Fans of "Fire Emblem" and "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance" will jump right into Shining Force. [July 2004, p.120]

Though the inventory and menu systems need polishing, this RPG is a dream come true for Harry Potter fans. [July 2004, p.119]

Action fans will love it for its excellent platformer fun. [Aug 2002, p.146]

There are some clever puzzles to figure out, plenty of space combat and the usual almost-maddening-but-ultimately-very-rewarding level of difficulty that we've come to expect from Rare. [Oct 2002, p.192]

You could play this game for years and still see new and different things. [Oct 2002, p.193]

Smooth movement, great music and a captivating story line will keep Bond fans coming back for more. [Jan 2003, p.170]

Drawing strongly from the look and feel of the movie, Chamber of Secrets is a richly designed, wonderfully immersive experience. [Dec 2002, p.211]

Gorgeous graphics and beautifully orchestrated music set the perfect mood for this amazing game. The open mission layout forces you to strategize, rather than simply running in with guns blazing. [Sept 2003, p.135]

The game doesn't make any giant advances, but why mess with perfection? [Feb 2004, p.149]

The third-person perspective is ideal for James Bond. The game has amazing replay value - tons of levels including unique co-op missions and multiplayer arena modes. [May 2004, p.119]

The lack of jumping is the missing piece in an otherwise perfect title. [May 2005, p.89]

The multiplayer option is perhaps the coolest thing ever for GBA fans with a taste for covert operations. [Mar 2002, p.135]

Mixing driving challenges with RPG depth, Car Battler Joe is a one-of-a-kind adventure. [Feb 2003, p.158]

Acrobatic moves and inventive traps have never been as free-flowing as they are in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. [Feb 2004, p.151]

Hard-core RPG fans will enjoy the game's nonlinear depth and detail. [Nov 2003, p.152]

Equally stunning is the dual color commentary, which seamlessly strings together on-the-fly play-by-plays without ever skipping a beat or sounding choppy. [Jan 2002, p.127]

As revolutionary as "SSX" was, now 1080: Avalanche is the one that hits the slopes with style and innovation. The extreme-survival angle puts the edge back in snowboarding. [Jan 2004, p.155]

It's a lot of fun but somewhat repetitive. [Nov 2002, p.220]

The enormous levels and innovative tricks make for endless game play. [Oct 2002, p.194]

The matches all feel important, which is totally cool in a World Cup setting. [May 2002, p.133]

At times, the camera shows the action at awkward angles, but for the most aprt it's spot on. [Apr 2003, p.134]

The difficulty level is high, but not frustratingly so. [Feb 2004, p.151]

A slow starter, but once you're on your way, it turns out to be an excellent strategy RPG. [Dec 2003, p.139]

The D-Day mission is one of the most intense and awesome levels I've played in a long time. [Jan 2003, p.171]

The controls are tight, the gameplay is varied and the whole experience feels polished. [Feb 2004, p.147]

Although it is easy to battle using sommoned monsters and attack cards, the system is somewhat limiting. [June 2003, p.137]

The game's 10 snowboarders are over the top, and the action is crazy fun. [Jan 2004, p.158]

Refines control, adds personality to character appearance and interaction, fills up on customization details and goes hog-wild with connectivity. [Feb 2004, p.146]

Trace Memory does not take much time to play, but a second run through results in a few story nuances and a slightly different ending. [Nov 2005, p.109]

The only flaw is that once you've played a little Electroplankton, you'll want more. Ten kinds of musical creatures, especially such little masterpieces, can stimulate you for only so long. [Feb 2006, p.99]

If you're drawn to dogs, Nintendogs could easily become and obsession. [October 2005, p.96]

If you're drawn to dogs, Nintendogs could easily become and obsession. [October 2005, p.96]

If you're drawn to dogs, Nintendogs could easily become and obsession. [October 2005, p.96]

It may not be the all-new title some were hoping for, but it's a great game worthy of bearing the Resident Evil name. [Apr 2006, p.82]

Pokemon Trozei may seem simple, but it packs a challenge that will keep puzzle-action fans intrigued for a long time to come. [Apr 2006, p.85]

Hunters is new-school, action-packed, and a great addition to the growing collection of Wi-Fi titles. [May 2006, p.86]

All in all, Banana Blitz is an amazingly robust package and a fantastic showcase for the hardware. [Jan. 2007, p.112]

Some casual gamers may balk at Madden NFL 07's overall complexity, but it won't make any enemies of Madden fans, and the minigames will be the life of the football party. [Jan. 2007, p.102]

After several attempts to modernize Sonic for the 3-D gaming landscape, Sega has taken a big step back in their approach, and that's a good thing. [Apr 2007, p.84]

Like the original GameCube "Chibi-Robo", the Chibi sequel is a leisurely affair with gentle messages. [Nov 2007, p.102]

My balance issues aside, Excite Truck delivers a fresh racing experience that emphasizes strategy over speed. [Jan. 2007, p.110]

Hard-core gamers won't be disappointed. [Oct. 2006, p.90]

Even if the word "bleach" makes you think more cleanser than cartoon, Blade of Fate will appeal to any fan of well-executed, feature-heavy fighters. [Dec 2007, p.81]

The short response is that it works well, but it's not quite a hole in one. [may 2007, p.87]

The game is long, challenging, and arguably the most fun you'll have on Wii at launch. [Jan. 2007, p.108]

Like 2005's "On Tour", Blue lets you choose between boards and skis, but the rails and narrow passages of the environments are definitely built for shredding. [May 2007, p.84]

As devotees will tell you, platform action doesn't get much better than what Mega Man dishes out, and Mega Man ZX Advent lives up to that reputation. [Dec 2007, p.85]

Phoenix Wright lays down the law for the third time in two years, and the outcome is no different from before: we've got another excellent DS graphic-text adventure on our hands. [Dec 2007, p.85]

On top of a great adventure mode, Professor layton offers additional downloadable content, which should keep players plenty busy until the promised sequel arrives. [Feb 2008, p.88]

If you're looking for a game that's vaguely soccer-themed and a lot of fun, then strap on your body armor and head for the Mushroom Kingdom. [Sep 2007, p.84]

Overall, however, Planet Puzzle League lives up to the rich tradition of its heritage, and puzzle fans would be remiss to ignore it. [July 2007, p.97]

This is one genuinely frightening experience, and the brave of heart will want to play in the dark, with headphones, for maximum scares. [Holiday 2007, p.84]

Otherwise, as long as you're open to its old-school approach, Contra 4 stands as one of the year's best pure action titles. [Dec 2007, p.81]

School often doesn't leave people with the fondest of memories, but Bully: Scholarship Edition is well worth attending. [Apr 2008, p.86]

Truly brilliant. [Sept 2007, p.88]

I'd give it a green jacket. [Nov 2007, p.104]

As anyone who has played a "Mario Golf" title can tell you, developer Camelot knows how to make a great golf game. [Aug 2008, p.88]

If there were anything like the gaming equivalent of comfort food, Advance Wars would be it. [Feb 2008, p.86]

Whether you're competing against CPU cars or your friends, though, GRID is one of the most challenging and entertaining racing games for DS yet. [July 2008, p.88]

At approximately five hours, Dragon Sword is a bit on the short side, but I have a tough time complaining when those five hours are so tight and extremely polished. [Apr 2008, p.84]

Nevertheless, Big Bang Mini offers plenty of satisfying action at a bargain price. [Jan 2009, p.91]

Etrian Odyssey 2 isn't very ambitious, but it's still plenty of fun. [July 2008, p.88]

While I had a blast mending bones, removing tumors, and dealing with nefarious mystery ailments, it all felt very familiar; the game has hardly evolved beyond its predecessor. [Aug 2008, p.87]

The action-game geniuses at Treasure have managed to make the game both accessible and challenging and add enough story, Spirit Cards, and characters to justify this sequel. [Nov 2008, p.100]

Though Blast Works may seem small and simple at first, the deceptive gameplay depth plus the editor and the ability to trade your designs with others online means there's no end to the fun. [June 2008, p.90]

The one-to-one swing mechanics are phenomenal and offer lots of customization options to cater to players of all skill levels. [Oct 2008, p.88]

Don't be fooled by Dokapon Kingdom's childish design: this unique board game-RPG crossover makes it hard not to enjoy yourself. [Dec 2008, p.100]

Even if you don't use the touch pad, World Tour can be a tough game; thankfully it's far more accessible than Guitar Hero III. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

It's done a beautiful job of preserving the game's soulful story. [Mar 2009, p.90]

Not every game on the disc is a must-have hit, but there's a lot of fun to be had. [Oct 2008, p.89]

Avalon Code is sort of a mess, but it's an inspired one. [Apr 2009, p.90]

Once this game goes into my DS, it'll be there until I've experienced every nuance. [Mar 2009, p.86]

Quite a good value. It's a shame that the game has only pass-the-DS multiplayer, though. [Apr 2009, p.85]

It's a magical adventure full of mesmerizing sights and compelling gameplay, held together by whimsical characters and a simple but surprisingly powerful story. [Nov 2009, p.85]

The folks at Next Level Games have created an amazing title that has made the 15 years since Super Punch-Out!! quite worthwhile. [June 2009, p.88]

Nothing can match the joy found in simply picking up a controller and hitting the beach. [Sept 2009, p.88]

A solid, lasting title that fits perfectly on the DS. [Aug 2009, p.91]

Admittedly, playing the game can be more than a little overwhelming at first--not unlike patting your head while rubbing your belly--but it's extremely gratifying when it clicks. [Holiday 2009, p.90]

The clever puzzle battles and fast-moving story makes Clash of Heroes easy to pick up and tough to put down. [Nov 2009, p.90]

This lighthearted, brainy puzzler manages to make word searches fun again. [Holiday 2009, p.87]

Beat City's delightful presentation and supercatchy chip-tune soundtrack will get your toes tapping and your head banging in no time. [May 2010, p.85]

A perfect pick for pocket puzzling. [Feb 2010, p.91]

But what the title does provide is an amazing package and an excellent introduction to the world of game making. If you have a creative bone in your body, you'd do well to give WarioWare D.I.Y a try. [Apr 2010, p.82]

It offers all the depth and authenticity for which the series is known, but makes it more easily digestible. [Sept 2010, p.88]

Although Metroid: Other M has a few rough spots, it gets the really important stuff right...Fans will likely find bits to bicker about, but overall Other M delivers the goods. [Oct 2010, p.84]

I can't help but like this two-pack...[but i]t's not $30 worth of fun. [Oct 2010, p.89]

Unlike anything else you've played on Wii. [Nov 2010, p.89]

The new character classes are a blast to play. [Nov 2010, p.91]

Polished, offers great platforming, and looks amazing. [Dec 2010, p.84]

The biggest knock against the game, though, is that it simply isn't as groundbreaking as its predecessor. [Dec 2010, p.88]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Bold, inventive, yet deeply reverent, Epic Mickey makes us really care about its legendary protagonist for the first time in years and stands as his greatest video game to date. [Jan 2011, p.88]

"Quotation Forthcoming"

Overall, however, Radiant Historia is an excellent game. [March 2011, p.88]

Not an immediate attention grabber, Tales of Phantasia takes time to sink in. But once you're under its spell, you'll be in it for the long haul. [Apr 2006, p.84]

Quotation forthcoming. [Sept 2005]

Twisted literally and figuratively - this one's weird and wonderful. [July 2005, p.101]

More accessible than ever. [Dec 2005, p.124]

SSS has great characters, a smart story and good-humored sensuality (but no belly dancing.) [Sept 2005, p.83]

Well I was wrong, FINAL FANTASY V not only lives up to its namesake, but also delivers the definitive version of what is now apparent as one of the best titles in the series. [Dec. 2006, p.108]

The pacing and movement restrictions (particularly in areas where the paths take needlessly circuitous routes) will frustrate players who are looking for more conventional play, but for those who stick with it, the experience will be highly rewarding. [July 2005, p.96]

RTS drawbacks aside, the game's onfield heroics are intense and satisfying. [Nov 2005, p.116]

And despite being extraordinarily challenging in that way that makes die-hard games totally addicted but can drive off casual players, it is a game that every Nintendo fan must play. [May 2006, p.92]

Vast piles of variety heaped onto core gameplay that's endlessly fun helps you look past problems, much like the best sandbox games out there (I'm lookin' at you, "GTA"). [Oct 2005, p.98]

With the phenomenal graphics and custom rule sets, XD provides a perfect environment for battling friends. [Nov 2005, p.102]

In its humor, gameplay and general accessibility, Tak: The Great Juju Challenge is a giant leap for character-based platformers. [Nov 2005, p.116]

The games in MMXC are the kinds that will make your wrists hurt and your palms sweat, and I mean that as the highest compliment. [Feb 2006, p.97]

A great leap forward for the Potter franchise, and a fun and inclusive gaming experience. [Jan 2006, p.107]

By far the funniest and best-animated yet on consoles. [Jan 2006, p.112]

Adds welcome realism without sacrificing intutive control. [Dec 2005, p.116]

Worth the price of admission for "Sonic CD" alone. [Sept 2005, p.85]

All told, Creature from the Krusty Krab is the most ambitious and most successful SpongeBob game to date. [Dec. 2006, p.112]

When it's at its best, Spartan offers an unparalleled sense of size and scope. Some of the environments are truly massive, and even with over a hundred soldiers on screen at once, the frame rate remains consistently smooth. [Nov 2005, p.108]

The action looks fantastic on the Nintendo 3DS handheld, and the system's 3D effect gives each colorful setting a real feeling of depth. [Apr 2011, p.81]

The best in the series. But the relatively modest step forward means it's not necessarily a crucial purchase if you already own last year's version. [Apr 2011, p.84]

The end result is one more excellent entry in what's become a fantastic library of brawlers for N3DS. [June 2011, p.86]

That said, any issues I have with Kirby's Return to Dream Land are relatively minor; this is an exceptional title, whether you're a longtime Kirby fan or not. [Oct 2011, p.80]

Layton's London life probably isn't deep enough to turn any series nonbelievers into fans, but when added to the winning formula of puzzles and exploration, it helps cement Professor Layton and the Last Specter as another fine entry in the franchise. [Oct 2011, p.82]

Certainly isn't lacking in content or fun. [Dec 2011, p.86]

Just because it didn't reach the bar set by the Wii version doesn't mean the title isn't great--after all, the bar was set so high that very few games could touch it. [June 2012, p.86]

New Super Mario Bros. 2 may not feel as fresh as last year's Super Mario 3D Land, but there's no denying that it's a terrific Mario title, and one of the best of it's genre on N3DS. [Sept 2012, p.86]

Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition is a fantastic celebration of 20 years of the pink protagonist. [Sept 2012, p.88]

Anyone expecting a definitive conclusion will likely be unsatisfied. Fortunately, the bulk of Virtue's Last Reward is so darn good that ultimately it may not matter. [Nov 2012, p.82]

This eye-popping, massive adventure has its share of rough edges but ultimately does a fantastic job of transporting you to a faraway realm and telling a great story--which is superbly voice-acted--in the process. [Dec 2012, p.88]

The different characters change the game play so much it's almost like adding levels to the game. [Feb 2002, p.152]

As far as handheld first-person shooters go, Ecks vs. Sever deserves to be number one with a bullet. [Mar 2002, p.136]

The game opens with short segments from the new film. [Dec 2002, p.224]

If you're a fan of shoot-'em-up platformer fun, Mega Man Zero is right on target. [Sept 2002, p.165]

The system is simpler, but the action is just as exciting and the areas are even larger. [Sept 2002, p.168]

Lots of cool villain-mimicking moves and a collection of beautiful backgrounds make the game fun to play and great to watch. [Dec 2002, p.220]

The controls are absolute perfection, and the ingenious level design will draw in even those too jaded to appreciate the game's charming presentation. [Apr 2005, p.99]

You can always play the great game in Classic Mode. [June 2002, p.154]

Though the game has only five main missions, it's high difficulty and 100 collectible cards guarantee a long playing time. [Feb 2005, p.116]

Slow-to-roll-out dialogue bogs down the game at the beginning, but the pace quickens when the fighting begins. [Mar 2004, p.120]

A Contra-style side-scrolling action battler. [Oct 2002, p.198]

Has all of the supercharged elements that you'd expect in a James Bond game, and they're tightly packed into a nine-mission story. [Jan 2004, p.161]

The first Sims title that gives you direct control over your character. [Feb 2004, p.151]

Although the graphics are clearly from another era, the gameplay and play control are as solid and enjoyable as those of any recent platform adventure. [July 2004, p.121]

The value in having two classic RPGs in one pak is astronomical. Combined, the games are worth 80 hours of play time. [Jan 2005, p.137]

The play control is perfect, the enemy AI is well-tuned and the graphics are top-notch for the era. [Dec 2004, p.148]

A perfect primer for the rest of the Metroid series. [Dec 2004, p.148]

A sprawling, complicated adventure. [Mar 2002, p.132]

The Madden games are closing in on perfection. [Sept 2002, p.161]

Features a wealth of characters, interesting course design and surprisingly deep game play. [Sept 2003, p.134]

The minigames are just as goofy as ever, with only one or two clunkers amid dozens of fun challenges. [Nov 2002, p.218]

Serious soccer fans should like it as much as casual fans looking for a fast-paced game. [Aug 2002, p.143]

Sega's excellent NBA series takes another step toward perfection by paying more attention to basketball's nuances. [Nov 2002, p.224]

It's fast fun. [Nov 2002, p.222]

It's great to see Fox get back on track with complex flying missions. Though in-flight character dialogue can get repetitive, SFA's tripple-attack-method gameplay stays varied and intenst. [March 2005, p.104]

The action is fierce, the graphics are great and the play control is rock soid. [Nov 2002, p.84]

The game play is as solid as Madden. [Aug 2002, p.145]

Simply smashing! The style has a Gamma-irradiated glow, the plotline is true to the comic series and the game play isn't overly cerebral. [Aug 2003, p.143]

The action is shown from an overhead view, with small characters in detailed environments. [Jan 2003, p.172]

It's easily the best-looking of all the HM games, but it's plagued with some unfortunate problems: somewhat spotty control, not enough characters and days that movie by just a little too quickly. [Apr 2004, p.84]

The connectivity additions elevate Splinter Cell to a whole new level of cool. Tilt the GBA SP screen up next to your TV - it's like being equipped with real surveillance gear. [June 2003, p.134]

There is something very satisfying about blowing through obstacles, rather than looking for keys that fit into locks. [May 2003, p.137]

Kirby has surprising depth and greater challenge than you might think. [Dec 2003, p.139]

Its graphics are intricately detailed, and its raging goblin battles are packed with action. [Feb 2004, p.149]

As a loyal devotee of the series, I couldn't be more excited about Sonic Heroes's focus on high-speed action. I loved the "Sonic Adventure" games, but this is Sega's hedgehog at his finest. [Mar 2004, p.117]

Doesn't do anything to revolutionize the franchise, but it's still one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences around. [Jan 2004, p.155]

Play control and graphics are on par wth those of previous Tony Hawk games. [Jan 2004, p.160]

An excellent party game - one that surprises even the most reluctant to play a video game of any sort. [Nov 2004, p.128]

Has a darker story and shows a silghtly more grown-up version of the character, but it still has plenty of light folly and moderately difficult puzzles. [Dec 2004, p.146]

The Game Face II interface allows you to sculpt your duffer to minute detail. [Dec 2004, p.146]

You can also start to simulate a match, then jump into the action for direct control midway through. [Dec 2004, p.144]

Like the stunts, the sound and graphics are lick (the fire effects are excellent), and the polished presentation is perfect for fans of "SSX Tricky" and other mad, mondo stunt games. [Sept 2002, p.161]

The single-player game is good for practice and daily tests, but Wii Sports shines as a multiplayer game. [Jan. 2007, p.96]

In the end, we just wanted more. More missions, more variety, more drama. [Jan 2006, p.106]

Probably one of the most innovative gameplay ideas you'll ever see. Pac-Pix will be remembered 10 years from now. [June 2005, p.96]

The graphics are lush, and the play control is excellent. [July 2004, p.120]

The graphics are sparse, and long attack animations make control slow to respond, but RPG elements mix well with the action to make a satisfying adventure. [Nov 2003, p.156]

All of the features make for top-notch fun for fans of platformers. [May 2002, p.138]

The cut scenes look like stills from an anime film, and the story offers lots of twists and turns. [Mar 2003, p.138]

A creative weapons system and great control make old-school space shooter R-Type III an action gamer's dream. [Apr 2004, p.122]

It has everything a gamer could want, including challenge, hidden stuff, replay value and a healthy helping of Miyamoto magic. [Oct 2002, p.195]

May not present significant advances beyond his GBA debut, but it's a solid action title with great game play and lots of secrets. [Mar 2003, p.137]

It's a slick game made with military precision. [Sept 2002, p.166]

Three multiplayer party tables and a Chao Garden add to the mix. [July 2003, p.82]

The play control is tight and the fighting moves are numerous. [Apr 2003, p.136]

Although item use is complex and battlefield navigation can be a chore, gameplay is solid and production values are high. [Jan 2004, p.161]

Between fights, you'll purchase moves and info about opponents' weaknesses. [Feb 2004, p.155]

The art is detailed and extremely graphic. [Mar 2004, p.120]

The story is very engaging. [Jan 2005, p.140]

The graphics are clear and colorful, and the play control is tight. [Apr 2003, p.135]

Excels more at giving players the thrill of throwing foes through plate-glass windows than experiencing the creepy gleam of the film or its provocative plot. [Feb 2003, p.153]

The wham-bam action is simple but always fun. It's almost like "Mario Tennis" with bikinis. [Aug 2002, p.143]

Packs in lots of game play and replay value, with dozens of challenges set in beautiful locations. [Nov 2002, p.219]

Delivers the whole professional basketball package. [Dec 2002, p.214]

Freeform action and customizability make THPS 4 the Hawk's best skate yet. [Dec 2002, p.216]

Its game play suffers from repetition, but this two-disc technomelange has tons of great stuff for "Matrix" fans. [July 2003, p.142]

It's hard to imagine a more enjoyable baseball experience. [May 2003, p.138]

Although the stilted play control makes it frustratingly difficult to move at times, the overall playing experience is very engaging. [Oct 2003, p.137]

Energy, action and street-ball style make NBA Street Vol. 2 every bit as exciting as the original game. [Apr 2003, p.134]

A Marvel Comics fan's dream. [Dec 2004, p.144]

The puzzles are basic lock-and-key challenges, but the action is lots of fun and the dialogue is spot-on Buffy. [Nov 2003, p.149]

Gameplay is solid, but camera control is severely lacking. [Jan 2004, p.159]

Yes, it is a well-designed, immersive game, but there's no reason the graphics shouldn't be better. [June 2005, p.94]

The punches have a brutally tactile feel unmatched by any other boxing game. [May 2005, p.89]

The nighttime setting makes visibility difficult at times, but that's part of the challenge. [Mar 2004, p.119]

Taking a more realistic approach to driving than some adrenaline-pumping racers, Evolution may seem slow at first, but the challenge increases as the game continues. [Feb 2004, p.148]

New Super Mario Bros. U may not be the most innovative Mario platformer, but it's incredibly polished and a lot of fun. [Dec 2012, p.68]

By far the best handheld golf game to date. [Feb 2005, p.115]

It's okay that the title's pace is slow and methodical, but it lacks the hidden dangers one would expect in a strange and unknown place. [Nov 2005, p.112]