An extremely solid racer with moments of greatness; but just enough flaws to keep it from the ranks of the classics. [Dec 2008, p.82]

Dead Rising fans will enjoy it most, but even carnage-craving newbies will easily get their money's worth. [Feb 2011, p.73]

Still, even with these issues, Tekken 6 punches through as an excellent addition to the fighter library on 360. [Jan 2010, p.73]

Amped 3 gets everything right that's wrong with "SSX." [Jan 2006, p.72]

If Episode 1’s satisfying twists and gut-punch of a cliffhanger are any indication, a pitch-black journey into fairytale land lies ahead. Count us in for the long haul.

You won't confuse this $15 arcade game with a full-priced marquee shooter, but its distinct flavor and fresh gameplay make it worth cracking out whenever you want a break from the genre's big boys. [March 2011, p.78]

Kids will undoubtedly get more out of it than adults, but most players will simply wonder where the eight hours went. [Feb 2011, p.75]

Modern mechanics give this chestnut new life. [Mar 2009, p.81]

What's here isn't radical, ending-altering content, so much as a slightly uneven but deeply worthwhile journey that adds intriguing lore to the series' canon - and instills a wide-eyed sense that we're nowhere near done with this universe.

You'll need dozens of playthroughs to get a handle on everything that's going on, and Deathsmiles is addictive enough to keep you replaying. [Aug 2010, p.79]

The online options are still a little wonky in that they work, but with the Champions League license, we'd like more depth and options in how fans can compete with each other. Nevertheless, the style and impressive ball-movement physics help PES maintain its impressive fidelity.

The problem - Madden is merely good. If you're the only NFL game in town, Mr. EA, you better bring it in spades, not in drips. [Sept 2005, p.78]

The jokes alone make flaming skags worth weathering.

As with top TV shows like Breaking Bad or Mad Men, a merely good chapter of Telltale's Walking Dead game feels like a great chapter of anything else.

Throw in more responsive skating and a brilliant new face-off system, and we definitely dig how NHL 2K8 shakes and bakes. [Nov 2007, p.92]

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.

If you're going to play poker with fake money, Activision Value's latest is the best way to do it on Xbox 360. [Holiday 2007, p.78]

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 super-high learning curve may turn off those not indoctrinated into developer Crave's brand of wicked-hard intensity, but genre fans will find more than enough to love(and die endlessly for)here. [Feb 2011, p.76]

While IL-2 doesn't quite manage to be the awesomest air combat game of all time, it comes temptingly close. [Oct 2009, p.68]

Old arcade pros will miss the coin-op's grippy spinner knob, but the right analog stick approximates it well; finesse players can still win games with superior targeting skill. [July 2007, p.79]

Soundtrack worthy of a Danny Ocean and Tarantino showdown. [Feb 2008, p.80]

F.E.A.R. 3 isn't expertly polished or perfectly balanced, but it's got sufficient creeping dread and more than enough gameplay variety to fan our desire for more of Alma's apocalyptic evil.

And holy cow, if it's sheer bat-guano crazy you're after, you'll love Versus mode. Pick from 45 (!) unlockable characters and square off against 11 other nutjobs (humans or bots) in completely ridiculous battle royales over Live. We'd happily pay 10 bucks just to listen to the chaos in each wild melee.

Giving us the option to bypass the mini-games and get straight to the story would've made this charming visual treat even tastier. [Holiday 2007, p.73]

And as a whimsical, sweet-natured tale of a princess who learns she must earn her right to return home, it's a warm-hearted departure we found difficult not to embrace. [July 2014, p.68]

Seemingly cognizant of how tough it can be, the game gives you an extra bottle of health-restoring painkillers for every few times you restart at the same spot, but the situation is gratingly exacerbated by Max Payne 3's erratic checkpoint system. More often than not, you'll have to replay painfully long stretches of white-knuckle sequences, turning levels into chores, not treats.

It's easy and incredibly fun to use, but also powerful, and content can be shared with friends. Even as additional play sets and figures are released in the coming months, it'll be the Toy Box that keeps us hooked, and it's how Disney Infinity remains so endearing even as it commands ample cash.

Amid shelves crammed with me-too mediocrity, we'll take Overlord's wicked humor and creativity, warts and all. [Sept 2007, p.80]

A slightly uneven but still arresting journey back to BioShock’s past, future, and present that makes a worthy protagonist out of Elizabeth, while introducing some downright cool new gameplay into the series’ mix.

A complex puzzler. [Feb 2010, p.88]

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]

SoulCalibur V feels new without feeling reinvented. It's not genre-defining and it's not the complete overhaul probably needed to make SoulCalibur important in tournament-fighting circles, but it's still flashy enough to keep fans interested and technical enough to convert some series holdouts.

As the cricket-like Wik, you use your tongue to collect grubs to feed your slow-moving monster and snatch acorns to spit at your insect foes. [Jun 2006, p.64]

Without a doubt, MotoGP 3 is the finest superbike grand-prix simulator available for the Xbox. [Nov 2005, p.130]

Maybe it's fitting that a game about pies leaves you hungry. Even if it ultimately ends up with your stomach growling, Winterbottom's very best bites are still worth every penny. [Mar 2010, p.80]

It’s the perfect military shooter for Halo and Unreal Tournament players who find the Clancy titles too real to be fun.

Does Sonic's latest racing romp transform the genre? Not really. But it is an enjoyable mishmash of many elements, and a delightful treat that does much more with the Mario Kart template than even Mario Kart itself has managed to do in a long time.

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]

You might think calling NBA Live 08 "much improved" is a backhanded compliment, but its first two years on 360 really did leave it no place to go but up. [Nov 2007, p.84]

For 15 to 20 hours of laughs and gameplay, it's a steal. [Sept 2009, p.85]

While the game feels rough around the edges, the core is so entertaining that such flaws don’t dominate the experience. Whether you play solo or with pals, solving Sanctum 2’s many challenges proves deeply absorbing.

It clearly aims to include everyone and exclude no one, and that's just plain refreshing amid a holiday season stuffed full of deadly serious, high-learning-curve me-toos. [Nov 2007, p.96]

Still, with its collectible treasure pieces, butterflies, and toys, a plot that puts a fantasy spin on pirates, the ability to hop-in as a challenger during mini-games, and exquisite artistic elements (just look at the map and watch the credits roll), Lemuria is a world you'll be glad to visit for a little quality time with your younger self.

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]

Is 2K10 going to the Series? Not quite — but it’s fundamentally solid all-around, and that’s enough to keep it entertaining all year long.

With four distinctive maps and a fun new mode, Naval Strike is a stellar pick-up for Battlefield 4 fans. [July 2014, p.77]

All told, Advent Rising does a whole lot more right than it does wrong. If this really is the first of a trilogy, we'll be first in line for the next installment. [July 2005, p.86]

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.

If you can overlook the lack of any narrative cohesion, The Club looks great, controls well, and offers you tons of options for giving your trigger finger a good workout. [Mar 2008, p.90]

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]

Even if Hollywood never produces another Rango movie, we want a sequel to the game. [May 2011, p.77]

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]

The perfect way to approach it is to shelf your hardcore gamer pride, download a walkthrough to get your through the annoying bits, and just wade into its rampant creativity with both eyes wide open. [Apr 2006, p.77]

Making saves wtih the crease control system is wicked fun, even in multiplayer. [Jan 2006, p.80]

But while Raskulls' thrills are short-lived, it's a genuinely fresh and fun concept we hope will do well enough for an even bolder(and heftier)sequel. [Feb 2011, p.78]

It's easy to put down the wrong tower as you hurriedly try to set up your defenses, but otherwise, the controls are solid. [Holiday 2009, p.75]

There's a gentle magic in Giants' cunning formula, but it's a spell that collectible-minded gamers of all ages will find incredibly hard to resist.

The interface is considerably easier to navigate than the menu-heavy original Head Coach. [Sept 2008, p.69]

Even if you're aggravated early on, don't take this game at face value. From Software has developed some of this generation's most interesting games, and obtuse or not, Armored Core V is one of them.

We wish the developers had included some offline bots instead, though, or allowed players access to so much as the main menu when the servers are down, as they were on launch day. Thankfully, Hybrid's combat is so pleasantly addictive, it's tough to hold a grudge.

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

More than just singing to words on a screen. It's an actual game that rates your performance with a vocal analyzer that scores how well you stayed on key. [Holiday 2004, p.80]

It's probably a game best played in small doses, as the relentless pursuit of perfection can often wear you out. But if you inner Evel Knievel just yearns to be free, Stuntman's your ticket. [Sept 2007, p.78]

The gags don't always hit their mark, but at its low points, Comic Jumper is still one of the weirdest, edgiest pieces of snarky fun you'll find on Arcade. [Nov 2010, p.76]

Anyone who loves "Bust-A-Move" will enjoy this aztec-themed variation in which your stationary frog idol fires different-colored stones into a revolving chain. [Jun 2006, p.64]

Though players no longer look like stunningly detailed mannequins, they do sometimes warp toward the basket or other players because an animation key tells them to. More important, Live still plays just too fast for our liking. But Live 10 shows the series is at least heading in the right direction.

On the whole, XCOM will keep fans spellbound with its depth, but it could've used a little more time in the cooker to add that something extra.

Disappointed with "Double Dragon"? Want a good 2D brawler? Here's five bucks well spent. [Dec 2007, p.78]

It's a sweet ride, but even a novice player should finish within eight hours. And with no multiplayer, you've no reason to go back and play again. [Nov 2004, p.76]

There's a big difference: instead of hopping and bopping on one foot, you spend most of your time in tricked-out vehicles you make yourself. [Holiday 2008, p.72]

Yes, it's flawed, but L.A. Noire is an honest-to-goodness detective crime thriller - a genuine breath of fresh air that values narrative and story above all else in an age where scripted action sequences and online deathmatch rule the day. It's the closest thing Xbox has to PlayStation's unique adventurer Heavy Rain.

Overall, gameplay is great - passing is tight, running moves are fluid, and the playbook is decent-sized, although officials occasionally miss big calls while throwing seemingly random flags. [Sept 2007, p.81]

F.E.A.R. Files delivers two standalone micro-campaigns brand-new to the 360--the new Perseus Mandate and the previously released PC expansion "Extraction Point". [Holiday 2007, p.80]

If you've already finished State of Decay and want more, Breakdown is a hugely addicting excuse to dive back into Trumbull County and spend endless hours strip-mining it.

Only a bit of lag in the otherwise fun-as-ever multiplayer modes on Xbox Live mellows the buzz. [Aug 2010, p.78]

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

Son of Crawmerax provides some fun level-34 encounters and new cosmetic heads, but it's only necessary if you're starved for extra content. [July 2014, p.83]

What is surprising, however, is that content of this quantity and quality costs just $15. With its meaty eight- to ten-hour campaign and near AAA-caliber execution (plus an endlessly replayable arcade mode), this game could have easily been a full-priced offering just two or three years ago.

ProStreet might feel a bit thin without the open world and impulsive attitude of "Most Wanted", but it's still and exciting distillation that adeptly mixes arcade pleasure with realism for an absorbing day at the races. [Holiday 2007, p.72]

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.

It's truly a wonder what could've fizzled into a pat, saccharine-sweet puddle of a tale ends up being much more, making Brothers an experience definitely worth having. [July 2013, p.70]

It’s a savage game; the only thing more violent that the damage inflicted on Wolverine is the rapid and nonchalant dismemberment of everyone he comes into contact with. Mature’s one word for it: absurd and childish are other, more accurate words. But it’s a brilliant kind of ridiculous nonsense that’ll occasionally pull reluctant cheers out of your grown-up neck.

Warlords is feel-good nostalgic fun, especially played against other humans - though it's missing one key ingredient: those spinner paddle controllers that let you block with fast, pinpoint accuracy in the game's original Atari 2600 version. That rush is something an analog stick just can't replicate.

Forty bucks for a dozen-plus hours of brainy hijinks? We'll take it. [Feb 2011, p.82]

Rez HD hits a rhythm that feels absolutely right for those willing to try something perpetually new, no matter what year it actually debuted. [Feb 2008, p.74]

Though not without its faults, Skate 2 is one of the most realistic, challenging, and fulfilling skateboarding games around. And it’s better than having your skin flayed off by asphalt. [Note: OXM and OXM UK reviews are the same & will not be listed twice.]

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

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]

This is the kind of game Xbox Live Arcade was made for. [Holiday 2007, p.73]

The facts remain: it's nicely crafted, fittingly visualized, and undeniably entertaining at times. [Jan 2004, p.74]

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]

The best way to describe Vegas 2 is that it’s not really a full sequel — it’s just the rest of the first game.

With all that content to complement its addictiveness, Meteos Wars shouldn't be missed by those who crave block puzzles. [Holiday 2008, p.69]

This casual block-dropper has a satisfying complex exterior and enough well-paced rewards that it kept us coming back to stack. [Holiday 2009, p.76]

From Software’s latest creation is a completely unique experience with no real analogue, even if it only occasionally surpasses its predecessor. For players new to the series, it’s a much better entry point than the first game, but Dark Souls grognards who proudly bear their scars will find it a touch too familiar and/or streamlined.

The graphics are solid, the gameplay has some great moments, and the co-op play is a blast. However... it never manages to be the great game we were desperately hoping it would be. [Aug 2003, p.74]

Another year, another FIFA--and consider us happy. [Dec 2007, p.78]