It's all mildly entertaining but utterly disposable. [Apr 2010, p.86]

Commit to your fiefdom, and Tropico 3 becomes a gift that keeps on giving. [Apr 2010, p.81]

A colorful and stylish game that is blisteringly quick – if a bit technically dated. [June 2002, p.76]

Next to the content-packed SmackDown series, this workout feels light. [May 2011, p.74]

For new and old players alike, this sequel is a superb adaptation of the classic CCG.

It's just not fresh enough to warrant a purchase if your dance pad is already getting a good workout. [Holiday 2005, p.70]

It's not the best racing game on Xbox, but every racing fan should try it just for its unique approach and tense chase action. [Dec 2002, p.92]

What you end up with is a solid but average action game with only truly great concept. Sure, it's a one-trick pony, but at least the pony's cute and doesn't smell. [Dec 2003, p.156]

It all feels rather complicated at first, but you'll quickly settle into a satisfying groove.

With a handful of infuriating exceptions, Blood of the Werewolf's challenging gameplay generally feels fair and rewarding, and its increasingly lethal, lightning-quick action is well paced. [July 2014, p.78]

In a market of precisely one, this package lacks a number of bells and whistles (decent multiplayer most of all), but it had me pursuing a repeat of England's World Cup victory for many hours. [Apr 2005, p.88]

Considering you're getting two good mecha shooters at a reasonable price, we heartily recommend this package.

There may be no such thing as the perfect heist in PayDay 2, but they’re rarely forgettable — proof that while this game isn’t quite the transcendent co-op experience on the level of, say, Left 4 Dead — it still offers up a nice change of pace in first-person shooters on Xbox.

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]

It's not for everyone, but with patience, Uprising can become an incredible experience, with plenty of giant bosses and insane, over-the-top action set-pieces. [Jan 2011, p.74]

Irresistibly cute. [Feb 2009, p.84]

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 still a fun series that can come right back like a determined wrestler, but this year's iteration lacks the polish and wow factor of previous versions. [Holiday 2010, p.78]

A campaign of surprisingly smart A.I. opponents. [Sept 2009, p.87]

The tasks themselves are familiar — secure blueprints and ammo dumps, defend towns from takeover, detonate collateral — but your freedom of movement creates an exciting illusion of tactical authority, even if you can’t order around your disposable steroid-brigade buddies.

Despite issues regarding its distribution method, DoA5 Ultimate remains a fun, gorgeous, and accessible fighter, made sweeter by the wealth of new content. There's no better time to hop into the ring.

The game plays well, handles easily, and provides plenty of slapstick humor. It's just too bad that its flaws restrict it to a merely enjoyable distraction. [Jan 2004, p.84]

The showdown between pitcher and batter just isn't deep enough...Ultimately, ASB is an average game. [Apr 2004, p.74]

Revolution definitely punches up the Black Ops II multiplayer experience with fantastic maps and an SMG, while the exciting new "Die Rise" sweetens the deal.

If you love surprises yielded by the collision of inventive card abilities, you'll get a respectable kick from Culdcept Saga. [Feb 2008, p.78]

Food creation adds a new dimension to gameplay. [Holiday 2005, p.80]

Just having the Quake name alone isn't good enough anymore. [Jan 2006, p.70]

Varied events, sparkling social challenges, and rowdy online skirmishes make Dirt Showdown the rare spinoff that's as amazing as its much-loved predecessor, albeit in its own unique way. It's an absolute blast throughout, and proof that accessible, arcade-style thrills and spills can still deliver via superb execution.

While the character selection leaves a lot to be desired, the brilliant mix of versus battles, mini-games, and co-op challenges will keep you entertained for hours. [Sept 2008, p.77]

Throw in the aforementioned boobies - crammed into some hot leather corsets, mind you - and Darkwatch is all this bloodthirsty pardner really needs. [Oct 2005, p.104]

The protagonist can feel a bit slow to respond to your commands, but between the unique art direction and 120 boards of imaginative confusion, Exit delivers just enough pleasure to sweeten its pain. [Jan 2008, p.69]

Between the stages' constantly changing art style, the strange story, the unforgettable cast, and the novel take on action combat, this game is definitely worth checking out for people seeking something new. [Sept 2011, p.74]

For those of us who like a little tough love with our games, Dishwasher's ironclad challenge and simple-but-effective design scratch an itch few games can reach. [Feb 2009, p.83]

Though no aspect of it truly screams triple-A, the entire effort is one that patient players who can endure the early hours will surely enjoy. [Holiday 2004, p.84]

Strong enough to be a no-brainer for ardent fans, but other music-game junkies may find this $60 pill very hard to swallow, especially with Rock Band 3 lingering on the horizon. [July 2010, p.73]

For 20 bucks, this is almost a must-have for the old-school Sega nut inside us all. [Holiday 2004, p.67]

Playing alone, you'll remember why simple arcade shooters got left behind in the smokey pizza parlors of yesteryear; play along side a friend, the experience into a frantic race for survival that's well worth the small pittance for admission. [Jun 2006, p.60]

Da Vinci doesn't hit consistent highs, but it's a fresh and fairly priced reason to dive back into Brotherhood months after its debut. [June 2011, p.85]

The game's force variations and library of over 50 maps make it a solid online contender, assuming you can forgive the fact that major battles still reduce an otherwise attractive presentation to a slow and unresponsive slideshow.

A fine translation of last year's PC adventure. [June 2005, p.82]

Though the gameplay tends to be somewhat repetitive, there are scores of characters, techniques, and magical items to choose from. [Nov 2003, p.124]

Despite the high overall level of polish, Assault Heroes 2 feels like an overlong expansion pack - and at $10, it's one that costs twice the price of the original. Good game? Yes, but a tough sell.

Hydro Thunder: Hurricane revitalizes the rumbling core of the 11-year-old coin-op, serving up a winning combination of arcade accessibility, tense maneuvering, and cartoonish maritime mayhem. [Oct 2010, p.84]

When Lego Star Wars III sticks to the basics, it's still a crowd-pleaser. [May 2011, p.76]

It's a crying shame that Gun for 360 didn't get the next-gen love it deserves. [Jan 2006, p.62]

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.

As a $15 bare-bones Arcade title Jam would've been a treat, but what you get for the extra $35 is hardly fair value. [Jan 2011, p.63]

Sliders compensates with stupid-fun multiplayer. [June 2009, p.75]

Once you get past the self-consciousness of waving your arms around with a midget-sized club, you quickly realize how much fun the game is. [May 2006, p.81]

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]

Droplitz put us to sleep. We mean that in the best way possible. [Sept 2009, p.87]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Even when your objectives sound about as thrilling as a Sunday-afternoon grocery run, the sheer chaos Heller unleashes upon the distressed and detailed world of New York Zero while completing them keeps Prototype 2 from feeling like a chore. If you can turn off your brain and just enjoy the frenzied carnage, you'll have a blast.

A very good game, but unfortunately it lacks that certain "magic" to take it to the next level. [May 2003, p.77]

Intense without being brash, and focused on a tight situation as opposed to a global theater of operation, the relaunched Medal of Honor definitely finds its own voice as a military shooter. It's polished and visually appealing, while providing a little gaming perspective on a controversial military action. And you don't get that every day.

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

A mediocre installment in a series where the bar - and our expectations - have been raised very high. [Nov 2005, p.128]

But as long as you can withstand a bit of busywork here and there for the sake of an endearing comrade and a satisfying conclusion to his 15-hour adventure, you'll easily forgive Majin its foibles.

Much more than a cheap commercialization; it's a meaty game that kids and some masochistic adults will enjoy endlessly. [Dec 2004, p.84]

Simply put, UFC is the most realistic fighting game ever. [Apr 2002, p.68]

An excellent game that earns bonus points for doing something new, but it ultimately falls just a splinter short of greatness. [Dec 2003, p.102]

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

Though sometimes repetitive, combat is tense, frantic, and structured in such a way that a big new boss or new challenge is always around the corner.

Yes, it’s frustrating at times, but it sure as hell got our blood pumping. Plus, the animations look unbelievably organic — especially contextual finishers that incorporate the surrounding environment —and the sound effects give every hit a satisfying sense of bone-crunching devastation.

If you've run the first-person gauntlet before, Magrunner's slight tweaks on the formula make it worth checking out. [Jan 2014, p.71]

On the other hand, anyone who enjoys shaving seconds off speed runs and obsessing over scoreboards will appreciate Mercury Hg's focused simplicity, not to mention its $5 price tag. [Nov 2011, p.75]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Even if you just want an occasional hectic diversion, Galaga Legions DX is an absorbing enough reinvention of the coin-op classic.

If you're an armchair general, it's hard to imagine a more appealing game on your Xbox than this. [Feb 2005, p.76]

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.

If you don't mind a little aggravation, Capsized has its charms. [Feb 2012, p.72]

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.

Otherwise, though, this breezy shoot-'em-up is five-plus hours of mindless fun. [Aug 2011, p.85]

It does feel more than a little cheesy when you're probably expecting it to be one of the early stars on Microsoft's wunderkind console. [Jan 2006, p.74]

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]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Even the tire treads have depth to them. [Feb 2003, p.71]

"Ridge Racer" on steroids... The best-looking racing game we've ever seen. [Mar 2003, p.77]

Don't avoid buying Manhunt because it's sick; avoid Manhunt because it has virtually no redeemable gameplay quality, period. [July 2004, p.87]

The kooky cutesy Japanese art is perhaps a bit too goofy, and the gameplay is solid, if slightly too easy at first, but prepare to waste a lot of time playing - this title is EXTREMELY hard to put down. [Oct 2004, p.66]

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.

But what's really a labor of love is all the bonus material - historical info, original poster and advertising art, and behind-the-scenes videos with the games' creators. [Nov 2004, p.85]

The more I played, the more I settled into a fun, if not too deep, experience. [June 2002, p.74]

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.

While executing attacks is refreshingly easy, Generations lacks depth: bouts often devolve into who can escape and button-mash to counter first. Likewise, fighting the CPU - especially in Story Mode's later stages - can feel frustrating and unfair. Meanwhile, the online-versus options are bare-bones, with the only frill being a replay-recording feature.

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]

The super-basic matchmaking and sometimes-laggy online play are also disappointing, especially coming from the developer that brought us BlazBlue's superb netcode. Ultimately, this game's a good value; just be prepared to do a lot of your own research if you want to grow beyond a rudimentary level - and get local buddies to do the same if you want competition.

The game's story is so confusing, we didn't understand why things were happening. [July 2010, p.84]

An amazing-looking sports sim backed by great commentary, improved animations, and better tactical awareness of the AI-players. If you missed "FIFA 2004," this will tide you over admirably until, well, next year! [Aug 2004, p.82]

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]

A marginally brushed-up verison of Madden visually, but stripped of everything they've worked for over the years to advance the game's sense of realism and fun. [Jan 2006, p.60]

Ion Assault occasionally feels insubstantial and rarely replicates the big, tense moments of other thrill-a-second shooters, but it works well as a slightly more strategic alternative. [Nov 2009, p.72]

We understand the tightrope any game walks between narrative cohesion and player freedom, and Mafia II makes its choice clear. As a result, its best aspects are exceptional, but we can't help but think that it could've offered so much more.

The variety of play, including obstacle courses, photo shoots, midnight races and stunt driving is staggering. Wreckless is a work of art. [Mar 2002, p.63]

It's fine for the PS2, but we would have liked a little more polish for the Xbox. [Feb 2002, p.73]

At a mere $20 it represents impossible value and is probably a must-have for crusty old gamers. [Dec 2003, p.92]

RDR creatively captures the feel and flavor of classic Westerns, while remaining an absolute twitchy-fingered hoot to play. [July 2004, p.80]

Impressive lighting, gorgeous art direction, and a smooth framerate really pretty-up the experience, while voice-acting from Hollywood veterans Rosario Dawson and Brian Cox add weight to the audio.