Super-fun robo-badminton for just $5. [Aug 2009, p.77]

We're sure some of the more masochistic shooter fans will bask in Death By Cube's tough-as-nails difficulty level, but all others should move along. [Apr 2010, p.83]

But the gameplay is unnecessarily complicated, with the busy HUD being the worst example. [Nov 2008, p.75]

Prizefighter is definitely a contender in the guilty-pleasure category: its story mode trumps the competition’s, and though its fighting mechanics won’t dethrone the current champ, they still pack a simple, straightforward wallop.

All you're really left with is accumulating points...but since the game has no multiplayer to spice up that trivial pursuit, why even bother. [Aug 2007, p.81]

With 110 cars, seven stupidly gigantic courses, amazing (if arcadey) graphics, and staggering freedom of movement (once you unlock free roam modes), it's hard not to recommend this. [July 2003, p.84]

It does almost nothing to capitalize on the power of the Xbox. Sadly, the gameplay is no better than the graphics. [Apr 2002, p.80]

The game falls prey to the traps that eventually led to the degradation of the side-scrolling beat-'em-up: There's nothing more to do. [Dec 2003, p.144]

We say, stick to the show. [Sept 2008, p.79]

There's a strange charm to Bound By Flame that helps paper over the performance issues. There's a well-acted but profoundly bewildering script, a baroque crafting system, and drawn-out boss battles. It's not great, but it's fairly... interesting.

SkyHeroes isn't bad, and we aren't getting a new Crimson Skies anytime soon, but don't rush out to buy this kid-skewed substitute. [Nov 2010, p.71]

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.

A slick yet largely routine exercise in jumping, balancing, and fast-twitch hand-eye coordination. [Sept 2007, p.76]

What a colossal mistake! [Dec 2008, p.93]

Fortunately, these stumbles won't keep you from enjoying most of Carnival's offerings, especially if you play it with friends. [June 2011, p.83]

Deadliest Warrior's violent contests are mainly good only for amusement, as the shallow play mechanics and repetitive battles offer more laughs than longevity.

It could've been soon much more. [Aug 2009, p.70]

Unless you're an avid Shinobi fan, let this one pass you by. [Oct 2009, p.77]

Throw in some bland graphics, awful voice acting, and AI unable to react to events in teh environment - like a grenade landing at its feet - and not even a two-player co-op mode can save this one. [Aug 2004, p.79]

It's not even half tubular, much less totally. [Holiday 2005, p.84]

Warrior isn't nearly as deep as other Arcade fighting games, but when buddies and beers are near, it's a decent choice. [Oct 2010, p.81]

But as the last of Dragon Age's downloadable expansions, Witch Hunt closes out the story with more of a whimper than a bang. [Nov 2010, p.81]

Another month, another retro space shooter on Xbox Live. This one, however, isn't as much fun as you remember. [July 2007, p.81]

While we would've had the first female Dead Rising hero headline a full length game, Fallen Angel is a nice add on with excellent storytelling beats and a beefier adventure than Broken Eagle. [May 2014, p.77]

Do yourself a favor and stick to Street Fighter IV. [Jan 2010, p.75]

Players simply watch the drama unfold with no interaction at all, making Maximum chase a boring plod at best. [Mar 2004, p.81]

If Dr. Seuss made Xbox games, they'd certainly be more creative than this factory-issue snoozer. [Jan 2004, p.73]

Value is also a question, as the game's campaign spans less than two hours; and even with survival stages and a quirky bonus where you can fight up to four friends who plug in controllers, this hardly feels like a $40 game. But if you're willing to shell out for it and deal with the control flubs and brevity, Kung Fu High Impact serves up some good, dumb fun.