A game that surpasses its genre-defining predecessors in every respect, not just in terms of gameplay, but also in terms of story, characters, and overall fun. It pops many caps in many asses. [Jan 2005, p.58]

And it must be said that this game is funny as hell (at tip of the hat to whoever wrote the pee-inducing "Explorer" radio ad.) [Holiday 2002, p.28]

Madden 2003 is not only the deepest football game ever made, but it may also be the deepest PS2 game ever made. [Sept 2002, p.20]

The total package is a much bigger leap forward than "Hawk 3" in almost every way. [Holiday 2002, p.42]

Simply the deepest sports game ever made. It's got almost everything a football fan could ever want in a game - and then some. [Sept 2003, p.24]

Improving on one of the best games ever couldn't have been an easy job, but Kojima Productions was able to do it. They packed this director's cut of "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater", a thrilling and cinematic military stealth action game, so full of tweaks and extras, we wish our review scale went to 11. [Apr 2006, p.73]

From its solid gameplay to its attention to detail, NCAA Football 2004 is easily the best college sports game yet on PS2. There's no need to go anywhere else. [Sept 2003, p.32]

The solid, stay-fresh gameplay and captivating story make for an almost perfect game. [May 2005, p.66]

VF4 does an amazing number of things right. [Apr 2002, p.24]

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

Even if it didn't have the violence and the gore and the nudity and all that fun stuff, it would still be great game because of its masterful gameplay. [May 2007, p.66]

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]

Bold, ambitious, quirky, and ultimately in genious. [Oct 2006, p.74]

Play Oblivion. It's amazing. [June 2007, p.70]

Features the best-looking player models, the most realistic-looking stadiums, and the smoothest animations of any PS2 football title. [Sept 2002, p.22]

For any soccer fan, Winning Eleven 6 is a game you'll get lost in for months. [Apr 2003, p.27]

With so many improvements, Evolution easily surpasses the former "Virtua Fighter 4." Fighting game fans will be impressed. [Sept 2003, p.37]

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 backgrounds are so stunning you'll want to drop your weapons, pack a lunch, and go exploring. [Oct 2003, p.26]

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]

Even without any special incentives to replay through it once it's over, Final Fantasy XII offers a beautiful, well written, fun RPG experience that is both long and rewarding. Matsuno's team took some real chances with the gameplay this time around, but the results are pleasantly surprising. [Oct 2006, p.56]

As the curtain falls, GH2 will be remembered, like the original, as one of the most fun times you can have with your PS2. [Holiday 2006, p.68]

If you aren't a fan of "Madden's" massive arsenal of extra modes, bells, and whistles, this game stands right beside the long-time champ in terms of quality and fun. And for hardcore fans simply looking for the most realistic representation of football, ESPN is the better choice. [Sept 2003, p.28]

We can't imagine a better party game. If you can afford this, buy it, and rock on! [Holiday 2005, p.86]

Snake Eater has one of the greatest gaggle of villains ever assembled in a game. [Jan 2005, p.60]

Bottom Line: if you care enough about games to read this magazine, you owe it to yourself to play Shadow of the Colossus. [Dec 2005, p.96]

The passing game's sharp, the running game's well balanced, and even the kick return game is more exciting that it is in the pros. [Sept 2002, p.26]