Is Joint Operations better than "Battlefield 1942"? Yes, if all the pieces come together. But without good players backing you up and a well-populated map, you're screwed. [Oct 2004, p.96]

What really distinguishes this charmer is its finely honed sense of pacing: While the first game's notorious difficulty level is fully intact, the levels, objectives, and boss battles are mixed and matched to near perfection.

Insomniac's terrific action-platformer has you jumping from world to world in search of new weapons and gadgets. [Feb 2003, p.93]

What could've been crap on a DVD turns out to be a game that's easy to pick up and damn fun to play.

Offers racing thrills that compete with those in full-sized games. [Dec 2004, p.125]

The best damn puzzle game of the last 10 years has finally made it, in perfect form, to GBA... The game is, however, excruciatingly difficult, so consider yourself warned. [Apr 2003, p.73]

Still derivative, and slightly bizarre, but better than the previous game, Jak II is a trip worth taking. [Nov 2003, p.82]

Odd naming system. [Feb 2003, p.97]

Wrath's only problems are small but important: Loading unfortunately breaks up the game's pacing, the fighting engine could be deeper, and there's no online mode.

If you like wasting small bits of time here and there with your GBA - and especially if you're new to the series - this is still the best thing you get get on the portable. [Nov 2004, p.134]

The emulation is solid, delivering sound and gameplay that's up to par. [Jan 2004, p.86]

Ratings have cooled and Stone Cold had some run-ins with John Law. This is irrelevant, as wrestling games always sell. [Feb 2003, p.96]

Just as "Madden" continues to dominate gridiron play, so does ESPN NBA Basketball on the hardwood. [Dec 2003, p.84]

A beautiful-looking Dungeons & Dragons-based hack-and-slash that can be played cooperatively with another player. [Feb 2003, p.95]

One of gaming's most horrific experiences. [Feb 2005, p.102]

Submission moves finally makes sense, thanks to a logical location-based damage system, and wrestlers' weights are accurately presented. [Jan 2004, p.92]

Despite the lacking modes, the new songs and Xbox Live make Karaoke Revolution on Xbox incredibly versatile. [Dec 2004, p.115]

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. [Nov 2004, p.120]

GL2 might be on the short side, but it's 100 percent pure beef; GL3 feels like cow eyeballs and kangaroo meat are mixed in—even if, in point of fact, the developers have actually expanded the game.

Easy to pick up and easy to play, a la "Virtua Tennis." [Feb 2003, p.96]

Excellent gameplay and some damn-fine GBA RPG graphics. [Mar 2003, p.72]

The Practice mode could've been more intuitive, like "Madden 2004's" minicamp mode. It was not only difficult to figure out, but also, ultimately, not even that helpful. [Dec 2003, p.86]

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.

The only compelling reason for Halo fans to buy this version is for multiplayer, which is so much better than playing split-screen on your television. Otherwise, it's the same old space opera. [Dec 2003, p.80]

Just as polished as the rest of the series, striking just the right balance between familiar and fresh material. [Feb 2005, p.99]

But POP's only really significant flaw lies in its adventure/action ratio: Both aspects are thoroughly fleshed-out but rarely intertwined.

Although combination attacks and special strikes are possible, battles come straight from the "Warriors" playbook - and fights, no matter how lopsided, are all too easily won by locating an enemy leader and killing him or her. [Dec 2004, p.127]

If you want to relive the good old days and hat that your favorite 2D franchises are being recast as crappy 3D shooters, give Hominid a try. [Feb 2005, p.94]