The Game Face II interface allows you to sculpt your duffer to minute detail. [Dec 2004, p.146]

A great update of an established franchise. [Dec 2004, p.146]

The L-and-R-Button turning scheme takes some getting used to, but the other controls are spot-on. [Nov 2004, p.132]

The story is not as epic as those of many RPGs, but it does give the game some depth. [Nov 2004, p.133]

Stylized art and animation, an athletic superspy and lots of jumping, grappling and fighting make Kim Possible 2 an engaging platformer - especially for fans of the Kim Possible TV series. [Sept 2004, p.116]

The adventure combines "PSO" and "PSO Ver.2," released for the Sega Dreamcast, with a GCN-exclusive story. [Oct 2004, p.124]

Although casual DBZ fans may not understand all of the story references, they will enjoy the great gameplay and the chance to battle Buu's Fury players. [Nov 2004, p.132]

Although it contains RPG elements, Advance Guardian Heroes is really an action game that requires fast reflexes and arcade-style fighting skills. [Nov 2004, p.131]

Only hard-core fans of the Bad Boys movies will find redeeming value in the game. [Nov 2004, p.130]

Although the graphics are somewhat bare, the game does a great job of showing the explosive strength of the dinosaur-inspired fighters. [Dec 2004, p.146]

The racing action is similar to that of other kart games, but the Digimon influence adds a fun gameplay edge. [Oct 2004, p.124]

The controls are a tad slow to respond and some of the jumps are tricky, resulting in a frustrating play at times. If you stick with it, you'll delight in the sci-fi fun. [Nov 2004, p.132]

A nonintuitive interface combined with difficult-to-decipher puzzles will frustrate everyone but boy geniuses. [Dec 2004, p.144]

The game's colorful graphics and light difficulty are appropriate for the franchise's young fan base. [Dec 2004, p.150]

The missions, based on TV-show episodes, are loaded with laughs and kooky inventions. [Nov 2004, p.130]

The innovative connectivity features really take Pokemon to the next level of gaming and promote Pokemon community. [Oct 2004, p.123]

The innovative connectivity features really take Pokemon to the next level of gaming and promote Pokemon community. [Oct 2004, p.123]

A cursor-based hitting interface makes it too easy to put the ball into play, and the runners are impossible to control. [Dec 2004, p.150]

The environments are detailed and very active - so much so that they are sometimes a distraction. [Nov 2004, p.130]

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

Play mechanics are lacking, making it difficult to aim and fire at the same time, and computer-controlled ememies are brutal early on. [Nov 2004, p.131]

After you cast the lure, it's almost enirely up to luck to determine whether the mindless back-and-forth-swimming fish bite - not an engaging play. [Dec 2004, p.154]

A great feeling of speed and incredible feature depth make Chase for the Cup the best NASCAR game yet. [Nov 2004, p.130]

Offers a brilliant mix of realistic physics and arcade-style gameplay that gives you a strong sense of both speed and control over your machine. [Nov 2004, p.131]

The well-construced platform adventure allows you to explore nine international locations and learn something of the history and geography of each area. [Mar 2004, p.118]

Brilliant and genius are words that are often casually tossed around, but they apply perfectly to Pikmin 2. [Oct 2004, p.122]

Production values have also improved, with graphics and sounds like those of WWE TV, though dialogue is not voiced. [Nov 2004, p.130]

Gameplay is tuned for gamers of all skill levels. [Oct 2004, p.124]

Cel-shaded in-game graphics and cut scenes give the game a cool, kitschy look. [June 2004, p.121]

The backgrounds are beautifully rendered and the action runs nonstop. [May 2003, p.138]

Play control is responsive, the weapons are powerful and an RPG-like sould-collecting system is creative and cool. [Oct 2004, p.124]

A strong GBA fighter with great control. [Dec 2004, p.150]

Flight levels between adventure sequences look cool, but an angled view throws a wrench in the vehicle-piloting works. [Dec 2004, p.156]

With more depth in graphics and gameplay than ever, the Madden NFL franchise for the GBA takes a giant leap toward realism in its 2005 edition. [Oct 2004, p.125]

A few minor AI quibbles keep it from being a five-star affair, but it's still one of the best and deepest sports titles on the market. [Oct 2004, p.123]

Advanced players may find the games to be too simple, but novices will appreciate the simplicity. [Nov 2004, p.132]

Side stories abound, and Ham Studios keeps you entertained with music and news. [Sept 2004, p.116]

Automatic aiming negates the drawback of hte game's isometric view. [Sept 2004, p.116]

The environments are richer than those of the previous title. [Sept 2004, p.116]

The 16 computer-controlled opponents deliver endearing but repetitive quips while using a wide variety of techniques to keep you on your toes. [Aug 2004, p.122]

If you hold on, though, the rewards are great animation, satisfying puzzles and a lot of fun Catwoman sass. [Oct 2004, p.124]

The game's graphics have never looked better - especially the stadiums and close-ups of the fans who sport pained faces, funny hats and celebration animations in the name of team spirit. [Sept 2004, p.115]

Easily the finest RPG on the GCN, and one of the best that I've ever played. The game is deeper than the Marianas Trench, but somehow it never gets bogged down by its own complexity. [Sept 2004, p.115]

Responsive control helps make the game an enjoyable play. [Oct 2004, p.124]

An exercise in difficult play control and low visibility. [May 2004, p.122]

A sharp action title with great control and lots of surprises. [Mar 2004, p.121]

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

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

The task may be mundane, but the gameplay is solid for the most part. [Aug 2004, p.122]

If you've played any of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card games, you'll be able to jump right into the game. [Sept 2004, p.116]

If there's a complaint about the game, it's that the random heroic episodes and some of the story-based activities are similar, making web-slinging seem mundane at times. [Sept 2004, p.114]

The controls are unwieldy, requiring you to go through individual steps to select a target ball, choose a target pocket and aim the shot, but it becomes easier with practice. [June 2004, p.121]

It's "Golden Sun" with golf! I know that sounds odd, but the games have similar text bubbles, character designs and senses of humor. It's also a ton of fun. [Aug 2004, p.121]

A strong 2-D one-on-one fighter that even casual fighting fans will get a kick out of. [Aug 2004, p.122]

A retro gamer's dream. [Aug 2004, p.122]

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]

Although the graphics issues add unintentional difficulty, most players will find the game very easy to beat. [Oct 2004, p.125]

In the crowded field of high-quality GBA racers, XS Moto runs toward the back of the pack. [Sept 2004, p.117]

The graphics are lush, and the play control is excellent. [July 2004, p.120]

Fans of "Fire Emblem" and "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance" will jump right into Shining Force. [July 2004, p.120]

Seriously silly. [Aug 2004, p.122]

As you explore the seven extensive worlds, you'll find hidden Chaos that you can maintain in the Chao Garden. [Aug 2004, p.122]

If you're looking for an easy-to-understand falling-piece puzzle game, Majesco's "Bookworm" is a more reliable choice. [Sept 2004, p.117]

Innovative and absorbing for one or more players. It's a much deeper and more satisfying experience than "Four Swords" for the GBA. [July 2004, p.118]

It presents a steady stream of minigames with tons of variety. [July 2004, p.122]

The graphics and gameplay are a step up from those of Spyro's isometric-view adventures. [July 2004, p.122]

Gameplay offers little variety, but the level of difficulty is high in the late stages. [July 2004, p.122]

The track-design feature allows you to create your own racing environment. [July 2004, p.121]

Although the graphics are clearly from another era, the gameplay and play control are as solid and enjoyable as those of any recent platform adventure. [July 2004, p.121]

The graphics show the game's age (released in 1987), but the Legend of Zelda's gameplay stands the test of time, showing why the adventure that introduced Link continues to be a huge influence on game design. [July 2004, p.121]

The game partners well with "Pac-Man Vs." for the GCN, giving you single-player practice for the GCN game's frenetic multiplayer sessions. [July 2004, p.121]

I especially enjoy the three-character aspect, and the music is absolutely gorgeous. This game is a must-have for Potter fans. [Aug 2004, p.120]

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]

The GBA version retains all of the game's charm and style and offers slight improvements to the graphics and screen text. [July 2004, p.120]

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

The difficulty curve is perfect, and the game is constantly introducing new concepts to keep things fresh. [July 2004, p.119]

Fun, but uninventive. [June 2003, p.137]

With hundreds of parts to collect and diverse abilities to bestow on your robo, the customization elements are endless! The story starts out a little slow, but it really picks up. [June 2004, p.118]

Though not a bad concept, the story is terribly cliched and the aiming system may make some players nauseous. [June 2004, p.120]

Responsive play control and detailed graphics will make you want to venture deep into the story, but difficult battles against incidental enemies may keep you from your goal. [Aug 2004, p.123]

The puzzles are cleverly designed to use character-specific abilities to their fullest. [July 2004, p.120]

Since the camera stays back to keep track of all four heroes at once in most battles, the characters often appear very small. However, Hero Time sequences show single fighters close-up. [July 2004, p.120]

After you place the ball and set the aim, you must manipulate a power meter and a spin meter for unpredictable results - too many meters and not enough explanation. [Sept 2004, p.117]

You'll have a difficult time mounting an effective defense since opposing teams drive the ball with lightning speed. [Nov 2003, p.156]

Slow-to-roll-out dialogue bogs down the game at the beginning, but the pace quickens when the fighting begins. [Mar 2004, p.120]

The gamplay is simple but well-executed and just as much fun as it was in the eraly '80s. [June 2004, p.121]

Weapons and ammunition are abundant, and you'll need them; the enemies come at a quick clip and the touchy aiming controls guarantee that you'll miss a lot of shots. [May 2004, p.122]

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

Its simple, old-school game mechanics give the game a nostalgic feel, while the humor adds hilarious twists. [June 2004, p.119]

The difficulty may be a tad high for very young players, but most gamers will appreciate the challenge. [June 2004, p.122]

An unusual mix of soccer and street culture. [Apr 2004, p.122]

Flashy moves, stylized art and cool characters make Samurai Jack's GCN turn every bit as entertaining as his animated series. [May 2004, p.121]

Long levels immerse you in the adventure, though the non-intuitive puzzles can take you right out of it again. [June 2004, p.119]

A creative weapons system and great control make old-school space shooter R-Type III an action gamer's dream. [Apr 2004, p.122]

The graphics are big and bold, but the play control is slow to respond, making some situations difficult, bordering on frustrating. [June 2004, p.122]

It's easily the best-looking of all the HM games, but it's plagued with some unfortunate problems: somewhat spotty control, not enough characters and days that movie by just a little too quickly. [Apr 2004, p.84]

A fast and fun arcade-style racer with a strong graphics-display engine and minimal clipping. [Jan 2004, p.161]

Between fights, you'll purchase moves and info about opponents' weaknesses. [Feb 2004, p.155]