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]