There are more stages and enemies the second time around, but this somehow actually adds tedium rather than value. [Dec 2004, p.92]

The horrid loading times, surprisingly linear levels and mindless enemies hold back any ambitions this title ever had for greatness. [Holiday 2004, p.82]

It's also eye-rollingly funny in a fart-pee kind of way. [Oct 2004, p.32]

Everything blows up really well, too. Konami has preserved the classic, 2D action, but rendered the graphics in full, beautiful 3D. [Oct 2004, p.40]

It's sporadically interesting, but mostly, this is all flash and little substance. [Nov 2004, p.86]

Devilishly easy to pick up and play, and damn hard to put down. And it's funny - both "haha" funny and "clever" funny. It's got a smooth style and charm that really endears itself to you. [Nov 2004, p.76]

Admittedly, the game is on the short side, but that doesn't detract from the overall experience too much. [Dec 2004, p.92]

There is very little to do in Asterix and Obelix...A bland beat 'em up that squanders years of classic comic mythology. [Oct 2004, p.35]

The only weak point is the graphics, which seem a bit unpolished. Otherwise, Conflict: Vietnam is one mean mother tour of duty. [Nov 2004, p.90]

This focus on combat isn't always helped by the game's dodgy targeting and suspect collision detection... An uneven, but satisfying, psycho romp for series fans. [Oct 2004, p.30]

A masterpiece that every racing game fan must own. [Nov 2004, p.80]

The best part, however, is the career mode, which lets you work your way up from lowly demo derby wannabe to Czar of Demolition. Check this one out. [Dec 2004, p.90]

Production values are average, but digi-devotees should be satisfied. [Nov 2004, p.86]

Much more varied action would have helped immensely. [Nov 2004, p.92]

This speed-hampered racer doesn't have a whole lot under the hood...Doesn't come close to touching the supreme "Midnight Club II." [Oct 2004, p.35]

It tries hard, and there are some clever ideas, but too many design shortcuts ensure that Spy Fiction is still Roger Moore to "Metal Gear Solid's" Sean Connery. [Oct 2004, p.42]

It may not be the ultimate Street Fighter compilation, but in the end, Street Fighter Anniversary Collection offers great 2D fighting at an excellent price. [Sept 2004, p.20]

This is every strategy-action gamer's dream. [Oct 2004, p.34]

The type of game that'll bless those patient players who persevere. [Dec 2004, p.84]

Yet another huge, personality drenched, comically deep strategy RPG from othe new masters. [Oct 2004, p.32]

With more than 4000 horses and nearly 40 racing track options, with variables such as weather and track conditions, there is little room for repetition and boredom. [Oct 2004, p.42]

We never thought we'd actually recommend "Girls Gone Wild" DVDs, but they give you way more boob for your buck. [Nov 2004, p.90]

An incredibly valiant attempt to make an accessible NASCAR game, but many will still think it falls a bit short because you can only do so much with turning left. [Oct 2004, p.32]

The right analog stick gives the player control over their fishing rod, enabling a very realistic overhead casting motion - it rocks. [Nov 2004, p.94]

The actual hockey is a bit of a mixed bag in 2K5. It still controls beautifully (that "smoothness" we mentioned earlier), and the gameplay is again top-notch - once you tweak it that is. The default settings are pretty awful. [Oct 2004, p.31]

While the environments are nice, animations are weak, but the hunting is as good as it gets. [Nov 2004, p.94]

Easily one of the most original and involving action titles to cmoe along in ages. [Oct 2004, p.22]

Certainly enjoyable and worth playing - especially for the die-hard fans - but it's over far too quickly to warrant a purchse. [Oct 2004, p.40]

The graphics are just shy of amazing, and the level designs are solid and believable. [Sept 2004, p.20]

A deceptively deep golf game. [Nov 2004, p.85]

Still packed with Madden greatness, but not as ambitious, advanced or enjoyable as "ESPN Football 2K5." [Sept 2004, p.16]

With patience, DHF can deliver with massive funkmaster flexibility. [Nov 2004, p.90]

A truly unique survival horror experience, though one that could really use a graphical touch-up and faster pacing. [Sept 2004, p.22]

It's got its share of problems - a weak story and some lackluster levels - but Bujingai makes up a lot of ground with its slick sword fighting system and clever gameplay. [Aug 2004, p.20]

There is no checkpoint system and save game slots are randomly dropped by enemies, which is both frustrating and tiresome unless you like restarting a level over and over. [Sept 2004, p.24]

Graphics and animation are top-notch, and Catwoman slinks about like an exotic dancer. Control is tight, but counterintuitive. [Oct 2004, p.34]

"Madden" fans will be awed by ESPN's superior presentation....All in all, ESPN Football 2K5 is more ambitious, polished and enjoyable than this year's "Madden."[Sept 2004, p.14]

NCAA's Dynasty is the best "pure videogame" feature in any sports games. Pro franchise modes punish teams who succeed. Here, good play is rewarded with stronger recruiting power. More than any other sports game, NCAA Football plays like an RPG. [Aug 2004, p.18]

The execution of individual events is spotty, unpolished, and sometimes very blandly thought out. [Sept 2004, p.26]

Single player still falls down a tad, but there's simply no better party game available for PlayStation 2. [Aug 2004, p.28]

Combat animations could still look a bit more fluid, and the tactics of foes should probably be a little tougher to suss out, but Way of the Samurai 2 is still a solid experience and a must-play for samurai nuts. [July 2004, p.28]

Infuses even more fun and cartoonish, over-the-top action into the pro wrestling genre, but the single-player action is, unfortunately, short-lived. [July 2004, p.34]

Although the more mundane tasks get tiring by the end, the boss battle rock, and the joy of simply cruising from building to building is a thrill no gamer should miss. [Sept 2004, p.25]

On the realism side, SlugFest makes huge strides this year. Stat crunching is ably handled by the "Basebll Mogul" sim engine, and gameplay is easily tight enough to compete with PS2's second tier (i.e.: non-"MVP") baseball series. [July 2004, p.26]

The pacing just drags. [Sept 2004, p.24]

Mega Man fans and experienced gamers will love this massive collection of old-school goodness, but we'll admit it does little to attract new followers. [Aug 2004, p.28]

A music-editing tool that is both powerful and easy to use, MTV Music Generator 3 is a likely hit with all music lovers. Too bad there isn't more variety in the song list, though. [Aug 2004, p.30]

DRIV3R is a mess, little more than an unfinished recycling of GTA cliches, both sterile and juvenile. [Sept 2004, p.25]

You're getting two incredible games that, while vastly different in terms of mechanics, maintain a cohesive theme: stealth. It just doesn't get better than this. [Aug 2004, p.26]

It's ridiculously satisfying taking out a bunch of missile-slinging enemy troops with your perfectly geared up wanzer unit - no question. [Sept 2004, p.18]

The premise is priceless, but the game is so overly simplistic that it can't hold your attention for long. [July 2004, p.30]

You know something's wrong when the most interesting character is the nerdy scientist with knee-high socks. [Sept 2004, p.26]

Pool Paradise not only destroys all previous PS2 pool titles - which really isn't that tough - it's legitimately good. [Sept 2004, p.22]

The Havok physics engine lets players defeat enemies in ways only limited by their imagination. [Aug 2004, p.22]

This is, hands down, the deepest tennis game available for PS2, so only professionals need apply. Those pros, however, will looooove this. [Aug 2004, p.24]

Enemy AI is practically non-existent, but combined with the mostly straightforward level designs, it all plays reasonably well and slips by painlessly. [Sept 2004, p.26]

The tri-character gameplay really adds some depth, but Harry Potter newbies will still be left in the dark when trying to follow the narrative. [Aug 2004, p.25]

While the game is substantive enough for everyone, it is the fans who will really appreciate it. Fans, rejoice - this is the best Transformers game yet. [July 2004, p.22]

Twitchy targeting and basic camera flaws hurt Future Tactics, but we have to admit the game has a certain charm - and it's cheap. [July 2004, p.27]

Ultimately, Strike Force Bowling rolls about a 160, offering bargain basement bowling, but very little flair. [Aug 2004, p.30]

While there are a few flaws, they do not ruin the overall game. The game is just a lot of fun to play. [June 2004, p.25]

The real problem is the mediocre gameplay. [Aug 2004, p.25]

Plays as though its developers were simply going through the motions. There are better third-person military shooters out there...lots of them. [June 2004, p.27]

A solid overall game, but it doesn't feel like it every really gelled. [May 2004, p.36]

Pucelle's rather excellent localization brings the game world to hyper-kinetic, over-the-top life and that, (coupled with many, many gameplay hours), is more than enough to entice RPG fans into Pucelle's worthy fold. [July 2004, p.32]

A well constructed, well presented compliment to "FIFA." [July 2004, p.30]

There's no doubt that Red Dead Revolver comes off as a classy Western, but underneath the high production values is a game begging for more depth and balance. [July 2004, p.23]

The biggest problem is that it's just very simple and easy - proabably a side effect of being made for a broad audience. [July 2004, p.27]

The custom characters and supposedly unique environments offer too little variety, and the commentary ranges from cheesy-bad to flat-out useless. Thankfully, it's still a good, if uninspired, pool sim at its core. [Mar 2004, p.38]

If you've never plaed the series before, this is the one to try. If you have played it, you won't want to miss this amazing finale. [July 2004, p.20]

This is unapologetically brainless fun at its most brainless and fun. Give it a shot. [June 2004, p.30]

There's nothing here you didn't already pay for with "UFC Throwdown." [July 2004, p.34]

For those with a lot of patience and perseverence, Siren has its share of chilly moments. For most folks, though, the game is hellish in ways that simply aren't fun. [June 2004, p.26]

Be ready for loads of violence, a short running time, and all the production value and quality gameplay that you need. [June 2004, p.24]

Fun, but weakened by a lack of variety, strangely long load times, and motion perception that's a bit too unforgiving, even on the easiest level. [May 2004, p.38]

A valiant try, but Sony's latest rendition of "the beautiful game" lacks the true gameplay depth and subtlety to challenge champions like "Winning Eleven 7" or "FIFA." [June 2004, p.29]

ASB 2005 will dazzle you with flashes of brilliance. Yet seconds later, it will infuriate you with its many rough edges. [May 2004, p.25]

Jennifer Garner is hot - sizzling hot - to be exact, but sadly, her game is just lukewarm. As a result, even die-hard Alias fans may be let down by this game. [June 2004, p.29]

It's not quite up to the standards set by "NBA Street Vol. 2," but it's definitely in the same league. [June 2004, p.28]

The graphics and animation are solid, the camera is well-balanced, and knockdown replays capture all the sweat, blood, and punishment the sport offers. [May 2004, p.24]

Lots of arcade-style crash and bash, but the offline game's rather thin, so online play is probably the deciding buy-or-rent factor. [May 2004, p.40]

In both single and online modes, it definitely has its problems, but as an attempt to expand the scope of the RE universe, it isn't all bad. [June 2004, p.22]

Repetitive and somewhat cliched, the action is still pretty intense and the multiplayer options really help the fun. [May 2004, p.32]

It's not a true sequel, nor is it meant to be; it's more a kind of "Super Smash Bros"-type multiplayer madness. It's also good fun. [Apr 2004, p.37]

If you don't own an Xbox, this is probably worth your while. If you do own one, get the Xbox version. [May 2004, p.30]

The graphics are both faithful to the source material and overly primitive, but the main problems with Samurai Jack are its short duration and solid, but too basic, gameplay. [May 2004, p.32]

It's hampered by some of the MMORPG genre's cliche weaknesses - it's a real level grinder with a de-emphasized plot - but the FF magic is still here. [June 2004, p.18]

Cy Girls has more than a few new tricks up its sleeve, adopting a "Matrix"-style "Some rules can be bent; others can be broken" philosophy. [Apr 2004, p.28]

It's not the next "Fatal Frame 2," but "X-Files: Resist or Serve" is a decent game infused with an awesome license and a very fair price. [June 2004, p.30]

The heavy use of sniping scopes provides an exciting sense of realism, as do the look, feel of recoil, and reload animations of the guns. [Mar 2004, p.32]

Despite incredible depth and improvement, hardcore baseball fans will be frustrated with the game's AI failures. [May 2004, p.37]

A reasonably solid brawler, but bad dialogue, slowdown, and button-mashing cheapness bring this opus almost to a grinding halt. [Apr 2004, p.39]

The series' charm is pretty intact, and the random game generator gives it legs (so to speak), but there's no online and the switch to 3D is really ragged. [Apr 2004, p.383]

Despite one or two mechanical wobbles, this is a good mix of action and dark adventure, with some nifty extras. [May 2004, p.22]

The pressure and redundancy might annoy some gamers, but it looks and feels appropriately hectic - and it's a morally upstanding, heroically-themed videogame. [Apr 2004, p.40]

Extreme depth and innovative controls make MVP 2004 great. We'll have to wait until next issue to be sure, but this may have just become the best baseball game out there. [Apr 2004, p.22]

The control scheme is a bit clumsy, especially when trying to perform resource management or save a game. The graphics aren't exactly first cabin, either, although the sound effects are stellar. [Apr 2004, p.40]

Fast, furious, but difficult to master, this game will have players cleaning dirt out of their PS2s. [May 2004, p.40]