Not the most glitzy and glamorous racer around, but definitely the closest to the real thing yet.

The 12 games vary quite a bit - Monkey Soccer and Monkey Fight are particularly good fun.

The Punisher may not have turned out as well as some may have hoped, but the PS2 version is definitely the one to pick up.

For those of you wanting something different, and a bit of a laugh along the way, its enough to say that Metal Arms: Glitch in The System is the ticket.

With online play and a variety of new modes including the chance to take on some of the greatest golfers in history as well as Tiger himself, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 is the premiere console golf game.

Viewtiful Joe is a very hard game and not just because of the level design.

The control system is as good as it is mainly due to the well designed interface. As mentioned, the game is reasonably involved so you will have to spend some time learning what does what, but everything, and I mean everything in this game is so easily accessible.

It manages to further establish the series as one of the PC's most playable games to date. If you liked the original then you will love Sunrise.

There may be other Star Wars games out there but Lego Star Wars covers more in one game than most of them and focuses only on the sequences rather than whole films which makes for excellent gameplay.

A game that pairs superb combat gameplay with a mainstream market and as a result comes out as one of the first surprises for 2005 on the PS2.

Those coming to Warrior Within cold probably won't see a lot to complain about at all, outside of the somewhat repetitive and lengthy combat sequences.

Although you can perform the usual pan, zoom and rotate camera functions with your mouse, the camera just never feels comfortable, forcing you to constantly tweak on the fly further adding to your tasks.

It has the small features bike fans will be looking for, but the game also caters for those looking for a quick spin with some powerful bikes.

To reinforce the notion that the game is based on the comic series, a cel shading style has been used for the graphics and it looks great even on the PS2.

One problem with the game is the brightness and many will be wanting to adjust their TV settings.

Everything about the game oozes both style and the replication of a 1930s era is second to none.

One of the most chilling games available today.

NFL Street is not an easy game, especially in the challenge mode.

Not only does the 3D engine add far more versatility to the game, but you get the overall feeling far more attention to detail went into this sequel.

The game features an addictive quality and in some levels will really grab you until they are completed.

There is no doubting Cossacks II is a great RTS, however its overwhelming difficulty and, at times, overwhelming complexity, make it one for the "hardcore fans" only - whether that be the hardcore fans of this war era, or hardcore fans of RTS games who are looking for a serious challenge.

Your eyes won't hurt looking at TrackMania, but you're not going to drool either, it is just a simple graphical setup here.

The way the developers of both the arcade game and this Xbox port have gone about retaining the heritage of the series truly adds to the game. It really is a homage to one of the best racing games of all time, and that's what makes it such a great game.

What Freestyle Superstar really does is give NBA 06's players a real identifiable personality and court persona that matches the actual player and brings a more realistic gameplay to the virtual hardwood.

Visually speaking True Crime is not what I would call an example of PC graphic splendor, it is clear that this title was not specifically designed for high end PC's but rather its console counterpart.

The menu system is confusing and all over the place, clearly not designed for use with a mouse, and the graphics look like they predate 3D accelerators. If you can put those aside though, FIFA 2005 is a very solid experience with plenty of addictive action for soccer fans everywhere.

Its ease of play will allow anyone to pick it up and get stuck in. That ease of play however will turn off people looking for a more challenging in-depth game.

If you can't get enough of the WW2 action found in previous MOH and COD titles, then MOH: Pacific Assault will suit up well, but for everyone else, particularly those who like more variation in their FPS gaming, Pacific Assault isn't really a must have title.

Its style is not completely original but it is certainly a successful product from a dying genre for the PC.

The graphics of SOCOM II: US Navy Seals is a mixed bag

A brilliant game that no 360 gamer should ignore.

The game offers something for every gamer, from those who remember the games on the disc at the arcade, to those who just want to see what their parents may have played.

Very much worth your time and money if you can't get enough RTS gaming, it's just a shame it wasn’t more than yet another solid RTS.

The character models are incredibly detailed and again carry across the Western theme very well. The draw distance is miles and miles.

The lack of a proper Olympic mode does come as a surprise but is not a major flaw and anyone looking for a solid athletics title with many more sports thrown in could do worse.

This is not a game you will play for hours and hours on end, but we can almost guarantee when friends are about you will pull this out for a game every once and a while.

Bugbear Entertainment have put together some truly challenging tracks, a great amount of fictional cars and also added a bit humour to the mix with the lack of seat belts and great mini games.

Ridge Racer PSP is everything about the system that is cool. Quick gameplay, fun racing, top soundtrack and it exploits the power of the system quite well.

Wet floors shine, cupboards seem to have depth rather than the badly rendered facade that perhaps you are used to and the lighting is rich and really adds to the uneasiness of this game.

GF should be recognised for trying to bring a DS game that uses all the features of the system while catering for the younger market, and for those with a DS and kids, this game is going to be the perfect fit.

It's not "GTA4" nor is it trying to be but it does borrow some elements from the game to create one of the cheesiest and most playable games of the year so far, its just not as fully realized as it could have been.

Forces of Corruption, like most expansion packs, is not going to redefine what was already there, but it does put a reasonably interesting twist on what was an already interesting RTS.

EA has succeeded in taking the game back to its roots, but in other ways not as far as some may have liked.

It's not the best wrestling title of the year, an accolade that goes to the Gamecube's "WWE: Day Of Reckoning."

People are crying out for new styles of gameplay, which Psychonauts delivers, but we have a feeling that even if we tell you to go out and buy or at least try, most people will find themselves tempted by a more mainstream title, which is a shame.

There are sections of the game where you hit invisible walls -- presumably to make way for more expansion packs, although at the time of writing the only expansion available for Xbox 360 owners is some rather expensive downloadable horse armor -- and some wacky bugs that'll sometimes see you floating on air when you dismount a horse.

This is the best World Cup licensed game ever produced and EA has made a huge effort to give us a slight glimpse at what FIFA 2007 will look like on the next generation consoles.

It does have a sense of familiarity about it and the developers could have been a little more original and innovative but to deliver a game so complete, which such good graphics and so playable for launch was a feat in itself.

The latest and best bike title on the PS2 and probably any console to date.

The strongest point of the game is also its weakness. The fact that for most of the games features it remains the same as all the older 2D sonics will have some fans happy but other gamers wondering why they should again fork out for a few new features.

Previous Hitman games have seen 47 glide around in a rather unrealistic fashion, and thankfully there's been a lot of work done on improving animation routines in order to impart a more lifelike feel to the game. It's not flawless, however.

It's no "NFS Underground 2" or "Midnight Club 3" but it is a worthwhile addition to any racing game fan's library with its unique features, strong career mode and easy pick up and play engine.

Without a doubt this would be a great game for young players and when the kids have gone to bed the older gamers might want to play as well and indulge in a few of those guilty pleasures I mentioned earlier to spice it up a bit.

It’s stylish enough with its heavy metal soundtrack and graphics to hold its head up against those ultra fussy techno-tappit-head driving games (the ones that make you choose what type of screws hold the suspension together before you are allowed to leave the pits) but it’s easy enough to be fun and challenging at the same time.

Valve has once again proven that it knows its stuff when it comes to gaming. Half-Life is fast becoming one of the most legendary series of all time and Episode One only enhances this view.

While the enhanced multiplayer mode and the new items such as the gravity gun add to the game nicely, RoE essentially offers the same basic gameplay seen in the original, not really expanding enough to attract new fans.

It may not offer the best view of the war in terms of realism, but the action flows thick and fast in this hybrid World War II/Vietnam shooter.

The developers have really put an effort into getting an original game and storyline on the system and it has really paid off.

One of the best uses for the Eyetoy yet and one of the most enjoyable exercise games you're likely to find.

High quality gaming, perfect for traveling and the rumble pack for future games - you really can't go wrong with this one if you're a fan of bouncing balls.

While it is probably not as good as Battlefield 2, it's very hard to top what is seen as the number one multiplayer game.

In all areas it has the credentials but the bugs all point towards another EA title that has been rushed out the door... Its squad based tactics are rewarding and the overall game does have the right fun factor to go along with the diverse gaming options.

If you rushed out and picked up 06 for the new console on release, there isn't enough here to make you upgrade unless you need some help on the course or just have to have the latest graphic features and online play as the 2006 edition will be retired from online play sometime in the future.

Unfortunately, some elements leave the game somewhat short of what I'd call my personal "next gen" gameplay standards, but overall, NHL 2K7 is still a great game.

It has a very Japanese style to it, it’s very arcade-like, and it's one of the best titles on Xbox 360 as a result. The bottom line, 360 gamers must play this game.

A great game which combines three of the most popular series around today; Civilization, Sim City and Command and Conquer.

EA have successfully created a big match atmosphere with the game.

An RTS that does feel a little dated bar a few bells and whistles, although the fans of the series will likely feel right at home.

If you go in not expecting a brand new GTA you will find a nice cheap filler full of action and storyline to keep you going for a little while at least – easily a bargain for its AU$50 price tag.

What Irrational have done with the previous game really has worked well and made the game more usable for people new to the series while keeping the hardcore fans happy with the elite difficulty.

An excellent way to chew up some time with a rewarding feel each time a puzzle is solved.

One aspect of the game which is a bit disappointing is that it is a little easy to complete. We managed to get through the game fairly quickly, but it does increase in difficulty as you complete levels...A crazy game that really shows when a developer sits down and comes up with an original idea, it can be fantastic.

Unfortunately, while Fable: TLC does feature a nice open ended single player experience, you're likely going to be done with the game entirely once you've finished it.

The premise of the game may not be original, but the execution of the game is, and the developers have crafted one of the most unique games of 2004 using some of the industries best technology.

Where X-Men Legends 2 shows its franchise roots is in the fact that it genuinely isn't that much of a visual step up from last year's model.

NCAA 06 only sees release in the US, which is unfortunate because it is arguably the best gridiron experience on offer gameplay wise - the game feels alive and completely random, and while this can at times become a negative for realism sake, it still makes for some truly awesome gameplay.

Some may be disappointed by the lack of personal scenes from the film but chances are they wouldn't have made great game missions.

While you'd think the Tomb Raider style of gameplay would have expired by now, Legend really rejuvenates the series back into the realms of play-ability.

When it comes down to it, Viva Piñata is a pretty basic strategy game in some areas that expands the strategy concept in other areas - areas you may not traditionally expect a game of this genre to expand.

A title that anyone making a movie tie-in should study very carefully, as it solidly creates a new standard for such titles.

The most comprehensive and detailed replication of the Second World War to date and we can't see anyone topping this in the foreseeable future.

The development team has done an excellent job in combining fast paced racing gameplay with a unique game mechanic and a bit of action thrown in as well.

What has been added this year doesn't add to much to the series overall and if you were a cynic you might say that the developers included the retro style to move the attention away from this fact.

Visually the game is stunning however we did have one problem when using lower settings to see how it looked. The game just isn't bright enough, we had to max our TV out with brightness before we could play the game properly.

The unique gameplay mechanics paired with a tried and tested style of play makes it one of the sleeper titles of the year and while its not a smash hit best selling AAA game, it's something that thinks otuside the square of normal gameplay and offers great fun.

A funny, challenging and very creative adventure title that should have any fan of this classic genre enthralled. The storyline is odd but filled with great characters and twists, the voice acting is second to none, and the design and makeup of the game itself leaves little to be desired.

Driving around Hawaii with your mates really shows the online power of the system, plus the single player is enough on its own if Live is not enabled.

If this is a reflection of the rest of the season then Telltale should be given some of the most deserved applause around because finally someone has had the guts to bring the two partners back for more.

Madden 06 PC remains a great option for NFL fans now, but for how long the PC is a realistic option for the latest in NFL gaming technology is anyone's guess.

While it’s not going to revolutionize the genre nor is it even a AAA title, it’s by no means a poor game and the ongoing action will really be music to the ears of FPS fans.

Top Spin 2 is a title that impresses beyond our expectations on the DS. PAM may have had a tough time on the 360 and making a truly next gen game, but in terms of handheld, they have created the best tennis game available for portable systems. It may not innovate that much compared to the other two TS games, but it does what it set out to do well, and that’s what matters most.

The level design can be a bit drab and boring but the visuals make up for it with futuristic neon lighting used in combination with Chinese architecture and urban environments.

It's a shame it doesn't support four player multiplayer and if you're only buying it for multiplayer then it is somewhat hard to recommended over "Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes," which offers two extra players on the same screen at once.

The Movies isn't so addictive that it will likely cause you to lose sleep like some management games, but the time you do spend with it will probably prove to be some the most enjoyable "tycoon" style gameplay you've had in 2005.

Situation Comedy again proves that Sam and Max is back and Telltale really is doing a fantastic job showing Lucasarts what they should have done a long long time ago, not in a galaxy far away. It's a bit short, but we still highly recommend this game to adventure game fans.

A fantastic handheld game and really shows why some games belong on handheld more than consoles.

The one thing about 187 which surprised us is the variety of gameplay.

While this game isn’t a must buy, it is a must play for RPG fans, especially those who own the X-Men Legend series of games.