Game trials are supposed to effectively let you try out the game but of course, there are often unreasonable limitations such as local multiplayer only which is found in Street Fighter as well as Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.

I find that this is an ongoing trend which I think actually hurts sales rather than boosting them since not everyone is going to be able to try out the game.

I posted a more detailed "rant" over @ the blog: http://www.pwnem.net/2009/07/local-multi...ously.html