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.