The games controls are clunky, the camera is spazzy, and the action stutters like crazy. [May 2003, p.41]

Even the addition of crazy new Social moves like Break Dance and Booty Tease make interactions with other Sims much more fun than they were in previous titles.

Even the addition of crazy new Social moves like Break Dance and Booty Tease make interactions with other Sims much more fun than they were in previous titles.

Pretty repetitive for the most part, and camera issues crop up all over the place...There's also little challenge, except when time limits are placed on missions. [Oct 2003, p.49]

Even the addition of crazy new Social moves like Break Dance and Booty Tease make interactions with other Sims much more fun than they were in previous titles. [Jan 2003, p.48]

The game actually generates emotions: fear of the unknown, an impending sense of dread, and utter confusion due to the mind-bending plot. [Jan 2004, p.56]

The on-track action can only be described as skatey, as your tires never seem to grip the road. With a bit of practice, you can compensate for this, but the game just never feels right because of it.

SNK creates quirky, memorable characters with interesting moves, and KOF 2001 in particular showcases a huge number of these. [Jan 2004, p.58]

The on-track action can only be described as skatey, as your tires never seem to grip the road. With a bit of practice, you can compensate for this, but the game just never feels right because of it.

The on-track action can only be described as skatey, as your tires never seem to grip the road. With a bit of practice, you can compensate for this, but the game just never feels right because of it.

The fighting system is fairly shallow, and once you become callous to the flashy moves and explosive pyrotechnics, the action starts to feel repetitive. [Jan 2004, p.56]

While Gotcha Force definitely has visual punch and lets you lay the smack down on foes with your customized robot attack squad, it's a little on the bland side.

This is the kind of game that literally makes you forget you're playing a game, leaving you barely aware of your body and just totally consumed by the action onscreen.

I was even less impressed by the game's fighting system. There isn't an ounce of technique involved. Just walk up to an enemy and rapidly punch it until it goes down.

Sure, its graphics are ugly, but its action is first-rate...It's one of those rare games in which almost everything is destructible. [Jan 2004, p.65]

We never would have thought that adding some multiplayer functions to a 23-year-old arcade game would result in one of the most fun and addictive games out there, but Pac-Man Vs. is just that.

Frustrating because of the repetitive, mapless dungeons, and stupid because of the lame story. [Jan 2003, p.46]

Too short, too straightforward, and too limited to recommend to all but the staunchest snowboarding aficionados. The game can be beaten in two hours on your first go. [Jan 2003, p.49]

Older Pokémon fans will become bored right away, but younger ones will have a blast.

The game is darn near perfect but BAM!...AH! All right, already! There's nothing to complain about here. XIII is a blast to play...even if it's so cool, it will kick your butt.

The gameplay is equally unbalanced. Taiketsu's a button masher that requires very little skill. [Jan 2003, p.44]

Oh, and "thumbs up" to the completely inane grappling system, awkward control, and megabuggy "visuals." [Jan 2004, p.59]

Online play is fresh and funky, but the songs sound like the same old beat. [Jan 2004, p.64]

It's beautiful, it's fun, and it's hilarious to boot. [Jan 2004, p.59]

It's too bad that poorly designed levels, headache-inducing obstacles, and an embarrassingly cliched story spoil so much of the fun. [Jan 2004, p.59]

Unfortunately, its excellent concept, experience system, and humor aren't enough to drag Whiplash out of a sea of average gameplay. [Jan 2004, p.60]

From the incredible visual presentation to the frenetic action to the jaw-dropping effects and pulse-pounding music, XIII is where it's at.

Simply the coolest first-person shooter -- ever. [Dec 2003, p.58]

You can play this game for more than 80 hours before you find everything, and more important, you'll actually want to play it for that long. [Dec 2003, p.48]

Unfortunately, his powers don't keep these areas from being severely linear. But there's enough to do that it stays fresh. [Dec 2003, p.58]

From beginning to end, these games ooze style. [Dec 2003, p.54]

Hands-down the best racing game yet to hit Xbox. [Jan 2004, p.62]

This is the kind of game that literally makes you forget you're playing a game, leaving you barely aware of your body and just totally consumed by the action onscreen.

The physics are off, the referee makes questionable calls, the line changes are ridiculous, and the gameplay is too sluggish to be fun. [Jan 2004, p.63]

Microsoft might be on its way to a formidable basketball franchise. [Jan 2004, p.63]

Plays great, but ultimately doesn't compare to "Crimson Skies." [Jan 2004, p.62]

This is the kind of game that literally makes you forget you're playing a game, leaving you barely aware of your body and just totally consumed by the action onscreen.

The bulk of the included 24 games are still highly addictive and hecka fun to play - especially multiplayer. [Jan 2004, p.59]

Best GBA game I've ever played. A must-have. [Jan 2003, p.46]

It's so well put together, too, that despite the immense speed, you're able to control the cars unbelievably well. [Jan 2004, p.61]

Superior to other college games and a lot of fun to play. [Jan 2004, p.63]

An insanely well-made kart game with tight controls, great tracks, and some sweet multiplayer action...quite possibly GameCube's best game this holiday season. [Grade = A+; Dec 2003, p.72]

The coolest addition is the ability to raise more than one monster at once, adding a level of strategy to picking the monster you enter in a particular competition. [Jan 2004, p.60]

Laugh-out-loud comic quips ("I blame society!" Homer yells when he runs someone over) and endless sight gags round out this very pretty—and ever-so-animated—picture.

Compared with the graphics in "March Madness," ESPN College Hoops' visuals look a few years old. [Jan 2004, p.63]

The fighting system is as basic and clumsy as it was back in 1987. [Dec 2003, p.75]

The innovative platform elements, brutal combat, and puzzle-solving are a thrill for the soul. [Jan 2004, p.58]

My only real complaints are technical: The framerate is often unacceptably choppy and load screens pop up too frequently... Still one of PS2's best adventure games. [Dec 2003, p.64]

A masterpiece, plain and simple. From the opening Pearl Harbor sequence, to the rain-soaked midnight raids, to the machine-gun-mounted elephant rides, Rising Sun oozes with jaw-dropping quality at every single turn.

The ability to level up the hero and his weapons, RPG style, is a brilliant addition to the franchise's gameplay. [Dec 2003, p.51]

First of all, there's the asinine boost system. As in the previous game, you must link powerslides to keep your boosts going, forcing you to keep your kart at a 45-degree angle during races. Blech.

A really good game, despite the fact that Mickey Mouse is the main character. I just wish it was longer.[Oct 2003, p.52]

Anytime there are more than a couple cars onscreen, the game chugs and stutters like crazy. That's unforgivable on hardware this powerful. [Sept 2003, p.60]

First of all, there's the asinine boost system. As in the previous game, you must link powerslides to keep your boosts going, forcing you to keep your kart at a 45-degree angle during races. Blech.

A masterpiece, plain and simple. From the opening Pearl Harbor sequence, to the rain-soaked midnight raids, to the machine-gun-mounted elephant rides, Rising Sun oozes with jaw-dropping quality at every single turn.

A masterpiece, plain and simple. From the opening Pearl Harbor sequence, to the rain-soaked midnight raids, to the machine-gun-mounted elephant rides, Rising Sun oozes with jaw-dropping quality at every single turn.

First of all, there's the asinine boost system. As in the previous game, you must link powerslides to keep your boosts going, forcing you to keep your kart at a 45-degree angle during races. Blech.

This is the kind of game that literally makes you forget you're playing a game, leaving you barely aware of your body and just totally consumed by the action onscreen.

Expect some of the coolest levels out there, a slew of amazing characters, and something lacking from many games today: a sense of humor.

Expect some of the coolest levels out there, a slew of amazing characters, and something lacking from many games today: a sense of humor.

Expect some of the coolest levels out there, a slew of amazing characters, and something lacking from many games today: a sense of humor.

As far as party games go, this is still your best bet. [Jan 2003, p.49]

Other than the lackluster practice mode, everything in FIFA 2004 is spot-on.

When you venture online, newbie ensigns should have better survival rates, thanks to a crackdown on cheating and the new ranking system. [Dec 2003, p.60]

Other than the lackluster practice mode, everything in FIFA 2004 is spot-on.

The graphics are first rate, and the action is intensely frenetic. Most important, ROTK turns up the LOTR authenticity full blast. [Jan 2004, p.55]

The games are junk, but the EyeToy itself is brillian. Pick it up. [Nov 2003, p.47]

A solid yet basic and dated RTS. [Jan 2004, p.67]

Other than the lackluster practice mode, everything in FIFA 2004 is spot-on.

Other than the lackluster practice mode, everything in FIFA 2004 is spot-on.

GTA's still king, but True Crime: Streets of L.A. rocks the spot. [Jan 2004, p.60]

My only dis (negative comment) goes to the control and camera, which are both kinda whack (somewhat sluggish), and Timmy's all Fat Albert, yo (moves like a sack of bricks). [Jan 2004, p.50]

The game continues to surprise you by tossing curveballs like siege weapons, random weather effects, and time-sensitive goals into the mix. [Dec 2003, p.75]

Since each Turtle has his own fighting style, it doesn't ever get old. [Nov 2003, p.72]

You know what's really weak, though? There are four Turtles—and they're a team, right? But only two heads can play this game simultaneously. I'm sorry, but I can't explain the logic behind that.

This game does nothing new except offer a ton of foul language to get you in trouble with the 'rents. Next, please.

Despite its brevity and lack of good multiplayer, though, Call of Duty is easily one of the most fun shooters I've played all year. [Jan 2004, p.66]

The puzzles suck; they're often obscure to the point of being ridiculous. Key items are frequently out of frame or hard to see, making progress without a cheat sheet nearly impossible.

The puzzles suck; they're often obscure to the point of being ridiculous. Key items are frequently out of frame or hard to see, making progress without a cheat sheet nearly impossible.

The game is truly at its best in two-player mode, where you'll probably be more evenly matched against your opponent.

The most beautiful MMORPG currently available. Its environments are second to none, and the character models are elegant and, frankly, a pleasure to behold. The world also feels more alive than any other.

The best Sims expansion and a must-have for any Sims fan. [Jan 2004, p.66]

Expect Gladius to suck time in the manner of a Hoover sucking dirt - the turn-based battles are slow and poorly paced, often making a gladiator's life a wearisome one. [Dec 2003, p.66]

What a horrible disappointment... Worst of all, BG is a difficult game; I mean, it's hella hard...The first level alone was nearly impossible and there's no training mode! [Jan 2004, p.64]

The puzzles suck; they're often obscure to the point of being ridiculous. Key items are frequently out of frame or hard to see, making progress without a cheat sheet nearly impossible.

Building energy for certain basic moves, such as boosting and sending a Bludger, takes too long, which keeps the general gameplay pretty basic for much of the game. [Dec 2003, p.74]

It's amazing how much this game does well on top of its near-perfect controls. [Jan 2004, p.54]

The best of the three THQ wrestling games released this year. [Jan 2004, p.57]

Even if your singing sounds like a goat being strangled, you can still play. [Dec 2003, p.62]

Once you get bored with the combat, Lament of Innocence will get pretty tedious. But luckily, the combat is pretty cool. [Dec 2003, p.52]

Slick enough to make wading through oceans of thugs, robots, and enemy ninjas a pleasure. [Nov 2003, p.46]

You practically need a magnifying glass to spot your tiny units on the map. [Jan 2004, p.67]

Pretty much perfect... The whole thing is designed to make you want to play more. [Grade = A+; Nov 2003, p.68]

The battles are as chaotic and dynamic as "Halo's," but they're in the air... A must-play game. [Jan 2004, p.64]

A boring, repetitive snoozefest that can't decide if it's for kids or adults. [Jan 2004, p.64]

A smooth, polished game, and it's a lot of fun to play, especially for hardcore Turtles fans. It's just not very complex, and it's not all that long.

This third game in the snowboarding series features a complete overhaul, dropping the whole race-circuit idea and taking a more open-ended, Grand Theft Auto–like approach to snowboard competition. [Grade = A+]

Story aside, there's some pretty decent action here. [Dec 2003, p.54]