"Brain Age" is the type of game that makes you react; this is a game that makes you think--and even punishes trial and error (which I found out the hard way). [July 2007, p.96]

With its sumptuous visuals, intuitive problem solving, and affectionately crafted storyline, Ico is like a favorite bedtime story that bears listening to over and over again. [Nov 2001, p.208]

Joe's style is his substance. His story may amount to so much fluff, but the flimsy plot is only pretense for the near-perfect gameplay you'll find in this comic book come to life. [Nov 2003, p.192]

Somehow, developer Sonic Team managed to meld everything great about the previous PSOs (aesthetic beauty, and engaging online community, and the never-ending quest for better equipment) with a simple, addictive card game. [Apr 2004, p.128]

Enough creepiness to make Christopher Walken uncomfortable. [Jan 2004, p.189]

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

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

The game that would start a Mario-themed party-game revolution. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Success is 30 percent planning, 30 percent persistance, and about 80 percent luck--making for a challenging, infuriating, but deeply rewarding experience. [May 2008, p.89]

Grab three friends, then get ready for the best in multiplayer mayhem. [Jan 2004, p.189]

Put your high-priced cars on the line in this racing sequel. [Jan 2004, p.188]

It's not perfect, but it's refreshingly original. [May 2008, p. 88]

It's the puzzles that make the game so rewarding. They're tough, sure, and many are downright brilliant in design. Working Designs, as always, did an excellent job translating the dialogue and story, although, their trademark humor is toned down a bit. [Feb 1998]

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]

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

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

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

Combines the best of the first two games. [Oct 2001, p.156]

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]

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

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

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]

Everything's fun and exhilarating, but it never builds to more than the sum of its parts. Just keep your expectations in the right place, and you'll enjoy your time in the tropical sun. [Holiday 2007, p.76]

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

An enjoyable game that's always challenging but never frustrating. [June 2002, p.118]

Simply the best online racer yet. [Aug 2003, p.116]

Thanks to some intelligent tweaks, you'll now find a much better balance between offense and defense. It's not as easy to blow by a defender on the perimeter, but when you do, the adjusted A.I. compensates and another defender picks you up.

Exploring a massive, multilayered Zelda dungeon with three other people definitely ranks up there among the most satisfying multiplayer gaming experiences I've ever had - online or off. [July 2004, p.104]