Strania isn't horrible, but its garden-variety blasting is too many light years away from memorable. [July 2011, p.77]

This three-player scrolling shooter has that old-school, spray-and-slay mojo that your inner rageaholic craves. [July 2008, p.62]

It's truly a surreal (and kind of sleazy) videogame experience to be watching a scantily-clad, silicone-enhanced woman gyrating on-screen as a reward for your racing skills. [Oct 2004, p.82]

If more attention was paid to the actual mutant -fueled action, it could have been a heck of a lot of scary fun. Instead, it hardly elicits a goose bump. [June 2005, p.81]

The game is one long rush that comes from plotting against a worthy adversary. Lost Cities absolutely nails the right combo of gambling and card-counting skill and counts as Live Arcade’s latest gem.

With clunky controls and no real deterrent from dying--for a Game Over, you simply lose all the points gained so far in the current level--Shred Nebula seems a bit too easy. [Dec 2008, p.73]

The entire career mode can be beaten in a single sitting, and the AI offers little or no threat from its racing skills or its use of the game's fifteen weapons. [Dec 2003, p.160]

The game is solidly entertaining, especially when four competitive players get to whacking each other, racing for powerups, and tossing each other off ledges.

Exactly the kind of experience we were hoping to play in this game... too bad we only got to watch it. [Aug 2003, p.79]

The absurdly named 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures takes the "sport" to extremes that should delight the kid in everyone. [Apr 2007, p.87]

Even though the visuals look just past their sell-by dates and the game stubbornly refuses to truly distinguish itself from the rest of the series, there's no denying that it's gameplay formula still works. [Nov 2005, p.114]

Though we question these changes to the tried-and-true gameplay, the majority of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD works as well as (or better than) the originals did when they first captivated us nearly 15 years ago. This update isn't all it could have been, but it's the best take on those early games we've had yet.

Throw in groan-inducing power-ups and uninspired graphics, and you'll be bored before the weekend's up. [Feb 2006, p.79]

The price is also particularly cringe-inducing: $15 for a product with precisely one game mode(quick play)? Yikes! [Jan 2010, p.69]

TMNT 1989 has its share of problems...Nevertheless, the game remains a solid thrill. [June 2007, p.76]

Skip all that and go straight to the Facts & Friends mode, a madcap battle where you share one wheel and take turns competing for wedges. It’s too complicated to fully explain here, but there’s betting, mini-games, cool power-ups, and a duel-to-the death finish. It essentially modernizes Trivial Pursuit in an ingenious way, and it’s really the only reason to spend an excessive $40 for this game now, instead of waiting for the inevitable Xbox Live Arcade version.

It's a tasty appetizer that, while offering plenty of meat for the $10 asking price, only serves to intensify our hunger for the real thing.

With 30 tracks and only a few dance locations, The Black Eyed Peas Experience feels lightweight compared to the similarly priced Dance Central 2, plus it's not breaking much ground. But once the beat dropped, we couldn't help but dance like fools and have a lot of fun. And damn if those songs aren't catchy.

The biggest problem is that (with very, very rare exceptions) you can only save at the end of a level...Imagine "Halo" without a recharging shield or checkpoints, and you'll start to get the idea. [Sept 2002, p.94]

Dedicated fans of punishing classics like Mega Man might’ve relished the sense of accomplishment, but even they’ll grow tired of the drudgery, despite some tense boss battles against huge machines.

Gearbox piles on the wit and humor more thoroughly than it has with its other holiday-themed DLC, but the lack of Valentine's Day-themed environs leaves it feeling too much like the base game. [May 2014, p.77]

Stick with "Smash Tv" for similiar action with more thrills and better co-op play. [Jun 2006, p.64]

Obvious problems (the shaky camera, poor targeting system, and inconsistent frame rate) match up with sheer annoyances (the 25-second-long, unskippable death sequences) to degrade the expectedly repetitive experience, but that’s not all that stuck in our craw. Capping the enjoyable online co-op at just two players (with no local play) seems ludicrous in this day and age; even PSO was rocking four players on a 56K connection in 2001!

Like Dawn, Contrast sometimes misses the leaps it strives to make, but when its simple, quiet story and uncomplicated platforming perform in balance, it transforms into a beautiful indie experience that manages to stand on its own. [Feb 2014, p.71]

Eutechnyx's third kick at the NASCAR can keeps hitting singleplayer and multiplayer speed bumps that diminish the overall racing experience. [June 2014, p.81]

Newcomers will find its plodding pace and lifeless visuals tedious, but old-school tacticians will happily breathe vintage moon dust for days. [Holiday 2009, p.81]

Three deal-breakers emerge in this weak pool game. [Jun 2006, p.62]

It's one of the brighter spots in this somewhat patchy DLC set, but serious online players needn't shrug off a welcome injection of variety. [April 2014, p.73]

An impressively fun merger of colorful undersea graphics and gameplay standards from the arcade's yesteryears make this one-player treat a name that's hard to stop nibbling on. [Jun 2006, p.62]

You don't hear "digging" and think "Oooh, fun!"--but somehow, Dig Dug makes you crave it. [Holiday 2006, p.86]

Ultimately, you either think giant stompy robots are rad or you don’t; if they’re your thing, and you don’t mind its split single-/multiplayer nature, Armored Core: Verdict Day provides an enjoyable stage on which to both rock and sock ‘em.

Afro Samurai persisted in mesmerizing us. And really, with Sam Jackson spouting lines like “That girl puts the two ‘asses’ in ‘assassin’” in feudal Japan, how can we resist?

What makes MD so interesting is the three varied abilities of the characters. [Feb 2002, p.68]

Confuses more than entertains. [Dec 2001]

There are a few bugs we encountered, including one that muddled our quest list. Put it this way: we spent a lot of time saving, loading, and cursing. [Sept 2003, p.85]

Unfortunately, in the few areas where this version aims for freshness, it comes up flat. [Holiday 2008, p.83]

Obliterating futuristic forces and corporate landmarks with upgradable lightning, earthquake, and tornado attacks could've made for some stunning natural fury. But you'd never know it from Elements' main campaign, which spans 90 tepid minutes.

Meet the Robinsons is both uneven and disjointed, hampered by an awkward third-person view and targeting-control scheme. [May 2007, p.77]

It won't tax your hardware or your wallet(400 points--cheap!), so if you're bored with "Pac-man's" predictability, his better half will give you more to munch on. [Apr 2007, p.90]

For double-agent wannabes, we suggest renting a copy. Playing through Casino Royale is worth the thrill despite the game’s many flaws. But if you wanted an interactive version of the newest Bond fl ick or a game to replace the Call of Duty experience, Quantum just doesn’t make the cut.

A brief Reaper appearance got out attention, but this DLC's climax will infuriate many Mass Effect fans. [July 2011, p.75]

Poker purists will hate it, and poker haters may be totally uninterested. But if you like goofy games with surprising depth, this one's worth a try. [Apr 2009, p.65]

Finally, we have a Warriors game with some substance. [Oct 2011, p.75]

The game's impressively creative in parts, but regrettably, the blend of combat and driving never feels very fluid or cohesive.

It was a cute but unimaginative game for pre-teens when it debuted for the original Xbox this summer, and this 360 version of Pixar's animated movie Cars is essentially a high-resolution copycat. [Holiday 2006, p.76]

More a dreary exercise in solving the developer's puzzles, and less about the thrill of being Batman. [Sept 2005, p.82]

A near-exact port of a dated game, and as such is not impressive visually. [June 2003, p.84]

A very satisfying experience. [Holiday 2003, p.85]

Dynasty Warriors 8 should be the pristine, refined culmination of a long-running franchise, but instead it’s a reminder of how much a series can deteriorate when it coasts on its success.

Though it deftly combines action, strategy, and resource management, Godfather II simply never evolves. [May 2009, p.74]

Solid but not particularly inspired. [Dec 2005, p.112]

It won't win any awards for graphics or sound, but it's simplicity is part of its charm. [Apr 2012, p.77]

The refined physics mesh with the superbly slick controls to create and authentically challenging racing experience, chock full of wicked-fast wheeling. [Nov 2008, p.61]

Part thug brutality, part capers and hijinks, the latest wild ride from the developer of "Hitman" has its fair share of rough edges--maybe even more than its fair share--but its epic missions are so thrilling that they'll sear away the nuggets of disappointment you'll ocasionally feel. [Dec 2007, p.68]

The story and mission objectives are great, but the game isn't polished enough to let the good points shine. [Nov 2002, p.136]

The biggest fault in Rivals is the A.I. - your teammates seem terminally lost, neglecting to chase loose pucks or go after rebounds. [Dec 2003, p.106]

Black Knight's unique presentation is certainly memorable, and fans of hardcore combat platformers like Mega Man will relish its considerable challenges. But less masochistic souls will just curse up a blue streak and move on to something less merrily sadistic. [Nov 2012, p.77]

Super-addictive twitchfest with a terrific theme. [Sept 2008, p.74]

For DDR newcomers, then, Universe 2 is the complete and definitive package. Longtime fans, on the other hand, will be left wondering how so little extra content can justify so full a price tag.

Armored Core 4 might be uninspired and forgettable, but beggars can't be choosers. [May 2007, p.74]

Crash of the Titans makes a solid, if uninspiring, choice for younger fans of the series, but everyone else should head for more enjoyable all-ages fare like "Beautiful Katamari" or even--yes--"Surf's Up". [Holiday 2007, p.82]

The most polished and enjoyable hunting game ever made. It's surprisingly well-designed, with graphics and environments that actually make you feel like you're roaming the great outdoors. [Dec 2003, p.130]

Unfortunately, Kinect problems abound: the fussy, imprecise motion-reading is frustrating(especially when you're blocking and deflecting attacks), and some of your physical actions require exaggerated movements. [Oct 2012, p.79]

Powerstar Golf has its enjoyable strokes, whether playing solo, with local buddies, or while challenging an online rival's best score in an asynchronous mode, but truly head-scratching skill and progression choices diminish what's already an uninspiring clone.

Brave can be endearing and diverting, particularly if a parent and child work together via local co-op. Unfortunately, the whole journey lasts only four hours or so, and the bonus Kinect archery mini-game won't keep you playing for much longer.

The confusing narrative, poor voice acting, and lackluster puzzles make the game hard to love, but if “weird” is your niche, this trip offers some solid entertainment.

A fascinating diversion you could spend the rest of your life pursuing, but this presentation of it is disappointingly short on frills.

Mind-numbingly repetitive. [Jan 2006, p.75]

A brawler at its heart, Gladiator is not short on blood or action, but it is lacking somewhat in depth. [Dec 2003, p.92]

It all moves at such a slow pace that there's no feeling of excitement or achievement in finishing a level. [May 2009, p.84]

It starts to get a bit mind-numbing by around level 20 if you play solo, but when you bring some friends along for the adventure, your evening will quickly disappear in a puff of fun. [Jun 2006, p.61]

Other than the stunning graphics, Tao Feng doesn't excel in any other area, but is quite competent in most. [May 2003, p.72]

With better graphics and better (read: more fun) controls, Crash 'n Burn could be a standout racer. [Holiday 2004, p.87]

Arena Football may be a little rough around the edges, but it has the potential to grow. [Mar 2006, p.77]

As you grit your teeth through 30 missions, you'll run into frustration aplenty. [Feb 2012, p.76]

It's the lack of real depth that will definitely bore serious gamers, but for the under-six set, Spyro is very easy to get into and understand. [Holiday 2004, p.87]

You're just a little spaceship trying to collect crystals while dodging mines and various creatures. [Jun 2006, p.61]

It slowly dawned on us that that's all there is to the game. [Oct 2009, p.82]

As difficult as it is for a self-proclaimed story-aholic to admit, the flow of combat and epic exploration is enough to make the Gothic series' console debut an interesting experience, despite the mind-boggling story design.

A few more maps, a few more multiplayer modes, a few more unique areas in the campaign, and a few more fear-inducing moments would’ve gone a long way toward making Aliens vs. Predator set off gamers’ motion trackers. Instead, it registers as simply a medium blip on the radar — a second-shelf shooter that falls just short of fulfilling the incredible potential of its license.

It's a solid approach in both concept and execution, but the game just doesn't offer enough to keep you interested for long. [Mar 2010, p.81]

As a story that up-ends an icon, Testament certainly delivers for the bulk of your adventure, stumbling only in its weaker, latter third. What hurts the game more, unfortunately, are its dicey production values.

This game’s not just bizarre, it’s downright schizophrenic. And while we’re used to — and even enjoy — some of these sorts of wild hijinks from mad-genius Suda51 and his team at Grasshopper, Killer Is Dead’s individual components never coalesce into a worthwhile experience.

Online multiplayer and tournaments liven up the competition, but London 2012's uneven gameplay makes it more of a sampler plate than a main course.

Still, even the subtle control lag that crops up online can't diminish the ham-fisted charm of each vicious contest, so retro fans shouldn't think twice about dropping 10 bucks on Speedball 2. [Oct 2007, p.81]

Desite this strictly linear gameplay, there are still times when you'll be confused as to what you're supposed to do next. That just doesn't equal a fun gaming experience by any stretch of the imagination. [Jan 2005, p.82]

Hardcore realism and all kinds of cool real-world weapons and vehicles. [Holiday 2005, p.83]

The F1 license ultimately adds little value to a style-over-substance kiddie racer where luck often trumps driving skill.

You might grab it if you're new to space shooters, but don't expect to remember it in the morning. [Oct 2007, p.78]

Nexuiz can't hold a candle to full-priced war games, but its mix of constant speed and occasional silliness make it just the thing for when you've got only 10 minutes to kill. [Apr 2012, p.80]

Beyond the visuals, the new Live is a completely fresh experience, rebuilt from scratch for Xbox 360. [Holiday 2005, p.94]

Although there's a lot of play time available, this mostly comes as a result of playing the same levels over and over with loads of characters. [Sept 2003, p.82]

Level designs lack the magic of "Splinter Cell," the fighting and stealth can't compete with "Everything or Nothing," and the story follows its plot progression by the numbers. [June 2004, p.76]

This tongue-in-cheek offshoot of EA's core NHL sim is a smooth zamboni ride that mixes goofy gameplay with razor-sharp control, just as "NBA Jam" did when it pioneered this genre over 15 years ago. [Mar 2009, p.83]

This game excels at staging space battles on an epic scale. [Jan. 2007, p.70]

The only reason to try TNT Racers is its four-player online stampedes across nine courses, each with a reverse variant. [May 2011, p.77]

The world's first bona fide videogame mascot deserved better than to have five failures trotted out alongside four dirt-simple classics, and the inflated price of admission doesn't do his flawed exhibition any favors. [May 2014, p.83]

Easily the biggest problem with the game is the lack of interaction with the game's environment. [Oct 2002, p.102]