What really launches Monkey Ball into the stratosphere is the multiplayer. [Oct 2002, p.194]

This measured, almost plodding gameplay ups the tension and works well in campaign mode, but the faster-paced chaos of multiplayer only heightens your awareness of the innately awkward controls. Multi's a bit short on maps and modes, too.

This is as close as a console RPG has come to pen-and-paper games like "D&D": deep, non-linear and H-U-G-E, with more characters, towns and dungeons than you can imagine. [August 2002, p.134]

And I thought "Circle of the Moon" was good. HoD out classes it (and every other GBA game to date). Konami condensed everything that's so great about "Symphony" into a hand-held game. [Oct 2002, p.206]

Just a prettier version of the last game, "DOA2: Hardcore." [Jan 2002, p.223]

These new free-roaming, carjacking Haven City segments are both Jak II's triumph and biggest failing. They're a triumph because they add variety and give you some control over what you tackle next, yet they fail because they're punch-you-in-the-gut difficult. [Nov 2003, p.182]

Features unparalleled depth in terms of character customization and on-field tactical arrangment. Plus, FFTA doesn't drown in its own complexity and impenetrable plot. [Oct 2003, p.166]

Thankfully, EA has addressed my biggest complaint with last year's addition of NCAA: the visuals. Everything has been touched up. [Aug 2005, p.111]

Minor complaints, though--this is the most creative and entertaining music game this side of "Guitar Hero". [Dec. 2006, p.151]

Mixing Walt Disney's colorful whimsy, the industrial distopias of French cinematographers Jeunet and Carot ("City of Lost Children"), and "Zelda" mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto's genius for flexible gameplay, BG&E is mesmerizing, ominous, and, most of all, memorable. [Dec 2003, p.200]

Seriously, random villagers in this game have more character than major players in other RPGs, and certain moments are literally laugh-out-loud funny. [Dec 2004, p.168]

Pure, exhilarating glee will envelop your soul, demanding that you keep playing "just one more game" into the wee hours of the morning. It's that good. [Dec 2003, p.230]

A huge selection of new minimissions allows for more time playing as famed series stud Solid Snake, and they further exploit "MGS2"'s strongest suit: the gameplay. [Apr 2003, p.111]

An unapologetic, balls-out sim that requires a serious time investment from the player. [May 2002, p.114]

A beautiful game...The problem, though, is that Smilebit is guilty of design overkill, and it negatively affects the overall experience. [Apr 2002, p.142]

It's amazing how well Bully nails a huge assortment of activities. Everything, from midway games to English class, is fun. [Dec. 2006, p.146]

This new portable Metal Gear installment finally gives us the tactical espionage action we expect from an MGS title...and a whole lot more. [Feb. 2007, p.98]

The great A.I. and lightning-fast game speed pulls off an uncommon balance of realistic football with an arcade edge. [Mar 2002, p.144]

In direct contrast to "Steel Battalion," MechAssault is flashy, fast, and instantly gratifying. [Jan 2003, p.198]

Sounds stupid, I know. But once you start playing, you won't be able to stop. [Oct 2002, p.196]

The new alternate story and head-to-head multiplayer make it even more compelling than the PS2 original. [Dec 2007, p.128]

Mixing Walt Disney's colorful whimsy, the industrial distopias of French cinematographers Jeunet and Carot ("City of Lost Children"), and "Zelda" mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto's genius for flexible gameplay, BG&E is mesmerizing, ominous, and, most of all, memorable. [Dec 2003, p.200]

There are some potholes - the graphics get choppy at times, and the retail-car challenges seem tacked on - but the sheer variety is something that even non-NASCAR fans will find addictive. [Oct 2004, p.98]

It's easily the best all-around basketball game on the market this year. [Dec 2002, p.250]

All the added VR missions take advantage of the game's biggest strengths (gameplay) and cut out its one real weakness (silly story line). [Jan 2003, p.200]

The hardcore MVP player will dig getting a read on the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand. Maybe 2K Games can steal this feature next season - EA surely won't need it. [April 2005, p.112]

May just be the best party game ever made. [Dec 2001, p.254]

Single-player's certainly the game's weakness, but the multiplayer excelence more than makes up for it. [Jan 2009, p.81]