What's available here remains as ridiculously appealing as ever. It's still a thrill unique to the series to be perched six stories high, looking out across miles of meticulously rendered game world - even if that dazzling, danger-filled world has grown overly familiar, having traded what was once revolution for iterative evolution.

$10 of joy. [Oct 2009, p.82]

Despite different settings, there’s something very Infinite Undiscovery about Last Hope. In a good way.

No disrespect to "Frogger" and "Bejeweled", but Xbox Live Arcade needs more games like Roboblitz. Score one for the next-generation, Tin Man. [Jan. 2007, p.73]

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]

Between equipment variety, handling differences, respawning pick-ups, and the cunning nooks and crannies of each map, the emergent strategic possibilities deliver surprising depth. [Aug 2007, p.72]

Most Wanted delivers raucous entertainment in spades, whether you're battling Fairhaven City's finest in the campaign or dueling network competition in serious races and silly trick competitions. After years of revisiting Burnout Paradise's recurring playground, we finally have a fresh racing addiction to keep us hooked until Criterion's next seemingly inevitable open-road opus.

Best of all, tantalizing hints of what's to come will leave you anxious for the next chapter in your gruff super-soldier's saga.

Online play over Live will enhance this game's replayability, but a little more content would've made it an epic crossover. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

MvC2 rewards hardcore fighters; we just wish Capcom had better rewarded hardcore fans. [Sept 2009, p.84]

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.

Bottom line: does the game live up to AC II? Well, no. Ezio's grand introduction is pretty damn hard to top, at least in terms of story content and franchise innovation. But that doesn't invalidate Connor's journey by any means. Assassin's Creed III's newly refined gameplay and incredibly rich setting are captivating stuff, and we're excited to see what adventures lie ahead for our new hero.

Hexic 2 deftly expands every concept that made its freebie predecessor the star of Live Arcade's launch. [Sept 2007, p.74]

We've seen a few middling attempts at Vietnam War experiences, but this one rocks because it doesn't try to bring politics or sense to the table--just lots and lots of death. [March 2011, p.77]

Like the rest of Saints Row: The Third's DLC packs, Clones is only an hour, but it's a terrific romp through Steelport, showcasing the series' unique style and fun. Of the game's three add-ons so far, it's definitely our favorite.

It’s all deftly anchored by a perceptive, nuanced narrative that helps fashion Croft into a convincing heroine who can weather extraordinary circumstances, while remaining convincingly human throughout. These quieter moments make what’s already a stunning ride even more worthwhile.

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Celebrity cameos by Ray Liotta, Michael Madsen, Chazz Palminteri, and Joe Pantoliano are fun perks, but what really stands out is how expansive and enthralling this hour-or-so mission is.

It offers a clever Deniable Ops mode, a co-op campaign that’s equal or superior to the solo section, and best of all, a solo campaign with lots of excellent missions in unique locations threaded by the series’ best narrative.

Call of Duty's three-pronged attack serves it well in Black Ops II, with the superb online play and Zombies co-op making up for a less-essential campaign this time - though its many changes and occasional high points still warrant a playthrough (or two) to see Treyarch's spin on the well-worn template.

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

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

All three tables look gorgeous, and all the familiar dialogue clips and sounds are a treat, too. Star Wars Pinball never up-ends the formula quite as much as Avengers Chronicles’ selectable balls and upside-down table did, but silverball and sci-fi buffs will adore it nonetheless.

If you've never set foot in the whip-cracking universe of the marvelously long and storied Castlevania series, Symphony is the best possible way to get your meet-and-greet on. [Mayt 2007, 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 action does start to drag in the last couple of hours...If you're excited by even the slightest hint of carnage, though, the rubblelicious Armageddon delivers. We absolutely got what we came for: an exciting sci-fi shooter with carnage galore and some of the most crazy-powerful guns we've seen in ages. [June 2011, p.50]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Any game that has seen nine iterations must have either required a phenomenal amount of improvement or honed a hugely successful formula. Chalk up this new Winning Eleven in the later category. [Mar 2006, p.74]