Repetitious platforming may have cut the mustard back in the NES days, but today’s tech-savvy, multi-tasking kids won’t stand for it.

What we really craved, though, were a little more story (beyond quick cutscenes and text) and some interesting puzzles - stuff that might've given us a better connection to the source material. As is, Scarygirl's pretty but feels a bit empty.

It's nerve-jangling fun while it lasts, but unless you're a score whore, Contra loses its appeal once you beat its five missions. [Jan. 2007, p.77]

For anyone who enjoys tossing cards, this game is a relaxing experience, and worth chilling out to. [Sept 2008, p.79]

But any $20 game that lets you butt-stomp bad guys as a neon-green elephant earns props from me. [Feb. 2007, p.77]

This explosive follow-up builds on all the things we enjoyed about the first game while enhancing--or completely replacing--most of the elements that dragged Dead Men into the doldrums. [Oct 2010, p.70]

Bladestorm looks and plays better than "Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires", so longtime fans should enjoy this more next-gen DW-style title until "Dynasty Warriors 6" hits the battlefield next year. [Dec 2007, p.76]

Sadly, significant omissions derail this misguided offering, making it fairly unfulfilling. [July 2011, p.78]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Raiden IV could’ve been a genre godsend for a devoted fanbase; instead, it proves merely adequate.

Problem is, the aesthetics are disconcerting. [Aug 2009, p.76]

We'd recommend this Trilogy more if most of its content wasn't available for free or a lot less money on other platforms. But what's here is still plenty addictive, challenging you with many hours of fun.

With the power to shift the very earth beneath your feet, Fracture could have reshaped the action genre. But repetitive missions and a barren plot leave only the multiplayer to shake this shooter loose from the rest.

Twenty-seven years later, the game's Live Arcade version is still stressing us out, but in good ways. [Aug 2007, p.79]

A genius quiz-show game that ranks right up there with classics like "You Don't Know Jack." [Apr 2008, p.68]

Honestly, it's "Asteroids" with prettier, smarter rocks...and a hell of a lot more adrenaline. [Nov. 2006, p.78]

This limping Track & Field deserves no medals, let alone any of your Microsoft Points. [July 2007, p.81]

Multiplayer lets you and up to three friends either break into teams of two for score battles or play cooperatively, sharing dancing and singing duties on songs. Even with four of you, though, you'll still miss the one presence that's in short supply: Michael Jackson.

If you're a veteran player, you're probably already grinding away at the new jobs. But for those of us who are sitting on the fence, there's enough here to make the jump worthwhile. [Feb 2008, p.77]

Don't expect the flair of the cartoon series to survive the transition into game form - 'cause it sadly doesn't. [May 2004, p.84]

We pined for more varied gameplay sequences, like the chase segment that forced us to teleport ahead of obstacles to avoid a giant monster bearing down on us, but they're too few and far between. [June 201188]

And between the bland menus and creepily animated singers, Karaoke Revolution even looks the part of a last-gen holdover. [Holiday 2009, p.83]

Fast-paced action that's right on cue. [July 2009, p.97]

What it lacks in hardcore squad dynamics, however, it makes up for with its funky soundtrack, detailed graphics, and semi-tactical gameplay. CGT is competent, but not outstanding. [Dec 2005, p.110]

Sadly, infuriating difficulty spikes--exacerbated by unskippable cutscenes and a lack of mid-chapter checkpoints--occasionally lead to frantic, fun-sucking button-mashing, as do moments of what-the-hell's-happening chaos. [Dec 2011, p.78]

Backed by identical(and cheesy)interfaces and feature sets, all three do an excellent job of re-creating there respective game, though their finest hour comes over live multiplay. [Jun 2006, p.64]

It feels less like a lost Sergio Leone classic than a simple coin-op shooting gallery. [June 2004, p.82]

And to top it off, it’s almost shockingly short: for a full-priced game, we expected more than four hours of gameplay with no multiplayer in sight. If it cost $40 or less, we’d be singing a different tune…