Call us crazy, but we're willing to bet the farm that the world of Psychonauts is the most inventive, creative, and downright vision that's ever graced a videogame. [May 2005, p.76]

For the hardcore hockey lovers who expect the significant improvements each year, NHL 10 is pure bliss. Everything you loved before is either back in full force or improved enough to warrant playing again. The core experience was already electric, but the enhanced realism, new player abilities, and gratifying sense of progression have us skating on smooth ice.

BioShock 2 isn't a groundbreaking follow-up that rewrites all the rules laid down by its predecessor. No, think of it as a sequel that fills in the gaps, adding exciting new dimensions to what's come before... You will be utterly absorbed. [Mar 2010, p.68]

We love it when a sports game comes together. With NHL 09, all the potential this series has teased us with for the past two seasons has finally gelled into actual, grade-A greatness.

The 360 sure has a wealth of terrific shooters, and while Vegas isn't the very best of the bunch, it's elite enough to deserve your trigger time. [Holiday 2006, 68]

With HD Remix, it feels like you’re getting the Ferrari of 2D fighters — and it’ll cost you. The game is a moderately pricey $15, and while it’s playable with a standard controller, it pretty much demands a Hori Fighting Stick for the full arcade experience. But on both counts, the payoff is oh-so-worth the sacrifice.

Expertly balanced, with tons of options to keep you improving either your golfer or your wardrobe or your course. [Nov 2004, p.80]

Together, this mix of realistic physics and wildly imaginative board design will keep you coming back until...well, Zen releases its next batch of tables. [Jan 2014, p.67]

The boxers ripple with animated musculature and move with a lightning smoothness, while the brutal injuries and blood sprays make you sincerely regret every opening you leave for your opponent. [March 2005, p.76]

Secret is the foremost example of the genre on Xbox — and arguably anywhere else.

Eye-popping graphics, especially the in-car view. [Jan 2006, p.66]

A stellar multiplayer setup ensures you'll be playing Battlefield: Bad Company 2 long after the 10 or so hours spent in the already satisfying single-player campaign. [Apr 2010, p.76]

The best soccer game on the Xbox by a mile. [Jan 2003, p.74]

A completely new graphics engine combined with more ESPN-style replays and the excellent play-by-play of Gary Thorne and Bill Clement has vaulted the presentation of ESPN NHL head and shoulders above the competition. [Oct 2003, p.81]

The improvements and additions to one of 2012’s best games make XCOM: Enemy Within’s second quest every bit as alluring as first contact.

However you play, Pinball FX 2 is a must-have for any pinball fan who doesn't have a real machine tucked away somewhere. [Nov 2010, p.67]

This bugaboo aside, though, NHL 11 really is the best realization of hockey to date. Ultimately, its new physics make for better, more believable hockey that we simply can't recommend enough.

The deep storyline and character development system, seemingly endless quests, and miles of detailed, highly interactive locations to explore all amount to more than 200 hours of gameplay for those attempting to see it all. [Jan 2004, p.76]

No mere phoned-in afterthought like far too many original-Xbox games these days, NCAA 07 is a mature, refined sports game. [Aug 2006, p.75]

Most crucially, the journey is worth every minute of effort: The Witcher 2's malleable final moments are remarkably satisfying no matter which choices you make. [May 2012, p.36]

Betrayal and constant infighting - problems that've been building since the beginning - finally boil over, proving deadlier than anything else in this crazy zombie apocalypse.

The Hell levels are beautiful in their nightmarishness. Add in cool features like online play and the inclusion of older Doom games, and you've got a genuine horror masterpiece for the Xbox. [Apr 2005, p.82]

In no way has the gameplay quality suffered in order to get this game on shelves for a mere $20. In fact, it's become better overall, amidst a couple of steps back and a few more forward. [Oct 2004, p.78]

Despite a few missing links and annoyances, Stranger still emerges as a beautifully fun beast. [Feb 2005, p.71]

But unless you are a FIFA completist who desperately wants to play as goalie, the minor on-field tweaks in FIFA 11 don't significantly impact what was already a complete, broad, and compelling game. [Nov 2010, p.76]

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.

Water, sky, textures, animation, design, particle effects, draw distance, frame rates - every visual feature excels and entrances. You have to see Crimson Skies move. It'll move you. [Dec 2003, p.126]

Fun, addicting, original, and has more gameplay options than any other FPS on Xbox, including "Halo." [Dec 2002, p.147]