Not to be outdone, EA Sports has upped the ante with NHL 2004 and it truly has left me speechless. What am I so excited about? One word - Dynasty Mode... For hockey fans, this is a no brainer. [Sept 2003, p.88]

For this year's game, EA has taken freestyle control to a whole new level. A level so out of control, it's going to change the way you play basketball games...forever. [Oct 2004, p.89]

You won't find anything grounbreaking here, but you will find a highly enjoyable strategy game. [July 2005, p.82]

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]

If they fix the play balance and are able to add that last bit of audio polish (and adjust that Steph model...she was <I>hot</> in the preview build), the next iteration could be perfection. [Dec 2003, p.101]

Among the myriad of reasons why I loved this game more every second I played it...is the way the puzzles and especially the visual presentation evolve. [Dec 2004, p.70]

The game is so fun and addicting, and the environments so brimming with goodness, you'll care not. Too bad the art is lacking. [Jan 2004, p.64]

Some games need to be on your hard drive, for yourself, your family, your friends. Machinarium is one of them. It’s a supremely accessible, lavishly illustrated, and beautifully scored point and click adventure, with charmingly conceived (at times madly detailed) puzzles, genuine humor, and tin men with big hearts.

It's a sweeping, exquisitely crafted, hopelessly addictive adventure that ignites a wondrous spirit of gaming past...A magnificent action-RPG and a terrifically fun video game. [Feb 2004, p.44]

Despite being a bit burned out on the whole music-game craze, Guitar Hero 5's new features and ear-pleasing track list had me strumming and drumming on the plastic instrument peripherals all over again...and having a great time doing it.

It feels and looks polished, considerate, and expensive. [Apr 2007, p.40]

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

In a perfect world, wouldn't it have been great to get an original Mario game? Isn't that the way it used to be? [Jan 2005, p.84]

In many ways, Rising is a spiritual successor to Capcom's "Resident Evil." This zombie epic, however, has brains and a heart to go with its blood and gore. [Sept 2006, p.55]

Metroid Prime: Hunters is born from incredible pedigree, and it certainly shows. [May 2006, p.56]

The game neither holds players' hands or pushes them away with a series of jumps only an automaton with computerized coordination could make. [Jan 2006, p.39]

I've logged 70 hours on the game so far, and I'm nowhere near quitting. Sure, I've finished the game many times already, but the game's structure of almost endless goals keeps me coming back for more every single day. [Jan 2003, p.82]

I can honestly say that I have logged more hours playing Final Fantasy XI than any other game in my life. [May 2004, p.46]

I think Virtua Fighter 5 was the game that the AM2 development team was dreaming of when they created Virtua Fighter. [Mar 2007, p.48]

Treasure has crafted another masterpiece of hyper-tuned overhead shooter action, the likes of which the world may never see again. [Apr 2003, p.57]

This is a case where the synergy between compelling gameplay and environment design, enabled by great technology, is too important to compromise. [July 2004, p.74]

Few games are as excitingly presented, as gorgeously constructed, as intensely visceral as the extraordinary The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. [Dec 2003, p.52]

Packed with nuances that, for aspiring fans and drivers must really float their Skoal. Drafting, line selection, pitting...this is a great simulation covering 20 seasons. Not for me. [Oct 2002, p.84]

It's too bad that The Twin Snakes isn't the perfect update of MGS it could have been, but this game is still packed with quality, providing a great experience to MGS rookes and Fox Hound veterans alike. [Mar 2004, p.54]

But what's truly astounding about Fight Night is the damage inflicted on the Boxers...Using state-of-the-art facial mo-caps, players will see a boxer's face bruise, swell and get cut during fights. [Apr 2004, p.72]

And, were it not said, someone would be drummed out of the union: The Force is strong with this one. [Oct. 2006, p.52]

Warriors succeeds because it wholly engrosses players. [Nov p.82]

Red Faction’s destruction tech is leaps and bounds beyond anything you’ve ever seen or played. But the fact this aspect encompasses nearly the entirety of the gameplay is really what makes it stand out; destroying stuff isn’t just a means of extracting some cool eye and ear candy within the game - it is the game.