It may not be the most advanced sequel, but for fans of hardcore number crunching and statistic-laden simulations, still among the best strategy titles available for PS2. [Apr 2004, p.38]

An average adventure with a good sense of humor. [May 2004, p.29]

Takes all of the classic Bond elements and combines them with solid control, and gameplay variety. Some of the levels are letdowns, but overall, it's a satisfying title. [Apr 2004, p.29]

Even fans who dislike racing games will be impressed with MX Unleashed. [Apr 2004, p.24]

Despite an innovative control scheme, this is pretty much your typical action game fare, albeit with better-than-average environmental interaction and storytelling. [Mar 2004, p.26]

Between the deep formations and tactics, a management portion that allows player purchases and trades, commentary that can be toggled to favor the home or away team or be neutral, and everything else, WE7 crams in as as much sporting content as any soccer fan could hope for. [Mar 2004, p.30]

The problem with Lupin is that the game is incredibly rudimentary: the control is slippery, the camera is frustrating and the AI leaves a great deal to be diesired. [Feb 2004, p.36]

A shallow mix of strategy and slapping, cursed by long loading times, WU falters a bit but staggers back by keeping the core tenets of its lineage intact. [Mar 2004, p.39]

It's the prettiest, the deepest, the biggest, and thanks to online play and randomly-generated levels, the most replayable action RPG available today. [Mar 2004, p.24]

Improves on "Shinobi" in every respect, resulting in a fast-paced, pure action game with a fresh feel to its gameplay that's unique in a genre lacking in new ideas. [Apr 2004, p.32]

A solid, if somewhat slow-paced, shooter that offers up loads of ship variety and a good amount of challenge. [Mar 2004, p.37]

The flight sequences, while not drop-dead gorgeous, are okay, but the endless bickering and inane character interaction during the cutscenes will drive you freaking crazy! [Mar 2004, p.40]

On the plus side, there are some console-only extras, like a racing mode that lets you hit the asphault with old-fashioned hot rots. [Apr 2004, p.36]

A fast and challenging experience that is hurt by camera, collision and polish issues. The levels designs and teamplay are definitely unique, though. [Feb 2004, p.24]

It's big, it's beautiful, and there are few games available that are more fun for two players. Don't look for an epic story or any kind of online support, though. [Feb 2004, p.28]

Blending the best of old-school action gameplay and new-school presentation, Maximo vs. Army of Zin is an excellent refinement and worthy sequel to the original. [Feb 2004, p.26]

A surprisingly deep, well-written, and entertaining action RPG that offers lots of customization, co-op play, and a great game universe. [Mar 2004, p.28]

Sure, it's the same old cut 'n' paste gameplay formula, but if you've played into .hack's dual layered world thus far, it's a solid and enjoyable note upon which to end the series. [Jan 2004, p.36]

Great looks and sound, with dead-on style points, but disappointingly dumbed-down in terms of mechanics. [Mar 2004, p.38]

The rowdy juice that gave "NBA Street" its flavor has been poured on a football. It has the playability of a "Madden" game, but the wilder action will have you whoopin' it up. [Mar 2004, p.36]

We would have loved some additional competitive online options. [Jan 2004, p.29]

Proves that skillful camera work, music and sound effects can creep the hell out of us more than a gore fest. [Feb 2004, p.35]

A solid racing game, but its real-world courses (and even its original venues) fail to deliver the same amount of sheer thrill that its completely arcade-skewed predecessors did. [Jan 2004, p.29]

It may not push the boundaries of the genre in any real way, but it does provide a wealth of characters, depth and generally well-balanced gameplay. [Feb 2004, p.32]

It does feel a bit short, and some elements of the story are poorly told. But as simple, fundamental platform gaming, it's pleasant enough, and Harry's target lock is really very good. [Jan 2004, p.37]

The key to Operation Surma is in the challenge and entertainment value that's provided, and that should get you your money's worth. [Feb 2004, p.38]

Rough controls, but Gundam and giant robot fans should love it. [Jan 2004, p.48]

Even its obscurity and relatively steep learning curve can't bring down this subtle, challenging and entertaining gem of a game. [Mar 2004, p.40]

A major improvement over the last game, and an absolute must-buy for the DBZ hardcore. [Holiday 2003, p.28]

Some of the level design is brilliantly done, and there's even a new playable character - nothing revolutionary, but good, solid action with a liberal sprinkling of the dark side. [Feb 2004, p.20]

An average game that lacks polish, but provides the simple satisfaction of blowing things up. [Jan 2004, p.32]

A simplistic combat engine prevents this game from shining. [Jan 2004, p.46]

The tweaking is fun, and fans of the Lowrider culture and magazine should absolutely love it. But serious players will tire of the game after the novelty of hopping cars wears off. [Feb 2004, p.32]

The appeal of Intellivision Lives! is greater for those who were there the first time around, but with an '80s-style price tag of only $20, this is an absolute must-buy. [Feb 2004, p.38]

Basic graphics and reduced challenge aside, this is more fun than troublesome. [Jan 2004, p.48]

A brilliant title. The visuals are on par with "Rayman 3," the control almost as tight as "Mario," and the quests and puzzles both epic and innovative. [Holiday 2003, p.30]

While it's fun to destroy everything from computers to cafeteria trays, the action gets old, fast. [Jan 2004, p.37]

A cool FPS with sky-high production values, a unique graphical approach, and an interesting plot, but imperfect controls. [Holiday 2003, p.32]

More variety, be it "Ico"-style environmental puzzles, "GTA"-type missions, "MGS"-inspired boss battles, greater AI diversity, or simply deeper interactivity with the environment, would have really helped keep things fresh. [Jan 2004, p.28]

An addicting little ditty of a shooter...Where Metal Arms falters a bit is in the difficulty and control setup. [Dec 2003, p.50]

It just isn't any good. With so many gameplay problems, lack of challenges, and an absolute treaure trove of better FPS titles out there for PS2, there's no reason to give this one a second thought. [Jan 2004, p.46]

It's FFX-2's incredibly wacky, fruity charm that makes all the madness even more irresistible for fans who always secretly wanted to see what was really going on in the depths of Bevelle. [Feb 2004, p.18]

Hardcore fans of the series will enjoy it, but those looking for an engaging space battle - or a decent game - won't. [Jan 2004, p.32]

A fun title... However, there's not a lot of longevity here, and playing the same level repeatedly with only a minor twist in gameplay - like beating the clock - isn't quite the same as having entirely new levels to play. [Holiday 2003, p.36]

The bigger prize here is "Part II." It features improved graphics, better choreography, and greater musical variety, including some guitar slinging and a "waltz battle" with a giant plant. At this price - $30 - it's a steal. [Nov 2003, p.48]

A truly fun experience... The PS2 has needed a WW2 flight sim for some time. This is very cool. [Holiday 2003, p.40]

Next to "Midnight Club 2," TRX3 looks dated and downright boring. [Jan 2004, p.48]

Responsive controls, awesome artificial intelligence, and a presentation that truly rocks are only some of the reasons you should own this game. [Dec 2003, p.41]

Frontiers pulls out some great new tricks, and the world of Everquest has never been more accessible. [Feb 2004, p.30]

Good control, good courses, great customization options. This game is a tuner's dream come true, and one of PS2's better racers overall. [Holiday 2003, p.22]

At $20, the price is right, but the final product is a bit hit-and-miss. Interface screens are terribly ugly, and the emulation is spotty. [Holiday 2003, p.46]

EA's hoops engine fits well, and is complemented by an immersive NCAA atmosphere and a fine-tuned array of gameplay modes. [Holiday 2003, p.36]

The best Monster Rancher yet, with more RPG elements. [Holiday 2003, p.40]

Though not quite as polished or playable as "March Madness 2004," ESPN College Hoops is still an enjoyable basketball game, especially for hardcore basketball fans. [Holiday 2003, p.30]

Solid gameplay meets incredible presentation. If you have any doubt that Crystal Dynamics can rock "Tomb Raider," play this and your fears will evaporate. [Holiday 2003, p.74]

An excellent mix of atmosphere, visual design and accessible gameplay. Beyond Good & Evil is an experience that is not to be missed. [Holiday 2003, p.20]

Bilbo's tasks tend to be incredibly mundane: knocking down apples from trees, finding a needle in a haystack, stealing the wallet from a Troll, healing an elf, and the like. [Jan 2004, p.46]

I was also disappointed to see that BR4 is still lacking in the ever-important single-player experience. [Holiday 2003, p.44]

It's a short action shooter with more than a few missteps, but enough action to keep fans of the film happy. [Feb 2004, p.36]

Solid gameplay wrapped in an engaging story with a dab of multiplayer madness on the side makes for one tasty gaming meal. [Holiday 2003, p.39]

Highly polished and easy to control, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is a great choice for the adrenaline junkie... For fun characters and pure action, Going Commando is it. [Dec 2003, p.68]

The controls are perfect, but the gameplay is a little too simplistic. [Holiday 2003, p.48]

Satisfying and challenging at the same time, Crash Nitro Kart is a great way to fill that need for speed. [Holiday 2003, p.46]

Improved, but the AI is still ugly as hell. [Holiday 2003, p.48]

Controls are too sensitive even at the lowest setting, animal AI is set to "charge!" constantly, and collision detection is rugged. [Jan 2004, p.48]

One of the best-looking, best-playing adventure games on PS2, POP: TSOT could have been even better had more attention been given to its plot. [Holiday 2003, p.25]

Don't judge Sphinx before Tutankhamen is transformed into a mummy, however, as the game simply doesn't catch fire until then. [Holiday 2003, p.28]

Even if you focus strictly on the single player game and ignore the massive improvements to their multiplayer world, there are so many details in the game that it almost comes to life... A near-perfect game. [Dec 2003, p.84]

While it may still fall a bit short in terms of the gameplay engine when compared to Konami's offering, the options and game modes available in FIFA 2004 are more than enough to keep it neck and neck (or foot, as it were) with the competition. [Dec 2003, p.46]

A mindless actioner in the same vein as "Dynasty Warriors." Good fun! [Holiday 2003, p.48]

A beautiful hack-and-slasher that lives up to the considerable scope and grandeur of the filmic source material. [Holiday 2003, p.32]

Great for parties and provides a very unique experience, but there's not a lot of replay potential for solo players. Still, the concept is definitely exciting. [Nov 2003, p.44]

Best recommended for those completely new to the series or feverishly devoted to it. [Holiday 2003, p.48]

Nick's auto-targetting system blows away Tommy Vercetti's like a headshot, and his combat style is remarkably deep for a game that doesn't have "Fighter" in its title. [Jan 2004, p.40]

A kiddy game funny enough for the big kids to enjoy. [Jan 2004, p.48]

It's huge and solidly designed, it controls well, and the levels, while admittedly linear, are filled with hidden items, secrets, and some fun activities. [Jan 2004, p.29]

Though the missions are somewhat short (they average fifteen minutes in length) they possess a great deal of replayability, thanks to the fact that you can solve each one in so many different ways. [Dec 2003, p.50]

Rogue Ops is permeated by a distinct lack of polish. The controls are a bit unintuitive, voice acting see-saws from decent to cringe-inducing bad, clipping issues abound..., and textures are blurry. [Dec 2003, p.72]

Better, but it still can't compete with "NBA Live" and "ESPN Basketball." [Holiday 2003, p.44]

As a completely turn-based RPG with heavy strategy elements, Gladius's incredibly deliberate pace will try all but the most hardcore RPG'er's patience. Still, if you give it a chance, there's a lot to love. [Dec 2003, p.50]

Unlockable items and special moves help keep interest in the single player mode, but the versus mode is where this game shines. [Holiday 2003, p.46]

If you enjoy the Blitz style of play and want a more standardized approach to the game you've been messing around with for years, then this is your title. [Oct 2003, p.33]

Graphics are fairly nice, but the weapons themselves are typical. Even worse, enemies clip and shoot through walls, and being killed from an unavoidable RPG to the face gets old, fast. [Dec 2003, p.49]

As addictive and entertaining as ever. [Jan 2004, p.24]

An absolutely awesome wrestling experience...Thanks to features like improved graphics, more match types, and an overhauled grappling system, it's definitely the most realistic and rewarding WWE game on the market. [Dec 2003, p.56]

An RPG-making beast that requires serious time and dedication. [Holiday 2003, p.40]

Serious multiplayer fun for crooners and caterwaulers alike! [Dec 2003, p.49]

A lack of depth and dodgy pacing. [Oct 2003, p.40]

The gameplay isn't terribly innovative, but C:Lol takes everything we love about Castlevania, and moves it into lush, gorgeous 3D. And that's a fantastic accomplishment! [Dec 2003, p.66]

A repetitive game that even the biggest fans will have problems with. [Holiday 2003, p.48]

Treads the fine line between simulation and arcade play - and pulls it off. It's quite simply the best hoops game on the PS2. [Dec 2003, p.40]

The core game is short, but very, very sweet and packed with replay value, even after you have unlocked all of the hidden goodies. [Dec 2003, p.72]

A whole lotta game. And trust us: earning 100% completion (and thus "owning" the mountain) is one of the most rewarding feelings in modern gaming history. [Dec 2003, p.36]

It's not awful; just average, but well suited for families and littler gamers. [Holiday 2003, p.46]

The lack of quality elements and repetition doom Batman to mediocrity. [Dec 2003, p.72]

It's a well crafted, if not overly ambitious, jungle adventure. [Holiday 2003, p.46]

The multiple angles, 3D engine, and stellar visuals in Mega Man X7 do move the series forward, even if gameplay remains the same, which is okay in our book. [Nov 2003, p.41]

Visually the game is absolutely stunning, with in-game character models that are at least three times as detailed as those seen in the first game. Level design is artistic as it is functional. [Nov 2003, p.32]