A ludicrous save system punishes you mercilessly for trying to be daring. [Feb 2009, p.89]

Nevertheless, Big Bang Mini offers plenty of satisfying action at a bargain price. [Jan 2009, p.91]

As good as the DS may be, there are some things it just wasn't built for. [Feb 2009, p.89]

Another stunning technical achievement. [Holiday 2008, p.84]

Nonetheless, Elebits is a cute, enjoyable diversion. [Jan 2009, p.90]

Fishing quests, tournaments, seven worldwide regions, fish boss battles, and a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection-enabled leaderboard keep this fish fresh for a while, but ultimately the game is more of a deep lake than a vast ocean. [Feb 2009, p.90]

Buying more Rock Band within six months of the last one is an expensive prospect, but Rock Band 2 is the true Rock Band experience. [Jan 2009, p.88]

Only through sheer force of will have I avoided comparing the enjoyment derived from playing SPRay to that of regurgitating a lung. [Dec 2008, p.93]

Despite being packed with good ideas, the platformer stumbles constantly in its execution. [Holiday 2008, p.86]

If you're hungry for some classic 3-D platforming, Mushroom men is definitely worth checking out. [Holiday 2008, p.84]

When it comes to control, though, this is the model of a fun all-stylus action game--easy to pick up, not so easy to put down. [Jan 2009, p.89]

It's a great collection for those who still enjoy a good classic 2-D fighting game. [Dec 2008, p.104]

Despite my criticisms, Chrono Trigger is an amazing adventure and a required purchase for ardent fans and anyone who's never played the game before. [Holiday 2008, p.82]

Surprisingly entertaining. [Holiday 2008, p.87]

Mastering the logistical side of things offers plenty of rewards for thoughtful players, and there's nothing like clearing the map with the blades of your wolf-riding Valkyrie hordes. [Holiday 2008, p.84]

Save your money for a better action-sports game. [Jan 2009, p.89]

You spend more time keeping a grip on the handheld than dealing with the game's challenges. [Jan 2009, p.90]

It's a valiant effort, but you're inevitably left feeling less like a rock star and more like a novelty act. [Dec 2008, p.98]

If you don't mind some fisticuffs mixed into your high-speed thrills, give Sonic Unleashed a shot. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

Rune Factory has a lot of potential, but it will take more than incremental upgrades to reach it. [Jan 2009, p.90]

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]

The Wii-specific puzzles are insultingly simple, flaccid sound effects really dampen the mood, and sloppy collision detection frequently sends Lara to her death through no fault of your own. [Holiday 2008, p.88]

This series may be clinging tightly to Final Fantasy Tactic's coattails, but at least it's doing a better job of it. [Holiday 2008, p.88]

With its third installment in three years, the Raving Rabbids series is quickly growing stale. [Holiday 2008, p.86]

Althought the concept held up through Tecmo Super Bowl on the Super NES in 1993, 15 years later it just feels archaic. [Dec 2008, p.96]

Metal Slug 7 is a solid, fun shooter, but it lacks the ingenuity of the better games in the series. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

Someday, somebody is going to make something fun out of this concept, but the folks making this game haven't gotten there yet. [Jan 2009, p.91]

Cooking Mama World Kitchen isn't bad, but it could have been better. [Holiday 2008, p.80]