Even at those speeds, the heart-pounding moments are few and far between. [Nov 2001, p.206]

There hasn't been a more thrilling motocross game since Nintendo's "Excitebike 64." [August 2002, p.124]

So genuinely terrifying, you can't help but appreciate its incredible art direction. [Feb 2004, p.114]

For the first half of the game, varied missions keep the action interesting. After a dozen sorties, however, it get old, and all but the most patient pilots will want to pop the canopy. [Jan 2004, p.109]

Every orifice oozes Pokemon quality - everything but the flippers themselves have some kind of link to the Pokeverse. [Nov 2003, p.202]

Most hockey games serve up similarly snazzy visuals, tight control, and expansive options, but none of 'em focus on purely wild-and-fun gameplay like this. [Oct 2003, p.136]

This year's MX is certainly the most professional motocross game I've played - the physics are flawless and every race has nail-biter potential, even if you're dead last heading into the final lap. [Apr 2004, p.118]

Loads of awesome game types to play with your buds. [August 2002, p.136]

A competitive and addicting game that’s full of variety, pep, and personality. [Oct 2001, p.150]

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]

It’s like every aspect of 2D fighting history converging on a single screen, and it’s almost mind-boggling. [Dec 2001, p.236]

Dawn's unlockable goodies will give "Street Fighter" fans a surefire boost, but anyone simply looking for an evolution in Onimusha will leave feeling shortchanged. [Apr 2006, p.103]

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]

I haven't had any desire to catch 'em all for damn near five years now, but this remake lured me back into the critter-collecting biz. [Nov 2004, p.153]

The game is practically a carbon copy of the current-gen edition. Seriously, now I know why the words "Xbox 360" are scribbled on the score overlay--it's almost the only way to tell that you're playing a supposedly enhanced version of NBA 2K6.

I'm not sure what upsets me more: the horrendous mess that is Perfect Dark Zero's single-player game or all the glowing reviews out there (including Che's). Are these crazies playing the same game as me?

The gaping chasm between FIFA and "Winning Eleven" may now be a photo finish. [Dec 2004, p.156]

But, for as fresh as it seems, it also feels horrendously outdated in terms of story and characters. [Dec. 2006, p.128]

Ex affords you a kind of gameplay latitude I haven't seen from any other action shooter. [June 2002, p.110]

Despite the addition of execution moves and a recharging life guage, the series' renowned(and reviled) difficulty is left mostly unchanged. [Aug 2008, p.80]

The beautiful graphics and destructible environments (both upgraded from the last game) add to the ambience, but the single-player game disappoints with brevity (6-7 hours to beat) and a throw-away story that never sets the mood properly with its weak dialogue and characters. [Feb 2005, p.109]

Phoenix Wright latecomers risk confusion, but invested fans get a well-plotted conclusion to the trilogy--and that's what's important. [Dec 2007, p.126]

I haven't had any desire to catch 'em all for damn near five years now, but this remake lured me back into the critter-collecting biz. [Nov 2004, p.153]

For the first time ever, pitching is actually as much fun as htting, thanks to a strategic, realistic interface that perfectly balances risks and rewards. [May 2003, p.113]

The gaping chasm between FIFA and "Winning Eleven" may now be a photo finish. [Dec 2004, p.156]

Most hockey games serve up similarly snazzy visuals, tight control, and expansive options, but none of 'em focus on purely wild-and-fun gameplay like this. [Oct 2003, p.136]

Oh, and if you already own OutRun 2 on the Xbox, don't bother with this update. [Jun 2006, p.110]

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]

While MLB has the basics down pat, it lacks "2K5's" sublime ESPN presentation and "MVP's" addictive minigames. [May 2005, p.132]

It's still quite a good game--I just wonder why it feels like a step back from the previous trology. [Jan 2009, p.69]

The result is a game that casual racers can handle, while real F1 geeks can turn all the realism up to full and enjoy one of the most competent F1 sims this side of the PC. [Sept 2002, p.150]

DM2 has got to be the fastest-moving sports game on the planet. [Nov 2001, p.206]

In several aspects, this sequel out-classes its predecessor as a quality role-playing experience. [May 2002, p.115]

It feels less like a sequel and more like a remix of the original game. [June 2002, p.124]

Online, however, Thunder deserves a salute for its wide selection of match types and well-designed multiplayer maps - the burned-out bases and beachside cabanas make for great playgrounds. [Sept 2003, p.120]

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

It's just a shame the bosses don't reflect the creativity of the controls and level design - you'll face the same four foes, and as you progress, each one makes minimal alterations to its fighting style. [Apr 2005, p.134]

Playing solo does grow old, and a few of the minigames are more tedious than fun, but the solid gameplay will have you and some buds up till all hours of the morning to get in more more round. Good times. [Holiday 2004, p.140]

Frequent fliers of the Ace Combat series will feel like they've been on this flight before. [Dec 2007, p.122]

There's nothing in particular that demands to be played or can't be found elsewhere. [Jan 2005, p.136]

As an aesthetic showcase, SR2 triumphs, but the mediocre gameplay will only appeal to fans of the first game. [Jan 2002, p.218]

Once you catch on, using the stick feels fluid and natural – thus more immersive. [Apr 2002, p.141]

When I wasn't being mugged by the Bad Voice-Actors Brigade or rendered comatose by the game's tepid pace, I was struggling with the enormous chore of just moving around thanks to the clunky, imprecise, sub-"Resident Evil" controls. [Dec 2002, p.260]

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.

The strategy's here, as are some squint-inducing graphics; just be prepared for the long-term commitment. [Mar 2006, p.110]

As you'd expect, another year of learning the ins and outs of the 360 has translated into the developers producing a more polished brand of football. [Oct. 2006, p.107]

It remains worth it for all of the reasons that made the original Tactics so engrossing: Switching between different jobs, mastering new abilities from your gear, and recruiting and building your clan all remain as appealing as ever. [July 2008, p.82]

Hot Shots may be outlandish by design, but the golf proves true. Off the tee, out of the sand, the chipping, the putting...it's all pretty realistic, and ultimately that's what will keep you playing. [Oct 2004, p.108]

As anyone who's played "Darkstalkers" on the handheld can attest to, the PSP's stock D-pad simply isn't up to the task of a 2D fighting game with all its traditional "fireball" and "dragon punch" motions. [Mar 2006, p.113]

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 right up there with "Metal Gear Solid 2" as the best action the PS2 has to offer. Play it. [August 2002, p.126]

BO is literally one big blast after the other. Keep in mind, though, that the “Online” in BO is really what you make of it. [Dec 2001, p.260]

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]

With rock-solid gameplay and plenty of creeps, Bloodshot finds its soul by making your heart race. [Apr 2008, p.74]

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

If graphics and gameplay are more important to you than story, by all means dive in. [Holiday 2004, p.134]

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

Daunting as the setup might be, give Chronicles a chance and you'll likely get hooked. It's a simple, beautiful, and rewarding experience. [Mar 2004, p.124]

Anyway, 07 plays just fine, but once again this edition leaves you wanting (and expecting) much more. [Dec. 2006, p.132]

The other big addition to this year's Smackdown! is nearly lag-free online play, though playing only standard singles matches quickly grows boring. [Holiday 2004, p.122]

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

I say Prologue is a demo. [July 2008, p.80]

Does one thing really well: the Zen feeling of hitting a jump just right, catching the curve of the dirt like a stylus in a record groove. [Apr 2005, p.116]

Classic "Rondo" alone would be a great budget title for virgin Western audiences; adding a remake and "Symphony" turns this into a no-brainer. [Nov 2007, p.120]

This year's MX is certainly the most professional motocross game I've played - the physics are flawless and every race has nail-biter potential, even if you're dead last heading into the final lap. [Apr 2004, p.118]

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]

Take a self-guided tour of Little America - it's not every day you get to fly an autogyro. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Its top game speed, Lightning (yes, that's what they call it), keeps the action firing at an intense clip without sacrificing skater physics. In other words, it's slippery fast, but not in a cheesy, pretend way. [May 2002, p.114]

I find the core game to be a lot of thumb-flattening fun--it's just no "Top Spin 2." [Apr 2007, p.84]

I find the core game to be a lot of thumb-flattening fun--it's just no "Top Spin 2." [Apr 2007, p.84]

It's definitely not one for the squeamish. [Jan. 2007, p.64]

The A.I. is occasionally suspect, but getting a fun solo game in addition to the legendary multiplayer just helps round out the experience.

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.

The game's family-friendly, white-washed Teen rating siphons out a lot of the potentially gritty realism. [Dec 2002, p.236]

I've never seen a game with such intolerable loading times. [Oct 2003, p.142]

I defy anyone, whether they care about big monsters or not, to pick this game up and not experience two things. First, they'll develop rudimentary skills within about a minute or two of play, and second, they'll have an enormous amount of fun. [Feb 2003, p.142]

Plays just like Namco's previous two games, with deceptively difficult turns and a great sense of speed. [Apr 2003, p.116]

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]

Do you have the patience to work through the frequent shot frustration? If so, you'll enjoy the almost ridiculous amount of content shoehorned in here. [Oct 2007, p.91]

Create-a-Golfer is utterly underwhelming, and...simple shot challenges don't amount to exciting minigames. [Dec 2003, p.226]

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]

But, for as fresh as it seems, it also feels horrendously outdated in terms of story and characters. [Dec. 2006, p.128]

If you can get past the learning curve, you'll find a rich, deep RPG - by PSP standards. [Aug 2006, p.94]

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]

Once Bullet Time’s novelty wears off, you’re left with a repetitive shooter, blasting the same species of enemy over and over. [Feb 2002, p.158]

Even though it's easier than before to bail yourself out with Plan B and a submachine gun if you do get caught, the subtler assassinations are usually worth the trying and dying. [June 2004, p.90]

BA's batter/pitcher duel is one of the best on any system, making the game a blast to play.[May 2002, p.115]

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

Representing this summer's European tourney, UEFA impresses in many ways: shimmering presentation, engaging game modes, and tweaks to problems that hurt "FIFA 08". [June 2008, p.78]

The game rewards players that communicate and work together, but even if you go lone wolf and cause trouble with land mines, you're going to have a good time. Just don't be surprised when you dishonorably discharge all those old offline war games in your library.

With 64 levels, versus and co-op, and Retro-Evolved included, Galaxies has tons to love, even if the standard control's busted. [Holiday 2007, p.57]

I'm no fitness expert, but I don't see Wii Fit supplanting gymnasiums or aerobic instructors any time soon. Not that it's bad. [July 2008, p.76]

While the story line has fewer twists than a breadstick, the game is addictive because the balanced fighting engine keeps every battle interesting. [Apr 2003, p.114]

I've wanted to play an online Capcom fighter for a long time now, and CvS2 is more than I could've hoped for. Online play is surprisingly smooth. [Feb 2003, p.152]

"Quite challenging" is quite right. Casual freeriders should stay off these slopes: If you're not serious about nailing those sick-scoring combos, you won't get very far in this game. [Dec 2003, p.222]

Lives up to the name with its spot-on portrayal - from gameplay to atmosphere - of the intercollegiate hardwood. [Jan 2005, p.128]

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]