As you progress through the game's 15 missions (and 20 challenges), the action often deteriorates into essentially chasing giant icons as opposed to enemy aircraft. The monotony isn't alleviated by anything innovative or daring the gameplay. [Jan 2004, p.83]

That customization model is simply the most robust we've ever seen... The game's only real failing is in its comparative lack of [track] variety. [Dec 2003, p.108]

Despite the inexcusable omission of Xbox Live support, this is the best college basketball game on the Xbox. [Dec 2003, p.94]

A near-total package, but when compared head-to-head with "March Madness 2004," it doesn't feel as exciting or addictive. [Dec 2003, p.94]

Best Xbox Live game ever made? Yeppers. Best first-person shooter this year? Indeed. [Dec 2003, p.54]

Only satisfying for those gamers eager to take a trip back down memory lane. [Dec 2003, p.100]

Although the drift is especially forgiving, as is the collision penalty, the lateral sway on the vehicles is some of the best ever put in a game. [Sept 2003, p.84]

Easily the best original console RTS out there in a market that relies on, usually, not-so-good ports from the PC. If Jaleco adds in Live play for next year's release, RTS fans may just find a new addiction. [Jan 2004, p.77]

While it's cool to watch John get wacked in one of the nice CG cutscenes, the actual six hours of gameplay leaves much, much, much to be desired. [Feb 2004, p.82]

What really makes Crash Nitro Kart worth playing is the solid control and innovative boost system. [Dec 2003, p.106]

Defiance's story and visuals really shine through. The combat may be repetitive, but it's solid and fun and the well-paced plot does a great job of tying the knot with the long paths of Kain and Raziel. [Jan 2004, p.80]

The game's real genius is in its presentation - mega options and a clean interface are backed up by mostly cool and occasionally superb, graphics. [Dec 2003, p.146]

A very satisfying experience. [Holiday 2003, p.85]

The second major problem is that the game is unbalanced. [Jan 2004, p.63]

The result is a brutally slow pace and a game that doesn't pack much of anything for anybody. The AI is horrendous, the control is abysmal, and the announcing... [Jan 2004, p.73]

Satisfying, challenging, and more importantly, fun. [Jan 2004, p.80]

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

Mindless shooting of repetitive baddies and unlocking doors across 10 practically identical levels is not fun, and that is pretty much all you do here. [Feb 2004, p.82]

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

Whether you've played them or not, the pair of masterpieces contained in the Grand Theft Auto Double Pack are too good to pass up, especially when it's a two-for-one deal. [Holiday 2003, p.97]

A brawler at its heart, Gladiator is not short on blood or action, but it is lacking somewhat in depth. [Dec 2003, p.92]

The high degree of difficulty is one of the few problems with this otherwise brilliant game...Still may be the best movie license game ever made. [Jan 2004, p.81]

Graphically, FIFA charms, but the gameplay is sublime. [Dec 2003, p.146]

The heart of Crime's problems: the driving is OK, but the shooting interface manages to be worse than "GTA's"... You'll spend more time in L.A. frustrated than having fun. [Jan 2004, p.64]

Even at $20 it's worse than dull - it's unoriginal. When the loading screen is prettier than anything in the game, then you know you've got problems. [Jan 2004, p.70]

The structure isn't terrible, it's just not very good...same goes for depth and the game as a whole. [Jan 2004, p.63]

The facts remain: it's nicely crafted, fittingly visualized, and undeniably entertaining at times. [Jan 2004, p.74]

The deep storyline and character development system, seemingly endless quests, and miles of detailed, highly interactive locations to explore all amount to more than 200 hours of gameplay for those attempting to see it all. [Jan 2004, p.76]