Smooth handling is complimented by solid physics, while the opponents boast A.I. that is much more balanced than Freekstyle’s rubber-band rivals.

Displays great imagination and attention to detail that is at once challenging, innovative, and fun. It accomplishes the task of re-creating the venerable beat-em-up genre with honor. [Mar 2004, p.62]

The level of quality it has maintained is remarkable. In terms of gameplay and depth, there's no question that Winning Eleven 7 is the soccer game to own. [Mar 2004, p.82]

Across the board, the slick environments, cut-scenes, and character faces shine, although some of the animations are awkward, particularly when 007 runs. A great title song by Mya, strong voice acting, and booming sound effects complete the package.

Represents a sizable leap forward in EA’s line of 007 games. The star-studded cast would’ve been suitable for an actual movie.

Despite these minor gripes about the camera and the game's A.I., Treasure of the Sorcerer King is a good gaming experience and an exhilarating encounter for any fan of Lupin the Third. [Mar 2004, p.64]

It's gorgeous, long, deep, and fun, and that extra level of challenge should whet the appetites of gamers bored with typical hack-n-slash. [Mar 2004, p.84]

The control scheme is sublimely genius, letting you perform midair attacks and dash around foes with poetic ease. The manual camera is still a bit too loose, though, and leaping and running against walls isn’t as reliable as you’d like it to be.

Though its complexity comes nowhere near that of its PC and console relatives, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance steps up and represents for the Forgotten Realms.

The real shame is that the interface designers didn't take more time tightening up the game flow since the last iteration. [May 2004, p.78]

If either half of Wrath Unleashed had been more fully formed, the game would have been easy to recommend, but as it stands, half a fighting game and half a strategy game does not make a whole game. [Mar 2004, p.64]

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]

If you can play Unreal II on the PC, do. Otherwise, rent this for the Xbox only while you wait for the other first-person heavyweights to show up later in the year.

Most fair-weather Pokemon fans will find the Story mode not interesting enough and the Colosseum mode a little too hardcore. [Apr 204, p.98]

Rarely does a game (much less a GBA one) keep the player so constantly surprised. [Mar 2004, p.75]

Soloing is a bit repetitious and slow, but gather some friends - and a whole lot of hardware - and you're in for one of the smartest, weirdest, and most magical four-player adventures you're likely to play. [Mar 2004, p.85]

Final is a difficult game, even with its multiple skill settings, and it relies on a gamer’s patience for trial-and-error and memorization as it does deft skill and trigger-finger firing.

The visuals are sharp and clean all around, and the game features plenty of slick aircraft shots and beautiful skylines.

Mafia's solid script, impeccable voice acting, and overall mood makes it worth a rental, though you're better off playing the PC version if you get the chance. [Apr 2004, p.65]

If you’ve already built up a garage full of cars in Sega GT 2002, you can import your saved game and be online instantly.

A creative stab at reclaiming the essence of hog; if it only had a little more faith in its own clever idea, it probably would have broken the sound barrier.

The quest is absolutely enormous, especially for this style of game, with tons of lengthy missions and a few character-specific side-quests. There’s also a great weapon-and-item customization feature that vastly increases the already impressive equipment possibilities.

A fantastic platformer with a long and challenging adventure that also packs a healthy amount of replay value. However, it is highly recommended that you check out the first game before tackling the Zin.

The icing on the cake is the game’s superb production value, which includes beautifully crafted sound effects like devastating explosions and the eerie whistling of radioactive wind, solid voice acting, and copious visual details that flesh out a nightmarish world decimated by nuclear warfare.

If you're a fan of the .hack universe or have stuck it out through the previous three volumes, you'll find Quarantine a satisfying ending to the series. Everybody else, play at your own risk. [Jan 2004, p.148]

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.

The single-player NFL Challenge mode can destroy your enjoyment in short order, but as long as you have real-life friends to join you, NFL Street is a blast—and a much-needed shot in the arm for the genre.

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.