The action is sensational and amazingly varied, and the world is totally immersive because of the game's somewhat unique approach to the visuals and environment, not despite of it.

A very high standard game but considering the series' lofty expectations it just doesn't go far enough to keep us happy.

The single player campaign is too short and doesn't throw you into the ‘whole navy vs whole navy' action quickly enough - the main appeal of this game is definitely the Live features. To sum up, Midway is innovative, but it ultimately doesn't go far enough.

The first game you should buy when you buy a Wii, if you haven't already.

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.

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.

It has its problems and it's a bit of a let down considering the next generation console, but what Nintendo have done is used the Wii's strengths well with this game and that along with an excellent storyline, makes Twilight Princess a must have for early Wii owners.

Trackmania United really is a united gaming experience - even when you're not competing online, the online community elements are still there. Couple this with addictive and challenging "hot wheels" like gameplay, and you have a very complete, very "alive" arcade racing package.

Basically, if solid gameplay without much in the way of innovation is good enough for you, Heroes of Annihilated Empires is certainly worth a look.

Super Monkey Ball is one of, if not the best value for money games for the Wii launch.

One of the Wii's better launch games and the control system is unmatched at this stage.

It's the kind of game you should pick up in the bargain bin a few months down the track and even then just for a laugh rather than a serious game experience.

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.

Visually the game is stunning. You really need a HDTV to see this game the way it should be played but even at the lower resolution its better than anything on the console so far.

The storyline and atmosphere keep the game from getting old but those who want something new probably won't find too much of it here.

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.

NFS Carbon as a game on its own is extremely well done but in the context of the previous two games, it simply doesn't separate itself enough.

Stunning graphics, awesome soundtrack and top notch story combine to make this one of the year’s must have titles and not just for the PSP.

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.

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.

Ace Combat: Skies of Deception is an ok PSP game, it’s just a shame it also happens to be one of the few flight games found on the PSP, so while it is only moderately impressive, you’re probably not going to do much better if you want airborne action on the go Sony style.

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.

It may not be GTA and it doesn't reach the heady heights of San Andreas in terms of crazy missions but for those who want the next GTA clone which is fun, look no further and swap your leather jacket for a school uniform.

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.

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.

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.

Those new to the franchise will find a truly superb game in GUN, but for anyone coming back for a second helping, chances are you will be disappointed.

While the game does have some originality and unique features, ultimately the repetitive nature and button mashing feel to the game kills any thoughts of being a top quality title.

It’s just a massive disappointment that EA has decided not to update the PC title to the Xbox 360 engine, leaving that until next year at the earliest.

The most complete NBA basketball game made to date.

Lego Star Wars II takes a successful formula, enhances it ten fold and goes next generation.

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.

The game is so unique and original that DS owners have to play it, but the fact it’s so short makes it not worth coughing up the cash for.

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.

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.

It's a shame it has taken EA so long to finally give the PC gamers something to be excited over, but hopefully 07 is a sign EA are becoming a little more serious about their PC audience.

Tekken: Dark Resurrection PSP could have been better, but when the only notable problem with the game – its repetition - is a genre wide problem, then you know you have a winner on your hands.

There's no doubting that Prey looks the part of a modern FPS, but, as always, looks can be deceptive. It's a fun game, but it's no great breakthrough in the science of what is undoubtedly a very crowded genre.

BFME 2 presents a visual spectacle that's quite engaging, as long as you're playing it through a high definition display. Drop it down to a standard definition TV, and you'll find yourself looking at tiny units and blurred text.

Sony made a fatal mistake in excluding a tournament style game mode and restricting “proper” soccer to exhibition games, but even so what they have put together still has a lot of fun.

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

The game itself is very well structured and is pick up and play, but it just does not have the impact we expected for the next generation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For half the price of most 360 games, you get one of world’s most original games in a long long time and one of the best 360 games to boot as well.

X-Men: The Official Game was built for fans of the X-Men and the movie but also offers some excellent third person action for the more casual fans of the series. It does have a lot of fan service and fans will be able to look past many of the games flaws, but for those who aren't fans per se, the flaws will become glaringly obvious quickly, especially on the 360 edition.

Nintendo has really captured the essence and features of what makes the series so popular and why it is one of the most revered and well recognized game series ever made.

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.

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

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.

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.

A brilliant game that no 360 gamer should ignore.

It's annoying that it's not a better port of the PC version.

This isn't a run-n-gun type of FPS, it is an FPS that will have you creeping around quietly and cautiously, while you nervously check your anemic ammo supply around every corner, looking swiftly behind you to see if that rolling tin trash can was the result of an oversized rat, or a stalking drugged out psycho planning an attack, even if you as the gamer has no idea why it is everyone wants to kill you.

With one eye on GT for PS3 its easy to see why Tourist Trophy is not as good as GT4 but considering this is the game that bike fans would have been hanging out for, its a shame that it doesn't live up to its older brother.

A decent FPS, but it is a very basic one that lacks attention to detail. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it takes a certain type of gamer to really enjoy this type of mindless, systematic FPS gameplay.

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.

Unfortunately though, some key design decisions mixed with gameplay that, whilst solid, is very repetitive produces an experience that the casual gamer will probably struggle to fall in love with.

While Viewtiful Joe did not turn out to be the best PSP game around we have to credit the developers for at least trying to make a portable style game out of something which really belongs more on the home consoles.

A port of a decade old PC game which really does not impress. There are many titles on the DS better than this, and also a lot more original.

In the areas Essentials does well, it excels, but what it doesn't do well keeps it from the must buy list for all but the most hardcore Sam Fisher fans unfortunately.

A good choice for those who want to learn how to play the game properly and also are sick of making mistakes and not being able to rub out pen marks.

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.

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

The author is rather fond of really hard games with simple premises, and Mega Man is exactly that-- the game mechanics themselves are quite archaic, but work exceptionally well due to good original design.

It’s action all the way with this one and it will provide at least a few hours of fun gameplay.

Everything up until now has been impressive, but nothing compares to the impact this game will have in terms of what you expect from your game playing experiences.

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.

There comes a point in playing Onimusha: Dawn Of Dreams when you realise that it's been somewhat lengthened via regrettably cheap tactics -- things like recycled game bosses, repetitive game sections and even some backtracking for the sake of making each of the game's chapters longer.

In terms of TV series adaptations, it's incredibly faithful, nailing the look and feel of the series, and big fans of the series will want to add the game to their collections pretty sharpish. Gamers, on the other hand, would be better suited to renting the title, as (aside from the annoyingly stupid driving sections) it's not that hard, and the replay value is suspect.

If you like "Burnout" and like first person shooters, buy this because Criterion has done to FPS what they did to racing games, all over again.

Codemasters have produced one of the finest and complete racing games ever made and even if you don't like the V8 Supercars (Are you Australian?) then you will find something to like in this huge plethora of racing series. Absolutely positively must buy title!

While it is no Sim City, the simplified interface and game mechanics will appeal to some, but it also remains the game’s biggest downfall. A little more variety could have had this one a real winner.

The developers have done an excellent job bringing the game to a system with less power and fans of the series will obviously pick this one up, but it’s also an excellent introduction to the crazy world of the super monkeys for new comers.

If any publisher wants success with Beijing 2008, they really have to start work on it now because as has been proven time and time again, rushing Olympic games does not work.

Even with the high level of detail, and destructibility of the levels, the framerate doesn’t fault even once.

Wireless multiplayer is good and the interaction between PS2 and PSP is a good idea but the biggest problem, the loading time, is one that can't be ignored and is so bad some people may choose to switch off rather than wait. Fun, but not for short travels.

80 Days is a reasonably unique title in the sense it targets a genre you probably haven't dealt with in a while, but it fails to offer anything other than a quick fling as the technical issues and the storyline are a let down.

It is a game that doesn’t take much time to play making it perfect for traveling and short trips.

Although the initial storyline is a little confusing, especially if the gamer is new to the series, the overall flow of the storyline and game work very well.

What makes this game worthy also makes it hard to recommend to anyone but strategy first gamers.

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

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

Perfect Dark Zero was the big game for the 360's launch and while it’s probably as good as the original Halo, it still doesn't stack up which shows just how much gaming standards have changed in the five years since the Xbox was released.

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.

Hopefully for 2K7, however, 2KSports can start to take stability and bugs slightly more seriously, as it is an issue seen in many of their games of late.

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

At the casual level you're more likely to be wowed by the visuals and less likely to notice the omissions and gaffes; still, it's hard to overlook the fact that the older Madden games for the Xbox/PS2 actually offer more than this supposedly "next generation" title.

Luxoflux have done a top job putting a realistic and interesting story together and the fact it's set in a real city that many can relate to makes it just even better.

The Chronicles of Narnia does have its problems but it also succeeds bringing the movie across to a fairly decent and playable game.

A must have game for the Nintendo DS and is possibly even good enough to make you go and buy a DS unit for it.

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.

While it's not as fully fleshed out and doesn't offer as much of a challenge as the PS2 version, the developers have put a huge emphasis on making this game as pick up and play as possible and shortened the missions to accommodate play on the go, which it does very well.

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

It’s hard to explain in words why the peripheral works so well and why you actually feel like you’re the next Dire Straits.

A game that should have been on the PSP. It's perfect for the portable market and there is no reason why Circle shouldn't now port this. However on the PS2 it doesn't work at all because console games need to have deep, long levels with an interesting storyline, neither of which this game has.