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.

What it lacks in innovation it makes up for with a level of fun not seen in the majority of cloned track racers of recent times - and those Nitros are just too cool.

Monsters is a winsome game at heart and an enjoyable addition to your library if you're looking for something that's strategic and a little different to the norm.

It's everything you ever wanted from the last couple of Hawk incarnations but these are things that were never included; a unique bobby dazzler of a story and loads of depth that promises to wow us all.

It's wonderfully well presented and designed throughout, from the slick menus to the jaw-dropping spectacle of the visuals. The lonely feeling of playing on Xbox Live is a blow however, something that ghost competitors could easily have rectified.

The missions are varied enough to keep you going and take advantage of what makes the game fun; if you like classic beat 'em up games like "Final Fight" or "Streets of Rage 2," then Ultimate Destruction is a game you can't pass up; mindless, destructive fun that has never been done better than this.

The gorgeous graphics, the superb sound, the great (if sometimes twitchy) AI of your partner and the jaw-dropping gameplay take everything that was brilliant about Resident Evil 4 and ramp it up to the next level, making for one of the best gaming experiences ever!

For some the difficulty may be a little frustrating and later on in the game it seems a little fruitless to fork out on weapons, but it's balanced, clever and exciting, almost forcing you to have one more go.

The visuals are absolutely stunning, there are dozens of things to unlock (including some things that were not originally in DOA2) and the online play has been implemented flawlessly, giving us, for the first time, an online 3D fighter that actually feels like a group of players at an arcade and even includes tournaments and championships.

An excellent gaming experience. Sure the load times are bad, and that is reflected in a lower score for this than I gave the PC version - but this is still an excellent game that owners of the PSP should definitely try.

Once again then, Madden has produced a highlight reel of new features which, while including something for everyone, still probably won't make it anyone's perfect American Football experience.

NBA 2K7 is an awesome game and has won my heart as my favourite basketball sim.

Lush environments, fluid player animations and smooth frame rates combine to make one of the prettiest titles of recent years.

For anyone looking to get into baseball management sims, Out of the Park Baseball 10 is a perfectly fine place to begin getting to grips with the complexities and steep learning curve of the sub-genre.

Despite its shortcomings, Shift is a very good game. Problem is, Shift is a very good game with some truly exceptional competition.

Awesome ambient effects provide the glue for stunning visuals, sound effects almost drown out pumping beats and remarkably adept police chats, while the gameplay challenges are enough to keep you on the edge of your leather upholstered bucket seats.

One hell of a game; for all your WWII strategy needs, look no further. It's always refreshing to come across a game that'll last you a full year of serious gaming, if not longer.

The linear beginning may disappoint hardcore players but Final Fantasy XIII is a journey from start to finish and it is worth losing a few days or weeks over.

When it works, TimeSplitters: Future Perfectis a highly enjoyable and addictive title. The times when we were able to get good online games going without any problems were absolutely fantastic, a real reminder of great blazing fast arcade shooters from years past like Quake and the classic "Unreal."

For a game that splits between two different dimensions, Crush ends up feeling a little one-dimensional. However, the concept is undeniably ingenious and it is my sincere hope that a sequel will emerge to take it to the next level and produce a true gaming classic.

I honestly can't dish out enough praise to the SOE dev team for how far above and beyond they went with this one; Echoes of Faydwer is the epitome of what a classic expansion should be and is easily among 2006's best releases.

This Bleach is powerful stuff. It cuts through the grime of other games in the genre, washing away the competition without a second thought.

If you loved the original but found it too easy, then give The Prince of Persia: Warrior Within a go, as it's sure to please. If you loved "Ninja Gaiden" you'll definitely like this.

Crackdown gives an absolutely exhilarating first impression, but in only an hour or two you'll have seen basically everything the game has to offer and from there on out the complete lack of structure and variety leaves the entire game feeling somewhat pointless.

As great as UFC 2009: Undisputed really is, it's hard not to look forward to the inevitable sequel. The fact that Yuke's has done such a great job with the fighting engine first time around bodes very well for the future, while minor improvements to the online and career mode are things that can surely be amended in next year's iteration.

The refinements and tweaks made to the already exceptional game engine have resulted in the best Madden game to date, while the new additions of My Skill, Play Style and Rewind make it a surprisingly accessible introduction to the series for newcomers.

It’s is a huge-improvement over its erratic predecessor and the kind of top-notch, no-holds-barred, sandbox action game many people hoped Mercenaries 2 would be a couple of years ago.

It makes a real change from many of the other puzzle games out there for the Nintendo DS and if this crowded genre is going to survive, we're going to need a lot more innovative games like Picross that try something different - and succeed. Simple and harmless fun, Picross is definitely worth a look.

It's a great title for newcomers to the game, as it does a lot of easing you into the control system and the experience as a whole. However, veterans of the series will probably find themselves getting very frustrated with the create-a-champ and Career modes.

As much fun as swinging around the city and helping random people is, Spider-Man 2 could have been an absolutely amazing title had the developers spent a little more time crafting better missions and crimes to stop and actually giving the enemy some AI instead of patterns to repeat.

While the combat mechanics of the underlying Doom 3 engine are not up to the level of "SiN Episodes Emergence" or "Half-Life 2: Episode One," this is a solid shooter that adult fans of the genre should definitely check out.

It's everything you ever wanted from the last couple of Hawk incarnations but these are things that were never included; a unique bobby dazzler of a story and loads of depth that promises to wow us all.

It's a high-quality game and a very successful reboot of a failing series – it's just not as good as it should be.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a better game for Ishimoto's reassuring work and, despite its faults, the overall experience is well worth your time.

MLB '08: The Show is everything you'd expect from a handheld baseball title.

One of the most fresh, exiting and original games to come out for a long time; it's well presented, sounds great and offers something completely new. There are even a few sex scenes!

If you loved the original but found it too easy, then give The Prince of Persia: Warrior Within a go, as it's sure to please. If you loved "Ninja Gaiden" you'll definitely like this.

Inconsistent both in its game world and its gameplay, Rogue Galaxy is a title with much potential that doesn't quite realise it fully.

It's definitely a game to play casually when you need to pass a bit of time, but don't expect to be addicted to it like you may have been to "Animal Crossing."

Online issues aside, Colin McRae: DiRT is a fantastic driving game in so many ways.

With the PS2 final whistle in sight, FIFA 08 brings it right back to the touch line.

With over 200 microgames at the helm and mulitplayer support for up to twelve players with only one Wiimote, this is by far the most complete WarioWare package yet. In fact, if Smooth Moves doesn't get you hot and sweaty like Wario's pitts on a humid summer's day then you clearly hate games, are a Daily Mail reader and/or Jack Thompson is your God.

It looks and sounds better than ever, with a host of real and fantasy modes and characters, a mix that offers a lot of variety for both casual and hardcore gamers. As always, it's a game that's easy to pick up and very difficult to put down.

If you're new to the series then Football Manager 2009 is definitely the edition to go for, as the guidance from the wizards and the profusion of tip boxes will help you like never before.

Let’s be honest though, at the price point Torchlight is retailing at, you really shouldn’t be expecting polish. Hell, if you’ve been lucky enough to pick it up at the ridiculous price it went for during some of the winter sales, you’ll get your value for money as long as it boots to the menu – and while it may not be polished, and may be missing a few things that will elevate it beyond Diablo, Torchlight is still undeniably good fun. Incredibly basic, pure, simple, primal fun. And I love it for it.

People looking for a good side-scrolling game will enjoy it and Sonic fans everywhere will be delighted at another chance to return to the old-school roots that made Sonic so great back in the day.

It's definitely a game to play casually when you need to pass a bit of time, but don't expect to be addicted to it like you may have been to "Animal Crossing."

I really do like Race 07: Official WTCC Game. In the modern group of racers, it's a breath of fresh air to find a game that does exactly what it says it will on the box. A wealth of options, tonnes of cars and enough tracks to keep even hardcore racers busy for months, coupled with a true feeling of real driving gives Race 07 something that no other racer has.

Fans of Ninja Gaiden or just of great action games in general will find a lot to like here.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma was a significant step up from Itagaki's original; this second Sigma edition is sadly more port than remake.

As complicated as games can end up being, it's very nice to be able to pick up and play a simple, enjoyable game like Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime every now and then.

A mandatory purchase for any RPG lover or video game connoisseur.

With some real effort having gone into ensuring the game looks great on any TV and plays well online, this is one of the Xbox Live Arcade games that really needs to be in every collection, especially with the recent decline in classic puzzlers on the console. Now go bust some gems!

An epic experience from beginning to end, filled with dark humour, lots of action and most importantly the perfect blend of engrossing story and engaging gameplay.

There is a depth to this game like no other, and with over seventy songs, each with four different difficulty levels, plus the versatile and insanely addictive online mode, this will most definitely keep you rocking for a long time to come.

There are not many reasons not to buy this game – it’s a bit difficult to get used to at the start and the graphics aren’t as high quality as they could have been. Ignore these minor issues and buy this game – you will not be disappointed!

Although the violence is a lot harsher, the gameplay and tension has been revamped to give a more intuitive feel without losing the need to improve those button tapping skills.

Minor reservations aside, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is the rarest type of sports game; one that redefines the way you think of the genre.

It's definitely a game to play casually when you need to pass a bit of time, but don't expect to be addicted to it like you may have been to "Animal Crossing."

Europa Universalis III is a game for those of you who love complicated micromanagement, for those who feel that the likes of Civilization lack depth and realism, and who want to be in complete control of their nation.

Ideal to dip into when you've run out of cash and completed everything else on your shelf.

If there is one phrase that can cover just about everything Odin Sphere is about, it would be this: Odin Sphere has 2D sensibilities. If you remove the technological aspect of the game - not that you'd want to - you have a game that could just as easily been released on the Super Nintendo and ruled the hearts and dreams of fan boys and girls around the world.

Imaginative graphics and superb sound, a sprawling adventure packed full of neat touches and cool weapons, great humour and an accomplished multiplayer; Glitch embodies what games are really all about - challenge, entertainment and fun.

Wipeout Pulse is undoubtedly the greatest racing game on the PSP, if not the greatest game ever made.

I love the attention to detail here; this isn't just a number of classics slapped into a collection with no thought - this is a set that was meticulously put together and each game is given the proper respect to make you want to play every single one of them, which is what a classics collection should do.

It's fun for a bit, and fans of Lara will welcome this new addition as a breath of fresh air.

A considerable improvement over its already fantastic predecessor. The addition of customization options to the single player game - and allowing that progress to transfer over to all of the other gameplay modes - is by far the best enhancement, while the beefed up AI is as impressive as we'd hoped and the refined co-op play offers a great range of options.

The sheer volume of things to do and blow up is unrivalled, and the Geo-Mod engine spoils me so much that I don't think I'll be able to play another action game without expecting a similar, if not better use of physical destruction.

An adaptation of a popular game format rather than anything particularly new and innovative.

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.

Much like its predecessor, Anno 1404 is an entertaining and friendly city building game with astonishing looks and enough content to last long into the winter months; and, again like its predecessor, its combat still lets things down.

If you need a party, and you own a PS3, then SingStar is a great choice and, thanks to the ever-growing online library of tracks, will be even better a year from now.

still not quite as refined or smooth as Pro Evo, FIFA 07 is certainly kicking at the heels of its great competitor.

Though the super hero genre of MMORPGs is definitely a deviation from the usual medieval or fantasy styles that we've become accustomed to, whether or not you'll enjoy this game is largely dependant on whether or not you cared for "City of Heroes."

The lack of truly stellar presentation isn't a big deal though, as you won't be playing Galactic Civilizations II: Endless Universe for its aesthetic qualities, you'll play for the engrossing gameplay.

For Dead Space fans, it’s a must play, but any Wii owner on the look-out for a game built for gamers and not the casual market should pick this one up. Would it be more fun as a full-fledged First Person Shooter? Probably, yes, but on its own merits Dead Space: Extraction is a huge success and perhaps the savior of its genre.

NBA2K 10 falls down because it tries too hard to be a simulation, instead of just being a game.

While Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 still suffers from a few of the glitches and lazy development that plagued its predecessors, the hugely innovative and perfectly implemented additions to the tried and tested Tiger Woods framework makes Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 very easy to recommend.

Act Of War: Direct Action heralds a massive return to top drawer form in RTS gaming. Slick, intelligent, sexy, beautiful and so, so engaging, I don't know whether to play it or take it out for a movie and a slap-up meal.

This isn't the funniest episode - that was Abe Lincoln Must Die! - but I would call it the most fun. It is silly and the Internet references are spread across the past fifteen years or more, making it at once naive and relevant while keeping the emphasis on fun, Fun, FUN throughout.

Of course, it’s impossible to avoid the fact that the omission of the myriad of domestic club sides and competitions that form the spine of normal FIFA titles will mean that interest in the game is sure to wane once the Soccer City stadium has emptied for the last time. But the fact that 2010 World Cup is better on the pitch than FIFA 10, combined with the diversity of its modes and its host of official content mean it’s the best piece of tournament merchandise you’ll buy this side of Brazil 2014.

It's fun for a bit, and fans of Lara will welcome the new addition as a breath of fresh air.

The most compelling reason to play Unreal Tournament III is its rarity, as such games are a dying breed. Regardless of your feelings toward this vein of game, you can't deny that they're something a little different than what born and bred console players are used to and Unreal still proudly flies the flag for old school shooters with great success.

My biggest concern is that the performance and system requirements will turn potential players - and module developers - away from the game, and it won't have the reach and long life of its predecessor.

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).

A poor expansion, with not much in the way of expanding on the previous. In fact it's possibly made the game a damn sight less playable, although hopefully my love for Total War will return with time.

A fantastic game. It's got everything - easy, varied and interesting combat, a huge roster of superheroes and supervillains, gorgeous visual effects, plus it's easily the most entertaining game I've played online in a long, long time.

Quality visuals, engaging storylines and intense action give this FPS the power to rip open the genre's ribcage and pump life into its formulaic heart.

If you're looking for the baddest handheld grind-fest this side of Handheld Meat Grinder 4, then this is the game for you. If you're looking for a game with a great story, awesome characters and battles that you can fit in the space of a bus journey then this is the game for you too.

What it lacks in original material it more than makes up for in presentation and near perfect execution.

if you're a 360 owner in the market for an awesome racing experience that truly lets you hit the open road and live the dream life, you've got nearly Unlimited possibilities with this latest Test Drive.

It's a joy to see the Monkey Island franchise so thoroughly rejuvenated in this era of bigger, better and more bad-ass, and with great puzzles, good looks and such insight into the unique sense of humour that helped make this series so beloved in the first instance, Lair of the Leviathan is the perfect showcase piece for a studio hitting their stride at exactly the right time, and a fine, fun game besides.

Blur is very much a straight forward welding of the kiddie Mario Kart style racers with adult-friendly realism. The result is something that is far beyond expectation. The action is fast, unrelenting and 'on-the-edge-of-your-seat'.

You know in the pit of your soul that this is a power the likes of which you have never felt before. In time, you will find out what you have become - and, more importantly, what you will become.

The police chases are excellent, with clever little turns and weaving in and out of traffic often rewarding you by losing your tail. These high speed chases are made all the better by the consistently high graphical standards, with the cut scenes given a computerised feel in order to make the transition between storyline and gameplay unnoticeable.

I can see what SI Games and SEGA have set out to achieve with Football Manager Live and while it doesn't quite line up with the idealistic images that I had in my head when dreaming of a football management sim that could be played online, it has come up with a really impressive massive multiplayer debut.

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is anything but a loveless port. If you loved the 360 version then you'll love this, despite the drop in graphical quality.

With its breathtakingly expansive environments, unparalleled musical mastery and enough gadgetry to make Sam Fisher look about as deadly as Action Man with a broken arm, SOCOM 3 both dazzles and delights.