With Eidos' latest foray into professional assassination, players will have to dig deep, wading through mission after mission of trial-and-error gameplay to hunt down a series of targets. [June 2006, p.49]

Assassin's Creed joins the guild as by far the best "sandbox" game created to date, rounding out the best single year I've had as a gamer since I picked up a 2600 pad. [Jan 2008, p.56]

I can only hope this game does well enough for Capcom to bring the other games in this series to the U.S. [Oct 2005]

The fantastic level design, precise control and underlying weapon-swiping game theory are second to none. [Aug 2004, p.53]

Manages to deliver an addictive experience that is at times incredibly exhilarating and fun. [Aug 2003, p.74]

Especially cool is the ability to use a light sabre for some classic combat, but this is a shooter first and foremost, and in this regard, it's pretty good. [Dec 2002, p.88]

The game is surprisingly close it its bigger brother, with the same addictive charge shots and simple, satisfying play. [Nov p.100]

The puzzle-action gameplay, battling both the enemy and the elements, is simply tuned to perfection and the oh-so-spectacular bosses play like an orchestra of action and strategy. [July 2007, p.60]

Visually TT is nothing to write home about, the AI is brutal and the learning curve is mega-steep, but if you've come for some seriously fine tuned tournament competition, TT offers a deeply nuanced excursion through the fine art of ping-pong. [July 2006, p.72]

A very addictive and good-playing game of golf with sweet wireless matchups and plenty of fun costumes and characters to unlock in between. [July 2005, p.82]

Many a developer has thrown hordes of warriors on screen to methodically mow through, but no one has ever captured the visceral beauty and brutality of medieval war like Phantagram has in Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders. [Sept 2004, p.58]

Essentially the show in real time, Hit & Run is so grandiose in its expanse and artisitic rendering it appears altogether more appealing than TV allows - the mark of a truly great cross-over product. [Sept 2003, p.78]

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]

Yoshi's crayon-sketched world is a lot like the original game on the Super Nintendo, its bright and creative spirit alive and flourishing in this most successful sequel. [Dec. 2006, p.89]

Relentlessly entertaining, finely crafted and smartly engaging. [Oct 2003, p.73]

The detail spent on each and every droid is amazing, as are the physics applied, and the locales, from the underground tunnels to the ravaged cityscapes topside, are splendid. [Nov 2003, p.89]

You never get the impression that there's something lacking, but experienced RTS fans may hunger for something more challenging. [Nov 2007, p.76]

A fresh take on an old premise that's impossible to put down, filled with old friends (Shy Guys, Boos, Ram-Rams, Monchees...), crisp, vivid graphics and sound, and osme yummy cinemas. [July 2004, p.71]

As good as the match-ups are, balanced through a generous, likeable collection of 24 old and new warriors, that comedic gore factor - as pervasive as ever - certainly strengthens the flavor. [Nov 2004, p.64]

Other than Princess Crown and Odin Sphere (which were equally superior in their time), Muramasa defies comparison. The art and animation throughout is so refined it almost seems unfair, the gameplay is intuitive and never grows old; the RPG elements are unique and superbly presented and the score is simply mesmerizing.

The town and dungeon environments are among the most beautiful ever to grace the PS2. [Sept 2006, p.58]

With so much to do and unlock, great characters, killer music, and truly sick graphics, it's hard to find fault in freekstyle. [July 2002, p.78]

How impressive it is to see a game feed off restraint and subtlety for its power. [Jan 2004, p.48]

Thankfully, LucasArts have traded in realism for arcade action and the end result is a joyous ride through history. [Dec 2003, p.84]

I truly love this game. It has everything a hockey fan could want. From the improved animations to the great Franchise mode to the great Pick Up and Play mode, NHL Hitz Pro is a necessary purchase. [Oct 2003, p.84]

Tearing a page from their old Motocross Madness tome, they've inserted a beefy mission-based free-roamer into the mix, allowing you to essentially go f'ing bananas between venues. [Mar 2004, p.69]

Soaked in Club Med tunes, predictable, by the numbers gameplay, and slow methodical pacing; in other words, it ain't the bomb. [Aug 2002, p.71]

Onimusha was one derivative sequel away from entering the "Tomb Raider" spiral of franchise death. Instead a timely revamp has sent the series in a promising direction and given it more momentum than it's had in years. [Apr 2006, p.55]

As good as the match-ups are, balanced through a generous, likeable collection of 24 old and new warriors, that comedic gore factor - as pervasive as ever - certainly strengthens the flavor. [Nov 2004, p.64]

Unlike "NHL 2K6," this one's been visually juiced, and it looks awesome. [Jan 2006, p.48]

As a first-gen next-gen FPS it succeeds where it needs to most, dazzling us with heretofore unimaginable worlds, deep online components, and one spectacular franchise player. [Jan 2006, p.44]

To the point: pain has rarely been so pleasureable. Rumble on, spandex warriors. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

Creaks with age. But there's still enough juice in these solid veins – the game looks, plays, and sounds just good enough. [June 2002, p.63]

In the stupidly scripted, overly basic single-player missions, you'll probably find interest trailing off by the swift end. [Feb 2005, p.64]

Without question, EA's latest baseball title is our choice for best baseball game for 2003. [Apr 2003, p.70]

I truly love this game. It has everything a hockey fan could want. From the improved animations to the great Franchise mode to the great Pick Up and Play mode, NHL Hitz Pro is a necessary purchase. [Oct 2003, p.84]

If you're jonesing for old-school, demerara-sweet gameplay wrapped up in a shiny 21st century paackage, by all means, merge with OutRun 2006. [Jun 2006, p.48]

There's no denying that the level of interaction in here is humbling. [Nov 2004, p.54]

There is some undue frustration thanks to an uncontrollable camera, but this is still the Monkey Ball game to get. [March 2005, p.58]

Unlike any other 3D fighters on the market. Midway has done an exceptional job of creating a brand new MK experience while still maintaining the old-school flavor that so many of us are familiar with. [Jan 2003, p.70]

I especially like the whole manager/teammate interaction. It was a nice touch. [Apr 2005, p.76]

This team must have crawled directly into the brain trust of Formula One racing to have produced a game this seeping with perfection. [Aug 2002, p.68]

Keeping an eye on your ectoplasm levels, terrified humans, and enthusiastic ghost troops isn't easy, but watching a sorority house empty out faster than a theater showing "Gigli" is more than just a little fun and satisfying. [Nov 2003, p.96]

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

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

Although the single-player campaign is relatively short (only eight missions), the heart and soul of Island Thunder is the Xbox Live gameplay. [Sept 2003, p.81]

Gameplay in NFL Street is fast and furious and, at times, unrelenting. [Mar 2004, p.70]

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

It's one of the prettiest and exciting-to-watch games I've ever seen. [May 2005, p.52]

Impeccably made, and full of Nintendo-land cheer. [Jan 2005, p.70]

Ace Combat 6 is this venerable series at its best. [Nov 2007, p.63]

Never mind that Dark Athena doesn’t quite stand up to Butcher Bay. Why should it? As a package, this is an easy sell for someone looking for a moody experience of stealth, action and adventure. Nice to see a game that understands dialogue too.

The open seas have never looked better for aspirin Xbox scalawags. [Aug 2005, p.51]

One gameplay aspect has changed, however: timing for button presses is noticeably easier now, especially when it comes to defending. [Dec. 2006, p.90]

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

Immediacy gets lost in translation as the PC's empire building real-time strategy "Age of Empires" moves to the Nintendo DS, where it takes up residence as a turn-based game [Mar 2006, p.50]

Most interesting was the way Fore hides deeper play mechanics that more ambitious gamers can exploit, making this game more than the cartoonish take on golf it's advertised as. [Oct 2004, p.89]

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]

Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max is Street Fighter Heroin. [Mar 2006, p.48]

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 only more games attempted to create such a smart, bold place of fantasy. [Jan 2004, p.46]

Has the story and substance to attract the hardcore and masses alike, and the gameplay to appease both - the mark of a truly great game. [July 2002, p.81]

Taken by themselves, the 12 minigames and other features of EyeToy:Play are fun diversions, but they get old kind of quickly. However, if you have a group of friends, gamer or non-gamer, it makes an ideal party game. [Nov 2003, p.92]

If the name of the game is immersion, fun and a connection with the environment, Spidey wins the prize in my book. [Aug 2004, p.52]

Not only is this the best first-person adventure I've played but it's the most brutal, skillfully detailed and paced as well. [Apr 2008, p.50]

Mega Man's platforming and weapon-swiping action are still infinitely playable. [May 2005, p.52]

Baten Kaitos isn't bad, but it doesn't stack up to the games it seemingly wants to emulate. [Dec 2004, p.58]

Debuting in this '03 renewal is the EA Sports "freestyle" control. Wihout question, it WILL change the way you play basketball games...forever. [Nov 2002, p.88]

Gameplay in NFL Street is fast and furious and, at times, unrelenting. [Mar 2004, p.70]

Another highly polished title in a fantastic series. If you're into fighting games, you can't go wrong here. [Jan 2004, p.75]

When you get the groove, it's really quite exhilarating. [Aug 2003, p.79]

The combination of the action, high adventure, quaint bustling towns and villages, Moogle wisdom (like the Yodas they are) and the best Square soundtrack since the SNES days add up to the most immersive overall universe I've experienced on the GameCube, if not on any next-gen console. [Feb 2004, p.38]

Some of the changes are hits, others are misses, but the bottom line is that this is another quality effort from Yuke's and THQ. [Dec 2004, p.102]

As always, the graphics in NHL 2003 are exceptional, especially on the Xbox. There were times when I thought I was watching an actual hockey game. [Nov 2002, p.88]

Tomb Raider: Legend is about as good as games get right now. [May 2006, p.43]

The sounds that move all around you are also wonderfully implemented. [Jan 2006, p.42]

This is an expansion that reinvigorates the Titan Quest experience and re-affirms the first game's quality. [Apr 2007, p.64]

Moto GP 2006 gets a squeaky clean bill of health...and then some. The Xbox 360's first 2-wheeled racer is a godsend. [July 2006, p.69]

This game is made for seasoned gamers, and those kids with exceptional skills. [Aug 2002, p.76]

Overall though, the game's awesome. [May 2008, p.60]

Essentially, with MX vs. ATV Unleashed, Rainbow has perfected everything they introduced as the pioneers of next generation off-road racing. [Apr 2005, p.74]

Given the obscurity of the original PC engine origins and all the extras that play to true fans, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is an esoteric gem. [Oct 2007, p.92]

If you enjoy this brand of FPS gameplay at all, you'll probably want to play BF 2142 for the Titan maps and vehicles. They rule. [Nov. 2006, p.92]

We only have on question: Are you ready to rock? [Nov p.92]

Delightful, skillfully made, and full of wonder, is far and away the best puzzle action game in years. What it lacks in technical prowess it more than makes up for with fluid animation, ingenious gameplay, and outstanding level design.

It pulls you along with unwavering RPG depth through the mire of unfortunate execution blunders and it succeeds, despite itself. [Jan 2005, p.78]

Tearing a page from their old Motocross Madness tome, they've inserted a beefy mission-based free-roamer into the mix, allowing you to essentially go f'ing bananas between venues. [Mar 2004, p.69]

The replays are totally interactive, the camera can be set just about anywhere, and the control is so easily grasped, you'll be busting out moves that would take you a lifetime to learn. [Oct 2002, p.85]

Some may balk at the limited modes of play; the game as a whole is a bit underdeveloped, and the single-player skirmished do run light, but things truly heat up when you go online, warring in teams of eight on eight. [Oct 2004, p.73]

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

The aesthetic pulled me in and the addicting game play kept me going until my arms could take no more. Bit.Trip Beat is one of the better retro games released this year.

With its choice multiplayer extras in tow, this has to be considered one of the best SP games of all time. [Jan 2005, p.86]

For those that are new to the world of video game surgery, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is a standout title in the Wii's launch line-up. [Jan. 2007, p.50]

Its soldiers may be dumber than buttered toast, but Combat's missions cannot be impugned. [Dec 2005, p.60]

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 craft behind Call of Duty 3 is impressive. Treyarch deftly handles the stellar design duties passed on from previous developer Infinity Ward. [Jan. 2007, p.74]

Add variable weather and a sea of upgrades and these are the depths you need to plumb, right now. [Oct 2003, p.72]

Weighs in on the hard side mainly because of its balance and control issues, rather than its AI. [Mar 2003, p.65]