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]