Staff reviews, page 202

International Track & Field review

As if that weren’t enough, you're faced with computer opposition that you simply won't catch. Even in practise mode, your competitors will be running circles round you, making your meagre efforts look akin to those of an…

Gary Hartley · March 22, 2005

Staff DS

Pac-Pix review

Pac-Pix is gameplay in its most pure of forms. A simple, expressive challenge that hides its hidden depth under a welcoming exterior of warm nostalgia and high tech cool. The graphics while simplistic are mostly a product of your own hand…

Michael Scott · March 22, 2005

Staff SNES HG exclusive

Mecarobot Golf review

There are some games where, when you buy 'em, you know they're going to be bad. Mecarobot Golf for the SNES is one of those. I knew I was buying a clunker, but I expected to get at least a dash of fun for my $2.99. I was wrong.

Zigfried · March 21, 2005

Staff SNES HG exclusive

Rival Turf! review

The music is muffled, the graphics are blurry, and the animation is just awful. The action starts out on the streets of L.A. with Oozie murdering packs of identical masked Mexican wrestlers (they must be part of the Villano family). I…

Zigfried · March 19, 2005

Staff NES

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance review

You might have hoped that this game gets its dismal reputation because of poor graphics, the complexities of the AD&D rules, or something equally asinine. Hope is the denial of reality.

Sho · March 19, 2005

Staff NES

Contra review

Contra’s weapons don’t blow their loads in retarded, premature fashion as is the case with other games in the genre. These weapons kill hard and die harder. The Laser rips through anything in its path, the Machine gun eats up alien troops…

Marc Golding · March 19, 2005

Staff Game Boy Advance

Metal Slug Advance review

MSA's primary flaw is that it's conspicuously devoid of the heroic intensity that stirred fans of the original so. On a mechanical level, it's visibly Metal Slug; your pistol-packing grenade-lobbing hero storms through the side-scrolling…

Daniel Forbes · March 19, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Last Battle review

Aarzak is the confident sort of lone wolf hero, but not from bullheaded arrogance. Rather, he knows that he will win. How could he possibly know this? Because, before the game begins, Sega scrolls the entire plot — beginning, middle, and…

Zigfried · March 17, 2005

Staff PC HG exclusive

X-COM: UFO Defense review

The forever-set benchmark of Turn Based Strategy

Gary Hartley · March 17, 2005

Staff PSP

Need for Speed Underground: Rivals review

Such feelings of lost opportunity don't stop there, though admittedly the worst is now behind us. Charging forward we look to the career modes, hoping to find a reason that justifies this charade. And in a way, this is where Rivals…

Michael Scott · March 15, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Sega Ages: Golden Axe review

Although this new 3D Tyris isn't drawn quite as sexily as she used to be, the characters all looked attractive... until I saw them up close during their really lame magic spell sequences. As the camera zoomed in, I could see how few…

Zigfried · March 15, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

The Revenge of Shinobi review

As I later encountered soldiers in a churning boatyard, soldiers patrolling a mechanical labyrinth, soldiers waiting in a rusty scrapyard, soldiers inside an abandoned factory, soldiers perched outside a shopping center, and soldiers…

Zigfried · March 14, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening review

The question is however, how hard do you like your action? Do you enjoy a game steeped in technique and loaded with style? And if so, do you want it to kick your arse seven different ways to sunset, only to come back for more once the…

Michael Scott · March 14, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Sega Ages: Space Harrier review

The thing Harrier's got going for it (that even some newer titles lack) is an incredible sense of speed, which picks up even more by the 21st level. The completely redesigned scenery — trees, stone columns, icebergs, and sun-bleached bones…

Zigfried · March 14, 2005

Staff TurboGrafx-16 HG exclusive

Timeball review

It's not often that a game comes along that alters the fabric of reality. Games that make you look back at the favorites of yesteryear and say "those weren't so special after all". Games that pull you into an orgasm just at the very sight…

Zigfried · March 13, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Steel Empire review

Blimps aren't the strongest selling point in this day and age, and they weren't a strong selling point back in 1992 either. Perhaps some people might enjoy the idea of gatling-toting, supercharged WWI aircraft flying into orbit and beyond…

Zigfried · March 12, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Thunder Force III review

One level has a famous (and deservedly so) "fire" background, made up of wavey arcs of flame, swirling back and forth as you battle through inconveniently-placed rocky crags. Oddly enough, despite such a memorable background, the scenery…

Zigfried · March 12, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Alien Hominid review

Yes, this little terror can decapitate America's finest intelligence officers and then pick his teeth. If he's feeling kinder, he can toss a mounted agent instead of getting brains on his wrinkly lips, but then, what's the fun in that?

Marc Golding · March 11, 2005

Staff Game Boy Advance

The Incredibles review

The Incredibles is easy like Sunday morning. I breezed through the thing in a few subway rides to and from work, losing only a life or two in the process, playing at a time when I am at my most bleary eyed and cack-handed.

Marc Golding · March 11, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

The Incredibles review

The story of Bob Parr and his gifted family of superheroes (wife Mrs. Incredible, children Violet and Dash) is told inexcusably poorly. When you finish the adventure, you still won’t know what the movie is about.

Marc Golding · March 11, 2005