An excellent treat for fans of the books and soon to be fans of the film. The game covers a lot of territory while doing a great job of bringing a decent amount of challenge and thrills to the masses.

In a funny way it may turn out that the Tony Hawk's games needed the arrival of skate as much as skate needed the existence of Tony Hawk's to make it what it is - the new home of skateboarding, at least for the time being.

There really aren't any drawbacks to Dr. Sudoku, other than the fact that you can cheat if you want to throughout all one thousand boards.

An absolute triumph of a sequel.

I feel in about a year's time, when they have this new engine perfected, FIFA might be a serious contender, but at the moment it's not quite realising its full potential.

MotorStorm: Pacific Rift feels more like a refinement than a revolution, although given the success and quality of the original, this is hardly a bad thing.

Phantasy Star Portable could so easily have been the triple-A title that the PSP so sorely needs at the moment, but without online play it just misses the mark.

Whether you've played the original Tomb Raider to death or have never even seen it in action, Tomb Raider Anniversary is a worthwhile purchase for your PSP.

It would be safe to say that Crysis, at least in the single player, does not manage to live up to the expectations that people had for it. Crytek's idea and shell for this game is superb, but falls a little short in the execution.

They have delivered what is most definitely a game for the fans, and that can't really be stressed enough.

It's simple yet challenging, basic yet beautiful and allows a certain creativity many other indie 2D platform games can only merely hint at.

Variety, accessibility, value, fun and tons of content is what TY the Tasmanian Tiger is all about, and never has Krome done a better job at pulling all of these elements together than they have in TY 3: Night of the Quinkan.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is without doubt the most comprehensive Mortal Kombat game ever.

With the exception of the unbalanced AI, occasionally infuriating difficulty and arguable lack of series progression, Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a triumph in every respect.

Perhaps it's because after countless other games, particularly Call of Duty, those once magnificent scenes of senseless destruction no longer have the impact they once did. Scripted sequences have perhaps gone as far as they can go with these games.

Portable gaming is all about pick up and play - short bursts of fun action. Virtua Tennis: World Tour captures that spirit with style - games last a few minutes and practice sessions are under a minute, yet it never feels lacking or rushed.

Succeeds in creating an engaging story full of equally engaging characters that will push you to complete the game just to see where it goes and what kind of sadistic surgery you'll have to perform next.

A brilliant game, and also a very long one. The shortest missions will take several hours, if you're lucky, with online missions having the added bonus of being saveable so you and your friends can carry a private war out over a course of days if necessary.

The PS2 version is cheap and cheerful, it's a lot easier to control than the PSP version and for those people who loved Vice City and want an excuse to go back, well, Stories is your reason.

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.

I had a chat to God tonight. He and I both agree that The Da Vinci Code game is more polished than the Holy Grail, more miraculous than Moses, more fun than riding shotgun with Noah and holier than a lump of mouse-nibbled stilton cheese.

Right now drift racing has the potential to be the next big thing, so you may as well try something that emphasizes the extreme difficulty it takes to gracefully glide around curves.

Overall, I love the game and its uniqueness but I think it should have been left on the DS.

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.

The only problem I can find with Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 is its timing - coming at the end of the Gamecube's lifespan.

Variety, accessibility, value, fun and tons of content is what TY the Tasmanian Tiger is all about, and never has Krome done a better job at pulling all of these elements together than they have in TY 3: Night of the Quinkan.

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie has impressed me so much that I'm almost embarrassed to admit it. There's loads of variety to keep anybody quiet for ages - it even kept me up, playing until the break of dawn!

From start to finish, Lego Star Wars delivers; looks, presentation, gameplay, replay value, none of it lacks polish.

Ultimately, if you've not had the pleasure of playing this on the Cube and you have a couple of mates to enjoy this title with, then it's definitely worth the money. Better yet, wait for this one to drop ten pounds in price and pick up a bargain worth rolling home with.

The most exciting aspect of Link's Crossbow Training is the price. For £20 you get the game and the Wii Zapper in a sleek white box. It's excellent value and helps you to overlook any shortcomings that the game might have.

Don't pass this up just because it 'looks like Metroid' - pick it up because it's as intriguing, and in some ways more so, than Nintendo's excellent franchise.

Mega Man ZX Advent is a great Mega Man game that inspires memories of former glory while hinting at the possibility of a bright future both for a character that most gamers holds dear and a sweet little system that is more than capable of handling whatever the developers throw at it.

The need to freeze and break enemies, rather than just straight shooting of them adds an extra dimension to the game. The challenges that you meet later on also means some brainpower is required to negotiate the levels.

If you want hollow button mashing then pick up the latest Dynasty Warriors, but if you are after something with a little more depth, breadth, scope and originality then give Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War a try; you might just be pleasantly surprised as it smashes away your preconceptions like so many scattering infantry.

Aside from being visually beautiful in a perfect, picture book way, it has one of the smartest combat mechanics around for any RPG, managing to balance the pace of combat with the patient thought of a strategy game effortlessly.

Loco Roco is a game that PSP owners simply must try; it's the type of unconventional and quirky gameplay that is infectious and addictive beyond rationality, and a game that you will want to keep playing and never stop - you will want to hear those songs again and again, and to see the different levels using different Loco Rocos.

In spite of cries that the series has grown too large (and in all honesty, the franchise is at risk of making greedy plumber Mario jealous), Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit is a fine example of a fighter with exciting graphics, fantastic sound and enough innovation to keep things interesting.

The game is still brilliant and the second coming gives another chance to all those people who wished they'd played the first - but there's something a little too familiar about it, and if you were refreshed by my change in approach, then you might find the lack of change in FlatOut 2 somewhat repetitive.

de Blob is fantastic fun that provides hours of enjoyable gameplay and will leave you tapping your foot and humming the soundtrack for weeks to come.

There really is nothing else quite like it - which could be a good thing or a bad thing, as no competition for Trapt means that the flaws can stay.

A perfect example of turning something underrated into a great game. Its also embarrasses "Pokemon Colosseum" and its fuddy-duddy turn based approach, flaunting a more hands on approach.

With quirky graphics, familiar sounds, a nice variation in missions and tasks, a high level of interaction where jobs are concerned and some great new power socials, The Urbz is a worthy addition to most peoples' collection.

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!

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.

There is no middle ground with Boiling Point: Road To Hell, you'll either look past it's flaws and love the expansive, open-ended adventure game beneath, or hate it because of its numerous technical faults, poor performance and general rushed feel.

If you're a Quake fan or crave a seriouser Serious Sam, this is one trip to hell you'll certainly want to take again and again.

It's like a work of musical art, with plenty of eventful gaming moments.

Lost Odyssey isn't an RPG classic. It doesn't break new ground and it has its problems, but that doesn't keep it from being great.

I would go so far to say that it's one of the best games on the system. The only reason it didn't score higher is because of its ultimately repetitive nature and its lack of a multiplayer mode.

Where Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker really surprises is in how different it manages to be to Pokémon whilst still maintaining the addictive gameplay mechanics that made the latter so damned popular in the first place.

My Japanese Coach is a great idea that's well implemented and definitely worth investing in if you're trying to learn Japanese. Instead of carrying around a heavy dictionary or book, all you need is your pocket-sized DS, and of course a book can't pronounce words or record and playback your own speech.

Regardless of the glaring omission of a complete lack of multiplayer, Ninety-Nine Nights is a great deal of fun for those that stick with it long enough to uncover its hidden depths.

A lot of work has gone into this title to make it challenging, rewarding and a lot of fun for the casual player (if a bit tough in places).

TimeShift offers FPS fans an often fun but sometimes unchallenging romp through a dystopic alternate past. The time powers are integrated well and make for some entertaining and sometimes funny gaming experiences.

Having spent many hours playing Killing Floor, I am delighted to report that it's really, really enjoyable - sometimes even more so than the amazing Left 4 Dead.

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.

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.

There isnt' quite enough variety to make this classic and after the ten to fifteen hours it takes to beat the game, the monotonous fighting feels overly arduous.

Pool Paradise creates a very enjoyable challenge for a single player, has an excellent and almost limitless lifespan in two-player, and above all it's a snip at just £20.

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.

If you enjoy mini-games with a focus upon beating previous high scores and unlocking mostly pointless extras for your character then you can't go far wrong with this.

If you let it, Sword of the Stars will consume your life. You'll forget you have a girlfriend or a job, you'll rush home from school (or simply not go) to carry on playing and that's exactly what a great sim should do.

It's essential in a time when online leaderboards and frag counters are very much in style.

Compelling, engrossing and thrilling.

Red Steel 2 has been carefully crafted from top to bottom, and with the exception of a few balancing issues and a weak storyline, it manages to excel, both as a game in its own right and as a showcase for what can be achieved with the Wii MotionPlus hardware.

Skilled players can probably blow through Story mode in a day or so, but the multiplayer modes make up for the brevity of that part of the game.

Open a fine wine, break out the stinky cheese, and dig deep into this rewarding and challenging game.

A perfect example of turning something underrated into a great game. Its also embarrasses "Pokemon Colosseum" and its fuddy-duddy turn based approach, flaunting a more hands on approach.

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.

Still, in light of this NBA Live 10 remains a solid title bursting with features and graphical elegance that may blow your mind.

Beaterator is one of the most interesting PSP titles in the last few months.

Despite being simple to pick up and play, Magical Starsign hides a complex game underneath. No doubt part of this simplicity is intentional in order to entice the younger audience that this title seemingly wants to attract. However, there is more than enough here to keep RPG enthusiasts of all ages entertained.

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.

Except for a few subtle-but-effective additions, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War doesn't do much else but marginally evolve the series from its last effort, and in the end that leads to a familiar feeling of 'been there, done that'.

What makes Sid Meier's Pirates! a game that every PSP owner should at least seriously consider purchasing is its sheer depth and replay value.

Quite honestly, it doesn't have anything on the pioneering Dark Chronicle or the flawless Final Fantasy VII, but then you'd have to do something pretty special to outdo those two.

The number of gameplay modes is sufficient to keep you going for months and the controls are nicely implemented.

Silent Hill: Homecoming is no queen, then, but there's more than enough about Double Helix's first go-around with the series that I can heartily recommend it to any gamer with an appetite for a genuinely creepy hybrid of survival horror old and new.

The package gave me hours of enjoyment and nail biting engagement; it even made me sweat with suspense and convinced me that I was actually in a battle!

The Godfather II doesn't quite live up to the film upon which it is based, but the experience it delivers is much more enjoyable than I expected.

If you like stealth oriented games that require more thought and patience than machine-gun mouse clicking, Manhunt is a strong contender for your games collection. If good-natured heroes and strong morals are important to you however, you'd probably be better off renting "The Silence of the Lambs" from the video store.

People who are looking for a fast sports game can't go wrong with this, but those wanting to upgrade might want to rent it first to see if it's worth their hard earned pennies.

At the end of the day though, you have to applaud THQ for going so wholeheartedly after such a specific demographic; SvR players probably won't like it but that doesn't matter, because they don't need it. They have their wrestling game, and now, thanks to THQ, us oldies have ours. It may be far from perfect but I'll be damned if it isn't fun.

An excellent beginning to what could be an incredible franchise.

Loki is very much like "Neverwinter Nights 2" crossed with "Diablo II," with a dash of gods and mythology thrown in for good measure. If you liked these games, or other hack 'n' slash action RPGs, then you should find Loki an enjoyable experience.

The differences from last year might only sound incremental on paper, but FIFA 08 provides all the polish of last year with some excellent new features with some additional flair and panache.

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 is undeniably the best of the series and it has more than enough content to offer. However, the problem is that the difference in price between the 06 and the 07 edition of the game does not correspond favourably with the number of improvements that have been made.

It's not one of those games you'll play forever, but I suspect that for many it will be one of those games that sits on the shelf so that any time you're feeling particularly evil or you've just had a bad day, you'll load it up and go eat some people.

What's great about Break 'Em All is that it's one of those fun titles that you can take with you anywhere and play through without worrying about rushing through it too quickly.

Machinarium is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable point and click adventure and while it's not without fault, these are passing annoyances rather than sticking points that will sour the experience.

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 very addictive and innovative gameplay experience awaits anyone willing to part with their precious Microsoft points to purchase Switchball, although a little bit of patience is required with some of the harder levels, which some gamers may find tough to get to grips with.

A lightweight storyline is balanced out by a hardcore car creation mode (at least on the visuals front) and all this is backed up by the delectable Brooke Burke. It's fair to say that it beats neither Midnight Club or Burnout, but it comes a pretty close second.

NHL 08 is without question the finest hockey game that EA have released for many years and the first real contender to NHL 2K's crown as the premiere hockey simulation.

A decent and enjoyable, if quite silly, game.

I thoroughly enjoyed Micro Machines V4, probably because of the heavy dosage of nostalgia that it administered to me, but also because the developers obeyed the golden rule of retro game reiteration: provide the gamer with a modern day standard game whilst maintaining the elements they loved from the original, something that is not at all easy to do.

The controls highlight just how diverse and easy to play the Wii can be when it comes to gaming and the little tykes will love decorating their houses with furniture they've crafted with relative ease.