Parallel Lines is an impressive overhaul and creative recovery for a series that had hit its nadir. [May 2006, p.77]

The online quickplay is pretty slick and there's even(gulp)online leagues, which will give this baller more legs than the normal yearly update that NCAA hoops games often are. [Jan 2008, p.67]

A super-accessible, stylish, over-the-top slaughterfest. [Dec 2009, p.80]

Yes, the graphics are sharply upgraded, the new 12-player online matches are wicked fun, the Franchise mode is deep and detailed, and the silly Zamboni mini-game somehow mesmerized us. But with NHL 09 turning in such an all-star performance (see review, left), this exercise in nostalgia is enjoyable…but unnecessary.

Even if you’ve never owned a Budweiser jacket, NASCAR 09’s slick physics and engaging new racing options - including some addictive Sprint mini-challenges and absolutely seamless 14-player action on Live - will have you burning donuts in Victory Lane in record time.

Okay, so Magna Carta 2’s not a meticulously crafted masterpiece. But as long as you go in knowing what annoyances await, you should have a pretty good time kicking monster butt.

However, hitting the line of scrimmage with a friend on Xbox Live distills football's best elements into a tasty online brew that fans will suck down with gusto. [Dec. 2006, p.76]

Another gem in a surprising embarrassmenet of [Xbox] brawling riches. [Aug 2005, p.85]

May have some flaws, but the controls feel so good it's hard to put the game down. [Jan 2003, p.92]

A welcome change from most lightgun games that stress "spray and pray" techniques because precision and skill are needed instead of mere blasting. [Apr 2004, p.82]

Make no mistake: the latest iteration in the Operation Flashpoint series has plenty wrong with it. But it burger-chomping, chain-smoking heart beats with a fiery tenacity that's unrivaled in the current console era. [June 2011, p.78]

Factor in the up-and-down, run-and-gun dunk-a-thons that are fun but arcade-y--a trait tougher to stomach after "2K7's" more impressive showing--and Live 07 is like a windmill jam in the Dunk Contest: nice, but we've seen it before. [Dec. 2006, p.86]

The game is fun in short bursts, but won't hold your attention for too long. [July 2008, p.66]

If you already own MotoGP 08, there just isn't enough here to justify an upgrade. [May 2010, p.77]

With a good combat system and a high smash factor, The Hulk is a winner. [Aug 2003, p.77]

If only Swarm played to its quirky strengths instead of working against them, its maddening obstacles would be much more enjoyable. [April 2011, p.80]

The enemies are crass, the design is mean, the challenge is unforgiving, and the reward limited. You've been warned. [Mar 2010, p.82]

This arcade hockey is a reasonably fun alternative to aggressive realism, but it lacks the substance that’ll keep us playing its competition long after both games launch and hockey season has come and gone.

It's reasonably fun, but "Jewel Quest" is better, deeper, and more addictive. [Jun 2006, p.62]

Foul Play won't tempt you to heave tomatoes at its cast, but you won't find yourself crying out for an encore, either.

Its best moments make it well worth sampling. Just don't be surprised if it somehow feels like less than a meal despite its 10-hour playtime. [Aug 2010, p.83]

Fight for NY was a critical success, so EA has taken a curious risk by remixing the game's features and flow. [Apr 2007, p.84]

It's no "Mario 64," and an occasionally irksome camera frustrates, but Scaler is an enjoyable $20 game. [Jan 2005, p.74]

If you crave a Rayman game that mixes a retro vibe with contemporary gameplay and gorgeous graphics, do yourself a favor and opt for last year's stellar Rayman Origins. Rayman 3 HD's dated platformer appeal is a playground strictly for old-school nostalgics seeking a tangible example of how far the genre has evolved.

However you look at it, the so-so cardplay (you can choose Texas Hold ’Em or Omaha this time) does offer some nifty real-world prizes for winning challenges and tournaments: several unlockable heads and skins for use in Borderlands 2, plus five 360 Avatar items. It’ll take a number of hours to get them all, although while you’re working on that, you can also spend your in-game cash on custom chips, decks, and felts for use within Poker Night 2 itself.

Thanks to its engaging combat and spectacle, Lightning Returns manages to distract somewhat from its overarching design issues. As a game, it's notably flawed but has its moments. [March 2014, p.76]

With the single-player game so clearly in focus, it's disappointing that it plods along so unevenly, and at times, progress feels like you're wading through molasses rather than zipping through the ether. [Jan 2005, p.78]

Not a notable upgrade over Number One Hits. [May 2010, p.83]

The AI isn't so good. The perps never move or run away - they just stand and fight to the death or give up. [Dec 2003, p.124]

There is still plenty of variety in gameplay and the AI makes for a more than decent opponent. [Dec 2003, p.92]

The game still has looks to kill for and offers up the identical Xbox Live modes and challenge of the 360 version. [May 2006, p.71]

A hardcore, old-school shooter. In many ways, it feels like the "Ninja Gaiden" of shooters, so if that sounds appealing to you, you'll probably love it more than we did. But if you're looking for a more modern experience, something from the current crop of shooter stars like "BioShock" and "Call of Duty 4," the frustrating bosses and save system will seem positively prehistoric. [Feb 2008, p.46]

But overall, the affair is a tad bit low-rent on the production values. [Dec 2007, p.75]

For apocalypse buffs, much of I Am Alive is riveting stuff; we'd love to see a follow-up that improves on its framework.

Whether its quirks annoy you more than its strengths entertain you, though, all boils down to how much of a Quake fan you are.

If you have the personal motivation, joining the ranks of coaching legends could be incredibly satisfying. [Aug 2006, p.76]

We enjoy QAA, but next to golden oldies(Doom, Duke)and modern epics(Halo, Call of Duty), it's less of a legend. [March 2011, p.81]

Silent Hill HD Collection is hardly well-rounded, but its tense manipulation of mood still rattles all the right nerves. [Apr 2012, p.62]

If you enjoy excellent, funny voice acting and the simplicity of just exploring areas and collecting items, you'll find a lot to like. [May 2014, p.76]

Every arcade needs a good pinball game, and Pinball FX fills and obvious hole in Live Arcade. We just wish our 10 bucks got us more variety. [May 2007, p.79]

Close Combat also includes co-op and deathmatch, but you'll only lose friends by exposing them to this trash. [May 2005, p.88]

It could bring a whle new edge to the game if it had an online mode. [Holiday 2005, p.68]

Sure, it's nice to play around with dinosaurs, but the control and framerate issues keep any interest in the game strictly short term. [May 2003, p.75]

What's in the game is pretty compelling for the right type of gamer who knows exactly what they're in for and has buddies well versed in the same type of gameplay. Too bad, because with a little Live play this could've been a contenda. [Feb 2004, p.74]

It's a decent port to 360 with some key changes to the controls to make it work better on a console, but this recipe of Diner Dash lacks some spice. [July 2009, p.77]

We're just sad to see that after all this time, as Xbox 360's only MLB game, it's not the superstar we wish it was. [May 2011, p.81]

Age can't turn lead into gold, but these games are still enjoyable - and at $10, this bundle's a real bargain.

It's intriguing to see the evolution of Agent 47's murderous tactics across these seminal entries, but much as Silent Assassin was lauded upon release for its many kill options, it's a startlingly clunky experience nowadays.

The joy of exploration occasionally tips over into frustration, as when untouchable background scenery seems to offer a safe place to land, or during an infuriating and unnecessarily time-consuming final boss fight. But for the most part, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is a charming adventure and a reasonable value.

For the most part, TASM merely refines the formula of prior open-world superhero games with better graphics.

A strong example of challenging, polished 16-bit platform gameplay. [Oct 2009, p.80]

Taste in music is always a personal thing, but we absolutely love Boom Boom's 10 modern takes on famous classical music, which veer from ska to disco to electronica and good 'ol metal. [June 2007, p.70]

Best serves dedicated otaku-style collectors and quick-play arcade gamers. [Oct 2005, p.106]

Problematic moments of senseless enemy invulnerability and camera management siphon off some joy, but ultimately, this glorified plushie is fun enough to avoid extinction. [Dec. 2006, p.84]

It's largely the same game with the bonus elements of online play, voice-commandable teammates, and a map editor. Nothing more, nothing less. [Mar 2006, p.78]

These standalone levels may not compare to a proper game of chess, but they have the same sort of vibe, and that makes Band of Bugs challenging and addictive enough in its own right. [May 2007, p.80]

Hell wars doesn't promise any particular greatness, but for a quick $30 FPS thrill-ride, it'll do nicely. [July 2006, p.85]

It basically boils down to Marble Madness with guns. [Oct 2009, p.80]

Book and movie fans will still likely enjoy the best Harry Potter game yet. [Holiday 2005, p.84]

Also annoying is the frequent, noticeable slowdown when a lot of effects start flashing on-screen, particularly during online play.

A clean, enjoyable, and ultimately playable game. [May 2002, p.82]

More savvy veterans should beware of platformer deja vu. [Nov 2002, p.129]

Bunny + Weasel is a whip-smart idea. Too bad the joke gets old fast. [Jan 2004, p.74]

Many things: packed, fun, annoying, and humorously ironic. [Jan 2005, p.80]

If you can stomach the story problems, the spotty humor, and the lack of originality and simply focus on the gameplay, then you'll enjoy Roadkill for what it is... and addictive combination of two more inventive titles. [Nov 2003, p.104]

This add-on’s best parts — its boss battle and final fight — might be better than DmC’s biggest brawls, but the surrounding content is overshadowed by a superior sibling.

At times, the game's many puzzles and open-world areas did leave us aimlessly wondering and wandering. But varied gameplay, solid combat, and an effective mix of psychological scares and freaky encounters make Downpour a worthwhile trip to Silent Hill's haunted 'hood.

With its charming, colorful sandbox of tools, there's definitely a micro-managing itch that Zoo Tycoon handily scratches - we just wish the thrills stuck around a bit longer.

Its tough-love formula offers fun and challenge in the short-term, but there’s just not enough variety or depth to make a lasting impression beyond those initial thrills.

Stoked is priced at a sweet $40. So even if a tricks-splosion isn't your personal boarding nirvana, there's enough great stuff in this game that you'd be crazy not to check it out. [Mar 2009, p.82]

Boggle's speedy rounds [are] perfect for quick doses of multiplayer. [June 2009, p.75]

If it sounds like we’re pining for Insect Armageddon, let us make it clear that 2025 is the superior game. The locales are more striking, the destruction (and particularly the feedback from your weaponry) is greatly improved, and there’s far more depth overall.

Sadly, this flashback is best left in the tar pits of old-school. [Jun 2006, p.61]

Kinect responsiveness can be spotty, especially jumping, but it works well enough to keep kids (and adults) grinning ear-to-ear while playing.

Shadows has a dark side of its own, with a few glitches like foes and objectives occasionally disappearing or freezing, but they’re not enough to mar this otherwise spectacular adventure.

It’s not as deep as Madden, by design; Blitz: The League II is an action game wearing pigskin, tucked inside a salacious sports soap-opera with a sick sense of humor. But ultimately, it’s the accessible gameplay that makes Blitz a pleasure — guilty as charged.

Gearheads might keep coming back for the toys and outfits, but everyone else will run like hell. [Aug 2011, p.77]

If you can weather the campaign's slow start and the game's wildly overwrought menu system, you'll find more than enough incredible content here to satisfy your Akrid-killing, giant robot-piloting fix. [June 2010, p.74]

A merely pleasant romp that has very little spunk or spine. [Jan 2005, p.76]

With incredibly poor visibility(apparently by design)and a thumping electronica soundtrack peppered with sophomoric sound effects, Space Giraffe offers a generous 100 levels of damn-near-unplayable technoslop. [Oct 2007, p.74]

The game is abnormally long for a kids’ game, and the enemies are a varied bunch, so be prepared to have the young’uns glued to it for a while.

Mild targeting problems aside, Phoenix is the most engaging Potter game to date, with the 3D richness that adults expect but straightforward hidey-seeky gameplay that won't overtax a tween audience. [Aug 2007, p.74]

The triggers control the flippers, and the ball physics are outstanding - every hit feels like it has real weight. [Nov 2004, p.77]

Its production values are unquestionably budget, but the game's ambitious level of corny self-awareness makes it a stupidly affordable, must-have cult title for the adventurous set.

With a decent number of areas to clear, that's pretty much it. [Jan 2011, p.74]

But the real stars of the show are the battle sequences in which you lead an army of literally hundreds of NPCs into full-on raging wars. It’s just a shame that there’s so much filler between the fights.

We just wish the actual racing shared the depth and excitement of these considerable community features. [Mar 2011, p.82]

The heart of Juiced is the pedal-to-the-medal street racing. And that's where it shines like a freshly buffed coat of pearlescnet paint. [June 2005, p.83]

The series' best effort yet. Though many little issues remain, its fundamentals are strong throughout, forming the foundation for a largely stellar baseball experience. [Apr 2012, p.84]

While Juiced 2 isn't the smoothest-driving Xbox 360 racer on the market, it's definitely one of the more filling. [Nov 2007, p.97]

Bejeweled Blitz Live might not be everything you could have hoped for, but it's still more than enough to take a huge bite out of your free time. [April 2011, p.81]

The game behind the skimpy clothes fails to impress... The play balance is simply no fun. [Mar 2003, p.78]

Too bad Midway didn't ship it with a freely spinning steering wheel. [Nov 2005, p.124]

You're in for a snooze if you demand a hurried pace and copious eye candy, but dice-rolling dungeon nuts will happily while away a dozen hours over the course of Vandal Hearts' satisfying ride. [Jan 2010, p.69]

But with a story that engages only with a last-minute twist and so many flunkies to fight over 12-or-so hours, JLH feels beneath its godlike protagonists. [Holiday 2006, p.83]

So even if The Meltdown doesn't aim high on the innovation scale, it accomplishes just enough, well ebough, for a few hours spent on the couch with tweenie Ice Age fans at the next family gathering. [May 2006, p.74]

Throw in a few surprise touches--like a flooded compartment and a spacewalk on the ship's hull--and Descent manages to provide the suspense that its predecessors didn't. [Feb 2011, p.79]

"Quotation Forthcoming"