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]

A formidable, beautiful-looking GP game. [July 2002, p.82]

The best game ever launched at $19.99? Most assuredly. [Apr 2004, p.63]

The mark of any truly legendary RPG lies in its characters and story, and in both of these areas Skies' shines as brightly as its most blue-blue skies. [Mar 2003, p.42]

You've got blinding speed, and more than enough distinct cars to tinker with to push that insane speed even harder. [June 2005, p.57]

Learn and hone your attacks, consider the deceivingly complex structure of the game, and the reward is tremendously satisfying. [Apr 2005, p.54]

Improving upon the original in almost every way - story needs some work - Red Faction 2 is awesome. [Dec 2002, p.54]

A level of detail never before seen...This is the gold standard for adventure horror. [Apr 2002, p.62]

Fight Night Round 3 takes the sweet science of boxing to bloody new levels, and he results are certainly impressive. [Mar 2006, p.40]

Despite the constant frustration of the stop-start gameplay, and the sheer humorless stupidity of the game's script in its first half, Devil May Cry 4 triumphs when you get to fight. [mar 2008, p.52]

Like the last game, your team really isn't all that widely effective and functional, inevitably creating a feeling of going through the motions on autopilot; but more complex AI routines and better scripted scenarios do definitely help. [Aug 2004, p.57]

The true stars of the game are the titans themselves. Each of the four civilizations has their own unique titan. Just watching these lumbering giants in battle is plain awesome. [Nov 2003, p.96]

Still infinitely playable and impeccably designed. [Aug 2004, p.61]

This may just be the best high energy sports game on the planet...Soccer Slam breaths new life into the system and gives us a taste of what real GameCube games can look like. [Apr 2002, p.50]

EA has done it again, implementing expanded Freestyle control, improved defensive AI, superior graphics and a brand-new announce team...Looking for the best basketball game? NBA Live 2004 is nothing but net. [Nov 2003, p.105]

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]

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]

Every year Codemasters puts out a new version, and it's as sure a bet as anything in this industry that it will be even better than last year's--and that once again it will be mostly ignored by U.S. gamers. [Mar 2006, p.44]

What's important here is the execution and level of player involvement, not that we haven't done all this before, because we have. And believe me, I was involved. [Dec 2004, p.78]

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]

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

The challenge can be steep. Running and gunning without taking cover and finding calculated ways of clearing a path is death. [Mar 2004, p.52]

SHIFT will disappoint those looking for Maggie Q and cop chases, but racing sim fans, looking for a solid alternative to Forza and the like, should buckle-up for Need for Speed’s new ride.

The initial feeling in the first mission is one of uncanny newness. I can't remember ever being so quickly immersed or captivated by a world. [Oct 2003, p.75]

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

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

Despite the pre-release co-op hype, this one’s just as entertaining for solo apocalypse survivors. While I wish more dialog was delivered through animated characters, it’s hard not to be taken in by the rest of what this ambitious shooter has to offer—great visual presentation, addictive leveling and looting, frenzied gunplay, four playable classes. Oh, and Mutant Midget Psychos.

Half-Minute Hero is an example of what gaming can be when games are at their best; simple in concept, carefully crafted in design, and utterly excellent in execution.