In the ring, inconsistencies abound-weird collision detection, random selling, neutered submission moves, and A.I. that revolves between timid and simply schizoid.

This collection almost perfectly illustrates why Sonic achieved what he did. [Jan 2005, p.98]

I imagine myself back in the cafeteria, all the geeks, myself included, huddled around the folding banquet tables, oblivious to appearances, just having fun. [Feb 2005, p.87]

Appropriately enough, InuYasha plays like self-insert fan fiction: It's just as trite and doubly as embarrassing. [Feb 2005, p.85]

Don't be too put off by the T-rating, if you're fine with your kids seeing the movie, the game is safe. [Jan 2005, p.105]

Provides precious little depth, but as a way of getting the kids up out of their seats, the collection works nearly as well. [Jan 2005, p.106]

Doesn't do anything particularly original, but that's not really the point. The point is the content, the script, and the wit, and in these areas it excels. [Nov 2004, p.118]

San Andreas is shocking, not necessarily because of its typically contentious subject matter (though there's plenty in it to rub those of a conservative disposition the wrong way) but because of the sheer scale of the experience...Is it really the best game ever made? Quite possibly, yes.

Very fun, and the graphics are incredibly endearing. [Dec 2004, p.106]

Anyone who has enjoyed any of the technical, aesthetic, and gameplay improvements of the past decade will probably want to pass this one up [Dec 2004, p.114]

For the rest of us [non-Yu-Gi-Oh! fans], it's a passable strategy RPG. [Jan 2005, p.107]

The trouble is, all this story is presented with some of the most god-awful writing and voice work I've ever heard. [Dec 2004, p.112]

You've seen all of this stuff in at least a dozen other games, but the whole package is well put together and surprisingly enjoyable.

Ultimately, though, even "five Pipo monkeys in different colored pants!" aren't enough to make the same repeated games and gadgets interesting—unless you're a 7-year-old or a stoner.

The development team should've built more levels instead of relying on the rating gimmick to extend Neo Contra's longevity. Without question, it's worth a rental since it only takes a few hours or so to complete. [Dec 2004, p.124]

Zone is a hard game, easily the toughest Crisis yet. You'll be frustrated, but you'll still be entertained. [Nov 2004, p.138]

The original arcade TMNT may reward your perseverance - but it's not worth the pain. And that says a lot. [Nov 2004, p.132]

Out of nowhere, BloodRayne 2 ranks among PS2's best hack-n-slash titles. [Dec 2004, p.124]

Novices can string combinations together within moments of picking up the controller, regardless of their familiarity with the series, but there's not much depth for fighting fans to plumb. [Dec 2004, p.118]

The game constantly kicked my ass, but the content is so good that it just motivated me to try harder. [Nov 2004, p.122]

Ty 2 seems to have it all: a huge open environment, gorgeous graphics, superb production values, myriad fluffy animals with Australian accents, and a ton of different gameplay styles. [Jan 2005, p.107]

Besides a few special items, the replay factor offered more repetition even in the additional tag and trial modes. [Nov 2004, p.130]

For my money, I think I actually like this one better than "Winning Eleven 7." FIFA is packed with more features than you could possibly explore unless you play nothing but this for the next six months. [Nov 2004, p.138]

As long as you and yours can stand some frustration, it's a solid purchase. [Jan 2005, p.106]

The collection is worth it just for the two "Mortal Kombat" games. [Dec 2004, p.119]

If you want to impart the important skills of twitchily thwaking bad dudes in dungeons on to a younger sibling, SD Gundam Force: Showdown! is a good start. [Jan 2005, p.107]

Ironically, MCL turns out to be a better boobtastic party game than "The Guy Game." [Dec 2004, p.118]

The various hip-hop accoutrements that GODM outfits its players with do little to alleviate the fact that the core element, actual rapping, is weak. [Dec 2004, p.106]