But a lack of feedback to help you understand what caused an errant shot makes it more frustrating than fun to perfect your motion. [Feb. 2007, p.87]

The series' much ballyhooed new FielderCam is underwhelming - this behind-the-fielder view controls well enough, but it's virtually impossible to know the tragectory and speed of the ball, leaving you to rely on onscreen indicators. [May 2004, p.90]

As for Tiger's mechanics, arthritics beware. If my backswing was jittery, I swung before I intended to--which is frustrating, as the maddening result is a dink instead of a dive. [Apr 2007, p.83]

Electro-plankton might have been more engaging if it gave you goals, such as coming up with a certain number of notes in a given amount of time or having to replicate songs and riff on them. It should, at the very least, have allowed you to save your work; instead, your musical creations are fleeting and forgettable.

The difficulty won't have you curling up into the fetal position, rocking yourself to sleep, however -the game is engaging with all that strategy and, thankfully, plenty of save points.

It's pretty telling that it's a simple cash-in when the game is far better using last generation's controller. [Aug 2007, p.70]

Ravaged by age and running on obsolete technology, it's uglier than ever. Still, you can't call KOF incompetent - atrociously lazy and reluctant to change, but not incompetent. [Jan 2004, p.133]

Still, the cool battle system and character customization options keep it from reeking of cattle crap. [Oct 2007, p.100]

It's not going to change your life, but it will definitely make you smile. [Dec 2002, p.268]

If, like Milkman, you want the genuine Godzilla in a fighter, give DAMM a shot. If you'd rather have genuine fighting, stay far away. [May 2003, p.132]

The shallow but fun Live games put this prettier version of CW a few parsecs beyond its PS2 and Cube cousins. [June 2003, p.114]

Frankly, playing with the contents of Kirby's tummy will just have you hungry for something of more substance. [Jan. 2007, p.111]

Nanostray should come in a plain white box labeled VERTICAL SPACE SHOOTER--it's as generic as games come.

Get rid of the drama, though, and Burst Limit becomes a delight. [July 2008, p.78]

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]

Entertaining enough at first, but lacking any staying power. [Apr 2008, p.78]

Although ZF does a great job of sucking you into a world of squad-based heavy metal warfare, I can’t recommend it to anyone but hardcore Gundam fans. [Feb 2002, p.154]

Sure, the graphics, control and physics here are super-duper. It's just that the actual gameplay can get as repetitive as scrawling "I'm a stuntman!" a thousand times on a chalkboard. [August 2002, p.128]

Another cool feature is the adrenaline button, which lets you control the intensity of your special moves and dunks. [Mar 2002, p.140]

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

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]

With plenty of duets and no more story mode, this is the most party-friendly version yet. [Apr 2006, p.103]

As a car-combat game, it's passable but not exceptional. As a postacopalyptic "GTA" clone, it falls well short of the mark in terms of story, mission diversity, and replay value. [Nov 2003, p.171]

The gameplay is ironclad; however, a few presentation problems hold the title back. [Dec 2001, p.250]

Each stylish set piece is matched by two or three (or ten) ignoble deaths from cheap bosses or bottomless pits. [Apr 2003, p.128]

Many a "Sonic" fan will get a lot out of this. I just wanna see Sonic Team break some ground. Maybe next time. [Oct 2003, p.160]

As much as Demon Stone tried to suck me in with its impressive graphics and presentation, it pushed me away with rote gameplay and imbecilic A.I. [Dec 2004, p.148]

A bargain-bin throwaway dressed up like a million bucks. [Apr 2006, p.93]