still nothing special. [Oct 2005, p.119]

If only the Eskimos had 144 words for "tasteless" in their language, I would totally learn Inuit just to describe 187. As a game, I give 187 a 40, but as a product, my score is a negative f*** you. [Oct 2005, p.115]

If only the Eskimos had 144 words for "tasteless" in their language, I would totally learn Inuit just to describe 187. As a game, I give 187 a 40, but as a product, my score is a negative f*** you. [Oct 2005, p.115]

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]

Bland gameplay, however, stifles what inspiration there is. The fighting action is fundamentally underwhelming, and a poor camera and constant loading further handcuff things.

I won't be playing this one for hours on end, but it's easily the best classics compilation ever put together. [Oct 2005, p.121]

I found myself playing the game simply because I had nothing better to do, not because I was particularly into it. [Sept 2005, p.119]

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]

Bland gameplay, however, stifles what inspiration there is. The fighting action is fundamentally underwhelming, and a poor camera and constant loading further handcuff things.

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

Playing good or evil has little effect on the loopy story; although the game kept me entertained, I didn't feel the need to replay for the alternate ending.

Almost all the games here are interesting, challenging, and enjoyable. [Sept 2005, p.110]

With the bland levels, generic PS1-era platform gameplay, and cheap enemies, you shouldn't bother. [Sept 2005, p.116]

Playing good or evil has little effect on the loopy story; although the game kept me entertained, I didn't feel the need to replay for the alternate ending.

A woefully uneven mix, but one that true Sonic fans will probably still want to own just for "Sonic CD," aka the best Sonic game ever. [Sept 2005, p.115]

A sloppy mess of nonsensical plot points, dumb puzzles (which often boil down to trial-and-error guessing), and yet more bland blasting sections toward the end of the game, when this whole ghost train really derails. [Sept 2005, p.114]

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.

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.

Quotation forthcoming. [Sept 2005]

It all feels so, well, irrelevant--pushing around a bunch of tiny characters and dealing with their assorted toys provides loads of intellectual satisfaction, but I found it hard to make a real connection.

I give a bloodthirsty thumbs-down to Colosseum's frustratingly clumsy combat - and blame the slow-to-respond controls that make both dodging and striking needlessly difficult. [Aug 2005, p.113]

Nanostray should come in a plain white box labeled VERTICAL SPACE SHOOTER--it's as generic as games come.

When a racing game's gimmick relies on un-seat-belted drivers forcibly ejected through windshields during crashes, you know you're in trouble. [Aug 2005, p.110]

If you want a meaty alchemic role-playing game, conjure up "Atelier Iris" instead.

When a racing game's gimmick relies on un-seat-belted drivers forcibly ejected through windshields during crashes, you know you're in trouble. [Aug 2005, p.110]

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]

Eventually, my impatience with the same little games set in like seasickness, but the quests and fleet of ships and play-as-dastardly-as-you-dare piracy kept me from hopping overboard.

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]

It's hard to recommend picking up Killer7, even as a curious experiment or artistic statement, when so much of the actual gameplay screams to put it down. [Aug 2005, p.108]