When it gets down to brass tacks, “Thunder” beats Heat to the finish line pretty handily as far as this year’s NASCAR video game crop is concerned. [Dec 2001, p.254]

It’s too bad there’s no way to work on defense other than getting pummeled by the CPU game after game. [Oct 2001, p.154]

As much as I adore the gameplay, the story is by far the best reason to take this case. [Apr 2008, p.81]

Cool characters and inventive locales also make a difference. [Nov 2002, p.283]

Cancel the carolers--this is the only entertainment you'll need at your holiday party.

Blast Works sure looks juvenile, but it's not a bad shooter--it's an enhanced version of "Tumiki Fighters", an indie PC game that uses "Katamari Damacy"-like mechanics. [June 2008, p.76]

These games just haven't aged as well as the Final Fantasy or Lunar series. [Feb 2002, p.168]

The varied missions -- 40 or so of them -- are a visceral blast, and even the simple waste-them-all-and-send-God-the-cleaning-bill slaughter sessions are wonderfully cathartic. [Feb 2003, p.152]

Facial animations and motion-captured movement create eerily lifelike boxers. You can even see real-time reflections in the sweat on the boxers' backs – creepy. [Apr 2002, p.143]

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]

The Xbox version has superior graphics, sound, and control; and the features unique to the Cube are unremarkable. Without multiplayer, Pandora goes from "must-buy" to "solid rental." [Sept 2004, p.108]

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

Honestly, I don't think I've ever had as much fun with RPG battles before. [Apr 2003, p.112]

Like these guys say, the standard Sonic action is easily the main draw, especially when it gets more challenging--and satisfying--toward the end. [Oct 2007, p.102]

Visually, Rise of a Ninja is one of the system's best-looking games. But from a game-design standpoint, it's less successful. [Holiday 2007, p.80]

Origins unfortunately also falls prey to the series' most notorious pitfall--crappy combat. [Dec 2007, p.128]

It's not the nice visuals that make NightFire worth playing - the amazing gameplay is the main draw. [Jan 2003, p.196]

My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending, a setup for this summer's sequel. DDS is a challenging ride with good gameplay and slick presentation. [May 2005, p.132]

Losing the NFL license is the best thing that ever happened to Blitz-it's finally the hardcore, over-the-top pigskin game Blitz is supposed to be.

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]

Frame's spooky atmosphere and subtle use of ambient noise and music build a sense of mounting terror that makes the actual enemy and cutscene scares all the more pants-wetting.

No other 2D fighter offers the same weirdly perfect blend of tight controls, intuitive moves, and lovable characters. [Sept 2004, p.105]

It may not be the best party version of Revolution, but this game fills a lot of individual Idol fantasies. [Feb. 2007, p.95]

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]

The sense of speed is incredible. [July 2002, p.122]

Suffers from a steep difficulty curve. Blame it on the excessive enemy quotient, the steep cost of healing, and the unwieldy inventory control. [Feb 2002, p.148]

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]

Multiplayer action shines - it's always a blast to vibrate your buddy's controller via the Taunt button after belting another pitch over the fences. Just don't expect "High Heat"-style complexity. [May 2003, p.113]

You don't really face any hard-to-kill adversaries until you're well into the 16 missions. [July 2002, p.126]

The good news about NCAA 2K2 is that it plays almost exactly like "NFL 2K1." [Nov 2001, p.216]

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.

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]

Just bring a magazine to read while the game loads. [Mar 2006, p.113]

And 2K7: time to innovate. More is not better at this point. [Oct. 2006, p.106]

Abbyss defaults to basic roleplaying conventions too often to be unique, but it's hard to hate this well-rounded, classic RPG. [Dec. 2006, p.142]

Once you get the hang of getting your troops in position to pull off huge combos, the game becomes surprisingly fun and addictive. [Nov 2003, p.176]

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]

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]

Just sucks this head-scratcher will probably get lost inside Mario's galaxy this winter. [Holiday 2007, p.67]

Gritty and unforgiving, Max will make your Game Boy bleed fun - if you can stand the pain. [Feb 2004, p.129]

A remake of the original RPG on Sega CD with a metric ton of bonus material.

Appearances can be deceiving, and if you can look pas DWVII’s vintage outer shell, you’ll find one of the deepest, most satisfying RPGs the PS1—or any other console, for that matter—has yet seen. [Dec 2001, p.260]

Diehards may call foul, but the looser grip on reality really ups the fun quotient. [Jan 2005, p.134]

Offers the kind of over-the-top, seesaw multiplayer experience that keeps you reminiscing long after the game concludes, but also has a deep, fun single-player experience, thanks in part to the new minigames. [Feb 2005, p.98]

The game's short length, infinite continues, and co-op mode make it an excellent rental for older folks, while kids will be happy to replay the levels to death and track down every last secret. [May 2005, p.125]

Great bosses, plenty of maneuvers, maybe a little short, but packed with quality fun. [Holiday 2004, p.100]

Unfortunately, beneath that striking detail, Shake It! plays exactly like Wario Land 4(GBA). [Nov 2008, p.68]

The tactical elements are simple and elegantly implemented, and despite being shockingly linear, it's a beautifully paced experience that provides some genuinely exciting battles. [May 2005, p.134]

The mission progression helps things gel, but the leaden controls and graphical sterility weigh down an otherwise decent action game. [August 2002, p.123]

If you can stay on your bike long enough to appreciate it, MGP2’s excellent weather effects and pervasive sense of speed will immerse you in its cutthroat reality. [Mar 2002, p.138]

Strategic RPG elements greatly augment play and have the added benefit of balancing out the game's more mindless moments. [Jan 2003, p.210]

While not as groundbreaking as its forerunner, Boktai 2 still innovates enough to warrant your attention. [Holiday 2004, p.140]

ESPN may lack the innovations and overall polish of "MVP," but it's otherwise a serious contender. [May 2004, p.90]]

Every room is like an Easter Egg hunt filled with surprises that’ll make you tingly all over. [Dec 2001, p.256]

Yes, you'll encounter a touch of the overly familiar sameness you get when you play any "Ridge Racer", but it's like slipping on a well-worn pair of jeans: It feels fine every time. [Jan. 2007, p.81]

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]

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

Anyone turned off by FIFA's deliberate pace and complex controls might find an approachable bopper here. [Mar 2003, p.126]

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

Crash for the GBA is what the PS2 game wanted to be. [April 2002, p.146]

If you’ve never played a Tony Hawk game, 2X is a tremendous value. [Dec 2001, p.252]

The game’s biggest sin, however, is its overall lack of play modes. [Jan 2002, p.228]

What gives Mirra the slight edge over its competition is the game’s modifier system that, at the press of a button, lets you tweak and customize nearly every trick in the game. [Feb 2002, p.164]

The thrill of the chase rarely gets more intense than when you're yelling Pac-Man's whereabouts to your two ghostly partners.

The first attempt to bring the Belmonts to 3D was, for its time, an excellent one. [Jan 2004, p.189]

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.

As with the previous MK installment, Midway again augments the core fighting action with binus modes. Unfortunately, they suck. Konquest mode, a rudimentary action-RPG, and Motor Kombat, a widly unfun kart racer, both look and feel like PS1 budget titlees. [Dec. 2006, p.140]

Offers the kind of over-the-top, seesaw multiplayer experience that keeps you reminiscing long after the game concludes, but also has a deep, fun single-player experience, thanks in part to the new minigames. [Feb 2005, p.98]

Still, like the original, it's highly enjoyable to exercise your noggin in quick spurts. [Sept 2007, p.98]

No, Revo's not bursting with originality or play options, but it's a solid racer that feels completely different from the competition. [Dec 2007, p.104]

I love the new minigames because you don't need grace or rhythm; they're all about just moving your feet as fast as possible, without the frustration of trying to stay on beat. [Nov 2004, p.143]

Flow? NHL 2005's skaters have no flow, 'cause they're always lying out on the ice from hit after hit - just like last year. I know hockey is a rough game, but c'mon, I like to control the puck for more than two seconds before picking up my teeth. [Oct 2004, p.99]

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

Tony, you are lookin' haggard. Even though I like American Wasteland's country-boy-in-the-city story line much better than last year's World Destruction Tour's, the annual sequels will drive this franchise into the ground if publisher Activision doesn't take a break, and soon.

Field Commander isn't bad. It just lacks "Advance Wars'" energy and verve, leaving you with a game in traditional military drag with solid but uncompelling gameplay.[June 2006, p.118]

Illogical puzzles, vague directions and objects almost impossible to spot against the backgrounds cause you to waste too much time wandering the same rooms again and again. [Sept 2001, p.147]

I love what this game offers - classic 3D platforming with a supercool mini-ninja dude. The problem is, I-Ninja doesn't offer a whole heckuva lot of it. You can blast through the entire game in a few sessions. [Dec 2003, p.192]

"OK, Bulbasaur, you're on the beach, you're happy...give me some frolic, Bulby!" [Jan 2004, p.189]

I welcome the Godfather into the GTA family, though I can't say it'll be running the place anytime soon. [May 2006, p.93]

A no-holds-barred shoot-a-thon that'll give its audience exactly what it wants - even more punishing robot chaos. [Dec 2004, p.164]

What saves CBJ from mediocrity is the fact that you can customize the bejeezus out of your vehicle, adding an extra layer of depth to an otherwise not-so-deep game. [Sept 2002, p.162]

Running from cover to cover, you'll need to master the art of popping out at just the right time to blow away the enemy. Unfortunately, Liberation seems unsure what to do with it, falling into a repeating loop of key hunts, escort missions, and increasingly impossible battles. Bummer. [Dec. 2006, p.156]

Still, I love how The Bigs has the bells and whistles without the SlugFest-style BS like punch-throwing or loop-de-loop curves. [Aug 2007, p.76]

At its core, Kelly just feels like a bare-bones version of "THPS" in the ocean. [Oct 2002, p.179]

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.

Forget Pat Benetar, I guess I only like this Battlefield--for its online play. [Jun 2006, p.109]

It's so-so styleless graphics fail to impress, and the whole thing's too short and easy. [Jan 2003, p.107]

The perfect late-night rental. [Feb 2003, p.147]

Admittedly, I would rather go through a season of the deep-pitching "MVP Baseball" or option-heavy "ESPN" over this, but if you don't ahve someone to play alongside you, SlugFest ain't a bad consolation. [Aug 2004, p.100]

The "GO-GO-TURBO Japanese cheerleaders on speed" mood and shallow, stupid puzzles are the sort of thing shut-in "Naruto" fans thrive on, but I found them irritating. Thankfully, it was short. [Feb 2006, p.108]

If you're looking for serious Blitz fun, get four friends together for multiplayer, as this is where the game really shines. [June 2002, p.120]

A short but sweet platformer that, unlike Kirby, definitely does not suck. [Jan 2004, p.189]

The story loses steam about two-thirds of the way through; solving puzzles, which are few and far between, requires little brainpower; and it's far to easy to survive your sentence with so much free ammo and health lying around. [May 2004, p.86]

Tony, you are lookin' haggard. Even though I like American Wasteland's country-boy-in-the-city story line much better than last year's World Destruction Tour's, the annual sequels will drive this franchise into the ground if publisher Activision doesn't take a break, and soon.

If Dark Alliance II were a creature in the "D&D Monster Manual," it'd be called the Yawnisian Mind Borer, and it would lure victims into repetitive dungeons, make them wander until they fell asleep, then swipe 50 gold from their wallets. [Feb 2004, p.111]

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]

The game's addictive job system makes plowing through the fun battles worthwhile. [Dec. 2006, p.152]

Music aside, SR2 made all the right tweaks to the original formula. [Jan 2002, p.220]