"Virtua Fighter 4" was easily the best in the series, and also one of the best hardcore fighting games ever released. While it doesn't represent as huge a step up as say, "VF4" did over "VF3," it can still claim the crown as the best Virtua Fighter to date. It's a rousing success on all fronts.

It's for that rare breed of gamer who isn't afraid of inhuman challenge, who spends days practicing their routines, who will do anything to beat his last high score.

The true wonder of the game isn’t in normal mapping or Havok physics, but rather in the low-tech ways in which the game turns skulking in the dark into tons of fun. There’s still room in this business for loving craftsmanship and intelligent design, and Deadly Shadows has both.

The overall attention in the Secret Armory is impressive, and the quirks that made the main game so memorable are definitely present here.

The controls for all versions do a masterful job of managing the fierce action. Even in battle so pitched that you literally lose sight of your character amid the multitudinous combatants, you still feel you’re the master of your fate.

As for the overall gameplay, it’s challenging and realistic with a sim-style feel much like Gran Turismo’s.

Twin Snakes isn't a bad game by any stretch, but as an opportunity to enhance an already awesome gaming experience, it misses the mark. [April 2004, p.64]

The PC version is still preferable if you have the choice, but The Sims is an insanely addictive game no matter what platform it’s on.

Fight Night's Career mode should be the model that other boxing games should follow...Hands down, Fight Night 2004 is the victor in all weight classes this year. [May 2004, p.84]

No matter what your age, LEGO Star Wars II will keep your inner child happy. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

As fun as these excursions into petty theft and extortion might be, the essence of The Warriors is combat, and it's the first game in ages to truly nail it.

Though the game has a few faults, such as some occasional background pop-in and a few minor AI issues, the whole experience is a blast (literally), and you'd be missing a great action experience by not checking this one out.

Ultimately, Final Fantasy IV remains the same epic experience it was 17 years ago, and improvements on the DS are a welcome treat for fans of the series and newcomers to the franchise. [Aug 2008, p.80]

Overall, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is pretty much a picture-perfect port that won't disappoint fans or newcomers to the series. [Sept. 2009, p.82]

As a highly competent, technically polished, but otherwise straightforward first-person shooter, F.E.A.R. is a safe bet for the Xbox 360 action fiend. It may not replace "Halo 2" in your FPS collection, but it sure as hell beats playing "Perfect Dark Zero" for the fourteenth time.

It's fun for a while, but the overly simplified game mechanics and repetitive shoot-and-run gameplay wouldn't amount to much without the extraordinary visuals and awesome concept.

One main feature that clearly separates Underground from other street racers is its visual presentation. The nighttime glow in the metropolis does take some time to get used to, but the evening air quickly adds to the stunning scenery and detailed avenues as you travel at high RPMs.

Turok has more fire power more control over its environment, and more gruesome graphics than other corridor shooters. The rest are Doomed to failure.

Take gorgeous graphics, intense action, and interesting gameplay concepts, marry it to the legendary Castlevania franchise and release it on the DS. [Nov 2008, p.100]

All told, this is a great debut for the Prince of Persia series on the PS3 and Xbox 360. [Jan 2009, p.74]

Cerebral gamers and those with world-conquering ambitions should definitely give this one a try. [Aug 2008, p.76]

Capcom really did a great job of walking the fine line between paying homage to the classic and moving in a new direction. Of course, Rearmed isn't perfect: the controls take some getting used to, the hacking mini-game's sort of lame, and the game is still brutally tough--curse you spiked floors!--but it's a great update that I heartily recommend to old school NES fans and new gamers alike.

No one's going to beat 2K5 on price, and the game's as tough as nails on the court. [Dec 2004, p.142]

Winter Assault is, ultimately, a modest expansion pack that will manage to satisfy, if not thrill, Dawn of War diehards. In this topsy-turvy world, sometimes that's more than enough.

For all its similarity to Silent Hill 2, the third installment still manages to set itself apart with more variety, slightly improved combat, more logical puzzles, a different enough story, and even better visuals in their own grainy nonconformist way.

Great game, minor faults, a lot of fun to be had, terrible story but the gameplay holds up despite it. Maybe this "sleeping on it" thing has some merit, after all.

I think gamers who are hungry for skating but tired of Tony Hawk should give this title a try. There are plenty of similarities, but I think the actual gameplay is unique and enjoyable and will appeal to many.

Sure, Far Cry 2 is a bit hardcore, and it's blend of breakneck shooting sequences and more meandering exploration might not be for everyone. However, if you're craving a shooter with a bit more bite than the increasingly casual competition, and one with more substance than the familiar run-and-gun fare, then you'll be hard pressed to beat this content-rich offering.

Fight Night's Career mode should be the model that other boxing games should follow...Hands down, Fight Night 2004 is the victor in all weight classes this year. [May 2004, p.84]

The game also has a tightly implemented control scheme, including an awesome strafe system that all but eliminates lock-on issues.

Compared to D2D, "Thunder's" cars don't handle as smoothly and its Career mode is heavy on complexity and short on fun. [Dec 2002, p.194]

It's just the kind of game for people that thought NBA Hangtime, Open Ice, and WWF Arcade were as real as they need in a sports game.

Dynamic action, tons of features, and highly-detailed visuals come together for the first significant step forward of console first-person shooters since "Halo: Combat Evolved." While there are a few minor quibbles, you're assured to become addicted to Bad Company's twitch gameplay.

The Story mode also has one of the best golf tutorials around as characters in the Practice Area give you challenges in exchange for experience points. [July 2004, p.86]

Developer Treyarch did a fantastic job of not reinventing the wheel with World at War. Rather, they took the best elements of Modern Warfare and expanded upon them. The end product is a thrilling experience that injects some of the visceral punch back into World War II.

Chaos Rising is a great first expansion, and while new players looking to try the single-player should start with the original game, it's an instant purchase for those of you looking for some good online RTS mayhem.

Bomberman is the rare game that feels as natural after a round of Uno as it does after a Gears of War deathmatch. The action could come a bit quicker, but when it does, it's still a thrill after all these years.

My only criticism is its price – while I hate quibbling over bucks, $5 does feel a bit steep. Then again, I bought the app with my own cash, and so far I've spent hours on it – so I can't complain too loudly.

Peggle on-the-go means you might end up accomplishing more while you're actually at your desk-a perk-but if that seems like small consolation, then you're better off sticking to the classic version. Plus, you'll save $9.99.

While it's not for casual folk, the battles are so addictive that hardcore gamers may never need another strategy RPG ever.

Like any generic Tycoon sim, The Movies gets a bit over-focused on the trivial aspects of simulation, specifically with studio upkeep and playing constant babysitter to bigheaded actors, though while somewhat satirical, is a continuous bother. But the main attraction here is making short movies, which, if you're willing to spend the time, can be oodles of fun.

After playing Crysis 2 for 20+ hours in the span of just two days, I'm still not sick of the game. Crysis 2 is a riveting first-person shooter I highly recommend to fans of the genre, as well as those looking for something to showcase the might of their 3DTV. It ain't perfect, but Crysis 2 has plenty to offer both fans of multiplayer and gamers who prefer a well-crafted solo campaign.

The best bit of tennis software the PSP is going to get. [Nov 2005, p.130]

A solid simulation of the sport that offers more teams and unique options not available in its main and only competitor on the PS2, "Winning Eleven." Some minor control issues remain and the depth is still not where it needs to be, but it delivers a highly worthwhile experience nonetheless.

Generals has a rock-solid single-player game and the most addictive multiplayer skirmishes of the year... A gaming masterpiece.

Quake III Revolution’s frantic combat is wicked fast and packed with addictive, exciting action that heavily favors quick reflexes and itchy trigger fingers over deep strategies.

The great sound effects from the booming explosions and roaring jet engines from above greatly add to the war-torn ambiance, too.

The first game’s take on noir was fresh and powerful; the sequel has the same haunted spirit with less surprise value. While Max Payne’s rain-soaked world is a weary one, it’s also undeniably compelling.

Hardcore fans are going to be on automatic and get it right away, but it's a tough situation for the average fighting fan.

Overall, if you liked the first GRAW, you can look forward to more excellent military shooter action, with excellent multiplayer features.

Add in the eye-catching, and retina burning graphics, the clever use of audio cues to alert you to events and problems, the elegant control and menu interface and a design philosophy that doesn't unfairly penalize you for mistakes, and you've got a recipe for fun that's simple and enchanting.

The action is fast and furious, packed with epic amounts of dog?ghting and brief story interludes that are not exactly the greatest Star Wars story ever told, but get the job done. All in all it's a good time.

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.

While not for the meek, Splosion Man is terrific game and at a paltry 800MS Points, a great value. Not only is it funny and fun to play but with tons of content (50 single and 50 multiplayer levels; theme, gamer pics and Avatar clothing to earn; time trials to participate in) its a must add to your XBLA game library.

If you found last year's game enjoyable, but lacking in depth you should be plenty happy with what Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 has to offer.

It has a terrible name, but Spinzizzle is a surprisingly fun game.

As much as I've come to re-love Beyond Good & Evil, the niggling issues stand out as possible evidence that Ubisoft might not be willing to invest more time in Jade than is strictly necessary. It's a shame, and I hope that's not really the case, because this is a yesteryear project that deserves the trilogy it never got.

The auto graphics shine throughout. Whether you're into tuning or just customizing your ride, Midnight Club 3 is more than roadworthy.

Half of High Heat 2003's thrills come from its intuitive, playable controls. Fielding and baserunning are a snap (though manual slides would have rocked), and the pitching/batting setup is one of the best ever.

So good that it will easily make diehard pocket fighters forget all about the great genre titles on the short-lived Neo Geo Pocket Color.

This impressive "one-button" App Store entry is simple by design, but deep and engaging enough to make it more than worth its $0.99 price point.

For now, Angry Birds Halloween is a totally justified release at a reasonable price point, so there's no reason for fans of the original to skip this version.

The challenging action platformer fans have been waiting for, but it's not too tough for newcomers. Excellent. [March 2002, p.94]

Hardcore fans may be disappointed by the departure from the traditional survival-horror roots but trust me, the game delivers enough thrills that you probably won't care. [Apr 2009, p.68]

Even if you don't own a 3D TV, there's value in this high-definition makeover -- even for those who've already played both Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta. At the very least, the reasonably priced Origins pack should make the wait for God of War IV (of whatever the next God of War incarnation is) more bearable for fans of the series. Plus, now you can own all five God of War titles (not including the non-iOS cell phone game, Betrayal) on the PS3.

A relentlessly slow plot, plodding dialogue, and the unfortunate fumble of the robot interfaces's potential keeps Xenogears out of that stratosphere enjoyed by its far superior cousin, "Final Fantasy VII."

Aside from an unresponsive touchscreen issue every now and then, Tetris DS is an amazing puzzle package, and is easily one of the best DS games to date - a perfect partner for the upcoming DS Lite.

Still, aficionados of the Megami Tensei universe will undoubtedly get a kick out of the game's intriguing story and colorful cast while fans of turn-based combat might just find an addicting and innovative adventure - just don't expect an RPG that'll re-invent the wheel.

A sloppy single-player campaign met with matchless multiplayer makes for an unbalanced first-person shooter experience.

And that's what makes Undisputed 2010 such a success: it addresses the problems of the past while making subtle improvements that make the product better. The graphics are crisper, the animations are better, and several new tweaks make the actual fighting more enjoyable. Even the menu system and user interface is cleaner and easier to navigate.

My experience with Monster Hunter Tri was fantastic. Despite its numerous flaws, it was fun, fascinating, complex, and undeniably alluring. I intend to keep on playing it, not on a daily basis, but whenever I feel the desire to experience the thrill of the hunt.

Oddly enough, the AI is probably the best part of the strategic game.

The gameplay is nothing new, but the engrossing story and intense action will keep you playing for hours.

With sharp new features, graphics, and controls, Knockout Kings 2001 owns the PlayStation boxing ring.

If anything, the whole game feels a little stiff—it’s visually arresting and robust but not as immersive as some other first-person games.

The gameplay is where the fun shines in as it mixes twitchy gunplay with a puzzle-like bent to stalking your prey.

It’s still vastly better than 99.9% of the other games out there today, and with properly calibrated expectations, you’ll find that Invisible War is a brilliant game that will captivate you like few others can.

All quibbles aside, though, there's a worthwhile experience waiting to be unearthed for lovers of aesthetics and adventure alike.

This is a full-scale RPG adventure, and at the moment there isn't anything on the App Store that can compare to it. Zelda is what they aimed for, and Zelda is what they did.

As I said in last week's roundup, this is one of my favorite games ever, and I hope that more people -- perhaps some from the younger generation of iPhone owners -- will discover one of Sega's best now that it's available on such a popular and accessible format.

NBA 2K7 may not look as good as EA's "NBA Live 07," but the intuitive controls, silky-smooth animation, and fun gameplay makes NBA 2K7 the Xbox 360's basketball game of preference.

There's no shortage of modern racers, but most of the current crop seem obsessed with the attitude of tuner culture than racing itself. Toca Racer Driver 3 has no truck with that: It's all about the driving experience. [Mar 2006, p.80]

All this action is powered by a load of good-looking, intricate, new animations and improved character models to produce a great little NBA show. NBA 2K6 has great appeal for that gym rat inside all of us.

Even with its minor faults, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-feeling, better-looking, jack-of-all-trades action game on the market today. [Mar 2008, p.82]

That said, this entry is more challenging than previous Guitar Hero efforts, so newcomers should hone their plastic guitar-playing skills on World Tour before braving this one. Once you've learned to shred with the big boys, though, feel free to stage-dive into one of Guitar Hero's best encores yet.

Quirky, crass, and incredibly fun, Suda51's stylish sequel to 2008's No More Heroes slashes its way onto the Wii with even more boss battles, much-improved gameplay, and loads of worthwhile new content.

No matter what your age, LEGO Star Wars II will keep your inner child happy. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

The fast-paced nature of this game and its frantic battle system are what makes it great, so RPG lovers should definitely give Zenonia 2 a shot.

Spore is a good game held back from greatness by a few flaws and gameplay mechanics that won't appeal to everyone. But there is plenty to like about the game and if you dig its particular style of open-ended gameplay, you'll definitely enjoy yourself.

The slam dunk matchup is a slick game within the game, but let's not forget what got you to the gym in the first place. NBA Live 2005 is an all-pro caliber b-ball game that continues to show improvements. [Dec 2004, p.140]

Complete with a unique visual scheme, engrossing story, and vibrant characters, the effect of Retro Helix will be felt for quite some time.

Visually, Rally 04 looks much better than previous versions. [May 2004, p.67]

The story, though, is the best part—Vyse and crew are the most extroverted RPG heroes ever, and there's none of that Final Fantasy–style self-abhorrence present.

If you want a simple pick-up-and-play racer keep looking. If you know a bit about cars and want a game to spend some serious time on, then look no further than Sega GT.

The auto graphics shine throughout. Whether you're into tuning or just customizing your ride, Midnight Club 3 is more than roadworthy.

Resident Evil 4 is still an outstanding shooter, but as I keep re-iterating with these recent high-def rereleases, your mileage is bound to vary.

If I were to rank Double Fine Studios' oeuvre, Stacking would have a strong shot at nestling atop the list, given the game's impeccable humor and collectable-friendly gameplay.

With satisfaction always within reach, Battlefield 1943 makes for an addictive online experience. [Aug 2009, p.79]