Its gameplay and graphics bring a richness to the genre in grand style and with lyrical grace. [Oct 2003, p.74]

What's surprising about Outlaw Volleyball is that it plays as well as it looks, like "NBA Jam" on the beach... With its sexual references, tan lines, and gyrating asses, Outlaw Volleyball makes "DOA" looks like McDonald's Playland. [Sept 2003, p.71]

The love that went into it shines through, and it's enough to have True Believers shouting "Excelsior!" for weeks to come. [Dec 2004, p.117]

Holland has done a brilliant job of focusing on gameplay over realism.

To be perfectly clear: This is the best 2D fighting game ever made...a 2D fighter fan's dream come true. [Sept 2004, p.95]

The levels are repetitive, boxy mazes with nothing interesting in them aside from battles, and the story's for fans only. Still, it's a technically excellent and fun game that begins to wear only through repetition and ease. [Jan 2005, p.84]

Feels a bit like Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor in that an attempt to make an epic WWII Pacific Theater experience results in a product with brilliant touches mixed with mediocrity.

But even without the fielder cam, defensive controls are just a tad too sluggish—it's not uncommon to see a player circling around a ball on the ground or to have an outfielder take his sweet time throwing the ball into the infield because of the imprecision.

Overall, everything feels responsive, scores and stats come out realistically, and the atmosphere just feels right. [May 2004, p.84]

The game's presentation is incredible... Unfortunately, the A.I. should have spent more time in basic training. [Feb 2005, p.87]

Combat is flashy and loud, marred only by the accent-heavy voiceovers. [Sept 2004, p.88]

One of the fastest, most insane combat-racing games ever devised... If the tracks were a little bit less ambitious or the trick system streamlined for human hands, DD would easily be one of the best games of its type. [Aug 2003, p.78]

Acclaim made a lot of improvements and did a great job at capturing some of the spirit of baseball, but the actual on-field experience seems a little off. [Apr 2003, p.64]

It's a fun, imaginative platformer that, though easily and quickly completed, is another solid first-party GameCube title. [July 2003, p.74]

Defensive controls are just a tad too sluggish. [May 2004, p.84]

While the action runs smoothly, textures and level design are a bit on the simple side, making some of the more ambitious "natural" levels feel a little too grid based. [Apr 2003, p.67]

For newbies, this is still a great game, but for veterans of previous iterations, there's no reason to switch. [July 2003, p.75]

With its comedic bent and offbeat gameplay, Lupin the 3rd is a blessed alternative to the current wave of "Splinter Cell" clones, and a game that stealth fans and Lupin geeks can dig on equally. [Feb 2004, p.88]

Ash does a wonderful job of establishing an eerie, dystopian world where Dorothy's evil still slingers. [Mar 2003, p.71]

Between its immature "Mature-rated" content (naughty language is prevalent) and rough gameplay, RoadKill narrowly misses excellence.

Clumsy combat and woeful repetition will try your patience. [Oct 2004, p.118]

What would have been the game's ultimate saving grace - infinite human opponents online, courtesy of Xbox Live - isn't available either. [June 2003, p.75]

The turn-based combat is fast paced, precise, and brutal—they throw the whole freaking Monster Manual at you, and the numbers these monsters roll are crazy deep.

It's a fine tie-in game, but it's over rather quickly, offering little in the way of challenge. [Aug 2004, p.93]

The best Mega Man X in recent memory and will provide an enjoyable challenge to gamers willing to give 2D another go. [Feb 2005, p.97]

A fun ride that ends far too early. [May 2004, p.94]

With its violence, online play, and deep franchise mode, this title will appeal to both hardcore and casual baseball fans alike.

For a game that's more than a decade old, The Lost Vikings looks and plays great. [June 2003, p.77]