That I still loved the majority of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit despite those notable qualms should speak highly of Criterion's vision for this reboot, and coupled with last year's very sharp Need for Speed: Shift, EA's once-fading franchise has returned to a position of power.

Its excellent mix of driving techniques, fantasy physics, and gigantic cities will keep couch drivers burning onscreen rubber for some time.

On their own they pose no real threat to players of average skill, but pit four such players against one another and watch the tension grow.

It's funny, it's charming, and it's an absolute blast to play for both aspiring Demon Lords and returning Overlords.

The comfortable control scheme adapts well to the myriad of mission types (thanks to a forgiving targeting system), and makes switching between standard first-person shooting and the ultra-cool vehicular combat sequences a cinch.

Square Enix has done an admirable job of updating classic titles from its library and Second Evolution is just the latest example of their commitment to its loyal fanbase. [Feb 2009, p.70]

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.

At $19.99 this game is the best steal in videogame basketball.

To say that Sonic Team has added a lot of new stuff to PSO would be the understatement of the century.

This laundry list of complaints might seem like a game breaker, but that I could suffer through them repeatedly during my marathon New Vegas weekend and still walk away feeling not only satisfied but hungry for more says something about the power of the formula that Bethesda has crafted.

Golf: Tee It Up! loses points for its minimalist approach (only 2 courses and limited character customization doesn't help) but because it still has a full-game-for-the-price-of-an-arcade-game feel, attractive visuals, and holds the promise of more downloadable content in the future, it's a great value.

There's an incredible amount of fun that comes from filing the shoes of some of the most inspiring musicians ever to walk the earth, and Harmonix captures this experience with same sense of magic that the Beatles were known for. It's well worth the price of admission, even if you forgo the replica instruments and stick to your stock Rock Band gear.

While this third adventure is pretty much more of the same, you also get online gameplay that's guaranteed to keep you blasting on well into the future. [Dec 2004, p.98]

The Story Mode is decidedly different in that it doesn’t feel like a rehash of THUG and the inclusion of Classic Mode is brilliant—that’s without accounting for the expansive customizable and multiplayer options. Simply put, this game is skating nirvana.

If you're a stickler for time, or actually want to keep your REAL pets alive, then Seaman may find himself flushed down the toilet.

Where "Full Spectrum Warrior" offered a fairly straightforward series of forking streets, Brothers' battlefields are big--so much so that you never feel bound by arbitrary barriers, wondering why you're funneling into forward fire when crossing the low wall on the left or the field to the right will take you well around it.

Simply put, if you're already a fan of 2D fighters, you'll love what Guilty Gear Isuka has to offer. [Dec 2004, p.110]

What's so super about SMB? The added multiplayer games that turn this enhanced arcade port into one of the the best party games ever.

Ninja Theory's take on the "Journey to the West" story is one that I'd gladly revisit, and novelist Alex Garland deserves a ton of credit for helping produce this adaptation.

Despite its questionable ethical objectives, Warzones is simply a frantic driver.

Project 8 is ridiculously pretty. The overall graphics received a significant upgrade, but we were especially impressed with the character animations. The virtual skaters look and move just like their real-life counterparts... The best Tony Hawk game since "THPS2."

It’s a fairly mindless shooter with some cool strategy elements, and aside from some optional tactical coolness, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s a fun and violent game with a really great reward structure.

All in all, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection is an extremely solid assemblage of some of the Genesis' greatest hits, and with extras and achievements, hidden interviews and an entire museum of concept art thrown in for good measure, it's definitely worth a look from old school gamers looking to re-live the glory days when a hedgehog didn't need a lame Werehog gimmick to prove that he was the baddest mascot around. [Apr 2009, p.83]

With fast-paced combat, a distinct atmosphere, a variety of options to help you explore the dungeons, and a recession-friendly $20 price, Torchlight is a wonderful choice for gamers looking to tide them over until Diablo 3. Just don't be surprised if you find this appetizer to be just as satisfying as a full meal.

If you can get past the fact that it's all Porsche this time around, Porsche Unleashed is a classy game with a lot of depth at its core.

Combines a wealth of visual power with extra gameplay modes, creating hours of intense gameplay.

Two Towers isn’t perfect, and it’s pretty far from groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably awesome to delve into such an authentic representation of this universe and whup some orc backside.

Action/adventure fans who dare to the take the plunge will find themselves drawn in to a compelling world of puzzles, traps, stealth, animal acrobatics, thumb-burning boss battles, and wise-guy humor.

The audio and visuals are pristine (gotta love that water), the core gameplay's solid as ever, and as a party game, there are few equals. If you wanted a revolution, you probably wouldn't be buying this anyway.

The beautiful backgrounds and fluid animation of the original are all spot-on.

If you've been looking for something to fill the void that 1 vs. 100 left behind and you're into Texas Hold 'Em, even on a casual level, Full House Poker is a must buy. Fun card-playing action, plenty of game modes, customizable features, and a chance to give your lonely Xbox Avatar someone to play with make it hard to pass up.

The action here is more cerebral, emphasizing teamwork and accomplishing specific objectives over twitchy combat—it’s great fun.

A truly solid entertainment package with a wide variety of characters, cool gameplay, and a host of visual and audio candy.

The game was number three in a field of three last year, but this season it looks great and has dramatic gameplay improvements for all skill levels. [Apr 2005, p.97]

May not be as revolutionary as the original, but it's still a solid gaming experience and a good bridge between the gaming world and reality. [Dec 2004, p.132]

Most gamers will balk at being asked to pay $15 for a WiiWare title, and considering the game's visual presentation and accelerated difficulty level, that's a legitimate gripe. However, MotoHeroz has so much to offer and is so much fun, you shouldn't let that get in your way.

If you like cleverly designed puzzle games with a decent amount of strategic depth, this is absolutely worth it.

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

The best Spider-Man game yet made. From the rich combat system to the simple, inexhaustible joys of swinging through the city, Spider-Man 2 delivers the experience web-slinger fans have been begging for since time immortal.

EA Sports MMA isn't perfect, the lack of UFC fighters is a huge gaping hole that is impossible to ignore and the number of special moves available are fairly slim. Those problems are overshadowed by smooth animations, intuitive controls, and incredibly dynamic online features.

Kudos to EA Sports for not being afraid to juice the complexity factor of an already complex game. Rookies will have to pay their dues, but veterans get treated to a brand-new challenge. [Sept 2005, p.82]

Its outstanding looks and stellar controls make it a heavy favorite to win the championship.

Different, rewarding, intelligent, funny, and filled with memorable characters and weird creatures. It’s damn fun, too, and will keep you performing the repetitive duties required of a monster raiser for far longer than you’d ever imagine.

MotoRacer nearly bursts with playability.

Extreme G will keep N64 racers sated until F-Zero 64 debuts. While it's not the deepest or most original racing, it will still take you on a fun ride.

If playing the divine hand to a house full of simulated people appeals to you, this is as good as it gets.

As long as you don’t mind a slightly more technical feel and a hefty challenge, you’ll find the best thing to happen with jetskis since the N64’s Wave Race.

If you don't mind missing out on cooperative play, and if the 3D dogfight addition appeals to you, it's certainly worth the extra ten bucks.

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

An excellent game, better than it has any right to be. But the premium bonus content (including arcade-perfect ports of the first three Tekken titles, plus a spiritual successor to Tekken Force) catapult the entire package to "must-have" status.

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]

With Story, Arcade, and Challenge modes offering a ton of high-octane single-player and multiplayer contests, this game has something for everyone.

We wish good luck to anyone looking to pry any comic collector they know away from this game long enough to complete a sentence.

Seriously gory but realistic environments and an action-heavy gameplay mix make The Thing a satisfyingly disturbing must-play...Terrifyingly good.

Tiny Heroes is an excellent game, but with a few caveats: there's no iPad version (and this would be perfect for an iPad), placing traps/weapons precisely can be difficult, and sometimes the levels are just too hard.

Half-Minute Hero is an absolute blast, and a decidedly original (and hilarious) take on the fantasy RPG genre.

Visually, all three games have been retouched to look much sharper, while the audio remains standard fare: cool gun effects and hokey voices. [Mar 2004, p.63]

Doesn't quite surpass the gameplay standard set by the recent "Perfect Dark," but it does have better audio and the graphics are a notch above its predecessor, "GoldenEye."

Whether you pay $15 for the game itself or more than $30 for the title and its expanded content, you'll find a surprisingly fun and refreshingly original experience that rivals full-priced retail software in depth and scope. Just make sure that you give it a chance past its slow first hour. I'm glad I did.

A puzzle game that's unique, entertaining, and will keep you on your toes, Liight is just a flat-out blast to play. Don't let this inexpensive, fun WiiWare title slip through your fingers.

It was hard enough to put the game down long enough to write this review, if that tells you anything. Pirates might lack graphical “oomph,” but it’s fun.

Despite its flaws, Abe’s delivers a combo of innovative, strategy-filled gameplay and eye-popping graphics that makes tolerating these problems worthwhile.

Though it has its glitches, Gitaroo Man Lives is a great gaming experience that will keep you rocking from sunrise to sunset.

There's a noticeable focus on keeping you actively involved in the game and it's an effort that succeeds in spades.

While a multiplayer mode is sorely missed, with Zuma's Revenge PopCap has given gamers exactly what they wanted, a new title that's even better than the original.

The best part of Island Thunder is its price tag... Though it may seem to be a simple add-on, Island Thunder has enough features to make it feel like a brand-new game.

Improved in more ways than is physically possible to list.

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.

The game's voice recognition works great and enables you to switch from a low baritone to high falsetto without confusing the judging. Unfortunately, it doesn't distinguish whether you’re actually singing the correct lyrics, so you can get by with just "na, na, na'ing" it when you’re in trouble.

Transcending PaRappa, this Japanese import combines innovative control with a hot soundtrack for a frustrating yet addictive experience.

Its hearty NASCAR personality will hugely appeal to fans, while its innovative and deep approach will reel in plenty of racing gamers.

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

FIFA 07's allure is hard to deny, making this game a sure-fire rental for seasoned vets and a must have for new soccer fans.

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.

Days of Ruin is a great return to the classic turn-based franchise. The additions and refinements to the formula are stellar and it's yet another gem in the DS Lite's already impressive library.

It was definitely a nice change of pace from the standard World War II/sci-fi settings and until someone does it better, Bound in Blood is, in my opinion, the best Western-themed shooter around.

Hardcore fighting fans will find depth within these hallowed halls, and casual brawlers will find the controls forgiving and fun.

The most imaginative RTS since last year's "Company of Heroes," World of Conflict arrives with one hell of a bang, offering up some of the most explosive real-time experiences I've ever seen.

This years best hockey game offering. Adding vastly improved gameplay to last years impressive control scheme ensures EA's hold on the title of Best Hockey Game Yet Devised.

As I said in my first field report, hardcore Madden players may not appreciate all the changes, but those of us who are more casual fans have a lot to like.

The tendency toward newer tracks, and the neglect of excellent older ones, is a bit disappointing, but as a whole, Green Day: Rock Band plays like a big, wet kiss for its fans. [Aug 2010, p.88]

If you want an RPG experience that's not heavy-handed on the story and touts some truly unique gameplay, then you definitely need to pick up Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier

If stealthy, strategic action intrigues you, Hitman 2 is a blast.

Its combination of old-school shooter gameplay and high-end graphics makes it a blast to play.

Stellar cell-shaded graphics, excellent voice acting (with Patrick Stewart reprising his cinematic role as Professor X), and multiplayer mayhem that make Legends look and feel like the A-list game that it is.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Excellent commentary by Pat Summeral and John Madden coupled with some nice music in the menu system and good layer sounds make this game music to your ears.

The most polished and satisfying entry in the series, and it presents enough fresh ideas to make it worth seeing through to its gripping conclusion.

But even as a solo-only experience, LittleBigPlanet is a brilliant fit for Sony's portable, maintaining nearly every bit of the charm and wide-eyed wonder of the console game while introducing PSP owners to this wonderfully unique series.

Overall, the result is an efficient, memorable, and entertaining DLC release that's easily worth the $15 budget price.

The interface is expertly designed to work with a touch-screen, the graphics are fantastic, and the game itself is undeniably fun.

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.

Jump at the second chance and get this one while you can. There’s no other game like it.

Features all the addictive multi-player mayhem of its previous incarnations, but the impact is slightly diminished by limited one-player games and inexplicable load times.

Once you get the hang of the game engine and acquire better strike craft, the game becomes a very pleasurable experience. Ace Combat Advance is the perfect stopgap between an air-combat sim and an arcade top-down shooter.

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.

It’s supremely addictive, fun, and entrancing, and not just because of the flashing psychedelic tunnels of light. Plus, the feeling that you’re actually in control of a drum set or a base line is about as good as it gets.

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.