Ten minutes into Tales of Phantasia, you know pretty much what you are getting into: a pleasantly involving, perfectly traditional role-playing game that sticks to all the old-school conventions that recall the glory days of hand-drawn adventures. [Mar 2006, p.50]

The level of detail at work here is darn near unprecedented. [Nov 2002, p.80]

Incredible creation mode, first-rate visual presentation, and nicely balanced. [July 2002, p.82]

Familiar and effective controls. [Aug 2006, p.73]

A finely tuned beat-'em-up, Samurai Warriors 2 once again drops players into feudal Japan for a series of epic brawls. [Oct. 2006, p.57]

Unlocking songs gets a bit tedious after a while. [Oct 2005, p.67]

This is accessible crime-fighting pulp with a dark, contemporary edge. [May 2005, p.64]

This sequel packs an astoundingly larger quest than the first, fresher graphics and even more rewarding gameplay. [May 2002, p.67]

A big, sweeping epic with a deep party and magic system, a fully fleshed out universe, gorgeous locales and excellent character models. [May 2003, p.63]

While there's certainly no shortage of PSP racing games on the shelves, there's a veritable drought when it comes to Rally games: a drought that Bandai Namco Games intends to eradicate with the impressive WRC. [Mar 2006, p.50]

Radical has wisely left Banner behind this time out and opted for a Spidey/GTA-type free-roamer - Hulk-style - and is it ever a thumping good time. [Sept 2005, p.56]

There's a select group of gamers out there that will declare Yggdra Union a must-have the minute they lay eyes on it, due to a level of character design that can only be found in the best Japanese RPGs and anime. They won't be disappointed... [Nov. 2006, p.95]

This is the best F1 game you can get. [Feb 2002, p.60]

A sequel that's innovated and improved in every conceivable way, groomed like its predecessor for a discerning palette. [Apr 2005, p.48]

If this is Armageddon for Mortal Kombat, it certainly is a most delightful way to kill a series--at least until it rises like a phoenix for the next generation. [Dec. 2006, p.86]

While it's not all that complex in its makeup (its a fairly simple game), the nuances, coupled with fantastic visual presentation, make it impossible to put down. [Sept 2002, p.72]

The handling and physics, damage accumulation, and detail are all highly polished and the car models beam with next-gen wax-on. [Dec 2007, p.86]

Welcome to the last bastion of quality, Japanese-developed beat-'em-ups. [Dec 2005, p.66]

It's at once intuitive and deep, a bit exaggerated yet deceptively extensive in execution. [Mar 2002, p.47]

The game has a razor-sharp edge that creates space and mood with the slickness of the big-budget films from which its ideas were borrowed. [Jan 2003, p.72]

Using [the controls] correctly along with the right gas and breaking, the game has a groove all its own, along with killer visuals to match. [Feb 2002, p.58]

Rise of a Ninja defies categorization with its open-world structure, RPG pacing, and eccentric mix of min-games and one-on-one combat. [Dec 2007, p.74]

All 6 games (and one bonus) still stand as some of the best and most challenging of 2D gaming, starring one of the most revered characters in the gaming universe. [Jan 2006, p.49]

This simple yet devilishly addictive touch-pen action game shows off the DS in the best possible light, providing a totally unique and fun experience. [Apr 2005, p.70]

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the type of game that will only give you back what you're willing to put into it. [Nov. 2006, p.85]

The latest offering on PSP is a much improved, almost-mirror image of the console versions in most places that count. [Nov p.100]

Fantastic atmosphere, setting and story will chill your bones and nerves. But spotty controls and some tedious pacing keep Cursed Mountain from reaching its full potential.

This is easily the best WB-based game to come down the pike yet. [Sept 2002, p.69]

What this game contains that is totally removed from everything else out there is a quirky, infectious, humorous character, one that seems to deeply reflect the personality of its makers. When you play it, you really sense a stamp of originality and zany flavor in its presentation and structure. [March 2005, p.48]

The 2K series is back where it needs to be. [Apr 2005, p.76]

The facial damage system is spectacular. You can actually see the damage you're inflicting on your opponent. Yo Adrianne! This game rocks! [Jan 2003, p.85]

The developers did a nice job of capturing Burnout's breathless sense of velocity as well as its wicked series of car crashes and explosions on the PSP. [Nov p.98]

This is pure Capcom magic. [Aug 2002, p.76]

If you like Zelda—if what makes Zelda good for you is the Zelda-y stuff that’s always in these Zelda games—then you’re going to find more of it here. All the charm, all the polish. All the thoughtful puzzles and gorgeous detail. But if you’re looking for something new, you’re going have to wait until the next train arrives. This is another The Legend of Zelda game: The formula we know, the formula we love.

The visuals at work here are arguably the best ever in high-speed, open-highway gameplay, especially considering the self-induced slow motion and course study, which is wicked cool. [Oct 2002, p.84]

Of all three games, the Xbox version is the clear winner, with perfect frame rates, the lowest load times, the best resolution and the best textures, but the 'Cube game runs a close second, a refreshing turn of events. [Jan 2003, p.76]

You'd be hard pressed to find better cartoon fodder. [Oct 2005, p.68]

The grinding is good, the tricks are easy enough for a shlub to pull off, and Electronic Arts does a fine job of fleshing everything out with a series of animated pencil line drawings that jackhammer home the game's exceedingly cool style. [Nov p.93]

The game system is very addictive, and the hilariously bizarre scenarios are wonderfully conceived and drawn, with each stage playing out like some futuristic rock opera from the fruity side of the Japanese aesthetic. [Mar 2002, p.43]

A basic first-person shooter with the action quotient set on full throttle, but everything about TimeSplitters 2 is handled skillfully and stylishly, pieced together with a scintillating polish. [Nov 2002, p.64]

Playing an old-school RPG is great with dual screens and Archcraft have seen to every last detail. The dialogue is first rate (talk to everybody; the maids, farmers…), the systems easy to assimilate, and the visuals are vibrant and painstakingly detailed. Great BGM too.

A game with gorgeous models, intense combos, magic-driven action, and a cast of characters that make character selection a really tough decision. [Oct 2002, p.84]

The idiotic AI cripples the gameplay to the point of ridiculous. [May 2003, p.63]

Drop-dead gorgeous visuals and an old-school shooter soundtrack, coupled with an intelligent shooting system and interface, beautifully rendered enemies, arcade and story play modes and even a gallery with a doorway of special effects. [May 2003, p.70]

Though its dungeons could have benefited from smarter design, I found Wizard of Oz to be a beautiful, whimsical adventure.

The game is also beautiful beyond measure, with water, weaving grass, snow, mud, and other terrain effects that, at least for now, are pretty much unequalled, and boast sound effects to match. [Oct 2002, p.68]

How they came up with a theme park run by a maniacal gear head hosting a tournament emceed by a pair of chickens I do not know [Nov p.87]

You'll field baseballs, put an infinite number of pen caps on an infinite number of pens, and generally marvel a how tedium becomes fun here. [Nov. 2006, p.104]

It's been too long since I've played an FPS that contains this much engaging challenge and fierce energy. [Oct 2002, p.80]

Impossible to put down. [Mar 2002, p.46]

This game's strength lies in its heavily nuanced gameplay, integrated story, and its gloomy heretical aura. [June 2003, p.64]

Both on the field and in towns, LoH is big on events...and character development. [Jan 2006, p.51]

Features all of the prowess allowed by improved technology: better physics, graphics, sound and control, while keeping it real with simple, fun, back-and-forth tennis action - only harder....much harder. [Apr 2002, p.67]

A wider variety of backgrounds would be nice, but the gear-works within them change and evolve at a rate that the makes the sameness fade away. Gameplay this pure, this tuned, and this fun is rare indeed, and the ‘S-Man himself is a total blast.

A basic first-person shooter with the action quotient set on full throttle, but everything about TimeSplitters 2 is handled skillfully and stylishly, pieced together with a scintillating polish. [Nov 2002, p.64]

It's all here, with looks that kill and gameplay to support it. [April 2002, p.63]

One of this year's biggest and most pleasant surprises. [Oct 2005, p.64]

Add visibly better AI, crazy new multiplayer modes, new moves, the freedom to rip your own sounds, and a 20-dollar price tag, and you've got, guns down, the single best value available for the Xbox. [May 2003, p.61]

A minor masterpiece. [Feb 2002, p.57]

Hellgate: London arrives as an addictive and highly replayable action RPG. [Dec 2007, p.96]

The grinding is good, the tricks are easy enough for a shlub to pull off, and Electronic Arts does a fine job of fleshing everything out with a series of animated pencil line drawings that jackhammer home the game's exceedingly cool style. [Nov p.93]

If the first minute of the opening cinema doesn't move you in some way, you bought the wrong gme, but if it does, well, you can join our club. [Sept 2002, p.65]

Without question, the must-have racing game for any fan of the sport. [Apr 2003, p.69]

Samurai Shodown Anthology is a technically sound collection of the best, and worst, moments of the main Samurai Shodown franchise titles. At less than $20, even if it all of its included titles don't excite you, you should find more than enough here to make the purchase worthwhile.

The iso-view takes a little getting used to, as does the point-and-go control, but once you're in the groove it's all good, from the animation to the super cool cutscenes and familiar level design. [Apr 2003, p.64]

The coolest thing about Hot Shots, though, has to be the crazy caddies. Each time you drive, they jet after the ball like Benny Hill on a caffeine bender, kicking up dust and generally freaking out. [Mar 2002, p.52]

NHL 2K3's biggest accomplishment is without question the AI: it is absolutely brilliant - especially the goalie. [Jan 2003, p.84]

Bottom line: being an alien is fun, even if it is a bit rough around the edges. [July 2005, p.76]

It's not about visuals; it's about a throwback to "Doom" with a balls-out style that is outrageous fun. [Nov 2002, p.84]

If you're new to the series, Far Cry Instincts: Predator is an excellent first-person shooter package. [May 2006, p.48]

NHL 2K3's biggest accomplishment is without question the AI: it is absolutely brilliant - especially the goalie. [Jan 2003, p.84]

If you're a card-carrying son or daughter of Ripley (or sci-fi in general), RLH is a must play. [May 2003, p.69]

And it's gorgeous too; no, it's f-----g beautiful. With everything cranked on (1024x768, 32-bit textures, and trillinear filtering), it's downright sinful. [Aug 2002, p.66]

The play is delightfully simple. [April 2002, p.66]

Aero looks better than ever on the small screen, and this gameplay never gets old. [June 2002, p.69]

The most faithful translation of a classic yet, but there's no denying that the difficulty will turn some off. [Dec 2002, p.56]

These oddball "survival of the fittest" games don't happen often, but, when they do, it's like we get to feel the drugs they were on when they made them. [Nov 2002, p.92]

Def Jam Vendetta is extremely violent (and I mean that in the most positive way).

Performances by the movie cast (gotta love Skull's wisdom) and this is pretty much E-rated paradise. [Sept 2006, p.59]

With less focus on micromanagement and a solid, cohesive story, there's a lot more action this time around for Marvel's action-RPG franchise.

A basic first-person shooter with the action quotient set on full throttle, but everything about TimeSplitters 2 is handled skillfully and stylishly, pieced together with a scintillating polish. [Nov 2002, p.64]

Another amazingly deep fighting game that should leave fans floored. [Apr 2005, p.53]

Crafted by hard-core gamers - its strong point in terms of sheer satisfaction - and it shows. [Mar 2003, p.56]

Effective or not, this is a uniquely engaging piece of interactive software--and it's 20 bucks. [Jun 2006]

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a thematic triumph that makes you look past the gameplay lumps. Come for the western fantasy, revel in the visual presentation and get a decent shot of first-person action in between.

And only on the Wii could a game like Zack and Wiki make any sense at all, because it's the motion-sensing controls that ultimately make the experience fly. [Nov 2007, p.53]

There are subtle, impressive touches to the presentation and dialogue that evoke a feel of game-like adventure, making up for the labored plotting. [July 2006, p.72]

Once again, Idea Factory, Compile Heart, and NIS America get it done through quality localization, a finely tuned array of systems, endearing characters, a wicked cool OST, and the seemingly unending power of the 2D spriteling.

Between its unquestionable depth, addicting action and secure online party-based multiplayer modes, you can't go wrong with Dungeon Siege 2. [Sept 2005, p.70]

I would've enjoyed more variety in the enemy fodder, but what's available is certainly creepy and intense. Clive Barker should develop more games. [Nov 2007, p.65]

This is easily the best WB-based game to come down the pike yet. [Sept 2002, p.69]

The game itself is a very competent dungeon-exploration affair that neither looks great nor is that polished, but it's very addictive. [Apr 2003, p.62]

As good as the puzzles are, the presentation is almost better. [JPN Import; May 2007, p.77]

There are so many classic Nintendo cues in Super Smash Bros. Melee, I almost cried. [Feb 2002, p.57]

For a handheld game of street ball, NFL Street rocks. [May 2005, p.70]

The missions are clear-cut and better structured than "Rogue Leader"'s, and thanks to plenty of topographic embience - drop dead gorgeous to behold. [May 2002, p.46]

The game's engine, which seemed a marvel when the PS2 launched, still comes off as exceptional. [Feb 2002, p.61]

The list of features for All-Star Baseball 2004 is the most impressive we've seen in a console baseball game. [Apr 2003, p.70]