While "Madden's" a better game in the way that Peyton Manning is better than Steve McNair (marginally), it'll be fun to see if ESPN can beat the daunting spread with its budget-priced equalizer. [Sept 2004, p.87]

Character upgrades, including a useless superpunch for Olimar and Louie, highlight Pikmin 2's greatest flaw: it relies too heavily on the collection of stuff. [Oct 2004, p.104]

On the field, Sega falls short of the more immediate action, tighter controls, and more powerful on-field flexibility of "Madden 2004." [Sept 2003, p.73]

It's Star Wars with a proven and well-executed game concept. And if that's not enough to persuade you, you're able to murder Ewoks. Enjoy.

With great presentation and a fantastic dynasty mode, this is the premier college hoops game this season. [Jan 2005, p.118]

If only the visual polish matched the immaculate accuracy of the gameplay. [Oct 2003, p.67]

The new Objective mode adds a whole lot of challenge in multiplayer. [Nov 2003, p.88]

Scapland's gorgeous set pieces and unique take on "Grand Theft Auto's" open-ended gameplay makes it one of PC gaming's best-kept secrets. [Jan 2005, p.104]

Few business games currently on the market are as enjoyable as this one.

Offers great rewards to gamers willing to commit the time to it (player-vs.-player between warring nations is coming in January), and the community is filled with surprisingly helpful players, which makes for a deep, compelling, and perpetual gaming environment.

Like the annual football fix, it's a killer deal for the money, whether you're a casual fan or a liquid-limbed obsessive. [Nov 2003, p.88]

The addition of first-person-shooter-style controls is what takes Nexus to the next step. The series instantly goes from being niche to nice, now that turning your Core is simpler for the uninitiated. [Nov 2004, p.112]

One of the best PC games of 2000 is ported faithfully to the PS2. Upgrade your character's skills and attributes to your liking. [Feb 2003, p.92]

These battles, they feel real. More important, they seem dangerous.

A solid platformer with a unique aesthetic and animations. Lacks a little in the challenge department; a little on the short side, too. [Feb 2003, p.93]

There's not much of a graphical upgrade from the PC version, but the interface and audio is improved. Goes great with Xbox live. [Feb 2003, p.95]

K-1 packs fluid, responsive controls of the "Tekken" variety (left punch, right punch, kicks, etc.) combined with trouble-free 360-degree movement. [July 2003, p.76]

Harder-hitting than the rest. [Oct 2003, p.67]

The game's biggest weakness is the lack of any levity or humor to counterpoint the story's overwhelmingly serious tone. [Sept 2003, p.68]

Deception is excellent, and its online play and hundreds of unlockable secrets give it more longevity than most fighters. [Dec 2004, p.112]

Midway has successfully overhauled their classic series, but it has kept the ultraviolence that made it so popular. [Oct 2003, p.68]

An incredibly deep strategy RPG with a branching story line and a rewarding battle system. [Feb 2003, p.97]

Groove could be the perfect addition to your parties if it wasn't for the fact that EyeToy requires lots of light. If you like your parties glaringly bright, though, it's a hit. [May 2004, p.93]

Easy to pick up and damn fun to play.

Solidly designed, solidly programmed, very pretty, and about as close to "Zelda" as PS2 and Xbox will ever get. This one deserves to be a sleeper hit.

The indisputable highlight of Hit & Run is its hysterical dialogue, voice acted by the show's cast and crafted by the show's writers, but the gamelay doesn't suck by comparison. [Oct 2003, p.70]

Jak 3 doesn't break much new ground, but it is head and shoulders above most of its ilk and is a fitting - and make no mistake, good-looking - send-off for this beloved trilogy. [Dec 2004, p.124]

The highest compliment we can give EA's portrayal of JK Rowling's magic-infused faux sport is that it's so much fun (for fans and nonfans alike) that it makes us wish Quidditch were actually real.