Seems that the payers are a bit sluggish this time around..., and you never seem to be in quite as tight control as you’d like to be. [Jan 2002, p.84]

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

There is very little here that we would describe as new, original, or subtle. [Jan 2002, p.76]

It won't blow your mind, but it's a solid showcase for online console gaming. [Winter 2002, p.93]

Of all the anouncers in the world, ESPN utilizes the unfailingly annoying Kevin Frazier. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.84]

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

The most impressive element of the game is its level design: The enormous locales allow for hours of exploration and trickery. [Fall 2002, p.119]

The on-foot play mechanic and the expanded story mode stand as the game's weakest elements. [Mar 2004, p.85]

While "NBA 2K3" is a tighter (and perhaps better) game from top to bottom, it doesn't have the same energy, rabid fanbase, or guts as NCAA. [Feb/Mar 2003, p.86]

Strafing and running is fine - even more natural feeling than when a keyboard is used - but the Xbox controller's right analog stick just can't compete with the precision of a mouse. [Winter 2002, p.84]

What really shines through here is the work of extremely talented artists, and the world of Dark Alliance is full of stately detail. [Winter 2002, p.107]

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]

Capcom also wrecked the balance of the gameplay, making it a much more frustrating affair. [Spring 2002, p.86]

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]

Breathtakingly good when it comes to stadium detail, batting stances, facial expressions, facial expressions and the like, [but] the game lacks an essential bit of realism that keeps it from elite status. [Apr/May 2003, p.90]

While level design is solid, NPCs have the personalities of spatulas, and environments are often jarringly noninteractive... Worth the ride, certainly, but this one could have done with a little less fighting and a little more freedom. [Oct/Nov 2003, p.98]

If up-tempo action and innovative control are more important to you than realism and online play, this may be your b-ball baby in 2003. [Winter 2002, p.99]

Competent but uninspired. [Jan 2002, p.94]

It's just too bad that for every step forward Midway takes with Alliance, it takes two steps back with sloppy gameplay, cheesy, ridiculously gory visuals, and some truly soulless character design. [Winter 2002, p.89]

Unless you have some pals to play with, Hitz will wear out its welcome due to a lack of strategic depth. [Winter 2002, p.105]

Levels look dazzling, but the actual tasks you must accomplish in them are often so contrived that all the realism fades away. [Winter 2002, p.101]

Controlling Kyle in the lightsaber mode (which is in the third-person, not first like the rest of the game) is somewhat of a pain with the clunky Xbox pad. [Winter 2002, p.106]

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.

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

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

What these scenarios lack in creative inspiration, they more than make up for in strategy and gameplay design. [Aug 2003, p.86]

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

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

Rarely has so much sheer brilliance been nestled side-by-side with such absolute tedium and badly conceived gameplay, along with wild shifts in tone guaranteed to make your head spin. [Winter 2002, p.88]

The recipe for the game's winning formula is twofold: the brilliant water physics and the dynamics of rope play. [Aug 2003, p.77]

There's just enough innovation here to warrant spending another 50 clams, but only if you're a die-hard fan of the series. [Winter 2002, p.105]

It's the curse of making a reasonable, realistic surfing game - it just doesn't offer a very compelling videogame experience. [Fall 2002, p.120]

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

Pro Race Driver's saving grace is found in the application of Codemaster's acclaimed TOCA racing engine. [June-July 2003, p.92]

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 camera itself functions as a de facto enemy -- and possibly the deadliest one of them all. [Summer 2002, p.82]

Unless your IQ is below 17, there are better ways to waste your day. Like drooling. [Fall 2002, p.119]

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

It's ugly, this gladiator's life. But at least it's got a good personality. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.86]

Elementary use of math reveals that a mediocre Sphinx game combined with an excellent Cursed Mummy game averages out to a very solid and enjoyable Sphinx/Mummy hybrid. [Mar 2004, p.91]

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

Despite the much-hated "catch up" feature, Hitz kept us glued. Better than "Blitz" we say. [Jan 2002, p.88]

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]

While it may not be the deepest around, FIFA is just plain fun. [Summer 2002, p.92]

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]

Nascar heads should check this out immediately, others should stay far away. [Jan 2002, p.94]

It packs a good measure of original gameplay concepts; it just suffers a few missteps that keep it from ranking in the upper echelon of Xbox titles. [Winter 2002, p.95]

Brawls eschew any sort of skill and are won by the pugilist who lands the most punches in the least amount of time. [Summer 2002, p.92]

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]

Weighs in a tad too light, and can be readily explored in a long weekend. [Fall 2002, p.118]

Lacks the imagination and polish of "Wave Race," but it's enjoyable nonetheless. [Fall 2002, p.117]

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]

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.

Aside from the new levels (which, it should be noted are every bit as good as those in the original), everything is pretty much straight out of THPS2. [Jan 2002, p.88]

It’s fresh that you don’t have to search for stuff to hit, but not-so-fresh that you have to wrestle with sluggish controls in order to do it. [Jan 2002, p.94]

Despite little replay value, Chamber nonetheless provides a gratifying ride. [Feb/Mar 2003, p.84]

The True Crime universe feels emotionally and psychologically barren - and, therefore, inconsequential. [Mar 2004, p.76]

It is the scariest survival horror title to date... We would like to forgive its unsatisfying combat and puzzles, but we cannot. [Winter 2002, p.93]

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]

Sharp and smart, Blitz 20-02 burns the NFL's rulebook and allows for unparalleled arcade-style mayhem. [Summer 2002, p.92]

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.

Despite its obvious beautifully ugly characters and detailed courts, this Volleyball barely clears the net. [Oct/Nov 2003, p.99]

Features some of the most flaccid enemy designs seen in a long while. [Aug 2003, p.74]

The AI in Inside Drive is AWOL. [Spring 2002, p.91]

Definitely not for the squeamish, but if you're looking for a cold, ruthless, and literally bloodthirsty antihero to keep you occupied for 15-20 hours, Kain definitely fits the bill. [Summer 2002, p.86]

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.

There's nothing to complain about in terms of the game's controls or its trick system; they've been tuned to perfection. [Oct/Nov 2003, p.87]

This is no Tony Hawk. [Jan 2002, p.96]

A nice balance of action and strategy, as well as a remarkable technical achievement. [Feb/Mar 2003, p.78]

Feels like a shiny new version of "Crazy Taxi," only this time, infinitely less deep. [Aug 2003, p.80]

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]

The ship itself is straight clunky. It feels like everything in the game is fast, except you. [Jan 2002, p.5]

Rayne has been designed by sexiness experts and dropped into a game that features all the erotic appeal of Rosie O'Donnell scarfing down Canadian ham at an all-you-can-eat buffet. [Winter 2002, p.108]

The reality is that only those with a tremendous amount of talent and perseverance are ever going to see much of it. [Fall 2002, p.119]

Visually, Sam looks only decent, and slowdown creeps into play from time to time. You've seen better. [Winter 2002, p.106]

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

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]

These bright spots don't really offset the repetitive, frustrating, and sometimes just plain dull parts. [Apr 2003, p.84]

A solid competitor - fast and fun and oddly addictive. [Summer 2002, p.93]

Outrunning the cops while racing on gorgeous international tracks is damn fun... [but t]he intense sense of speed found in the PS2 version is missing. [Winter 2002, p.103]

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]

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]

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

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]

During the heat of combat, the game controls like a fighter until you get taken into a grappling situation, and resultant shift in style isn't so smooth. [Spring 2002, p.90]

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]

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]

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

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]

The game's odd predilection for nighttime levels ensures that players will be doing double duty fighting and squinting. [Summer 2002, p.91]

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

Disappointingly uninspired. [Jan 2002, p.94]

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

The twisty story is compelling enough to pull you through the game like a rabbit tied to a rush-hour train. [Mar 2004, p.92]

Transworld Snowboarding is the girl who always shows up in the teen movies. She's the ugly one who's revealed to be a hottie once the pretty boy du jour spends some time with her. [Winter 2002, p.97]

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