Aside from the strangely bland textures, the most glaring problems are some awkward technical hiccups like objects popping in, slowdown in busy areas, and polygon clipping... unacceptable on the Xbox. [Sept 2002, p.91]

Even though none of the missions are worthy of the term "challenging," Ty 2 is a vanilla alternative to bazooka-toting commandos and is good fun for kids. [Dec 2004, p.74]

Old-fashioned gameplay with a pretty new face. [Mar 2010, p.81]

But these hiccups are easily overlooked--with high replay value and strong presentation, Tournament of Champions is a fine bet at $40. [Holiday 2006, p.87]

Despite not including anything from the third Hobbit movie that could provide a satisfactory ending, Lego The Hobbit has enough content and charm to keep you entertained until the inevitable next Lego game. [July 2014, p.76]

Section 8 also offers a lot of customization options, with players able to tweak their weapon loadouts, tools (like healing abilities and various flavors of explosive), and even a whole slew of buffs and perks called “passive modules.” Best of all, racking up kills nets you points that you can use to buy deployable gun turrets, hard-to-drive tanks, or hulking mech suits.

Okay, so you're mostly just blasting away at anyone not wearing your current colors, but it's still plenty addictive.

Both games are perfect reproductions that add Live co-op. Sadly, though, their record-scratching soundtracks and exaggerated early-'90s urban culture have aged as well as an MC Hammer lunchbox.

But ultimately, it's hard to whole-heartedly recommend this game to anyone but the most diehard turn-based--RPG fanatics. [Oct. 2006, p.73]

Sadly, while mowing through thousands of baddies and flattening entire skylines does hold a certain appeal, your $40 is better put toward other 360 action games. [May 2007, p.78]

Parallel Lines is an impressive overhaul and creative recovery for a series that had hit its nadir. [May 2006, p.77]

The online quickplay is pretty slick and there's even(gulp)online leagues, which will give this baller more legs than the normal yearly update that NCAA hoops games often are. [Jan 2008, p.67]

A super-accessible, stylish, over-the-top slaughterfest. [Dec 2009, p.80]

Yes, the graphics are sharply upgraded, the new 12-player online matches are wicked fun, the Franchise mode is deep and detailed, and the silly Zamboni mini-game somehow mesmerized us. But with NHL 09 turning in such an all-star performance (see review, left), this exercise in nostalgia is enjoyable…but unnecessary.

Even if you’ve never owned a Budweiser jacket, NASCAR 09’s slick physics and engaging new racing options - including some addictive Sprint mini-challenges and absolutely seamless 14-player action on Live - will have you burning donuts in Victory Lane in record time.

Okay, so Magna Carta 2’s not a meticulously crafted masterpiece. But as long as you go in knowing what annoyances await, you should have a pretty good time kicking monster butt.

However, hitting the line of scrimmage with a friend on Xbox Live distills football's best elements into a tasty online brew that fans will suck down with gusto. [Dec. 2006, p.76]

Another gem in a surprising embarrassmenet of [Xbox] brawling riches. [Aug 2005, p.85]

May have some flaws, but the controls feel so good it's hard to put the game down. [Jan 2003, p.92]

A welcome change from most lightgun games that stress "spray and pray" techniques because precision and skill are needed instead of mere blasting. [Apr 2004, p.82]

Make no mistake: the latest iteration in the Operation Flashpoint series has plenty wrong with it. But it burger-chomping, chain-smoking heart beats with a fiery tenacity that's unrivaled in the current console era. [June 2011, p.78]

Factor in the up-and-down, run-and-gun dunk-a-thons that are fun but arcade-y--a trait tougher to stomach after "2K7's" more impressive showing--and Live 07 is like a windmill jam in the Dunk Contest: nice, but we've seen it before. [Dec. 2006, p.86]

The game is fun in short bursts, but won't hold your attention for too long. [July 2008, p.66]

If you already own MotoGP 08, there just isn't enough here to justify an upgrade. [May 2010, p.77]

With a good combat system and a high smash factor, The Hulk is a winner. [Aug 2003, p.77]

If only Swarm played to its quirky strengths instead of working against them, its maddening obstacles would be much more enjoyable. [April 2011, p.80]

The enemies are crass, the design is mean, the challenge is unforgiving, and the reward limited. You've been warned. [Mar 2010, p.82]

This arcade hockey is a reasonably fun alternative to aggressive realism, but it lacks the substance that’ll keep us playing its competition long after both games launch and hockey season has come and gone.