A gripping and action-packed experience that will appease if you’re jonesing for a straightforward FPS.

This challenging game organized into vertical and horizontal levels makes excellent use of the DS dual-screen format.

Looks sexy and plays like pro, but it's just not the polished veteran that you've come to expect with PS2 and Xbox. At least it's clear to see that with a little more seasoning, this game should be in fighting shape next year.

The first Skate was a refreshing take on virtual skateboarding, so expectations were high for this one. Maybe they were a little too high: Skate 2 doesn't quite deliver the revolutionary skating experience that we were all hoping it would be. It's still a lot of fun and has a lot to offer, especially with its awesome multiplayer modes, but the franchise is still a ways away from living up to its full potential.

MTX's visuals definitely contribute to the fun time. Bikers and their motorized partners look sharp, while the arenas surprisingly offer a lot of detail. [June 2004, p.71]

A nostalgia trip worth taking.

MK vs. DC isn't the best Mortal Kombat game, not by a country mile, but for the first time in years this series feels relevant and energized.

Again, it's nothing new but the weapons and powers are interesting enough that, if you put in the work, the reward is there. But it probably won't make you forget about Modern Warfare or Halo 3 or Killzone 2 or whatever online FPS you're currently hooked on.

The game can be annoying at times--opening doors is almost always a hassle, for example--and the limited time you have to find the Elebits makes things a little hairier than necessary but this is still one of the more original and fun titles available for the Wii.

Detailed textures and a fast frame rate let you savor the disturbing damage, and the precise controls never fail.

Even with its flaws, this is an excellent title. A lovely game with charisma to spare, Winter of the Melodias shows off WiiWare's true potential.

At first, combat seems too twitchy and simplistic, while the training sequences last too long, but as you grow in power, and unlock your substantial latent wealth of special moves and combination plays, the rich combat possibilities reveal themselves.

In no other game, however, will you be cleaved in half by a bull who screams, "Long live vegetarianism," and love it like in Cel Damage.

When you come right down to it, though, Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 succeeds thanks to its amazing co-op, carefully balanced gameplay and memorable setting.

If you haven't picked up a copy of Disgaea previously, be sure to give the DS version a try. [Oct 2008, p.93]

Despite a few structural flaws, Fortress is a fun way to kill little chunks of time.

Blows away all other surfing games already out.

The game gives you too many handicaps and leaves an unsavory taste of an unbalanced fighter. Even with these minor faults, Battle Assault is an excellent handheld fighter and still recommended.

The game does a surprisingly good job of going up against Madden '08. It isn't going to unseat the king of all video football games this season but that's the beauty of sports: there's always next year.

Rally looks amazing. Courses look sharp and consist of intricate details. But what really looks the best are the things thrown in to slow you down: ice, water, mud and dirt are all present, and you'll have to learn how to interact with each.

The RPG connection here is saliva thin, but if you’re thirsting for old-school controller-bruising action; you should sink your teeth into DA: VP.

Whether you're a long time fan or Pokemon newcomer, this is a solid, fun game. [July 2007, p.86]

Offers true harmony between arcade and simulation football games, but with more attitude than both of them put together. Oh, and it’s fun, too.

Of the three, only the PS2 version seems prone to annoying split-second jitters and pauses that break up the animation.

And yet, even with the flaws, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary dramatically succeeds in being a celebratory look back at what was considered a "perfect" first-person shooter experience 10 years ago.

The greatest feature in Baten Kaitos may be the fact that you can fight and travel as freely as you like.

It’s really no more than yet another extension of a five-year-old gameplay device. Concept, meet the breaking point.

An excellent flashback to old-school gaming in its finest hour. [Feb 2006, p.70]