By adding muscle and dropping fat, Mortal Kombat feels tight and toned, just in time for the end of the Xbox world. [Dec. 2006, p.74]

No mere phoned-in afterthought like far too many original-Xbox games these days, NCAA 07 is a mature, refined sports game. [Aug 2006, p.75]

If you like action-RPGs, superhero games, or both, a smack-tacular adventure awaits. [Holiday 2006, p.82]

At its core, Tiger 07 has ditched most of the bad case of the sillies that's possessed it for the past few years, and it finally feels authentic. [Nov. 2006, p.80]

This impressive update beats out its 360 counterpart...just like it did last year. [Sept 2007, p.83]

Better graphics, better environments, more options, and most importantly of all, a massively overhauled gameplay structure, exactly what the old dear needed. [Dec 2002, p.138]

The fact is that there's no other Xbox game that offers you the uniquely multi-layered experience that BG&E does. And isn't that what gaming is all about? [Dec 2003, p.98]

This excellent sequel capitalizes on its precursor's strengths while breaking some fresh ground for the simulation genre. With its snazzy additions, sharper visuals, and gearhead-focused customization options, Shift 2 Unleashed strikes a fine balance between appealing to sim newbies and grizzled vets.

Vampire Smile simply reasserts Ska Studios' placement on the top-tier rung of Xbox Arcade developers. [May 2011, p.80]

Mortal Kombat still isn't quite up to Street Fighter's level of complexity, but it's a deep, incredibly brutal fighter nonetheless, offering tons of variety and hidden extras. It's a goofier reboot than we were expecting, but it's also the most fun the MK series has been in years.

As long as you're not dead-set on playing by yourself, don't miss one of the most exciting and habit-forming co-op experiences on Live Arcade. [June 2011, p.81]

Breathtaking combination of visuals, music, and motion.

A marvelous action game that outshines everything in its class. [Aug 2011, p.73]

XBLA's best pure-2D platformer to date.

I love how it combines hard training and unapologetic difficulty with the real-life personalities who serve as your trainers: much like the gymnastics coaches who saw me through days of torn palms and taped shins, this tough-love attitude kept me focused and on track.

A veritable clinic on how to enhance your game for a follow-up. Most of Splosion Man's niggling issues have been replaced with a dizzying grab bag of interesting and compelling design choices. Well done, guys.

A series of very difficult parry and combo trials are what you're given to learn the game. Completing them is a slow process, but it's a fantastic and compelling way to figure out this notoriously complex sequel.

At four hours, Gunstringer's a short ride, but it's a thrilling one you shouldn't miss.

This game is a testament to Capcom's genre mastery, and it's as incredible now as it's ever been. [Nov 2011, p.85]

The biggest sport in the world. And EA has done it justice with FIFA 12, improving virtually every aspect of last year's game.

NBA 2K12 is not to be missed, lockout or no.

We're not saying that multiplayer's rippling muscle excuses the solo campaign's disappointing flab. But as long as you're not dead-set against venturing online, Battlefield 3 is a tremendously satisfying way to go to war.

It's easy to pick nits about the weird Achievement appropriation, the fact that the games lack HD detail such as animated hair and high-quality lip-synching, and that two of the franchise's best games are absent. But the fact that three of the best stealth games ever made look even better in a $50 Xbox 360 package should put this collection on your radar.

Given the countless enhancements to this version of Sonic CD, it's surprising that Sega is selling it for a mere $5. Make no mistake: no corners have been cut, and the developers have put in more than enough extra content (in the form of audio and video options) to properly pay tribute to Sonic's finest spin.

FFXIII-2 repairs almost every problem with Final Fantasy XIII, delivering an experience that feels like what that original game should have been. If your faith in Final Fantasy has been damaged by past disappointment, playing FFXIII-2 will restore your excitement for the franchise's future. [Feb 2012, p.68]

The Darkness II's copious gore might upset sensitive stomachs, but it's vastly superior to its predecessor in every respect, spinning a frantic, fantastic neo-noir nightmare you won't want to end. Even those who ordinarily dismiss horror with a shake of the head should give it a shot.

Whether you're seeking a simple, entertaining, and supremely effective method of getting in shape (no dumbbells or reps required), or just an extremely satisfactory substitute for your local Zumba class (even if you choose to play alone to avoid accidentally beating up your multiplayer buddy), you'll definitely want to pick up this game.

It's a welcome alternative for veterans, but even folks relatively unfamiliar with soccer will find a lot to love here.

This episode dazzled us. Everything from its brisk pace to its gorgeous, comic-booky visuals to Lee and Clementine's sweet friendship just feels right. Unlike so many zombie games, its story is human instead of hokey, and it helps make The Walking Dead, Episode 1 slam-bang entertainment.

Future Soldier's campaign does lose its stealthy way a bit right at the end, and the presentation can be rough at times, just like the throwaway plot. Ultimately, though, the game shines not only for staying true to Ghost Recon's roots, but also for doing so while successfully balancing the memories of old fans with the modern expectations of new ones.

Varied events, sparkling social challenges, and rowdy online skirmishes make Dirt Showdown the rare spinoff that's as amazing as its much-loved predecessor, albeit in its own unique way. It's an absolute blast throughout, and proof that accessible, arcade-style thrills and spills can still deliver via superb execution.

Forget discs and standalone releases. Here's how to repackage old games: with tender loving care.

Naturally, the table artwork is gorgeous, doing the Marvel license proud, and the animated characters that leap around the playfields always enhance the look and never distract from the action.

One of the best add-on adventures in recent RPG memory, but take our warning to heart: save early, save often, and expect the unexpected.

Betrayal and constant infighting - problems that've been building since the beginning - finally boil over, proving deadlier than anything else in this crazy zombie apocalypse.

It's quirky enough to turn off the unadventurous, but for the rest of us, it's every bit as relevant as it was in 2000. [Nov 2012, p.84]

Borderlands 2 features an insane amount of content. Expect to spend at least 40 hours finishing the main story campaign, and much more than that to complete all the optional missions. Once you beat the campaign, you can replay the game in harder Vault Hunter mode with your veteran character for even better loot and rewards.

Other than improved controls, stylish presentation, and a better MyCareer mode, NBA 2K13 doesn't provide a significant leap forward. But then again, this series wasn't really lacking much in the first place.

Whereas we loved DC2 and its routines with a fierce consciousness, Dance Central 3 infiltrated our bodies without our knowing it. [Dec 2012, p.80]

Arkane Studios has crafted what's likely the year's best new IP, and by tapping into elements of so many of this generation's greatest games, this adventure sneaks up, grabs you, and won't let go.

Horizon may not be the natural successor to Forza 4, but it manages to steer the franchise in a fresh and entertaining new direction. Serious Xbox racers need a lot of room to properly stretch the legs of their Ferrari F-40s and Audi R8s, and Forza Horizon delivers that room - and those wonderfully responsive cars - in spades.

Artorias is for hardcore players only, but anyone still playing Dark Souls at this point easily meets that requirement. It's a fantastic addition to an already great game, and a no-brainer purchase for anyone still under Dark Souls' spell.

As good as the comic is, and as exciting as the TV show's third season has been, this vision of Robert Kirkman's zombie opus will always be our one, true, definitive version.

The surface changes lead to a more varied world and relatable characters, while the action itself is a benchmark for the genre.

It’s pure arcade fun, and easily the best game to hit XBLA so far this year.

Between the remarkably replayable eight-hour campaign and competitive multiplayer, BattleBlock Theater already offers an exceptional value for your $15. But the cherry on top is a level editor that allows anyone to create, decorate, and upload their own collections of linked levels, complete with secret areas.

Injustice is fast, destructive, and extremely accessible without sacrificing its hardcore edge, and its slick visuals and nonstop craziness put it in a class by itself. This fighter is DC and NetherRealm at their finest, and while certain aspects (like Super Moves) wear thin, there’s enough great content here to keep fans busy for months.

Knife of Dunwall sharpens Dishonored’s storytelling and combat in one slice.

Super-creepy antics frame a stellar storyline. [Jan 2002]

One of the most fun, frenetic, addictive multiplayer action shoot-'em-ups on Xbox, and, most likely, any system. [July 2002, p.73]

Major kudos are in order for accomplishing the goal of creating an RPG where you truly have an immense amount of freedom. [Nov 2004, p.72]

The controls work extremely well. [Jan 2003, p.60]

It's just too ambitious, too immersive, and too freakin' cool to be anything but captivating. [Jan 2003, p.89]

Lives up to its hype, but we can't help but think how much better it would have been with a better choice of cities. [Aug 2003, p.84]

Smooth framerates directly translate into smooth gameplay. [Jan 2003, p.65]

This strategizing is made easier by excellent level design tht allows players multiple, open-ended ways to accomplish objectives. [Dec 2002, p.122]

There are hundreds of hours of gameplay to be mine from Sonic Team's gem, and at $39.99 with the first two months free, it's a bargain. [July 2003, p.76]

"Ridge Racer" on steroids... The best-looking racing game we've ever seen. [Mar 2003, p.77]

The easy-to-understand controls, functional juke moves, fancy passes, deep single-player game, four-player madness, and competitive spirit make this not just the best alternative b-ball game on Xbox, but the best street ball game period, and the only one worth buying on Xbox. [May 2003, p.82]

A completely new graphics engine combined with more ESPN-style replays and the excellent play-by-play of Gary Thorne and Bill Clement has vaulted the presentation of ESPN NHL head and shoulders above the competition. [Oct 2003, p.81]

The problem is simply that there's no online play, and that's huge considering that the other guys do it, and do it well. [Oct 2003, p.72]

Features the ability to visit other locales. This is huge...Sims fans, get ready to kiss the next month of your life good-bye. [Holiday 2003, p.104]

Beyond its gorgeous surface trappings, Otogi 2 may not be as deep or satisfying as "Ninja Gaiden," but the minute you rack up a 200-hit combo or smack the snot out of a gaggle of headless ghouls, there's no denying it - Otogi 2 deserves to be experienced by all gamers who have a spot for pretty things and are unafraid to get in touch with their button-mashing side. [Nov 2004, p.82]

The greatest boxing game you've ever played - but not the great boxing you will ever play. [Apr 2004, p.71]

With a cast more than 20 strong, and move sets that are as well-balanced and diverse as they are visually incomprehensible, #Reload's gameplay parallels its absurd-but-charming title in terms of completeness and gameplay sophistication. [Oct 2004, p.62]

Much more than a cheap commercialization; it's a meaty game that kids and some masochistic adults will enjoy endlessly. [Dec 2004, p.84]

Not only definitive but also indispensible... Newer fighting games might be bloodier, flashier, or sexier, but Street Fighter Anniversary Collection offers purity and impeccable gameplay. [March 2005, p.80]

My only real complaint is that too many levels are spent fighting tanks and Hulkbuster mechs with too few appearances by familiar Hulk villains. But no matter: This is the first game to make me feel like I am a mindless behemoth. Hear me roar. [Sept 2005, p.87]

Don't expect Indigo to placate cheap-thrill seekers, but if you're looking for a satisfyingly good yarn, this is much too clever and unique to pass up. [Nov 2005, p.116]

One of the best trips down puberty lane you'll probably ever have. [Dec 2005, p.112]

Despite the inexcusable omission of Xbox Live support, this is the best college basketball game on the Xbox. [Dec 2003, p.94]

A prettier, better-playing sequel that fails to make any new gameplay strides but is an incredible thrill ride for the all-too-short time it lasts. [Jan 2004, p.68]

Packs in enough extras to really shine. [Dec 2001]

It doesn't have depth, brains, or complexity, but it does have killer looks and loads of style. [Feb 2002, p.67]

Nothing compares to NFL2K2’s replays. We’ve watched hundreds, yet we’re still impressed each time we see one. [Mar 2002, p.77]

The game is absolutely brilliant. [July 2002, p.74]

The [Xbox] game is crisper, has more resplendent visuals, a more balanced level of challenge, and swifter load times. [Dec 2002, p.142]

By far the deepest of the Big Three, but the choice to ditch online play really hurts. [Oct 2002, p.100]

It's focused tightly on perfectly re-creating the atmosphere and physics of Rally driving, without any arcade-y distractions. [Jan 2003, p.69]

Quite simply the best two-player basketball game ever made. [Dec 2002, p.108]

The Dynasty mode in NCAA 2003 is better than any franchise mode in any of the pro games on the market. [Sept 2002, p.99]

This will surely upset some hardcore hockey fans, but there's no denying that NHL Hitz 20-03 is a better hockey videogame this year than "NHL 2003." [Dec 2002, p.133]

The year's best overall baseball title. It's got enough simulation to satisfy the hardcore and sufficient arcadeness to please the casual gamers. [Apr 2003, p.80]

The best soccer game on the Xbox by a mile. [Jan 2003, p.74]

A rather wonderful follow-up, packed with personality, action, and a windfall of extra goodies. [Oct 2003, p.70]

It's a bafflingly well-done license that not only does justice to the show, but turns out to be a brilliant "Grand Theft Auto" clone in its own right. And one that isn't violent or scary, but is addictive and genuinely amusing. [Oct 2003, p.82]

A near-total package, but when compared head-to-head with "March Madness 2004," it doesn't feel as exciting or addictive. [Dec 2003, p.94]

It'll take a little while to get the hang of Vince's structure and layout, but he controls so tightly it's fun to get lost for a while. [Dec 2003, p.158]

A respectful nod to the past with the luxury of the present. [Holiday 2004, p.66]

Other than the unforgivable lack of online multiplayer mode on Xbox, this is one of the best ways to experience NASCAR short of making the pilgrimage to Thunder Valley. [Nov 2003, p.126]

What's fundamentally so appealing and refreshing is how Full Spectrum Warrior is a breath of fresh air nor not one but two genres, with the unique gameplay, stellar presentation, and sweet two-player Xbox Live co-op play adding up to make this a winner. [Aug 2004, p.74]

The kooky cutesy Japanese art is perhaps a bit too goofy, and the gameplay is solid, if slightly too easy at first, but prepare to waste a lot of time playing - this title is EXTREMELY hard to put down. [Oct 2004, p.66]

This year we're picking Sega's game over EA Sports' - it just feels more like the real thing. [Holiday 2004, p.82]

Heroes manages to build complexity while increasing the fun in so many ways that we're anxious to see what's in store for the next iteration. [Dec 2005, p.119]

When you mix the reinvigorated gameplay with the familiar RPG-lite, detail-intensive Dynasty Mode, you've got a hockey sim that the "Swingers" crew would call "pretty damn money." [Sept 2005, p.84]

An excellent game that earns bonus points for doing something new, but it ultimately falls just a splinter short of greatness. [Dec 2003, p.102]

A very satisfying experience. [Holiday 2003, p.85]

A good trick structure and decent playability. [Jan 2002]

If you're a Formula One fan, the sport has seldom been treated as well. [Feb 2002, p.76]

The finely tuned play mechanics are what make the game so astonishingly fun to play. [Mar 2002, p.68]

It feels just like last year's version with online play added. [Oct 2002, p.100]

The most polished, complete, and best-looking basketball game ever made. [Dec 2002, p.108]

This is not a game for casual, pick-up-and-play gamers. You'll need to spend a good chunk of time learning the nuances of surviving. [Jan 2003, p.86]

Solid, entertaining, and graphically attractive, without ever leaping into risky territory. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's keeping the series from being truly great. [Dec 2003, p.150]

Selecting Online mode almost literally transports you to another game - a new interface and a surprisingly robust and navigable online selection screen. [Dec 2003, p.93]

Despite a few missing links and annoyances, Stranger still emerges as a beautifully fun beast. [Feb 2005, p.71]

It really is like the developers played every PC shooter from "Doom" through "Quake" and "Half-Life," even "Sin" and "Soldier of Fortune," and applied cool elements from them all into this package. [Nov 2005, p.112]

The game is charming in its simplicity. [Holiday 2004, p.80]

In no way has the gameplay quality suffered in order to get this game on shelves for a mere $20. In fact, it's become better overall, amidst a couple of steps back and a few more forward. [Oct 2004, p.78]

A great flow and fine multiplayer action put a serious spit-shine on Live's sneakers. [Dec 2005, p.117]

With tons of user-customizable elements, hones core gameplay, and plenty of surprises to discover and explore, no other action sports game can touch Tony Hawk's Underground 2. [Dec 2004, p.64]

Rocks the rink. [Jan 2002]

Some of the prettiest graphics to ever grace a racing game – console or PC-based. [Apr 2002, p.82]

Devotees of the old TV series will be thrilled. [Nov 2002, p.116]

It's the gameplay in Rayman 3, though, that really keeps you hooked. [Apr 2003, p.84]

The main complaint is that the appeal of the game wears off quickly. [Nov 2002, p.129]

A clean, enjoyable, and ultimately playable game. [May 2002, p.82]

Although it can get repetitive, the overall feeling of zooming around on perfectly realized waves, complete with foam and spume, is mindlessly addictive. [Sept 2002, p.96]

That customization model is simply the most robust we've ever seen... The game's only real failing is in its comparative lack of [track] variety. [Dec 2003, p.108]

The tense atmosphere conjured in the Thief universe is fantastic. [July 2004, p.74]

Dynasty Mode is NHL 2004's best feature. It's literally an RPG. [Oct 2003, p.80]

Outlaw Tennis' blend of comedy mishap and gameplay genius makes for an odd cocktail. But for a mere $20, it's a shockingly good one. [Oct 2005, p.110]

There are moments of gut-wrenching terror and suspense, but the most remarkable part of Ties That Bind is that it never, ever flinches at depicting gore, evil, and depravity. [Dec 2005, p.114]

The game suffers from a baffingly stupid and fundamental flaw that puts a crimp in all that style: Season Mode and Rivals Mode have no difficulty levels. [Nov 2005, p.120]

If you can stomach the story problems, the spotty humor, and the lack of originality and simply focus on the gameplay, then you'll enjoy Roadkill for what it is... and addictive combination of two more inventive titles. [Nov 2003, p.104]

Slinging, jumping, and crawling your way up to the very tip of the Empire State Building and surveying the traffic below is almost worth the price of admission alone. [Sept 2004, p.78]

For the ride alone, Condemned's super-creepy serial-killer yarn cannot be beat. [Holiday 2005, p.82]

If you consider yourself a platformer aficionado, you won't find anything here that's particularly genre-shattering, but Kameo's presentation is flawlessly executed. [Jan 2006, p.56]

It's graphically below par (shouldn't they be over par?), but the gameplay is so smartly evolved that it's $60 well spent. [Jan 2006, p.81]

Fan’s of Itagaki’s “jujitsu-jousting” philosophy….can comfortably mark DOA 4 as the most refined version of their beloved fighter to date. [Mar 2006, p.73]

Burnout Revenge for 360 is a fantastic experience, capturing the essence of the series better than any of its predecessors. [Apr 2006, p.81]

The Outfit does not aspire in the slightest to reflect the sights and sounds of real-life combat in dubya-dubya-two. It aspires to be one thing and one thing only: fun. [Apr 2006, p.82]

We have seen the future of real-time strategy on Xbox 360, and its name is Battle for Middle-Earth II. [Sept 2006, p.76]

Don't let its modest $40 price fool you into thinking this is bargain-bin junk: Test Drive Unlimited is an A-list driving game on every measurable level. [Dec. 2006, p.76]

It starts to get a bit mind-numbing by around level 20 if you play solo, but when you bring some friends along for the adventure, your evening will quickly disappear in a puff of fun. [Jun 2006, p.61]

The concept is incredibly simple--Asteroids on crack, essentially--and there's not much strategy beyond "don't die," but Geometry Wars still has the ability to put its hooks into you and not let go. [Jun 2006, p.61]

Marble Blast Ultra is not just a lot of fun to play; it's(dare we say it?)a blast. [Jun 2006, p.60]

Viva Pinata is a sandbox game in the vein of "The Sims" and "Zoo Tycoon". There's no real way to"win". Your reward for playing is increasing your level, unlocking new content, and, of course, earning achievements. [Jan. 2007, p.80]

The 360 sure has a wealth of terrific shooters, and while Vegas isn't the very best of the bunch, it's elite enough to deserve your trigger time. [Holiday 2006, 68]

Fuse together "Grand Theft Auto's" open-ended game world, "Mercenaries" militaristic vibe, "Far Cry's" tropical vistas, and the movie "Desperado's" titular hero, and you got Just Cause in a nutshell. [Nov. 2006, p.72]

If you're a Hitman fan, Blood Money will make you fall in love all over again, and if you never dipped your toes in 47's particular brand of wetwork yet, the time has never been more ripe. [June 2006, p.74]

Virtua Tennis 3 delivers big where it matters most--irresistible, thumb-cramping multiplayer--and boots "Top Spin 2" to the sidelines to rightfully claim the title of best Xbox 360 tennis game. [may 2007, p.82]

If you can stomach the entrance exam for learnning the game's tough ropes, Dead Rising's got your name written all over it. [Oct. 2006, p.67]

If you like action-RPGs, superhero games, or both, a smack-tacular adventure awaits. [Holiday 2006, p.82]

Traveller's Tales has done it again: Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is an even quirkier blend of off-kilter humor, weird puzzles, and blaster-blazing, lightsaber-slashing action. [Oct. 2006, p.84]

This 2007 edition is the undeniable pinnacle of the genre, dropping a powerful payload of pugilistic power-tripping that you'd have to be nuts to pass up. [Holiday 2006, p.84]

F.E.A.R.'s downsides mean it's thrilling at first and much less absorbing later on, but its magnificent combat sequences still make it irresistible for serious FPS fans. [Dec. 2006, p.62]

Thoroughly unserious and full of laughs, this tasty 3D sidescroller offers some entertaining twists on the typical platform game. [Sept 2006, p.81]

You might want to resist, and you might mind coughing up the extra change, but you're bound to be hopelessly and happily addicted to what is truly a great puzzler. [Oct. 2006, p.78]

On 360, you'll get a basketball simulation that, while a bit short on extras(sorry, but 24/7 Mode just can't compare to "NBA Live's" slick All-Star Weekend package), tickles the twine where it counts: on the court. [Dec. 2006, p.87]

Still, Tiger 07 is a strong upgrade with lots of smart ways to have a great time playing a virtual game of golf. [Dec. 2006, p.75]

Yes, Forza 2 is a crazy mix of genius and B.S. [Aug 2007, p.70]

Highly honed, it beautifully perfects the elements that the first three games almost nailed without reaching for the next great thing the way a truly classic game does. [Mar 2007, p.76]

We still think you gotta play it (or at least rent it) because the good parts are truly majestic. Just go in with your eyes wide open, and listen for the snik! of the game’s hidden blade popping out to kill off any hope of this game living up to its full potential.

No disrespect to "Frogger" and "Bejeweled", but Xbox Live Arcade needs more games like Roboblitz. Score one for the next-generation, Tin Man. [Jan. 2007, p.73]

If you like twitch games, Heavy Weapon is an explosively explosively good time. [Feb. 2007, p.75]

Taste in music is always a personal thing, but we absolutely love Boom Boom's 10 modern takes on famous classical music, which veer from ska to disco to electronica and good 'ol metal. [June 2007, p.70]

It feeds the hunger of Oblivion veterans for more RPG goodness, and new players will eat up the kooky detour it offers as they explore one of 2006's finest games. [May 2007, p.72]

Between equipment variety, handling differences, respawning pick-ups, and the cunning nooks and crannies of each map, the emergent strategic possibilities deliver surprising depth. [Aug 2007, p.72]

These small potholes aside, you won't find a better two-wheel racer on any gaming system. [Oct 2007, p.79]

Luxor 2 doesn't quite reach "Hexic" levels of serious mass appeal, but diligent students of the genre will want to sign up for its invigorating new lessons. [May 2007, p.80]

It sometimes feels overwhelming to navigate labyrinthine passageways while directing a team and trying to not get flanked by a flak cannon, but that’s exactly the kind of chaotic depth that helps replay value.

If you've never set foot in the whip-cracking universe of the marvelously long and storied Castlevania series, Symphony is the best possible way to get your meet-and-greet on. [Mayt 2007, p.76]

The dogfighting, though, feels aimless unless you're playing with people who really know what they're doing: We predict it'll be the stomping ground of the uber-hardcore pilots. [Nov 2007, p.88]

Still, controlling every moment of every fight is just ridiculously fun, and you'll be quite content while you wait for what should hopefully be the ultimate WWE game next year. [Dec 2007, p.74]

All told, the addictive, approachable gameplay that made "Puzzle Fighter" a cult hit feels as fresh as ever, and the HD Remix is arguably the series' best incarnation to date. [Oct 2007, p.76]

It offers a clever Deniable Ops mode, a co-op campaign that’s equal or superior to the solo section, and best of all, a solo campaign with lots of excellent missions in unique locations threaded by the series’ best narrative.

If you're new to the series, this collection is a terrific way to get into it all in one huge, time-sucking package. [oliday 2007, p.82]

Pound for pound, this is the Madden you've been waiting three years to play. [Oct 2007, p.80]

A full-service Bomberman experience - Live Arcade is the perfect platform for it, and $10 is a fair price. We just can't resist. [Sept 2007, p.73]

Satisfying, fast-paced combat. [Feb 2010, p.82]

Yes, NHL 08 can feel challenging and hard, but it rewards you with the sport's best representation in videogame form that we've seen yet. [Oct 2007, p.73]

Hexic 2 deftly expands every concept that made its freebie predecessor the star of Live Arcade's launch. [Sept 2007, p.74]

Prototype offers an engaging tale, and it lets us stomp baddies in endlessly engaging ways. For action and superhero fans, that’s an irresistible mix.

Borderlands is great but not for everyone. It's narrowly aimed at a certain type of player, and if you love fierce combat and the kind of group level grind that Blizzard's PC games specialize in, you'll feel right at home. [Dec 2009, p.66]

It packs enough pure dazzle power to keep you trudging through the lows in pursuit of the sweet, sweet highs - and that's the stuff that great golf is made of. [Oct 2007, p.68]

It's the full package, with enough new goodness to justify an upgrade from last year's excellent iteration. [Dec 2007, p.62]

For our basketball dollars, pound for pound College Hoops 2K8 is the sure-fire way to tip off the '08 season. [Jan 2008, p.67]

It’s definitely a “more of the same” type of sequel and it has a few rough edges the original didn’t, but Ninja Gaiden II is still one of the best, most exhilarating action experiences on Xbox 360.

Jump on Live for a two-player co-op romp and let the old-school arcade love flow freely like so many unspent quarters. [Mar 2008, p.91]

The beating heart of chess is laid bare with such care that aspiring Kasparovs might yet be lured from the PC dungeon.

Quarterbacks lead out receivers with passes much more effectively and realistically, and there’s much less of a "pro" feel - mistakes are made that open up holes in coverage for you to exploit.

Incredibly satisfying. [Oct 2008, p.82]

Its flaws are overshadowed by crisp controls and the same unbridled fun that has made this the best wrestling series for years. [Dec 2008, p.86]

The fact that it's a mere five levels long and can be frustratingly difficult might limit the game's appeal, but it's hard not to appreciate Ikaruga's meticulously crafted brilliance. [May 2008, p.75]

Online play over Live will enhance this game's replayability, but a little more content would've made it an epic crossover. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

Even if you’ve never owned a Budweiser jacket, NASCAR 09’s slick physics and engaging new racing options - including some addictive Sprint mini-challenges and absolutely seamless 14-player action on Live - will have you burning donuts in Victory Lane in record time.

The game is one long rush that comes from plotting against a worthy adversary. Lost Cities absolutely nails the right combo of gambling and card-counting skill and counts as Live Arcade’s latest gem.

It's great that Tiger 09 doesn't add 17 new mini-games, but instead reformulates its approach to your golfer's skills and gear with dramatically improved results. [Oct 2008, p.81]

Twenty bucks is a perfectly reasonable sum when you consider how many retail Xbox 360 games offer the same quantity of content…and we'll bet you didn’t laugh half as much playing any of those as you will playing this.

This three-player scrolling shooter has that old-school, spray-and-slay mojo that your inner rageaholic craves. [July 2008, p.62]

World Tour is a big leap in content and polish over last year’s game, but we’re disappointed by a few unsatisfying creative calls. The extended song endings aren’t always enhancements, the unlockable gear doesn’t match the effort put forth to earn it, and we prefer Rock Band 2’s looser career-unlock structure. Most of all, Rock Band 2 simply feels more musical and organic; we get the suspicion that some World Tour songs had notes added to their charts simply to make them trickier, and not because the music suggested it.

Realistic animations anchor that gameplay. When LeBron drives the lane and fades away for a jumper in the paint, or when Tony Parker stumbles around a pick, every elbow, jersey, and sweatband organically articulates their momentum.

Despite different settings, there’s something very Infinite Undiscovery about Last Hope. In a good way.

Every inch of the hand-drawn kingdom is brimming with endearing eccentricity. [Oct 2008, p.76]

Whether you still watch wrestling or just enjoyed it back in the day, Legends is entertaining to the end. Its pared-down controls may disappoint hardcore fans, but they do make it more playable for newcomers - and players of all stripes will appreciate the giant bearhug it gives to nostalgia.

The best addition, though, is undoubtedly the glorious 10-vs.-10 Be A Pro online mode, which lets every participant commit to a single position for the duration.

It’s tricky but rewarding.

The biggest disappointment is that the six character classes, experience-based upgrades, and full-featured level editor can't elevate online play past the sheer rote familiarity of deathmatch, capture the flag, and control-point variations. But even though Far Cry 2 isn't quite a sandbox-shooter masterpiece, it is a consistently fun and intensely challenging trek into the ailing heart of the dark continent.

Greatness. The one-liners and parodies are still funny, the level design is outstanding. [Nov 2008, p.64]

It’s Metallica’s underlying design that is the hero of the day, however. For starters, Neversoft has finally mastered the difficulty curve. A far cry from the torturous days of Guitar Hero III’s Hard setting, the songs here are a treat on any skill level. Better, though, is how the career mode is structured. It’s star-based, meaning you’ll unlock new venues and blocks of songs at certain star milestones.

A stellar multiplayer setup ensures you'll be playing Battlefield: Bad Company 2 long after the 10 or so hours spent in the already satisfying single-player campaign. [Apr 2010, p.76]

Despite a few flaws and one ill-conceived megamix, these games are treated with the respect they deserve at a price we’re willing to pay. We’re happy to see them on Arcade where they belong.

It completely nails what a sequel should be: it expands on everything its predecessor did best without sacrificing what we loved most about it in the first place. [May 2010, p.74]