Racing fans interested in a quick fix of adrenaline probably won't find what they're looking for in McRae 04, but autophiles will adore the game for its physics, handling, and depth of play. [Apr 2004, p.81]

As much as we like both of the European-developed $15 stunt racers, Joe Danger: Special Edition managed to interest us just a bit more. Both games are fine-tuned to near-perfection, but Joe Danger has slightly more going on under its hood thanks to new gameplay additions and more interesting objectives. It's also got a nicer paintjob and sound system (read: better visuals and audio), so we have to give the duke to Danger this time around.

Realistic animations anchor that gameplay. When LeBron drives the lane and fades away for a jumper in the paint, or when Tony Parker stumbles around a pick, every elbow, jersey, and sweatband organically articulates their momentum.

A full-service Bomberman experience - Live Arcade is the perfect platform for it, and $10 is a fair price. We just can't resist. [Sept 2007, p.73]

Your Shape won't replace a real-life personal trainer, but it does delivers as close an experience as you can get, in the comfort of your (hopefully Kinect-sized) game room - and that's no easy feat.

It’s definitely a “more of the same” type of sequel and it has a few rough edges the original didn’t, but Ninja Gaiden II is still one of the best, most exhilarating action experiences on Xbox 360.

Jump on Live for a two-player co-op romp and let the old-school arcade love flow freely like so many unspent quarters. [Mar 2008, p.91]

Fan’s of Itagaki’s “jujitsu-jousting” philosophy….can comfortably mark DOA 4 as the most refined version of their beloved fighter to date. [Mar 2006, p.73]

It feeds the hunger of Oblivion veterans for more RPG goodness, and new players will eat up the kooky detour it offers as they explore one of 2006's finest games. [May 2007, p.72]

This 2007 edition is the undeniable pinnacle of the genre, dropping a powerful payload of pugilistic power-tripping that you'd have to be nuts to pass up. [Holiday 2006, p.84]

The controls feel loose and non-responsive, which makes executing everything from a simple dunk to a pick-and-roll more exasperating than it should be. [Dec 2004, p.89]

2012's edition of Rocksmith suffered from some slight latency problems, making it hard to hit notes accurately. This year's release fixes that. [Jan 2014, p.67]

Perseverance will make you a better player, while earning you new units to exploit in enjoyably unpredictable multiplayer duels. [June 2011, p.82]

Even if you don't care about the Persona mythos, there's a very solid competitive fighter here. Both local and online multiplayer are incredibly solid (the latter thanks to an update released two days after the game), with only the minor annoyance of no quick-rematch option. As it stands, anyone seeking a fresh, stylish take on traditional 2D fighting should enter this Arena.

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

Burnout Revenge for 360 is a fantastic experience, capturing the essence of the series better than any of its predecessors. [Apr 2006, p.81]

For a lack of extras and generally lower quality visuals, anyone who played Half-Life 2 on the PC won't have any need to pick this up. [Holiday 2005, p.88]

Given the slew of impressive upgrades and new features, the purchase of this new installment is a must. [Holiday 2005, p.90]

The fact that it's a mere five levels long and can be frustratingly difficult might limit the game's appeal, but it's hard not to appreciate Ikaruga's meticulously crafted brilliance. [May 2008, p.75]

Made with the input and voice talent of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Tenorman's Revenge is a loving homage to classic 2D platform games. The story is a blast for South Park fans, the jumping and climbing action is challenging but not too hard, and the price is definitely right.

Quarterbacks lead out receivers with passes much more effectively and realistically, and there’s much less of a "pro" feel - mistakes are made that open up holes in coverage for you to exploit.

Temporary frustration (and upper-arm pain) will fade as you mow down hordes of blade-throwing rabbits and hammer-toting elephants. Diabolical Pitch may not be a perfect game, but it's definitely an All-Star effort.

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]

It’s tricky but rewarding.

Its flaws are overshadowed by crisp controls and the same unbridled fun that has made this the best wrestling series for years. [Dec 2008, p.86]

The combination of a level-based game, free play mode, and two-player makes for an infinite amount of replayability. It's not an earth-shattering port of the PC game, but it does bring something new to The Sims experience. [May 2003, p.70]

Satisfying, fast-paced combat. [Feb 2010, p.82]

Virtua Tennis 3 delivers big where it matters most--irresistible, thumb-cramping multiplayer--and boots "Top Spin 2" to the sidelines to rightfully claim the title of best Xbox 360 tennis game. [may 2007, p.82]