A strong example of challenging, polished 16-bit platform gameplay. [Oct 2009, p.80]

Taste in music is always a personal thing, but we absolutely love Boom Boom's 10 modern takes on famous classical music, which veer from ska to disco to electronica and good 'ol metal. [June 2007, p.70]

Best serves dedicated otaku-style collectors and quick-play arcade gamers. [Oct 2005, p.106]

Problematic moments of senseless enemy invulnerability and camera management siphon off some joy, but ultimately, this glorified plushie is fun enough to avoid extinction. [Dec. 2006, p.84]

It's largely the same game with the bonus elements of online play, voice-commandable teammates, and a map editor. Nothing more, nothing less. [Mar 2006, p.78]

These standalone levels may not compare to a proper game of chess, but they have the same sort of vibe, and that makes Band of Bugs challenging and addictive enough in its own right. [May 2007, p.80]

Hell wars doesn't promise any particular greatness, but for a quick $30 FPS thrill-ride, it'll do nicely. [July 2006, p.85]

It basically boils down to Marble Madness with guns. [Oct 2009, p.80]

Book and movie fans will still likely enjoy the best Harry Potter game yet. [Holiday 2005, p.84]

Also annoying is the frequent, noticeable slowdown when a lot of effects start flashing on-screen, particularly during online play.

A clean, enjoyable, and ultimately playable game. [May 2002, p.82]

More savvy veterans should beware of platformer deja vu. [Nov 2002, p.129]

Bunny + Weasel is a whip-smart idea. Too bad the joke gets old fast. [Jan 2004, p.74]

Many things: packed, fun, annoying, and humorously ironic. [Jan 2005, p.80]

If you can stomach the story problems, the spotty humor, and the lack of originality and simply focus on the gameplay, then you'll enjoy Roadkill for what it is... and addictive combination of two more inventive titles. [Nov 2003, p.104]

This add-on’s best parts — its boss battle and final fight — might be better than DmC’s biggest brawls, but the surrounding content is overshadowed by a superior sibling.

At times, the game's many puzzles and open-world areas did leave us aimlessly wondering and wandering. But varied gameplay, solid combat, and an effective mix of psychological scares and freaky encounters make Downpour a worthwhile trip to Silent Hill's haunted 'hood.

With its charming, colorful sandbox of tools, there's definitely a micro-managing itch that Zoo Tycoon handily scratches - we just wish the thrills stuck around a bit longer.

Its tough-love formula offers fun and challenge in the short-term, but there’s just not enough variety or depth to make a lasting impression beyond those initial thrills.

Stoked is priced at a sweet $40. So even if a tricks-splosion isn't your personal boarding nirvana, there's enough great stuff in this game that you'd be crazy not to check it out. [Mar 2009, p.82]

Boggle's speedy rounds [are] perfect for quick doses of multiplayer. [June 2009, p.75]

If it sounds like we’re pining for Insect Armageddon, let us make it clear that 2025 is the superior game. The locales are more striking, the destruction (and particularly the feedback from your weaponry) is greatly improved, and there’s far more depth overall.

Sadly, this flashback is best left in the tar pits of old-school. [Jun 2006, p.61]

Kinect responsiveness can be spotty, especially jumping, but it works well enough to keep kids (and adults) grinning ear-to-ear while playing.

Shadows has a dark side of its own, with a few glitches like foes and objectives occasionally disappearing or freezing, but they’re not enough to mar this otherwise spectacular adventure.

It’s not as deep as Madden, by design; Blitz: The League II is an action game wearing pigskin, tucked inside a salacious sports soap-opera with a sick sense of humor. But ultimately, it’s the accessible gameplay that makes Blitz a pleasure — guilty as charged.

Gearheads might keep coming back for the toys and outfits, but everyone else will run like hell. [Aug 2011, p.77]

If you can weather the campaign's slow start and the game's wildly overwrought menu system, you'll find more than enough incredible content here to satisfy your Akrid-killing, giant robot-piloting fix. [June 2010, p.74]