Lack of variety and depth. [Apr 2010, p.83]

If you're predisposed to cuteness, level-grinding, and some outright earnest, sweet-tempered madness, ditch all disbelief and consider Sonata your match made in heaven. [Sept 2007, p.70]

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]

Spectacular debut football sim. [Dec 2001]

Keeps the retro greatness flowin'. [May 2010, p.79]

The first time you take someone's head off with a quick-draw move...you'll be hooked. [Holiday 2005, p.76]

Soulcalibur still controls like a dream, allowing button-mashers to unleash a flurry of unintentional moves, and even better, rewarding seasoned stratetists with a sophisticated set of beat-downs. [Aug 2008, p.79]

Everything a library of classic games should be: great games, no load times, and simple functionality. Just the way we remember it. [Apr 2009, p.78]

Packs just enough new content to keep its legacy alive for another year or two.

Despite a few fresh ideas, Lego Batman 2 is, creatively, the weakest game in the Lego franchise.

But even with the lack of variety, Monday Night Combat's two modes pack enough juice to make it our new favorite sport.

At $5, there's no excuse not to relive the joy. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Quarrel does have some odd quirks, such as claiming words like "Monday" don't exist while accepting more obscure words. But for logophiles, its mix of strategy and vocabulary is a true pleasure.

Despite its solid on-course action, this franchise is starting to show its age. [May 2011, p.79]

Fall of Cybertron never quite transcends its franchise the way, say, Arkham City does - loving Transformers will definitely heighten your appreciation of it - but it's every bit the game that series buffs hoped for, and an improvement on its forebear.

Don't get us wrong: Orcs Must Die! is lots of hyperactive fun. Just don't expect lavish long-term depth that'll keep you slaughtering for weeks.

A great flow and fine multiplayer action put a serious spit-shine on Live's sneakers. [Dec 2005, p.117]

If all you want is Knuckles' debut, this is a fine $5 deal. [Oct 2009, p.77]

The game is missing a dose of innovation that could've helped it become stunning. [July 2002, p.77]

We love the new ability to craft an extreme weapon out of a couple of items: you can sample a handful of the full game's countless possibilities - including a Spiked Bat (baseball bat + nails) and head-pulping Drill Bucket (bucket + electric drill) - and discovering new combos and unleashing gonzo gear like the Air Horn (pylon + spray paint) is a blast.

The feel of racing in a huge pack is much more dynamic and compelling, and the terrific Flight to the Top Mode is suddenly worth playing. So is NASCAR 06. [Oct 2005, p.111]

It's a bit slow to get its hooks into you, but once you clear the first area and open up the rest of the absurd world that its hero inhabits, you won't want to leave. [Sept 2010]

Future Soldier's campaign does lose its stealthy way a bit right at the end, and the presentation can be rough at times, just like the throwaway plot. Ultimately, though, the game shines not only for staying true to Ghost Recon's roots, but also for doing so while successfully balancing the memories of old fans with the modern expectations of new ones.

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]

We admit we miss the first Dead Rising's goofier schtick and the initial wow factor of its innovative challenge. But the latter hasn't been toned down for this sequel, and the game remains - even with its flaws - a shuffler lover's undead dream.

The main complaint is that the appeal of the game wears off quickly. [Nov 2002, p.129]

It's an amateur music maker's tool, but a very potent and easy-to-use one and everyone from hardcore wannabe producers to b-boys sitting around Mom's living room really should have it in their library. [Aug 2004, p.84]

Hexic almost single-handedly kept out 360's from collecting cobwebs during the post-launch lull, and we still found ourselves firing it up when we don't have a time for a marathon "Oblivion" session or some "Fight Night" brawling. [Jun 2006, p.62]

CastleStorm's unusual mix of elements never quite congeals into anything too brain-taxing. But hurling bombs at buildings and flinging pointy sticks at barbarians is bound to get your blood pumping for a little while. [July 2013, p.76]

If you were curious about MvC3 but never bought it, we wholeheartedly recommend this version. But if you own the original, this $40 upgrade will probably leave you feeling more slighted than delighted. There's consolation in the fact that UMvC3 will soon be getting an extra mode (Heroes & Heralds) via free DLC; and if you're interested in being competitive in one of the most frenetic, frenzied games of all time, it's worth paying for this ride twice.

Not only definitive but also indispensible... Newer fighting games might be bloodier, flashier, or sexier, but Street Fighter Anniversary Collection offers purity and impeccable gameplay. [March 2005, p.80]

FFXIII-2 repairs almost every problem with Final Fantasy XIII, delivering an experience that feels like what that original game should have been. If your faith in Final Fantasy has been damaged by past disappointment, playing FFXIII-2 will restore your excitement for the franchise's future. [Feb 2012, p.68]

Not since the Lego Star Wars games has this series been so charming. [Sept 2010, p.80]

Repetitive battle music and minor camera issues aside, if you can stand the slow, turn-based nature of Gladius, you'll love it. [Dec 2003, p.154]

Aside from everything else Mirror’s Edge succeeds at, it also has some of the most arresting, original visuals we’ve seen on 360. Its starkly colorful graphics and slick anime cinematics are expressly designed to wire directly into your nerd-joy cortex — and they do. With such raw creativity and built-in speed-run appeal, Mirror’s Edge will transfix you for a long, long time.

It's over too soon, the quickie mini-games aren't worth more than five or 10 minutes, and the inexplicable lack of online co-op play stinks of missed possibilities, but Alien Hominid is still great fun and a joy to watch. [Feb. 2007, p.74]

Ghostbusters combines a tried-and-true structure with a familiar but fresh license, filling that game with personality and panache - and that's what really raised our spirits. [July 2009, p.72]

With a song list that ranges from Louis Prima to the Ghostbusters theme to Katy Perry, and choreography that includes Charleston and chair dancing, JD2014 makes vamping like a diva (and shedding some pounds in the process) an astonishingly engrossing timesink.

Despite a few flaws and one ill-conceived megamix, these games are treated with the respect they deserve at a price we’re willing to pay. We’re happy to see them on Arcade where they belong.

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]

The most surprisingly addictive shooter of the year. [Holiday 2003, p.84]

The game is charming in its simplicity. [Holiday 2004, p.80]

Unlike 2011’s installment, though, multiplayer excellence can't completely compensate for a misguided and rote single-player campaign, which makes BF4 an unsatisfying choice for those looking for the total package.

Buffy is exceptionally well balanced and designed. The control is nicely responsive, it looks absolutely fabulous, and there's a tremendous amount of gameplay variety. [Sept 2002, p.84]

Next to its predecessor, Dragon Age II may be a slightly altered beast, but the minute Isabela slyly chirps "I like big boats, I cannot lie" to a Desire Demon in the murky Fade, you'll realize this game offers some of the deepest, nerdiest, most worthwhile 40 to 60 hours you'll ever love losing sleep over. [April 2011, p.70]

Incredibly satisfying. [Oct 2008, p.82]

Overcoming Greed Corp's challenging and clever adversaries is a taxing experience, but damn if it isn't one of the most gratifying. [Apr 2010, p.81]

The constant shuffle between real-time mobile defense and time-pausing tactical route planning is both seamless and nerve-wracking. Even after you know every crisply rendered map back to front, you may find you just want to keep playing.

A jack-of-all trades first-person shooter. It does everything very well, but none of its ingredients leave a truly lasting impression. [March 2005, p.72]

Carcassonne is Live Arcade at its best--a fair price for a great game you otherwise wouldn't find on the 360. More please! [Aug 2007, p.80]

Satisfying, challenging, and more importantly, fun. [Jan 2004, p.80]

May not be as challenging as "MX Unleashed," but it's definitely more polished. [May 2004, p.76]

Assault Heroes is a no-nonsense blaster with plenty of co-op chaos and a lust for making hordes of things go boom. [Feb. 2007, p.77]

As long as you don't mind that manual targeting is a twitchy mess, and that Joanna slides around like she's on skates, 10 bucks buys you at least as many enjoyable hours stealth-killing thugs and perforating your pals. [Jun 2010, p.81]

Its engrossing multiplayer modes make Judgment easy to recommend, even if we found its main story campaign weaker than its predecessors’.

A top-notch physics-simulation engine convincingly handles even the most outlandish shots, while concise tutorials and cleverly rendered aiming aids help you get comfortable with everything from backspin to jump shots. You can even lock in how much power to use, or rewind time if you make a mess.

Done surprisingly well. [Jan 2002]

My biggest problem with this game comes from the extremely unrealistic batting interface. [June 2002, p.78]

The real strength of this game is the bounty of narrated, interactive tutorials that effectively demonstrate strategy, tactics, and psychological analysis of your opponent. [Jan 2005, p.82]

While the action is good, it's also incredibly short. There are only a dozen missions, plus an unlockable thirteenth, but you're looking at six to eight hours tops on this one. [Feb 2003, p.66]

Sadly, this is the second year in a row that the Tiger series has been light on upgrades. [Sept 2010, p.79]

When you mix the reinvigorated gameplay with the familiar RPG-lite, detail-intensive Dynasty Mode, you've got a hockey sim that the "Swingers" crew would call "pretty damn money." [Sept 2005, p.84]

Even at $10, we won't be taking another ride with OutRun until Sega serves up some substantial new content. [May 2009, p.80]

The series is back on the right track, and a year ago, that's something we seriously doubted we'd ever say. [Apr 2007, p.86]

This game does at times feel a tad slower than Konami's "MLS," but the pace simply suits some gamers better than others. [July 2002, p.78]

Marble Blast Ultra is not just a lot of fun to play; it's(dare we say it?)a blast. [Jun 2006, p.60]

One glaring issue with PES is its lack of licensing. [Jan 2011, p.65]

Graphically gorgeous, especially when you crank up its brilliant dynamic weather effects, F1 2013 reproduces every car and track from the current season in stunning detail (making the game’s short, non-savable replays even more perplexing).

A very lengthy, beautifully wrought, and next-gen 1998, but 1998 nonetheless. [Oct 2007, p.82]

The relatively crackling gameplay and amusing atmosphere make for an enjoyable whole, and above all a decent party game. [Feb 2003, p.78]

If you're already on the booty-shakin'-wagon, all the Live options make it worth a spin. [Holiday 2004, p.68]

Roogoo is a treat for anyone with a penchant for puzzlers. And be sure to try the Party Play mode with three pals - it’s a competitive/cooperative hybrid that’ll have you blaming each other for your failures while laughing the whole time.

Despite a few flaws and one ill-conceived megamix, these games are treated with the respect they deserve at a price we’re willing to pay. We’re happy to see them on Arcade where they belong.

This year's edition quite simply plays better than ever...The gameplay is exceptionally balanced.

But though the grandiose soundtrack may fool you at first into mistaking this for an epic Square-esque RPG, it’s not. It’s slightly smaller-scale, and the somewhat odd (and kinda bland) character designs never really reach the iconic eye-candy levels of more accomplished J-RPGs like Final Fantasy.

Still, the big missions get a bit too big by the end, especially when you keep thinking you're going to fight the last guy, only to be forced to endure one tedius jumping puzzle after the next. [Jun 2006, p.83]

WWE '13 is another great match from Yuke's, but calling it better than WWE '12 is tough. If you're hoping to re-ignite a wrestling addiction, WWE '13 is a great gateway, but the organization's more ardent fans (like us) will enjoy this year's effort while still clinging to their copies of WWE '12 like an Anaconda Vice.

Prototype offers an engaging tale, and it lets us stomp baddies in endlessly engaging ways. For action and superhero fans, that’s an irresistible mix.

A package of really fun times interspersed by some really annoying parts that will have you jumping in your car to go run over the first squirrel you see. [Aug 2005, p.82]

There's actually a story, but you'll ignore it to get to the wall-bashing action. [Jun 2006, p.61]

Weird AI and incomplete NASCAR track selection don't hold back this racer. [Dec 2001]

Those who can stomach its brand of horror will be amply rewarded. [Nov 2002, p.143]

The whole thing meshes well, is addictive in its playability, and looks absolutely beautiful (in a wonderfully detailed 3D anime way) in the process. [Feb 2003, p.68]

What makes this game so much fun is the pure speed and power. [May 2002, p.80]

It feels like you've played this game before because you have. [June 2004, p.72]

Ultimately, it's one of the best, deepest, and most eye-candy-packed animation crossovers to land in the 360's lap. [Dec 2007, p.81]

Its enduring strength...is its simplicity. [Nov 2009, p.84]

Diamond Mine. This enticing new mode has you catching gems atop gold deposits and untilled earth to earn bonuses and dig ever deeper before time runs out. Don't surprise if you awake in a slack-jawed daze to discover that dawn has come and gone.

Colonies ups the frigid fun and arachnid ass-kicking while lowering the price: thirty bones buys the original's content plus tons of new multi- and single-player offerings. [June 2008, p.77]

Incredibly short. [Jan 2003, p.63]

Makes a fun game of pick-up-and-play pigskin with some extra depth, but it could've been even more fulfilling. [Dec 2005, p.104]

Heroes manages to build complexity while increasing the fun in so many ways that we're anxious to see what's in store for the next iteration. [Dec 2005, p.119]

We're not quite ready to hail it as an MVP between the pylons, but NFL Blitz is a fine $15 reboot. Nevertheless, our fingers remain crossed for a bolder On Fire Edition (à la NBA Jam) next season.

The gameplay is great throughout, even if the graphics and A.I. don't quite live up to the standard set by "Call of Duty 2" for 360. But it stands up really well among the existing Xbox library. [Jan 2006, p.58]

When you consider what you do get for your $15 - a beautiful, darkly humorous game with one of the most well-made, finely tested fighting engines around, plus great online play - fighting-game aficionados have plenty of reasons to hang out with these dysfunctional damsels.

Although it can get repetitive, the overall feeling of zooming around on perfectly realized waves, complete with foam and spume, is mindlessly addictive. [Sept 2002, p.96]

Go ahead, fanboy - this one's for you. [Dec 2005, p.116]

With mostly excellent pieces, this seven-pack is an easy pickup for anyone still playing Modern Warfare 3 with pals - or seeking a good reason to dive back in.