King Kong is perhaps a redefinition of the cinematic videogame – entirely based on peaks and troughs of excitement, and devoid of any sense of choice. Just like a movie, but interactive. [Christmas 2005, p.98]

We expect good gunplay and loot from a Borderlands game, and we still got that with The Pre-Sequel. But by expecting a little more, we seem to have set ourselves up for disappointment. Strewth.

It isn't nearly as awful - no, indeed, as hopelessly generic - as it might first appear. [Issue#111, p.100]

The story and characters are excellent and the game is enjoyable, but the open world detracts from the experience rather than adding to it. [Issue#257, p.62]

Unfortunately, the extras and vehicle customisation can’t change the fact that the actual racing feels very average. The tracks seem to be more winding than the last game, which detracts from the feeling of speed, and the handling feels very sloppy when compared to other recent games in the genre. [Christmas 2004, p.117]

It's extremely rare that a game would be better with less gameplay. [Issue#118, p.113]

Difficulty aside, another significant problem is that the game's camera is an inexplicable blockhead. [Issue#154, p.108]

The core game is as playable and entertaining as any platform game to have been released since the original Ape Escape, and despite control issues there’s still a whole lot of monkey’s to be caught and a whole lot of fun to be had doing it. [June 2005, p.102]

It might show off how well racers on the Wii will work when developers finally do it properly (yes, Ubisoft, we’re looking at you) but even so, there’s just not enough here to warrant the premium price. [Feb 2007, p.104]

Exploring the lost village is a terrifying experience that's enhanced by a greatly improved graphics engine and a well-structured soundtrack. Tecmo's latest effort may be flawed and far from innovative, but it's still an enjoyably scary experience. [Feb 2004, p.114]

Quite surprisingly, Moon captures the feel of the Metroid franchise more faithfully than Nintendo's own DS effort….But the main quest runs out of steam around halfway through. [Aug 2009, p.122]

As great as it is to watch, it's simply nowhere near as much fun to play, and no amount of whips, snakes and Holy Grails can ever change that. [July 2008, p.116]

This is a decent stealth game, held back by missed opportunities.

Fly about, shoot planes, and go home. It’s all you could ask for, and not a lot else. [Apr 2007, p.131]

It's got some sophistication, but it can be silly too. [Issue#154, p.122]

This is EA's take on NHL action as it's always been, rejigged with improved animations and new moves so it's inevitably the best version yet. [Nov 2004, p.119]

Deep and rewarding, if physically a little uncomfortable to play on the DS, this game will set the tone for future EA titles. [Jan 2005, p.121]

The average gamer will find that they’re left with a game that fails to meet the standards set by Diamond and Pearl, and sticks far too rigidly to the ideas found in the original Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. [Sept 2008, p.123]

Despite its shortcomings, remains deep and complex. [Issue#122, p.111]

In the cold light of day, however, it's difficult to see what all the fuss is about. [Issue#107, p.117]

A thoroughly engaging title that easily satisfies any superficial desires. We were left wanting more. [Issue#122, p.114]

We'd happily take this over anything Sonic Team has produced in the last eight years, but we can't help wishing that Let's Tap had a little more longevity. [Mar 2009, p.111]

For true "chillax"-based experiences, however, there are far less pressured examples available. [Issue#107, p.118]

A passable distraction amid higher-profile titles rather than a direct competitor to the smoking guns of the genre. [Dec 2006, p.120]

Despite the bright colours, cute simians, jolly music and overarching joyous abandon, Super Monkey Ball Adventure is a tremendously difficult videogame. And phenomenally frustrating to boot. [Aug 2006, p.130]

All the imagination seems to have been used up in story and setting, leaving little left over for intricate or satisfying problem solutions. [June 2009, p.119]

Gorgeous. [Issue#111, p.117]

It's a shame that the game is occasionally let down by its control scheme because it is anything but derivative and its visuals, excellent sound design, and mechanics can coalesce to create moments of real impact. [Issue#154, p.126]