Precise, demanding, and about as tough as rally racing gets, Colin McRae Rally 04 should be approached by those predisposed to driving on dirt.

An affront to Mega Man fans, card-battle enthusiasts, and gamers everywhere. [June 2004, p.83]

Fails at almost every level. The framerate shudders like a dying horse. [June 2004, p.86]

An interesting attempt at innovation in the genre. Unfortunately, it's also a frustrating, throw-down-your-headset, curse-generating one.

None of the game's various segments is better than the source material that inspired it.

While it may intimidate casual gamers, the hardcore will eat this up. Ninja Gaiden is the work of developers at the peak of their powers and is, pound for pound, light years beyond anything else in the category. [Jan 2004, p.47]

The physics, camera, and controls are great: Everything feels perfect, and there's an awesome sense of speed (helped out by the rock-solid 60 fps). [June 2004, p.81]

While PSO began as a genuine phenomenon, it ends with something more like a fizzled experiment.

If you can handle LOC's steep learning curve, you'll enjoy an experience unobtainable on any other platform - the game is that compelling. [June 2004, p.85]

If it weren't for an enhanced combat system, it would be a definite step down from "Kingdoms VIII" - ultimately, it's more of the same. [Apr 2004, p.92]

The cohesion between 007's on-foot mission and driving excursions further adds to the cinematic feel, which is Everthing or Nothing's strongest trait. [Apr 2004, p.86]

We struggle with MXU's collision problems, floatiness while jumping, and the decision to scrap "MX Superfly's" stunt track editor. These work to frustrate and unfortunately take things down a bit. [Apr 2004, p.93]

Besides the not-quite-fluid-enough controls, the main problem is that shooting is a bit of a pain (you tap the right analog toward your target and use the R2 to shoot). [Mar 2004, p.85]

It's the little things that count, and from the minor (new training minigames) to the major (24 new club teams) to the why-didn't-they-think-of-that-before (referees playing the advantage with fouls), it's all here. [Mar 2004, p.86]

Particularly thrilling is the motorcycle chase on the narrow freeway, evoking strong visions of what EA could have done had it been blessed with The Matrix license. The cohesion between 007's on-foot missions and driving excursions further adds to the cinematic feel, which is Everything or Nothing's strongest trait.

Particularly thrilling is the motorcycle chase on the narrow freeway, evoking strong visions of what EA could have done had it been blessed with "The Matrix" license.

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]

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.

Throw in three difficulty levels and multiplayer support (with either a Multitap or a Network Adaptor) and you've got a lengthy and highly replayable adventure. [Mar 2004, p.86]

Two words: bottomless pits. That foul design element, which should have been eradicated from gaming's lexicon decades ago, shows up in Nightshade - and with maddening regularity. [Apr 2004, p.88]

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. [Feb 2004, p.90]

Scratch the "Complete" BS - this really should've been called "Silent Scope 3 Plus," because the first two games are so short that your time is best spent uncovering the third game's myriad secrets. [Mar 2004, p.85]

The only thing unreal that awakened while playing this game was the uncontrollable urge to vomit. [May 2004, p.80]

Another slight issues is that while the world seems fully realized, and the interface is standard Pokemon issue, the game isn't nearly as massive or deep as something like "Ruby." [Apr 2004, p.83]

Where Zero Mission really adds to the legend is in the game's challenging surprise ending...this isn't your daddy's Metroid. [Mar 2004, p.92]

The level of satisfaction you derive from Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles correlates directly to whether you look at it as a poor man's Final Fantasy or as the best damn game of "Gauntlet" you've ever laid eyes on.

Intensely beautiful, highly playable, and downright inspired, R-Type Final is a somber but fitting end to a legendary series. A stellar combination of style, substance, and class.

Most combat objectives are immediately recognizable to anyone who's logged a few hours in either "Ace Combat" or "Airforce Delta". Not that htis is really a bad thing, because ultimately, the sci-fi story and design is sufficiently compelling. [Mar 2004, p.88]