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

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]

Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles is a game that tried very hard to do something different for the franchise, but falls a bit short in a few key areas. [Dec. 2006, p.84]

There are a few minor twists in the Anniversary Mode, such as the ability to use the Spin Dash that was introduced later in the series, but none of it matters when the fundamentals are so thoroughly screwed. [Dec. 2006, p.92]

There's no better entry point to the "Total War" series than Medieval 2. [Jan. 2007, p.94]

To say that Dark Kingdom is the whole package in its class would be an understatement. [Jan. 2007, p.62]

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]

There are far worse choices than the stimulating Ridge Racer 7. [Jan. 2007, p.59]

In the final analysis, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire is just not worth your time...and this coming from a Gundam maniac. [Jan. 2007, p.73]

I'll give em this: It's never boring, always whacked out of its mind, and the control throughout delivers...Nunchuk or not. So in closing, may the Sponge be with you. [Dec. 2006, p.62]

Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 is the Mannhattan Project for video game jiggle physics. Sadly, this is not enough for Tecmo's dress up deluxe simulator for Xbox 360. [Jan. 2007, p.69]

This EQ 2 all-in-one pack also includes a 30 day subscription, so if you've always wanted to see what the game is made of, Echoes of Faydwer is the perfect opportunity. [Jan. 2007, p.94]

Enemy bots explode in a single chunk of shrapnel, the collision is sloppy, the action is mostly repetitive and there's no sign of the WB animation. [Mar 2006, p.44]

Never have I seen a concept so perfectly implemented that a relatively tiny patch of land has me utterly captivated. [Jan. 2007, p.60]

It may be chock full of farm animals in space but Ace in Action deserves a spot alongside the DS's top shooters. [Jan. 2007, p.84]

Gears of War is truly a breakthrough: The absolute finest game of its kind. The bar has definitely been raised. What Halo did for first-person shooters, Gears does for third person - it's that good.

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]

Thankfully, the learning curve in Hero 2 is gentle, and even beginners can shred through a chart-topper with just a little practice. Building on a steady set foundation, fret-gnashing gamers can pull of solid, satisfying songs in little-to-no time.

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]

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

This game is more fun with a bunch of friends, but so is going to the DMV or getting a root canal. [May 2006, p.78]

The scale of FFXII is so grand, so overwhelming, so vast, that comparisons to other video games--a proper review, in other words--borders on the impossible. [Jun 2006, p.69]

NNights 2 is a huge, engrossing adventure with scads of player-influenced character development and plot twists. [Dec. 2006, p.94]

Any game can be an emotional experience if it has a little soul. And to put it bluntly, Killzone: Liberation is just soulless. [Oct. 2006, p.66]

Unfortunately it doesn't take long to realize that Power Stone's core gameplay hasn't aged so well. [Nov. 2006, p.104]

Both the ATV's and Bikes feature the best current-gen behind the bars camera to date, providing the closest thing to real racing on the PS2. [Dec. 2006, p.70]

Backbone could have just tightened things up and given us more of the same for the sequel but instead have completely reworked the formula and created one of the PSP's finest games in the process. [Nov. 2006, p.96]

But the engaging paranormal angle to the story and the violent imagery rising from it breathe a creepy chill into F.E.A.R.'s soul that never lets the game lost its powerful grip. [Dec. 2006, p.64]