Repetitive to the point of brain damaging; and a few giant leaps in enemy difficulty will have you cursing the fact that save points are at the beginning of each area.

You would have to be an insanely devoted fan of the action-figure line from which the characters originate and a fan of repetitive level exploration to gain any type of enjoyment from Cy Girls. [Apr 2004, p.74]

And let’s not forget the "What th-?!" reaction you'll have when you complete the fourth level and the game’s credits start rolling!

Most of the casual crowd, even word search fans, would likely rather buy a book of puzzles for 99 cents or just find a free flash version. The rest would probably prefer to carry it around with them for long waits at the doctor's office.

Destined only to be forgotten.

Even if you're a diehard fan of the series, there is absolutely nothing to love about Act Zero.

Even with improved graphics and a large character roster, Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World ends the DBZ series on PS2 with a bust instead of a bang.

Simply a rather dull experience, which could be the worst thing you could say for any piece of entertainment. From my time with it, James Cameron's Avatar: The Video Game only furthers the point, rather than dispels it, that the movie-to-video game genre is as treacherous as the planet of Pandora itself.

It's a shame, too, because had it hemmed in the play time and polished the combat, it could have provided a lean and mean eight hours of satisfying God of War-like, gore-fueled fun.

Overall, Okabu just doesn't feel like a finished game.

The visual and music portion of the game offer up little to no innovation, it all seems very plain and lacking, almost like a rejected Warner Bros. cartoon.

Yawn-inducingly generic level designs and poopy graphics would have been forgivable had Griptonite Games implemented this neat little invention called collision detection that most games use today.

Despite this unique premise, Dark Summit sadly fails in every category.

Maybe it's not the developers' fault that this just isn't much fun. Perhaps the formula for a Sonic game simply no longer holds up in the 21st century.

The creepy lifelessness of it all can be mitigated somewhat with the addition of up to three human opponents in a barebones multiplayer mode, but otherwise, the most fun you'll have with V.I.P. Casino Blackjack is in watching Mr. Paradise slowly clap his hands like one of those cymbal-playing toy monkeys whenever he wins a hand.

Even without the camera and control problems, Chantelise struggles to stand out amidst other similar games. It's disappointing, because you can tell there's a lot of heart and personality poured into the game, but it's just not that enjoyable to play.

A classic case of unrealized potential, Forsaken fails to make significant use of its excellent control and four-player split-screen capability by thrusting you into an endless maze of frustration.

If you manage to actually stick it out through those early, mind-numbing games, you'll eventually be able to take part in some fairly enjoyable tournaments en route to making it big as an And 1 Streetball star. But really, when the game makes it so darn miserable to play in the beginning, is holding out for that content even worth it? The answer is a resounding "no."

It has some slick production values, and Acclaim goes all out on dreamy visuals, gorgeously detailed architecture, a Vikingly heroic score, and juicy sound effects, but skimps on any kind of depth and rewarding gameplay.

While Samurai Western is a somewhat standard hack-and-slash with a quirky setting, it doesn't hold up for two main reasons: lack of polish and much-needed variety.

King Arthur: Fallen Champions needs what it simply won't get -- varied units, improved AI, and some more thought placed into tactics and the utility of formations. I can't speak to the rest of the series, but unless you're a diehard fan, feel free to skip this one.

Unfortunately, the stunts which are normally hilarious and cringe worthy on the show come off as dull and uninteresting in the game.

By far, The Sum of All Fears for the GameCube is the most disappointing, if not one of the worst, first-person shooters on any system.

Blade is a kick-ass hero in the comics and movies, but take away the "kick" and what you're left with adequately describes this game.

Despite the improved character roster and so-bad-it's-funny decapitations, Samurai Showdown Sen has very little to offer you except easy Achievement Points.

As for the game itself, I like to call it "Band Hero: Abridged." The set list is varied, fun and up to date, with tunes from Avril Lavigne to The Rolling Stones. However, without a career mode, you have access to all 30 songs from the start.

Mamodo Fury suffers from a variety of problems, among them a frustrating camera, an overly complicated combat system, cheap enemies who'll have you tearing your hair out, and repetitive gameplay that just doesn't get any better. The game also screams "value title" with its mediocre graphics and sound production.

One of the most frustrating games in the entire PlayStation 2 library, thanks to a few design flaws that could've been easily avoided.

Its bargain-basement visuals, vapid enemy A.I., and flaccid controls ensure that the game could stand accused of lameness in a court of law.

What's most frustrating is that I know Gameloft can do better than this. Hell, they have done better with Asphalt 6 and even Asphalt 5 -- mobile alternatives that are much cheaper (and more fun) for anyone with an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. In fact, just buy one of those games instead. Even if you just don't want to play Ridge Racer, Asphalt 3D isn't the better option by any stretch.

This game might be worth a rent for a diehard Indy fan who is not an experienced gamer.

Taiketsu's button-mashing gameplay is shallow and simplistic, even for a kid's fighting title.

Sloppy controls, meandering pace, Ginsu-choppy frame rates, generic environments, and beat collision detection.

Better yet, just avoid it altogether. [Feb 2008, p.74]

Looks aren't everything, and the game falls directly on its noble ass. [August 2002, p.78]

No matter how many bonuses are unlocked or how many special guests show up, the core gameplay of Superman: The Man of Steel is boring.

Darkest of Days' best missions come right at the end (with closer-quarters action and a fantastic original weapon), but by that point, it's too little, too late. An entire game built in that mold might've been able to overcome the numerous problems, but unlike with time travel, there are no do-overs in game development.

This is a title made for a specific type of gamer -- someone who views an unbalanced game as a challenge and not as a flaw. For the rest of us, Overflow's poor gameplay mechanics and inaccurate controls will remind us how fun this game could have been.

The scariest thing about this game is how awful it is.

Frustratingly difficult, and even knowing what you need to do to succeed doesn’t mean you will, thanks to a horrible in-game map and unintuitive and difficult controls.

Without even a hint of fun multiplayer competition, you and your friends will certainly catch an unfavorable fever caused by a dismal showing of Pac-Man Fever.

You could also research a serviceable AI aid that would organize units into groups and automate functions like repair. Teleportation was a significant travel mode for many of the units. But unfortunately, cool ideas don't sell games until they're implemented into cool games.

But boring combat is just one half of the misery pie that this game serves up, with half-baked role-playing elements comprising the rest.

In this case, "RC" stands for "really crappy." Unless you truly enjoy subpar courses, low-grade weapons, ho-hum racing, and pre-Newtonian physics, you should probably avoid the lifeless RC Revenge Pro.

The game itself lacks heart. [July 2005, p.74]

The game itself lacks heart. [July 2005, p.74]

Aero Elite’s true failure, though, is its boring gameplay. Dog fighting and attacking ground forces just isn’t entertaining.

Unfortunately, the graphics just aren't up to snuff, the character models, aside from being horrendous, repeat often and your character moves with all the zip of a drugged elephant.

Crazy Machines Elements gives me a similar feeling where I just want to play with the pieces and see what can be built. But, like a parent worried their child will choke on the board game's tiny pieces, Crazy Machines Elements doesn't trust players with all of its tools from the start, preventing many from ever finding the fun lurking just beneath the surface.

Utter frustration. Every part of the controller is used, including both analog sticks, which have dual functions. It's nearly impossible to master these controls.

For someone interested in videogame design or history, The War of the Worlds is an interesting case study. But is it fun? Dear god, no. Just, no.

Graphics and sound alone can't save sub-par gameplay, however, and even the most staunch WWII shooter fan won't find much to enjoy with Heroes 2.

The combination of puzzles, exploring, and Phoenix Wright-style point-counterpoint gameplay is honestly an interesting concept along with the attractive art, but the production is mired in soulless English dialogue, badly looping music, and awkward navigation controls.

Wii Play: Motion offers a better balance of quality to questionable content than the original release, with more total games and play variations in the package, but in this day and age the experience feels very insignificant. Along with Mario Sports Mix, Nintendo's Wii offerings to date in 2011 seem content to mine past concepts with middling success, which may be fine to the dwindling number of new console owners -- but it's tough to believe existing Wii owners will feel the urge to rush out for another unremarkable mini-game medley.

Corridor-shooter gamers in general should be pleased with Blood II, but bloodthirsty fans of the original game may be disappointed. Spilling Blood is still a thrill, but it was more fun the first time around.

While there are some cheap thrills to be found in the title's rail-shooter segments and hardcore Terminator fans will no doubt want to rent the title just for the chance to go toe-to-toe with a T-600, I can't recommend Salvation as anything more than exactly that: a rental.

You like nice graphics? Go and buy it. Otherwise, stick with your current copy of "SimCity 3000"... and save your kopeks for the new crop of exciting releases scheduled to hit stores in the next couple of months.

A neck-stabbingly frustrating bore. [Apr 2004, p.86]

Even with the odd original game in the mix, these still aren't the type of things you want to do everyday - especially with the lame scoring system.

The worst part is that Jake Hunter had a lot of potential. [July 2008, p.84]

In truth, the biggest mystery here isn't how vampires evolved and rose to power, but how any publisher could justify a $60 price tag for a tiresome exercise in imitation and slipshod execution.

It probably would have been best if the PSP version of Untamed were kept in its cage.

A young fan of the TV show could theoretically search out a modicum of fun from this game, and perhaps they would find the puzzles more brow-furrow worthy. Maybe. I have a feeling, though, that this one will make its way swiftly to the bargain bins.

You’ll often spot limbs and objects poking through solid surfaces, but you’ll almost never see your opponent properly framed—the camera angles are simply dreadful and rarely offer a decent view of the combat (or even the immediate surroundings).

An evil off-road ATV racer that will sap the happiness and energy out of all who play it.

A watered down racing title that won't do much for even the most dedicated dirt bike or ATV enthusiast.

The mind numbs along with your thumbs. Though the streets fill with indistinguishable enemies, clogging the frame rate, you'll never find the excitement you crave amid the mechanical melee, only a dull realization that you can't tell which thug is yours, and that you don't much care.

The flaccid sounds are joined by dreadful physics—it’s like driving a balloon. The fighting game-style combo system is unwieldy, and a sense of speed would have been a good idea, too.

It's not at all surprising to play a franchise launch game that lacks polish and precision, but The Sims 3 comes off as careless -- especially for a series with such strong cultural and consumer cachet. Even the much cheaper iPhone version offers a richer portable take on the series, and that came out in 2009!

Combat of Giants might work great as an early technical showcase of the 3DS' power, but there's really not much game -- or value -- here to speak of.

If it weren't for the torrid pace at which you're required to gather edibles, Lost in Blue 2 would be an enjoyable game. The developers obviously wanted to instill a sense of urgency, but really, all they did was rob the game of its fun.

From its terrible graphics to its awkward controls, Mercenaries is a complete and utter disaster. The iPhone version of Mercenaries is not the version you want to play.

There is just so much wrong with this title that it is crazy to think that this passed the focus testing from Nintendo.

Thor: God of Thunder looks terrible, plays poorly, and was obviously rushed out to market with no fine-tuning whatsoever. Considering that the DS version is so much better by comparison (along with the vastly superior free Flash title from Marvel Studios), I'm saddened that this game had to ever exist.

Thor: God of Thunder looks terrible, plays poorly, and was obviously rushed out to market with no fine-tuning whatsoever. Considering that the DS version is so much better by comparison (along with the vastly superior free Flash title from Marvel Studios), I'm saddened that this game had to ever exist.

The problem with Star Raiders is that it feels too bland.

Kung Fu Funk has a fantastic style, pulling from the craziness found in '70s era kung-fu action movies; however, none of the fun found in its art has translated into its gameplay.

At the risk of repeating myself, the game is just broken. And in this age of "eh, we'll fix that with a first-week patch," it's particularly sad to see what feels like so little effort put into living up to what can even objectively be described as a legendary property.

A “game” that’s awful in every respect and will ultimately be a textbook example of a wasted license.

No matter how you slice it, Elements has very little to offer: If you prefer a top-notch strategy experience, stick with the essentials, like StarCraft 2, Shogun 2, and Dawn of War 2. If you want to play a great Kalypso-produced title, give Tropico 3 a try. And if you're just looking to play an RTS on the cheap, type "GemCraft Labyrinth" into Google. It's a free Flash-based tower defense game that's light years ahead of Elements of War in terms of fun and playability.

I can't in good faith recommend Rygar: The Battle of Argus--both fans of the original and newcomers should avoid it. [Feb 2009, p.77]

It doesn't matter if you're a hardcore or casual fan: there's no magic to be seen here.

The premise, when paraphrased, is an interesting one and as a huge fan of last year's Time Hollow and any good mystery in general, I'm always willing to sit through any amount of text if it provides a means to an end, or at the very least, something somewhat cohesive. Lux-Pain fails on both accounts, serving as a poorly thrown together, somewhat interactive novel that really doesn't know what it wants to be - or, if it does know, it certainly doesn't want to be a game.

Fans of the classic puzzle game should stay far, far away from this truly awful version of Tetris.

There's really no good reason to suffer Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga--it's ugly, broken, and seems hellbent on depriving you of fun at every opportunity. Even if you're hard up for a Wii RPG, you're better off skipping it and never looking back. Meanwhile, I'll be hearing those footsteps echoing endlessly in my nightmares.

Samurai Jack is neck-and-neck with "E.T." for the Atari 2600. [Apr 2003, p.61]

The ideas behind Fishie Fishie have a lot of potential, but the "single-button to do everything" concept makes the entire thing a frustrating battle of man versus machine.

While I want to give Konami credit for trying something new with the series, the obvious missteps and overlooked elements of Castlevania Judgment makes the game look and feel like a cheap cash-in.

Control in this game (using the term game loosely since it suggests fun) is akin to peeling "hair" off of a wet bar of soap - it's slippery work, and almost as difficult to do as it is to figure out why you're doing it in the first place.

Even devout soldiers of the KISS Army expecting pyrotechnics, blazing lights and vomited blood will be disappointed by dismal gameplay set to interminably looped hot licks, disorientating camera panning, and sterile voiceovers by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.

If this is where the series is going, Neverland Card Battles is going to be a tough sell in the future. I'd really like to find something nice to say about it, but the game is so boring, cliche (there's that word again) and badly designed I'd be lying through my teeth.

The game does have one redeeming factor, the visuals.

Without a doubt, the worst Batman game ever. Yes, worse than the 16-bit "Batman: Return of the Joker," "Batman Forever" the arcade game, and even the Game.com Batman.

Sucks no matter what game you compare it to. [Sept 2005, p.80]

A generic, buggy and broken shooter with limited appeal, even to dedicated fans of Marcinko and the many books and novels that have documented his incredible life.

Protöthea's music is the worst offender, though -- its muffled tunelessness recalls the early days of hack composers attempting to extract vaguely music-like noise from the Super NES's default sound libraries. Expect lots of muddy bass and cheesy synth guitars.

With sloppy production values, insane load times, sub-par graphics and sound, and gameplay that irrevocably evolves into: grapple, counter, super, grapple, counter, super, this game isn't even worth the rental fee.

The crummy gameplay combined with Frogger 2's deceiving graphics (kids will struggle with this game) and jab-a-screwdriver-into-your-ear music make this one of the worst titles available on XBLA.