The premier weapon-wielding fighter jumps to the portable with nary a hitch. Oh, and you can kick pretty-boy Siegfried's ass as Kratos!

If Links 2004 isn't the finest golf game on the planet, I'll wear golf shoes to next year's E3... The curvature of terrain is truly exquisite, and the detail and lighting is utter perfection. [Nov 2003, p.108]

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]

With 16 players and 16 guns blazing, the game is violent bliss, and certainly a war demanding to be fought over and over again. [Apr 2006, p.58]

American gamers are long overdue for a second shot at this underrated classic. [Aug 2006, p.68]

I love it when I feel like a game has shown me something new. [Aug 2007, p.66]

It's a shame he's such a one-dimensional character, wasting an exceptional opportunity for a compelling psychological backdrop to join the pervasively strong imagery. [June 2004, p.56]

Still a blast to play, but it's not as impressive as it once was and the controls suffer (specifically, using turbo doesn't always work) due to the GBA's reduced-button setup. [Sept 2003, p.80]

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]

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]

It tells the chilling tale of a deeply haunted man a cursed island steeped in aberrant history, executed with competence through a raw, adults-only script, good voice acting, and well-integrated peripheral characters. [July 2004, p.75]

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

If you like retro-style gameplay, or are hungry for shooters, or just want something that you can pop in for a few minutes at a time, it's just perfect. [Jan 2008, p.60]

On the outside this may look like just another flavor of Bit.Trip Beat, but don’t let that sway you. Even though artist Gaijin used the same colors of paint on their canvas, the result is wonderfully different.

Every fighter is incredibly big and extremely detailed. The animations are silky smooth and the combos just seem to meld into one another seamlessly. [Apr 2003, p.60]

The game flows smoothly enough to be played properly online, but really, the appeal is nothing like the games designed specifically for Xbox Live. [Apr 2003, p.63]

Although EA's game lacks the spark and depth that Sega's "College Hoops 2K5" provides, it's still a great game that deserves props for some pretty cool and innovative gameplay additions. [Jan 2005, p.81]

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

The four Kirbys apsect is also a decent idea: I don't see the need for the forced CPU-controlled allies in single-player mode, but having a multiplayer option is indeed cool. [Dec 2004, p.100]

Seemingly everything in the world of FlatOut is destructible, and you wouldn't believe how many crates and barrels there are lying around old country roads. [Oct 2007, p.88]

Personally, I found the game laborious by design but so engaging of character that I couldn't put it down, although, admittedly, I'm not absorbing the half of it. [Sept 2004, p.66]

Instead of making a sequel that justifies the switch to turn-based strategy(by putting you in charge of a squad of characters, for example), the developers have repeated the same strange experiment with the same mixed results. [Apr 2006, p.70]

THe matches are totally chaotic and a little bit out of control, but the game is an absolute blast to play, far more like an arcade game than most modern sports titles. [Sept 2002, p.73]

One of the more elegant, gorgeously conceived action games of the year... it never feels like we're just going through the motions, one kill after another. [Sept 2003, p.67]

The control is superb, the scope heretofore unimaginable, and the presentation royal in pedigree. [Jan 2006, p.40]

The background periodically moves out of synch with the action (like a movie playing behind the left-to-right flow) and the music could be a bit more charged, but otherwise I cherished every moment returning to a genre embedded in my DNA. [Feb 2004, p.46]

My appreciation for some of the best undead character design and animation I have ever seen, and an overall air of doom I can really sink my teeth into, far outweigh a few hiccups. [July 2002, p.76]

Scribblenauts is a game that will be remembered for a long time. It’s a genesis event. In the history of games, there are few moments where a new genre appears; few dates where something truly novel is given to gamers. Scribblenauts is a birth. It’s Wolfenstein 3D. It’s Mario 64. Scribblenauts is Street Fighter.

A little restraint may have resulted in a stronger game, but Lost Planet: Extreme Condition has its grand moments when you escape a wild shootout in supreme satisfaction of your dirty work. [Feb 2007, p.40]

Serious depth, a lush soundtrack and pretty visuals conspire to create a fine new addition to the genre. [Dec. 2006, p.101]

A mesmerizing tone dominates the heavily Japanese landscape, built off of a rich spirit of what feels like ancient folklore and mysticism. This translates - brilliantly, tangibly - into the connection with the combat and the control of the characters. [Oct 2004, p.71]

Eternal Sonata is the JRPG that the 360 needs, and the story saves it from being cliche, but gamers shouldn't be expecting a reinvention of the genre. [Sept 2007, p.72]

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

Inspired by AD&D, this marvelously detailed, richly atmospheric action-RPG is a ceaselessly entertaining example of how valuable highly focused, simplistic adventuring can really be. [Jan 2003, p.78]

The big surprise comes from the strength of the narrative, which crackles with snappy dialogue and characters that show real emotion. [Jan 2006, p.47]

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

Final Fantasy II... holds up extremely well, with an excellent story and fleshed-out characters. [Jan 2005, p.87]

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]

Tropico 3 is a well-designed sim with just the right balance of complexity and micromanagement. It looks good, it sounds good and playing it just might teach you something. How many games can you say that about?

Grim Grimoire doesn't have quite the depth or complexity of a western RTS like "Command & Conquer 3, but it does have an elegance that such games lack. [June 2007, p.72]

The story centers on wall-to-wall teenage girls of the squeaky kind, but La Pucelle certainly delivers as advertised. [June 2004, p.61]

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 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]

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]

So finally, after all these years, we have a gameplay-perfect home version of Alpha 3....and you even get every previous game in the series for free. [May 2006, p.44]

A bold success as an incendiary action game, brilliantly nuanced in its mechanics and full of atmospheric appeal. And it's also a fantastic version of Castlevania... My criticism comes, mostly, from imagining the triumphant possibilities a Castlevania adventure holds. [Nov 2003, p.66]

The control scheme, though a bit Byzantine, works well. [Aug 2006, p.58]

Although it lacks much of the polish we've come to expect from sandbox style titles such as GTA IV and inFAMOUS, navigating Prototype's world—while leaving a chunky bloodbath in your wake—as the remorseless Mercer packs more than its fair share of guilty-pleasure thrills.

Play "Final Fantasy I" as a blast from the past, but play "Final Fantasy II" simply because it's a fantastic old-school RPG. [May 2003, p.67]

So close, yet still so far from the ideal wrestling experience I was hoping for. [Oct 2004, p.87]

A great mix of action, adventure, and RPG, all set in the weird and wonderful Megami Tensei world.

I really am looking forward to playing friends who have moved across country, recapturing the good old days. [Jan 2005, p.69]

Either single player or online, Fat Princess delivers excellence in every way. The single player is quite short and should be looked at more like a tutorial for the very deep multiplayer aspect. If there were one thing I’d like to see added to Fat Princess it would be split-screen local multiplayer, other than that I can’t complain.

Once you go online, the adrenaline rush is unsurpassed. [June 2003, p.57]

The game itself is also showing slight strain: still not a lot of freedom of movement. [Oct 2002, p.85]

There's an aura of nobility, barbarism and mysticism at work here that places you in the world and makes you care about the characters, and that's what it's all about. [Nov 2003, p.72]

If it's Metroid it's in here, and looking absolutely amazing... [Nov p.99]

It may be predictable, but it's fun. [May 2003, p.60]

The lack of online play for Black is notable, but not necessarily crippling. Black works well as a single-player adventure, despite its uneven patches, and certainly does its part to advance the genre of the console shooter. [Apr 2006, p.61]

The gang’s all here—well, except for Louis. Terminal Reality might have created the only true Ghostbusters game, ever, but it’s about as good as we could have asked for (could have used more Murray, though). Who you gonna call? Atari for some DLC.

It has a solid story, incredible visuals, and a new approach to an age-old formula. [Sept 2006, p.57]

With character models that look like they crawled off the Dreamcast, muddy textures and minor but frequent collision issues, this is not exactly a pretty game. [Jan 2004, p.70]

This is a game that re-invents nearly everything it does, from weapons fire to storytelling to rescue missions to boost-and-hover gameplay to bold new ways to humiliate farm animals. [Dec 2003, p.68]

Similarly appealing are the game's various challenges, like trying to impress your date by drifting; you know you're doing well because all these hearts are flying out of your car. [Nov 2004, p.75]

Almost everything that was so great about the coin-op versions is found here. [Feb 2005, p.80]

Buffy fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Not only is the game great, but with Buffy still hotter than a witch's tit in a brass bra, you can bet a sequel is imminent. [Sept 2002, p.67]

What MotorStorm has become to racing and Odin Sphere to action role-playing, Heavenly Sword is now to 3D action: Perfection. [Sept 2007, p.17]

Toss in improved graphics and audio, a much lengthier quest, and some additional aspects that I won't spoil for you, and you have another enjoyable RPG to lose many an hour with. [Nov. 2006, p.100]

The skillfully crafted Project: Snowblind calls on the best of what we enjoy about the genre, but the game feels nicely removed from the norm. [March 2005, p.52]

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

If R.A.D. did have role-playing and story elements to support the action, as good as its PS predecessor, you'd be looking at the next big thing...Either way, it's just dandy. [Nov 2002, p.66]

This game is, simply put, brilliant. The music is intoxicating, the locales magical and the overall vibe decidedly dreamy. [Dec 2003, p.77]

Where Left Field shine, and do they ever shine, is in course design, AI and control. MTX is a gas to see and play. [Mar 2004, p.66]

Although it lacks much of the polish we've come to expect from sandbox style titles such as GTA IV and inFAMOUS, navigating Prototype's world—while leaving a chunky bloodbath in your wake—as the remorseless Mercer packs more than its fair share of guilty-pleasure thrills.

This game is, simply put, brilliant. The music is intoxicating, the locales magical and the overall vibe decidedly dreamy. [Dec 2003, p.77]

A burning hot game of TM that's every bit as cool as "Black," Head-On rocks from the outset. [May 2005, p.69]

Graphics and sound are, as expected, top-notch (I love the remix of old Green Hill music), and the bosses are outstanding. [July 2004, p.71]

Ground-breaking visuals (for real) and tons of new gameplay; bigger worlds, more characters, more management, more tactics and more mistresses! Plus a truly inspired original score and no crap online modes!

A kick-ass game of hockey that stands to be the best EA has ever produced. [Oct 2005, p.70]

Take everything you could possibly desire from a manic downhill assault and amplify it by 10. [Aug 2003, p.76]

Something as simple as trying to discern whether Pudding is motioning right, left, up or down withi her guitar is almost frustrating enough for a good controller toss. [Dec 2003, p.81]

Its transition from SNES to the comfort of the handheld is flawed in execution. [March 2002, p.62]

If the market allows giant-budget RPGs in the "Final Fantasy VII" mold to continue to be made(and there is some doubt as to that), they're going to look and feel a lot like this game...and for that reason alone, Blue Dragon is an absolute must-play. [JPN Import; Feb 2007, p.74]

The game's core mechanisms, a mixture of platforming, grappling, sliding along walls, creeping in the shadows, and hand-to-hand combat, are tuned to near-perfection. [Apr 2003, p.54]

This is where the PSP begins to run away from the DS. Yeah, I said it. [Feb 2006, p.60]

There's enough strategy to dig into for the added satisfaction, but underneath it all is a foundation of pure fun. [Oct 2007, p.90]

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]

It's a shame that Battlefront 2's core action does not live up to its ambition, and yet it's certainly a game worth playing. [Dec 2005, p.80]

This game just feels like Star Trek. Star Trek with big, death-dealing guns. Star Trek that kicks some ass. [Aug 2003, p.72]

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.

AH is a manic, rock-hard, 2D assault on your motor skills that may lack the polish of the best of this mighty genre, but gets a pass for being the coolest homegrown game ever. [Nov 2004, p.75]

Nothing short of brilliant. [May 2005, p.71]

Character interaction is the great highlight, weak and wandering pace is the low point.

No less than the new king of the dungeon crawl, easily beating the upcoming Norrath in my opinion (although Norrath is online, so if you so desire, its allure is obvious). [Jan 2004, p.54]

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

This game is, simply put, brilliant. The music is intoxicating, the locales magical and the overall vibe decidedly dreamy. [Dec 2003, p.77]

If you're expecting a revolution, you may come away disappointed. But if you're a fan of the genre, you'll appreciate Lost Odyssey's exceptional craftmanship from start to finish. [Mar 2008, p.48]

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