Visually, it recalls the graphical prowess of a Super Nintendo title, while the game's total lack of system link and Xbox Live multiplayer flies in the face of Xbox doctrine. [Jan 2005, p.88]

Shock value only takes the game so far, though. What really keeps you playing to the end is Punisher's scribe Garth Ennis' excellent script. [Feb 2005, p.88]

Wolf's added variety pushes its multiplayer componenet into Xbox Live killer-app territory. [Feb 2005, p.96]

The extra games EA added are attention-worthy treats speaking to the schoolyard athlete in everyone, no matter how uncoordinated or out of shape. [Feb 2005, p.95]

If Strike gets its mechanics brashly right, it fudges the details. [Feb 2005, p.93]

Unfortunately, in the game, that process is nowhere near as compelling and fast-paced as in the show. [Feb 2005, p.97]

The same old Cabela's issues - jerky control, clumsy animation, extreme disorientation - rear their ugly heads again. [Feb 2005, p.88]

Hell, you can't even choose which side to be on in team games. On the PS2, this is disappointing, but on the Xbox - where most games figured this stuff out over a year ago - it's inexcusable. [Jan 2005, p.100]

Even with all these attempts at variety, there's not much different in any of the modes compared with a typical two-player game. You're just seeing who can match the steps better. [Dec 2004, p.88]

As much of a history lesson as Collection provides, though, you can't help but wan't more. [Feb 2005, p.92]

The sweat-while-you-play intensity just isn't there. [Jan 2005, p.92]

This sequel closes its single-player chapter with a whimper. [Jan 2005, p.94]

You're not going to get a much plainer-looking Xbox game. [Jan 2005, p.99]

It's the brawling gameplay dragging things down. [Jan 2005, p.88]

A general sense of hack-and-slash ennui making Arthur just as nonstirring as the film was to a post-"Rings" audience. [Dec 2004, p.93]

Simply an unassuming, solid, and well-executed platformer. [Jan 2005, p.91]

The problem is - here it comes - the painfully oversensitive controls mar the nostalgia. [Feb 2005, p.92]

Paintball makes up for its lackluster graphics and sound by delivering an exciting tactical shooting experience. [Feb 2005, p.89]

If you're reading this text at above a second-grade reading level, you don't want to play Hot Wheels: Stunt Track Challenge. Everything from the cutesy design to the zany (read: irritating to anyone above the age of 6) announcer screams baby game. [Feb 2005, p.90]

The creators have simplified everything to the point of inanity. [Jan 2005, p.87]

It sits in the same stagnating pool as every other generic 3D platform title. [Dec 2004, p.89]

The audio mix is interesting, and the noises, whines, cries, and comments of players at the tables are quite humorous. [Feb 2005, p.94]

The texture quality has been noticeably reduced, but the keen glow effect on all the characters and environments is meticulously preserved. [Jan 2005, p.86]

You'd expect this simple game of aiming and matching like-colored bubbles to feel awfully flat by now, yet amazingly, the bubble-popping action here remains refreshingly effervescent. [Dec 2004, p.93]

As a game, it's safe and absolutely unambitious. [Jan 2005, p.96]

None of the games runs in full-screen mode on Xbox, while the GameCube versions are identical to the 16-bit originals. [Jan 2005, p.98]

There's the sense that the grandiose has just gone average, the superhero equivalent of the Justice League of America battling a jaywalker. [Jan 2005, p.86]

Exceedingly colorful, fun to play, and possessed of a great sense of humor, Movie both stands and delivers. It's some delicious sea food meant to be swallowed - whole. [Nov 2004, p.91]

If Chessmaster upped its production values, it might be worth a look to casual chess players who just want to get a game in here and there. [Jan 2005, p.90]

An above-average brawler and can certainly provide entertainment when consumed in short spurts, but it simply lacks the sophistication to become a contender of the fighting-game throne. [Dec 2004, p.80]

The only area where "2" really shines is in its Xbox Live support, which is among the best in golf games today. Otherwise, you can expect the same dodgy controls and eighth grade fart jokes as before. [Nov 2004, p.99]

It just seems to be content to wallow in mediocrity. [Jan 2005, p.99]

But even when the game's action gets all John J. Rambo, the A.I. remains more like Gomer Pyle. [Dec 2004, p.95]

Dreams is just a by-the-numbers platformer, albeit a genuinely funny oe. [Dec 2004, p.89]

There's a good deal of junk included on the disc, and even some of its more beloved titles ("Mortal Kombats II, III" and "Cyberball 2072") have not aged particularly well. [Nov 2004, p.101]

An eye-catching and compelling shoot-em-up with interesting characters and themes, Yager's hard to pass up at $20. [Oct 2004, p.97]

If "National Geographic" puts you to sleep, you might be in soporific danger here, too. [Aug 2004, p.87]

It's all so well written, acted, and directed that such seemingly unfunny lines as "Are those my Funyuns?" will make you laugh as hard as any comedy you've seen this year could. [Dec 2004, p.96]

The worst of these bonus modes is the "new and improved" Konquest mode intended to flesh out the Kombat universe through an RPG-like interface. What you get instead is a shambling mess of an adventure made up of ridiculous fetch quests and crap voice acting.

The intuitive fighting control remains as solid as ever. [Dec 2004, p.86]

It's definitely a better workout than most Xbox titles, and although its longevity is infinitely better than a human workout video, it's not as motivating or, more important, as sexy. [Dec 2004, p.82]

The narrative style (present action woven with flashbacks) is interesting, and the mechanics are mostly solid, so it is definitely worth investigating - especially if one finds the Xbox's "action-hero-with-amnesia" library lacking. [Nov 2004, p.94]

Once again, it's the series' fun two-to-four-player splitscreen mode that sets it apart from other fog-of-war games. [Nov 2004, p.92]

The first-person view allows only for awkward movement and exploration, with Townshend forced to turn to alter his view. Invincible ghosts prove to be perpetually frustrating, especially in tight spots.

Mired in repetition and some substantial balancing issues, a good deal of its simplistic charm dissipates after a short time. [Nov 2004, p.100]

It's the gameplay that disappoints. Most notably, the white-knuckle sense of breakneck speed and the tight, responsive controls oh so apparent in "Burnout 3" or "Underground" just aren't matched here. [Nov 2004, p.97]

It's not that Carmen is a failure - it just aims low in the first place. [Mar 2004, p.95]

Trying out different lures - more than 700 are available by the end of the game - and searching for the best fishing spots is incredibly addictive. [Nov 2004, p.101]

Like a supermodel who's missing a leg - beautiful, but not entirely functional on the catwalk. [Oct 2004, p.94]

It's physics are absolutely true to life, and its tilts - a propers smiting for too much cheating - are fairly issued. [June 2004, p.88]

Even with all the problems, Sudeki is still worth your time. It's not the best RPG it could have been - Climax needs better writers, that's for sure (especially concerning dialogue and character motivation) - but it gives you a big, pretty, and at times smartly designed world to explore. [Sept 2004, p.92]

It seems strange that Koei would incorporate these RPG-like features into the game in such a halfhearted fashion and the overall effect is sort of like giving the samurai warrior a sort of cool angular armor but no pants. [Aug 2004, p.94]

The web-slinging parts of the game are brilliantly done...Yet on the ground, the game looks and feels remarkably ugly. [Sept 2004, p.94]

You will actually find yourself laughing while playing, and virtually anyone can pick up and play this and have a good time. [July 2004, p.88]

The most impressive thing about Remix is its clean, intuitive interface. [Aug 2004, p.91]

The game is just realistic enough to annoy the bejesus out of you. [Aug 2004, p.86]

Here was a game with real potential to be what everybody had basically hoped for: "Grand Theft Auto" with really good graphics. Instead, what's here needs an air bag.

If you love Harry Potter, don't mind that characters talk and whine incessantly, and would like to see Hermione push around an ice block over and over again, Azkaban is good for a few hours of fun. [Aug 2004, p.94]

Multiple game types add some much-needed variety: skins play, challenge, and golf modes exhaust all possibilities for ball-pin interaction. [Aug 2004, p.83]

Environments are often so big Van Helsing and an antagonist do not appear onscreen together. [July 2004, p.92]

Of the new moves, through-balls and crosses are much better than those in "FIFA 2004." [Aug 2004, p.86]

Strip away the sombrerors, spurs, and signature Rockstar sass, and what's left is an average third-person shoot-em-up some gallons shy of a full 10-gallon hat. [July 2004, p.84]

If one member of the team can handle the game's hot spots, Shrek 2 could definitely gratify little children. [July 2004, p.89]

The player has a choice. Doe she coax out Contracts' subtlety, or coes he play essentially the smae game he's been playing for two decades? The first option may have him tearing his hair out. [June 2004, p.90]

A stealth game that dramatically overstays its welcome. [July 2004, p.86]

If anything, this game sounds precisely like "Alias." Looking and sounding like the show isn't really enough, though. Alias also needs to offer thrilling gameplay...and, well, it doesn't.

This year's ESPN Major League Baseball seems less polished than its brethren, its new features seem halfhearted at best, and its graphics don't pack the punch they used to.

There's a hell of a lot of content, with the three available characters having distinct missions with several enemy layouts. [May 2004, p.89]

It's above-average stuff, certainly, but spotty writing and voice acting pothole the story. Still, despite its flaws, Suffering remains an enjoyable and surprisingly compelling blastathon.

If you thought shooters needed more Stetson hats and Winchester rifles, you can't go wrong with this one. [May 2004, p.96]

Episode-sized chunks linked by a central plot break up the game nicely, and although Mayhem clearly comes built for kids, its breezy gameplay and goofy sensibilities—ghosts can be fooled by sheets draped over the protagonists—win both adult hearts and minds.

Mototrax offers an almost visceral appeal - you can really feel the bike moving under you. [June 2004, p.86]

It looks great, runs smoothly, and is certainly polished. The closest thing to an issue is the trick system. [Mar 2004, p.90]

Just another decent, 10-hour-long hop-n-bop to add to the pile. [May 2004, p.91]

For motorcycle masochists out there, it's a chance to create spectacular crashes involving helicopters, biplanes, and trucks. [Apr 2004, p.82]

Xbox Live support would have made this a must-buy, but it's still worht the money if you have friends to share it with. [Mar 2004, p.94]

A short-lived one-trick pony that's pretty much run its course. [Mar 2004, p.101]

The game's first few hours are dreadfully boring, full of genre cliches and pointless firefights. [Apr 2004, p.84]

What makes an otherwise solid action RPG mediocre is the obscenely slow and tedious beginning. [Mar 2004, p.101]

Despite questions about its pacing and multiplayer options, Street will still keep the controller in your hands for hours. [Mar 2004, p.87]

The inventory control is needlessly fiddly, casting spells is more trouble than it's worth, and it's very easy to miss a hint and completely lose track of the plotline. Just like Morrowind, though, Arx's core quality stands above all the glaring issues, and it's hard to stop playing once you take up the quest.

Combine this undistinguished feel with the game's pedestrian graphics and lack of Xbox Live or system-link support and you have one of the most disappointing big franchise games in recent memory. [Mar 2004, p.90]

Yep, this is basically a rehash of last year's Chamber of Secrets game for Playstation, with similar visuals, controls, and combat. [Mar 2004, p.82]

When playing against human opponents of varying skill levels on Xbox Live, the game becomes surprisingly fun and entertaining. [Mar 2004, p.101]

Unbridled rage, piss and vinegar, diminutive features, and cool quips ("The steel is cold, yes!") add up to make Ninja a genuinely likable figure starring in a game that's not as good as it should be, nor as bad as one might fear. [Mar 2004, p.86]

Despite a few obligatory new features such as a dull off-road car mode (ooh -- the tires inflate!), Hunter 2 feels less like a sequel and more like an add-on disc. [Mar 2004, p.86]

As for the learning curve: think of this game as "Splinter Cell for Dummies." [Mar 2004, p.79]

To the point: It's bowling, it's fun, it's $20. 'Nuff said. [Apr 2004, p.91]

Most, however, are legitimately entertaining even today. [Mar 2004, p.86]

Academy isn't so much a first-person shooter (although there are nifty rayguns) as it is a third-person lightsaber hack-em-up, and the laser sword combat here is about as graceful as that tubby Star Wars kid (Google hime for a preview). [Mar 2004, p.98]

An official disappointment on Xbox, yet the game's undying popularity defies critical analysis. [Mar 2004, p.78]

Where the game falters is in the A.I. of CPU players; simply put, these guys fell kicking and screaming from the artificial-intelligence tree. [Mar 2004, p.99]

Weird and wonderful, Whiplash pushes rebellion to the point where it seems callously unconcerned that its middle finger sometimes is aimed straight at its audience. [Mar 2004, p.87]

Put simply, Drive is Xbox Live-enabled Tab when there's already Coke and Pepsi. [Mar 2004, p.80]

You're forced to face off against eagle-eyed, sharp-shooting pricks who are so overpower[ing] that competing against them feels like crossing the piranha-filled Amazon River wearing a 40-pound mean suit. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.96]

It's not the tightest coding ever seen in a videogame. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.85]

It's an RTS that's about 25 percent less filling, and if it doesn't taste entirely great, it's still pretty darn yummy.

Visions could have been more imaginative with the weapons, which though numerous in appearance, offer almost zero variation among missiles, mines, and force fields.