More or less the perfect video game - as entertaining, as challenging and as absolutely infinite as you want it to be. [Issue 24, p.52]

Street Fighter II was great. Street Fighter III was great, but for different reasons. But Street Fighter IV… well, it’s great. Or, to be more specific, GREAT carved in 300-foot high letters into the side of a mountain for all to see. True, it’s taken over fifteen years for Capcom to get it right but now, finally, we have a beat-’em-up that truly lives up to the name it represents. Perfection achieved, Capcom – best quit while you’re ahead, eh?

Gruesome. Visceral. Engrossing. Stunning. There are just so many words you can use to describe Dead Space and not one would be negative. EA has excelled itself on both technical and mechanical levels, pushing Dead Space up from ‘one to watch’ to ‘one of the best games of the year, nay generation’. Just go ahead and try not to be impressed by it. We dare you.

The most creative and compelling experience of its generation, BioShock is a stunning piece of work. It blends great ideas with brilliant gameplay, a superbly immersive storyline and quite simply gets just about everything right. [Issue #31]

By blending high-end strategy with vaudeville spectacle it really does offer something special in a relatively weak genre and should not be missed.

Another must-have title to make wallets weep and players rejoice, Fallout 3 live up to expectations and only seldom stumbles, even then in expected areas where scale and scope get the better of it slightly. Regardless, it’s an undeniable classic and if you only plan on buying one or two games this winter, we couldn’t name a title that could give you value for money in the way that Fallout manages.

Guitar Hero World Tour is a superb game, on a par with Rock Band in so many ways, ahead in others, but we’re unable to proclaim it as a huge leap forward in game design. Factor in the slightly schizophrenic choice of music, the disappointment of the studio component and the layout of Band mode and it falls slightly short of Rock Band levels of genius, but it’s an unregrettable purchase all the same.

By failing to cater for one-off coop songs and leaving the boss battle songs out of multiplayer altogether (until you get the DLC pack at least, which is something PS2 and Wii players won’t be able to do), Legends of Rock doesn’t come across as quite as huge a step up from II as that in turn was from the first game. Don’t get us wrong, though – it’s clearly amazing and the new guitar is to die for.

Mass Effect is a rare example of a game that shouts about how many things it can do well for years and then actually delivers upon its promises on release. Every bit as good as it ever could be, this is right up there with the best of what the Xbox 360 both is capable of and has to offer.

A near flawless combination of old-school Sega magic and exciting new track deformation technology, Sega Rally effortlessly delivers a fast and accessible, yet deep and competitive arcade racing game that should appeal to both diehard Sega fans and newcomers alike.

So FIFA – the series that has epitomised EA’s cynical ‘annual updates’ business model for so long – has suddenly turned the game on its head. No longer playing second fiddle to Pro Evo, the series now stands up brilliantly on its own merits and has set a lofty standard for Konami to match. Consider it EA’s way of saying sorry for churning out the same sh.t – year in, year out – for so long. And as apologies go, they really don’t come much more sincere than this.

We look forward to the day when mo-cap boxers move like they do in real-life. [Issue #6]

Replay value, self-improvement and the challenge of later stages are what really make DMC4 a classic and if you’re unwilling to succumb to these, you’re not getting the most out of what is a truly special gaming experience.

Simply the best example of a retro game on Live Arcade. It's flawless in its design and outstanding as a game, even ten years on. [Issue 25, p.67]

It manages to raise the normally stagnant RPG genre into the upper echelons of gaming and it's unlikely we'll lay something as staggering, open-ended and entertaining as this in a long time. [Issue #8]

The rather functional-at-best visuals aside, Forza 2 excels in a way no other racing game has managed this generation. If losing yourself in a vast world of excellent handling and top notch realistic racing is something you crave from videogame racing (and admittedly, this sort of thing isn’t to everyone’s taste), ensure you get hold of Forza 2 as soon as you can - it’ll keep you occupied for months.

As essential a download as you’re ever likely to find, Sonic belies his age by delivering a rip roaring 2D rollercoaster of a game that even to this day, retains a wonderful sense of speed and challenge that will please both retro fanatics as well as those simply looking for a great game. Timeless.

Taking apart buildings bit-by-bit is a game in itself and the gigantic, varied and incredibly realistic landscape provides the perfect setting for some spot-on warfare that’s let down, only slightly, by a health system that wouldn’t make anyone fear the reaper. Watch Bad Company in action and you will be shell shocked.

With its sights set not only on being the first for fast-paced military action offline, but also on being a strong contender in the online multiplayer scene. The verdict? A stunning success on both counts.

GRID may not do anything dramatically new, but what it does do, it does phenomenally well. Challenging enough to push you, yet rewarding enough to keep you going when things get tough, the sheer amount of variation and the immensely satisfying handling model make this a triumph of a game.

A brilliant blend of visual perfection and gameplay finesse. PGR4 merges both to create a wonderful racing game that is involving, deep and immensely rewarding to play. If you’re even remotely interested in racing games, then this is essential.

We could be critical of Gears of War 2 simply offering more of the same, but the fact that it simply does everything better than the original in delivering a fantastic display of shoot-’em-up mayhem its quality simply shines through. With some awesome level design, supported by unsurpassed visuals and relentlessly entertaining action it is a compelling experience from start to finish. Forget the crack at putting emotion into the storyline; it’s almost irrelevant as Gears of War 2 is an allguns- blazing extravaganza and, as such, it’s just a glorious shooter that very few can match.

A more realistic tennis sim you will not find anywhere. Top Spin 3 brings proper simulation to the sport. The arcadey fun play is gone and a serious sporting challenge has emerged from this series to mark it out from the other tennis games available.

Where so many RPGs deliver dry experiences that adhere too closely to traditional type, Mistwalker delivers an RPG that pushes the genre in all the right directions. With supreme technical qualities and gameplay to match, it’s little wonder that Blue Dragon has revived the 360 in Japan. [JPN Import]

Grow up, take your time and employ tactics and you’ll be rewarded by the most tense and rewarding tactical shooter available. You’ll have to breathe through your nose, though, since your heart will be filling your mouth.

Despite being low on solo content, UTIII manages to escape the usual pitfalls this presents with some wickedly intense action whether you’re alone, with company or getting your ass handed to you online. It’s like a constant onslaught of the infrequent thrilling bits of many other FPS games, only with absolutely no respite. If your heart is up to it, then you really can’t go far wrong.

Rock hard, but still retains the crown of the greatest fighting game ever. [Issue #16, p.78]

Few games can pull off such a complete world that is so endearing with characters, while nameless, managing to be so memorable. The lush world and level of detail are spellbinding and your pet dog feels as vital to play as your sword arm. The love, attention and effort put into the game shines through and makes it a true joy to play – as well as immensely challenging – whether you decide to be a good guy or a bad one. It's simply one of the 360's strongest exclusives.

The world is far greater in scope than it first appears and with skate lines that span the entire map, purists will be tearing it up for months just trying to plan the perfect combo.

Just Cause is brilliant because every player has the chance to carve their own personality into how they play. Most games have a create-a-character mode – Just Cause has a create-a-video game mode!

Sometimes tense, sometimes hilarious, it's a must have for all 360 owners. [Issue #15]

Fans of the base game will discover plenty of new features and surprises in an experience that tops some of the best moments from the original. [Issue 24, p.58]

Beautiful, engrossing and addictive as hell, Retro Evolved 2 is among the best XBLA has to offer right now. It plays just as well as you remember the games that inspired it used to (although Mr MAME would recommend you remove the rose-tinted specs) and for the asking price, you simply can’t go wrong.

While not miles away from "VF4: Evolution," the new features, characters and possibilities here propel this to the top of the genre with style, poise and unending potential. Once you get a taste, you’ll never want to go back to the simplicity of DOA or the retro charms of the XBLA fighters – the finest fighter known to man is here in one definitive 360 package.

The Orange Box is a fantastic package and the best deal you’ll find for a long, long time. We’d happily pay full-whack just to play Half-Life 2 on next gen, so to get another two Episodes, albeit shorter ones, plus another two full games and The Orange Box becomes the kind of gift usually reserved for sick kids on TV Christmas specials. If you’ve ever liked a single shoot-’em-up, you absolutely have to put this on your most wanted list.

We’ve been beside ourselves with excitement about this finally arriving at GAMER towers, and it hasn’t disappointed. Great fun in two player, a decent challenge and lots to do in single player – and we haven’t even taken it online yet. Fan-bloody-tastic.

As fun as it is to play alone against the AI or with strangers, nothing can beat you and three mates sitting around playing UNO all night. [Issue #16, p.78]

A triumph. While there are one or two minor niggles, Virtua Tennis 3 is a superb arcade game, a quite brilliant recreation of the sport, and a title so addictive that you'll need a calendar, rather than a watch, to measure how long you'll be playing it for. [Issue #23, p.66]

Well, it’s pretty much everything we expected it to be. And given the massively high expectations we had for Rock Band, that’s damn good going. Not only are the individual parts a joy to play but the sense of camaraderie, of accomplishment and of ultimate success you get when it all comes together is just incredible.

RB2 improves on the original and does enough to distance itself from main rival GH, although uncanny similarity to the first game might leave a sour taste in the mouths of those that already bought one Rock Band game this year. Still, it’s the most refined and thorough example of the genre so far and for that alone must be applauded.

The first-person mêlée combat is just downright exceptional as is Condemned 2’s often overwhelmingly grotesque atmosphere.

Exactly what you’ve come to expect; the best golf game available on any format, with a few tweaks and cosmetic touches, and perhaps just a tiny bit of dumbing down for the newcomers. Until this time next year no gaming/ golf enthusiast is likely to want for more, though we can’t see the annual updates carrying on for much longer – there isn’t much left to improve without changing the formula altogether. EA: one point docked for taking away our stats. We want them back next year.

Addictive, challenging and more fun than a game deserves to be. It may not beat Geometry Wars for sheer difficulty but with a two-player gaming mode it has got something that little bit extra up its jet engines.

Visually stunning and wonderfully tight, SCIV is an unquestionably accomplished brawler. Questions still linger over just how much attention it will command for the solo gamer beyond simply rounding up weapons, characters and costume parts. But as far as multiplayer games go, IV triumphs in being that rare breed of fighter that can entertain casual and hardcore players alike.

Tougher rivals that only improve an excellent game to the point of making it essential. [Issue #6]

A sublime blend of old and new, Battle Fantasia has both the hardcore mechanics and depth to attract devout beat-’em-up fanatics and the style, polish and approachability to rope in the less devoted gamer. It could use a few more characters and perhaps a little more substance but still, BF is easily one of the better fighting games to grace the current generation of consoles so far. [JPN Import]

New shooting controls make this version stand out. [Issue #15]

If you’ve got Xbox Live then Left 4 Dead is a definite 9. As it is, with the limitations and occasional annoyances, the lone gunman will find we’re obliged to keep the score down to cater for this offline review. However you play though, there’s nothing quite like slaughtering zombies and Left 4 Dead is one of the most intense, exciting, frantically paced and simply-good-old-fashioned-fun shooters on the market – and a game that you’ll find very hard not to love.

Additional features, from on and offline co-op to the new playable characters and revamped classic levels give it a wide appeal, meaning every type of gamer should at least give it a go.

A brilliantly fun racer that feels more like a rollercoaster ride. An excellent mix of speed and tricks, along with some wonderful tracks, great scenery and cool music all brought together with rock solid controls, makes Pure a thoroughly entertaining racing experience.

Trouble in Paradise only suffers in that it feels like more of an expansion pack to the previous game. Yes, many of the improvements help the overall experience and it still offers the same incredibly addictive gameplay, but there’s the niggling feeling for piñata experts that we’ve seen and done a lot of it before. Of course, if you’ve never played the original, then bump that score up to a nine.

Looks stunning and plays beautifully. [Issue #2]

Appealing to a wider audience, Infinite Undiscovery replaces methodical, inventory management and turn-based pondering with action – and is all the better for it. There’s no time to explore, what with all the running and slashing, but there’s endless depth in the game once you’ve got to grips with it.

A gem in Live's already glittering crown. Roboblitz shows any potential Arcade developers that it's possible to pull off some amazing stuff within that 50MB limit. [Issue 20, p.69]

It's not perfect, can sometimes be a little too fiddly and has moments of frustration. But given the minions, the depth and breadth of the challenge, the ideas and the seer strength of the entertainment it provides, there really is little you wouldn't forgive it. [Issue #24, p.72]

A rough diamond, only a few strides behind the best games on the PS3 and 360, Saints Row 2 is a bit like the kid with the best trainers who still hasn’t learned to tie their laces. It’s all over the place, and frequently opts to cram more in where it should be refining what it already has, but overall you’d have to be a complete snob to not get a kick out of playing through it. And to play through everything on offer would take a very long time indeed.

Things aren’t getting any simpler in EA’s sporting conquest, and new features tapping into resources we’d never dreamed of leave us dribbling. NBA 365 and the Dynamic DNA system are two such additions guaranteed to give you more basket for your buck and you’ll be hard pressed to find a slicker, more accurate representation of the sport anywhere.

The finest Hitman yet takes first prize for best stealth-based title ever made, as well as a special award for its ability to make dark and bloody work worthwhile (and often as hilarious as a clown getting punched in the nose).

Pretty damn special. [Issue #16, p.66]

Some of the best graphics video gaming has ever seen. [Issue #11]

It'll be hard to enjoy last year's game with this on store shelves. [Issue 17, p.72]

It really will take you only around six hours to complete the Campaign on the standard setting, but you will have such an exhilarating time playing through it you will probably start all over again on Insane difficulty...However, Gears longevity is sure to be guaranteed by its multiplayer modes that we predict could be the game to finally topple "Halo 2" from the top of the Xbox Live 'most played' stats.

While the gameplay feels simple and easy to interact with, there’s plenty of options and a decent array of customisation for your vehicles. A combination of arcade fun gameplay and a massive playground of a city to do it in should have you entertained for weeks.

By taking you down to an open city Burnout Paradise has just hidden its sublime greatness behind what really could be regarded as an interactive menu built into a city. If there were an option to just line up races we wouldn’t bemoan this padding at all, but there isn’t and so we have. Regardless, Paradise is yet another elegant foray into the world of Burnout and the tightest experience yet. It’s two steps forward, one step back and one to the side.

Modern gamers who like to aim up and enter stealth mode will probably turn their nose up at it. Whereas all you gamers in your 20s are probably playing as we type. Now we just want "Doom II."

While a touch reluctant to get going, Lost Odyssey soon builds pace and lavishes the player with its wonderful blend of familiar elements, unique concepts and genuine emotion. With solid mechanics and some top-notch presentation, this one comes heartily recommended for those with plenty of time on their hands.

The Club takes a somewhat tired and overused genre and genuinely does something new with it. Don’t let the lack of a full-blown story mode put you off giving it a try, even if it is sadly the one thing you’ll miss the most.

You know what to expect, so just take that expectation and make it a little prettier, a little glitchier and quite a bit shorter. And add more burning Japanese men. It’s Modern Warfare in period costume with the crusts cut off, which will probably work more in its favour online but results in a slight single-player downgrade from last year. World at War is a nearly-there title with some surprising gameplay niggles. But it’s still a step up from "Call of Duty 3."

Viva Piñata may frustrate and confuse at times, but never enough for you to give up on the game. There’s always something going on and sometimes maybe a little too much, but with simple menus to navigate and endless pointers and advice to turn to, playing the game almost becomes like second nature.

A compelling introduction to next generation consoles, and a break from the normal formulaic anime genre, if you don’t like the game, you’re asking too much of it. Great action and good fun throughout with a multitude of missions and mini-games, Rise of a Ninja is a delight for both anime fans and casual gamers new to Naruto's great adventures.

The difficulty curve is steep, but you probably won't even notice how hard the game has become until you realise you haven't blinked for three minutes. [Issue #16, p.78]

Okay, so it’s basically just a streamlined version of FIFA 08 with new trimmings but look beyond this and there’s a world of ball-kicking goodness to be enjoyed. Its decidedly stunted nature makes it a far more appealing choice for the multiplayer gamer but even so, it’s still one of the better footy games of this generation.

It may not have the depth of its inspiration "Super Smash Bros." but it's still the sort of game we NEED to see more of on Arcade.

The definitive LOTR game. [Issue #12]

Mad as a brush and all the better for it, Katamari’s combination of a very simple concept coupled with some wonderful physics, brilliant level design, challenging objectives and charming visuals gives it a goofy charm that’s hard to dislike.

Dark Sector is constantly impressive and tighter than most triple-A releases, with only a few tiny niggles and its decidedly basic structure holding it back from taming the genre altogether.

Lego Indiana Jones has three main areas of appeal: those who liked Lego Star Wars, those who liked the movies and those who want a fun and utterly charming gaming experience. If you match one of those criteria it’s definitely worth a look. Match all three with a taste for its much-needed replay value and you should have bought this already.

With a satisfying campaign, backed up with a truly unique multiplayer experience, TimeShift certainly isn’t a run-of-the-mill title anymore, and for sci-fi fans this may be one of your most rewarding titles this year.

A huge variety of settings and missions mean Ubisoft really gets to show off graphically, and we found that the 360’s HD capabilities gave the game a sleek, immersive feel. A few niggles in terms of camera views and accessibility for people new to the series let it down, but overall it’s a must have for Splinter Cell fans.

The seamless integration of a user-friendly tactical map enhances the gameplay, and having the choice to fly, sail or sink to the depths of the ocean whilst taking part in one of history's most influential battles is too much fun to miss. [Issue 21, p.50]

Colourful, humourous and above all good fun, this game is a current classic with a rockin' retro feel. Well worth the points. [Issue 24, p.72]

Some may dislike the shocking pace of Quake Wars while for others, it might just be that step too far into the land of confusion. But if your reactions have been honed in the more uptempo shooters of our day – TimeSplitters and UT to name but a few – rather than trudging around in Halo or Battlefield, this could well be the blend of speedy action and team-based mechanics you’ve been holding out for.

Due to the easy-to-use squad control, advanced A.I., gorgeous visuals, realistic physics, and intense action, Rainbow Six Vegas is easily the best in the series. While the game has been slightly simplified - and is not a massive next-gen leap forward - the result is a fantastic, intense experience that few others can rival. [Issue 18, p.62]

As beautiful to watch as it is to play, 2K7 is pretty much a benchmark for next-gen sports games. [Issue 17, p.70]

True to its billing, SimBin has delivered a driving simulator that offers depth and challenge on a scale unseen in any 360 game to date. And if that’s what you’ve been waiting for, then this is unquestionably the game for you. If you’re simply looking for a good racing game, there’s still enough enjoyment there to warrant further investigation – but only if you’ve grown bored of Forza 2.

A crisp high definition version of a classic game and, with hardly any faults, can be considered one of the best Live Arcade purchases you'll make. [Issue 24, p.70]

With classical gameplay at the heart of Heavy Weapon, what seems like minutes turn into hours of old-school fun. [Issue 22, p.62]

This is great old school block-busting that is more than worth the 800 MS points. [Issue #16]

What's refreshing is the level of freedom you're given. [Issue #7]

The single player campaign is not anywhere near as compelling or as epic as is billed. Anyone new to Halo probably won't see what all the fuss is about, completely confused as to why this third installment is so important to so many people. It's good, and there's enough here to make for a memorable game, but how memorable depends mostly on how invested you are in the franchise already.

Stylish, simple and elegant. A budget price and a compulsive social ethic make this one of the most surprising and desirable games of the season.

The gameplay is tight, the AI of the 360-controlled opponents is excellent. [Issue #3]

There's certainly a lot of fun to be had here, although as the game lacks a distinct lack of difficulty you're often left to feel a little under challenged, which can sometimes make you feel a bit bored.

This is not a game for relaxing. It’s a frantic fight for survival and making it through three minutes of gameplay before 'game over' is a struggle – but you’ll find yourself chugging virtual coins in the virtual slot over and over.

Bully is an absolute joy and the perfect warm up to Grand Theft Auto IV. In fact, compared to some entries in the GTA series, we’d have to say Bully’s story is more engaging and, overall, it’s got a charming sense of fun that’s often missing in the car-jacking, prozzie-shagging world of San Andreas or Liberty City.

Despite hitting many highs that are far beyond the ambitions of nearly every other game on the 360, Far Cry 2 is slightly hamstrung by its own ambition, some design missteps and a learning curve that rolls itself into a handy noose. Like Africa itself, it’s beautiful, complex and massive. However, less methodical or patient gamers may find themselves questioning where the line between ‘challenging’ and ‘pain in the ass’ is actually drawn.

FIFA matches tend to be something of a goal-fest - thanks in no small part to some truly myopic goalkeepers. [Issue 17, p.64]

No matter what your skill level, you’ll receive constant gratification from the mainstay slice ‘n’ dice gameplay on offer here, but then you’d have to be a fool to not notice how ‘unfun’ its boss encounters really are. Add a camera system that doesn’t even make geometry translucent when it’s in the foreground and you’ve got a beautiful arcade experience that’s marred by some obvious but not insurmountable flaws.