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]