From the annoying time management of the schedule-based career mode to the ho-hum training minigames, Smash Court feels like a less entertaining "Virtua Tennis" knock-off. [Aug 2007, p.84]

It's absolutely recommendable, but it ccould've been so much more. [Nov 2008, p.78]

They've added no-frills co-op and a second character but stayed within the comfortable confines of mindless action. [Dec. 2006, p.160]

The lame-o difficulty (the first game was probably too hard, but come on, I've played tougher "Rugrats" games) means that you'll blow through it in a night. [Mar 2003, p.114]

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 laughable plot, poor level design, wimpy sound effects and fluctuating difficulty. [Nov 2002, p.306]

It's fast, and it's pretty fun. It's just not particularly special. [July 2005, p.110]

Sure, I applaud Sega for attempting to transform the single-player experience into something meatier, but poor voice acting and clumsy storytelling lend the proceedings a cheesy B-movie vibe. [Jan. 2007, p.101]

So why couldn't I put it down? Simple: deep character-building options. [May 2005, p.91]

Wayward needs something to keep it interesting, like stronger melee weapons to discover or moves to learn. [Sept 2003, p.117]

Collectively, the infuriating missions and maddening difficulty swings prove to be overwhelming, sucking away what little fun there is. [Nov 2004, p.136]

It's a work in progress somehow on shelves, full of frustrating bugs; shooting for the stars, it lands well below its own lofty expectations. [Aug 2005, p.116]

Approach it clinically, and you'll dig Xtreme's versatile, well-designed skill and magic systems. [Nov 2002, p.283]

The cast moves around as though they were at the bottom of a swimming pool on Jupiter...these slumberous high-gravity physics weigh down an otherwise fine (though light on modes) game. [Apr 2002, p.145]

Problems from the first Raw carry over - matches plod on too long, and animations look unrealistic and robotic. Even diehard WWE fans should treat this as a rental. [Dec 2003, p.224]

I felt the magic before, but Rabbits! left me feeling a little heartbroken. [Apr 2006, p.105]

All quirky style with little substance, Overdose has you blasting through endless hordes of goons - although the real enemy is the camera and clunky controls. [Dec 2004, p.170]

Cooler character and enemy designs alone would have helped immensely. [June 2002, p.114]

As for enemy behavior, it's so embarrassingly bad at times, it's hard not to laugh. [Jan 2004, p.122]

KFC's humor is about as subtle as a punch to the groin, and not nearly as smart. [Apr 2003, p.128]

Frustrating or not, Shikigami isn't a bad shooter. [June 2008, p.78]

If you're determined to don cans and rock the boards, you'd be better off just buying the real thing. [Apr 2006, p.102]

It has a truly epic feel, buoyed by fantastic graphics and a rousing, orchestral soundtrack. Star Fox Assault succeeds where most games fail: It's simply exhilarating to play, despite its flaws. [March 2005, p.132]

Combat is where Blood Omen 2 really outshines previous games in the series. [June 2002, p.109]

In the end, K-1's pared-down approach is forgivable, but its bland execution is not. [Aug 2003, p.113]

Like any fighting game, though, it's only as good as its replay value, and GGX's is a little better than average. [August 2002, p.136]

What a letdown! I had high hopes for March Madness this year, but this one's all sizzle and very little steak. [Jan 2008, p.90]

If you want a meaty alchemic role-playing game, conjure up "Atelier Iris" instead.