Blood sports deep characters, an awesome premise, and an engaging story line that kept me playing long after the novelty of having swords for arms wore off. [Dec 2004, p.160]

Straight dumb, violent fun, regardless of how many times you've seen it before. [Jan 2002, p.233]

So even though Live is lookin' better, it could still use more time in the gym. [Nov 2007, p.103]

The new microphone-based minigames are more gimmicky than fun, and I hate passing the mic back and forth. It's still a fun party game. [Feb 2005, p.114]

The game sabotages things right from the start by sticking you with four of the most vapid, unlikable protagonists I've seen in my 20 years as an RPG fan. [Sept 2007, p.94]

The game doesn't require you to spend too much time leveling up and upgrading weapons(though you can certainly take your time with that)--it cuts right to the action. [Nov. 2006, p.133]

Get past all the computer jargon (your sniper rifle is amusingly called the "LOL" gun), and you have a pretty typical first-peson shooter. [Jan 2005, p.135]

The level design is straightforward and challenging (especially later stages) but relatively low on surprises. [Apr 2002, p.141]

For a game so short on looks and character, Black Kat is surprisingly engaging. [May 2002, p.109]

A great combination of frantic, Japanese guitar rock and wacky anime-inspired action. [Feb 2002, p.148]

XGRA isn't as impressive as "Extreme G 3" was when it first hit PS2 and Cube. The graphics look roughly the same, it plays similarly, and it has the same main drawback: not enough tracks. [Nov 2003, p.174]

A worthwhile game, but only if you appreciate the quirky and bizarre. [Dec 2002, p.228]

Though the fighting's great (even when it's on the slightly confusing four-player variety), I can't help but be disappointed by the rest. [June 2004, p.108]

Nope, this 3D fighter forces you to wrap your head (and hands) around a shockingly deep control system utilizing nearly every button on the Wii-mote and Nunchuck. [Dec. 2006, p.118]

It's all style and relentless action so over the top it makes "Doom" look like "Mary Kate and Ashley: Girls Night Out." [Oct 2002, p.179]

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

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]

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]

The sense of speed – especially with a built-up racer – is amazing, but it comes at a price: boring, repetitive textures. [Apr 2002, p.139]

It’s a refreshing change from the weirdness you’d find in a "PaRappa" or "Dance Dance Revolution." [Jan 2002, p.208]

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]

After playing Call of Duty 3, I wonder if maybe it isn't time for a break from WWII first-person shooters. [Jan. 2007, p.98]

A videogame can only live on "visceral" for so long before you're yawning, longing for better A.I., a more involved story, or...well, just about anything with more substance. [Apr 2006, p.94]

XGRA isn't as impressive as "Extreme G 3" was when it first hit PS2 and Cube. The graphics look roughly the same, it plays similarly, and it has the same main drawback: not enough tracks. [Nov 2003, p.174]

The core gameplay is essentially the same as last year's "Two Towers," though the graphics have been given a minor facelift and the stages are a bit more varied. [Dec 2003, p.236]

I'm stoked to continue to see improvement in this series, but it's a shame small problems (like lengthy load times) still pin SVR down. [Dec 2007, p.106]

Hysterical as Simpsons is, it's hard to appreciate the humor when you're busy fighting with an annoying camera and unreliable controls. [Dec 2007, p.108]

The boss battles, too, seem to borrow a page from the messy showdowns that spoiled "X2: Wolverine's Revenge." They're so infuriatingly cheap, you'll want to Hulk-smash your controller. [Aug 2003, p.120]