While the Potter faithful will likely love Order of the Phoenix nonetheless, players who don't know Reducto from Reducio may want to wait for a more-satisfying Potter game. [Aug 2007, p.89]

If you have the patience to see it through, Magical Starsign is fairly satisfying, especially if you value good writing and compelling characters over deep gameplay. [Dec. 2006, p.104]

It's a slick game made with military precision. [Sept 2002, p.166]

Lots of thrills and hills. It just doesn’t have the character and control that the Simpsons game has. [Jan 2002, p.130]

The insults and mulligans are rapid-fire. [Dec 2002, p.214]

If you've never played a SimCity game, ask yourself if you like the process of building things or if you like things that are already built. If your answer is the former, SimCity DS is for you. [Aug 2007, p.88]

You have to take a Zen approach to it; just explore, collect mushrooms and flowers, capture bugs with your wand-turned-net, and let things happen. [June 2009, p.89]

The graphics are vibrant, the beat-driven music is catchy and the madcap action boasts hidden areas and collectibles you can cash in for help. [Nov 2001, p.148]

Excellent fun. [Apr 2002, p.152]

Though the inventory and menu systems need polishing, this RPG is a dream come true for Harry Potter fans. [July 2004, p.119]

16 levels of wild 3-D action. [Dec 2002, p.220]

There may not be many new ideas in Dawn of Heroes but the hilarious dialogue and wacky adversaries still make for a memorable experience. [Apr 2010, p.89]

The best pure first-person shooter on the Wii. [July 2009, p.84]

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery does an admirable job of tying together platforming, combat, and stealth without having any of those game styles feel like a particular weakness. [Jan 2010, p.89]

An encore with a new set of songs and the same infectious rhythm-based gameplay for up to four players. [June 2005, p.97]

Downhill Jam will almost certainly surrender its extreme-sports crown by the time the next generation of Wii games ollies onto the scene, but for now it's the best way I can think of to get down a hill. [Feb. 2007, p.95]

The updated Wii U version improves on many issues that irked fans when Ninja Gaiden 3 originally launched, but repetitious battles and a hokey story knock the experience down a few notches. [Dec 2012, p.86]

Still, four-player battles can be a heck of a lot of fun, so it's worth a look if you and some friends are fans of the show. [Dec. 2006, p.110]

Visually, Shinobi isn't exactly a showcase for the N3DS hardware, but the game runs smoothly and the art style works well with stereoscopic 3D. [Nov 2011, p.74]

Though Glory of Heracles may not be revolutionary, however, it's still ultimately solid fun. [Feb 2010, p.90]

This was obviously a labor of love for the development team--something that goes beyond the nuts and bolts of typical game design. [Jan 2008, p.86]

The game is no masterpiece, but if you're in the mood for some mindless, old-school entertainment, it's $30 well spent. [Holiday 2007, p.82]

Although the straight-on overhead view makes it difficult to judge the height of platforms, the overall game play is fast-paced and enjoyable. [Dec 2003, p.148]

You'll spend a lot of time checking the mansion's 15 rooms for ghosts, which can get tedious, but many of the game's puzzles are quite clever. [Dec 2003, p.144]

After several attempts to modernize Sonic for the 3-D gaming landscape, Sega has taken a big step back in their approach, and that's a good thing. [Apr 2007, p.84]

While Akira Toriyama's characters seemed a little out of place on the Xbox 360 (host to the original Blue Dragon), they're perfect for a handheld game. [Mar 2009, p.89]

A drab experience that takes little advantage of the DS hardware (menu issues annoy) and rarely rises above the level of sufficiency. [May 2009, p.91]

Unlockable characters and tons of secrets add to the game's replayability. [Oct 2003, p.140]

Still, racing around is enjoyable and can be challenging, even if the Career mode can feel repetitive due to the unfortunate lack of track variety. [Holiday 2009, p.87]

A great leap forward for the Potter franchise, and a fun and inclusive gaming experience. [Jan 2006, p.107]

Doesn't do anything to revolutionize the franchise, but it's still one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences around. [Jan 2004, p.155]

These mechanics are novel and feel great, but take some practice. [Oct 2010, p.89]

This baseball diamond loses some of its luster with occasionally confusing or clunky play (it's too easy to accidentally pitch or swing prematurely), but the game's simplified approach is great for sports-curious gamers looking to avoid the complexities of a real simulation. [Oct 2008, p.87]

A welcome tutorial teaches the basics, and a gradual ramping up of difficulty guarantees that you'll have t a chance to develop your skills before you take on tough challenges. [Aug 2004, p.123]

Try it out with some friends and you won't be disappointed. [Nov 2008, p.106]

Helmet Chaos does have a surprisingly quirky sense of humor and some decent voice acting, but it's not enough to recapture the series's long-lost magic. [Oct 2005, p.100]

While Call of Duty 3 is certainly competent and the standard FPS controls benefit from the move to the Wii, there's nothing else particularly special about the game to really set it apart from last year's edition. [Jan. 2007, p.99]

Although much of the action is standard platformer fare, sliding on vines is zany fun. [Feb 2005, p.113]

Even better, this game does a mostly good job of bringing the Diablo-style experience to the Nintendo 3DS system. [July 2012, p.85]

Nonetheless, this is a solid effort, and fans of the license, especially, should check it out. [Aug 2010, p.91]

A fixed and unforgiving camera also makes the platforming experience frustrating. [Nov 2007, p.105]

A grown man in a diaper, a scary clown and an Elvis impersonator are among the 11 kooky playable characters. [May 2004, p.121]

Moves are limited, but the overall experience is tons of fun. [Mar 2004, p.119]

The graphics are top-notch and the techno music mix goes well with the game's energy and style. [Mar 2004, p.119]

The game is every bit as charming and addictive as its predecessors. [May 2004, p.120]

You'll need a calm mind to tolerate the slow pace at which everything is presented to you, but you don't have to be a fishing enthusiast to enjoy Fishing Resort's eye-catching scenery and the addictive nature of the fish-collecting. [Nov 2011, p.77]

My final analysis is this: if you love creating things and have lots of patience, MySims is worth a look, but if you're hoping for a cute virtual neighborhood to inhabit, "Animal Crossing: Wild World" is a better place to settle. [Nov 2007, p.100]

Shakes things up in some interesting ways, mainly through its diverse array of mission locales. [Nov 2010, p.89]

Even with a lot of areas in need of polish, WWE All Stars isn't a bad game. [April 2011, p.87]

It's just too darn short--you'll probably make it through the entire single-player mode in just over an hour (add another hour to get platinum medals on every stage). [Holiday 2007, p.84]

Boasts more action and cool variaety than you could strap into a utility belt. [Jan 2002, p.134]

When you let out a Tarzan yell, animal forces will come to your aid. [Jan 2003, p.175]

A fun and funny treat for Scooby fans. [Nov 2002, p.224]

Although it's the fifth Harvest Moon title for the DS system, not much has changed in Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar. [Sept 2010, p.89]

Commanding minions to wreak havoc in a fairy-tale world is just plain fun. [Aug 2009, p.91]

However, Fossil Fighters: Champions proves to be a worthy successor to the original Fossil Fighters. [Nov 2011, p.83]

Players can access Solar Surfer-riding sequences and unlockable clips from the film. [Nov 2002, p.226]

The game is short at about five or six hours, though I suppose it doesn't matter when you tire of the proceedings after 15 minutes. [Holiday 2007, p.82]

If you have a yearning for pure sudoku in video game form, Dr. Sudoku will provide a cure, but more options and a sharper presentation would have gone a long way. [May 2006, p.94]

Player control is as good as ever, offering a wide selection of moves. [Feb 2005, p.114]

Like a middling baseball team, The Bigs 2 provides a fun diversion for those lazy Sunday afternoons, but it's unlikely to hold your attention all summer. [Aug 2009, p.90]

A slow, uninteresting first-person shooter with long load times, poor AI and a love of doors that borders on obsessive. This game should actually be called "Door Opening Simulator 4000." [Aug 2004, p.121]

The Battle Network game to get. [Dec 2005, p.124]

A game with good but not outstanding graphics and great play control. [Apr 2003, p.136]

A space-themed central story gives the game greater scope than its predecessors. [Aug 2004, p.123]

Sunningly powerful. [Feb 2004, p.148]

Although it is easy to battle using sommoned monsters and attack cards, the system is somewhat limiting. [June 2003, p.137]

Dawn of the New World doesn't have the epic feel of the original--the fact that it's easily beaten (not accounting for side quests) in under 30 hours doesn't help--but it's great to revisit this world that I enjoyed exploring when the first Tales of Symphonia was released four years ago. [Holiday 2008, p.78]

The game's 20 levels (including vehicle chases) give you plenty of play, but the reason to pick it up is to flex your creative muscles. [Nov 2008, p.104]

The lack of RPG depth is a disappointment, but the titles are solid additions to the Harry Potter gaming world. [Jan 2006, p.107]

It may seem like a bit of a stretch to make a full-blown DS title about finding the differences between two nearly identical drawings. And it is. [Apr 2007, p.87]

Most of the game's problems have to do with the action elements. [Holiday 2008, p.86]

A simple interface and user-friendly controls make the game easy to pick up and play. [May 2002, p.133]

More gamelike in its execution than "Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer." [May 2003, p.138]

When you cast back the shadows, this Ranger emerges as solid, engaging fun for Pokemon fans of all ages. [Holiday 2008, p.86]

It's a creative and distinctive adventure in terms of both graphics and gameplay--rare qualities in this day and age--making this title well worth experiencing for yourself. [Jan 2011, p.89]

With more than 70 pick-up-and-play games, this title is bound to have something you'll like. [Nov 2010, p.88]

The game's scope is massive, and the missions are varied and rewarding. [Dec 2004, p.148]

With solid soccer action and tons of features, Disney Sports Soccer is a real winner. [Jan 2003, p.175]

With a no-nonsense interface, more than 100 new cards (to bring the total to over 1,100) and new rules for the summer's Yu-Gi-Oh card-battling competition, WCT2004 is the ultimate up-to-date card-playing sim for Yu-Gi-Oh! fans. [May 2004, p.121]

A solid and enjoyable action title with great control and gritty graphics. [Nov 2004, p.131]

The control felt floaty at first, but it made sense the more I played. Overall, I didn't want to stop playing. [Feb 2002, p.151]

The graphics, sound effects and game play combine for a satisfying action experience. [Mar 2003, p.138]

Packs in lots of game play and replay value, with dozens of challenges set in beautiful locations. [Nov 2002, p.219]

Despite your better efforts, the outcome seems to be based more on luck than skill. [March 2005, p.107]

Of course, the big question on the minds of Samba devotees is how the controls stack up to the Dreamcast version and its beloved maracas peripheral. The answer: extremely well. [Nov 2008, p.95]

For players looking for a serious board game, there's a lot to enjoy here. [Dec 2011, p.80]

If you're a devoted fan of straightforward tennis, you'll likely enjoy the game. [June 2008, p.88]

The game may keep toddlers entertained, but so might an empty box (which is a heck of a lot cheaper). [Oct 2005, p.100]

Call it a fractured fairy tale with guns and flamethrowers. [Dec 2008, p.94]

Still, it's a decent platformer that fans of Ultimate Spider-Man comics will find mildly entertaining. [Feb. 2007, p.94]

The GBA version doesn't have the minigames of the GCN version, but the core game is loads of fun. [Jan 2003, p.176]

Some of the game's intricacies are a tad complex, but it's easy to understand the basics. [Jan 2004, p.159]

As for its single player component, Break 'em All has you competing against high scores, which gives the title an arcade feel that may not appeal to everyone. [Aug 2006, p.85]

LostMagic is not perfect, but it is an exceedingly fun and strikingly original RPG that will test your skills more than any other DS game on the market. [Jun 2006, p.84]

IF you're looking for a break from "Tetris DS" or just a good challenge, Magnetica has it. [July 2006, p.94]

As a budget-priced title, Ty delivers satisfactory entertainment for platformer fans. [Dec 2005, p.122]

Engaging game play but very little action or animation. [Apr 2003, p.138]