There are just enough rough edges--erratic frame rates, astronomically long load times, and the aforementioned camera problems--to suggest that Jade Empire may have benefited from a few extra months of development polish. But no matter. In the end, the game is still hopelessly engrossing and thoroughly replayable.

The character designs are awesome, the soundtrack is solid, and the controls are perfect... It strikes the right balance between pick-up-and-play and in-depth strategy.

Being the mother of rhythm games, Beatmania has been around before Dance Dance Revolution ever got popular. It took a long time, but it's finally here, and rhythm game fans everywhere should be rejoicing.

Considering everything you get with this title -- a solid single player campaign, a diverse multiplayer suite, and just plain fun shooter gameplay -- Section 8: Prejudice is a steal at $15.

Sins easily takes the crown as the most intricate, in-depth real-time strategy game to date.

The Xbox version varies from the PS2 edition in several key ways—different challenge structure, no look-ahead mode, more police chatter, darker colors, and a points-based system for unlocking cars and tracks—but it’s no less fun.

Although the PlayStation 2 and GameCube versions of the sequel have been available for some time, the Xbox version nudges ahead of the other two as the best looking of the bunch.

I never got bored with the shooting mechanics, mostly because leveling up to earn new skills and new guns is inherently fun. It goes without saying that fans of the first game are going to want to pick this one up, but I'd recommend anyone who likes shooters give it a spin.

Straddles the line between arcade and simulation nicely. Players move, look, and behave in a realistic fashion, but fatigue, substitutions, and playcalling don’t interrupt the fun.

The only thing preventing an even higher score is the "Wipeout analogy"—Quantum Redshift matches that standard, but doesn’t deliver something beyond it in terms of gameplay.

"MDK2"'s style of gameplay doesn't lend itself well to multiplay, so the replay value is slim, but the single-player experience is guaranteed to suck hours away from your life.

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]

The game successfuly builds on accomplishments of the series' earlier installments without becoming stale and outdated (thanks mostly to the awesome new play modes.) [Sept 2005, p.84]

The game works on both the iPhone and iPad, but I found myself accidentally touching the wrong block on more than one occasion on my iPod Touch, so the iPad has a bony leg up over its small-screen compadre.

But as good as the action is it's the replay value of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon that makes it unbelievable. There's so much to do outside the main arcade mode that you'll feel almost overwhelmed with choices.

Using tilt is unbelievably awkward. It's hard enough to land high-point combos in Project 8 that require the utmost concentration, let alone have to do it by jerking the Sixaxis controller like an idiot to land the simplest of grinds.

Nearly flawless visuals and truly immersive sound make sure you’re having fun even when you’re not shooting.

If there is one Classic NES cart to throw your nickel to, it's this one. Trust us on this. [Sept 2004, p.93]

It exhibits the same sense of polish and depth that made the original Tiberium Wars such a classic.

Excellent track design, sweet graphics, and big replay value make Rush 2049 the best arcade racer for the Dreamcast.

I have to admit that for nearly the entire time I played Super Mega Worm I had a smile on my face, and that's the best recommendation this reviewer can give.

Braid may seem like the closest contemporary to Winterbottom, as time manipulation is key to each game's platform challenges, but World of Goo is a near-equal counterpart in my mind. Both offer devious challenges complemented by fantastically clever aesthetics, but regardless of which game makes the most sense as an existing touchstone, simply mentioning The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom in their company should say a lot about how worthwhile and refined a game The Odd Gentlemen have created.

If you’ve got the warm bodies, Mario Party 4 will bring great gameplay.

Gauntlet attempts to exercise the PS2’s graphical muscles, but because of the locked overhead-camera angle, there’s only so much detail and special effects to see amidst the tiny characters scurrying about.

It lacks pizzazz and will quickly become wearisome to shooting fans. Still, first-timers and action addicts won't want to miss out on its tight combat and horrific fun.

Even if needles make you squeamish or you feel faint at the sight of blood, Trauma Center is a cure for what has been a spell of mediocrity on the DS. [Nov 2005, p.131]

I'll be honest -- this is not a game for people looking for a lightweight, pick-up-and-play baseball game. Despite its cutesy appearance, Superstars is about as hardcore of a simulation game as you can get.

Still, Silent Hill Origins succeeds on so many levels that it will not disappoint fans of the series. [Dec 2007, p.128]