A shining triumph of beat 'em up glory, spinning off from the traditional MK one-on-one gameplay and showing us all just how excellent the old-school beat 'em up can be in this current generation of gaming.

The best shooter yet released on Xbox 360 - it really does have everything.

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.

Had the single player been up to scratch and had the online functions been open to all instead of the select few willing to pay the extra costs, Universe at War could very well have been one of the year's first great strategy games.

Meanwhile, the other kids, with their super accurate Casio watches and Dunlop trainers, will take one look at the Wayne Rooney adorned menus and go straight back to "Pro Evolution Soccer 5," smiling quietly, knowing that they, yet again, have the better game.

As the final whistle blows and FIFA 08 stumbles off the pitch, bruised and battered, legs like jelly, a glance up at the scoreboard reveals the final result; a two all draw.

An old game in new clothing.

As an introductory to the world of simulated games it does an exceptional job, and even for hardened veterans of the genre there's still fun to be had, yet without the depth of its predecessors or the hook to keep you playing for any length of time, it falls short in providing the long term enjoyment that sim games usually pride themselves with.

The motion controls add of the Blackhand Edition are a nice touch that provide the Wii with something exclusive, and they do add extra interaction into the gameplay, once you've got the hang of them.

Your ability to deal with an RPG that brings stale gameplay and little in the way of a story - 'classic' RPG traits - will ultimately decide if this game is for you, not the title to the left of the "III".

EA are improving things, slowly but surely. However, the problem is that they are also degenerating in certain areas too, in their efforts to balance gameplay issues. And there is a deeper problem too - earlier versions of FIFA are actually more enjoyable!

If you've got kids of a gaming age then they'll enjoy playing this and, thanks to the excellent two-player mode, you'll still get to join in.

It is clear that despite being a slick, atmospheric and incredibly well-paced shooter, Dragon Rising will be doomed to obscurity outside of the series core fan base when Modern Warfare 2 drops next month. That said, this is definitely worth seeking out if you are serious about your shooters.

Ultimate Spider-Man may look very stylish and visually capture the essence of a comic perfectly, but the gameplay feels like a swing backwards in almost every department.

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.

John Woo Presents Stranglehold may not exactly be what players were expecting, but it comes packed with a truly next generation look and presentation that makes it difficult to not enjoy, even if it is only for brief periods.

800 points seems a bit much for a puzzle game, but when it's one as unique, clever and original (hey, we're not in Japan, we don't know what a Puzzloop is!) as Zuma Deluxe then it's very much worth it.

While certainly not as in-depth as some other games in the tycoon subset of the strategy genre, Outpost Kaloki X does offer plenty of bang for its meager price tag.

If you're looking for a top quality title for the genre then you've found it; just don't expect anything too revolutionary in the gameplay department.

Buzz has done it again - fast, frantic, accessible family fun with a huge range of questions, Buzz!: The Hollywood Quiz promises great fun for many gamers and non-gamers alike this winter - and not just the film buffs either.

A gaming experience that's hard to describe; it's like going to your favourite band's concert, seeing them live and coming out gob-smacked - you know that you've enjoyed it and you loved every minute of it but you're stuck for words on how to convey the experience.

Despite its faults, Tom Clancy's EndWar stands as a welcome departure from the quick and dirty reworkings that so many real-time strategy games have undergone in the transition from mouse and keyboard to control pad.

It's sometimes strange to consider how quickly the two main performers in the world of football videogames have changed their styles. FIFA is now the American Smooth of the genre, classic, elaborate and elegant, while PES is like a Cha Cha Cha; faster and livelier but also seen as somewhat outdated.

Obviously it’s not for the faint hearted, but anybody who wants an intense shooter with a twist should really consider taking a trip down to the Metro.

Deals with the horror genre brilliantly and will give anyone who wants it a darn good fright.

While there is plenty of polish to F-Zero: GP Legend and you do get a good feeling of speed, there isn't that much that's new.

It boils down to the combat system though. A good story is nothing without good gameplay to back that story up, but thankfully The Godfather delivers on all fronts.

You don't need to know the ins and outs of American Football to enjoy it, it's infinitely more accessible than others in the genre and it manages to keep the whole 'Urban-Extreme' aspect to a tolerable level.