Overall, the fielding controls are just good enough for the “Bigs.” As with earlier ASBs, timing buttonpresses for defensive moves like diving to stop grounders or sliding to snare low line drivers to the outfield is more adventurous than it has to be.

A huge, fun monster-whacker that would hold up pretty well even without its Tolkien license—it is mini-Diablo, after all.

While all the aforementioned features make Iridion incredibly unoriginal, they also make the game finally worth playing for more than the visuals. [June 2003, p.99]

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]

The gameplay is certainly realistic, but overall, the physics of how the ball moves feel a bit floaty at times. In the final analysis, ESPN MLB trails after "MVP Baseball" and "MLB 2005," making it a good choice for those who aren't satisfied with those league leaders. [Apr 2004, p.89]

It's not quite the flagship title you might expect for a Nintendo launch, but Luigi's Mansion is still a must-have.

Luckily, Treasure Seekers blows open the genre's doors for idiots like me with a fantastic hint system that requires a bar to fill up over time before you can use it to cheat your way to victory.

Everything from the 22 on-screen players to the stadium they're duking it out in looks great, and for the first time ever I felt like I wasn't playing a compromised or downgraded football experience despite the limitations of the iPhone platform.

The Ridge Racer series has always seemed to provide games more suited to the casual arcade crowd than serious racing devotees, and despite its jump in graphics quality and new twists, this latest installment isn't likely to convert many to its streamlined feel.

Similar to Peggle, what Block Breaker 3 lacks in gameplay depth it makes up for with an endorphin overdose of bright colors, dance music, and huge high scores that mean nothing but make you feel like an accomplished human being. It's pretty dumb. And awesome.

Tropico 3 had a very clear progression of campaign missions, and while Tropico 4 does have a campaign, it seems more focused on intra-mission tasks rather than overall goals.

Cearly, the new team feature needs to be better tuned as do the disappointing visuals. [Oct 2005, p.100]

Maybe the option that tips the scales for you is Madness's all-mascot teams. [Jan 2005, p.106]

Miles Edgeworth is worth picking up if you're an Ace Attorney fan, as the cameos are delightful -- keep your eyes peeled for Lotta Hart! -- and the cases are still interesting enough, even though they're far too easy and much too predictable.

It shows a lot more polish and precision than previous versions, and will give you hours of hard checking NHL and international team competition.

A superb-looking, straightforward platformer that no interested GBA gamer should miss.

It's a sweet package for your permanent library, bu tif you've played any earlier version and aren't a Tony junkie, you can get by with a rental to check out the new stuff.

A solid, enjoyable snowboarder with a fairly high difficulty factor and lots of gameplay.

The wonderful level designs and slick character animations are hampered by draw-in, some slowdown, and poor collision detection.

It’s just weird enough to be worth owning for posterity.

A gorgeous rendition of the old Castlevania tale. Castlevania’s a 3D platform spectacle that definitely warrants a good look from N64 owners everywhere--you won’t find better hauntings than this one.

While Iron lore deserve kudos for the much-needed tweaks, it's a shame they didn't take more ambitious chances and really push the formula to new heights. On the plus side, if you liked "Diablo II" or "Dungeon Siege II," you're sure to love Titan Quest. It is, after all, almost precisely the same game.

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.

That said, the suite of options completes what is a very nice package for strategy fans. Honestly, I'm a little shocked by the overall quality of the experience; in lesser hands, I'm sure it would have ended up being a mediocre port of the console shooters. Instead, we've been treated to a scrumptious strategy experience from one of the best designers in the business. It's not a turn that I was expecting for the Ghost Recon franchise, but I will definitely take it.

It tries everything, and is maybe a bit too crazy for its own good, but it's definitely unforgettable. Your mileage will vary in accordance with your sanity.

It pumps up the star power with plenty of show, but Superstar Freestyle doesn't ignore the go. Whether your real-life NBA team is headed for playoff stardom or a ticket to the lottery, NBA Live should make the 2006 just a little more enjoyable.

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. [Dec. 2006, p.115]

However, don't expect too much more content than new tests and more Sudoku grids. [Sep 2007, p.80]