Realistically, Eragon's appeal won't expand beyond its Potter-like fan base. [Feb. 2007, p.78]

We honestly wanted to like this game a lot, but really, it's worth liking only a little. [Feb. 2007, p.76]

Realistically, Eragon's appeal won't expand beyond its Potter-like fan base. [Feb. 2007, p.78]

Okay, so most of it isn't that fresh, and none of it is revolutionary. But if you're looking for the most robust and entertaining dance package currently available, this is it. [Holiday 2006, p.80]

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]

It's less enjoyable, more difficult, and at times blatantly creepy. [Jan. 2007, p.68]

But any $20 game that lets you butt-stomp bad guys as a neon-green elephant earns props from me. [Feb. 2007, p.77]

Viva Pinata is a sandbox game in the vein of "The Sims" and "Zoo Tycoon". There's no real way to"win". Your reward for playing is increasing your level, unlocking new content, and, of course, earning achievements. [Jan. 2007, p.80]

It's nerve-jangling fun while it lasts, but unless you're a score whore, Contra loses its appeal once you beat its five missions. [Jan. 2007, p.77]

No longer a covert operation, Epic's sci-fi shooter Gears of War has finally emerged, and it's pretty much everything we hooped it would be, as well as a few things we didn't expect. [Holiday 2006, p.41]

It's still a great ride; just don't expect to be as bowled over by it as you were when you strapped in for it last year. [Jan. 2007, p.72]

So while the elder console looks like it's stuck with the 360's scraps, the series' next-gen evolution isn't complete either. Project 8 is a strong start and one worth playing, but it definitely feels immature--it's merely a beginning. [Jan. 2007, p.78]

It's still a great ride; just don't expect to be as bowled over by it as you were when you strapped in for it last year. [Jan. 2007, p.72]

So while the elder console looks like it's stuck with the 360's scraps, the series' next-gen evolution isn't complete either. Project 8 is a strong start and one worth playing, but it definitely feels immature--it's merely a beginning. [Jan. 2007, p.78]

F.E.A.R.'s downsides mean it's thrilling at first and much less absorbing later on, but its magnificent combat sequences still make it irresistible for serious FPS fans. [Dec. 2006, p.62]

This NFS definitely isn't in the same league as last year's superb Most Wanted. But despite its misfires, Carbon has a lot of great action and intriguing ideas that, with properly calibrated expectations, will be a blast for fans of the series' trademark arcade racing. [Holiday 2006, p.72]

Winning Eleven may still be a more joyful celebration of the sport, but FIFA 07's beauty and fluidity mark it as the early champ of the next generation. [Holiday 2006, p.74]

This NFS definitely isn't in the same league as last year's superb Most Wanted. But despite its misfires, Carbon has a lot of great action and intriguing ideas that, with properly calibrated expectations, will be a blast for fans of the series' trademark arcade racing. [Holiday 2006, p.72]

But as it is, for the sequel to the forefather of online console RPG's--a game we happily sank hundreds of hours into on everything from Dreamcast to original Xbox--Phantasy Star Universe does only due dilligence without pushing the series past, say, 2003. [Jan. 2007, p.83]

If you like action-RPGs, superhero games, or both, a smack-tacular adventure awaits. [Holiday 2006, p.82]

Even with Kraftwerk-esque electronic tunes and adequate multiplayer, it feels too much like a mediocre Flash game--making it tough to justify dropping five bucks on the experience. [May 2007, p.77]

Curious why you haven't heard Quentin Tarantino promoting Reservoir Dogs, considering it's the first game adapted from one of his movies? Easy: It's junk. [Holiday 2006, p.74]

The Xbox version's single-player isn't quite the brave new world of the 360 game, but it's exciting enough to deserve a play-through, and the exceptional Co-op and Versus just can't be missed. [Dec. 2006, p.72]

If you like action-RPGs, superhero games, or both, a smack-tacular adventure awaits. [Holiday 2006, p.82]

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]

Mortal Kombat is finally in the Arcade--too bad it's in the form of Ultimate MK3. [Jan. 2007, p.75]

You might want to resist, and you might mind coughing up the extra change, but you're bound to be hopelessly and happily addicted to what is truly a great puzzler. [Oct. 2006, p.78]

Just think of Double Agent as the least amazing Splinter Cell yet, rather than the worst game in the series - because it's simply not. It's the gutsiest, and the chances it takes (but doesn't quite nail) give the series room to evolve into something better than could've possibly imagined to iterations ago. [Dec 2006, p.70]

Still, Tiger 07 is a strong upgrade with lots of smart ways to have a great time playing a virtual game of golf. [Dec. 2006, p.75]

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]

Overall, Crypto's latest is itchily compelling and easy to recommend. As original-Xbox game go, DAH!2 is one of the best of the season. [Dec. 2006, p.82]

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

By adding muscle and dropping fat, Mortal Kombat feels tight and toned, just in time for the end of the Xbox world. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

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]

Nickelodeon may typically shoot for the young 'uns, but this cel-shaded RPG-ish action/adventure is loads of beat-'em-up fun for adults as well. [Holiday 2006, p.86]

At its core, Tiger 07 has ditched most of the bad case of the sillies that's possessed it for the past few years, and it finally feels authentic. [Nov. 2006, p.80]

If this is what like as a drug kinpin is like, we'll stick to our day jobs. [Nov. 2006, p.74]

If you're not gnashing your teeth trying to make Totem Ball work, then you're gritting them in pain because your arms are killing you. [Holiday 2006, p.80]

Impressive. After several plodding annual upgrades, FIFA 07 shows significant improvement and delivers its best soccer game in ages. [Nov. 2006, p.85]

Here's the problem with splitting up a game into three distinct parts: if two of them suck, the third doesn't stand a chance, even with a cult hit TV-show license to lend a hand. [Jan. 2007, p.76]

Fuse together "Grand Theft Auto's" open-ended game world, "Mercenaries" militaristic vibe, "Far Cry's" tropical vistas, and the movie "Desperado's" titular hero, and you got Just Cause in a nutshell. [Nov. 2006, p.72]

Doom is still a blast, but it could have been so much more. [Holiday 2006, p.86]

Though it's fun to earn enough credit points to pimp your licensed Mazda, Toyota, or Nissan into a serious ride via performance upgrades, ITC's featureless concrete racing environments, detached driving physics, MIA damage modeling, and dated graphics bleed too much air from the tires. [Holiday 2006, p. 80]

The massive and scenic game world does feel a little sparse at times(unlike the far superior one in the Xbox 360 version), and the side missions grow repetitive. But this sandbox has some damn cool toys and not a gangbanger in sight. [Dec. 2006, p.84]

It's just not the cohesive, polished experience that it should be--and that "NBA 2K7" is. [Dec. 2006, p.86]

On 360, you'll get a basketball simulation that, while a bit short on extras(sorry, but 24/7 Mode just can't compare to "NBA Live's" slick All-Star Weekend package), tickles the twine where it counts: on the court. [Dec. 2006, p.87]

If I were William Ford, I'd be looking for a new ad agency. [Nov. 2006, p.81]

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]

On original Xbox, 2K7 is strikingly similar to "2K6". Clearly all of the effort went into the next-gen version(which shows on 360), but at least the Xbox version is only $30 and you know you'll get a solid hoops game. [Dec. 2006, p.87]

But these hiccups are easily overlooked--with high replay value and strong presentation, Tournament of Champions is a fine bet at $40. [Holiday 2006, p.87]

Still, the overall experience is quite fun and usually immersive as you re-experience the classic flick with a twist. [Nov. 2006, p.76]

The target audience is gaming kiddies, and Open Season manages an attractive string of 25 short and bloodless missions for the prepubescent set, plus a few basic minigames. [Holiday 2006, p.86]

If you've ever wanted to be a wheezy, out-of-shape hunter tramping through the snowy Alaskan wilds of Ketchikan and Sitka, then this game's for you. [Holiday 2006, p.76]

Over-indulge, and you'll get sick of it quickly. [Nov. 2006, p.79]

The target audience is gaming kiddies, and Open Season manages an attractive string of 25 short and bloodless missions for the prepubescent set, plus a few basic minigames. [Holiday 2006, p.86]

If you like twitchy old-style gameplay, Konami's Time Pilot port is a much better use of your 400 Microsoft Points($5). [Dec. 2006, p.76]

Traveller's Tales has done it again: Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is an even quirkier blend of off-kilter humor, weird puzzles, and blaster-blazing, lightsaber-slashing action. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

Visually, the game looks pretty darn snazzy--it's better than "NHL 2K7" by a country mile--and it plays much better, too, though it's nowhere near as deep in the features department. [Nov. 2006, p.82]

Much like Sony's old "FaceOff" series, the gameplay itself is super-fast and floaty(by default; sliders let you tweak this), and the skates never really feel attached to the ice the way they should. [Nov. 2006, p.84]

Traveller's Tales has done it again: Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is an even quirkier blend of off-kilter humor, weird puzzles, and blaster-blazing, lightsaber-slashing action. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

Though the graphics are sub-par and the character creator minimal, and there's no online multiplayer, ProStroke's different approach to virtual golfing is a welcome one, expecially given its budget price. [Nov. 2006, p.78]

Much like Sony's old "FaceOff" series, the gameplay itself is super-fast and floaty(by default; sliders let you tweak this), and the skates never really feel attached to the ice the way they should. [Nov. 2006, p.84]

The extra 10 bucks you'll pay to get NHL 07 instead of NHL 2K7 is money well-spent. [Nov. 2006, p.85]

For a fair price of $40, the high caliber of NASCAR 07's tune-up keeps the good times rolling--and turning left, of course. [Oct. 2006, p.82]

Don't let its modest $40 price fool you into thinking this is bargain-bin junk: Test Drive Unlimited is an A-list driving game on every measurable level. [Dec. 2006, p.76]

Terrific music and some fun moments can't save Spy Hunter from feeling bargain-bin. [Dec. 2006, p.76]

Honestly, it's "Asteroids" with prettier, smarter rocks...and a hell of a lot more adrenaline. [Nov. 2006, p.78]

But ultimately, it's hard to whole-heartedly recommend this game to anyone but the most diehard turn-based--RPG fanatics. [Oct. 2006, p.73]

Kids or casual players may find some fun here, but serious sharks will seek cleaner waters. [Dec. 2006, p.84]

We never thought the day would come where we'd so dislike a Bomberman game, but by being needlessly lacking in the most crucial areas, Act Zero is impossible to love. [Sept 2006, p.78]

Though it might sound like a backhanded compliment, Saint's Row manages to climb atop the huge pile of GTA wannabes as the most well-excuted and enjoyable of the bunch. [Oct. 2006, p.71]

Texas Hold 'em has plenty of flaws that will justifiably tick off poker junkies, and hardcore players are better off with "Stacked" or one of the original xbox's other poker games. [Nov. 2006, p.77]

Madden 07 marks a turnaround for the franchise on the 360, and that's reason enough for football fans to rejoice. [Oct. 2006, p.77]

It may still be the best gridiron option by default, but Madden 07 is a disappointing step backward on the Xbox. [Oct. 2006, p.77]

But for those of us who love a bit of fruity melodrama to go with our genocidal tendencies, N3's simple, responsive controls--along with the singular, satisfying thrill of netting 2,000 kills in one stage--is exhilarating. [Oct. 2006, p.80]

For the low price of $20, Xyanide's a surprisingly fun alternative to Xbox Live Arcade's nostalgic offerings. [Oct. 2006, p.81]

Synetic's World Racing 2 presents a compelling argument why middle-of-the-road arcade racers shouldn't reproduce. [Nov. 2006, p.81]

As hardcore gamers, we'd pay $5 for this port. But ultimately, it's one of Live Arcade's weaker offerings. [Oct. 2006, p.72]

If you can stomach the entrance exam for learnning the game's tough ropes, Dead Rising's got your name written all over it. [Oct. 2006, p.67]

Capcom's done a sweet job of porting a coin-op legend, and Hyper Fighting is officially one of our favorite Live Arcade games. [Oct. 2006, p.83]

The track design is hit-and-miss, usually featuring aggravating blind curves that can quickly turn a comfy lead into a last-place finish. [Sept 2006, p.80]

As a Museum piece, Galaga's beeen almost perfectly preserved, but the missing multiplayer makes us think twice about spending 400 Microsoft Points. [Oct. 2006, p.72]

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

On Live it's an afternoon's worth of tinsel-tawdry blah; in solo play, you'll clock three hours, start to finish. No reason, then, to bother starting at all. [May 2006, p.77]

You still can't heal or even take enemies' weapons, although some minor gameplay improvements make this sequel better than "Berlin", so we are upping the score to a full 2.0 [Dec. 2006, p.84]

Thoroughly unserious and full of laughs, this tasty 3D sidescroller offers some entertaining twists on the typical platform game. [Sept 2006, p.81]

Sure NCAA is prettier on 360 (the stadiums and crowd atmosphere are particularly sweet), and hey, we love racking up Achievements as much as you do, but the vastly deeper Xbox 1 version (OXM score: 90) is really the only serious option. [Sept 2006, p.81]

No mere phoned-in afterthought like far too many original-Xbox games these days, NCAA 07 is a mature, refined sports game. [Aug 2006, p.75]

For a mere five bucks, you'd be a fool not to download one of the greatest arcade games of all time. [Oct. 2006, p.72]

Like the "Armored Core" games, Chromehounds feels like an amalgam of smart and goofy, and while it will appeal to fans of the former series, finicky casual types will probably be bored, frustrated, or both. [Sept 2006, p.82]

In a strange way, Prey feels really old-school despite all its innovation, and that feeling is strongest in its simple but excellent multiplayer. [Sept 2006, p.74]

We have seen the future of real-time strategy on Xbox 360, and its name is Battle for Middle-Earth II. [Sept 2006, p.76]

A couple hours of this, and even staunch drag-racing fans will evacuate the scene as fast as they can peel rubber. [Oct. 2006, p.81]

With gameplay that doesn't really change(you use the same A-button sequence every...single...time), AMF is inoffensive but repetitious. [Oct. 2006, p.81]

While the game strives for a balance of realism and playability, the bottom line is, it's not much fun. [Sept 2006, p.79]

You've played this game before, but action-sports fans with a sick sense of humor should still suit up for the ride. [Aug 2006, p.77]

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

If you're morbidly curious or looking for a weekend rental, Urban Chaos is nowhere near as crummy as its first impression would lead you to believe. [July 2006, p.85]