Loaded with high-octane action and adrenaline-soaked thrills. [Oct 2002, p.198]

The graphics are colorful and detailed, but the characters are small. [Apr 2003, p.136]

It suffers from lackluster visuals, sluggish controls and an overabundance of fetch quests. [Sept 2003, p.135]

Cars is a decent racer, but ultimately, it is too fast and too rigid for its own good. {Aug 2006, p.86]

Two-thirds of X-Men: The Official Game is pretty good. Two out of three ain't bad. [July 2006, p.91]

However most of them need work--partially because they're not great fun to begin with, and partially because the controls aren't as solid as they should be. [Dec 2008, p.104]

Spider-Man has definitely seen better days. [Nov 2011, p.83]

The game itself is lacking in gameplay and control. I found the GBA title to be much more enjoyable. [Dec 2004, p.141]

Superb sound effects and fast, insane "on-fire" action is classic Jam through and through. [Feb 2002, p.154]

Despite a hokey story and marginally offensive characters, Monster 4X4 is a powerfully satisfying monster truck stunt game with 27 tracks. [Feb 2004, p.150]

Though spawning new Spores is as fun as ever, you're left to wonder, "Well, then what?" [Nov 2009, p.88]

Good for short sessions, but not one that you'll spend hours playing. [Feb 2005, p.117]

Stiff control and limited moves make Power Rangers: Dino Thunder a very frustrating play. [Dec 2004, p.154]

Even with the younger set, this game offers little in the way of challenge--you can purchase health upgrades if necessary, but if they're necessary, you've got other problems to deal with. [July 2006, p.95]

Cool moves, interactive environments and obstacles aplenty highlight the action-packed beat-'em-up. [Oct 2002, p.196]

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]

Only the most hardcore of Naruto fans will be truly happy with this one. [July 2009, p.89]

The makers of Excitebike 64 return to the motocross circuit with a disappointing wreck of a Wii game. [Feb 2008, p.89]

Its main weakness is the overall absence of Mary-Kate and Ashley's charismatic personalities. [Feb 2003, p.155]

With no multiplayer support, very little replay value, underachieving graphics and weak sound effects, Space Invaders fails to revive the franchise's former glory. [Oct 2005, p.97]

Since the characters have unusual strides, the movement can be slow and unpredictable. [July 2003, p.146]

It's a good choice for punchy party fans. [Nov. 2006, p.87]

The adventure's pace is slow, but the pak is loaded with features. [Dec 2004, p.154]

All the hype of the new NCAA football game from EA SPorts seemed almost too good to be true, and we've learned that our instincts were right, unfortunately. [Sept 2008, p.88]

So EA didn't totally drop the ball; this offering just doesn't live up to the high standards we've come to expect from the Madden name. [April 2011, p.77]

If you forgo your expectations of what a Castlevania game should be--or are simply looking for a respectable 3-D fighting game--you should have a good time with Judgment. [Holiday 2008, p.77]

If you really liked Ju-On, Calling might be for you; just don't expect its story or overall presentation to grab you the way its ghosts do. [Apr 2010, p.83]

At times, the game seems to focus more on mundane wandering around than on interesting pirate activity, but the action picks up as the story progresses. [Sept 2003, p.137]