As a multiplayer game, though, the fun doesn't last as long as it should. [July 2002, p.76]

Finely crafted and fun.

Most distressingly, inventory management is a total nightmare; identifying and using a healing ’shroom is an amazingly laborious process.

The graphics are among the best to ever grace the Game Boy screen, a vibrant canvas decorated in brilliant crayon and eye-popping pastels-Yoshi's Island is a veritable work of art.

The only downside to this fabulous adventure is the tricky controls. The digital directional pad doesn’t allow for smooth diagonal movement, which Spyro does a lot in each world.

Fails to delivery compelling gameplay.

The rote play mechanics become tiresome after a few campaigns, and despite a limited combo system, you can eliminate most enemies by mashing the same button.

If you like character-based races, you will like this game. [July 2002, p.80]

With more technical polish on the exterior, some better camera work, and a few more clever level designs, Dual would have been quite a thing...but even as it stands, you’ll still find plenty of gameplay value.

While not the deepest game around, there’s enough here to keep you engaged for weeks, especially in two-player mode.

There’s a great side-quest-and-story-packed game underneath the not-so-luscious surface.

The move to the PS2 meant the omission of any type of communication among teammates whatsoever. You can press one button to taunt or another button to cheer, and that’s it.

The series could use a bit more depth and original features, but its pedigree as a top-ranked fighter remains intact.

A good, well-crafted action game, but it definitely shows its age. It’s also quite possibly the hardest SNES game ever made, which, by the way, makes it too hard.

Some lazily designed levels and trite puzzles keep Fox's first planetside excursion from being the classic it could have been.

Helping out the younger GameCube fans with its “easy operation” system and keeping all the arcade trappings for the older crowd sounds like a good idea, but Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO comes up short.

A perfect port of the PC version of the third installment of the Myst trilogy, and nothing is lost in the translation.

Its hearty NASCAR personality will hugely appeal to fans, while its innovative and deep approach will reel in plenty of racing gamers.

As for the overall gameplay, it’s challenging and realistic with a sim-style feel much like Gran Turismo’s.

Frustratingly difficult, and even knowing what you need to do to succeed doesn’t mean you will, thanks to a horrible in-game map and unintuitive and difficult controls.

The action-heavy gameplay just gets hammered by illogically executed camerawork.

Dynasty Tactics makes the sometimes slow and daunting challenge of launching grid-based military campaigns fun and entertaining.

Graphically, this version is slightly below the recent Xbox release but in line with the competent PlayStation 2 iteration.

One humongous drawback to this otherwise seemingly outstanding surf game, however, is the ongoing slowdown.

If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.

The major bones of contention are the clunky controls, clumsy camera, and awkward targeting system.

Any game that kicks off each stage with the phrase “Kick Their Ass!” can’t be all bad, and Gungrave is far from a dog.

Oh, if only those Gummi Ship segments didn’t exist! They’re the only blemish in what’s otherwise the best action/RPG since the two N64 Zeldas.