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

Really, the biggest problem with Monster Jam is its price--for $20, we'd be all over it, but $50? Get over your bad self. [Mar 2008, p.92]

Zoids Assault's gameplay is certainly challenging, but regrettably, it's for all the wrong reasons. [Nov 2008, p.78]

Next time, the King of Fighters crew should really stick to what they're good at: beating each other up with fists, not bullets. [Jan 2011, p.69]

It’d be too easy to say that Conquest will appeal only to diehard Tolkien fans; in fact, they’re the ones most likely to hate it.

Even with our expectations lowered, Yaiba still managed to disappoint. It’s even more sexist than we presumed, uglier than some 360 launch titles, and feels budget-y without the accompanying charm. Hayabusa deserves better.

Mind-numbingly repetitive. [Jan 2006, p.75]

Essentially, the only thing that kept us playing the campaign mode was to escape the horrible rap metal in the menu screens. [Mar 2009, p.83]

Fustercluck. [Feb 2010, p.88]

Diehard fans might forgive, but everyone else should just forget. [Aug 2008, p.75]

Even Jigsaw's most ardent apostles should spare themselves this torture. [Jan 2011, p.76]

Curious why you haven't heard Quentin Tarantino promoting Reservoir Dogs, considering it's the first game adapted from one of his movies? Easy: It's junk. [Holiday 2006, p.74]

Honestly, no one will want to play this for more than 10 minutes. [July 2009, p.81]

These folks add a considerable amount of content to a game in desperate need of variety, but their fighting styles and special moves aren't enough to make this rigid, repetitive actioner worth enduring. [Jan 2011, p.78]

Though it may appeal to fighting-game greenhorns learning the ropes, Phantom Breaker is far too simplistic and bare-bones to justify its $40 price. [Apr 2012, p.85]

Diehard fans may enjoy all the familiar faces, but a few hours was too much for us. [Jan 2010, p.77]

Young baseball fans should take a swing at Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers instead. [Oct 2010, p.81]

It's sloppy, boring, and inauthentic.

An annoying feature that requires you to “buy” unlocked events with earned points adds unwelcome repetition, and 12-person multiplayer only means sharing the pain with others. Steer clear.

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

Unless ghostbusting is in your very marrow, Sanctum isn't worth the headaches. [June 2011, p.88]

The frantic overhead ghoul-slaying of "Gauntlet" worked thanks to simple controls and cunning level design. Monster Madness fumbles the first part of that formula by saddling you with a control scheme that's counterintuitive and overcomplicated. [June 2007, p.74]

Dedicated fans of punishing classics like Mega Man might’ve relished the sense of accomplishment, but even they’ll grow tired of the drudgery, despite some tense boss battles against huge machines.

Definitely inspired by old co-op coin-ups like Ikari Warriors, minus any ambition. [Oct 2009, p.75]

At the beginning of the tediously unchanging Adventure Mode (the only mode in the game), you have nearly unlimited time when choosing where to drop a block. That removes any sense of urgency…and you really don’t need to employ any strategy to succeed anyway.

It tries so hard to keep it real that it comes off hilariously fake. [Nov 2005, p.130]

Unless you're a complete Shrek enthusiast, or a party-game addict, file this one under "don't bother." [Feb 2003, p.80]

This third-person adventure had a lot of potential, but the bugs and overall sloppy design make this sweet treat leave a bad taste in our mouths. [Oct 2005, p.102]