Year on year, the main modes in the THPS games have moved further away from traditional over-the-top skating to encompass more and more 'crazy' goals, something we're not entirely sure we approve of. One thing we are sure of, though, is that the core skating engine makes for by far the best extreme sports game of this generation. [Christmas 2003, p.98]

The main problem with Karaoke Revolution is one of range, and the list of over 30 songs throws in only a few old favourites among a lot of curveballs. Nevertheless, the technology that drives this is absolutely spot-on and, save for a few niggles, this is a unique gaming experience that shows promise for the future. [Jan 2004, p.121]

PopTop has spent a significant amount of time creating its own 3D engine to show off the trains. But once you've zoomed in on your new Norris locamotive a few times and watched it disappear into the tunnel you've just built, the novelty does wear thin. [Nov 2003, p.123]

Rather than feeling like a mastermind escapologist, your actual role resembles that of an errand boy collecting the pieces of a pre-scripted plan. Yet while nothing here really shines, the overall package is solid enough to counter our gripes. [Oct 2003, p.114]

The biggest complaint is the size of the game - despite the 3D stylings making everything seem bigger, the game is just too darn small to last that long for any but the most inexperienced Castlevania player. [Jan 2004, p.110]

The action is a little too samey, and things become just too repetitive. Aside from scenery variations, FMV cut-scenes and the odd boss fight, the game is practically the same from start to finish. [Jan 2004, p.125]

The game's only letdown comes from the very occasional glitch whose presence is sadly amplified by the precise nature of play, but these minor flaws have to be put into perspective against the sheer quality and quantity on offer that makes H&D2 stand out from everything else in its class. [Christmas 2003, p.104]

While the accessible arcade action delivers thrill-a-minute multiplayer dogfights, over time the game's inherent lack of substance becomes increasingly evident. [Dec 2003, p.121]

Everything is so vibrant and colourful that no matter how frustrating or repetitive it all becomes, you simply won't be able to put that pad down. [Christmas 2003, p.117]

Given the constraints of the sport, SSX 3 does a great job of keeping the game as open as possible. If nothing else, the SSX series represents something of a benchmark for snowboarding games, a trend that continues with this instalment. No one title of this generation can claim obvious superiority. [Dec 2003, p.102]

Given the constraints of the sport, SSX 3 does a great job of keeping the game as open as possible. If nothing else, the SSX series represents something of a benchmark for snowboarding games, a trend that continues with this instalment. No one title of this generation can claim obvious superiority. [Dec 2003, p.102]

Given the constraints of the sport, SSX 3 does a great job of keeping the game as open as possible. If nothing else, the SSX series represents something of a benchmark for snowboarding games, a trend that continues with this instalment. No one title of this generation can claim obvious superiority. [Dec 2003, p.102]

Sadly, the promising squad-based interface is put to incredibly uninspiring use. Despite the impressive scope, this lacklustre playing experience offers little incentive to persevere and explore the strategic depth on offer. [Dec 2003, p.126]

Anyone who has played any of the previous Rogue Squadron titles will know what to expect from most of this title, but while its predecessors have been unadventurously solid, Rebel Strike is quite the opposite. A valiant effort with some wonderful moments but it promises more than it can deliver. [Dec 2003, p.96]

Sadly, despite such impressive scope, the difficulty level takes its toll on the playing experience. Only those with buckets of patience and strategic acumen will ever fully realise this game's awesome potential. [Dec 2003, p.110]

Featuring more complex subject matter and a much grittier feel than virtually every other platformer out there, Naughty Dog has fully capitalised on the popularity of 'mature' games by producing a similar title that younger players will legally be allowed to play. But there's something about the GTA-cum-platform gameplay that just doesn't gel. [Nov 2003, p.112]

It's cliched, pretentious and even horribly self-indulgent at times, but Max Payne 2 is still an absolute joy to play. [Christmas 2003, p.114]

This game is big, chunky and bright but no amount of bold colours and cuddly enemies can save Air Ride from being a rather short-lived and simple affair. [Jan 2004, p.120]

Ultimately, this offers little over the first Desert Storm other than a new campaign and several engine tweaks but given the game's setting, there's precious little more you could ask of it. [Oct 2003, p.126]

Ultimately, this offers little over the first Desert Storm other than a new campaign and several engine tweaks but given the game's setting, there's precious little more you could ask of it. [Oct 2003, p.126]

Ultimately, this offers little over the first Desert Storm other than a new campaign and several engine tweaks but given the game's setting, there's precious little more you could ask of it. [Oct 2003, p.126]

It's far less intricate than a regular squad-based game, yet it retains all the elements that make them fun - as opposed to a title like Brute Force, which had none of them. A fine display of IO's creative talent. [Oct 2003, p.116]

It's far less intricate than a regular squad-based game, yet it retains all the elements that make them fun - as opposed to a title like Brute Force, which had none of them. A fine display of IO's creative talent. [Oct 2003, p.116]

It's far less intricate than a regular squad-based game, yet it retains all the elements that make them fun - as opposed to a title like Brute Force, which had none of them. A fine display of IO's creative talent. [Oct 2003, p.116]

It's far less intricate than a regular squad-based game, yet it retains all the elements that make them fun - as opposed to a title like Brute Force, which had none of them. A fine display of IO's creative talent. [Oct 2003, p.116]

By 'refocusing' the game to concentrate on the more realistic side of the sport, Hitz Pro takes the series down a new path that loses any sense of identity that it might have made for itself. [Dec 2003, p.124]

By 'refocusing' the game to concentrate on the more realistic side of the sport, Hitz Pro takes the series down a new path that loses any sense of identity that it might have made for itself. [Dec 2003, p.124]

The slightly clumsy controls and overly enthusiastic (read: nearly unbeatable) AI, plus with a new Hot Spot system that feels very random, makes the whole game feel rather lopsided and not much fun. [Dec 2003, p.125]