At a cost of only £15 for an online download, it's an absolute must for any PC adventure gamers out there.

It's difficult to find a better party game for the PlayStation.

2003 is definitely a step in the right direction for the series and escapes being marked down as another recycled game; if they keep it up with 2004 then KoF may just become the king of 2D fighters after all.

For a lighthearted dose of online vehicular manslaughter, Frontlines: Fuel of War is a mildly derivative fun couple of hours' worth of gameplay, if you can get it running and if you can forgive the ridiculous server browser, weak weapons and uninspired maps.

Even though it is considerably harmed by the inane support of the Wii-mote to the point of the extreme, and the slightly boring battle system, the dull visuals and quite a lot of glitches, the game manages to sneak by as one of last year's best games in the genre.

Aside from a few minor grievances, Metal Slug Anthology serves up one of the finest videogame compilations ever created and is without question worthy of a place in anyone's collection.

It all looks lush and the gameplay is surprisingly enjoyable despite the frustration, but it's not one for the casual gamer.

The levels add further dimension to the film, depicting Neo's journey in detail that the movies never could have gone into and also help you to understand the films and the overall plot of The Matrix much, much better.

It's easy to get to grips with, satisfying to play and provokes some pastime thinking with its well-told story, complimented with old-fashioned clips.

Star Wars: Battlefront Renegade Squadron is one third an excellent game, one third a terrible game and one third a passable game… shaky and not stirring!

Although by no means perfect, Cars certainly raises the bar, and hopefully the public's expectations of what a video game tie-in should be. For this more than anything, Rainbow Studios should be applauded.

The best budget game I've played on the PS2; it's so good it even gives "Burnout" a run for its money.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is flawed, cursed with anti-climaxes and a sprinkling of disappointment. It's not the game we all hoped it was going to be, it doesn't reinvent anything, it's certainly not original and the main tenant upon which its sold - that you can 'kick ass with the force' - is often forgotten in favour of tedium and annoyance.

The aerial combat missions are a joy to see and almost steal the show, promising greater things to come (taking down AT-ATs in snow speeders I hope!) particularly when you can go head to head against your mates.

With the lovely graphics comes lovely sound.

If you're a fan of shoot 'em ups in the old sense of the phrase then you'll almost certainly become a fan of Glory Days 2.

Soulstorm doesn't offer an awful lot of new content, aside for the new maps for skirmishes and multiplayer. The multiplayer is still the highlight of this series and tactically decimating your opponent or friends is a source of endless enjoyment, but the single player in this expansion fails to inspire; there needed to be more involvement with the running of your territories (see the Total War series) for a map-based campaign to work and be really engaging.

The combat is satisfying, the setting is grand and the amount of troops on screen is amazing - this is war on a scale rarely seen in games and it puts the likes of "Dynasty Warriors" to shame for its combination of sheer numbers and exceptional graphics, with an outstanding soundtrack that completes the atmosphere of this historical adventure.

Much like many of the dubbed anime movies released in the early Nineties, with ridiculous voiceovers and outlandish Japanese humor hiding intriguing stories and characters, it will take a certain type of person to dig past the bad to reach the good - hence all the polarized reviews that God Hand has received.

Soul Nomad & The World Eaters isn't perfect, but it's an endlessly enjoyable game for fans of the strategy RPG.

ModNation racers on PS3 is worth all of the praise it is getting right now, but sadly some subtle alterations for the handheld version make those who only own a PSP at a major loss. If you're interested in a Play Create Share experience with Kart Racing, go for the full fat console version instead of this.

A puzzle game with everything - addictive gameplay, lovely presentation, a great concept and so much variety that you will simply never tire of the game, even after all 160+ levels are completed.

All in all Dante’s Inferno slowly falls into dangerous territory – it goes from being an excellent hack and slash into a mediocre hack and slash far too quickly, and when it’s not being repetitive it’s being relatively annoying.

If you like football games and you want to be impressed by something that plays fantastically well and looks next generation, then this is without doubt a fine purchase and a big step in the right direction for the FIFA series.

The combat is satisfying, the setting is grand and the amount of troops on screen is amazing - this is war on a scale rarely seen in games and it puts the likes of "Dynasty Warriors" to shame for its combination of sheer numbers and exceptional graphics, with an outstanding soundtrack that completes the atmosphere of this historical adventure.

Roll on next-gen Singstar, I say. Once we have the power to request, download and pick our own songs then we'll be in charge and maybe then we'll all get the game we desire and deserve. Power to the people!

An epic anime beat-em-up unlike anything else currently on the market. Although the controls are slightly tricky at first, this is a game with so much depth and character that I can't help but recommend it to everyone.

Contact is one of the most imaginative game concepts yet on the DS and fortunately for us all there is a deep and satisfying role-playing gameplay system to back up that concept and make it a thoroughly enjoyable and long-lasting adventure.

If you want to try and recreate the sort of fluid, graceful runs you see in skate videos and don't mind putting in the practice it takes to achieve them then skate is obviously the title for you. On the flipside, if you don't care so much about your skating lines looking good and want a score attack game that bears very little resemblance to reality but gives you a million tasks to plough through, then go with Proving Ground.

A stylish RPG that authentically represents Middle Earth from the book and the film trilogy. Whilst the gameplay is both enjoyable and addictive, it is also very traditional in style and does nothing at all to further the genre.

I enjoyed quite a few lengthy gaming sessions on this title; the online ranking helps you quickly team up with fellow elite Seals and you can easily while away the hours negotiating the many maps available.

The PS3 version of F.E.A.R. isn't bad by any means, but the poor graphics and occasional glitches makes it far from perfect.

One of the best examples of how to build a compelling collection of arcade games for a handheld, one that works for both the gamer and the publisher.

You'd think that nowadays when games companies have to compete with more and more high-end products, that developers would try and at least make their game worthy of the entry fee.

It's definitely worth trying though, and you may very well find yourself hopelessly addicted. With thousands of online challenges, as well as a rampant moding scene, you'll be playing this for awhile.

Majesty 2 is definitely a game you should play as it changes the way you approach a real time strategy game.

Unlike its more strategic predecessors, Brothers In Arms DS is an out-and-out shooter, and the fast action, the usefully wide-angled over-the-shoulder camera, the intuitive controls and the short missions all combine to make this a brilliant handheld game. Make no mistake - shortcomings aside, this is fantastic.

An absolute blast in every respect! It looks and sounds fantastic, the action is virtually non-stop and the combination of varied level designs and scenery, masses of different enemies and usage of vehicles and turrets keeps things feeling fresh and interesting from start to finish.

The animations are also really fluid and collisions look very natural, an area where Pro Evo is lacking.

A war game worth playing. It's easy to get to grips with, satisfying to play and provokes some pastime thinking with its well-told story, complimented with old-fashioned clips.

Still, as far as us "grown-ups" are concerned, I expect a lot more from my puzzle games, especially when they come from the normally creative genius that is Sonic Team.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 might not set the gaming world ablaze with new ideas and boundary-pushing gameplay, but it further refines a genre of gaming that really seems to find a niche on the PSP - the action RPG.

Throwing in the massively upgraded engine, which makes the game look even more luscious than before the game could hardly be better, and with music that suits both the period and manages to be both pleasant and doesn't distract from the game, this can only be hailed as a massive success.

It's not quite a sports sim, neither is it your typical RTS or RPG game. It's a strange hybrid of all three that provides a generous amount of entertainment to those looking for something a bit different and a bit new.

NBA 2K8 is this year's version of an already very accomplished basketball series with an updated roster and some additional enhancements that, whilst not court shattering, add to the overall experience. I would recommend it even if you have NBA 2K7, but you need to realise that it's a game that needs a lot of time and effort put in; make that investment and you'll reap dividends of enjoyment in return.

If you are a fan of 2D shooters then Omega Five certainly won't disappoint. For those previously uninterested in this classic genre of yesteryear, its unforgiving gameplay and old school sensibilities probably won't win you over.

It feels very much like a collection of lots of mini-games pretending to be an immersing simulation.

Like the fabulous Olsen twins, Tokobot is undeniably sweet and, indeed, over in a flutter of an eyelid due to the lack of any alternate modes. However, not to sample the sheer splendour of Tokobot's level design and the arrant magnificence (running out of words that mean 'good', here!) of the innovative execution would be imbecilic.

Comparisons with one of the few other truly anti-hero games, "Destroy All Humans," are warranted - but sadly if you do that, you'll find Stubbs coming up short on pretty much every count.

Still, if you haven’t played Pro Evo on the PSP before, PES 2010 offers up as solid and entertaining a game of football as you are likely to find for your Sony handheld.

With more content, a slightly less steep learning curve and less strict system requirements it'd have been a no brainer.

An epic anime beat-em-up unlike anything else currently on the market. Although the controls are slightly tricky at first, this is a game with so much depth and character that I can't help but recommend it to everyone.

Medieval warfare just got even trendier and, despite several major deficiencies, Mount & Blade has just too many memorable moments of glory to ignore; the price tag is worth it for the sunsets alone.

Unforgiving difficulty and lack of any real improvements to the series' tried and tested formula aside, Massive Assault Network 2 is an immensely enjoyable experience.

Let down but not ruined by quirky AI, dodgy physics and some bland design, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames still manages to deliver childish fun for grown-ups - and if you don't regard it with too critical an eye then you'll see that there really is a hidden gem beneath the buggy mud.

Dark Sector may not be original and it may not have a great story, but if you are looking for a solid action game to spend a dozen or so hours with then you can't go too far wrong.

It may not have the splendid story of BioShock or the incredible environmental detail of BioShock, or indeed the cool name of BioShock, but it's a real breath of fresh air in a gaming environment that has become stale with relentless shooting and violence.

The fact that there are two characters may warrant another play-through for some, but the lack of much difference between the two will probably not be worth it for most.

The only thing holding it back from a full 10 is the lack of online play.

The story and presentation for Amped 3 is the funniest, most tripped out, wacky and bizarre thing you have ever seen! I kid you not, this game redefines kooyness - whatever these guys were on when they put this game together, I want some!

Even though, in its first few stages, Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? is both charming and fun, seemingly out of nowhere the difficulty soars.

A good, solid shooter that has a lot going for it but fails to achieve greatness, lacking that often indefinable sparkle that makes for a classic.

With more thought put into a deeper control system for the combat, and more effort in the sound department, Key of Heaven could have been one of the best handheld RPGs to date. As it stands however, it's best suited to those with a lust for Anime and a craving for a hearty adventure with a typically Japanese storyline.

Although it isn't for everyone, this DS version should definitely be snapped up by those who enjoy games that require a bit of thought and time investment, as well as by those who like to show off their creativity.

Unfortunately, the whole experience just feels a bit pointless.

Boing! Docomodake DS is the developer's attempt at emulating the gameplay of LocoRoco on the DS but it fails in the most crucial areas - level design, length and aesthetics - all of which LocoRoco excelled at.

The customisation options add depth and variety for those players willing to invest the time, and the immense, sprawling storyline will keep you playing for literally weeks, with the fact that it's a prequel surely giving fans of the series even more reason to play it to completion.

This really should be the retro release to please everyone - Capcom have taken a classic original, slightly enhanced the concept with modern features like the double jumping and magic, yet retained the core gameplay and style that made the original such a hit.

Although the style, or lack thereof, has seriously hampered The Club, it's still a brilliantly addictive title and one that will hopefully prove popular enough to turn this not so little experiment into a long running franchise.

Those who have laptops and not a lot of time to invest into virtual lifestyles should definitely check this out - with easy to use controls, a more causal gameplay style in the sense that it doesn't take all day to refresh your Sims and teach them new skills, and two stories to play through, The Sims Life Stories is an interesting experiment that ticks the right boxes for the right kind of people.

Control issues, far too many pointless fall-to-your-death moments and a general lack of purpose or incentive to explore make the fun fleeting and the frustration lasting.

A tequila-fuelled, high octane, explosive game that combines frantic gunplay and stylish combo moves with a distinctive and perfectly realised Mexican theme to produce a very entertaining and funny experience.

It has many of the right ingredients, such as great graphics and an interesting story, but it still doesn't have the full package, as it suffers from frustrating, repetitive gameplay, which is hard to forgive.

It has some wonderful graphics and animation, excellent sound effects and enjoyable voices to complement the fun and endlessly playable fighting action.

The free flowing, goal stuffed fantasy matches are a long way from the often cautious, stop start nature of many real European encounters, and for this reason UEFA are probably more than happy with the finished product.

As a departure for the series, the idea of a tactical SOCOM game is a great one and is executed mildly well. I say mildly, as without the annoying camera, cheap deaths, lack of story and lukewarm audio, the game would be a lot of fun to play.

And so the problem, it's an online game without much of an online community. Section 8 might be a rather unimaginative game, it may very well borrow many of it's ideas from more established franchises but it's not without it's own merits.

Simple, harmless entertainment, an old school arcade game jazzed up (a little) for today's gaming generation - and as such, it does just fine.

Now, I won't lie to you: I wanted to rip this game to pieces! However, while Carol Vorderman's Sudoku is essentially a certified lesson in chronic needlessness and boasts aesthetic values on a par with a can of corned beef, it still does everything it promises to do - it provides a good, solid game of Sudoku, comprising almost endless puzzles for players of all skill levels, with plenty of different modes, going above and beyond the call of duty in that respect, providing game types and even multiplayer modes that you won't see in other Sudoku games.

There's nothing colourful about Colour Cross; it's a simple puzzle game akin to Picross or a painting version of Sudoku that hasn't been implemented very well.

To both its benefit and its detriment it's an unrefined concoction of so many volatile parts that you're never sure whether it's going to blow your mind or blow your head clean off.

I am very disappointed with Dark Messiah Might and Magic, yet I will leave it installed on my system for some time. It is a deeply flawed game and one of the worst launches in recent history - certainly the worst Steam launch to date. Yet it is a blast; the visual effects and combat system and, yes, kicking Orcs off ledges and ghouls into spikes are all a lot of fun, if not particularly satisfying beyond the short term.

It's a great addition that might get more kids who get this game interested in creating them. Heck, it sure beats those awful 'you can make video games' commercials that run on G4 all day and night.

It almost angers me at times that publishers have the gall to demand a fee of £35 - £40 for simply applying a lick of paint to something that in essence people have played many times before.

Fundamentally the game is broken, and so any set dressing, from the squeaky tones of Toad, or the way that Knuckles reacts when he wins a race, this is a game that Wii owners should avoid.

This is bare-knuckle gaming - big, brash, unpretentious and viscerally entertaining. There's no excessive blood and gore, no gimmicky crime or foul language. This is well-organised, carefully-orchestrated violence supported by some of the best AI you've ever seen, a deep and comprehensive multiplayer mode that creates a game all of its own and a storyline far more creative than your usual terrorist-battling shooter fare.

Purely as a game, it's one of those titles that takes a little time getting to grips with the controls and the basic plotlines, but it is time well spent that can result in hours of inside-out pant-wearing hilarity.

I love the whole idea of American football in a fantasy world as it takes completely separate game genres and moulds the together into one hulking brute. Unfortunately, this Sports come Role Playing Game come Strategy just doesn't do the striking concept justice.

It's a somewhat short game but there's a great amount of replay value and it is one hell of a ride a from start to finish.

I can't see many people disliking this classic gangster romp, which delivers the authentic mob feeling we've been after ever since "GTA III."

Sega Superstars will bring a tear to the eye of many gamers, especially the poor old Dreamcasters. Okay, so there's no great substance here and no multiplayer modes, but all those little extra bits add up to something of a surprise.

It's simple - the good parts are really very good, and worthy of a decent score. In fact, they are probably worth more. Unfortunately, though, the broken bits really are broken - both in terms of this game and the series as a whole.

If you're in the market for American-style speed and weeks of tough round the track action, this one has your name all over it.

As an overall package, Mevo and the Grooveriders has a lot to offer - and even more content should become available in the coming months.

For now it feels too much like a single player game with some nice multiplayer options, and there's no real incentive for you to invest much time or money in it once the free trial has ended.

It's a shame it remains such a one-trick-pony, but at this price tag, you really shouldn't be expecting anything else.

All football games will always suffer from Pro Evolution comparisons. World Tour Soccer 2 is a good attempt at a slightly alternative football title, but as all of us footie fans know too well, form is temporary, class is permanent.

Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is a game of two extremes. On the one side you have the competent and safe but largely forgettable gameplay, and on the other you have the superb visuals, outstanding art design and unforgettable audio.