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."

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."

And that's Crime Stories biggest folly; it's just not fun. There's nothing remotely interesting to keep you engaged for long periods of time, certainly not long enough to stick with it to the end and the ancient and poorly designed levels combined with some of the most tedious puzzles I've ever had to endure make for a well meaning but entirely failed venture.

A move in the right direction in terms of gameplay elements, but the series needs to completely revamp the visual and technical engines backing it next time around. This is far from the best RPG you can find on the PS2, but easily the best Suikoden in a long while.

The bottom line is that, despite the lack of variation and awkward controls, Me & My Katamari is a genuinely addictive yet simple concept that meant that for once I was the person telling my girlfriend to 'put that down and come help with the washing up!'

Although condensed into portable form, Kojima Productions' immense production values, characterisation and narrative style has been carried across flawlessly.

Whether you find any pleasure in Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal will depend on your tolerance of the controls and the slow-paced dungeon crawling. This isn't a spectacular game from any standpoint, but it will connect with some gamers as a charming pleasure.

Players who aren't willing to spend hours and hours crafting their dream tower and instead want a quick pick-up-and-play simulation will be very hesitant to pursue a career with The Tower.

The actual hand to hand (or baseball bat to hand) combat is excellent too; targeting in the same way, you use both thumbsticks to combat your opponent, one for moving you or your opponent, you can throw or ram your foe into the wall with this stick too - and the other stick is generally for hitting them. Use both together for best results!

Even though it might be over too quickly for platforming veterans, those who like action from the word go will find their long lost pal in Kao the Kangaroo 2. With an enormous and linear breath of fresh air feeling, this game puts the cool back in old school and will have most gamers jumping for joy for as long as it lasts!

People wanting big, immersing RPG stories would be best advised to look at "The Longest Journey" games instead, but most fans of the series, despite the various changes that have made it more of an RPG-Lite, will not be disappointed by what Oblivion has to offer.

Oblivion is literally riddled with ye-olde RPG tradition, yet its accessibly, truly freeform approach will appeal to old hands and those yet to experience the unbridled joy of carving a new life alike.

The game simply rocks and in my opinion this is the best puzzle game money can currently buy.

What Nintendo has really done with this game is set the bar extremely high for any future portable FPS title that even wants to be considered above average.

It's a compelling tale, which is more than backed up by some fly graphics, cool soundtracks and smooth gameplay.

Only the issues of its periodically dodgy camera and short lifespan - along with the rock-paper-scissors-esque two player bug fighting game, which is frankly not much cop and not really worth a mention - even come close to bringing it down, and even with those minor faults, you really should make sure you pick up Daxter as soon as possible.

Metal Gear Online? On the PS2? Surely it's crap! I admit, I didn't think it could be pulled off very well... but I'll happily eat my words, because it's bloody brilliant.

Unfortunately the thought just hasn't gone into the gameplay itself and although I have to concede that children and fans of the film may enjoy it, there isn't enough here to keep this title from going extinct in a short period of time.

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown is stunning in the way it looks and feels, but this is no more than you would expect when the film is essentially computer generated anyway.

It's a truckload of fun, controls tightly, never lets the player down with framerate issues, offers an obscene amount of things to see and do, all the while oozing charm, personality and unbridled quality from every one of its robotic nooks and crannies (now there's a nice image to take with you).

Perseverance is key though, because this is not a game you rush into.

Unfortunately the thought just hasn't gone into the gameplay itself and although I have to concede that children and fans of the film may enjoy it, there isn't enough here to keep this title from going extinct in a short period of time.

Unfortunately the thought just hasn't gone into the gameplay itself and although I have to concede that children and fans of the film may enjoy it, there isn't enough here to keep this title from going extinct in a short period of time.

Wrapped up with gorgeous presentation all round, with sumptuous 360 visuals and booming, atmospheric sound and music, the gameplay never fails to be anything less than engaging and enjoyable, both throughout the single player campaign and in the fantastic and fully online multiplayer modes.

The content on offer in Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix is pretty great.

The content on offer in Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix is pretty great.

It's a hard one to call; the childlike simplicity and design will be gobbled up by a lot of people, but this reviewer isn't one of them and I know my editor isn't either!

A triumphant return to top form for the series and a very successful reinvention, making it arguably the best Onimusha yet.

It looks, moves, feels and plays absolutely flawlessly, at breakneck pace and with consistently brutal and frenzied action.

Unfortunately, State of War is only in a state of war with itself and fails to battle convincingly with my time.

An extremely fast-paced, easily accessible fighting game that any Dragon Ball Z fans will get a real kick out of playing.

It provides an experience that is simultaneously old school and fresh feeling, making it an easy recommendation for fans of the genre.

Ultimately, playing games should always be about fun and that's why I absolutely loved playing this game.

An absolute blast to play from start to finish. Despite what I said about the rather basic gameplay underneath the destruction, I think the game should get a once over by any self-respecting gamer, fan of the genre or otherwise, as it's nice and simple, easy to play and yet difficult to put down.

Despite realistic graphics and sound, DDO simply falls short of expectations when it comes to providing accessible gameplay for solo or group play, meaning that you have to sink a large portion of your time into the game to get the most out of it.

It's like one of those paintings by Rembrant (or was it Monet?) where up close it's all dots and squiggles, but when you back away and appreciate the whole thing, it becomes a beautiful composition.

Final Fight was a classic and Streetwise is a long way from some of the crummy remakes that seem to be springing out lately, so if you're the type to go into everything fists flying, then Travers is the perfect character for you.

But kids used to load times for the GBA or DS will quickly become frustrated with the constant loading in this game, as I discovered with my 8 and 9 year old sons.

It's not a bad game, but casual gamers, and possibly hardcore-traditional-football fans, may get bored of pulling tricks rather than pulling skilled corners back on the real pitch.

Its charmless and sterile graphics only make the dodgy gameplay harder to swallow and give less reason for me to continue.

Although it's short, the high replayability factor and some brilliant additions to both equipment and gameplay, make this is one of the best solider-sim expansion packs ever released. Period.

It's a fantastic expansion, probably the best to date, especially when combined with the expansion that came out prior to this, Nightlife.

Its shortcomings are overwhelmed entirely by pure, unrelenting fun from beginning to end, with enough multiple routes on the levels to warrant at least a couple of plays through.

Final Fight was a classic and Streetwise is a long way from some of the crummy remakes that seem to be springing out lately, so if you're the type to go into everything fists flying, then Travers is the perfect character for you.

It's not a bad game, but casual gamers, and possibly hardcore-traditional-football fans, may get bored of pulling tricks rather than pulling skilled corners back on the real pitch.

It's not a bad game, but casual gamers, and possibly hardcore-traditional-football fans, may get bored of pulling tricks rather than pulling skilled corners back on the real pitch.

In an age of ever advancing graphics and game complexity, this return to retro-style gaming, with a few modern touches, is very welcome.

Fight Night Round 3 delivers in all the areas that are important in a boxing sim; it brings the big names to life with luscious graphics and gives them form and ability, with a well-made control system and decent game mechanics.

It has more game modes and racing disciplines than any game before it and it's smart enough to cater for beginners and racing nuts alike.

It's hard to think of anything else the guys at Codemasters could have crammed into the game, and the way they've managed to retain such a high level of quality throughout the whole experience really is extraordinary.

It's hard to think of anything else the guys at Codemasters could have crammed into the game, and the way they've managed to retain such a high level of quality throughout the whole experience really is extraordinary.

A truly great game. However, it's not for everybody. Let me warn you, I've been playing this game now for about a week, watched all the tutorials and I am yet to come close to winning a game, it's that hard.

Sonic Riders doesn't boast too many tracks, nor does it have an online mode, which is a shame, but a bit of unique futuristic racing with familiar faces is what I'm after these days, and Sonic Riders delivers on that front hands down.

Sonic Riders doesn't boast too many tracks, nor does it have an online mode, which is a shame, but a bit of unique futuristic racing with familiar faces is what I'm after these days, and Sonic Riders delivers on that front hands down.

Sonic Riders doesn't boast too many tracks, nor does it have an online mode, which is a shame, but a bit of unique futuristic racing with familiar faces is what I'm after these days, and Sonic Riders delivers on that front hands down.

A few technical glitches aside, it's a pretty great turn out from EA, and were Fight Night Round 3 to be a boxer itself, it wouldn't win by total knockout, but would definitely go the twelve rounds and come out on top.

Boxing games tend to get a bit dry after a while, but I've been playing this non-stop since I got it. I've become at one with my fighter and have really immersed myself in the tactics involved in a boxing match.

As much I hate to say it, Star Wars: Empire At War isn't worth the entry fee. This is a terrible shame, since it had such promise from the pre-launch screenshots, but sadly the repetitive and shallow gameplay, combined with the below par presentation and ludicrously high difficulty level, simply can't compete with the best of the genre.

There's an arcade mode, which is identical to the main one but with a level select, as well as a multiplayer mode, but my friends would all get horribly offended if I asked them to play this.

Getting Up is like a breath of fresh air, never before seen in the games industry and implemented to a degree that should make it a must in any gamer's collection.

This really is a wonderful game that has been fitted perfectly to a new combat style and handheld gaming model, setting the bar pretty high for anyone attempting something similar in the future.

As for the on-screen display, it's top notch - everything you need to know is on the screen - boost and unwreck bar, speed, a handy map showing the road layout and locations of competitors, your weapon availability (complete with an overheat display, which if filled up causes the weapon to jam for a few seconds before you can use it again) and your armour display.

It's more of the same plus one - you've just got to stick with it for a while until the action really picks up.

I came into Rugby 06 with an open mind, I was hoping for the FIFA engine with rugby elements and I was let down.

So yes, arcade simplicity can be fun, but as WWII Tank Commander has proven, it can also be very boring.

Getting Up is like a breath of fresh air, never before seen in the games industry and implemented to a degree that should make it a must in any gamer's collection.

I came into Rugby 06 with an open mind, I was hoping for the FIFA engine with rugby elements and I was let down.

Despite some minor control quibbles, this truly is one of the best PSP titles money can buy.

There are many good elements to Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, but it ultimately fails to excel on the two levels it attempts: it fails as nostalgia because the weaknesses of the original get in the way of the fun, and it fails as a new game because neither the environment nor story translate to a unique or very scary experience anymore.

Hopefully any future release will benefit from vigorous testing before release, a privilege that hasn't seemed to have been granted to this collection.

The gameplay does have a tendency to get slightly repetitive at times, but almost as soon as the experience shows signs of getting to the point of redundancy, a new gameplay mechanic, challenge or boss battle is introduced, thus keeping your interest level from start to finish.

It has its share of quirks that do frustrate from time to time, but in the end the sheer charm, originality and fun-factor that Chibi-Robo exudes are uplifting enough to easily earn it my stamp of approval.

The difficulty settings, responsive controls and some nice visual download content to boot make Crystal Quest stand out from a slew of other dual-stick control games.

Platformer lovers who are also fans of the license are likely to get a kick out of Curious George for the short time that it lasts, and I don't think anyone can discount the game's beautiful presentation, but in the end I think going with a weekend rental is about all that most gamers will get out of this.

Platformer lovers who are also fans of the license are likely to get a kick out of Curious George for the short time that it lasts, and I don't think anyone can discount the game's beautiful presentation, but in the end I think going with a weekend rental is about all that most gamers will get out of this.

Maverick Hunter X is my favourite PSP game thus far and one of the very best games I've ever had the pleasure of playing.

Sure, many of the bonus features could've been beefed up a bit more, but considering you're getting the same brilliant Devil May Cry 3 experience with new content at a bargain basement price, there's absolutely no reason not to go out and treat yourself to this action classic.

This title brings back all the memories of Marble Madness but with countless alterations and improvements.

What galls me even more is that the poor gameplay, frustrating loading times, overly cartoony graphics and irritating sound may give monkeys a bad rep.

MX Vs. ATV Unleashed does nothing drastically wrong, it just fails to do anything drastically right. It is a moderately entertaining racer, sure, but is too lightweight to inspire any long-term appeal.

It comes as quite a pleasant surprise that Wild ARMs 4 is actually better in regards to its platforming, adventuring and puzzles than it is its combat, but when considered altogether these parts equate to one finely crafted and unique RPG that fans of both the series and the genre as a whole would do well to pick up.

With the absence of "Tetris" on the PSP, PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient is a great puzzle game for your PSP.

This one is unfortunately destined to drown in the pool of DS tech-demos and toys, as a great idea that never reached its potential.

Boasting amazing looks, stunning animation and instantly accessible yet deep gameplay that's hugely addictive, it's the kind of game that is not only awesome to show off the power of your beloved new 360, but will be a faithful companion for many months to come, thanks to a huge amount to do and a variety of modes both offline and on.

The horribly short lifespan and the bad controls of Kong degrades this title from a must-have to a must-rent.

Robotron 2084 is true to the original and many regard that as one of the best games ever made - but with most other retro games offering some sort of overhauled main mode and the classic alongside it, recommending this is hard for players who simply want more then a port.

The AI itself is quite charactersome, nattering incessantly to you throughout the match, sometimes making scathing remarks on your inability to play chess and sometimes just uttering random remarks, such as Mrs Doubtfire impersonations amongst many others. But even that exuberant façade cannot hide the fact that behind Fritz Chess 9 is very little new material besides engine updates.

The inclusion of local multiplayer and leaderboards to compare your stats against other players is also an added bonus that can motivate some to keep playing until they're at the top of the list.

So feature rich and just so damn entertaining.

For all but Monopoly, the translation to digital has been handled very well, and the speed and simplicity of play allows for pretty good replay value.

It isn't a terrible game, but neither is it a good one. For those wanting to play a game of poker without the hassle of dealing cards or finding friends to play against then this game is an adequate substitute.

It is certainly fun, but doesn't really grab the attention for more than short bursts of a few hours at a time.

You don't have to shun your precious sporting affections, just widen them enough to see Chaos League: Sudden Death standing at the touchline, waving a meat cleaver in your face.

A fantastic action-platformer that, despite a few technical hitches and minor camera problems, delivers well over ten hours of 3D Pac-Man goodness.

It's a great outlet for fans of Backgammon to go and play their favorite game with other people, without the need to wander around with a small briefcase looking for other players.

A simple game of Hearts and nothing more.

You can easily play it online or with a real deck of cards for free, and Spades offers little incentive to spend money on a digital version of it with a deserted online community and a lacklustre single player mode.

There are things like loading times that can annoy from time to time, and the graphical blurs can be a pain, but the amount of gameplay and content here is fantastic, and to be able to customise your house's interior on the move in full 3D really does appeal.