Yep, King Kong is one very slick package and certainly the best movie tie-in game since The "Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay." If only they'd thought to slap a wig and roller-skates on the big monkey fella, we could've been looking at a classic. [PC Zone]

A rich, substantial fight engine that will suit some players and make others pine for the UFC.

Superb - and cheap - HD update for a criminally ignored, highly original action game.

The game we were expecting eight months ago, with bots so intelligent they make your average online player look like a baboon who's been dropped at birth. It's like playing CS in the good old days.

It's Crackdown 1.5. Lower your expectations, then you'll have a fantastic time with an update of one of the most enjoyable open-world games around.

Derivative but fun and the EyeToy support is a great bonus. Won't win over Harry-haters but fans will be willy, er, wand-waving into the wee small hours.

Leave "Ultima Online" for a couple of months say, and you could be looking at the biggest download since Pamela Anderson's home-video was leaked on to the Internet. [PC Zone]

It doesn't look as spectacular as other RPGs and does little to win over newcomers, but fans of epic turn-based quests and strategic battles will greedily gulp down every last drop of this heady brew.

It's just the actual racing itself that lets the whole experience down a little. It's not bad by any means; it just could have been much more exciting, especially if the AI had more personality.

Niche, but a true work of art and one that only a video game could achieve. It's marred by a lack of content, but what's there is like nothing else we've seen and will force you to come back at least a few times.

It might be a whole lot of fun and it might be the best golf game you can buy, but unless you create your own courses, there's very little challenge here.

Single-player lacks the original's polish, but two diverse faction additions mean multiplayer's even more addictive than before.

The whole game feels a bit slow at times. There are moments when the action chugs along slower than a milk float, particularly when you're being chased by the police.

There are moments of clarity when you become almost ashamed at what you're doing, such is the senseless waste of time and effort. But the fact that it can actually make you care is a definite achievement. And while we fully expect to grow to hate it - and the inevitable flurry of hateful expansion packs - for the time being we're hooked.

A fantastic test of skill and patience and a huge package that'll keep you going for ages. Essentially the same as the PS2 game, and no multiplayer is a shocker.

The game can and will entertain, but both myself and its creator were clearly expecting better, brighter and more narratively-coherent things. [PC Zone]

The big downer is that both games have some animation censored (no bouncing boobies), and no blood.

Overall however, we're rather taken with Nexus. Its mixture of tactics, mouse-control and combat-orientated gameplay is suitably different from both "Homeworld" and traditional space-combat games like Freespace, delivering something unique and yet familiar enough to appeal to fans of either game. [PC Zone]

It might not be the super-villain game of our dreams (that was probably "Evil Genius"), but given the nature of MMOs, it's probably the best we're going to get until someone decides to really push the online genre to its very limits. [PC Zone]

Phantasy Star Online is jam-packed with special gaming touches all combining to create one of the most pleasing gaming environments around. [PC Zone]

It is, however, an ambitious, pioneering effort that has plenty to offer the dedicated real-time strategy player. If you appreciate its ultra hi-tech scenario, you'll find plenty of enjoyment here.

The only ice hockey game worth giving a flying puck about.

Shallow and simple design means that there's nothing to obstruct the fun of smashing demon skull. But it also means it's shallow and simple.

You're not going to find another MMOG that's anywhere near as welcoming as this. While the whole PlayOnline front-end interface might initially seem a cumbersome folly, it's not long before you're wishing all your online games could be handled through such a console-style browser.

Fast, furious and gorgeous to behold... Ultimately, it's the visuals rather than the strategy that will endear Warhammer to the interactive generation, and it isn't stretching things to proclaim Dawn Of War one of the best-looking strategy games we've ever played.

While overall you have a typically slick Square-Enix production, fighting is too simplistic, with only one button to perform most attacks. Also, despite the enemies themselves looking terrific throughout, the backdrops for the aerial battles are no match for "Panzer Dragoon Orta."

More like an FPS than a racer, The Run lacks the performance and depth of Gran Turismo and Forza, but delivers on insane speeds and nail-biting arcade thrills.

Blinx 2 is on par with the original, but the fact is that there are better alternatives out there that don't muddy the platform fun with complicated game mechanics and dull level design. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Has its fair share of crusty titles you won't play, but the good ones are absolute gems. 15 is a bargain price to relive your misspent youth, if only for a few precious hours. [Off Xbox UK Magazine]

Well, we hate to say it, but DMC3 is still no "Devil May Cry." The world has moved on, folks, and a lot of that game's sheen is now standard issue in gaming. [PSW]

Getting more Burnout is always a treat - like getting more cake or pudding! - and although it'd be easy to whine about the lack of innovations, it's easier still to fall back in the routine of having amazing fun bouncing Car A off Car B and watching the whole world blow to pieces at warp speed. [PSW]

If you want to look at pert bottoms and women sucking each others' necks while wearing stockings, you'd be better off doing it on the internet for free. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

But it's the wrestling side that has really been beefed up. A new control system finally makes the action flow back and forth like only wrestling can. Plus the controls are easy to learn and get you into the thick of the action fast, pulling off fancy moves.

Never underestimate the power of a decent online co-operative mode, and developer Raven has duly obliged. It doesn't add a great deal in terms of how you play, but this is the sort of game that comes alive when played with friends. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Those who've already tasted the Prince's heady delights might be a little disappointed - this feels like a collection of new levels and bosses rather than an honest to God sequel. Like we said, call it a remix. [PSW]

A very entertaining game that'll have you sniggering and giggling from start to finish. The main campaign can be beaten in a few hours but you'll come back and play some more to earn cash for all the weapons and upgrades, as well as extra collectible goodies that lie in wait. A warning though - don't play it near anyone that doesn't find repeated use of the F word funny as f**k.

Fiddly control issues aside, Star Wars Battlefront II on PSP is a miniature miracle. [PSW]

We're not claiming Most Wanted to be the best urban racer money can buy, but at least your get your 40 quid's worth out of this one, instead of some mediocre old night-time racer with an over-hyped modification element welded onto the bonnet. Good effort. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

It really is the most accurate depiction of a scope we've seen in a game, easily outstripping "Halo's" sniper mode or the arcade nonsense of Konami's "Silent Scope." [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

The simple, pick-up-and-play aesthetic that Nintendo oozes from its sweaty pores will soon have you thwacking the balls around the court like Roger Federer on Sunny D.

There are lots of buttons, doors, and items to interact with in Breakdown so you can understand how this gets frustrating. Yet, you take this all on the chin because the level design and overall artistic quality of alien beings and their worlds is high.

For every fault there's another brilliant set-piece or fight just around the corner to make up for it. The game captures the essence of the films, including all the most memorable set-pieces. [PSW]

As dark and disturbing as ever, but not worth getting if you've played it on PS2.

Any tedium is overcome by the beauty of the game. It seems like PlayStation 3 has its first gem.

It's really faithful to the film too, but you don't have to be a fan to appreciate it - this is basically Rockstar's take on "Streets of Rage," a jolly ghetto romp where the streets are paved with smashed-in faces. And it really works too! [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

An App Store curiosity that blends two genres into something compelling yet occasionally frustrating. The bizarre concept will deter some, but the rhythm-action crowd will love it.

Best enjoyed in short doses with the lights off, Resurrection of Evil is more of the same. A little too similar to Doom 3, but then we had no problems gunning our way through another Doom adventure - especially for a cool 20 notes. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

It plays like a giant, interactive comic-strip, and with Treyarch's 'Comic Inking' (that's cel shading to us) so tastefully illustrating the whole shebang, you'll wonder what the appeal of the first two Spidey games ever was in the first place. [Official UK XBox Magazine]

For an action packed take on the ever popular Roman hack and slash genre, Spartan is the most spectacular example yet. [PSW]

Juiced has come a long way since the fall of Acclaim. It's still a huge undertaking, full of masses of depth, but it now plays and looks a damn sight better too. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

If you're short of games to play on your shiny new PS3, RR7 is a solid choice. But be warned RR fans - you'll have seen almost all of this before on PSP and 360.

Although the game is hands-on, all your troops display a remarkable level of intelligence and can generally be relied upon to act on their own in a discerning manner. No more straying into the wilderness, taking on enemy divisions single-handed or walking backwards into a swamp.

It's certainly not earth-shattering fare, but as an immersive golf title full of Pringletastic depth, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 is simply the best around. [PSW]

The crowning glory is a co-operative multiplayer game that's every bit as thrilling as the GBA's "Four Swords." It's hardcore, but accessible.

The upcoming film makes for decent source material, and you couldn't ask for a more faithful or inventive game. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

All this beauty is mildly tainted by the fact that there are a few glitches in the game. Now and again a car will disappear, and you can drive through trees.

But, and this is the worst of it, EA has once again cut the Live element from the European release, leaving Madden fans in the UK without the opportunity to play online. Why? As the best and only official NFL game for 2006, why drop such a huge element for European Live subscribers? [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

The difference would appear to be in the detail, and it's not merely cosmetic, with a new hard steer function lessening the reliance on the handbrake.

It may come across as rough and ready, but what Darkwatch tries to do - providing plenty of gory laughs and thrills - it does well. The best zombie/cowboy action game out there! [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Sure, it may be worryingly sadistic to grab a passing bus full of schoolkids and use it as a shield to batter a fleet of police cars out of the way, before hurling it into a group of passing pedestrians, but when it's this much fun, who cares? Super, smashing, and most definitely great. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Chuck in the countless car-tweaking and customising options and brilliant multiplayer modes, and it easily slipstreams ahead of the other modding racers around. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

The game draws on the rich material inspired by Lovecraft's twisted world, and actually recreates its creeping, claustrophobic horror surprisingly well. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

It's not in the same league as the infamous plumber, and the partner/weapon gimmick isn't new (Whiplash - Issue 27, 8.1 - did it before), but it's a sturdy exercise in comic gaming. We'll even forgive the fact it's ginger. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

The forgiving handling and a near-Burnout level of speed make Jak X arcadey, but there's strategy too.

SingStar '80s is a natural progression for the series and a more light-hearted alternative to the aggressive post-pub fare of Pro Evo and the like. If you've always yearned for an excuse to dig out those pink leg-warmers, then this is for you. [PSW]

There are off-line games equally or even more spectacular in immediate scenery or character models, but what game can offer such outrageous landscapes on such a grandiose scale? It's not just the sheer footslogging size of it, but the way the environment is realised to enhance this impression of immense vista and truly epic proportions.

A classic-style Sega arcade racer - no complications, just the open road and a fast car. The AI can be a bit too tough, but master the handling and there's loads of fun to be had with Sega Rally.

It's this very quirkiness and unpredictability that makes Marc Ecko's Getting Up what it is - not like any game you've played before. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

A refreshing diversion that'll provide you with weeks if not months of entertainment and gaming intensity - whether you're already a hockey fan or just stepping onto the ice for the first time.

A short but challenging and surprisingly addictive score-based bash. It's great for the price, but proper multiplayer and online scoreboards would have made all the difference.

The driving itself is seriously good fun and that really is the most important thing. This is a great game made even greater by its protracted stay in the developer's waiting room.

Things really rumble in two-player mode, where bouts evolve into ridiculously tense face-offs more like chess than a messy scrap outside the pub. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Likening Full Spectrum Warrior to a game of chess is more accurate than you might think.

Not a massive improvement on the PS2 games, but Beautiful retains all the humour and joy you'd expect. For 360 owners, especially, Beautiful Katamari is a refreshing change of pace.

Perhaps the biggest new feature for this year's ice hockey outing is the inclusion of Live compatibility...This essentially adds months to NHL 2005's appeal, and will turn the already feverishly loved title into a true competitive tussle.

Grumbles are few. There's a bit too much to-ing and fro-ing between your hideout and each objective, especially when you're forced to backtrack from one end of a level to the base in order to switch to another character. [PSW]

It may be more cartoon-like than its predecessors, but provided you haven't grown tired of all those boomerangs, kick-flips and boardslides, it is certainly the one to get. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Sadly - and this is more true for PC fans - the game lacks the depth of character development that marked the original out as such an innovative classic. Even so, it looks great, gameplay is varied and smooth and you can be sure the experience will linger in the mind long after you've finished playing.

While falling short of hand-break turning, spring-bouncing and rocketing the series into a whole better direction, Nuts & Bolts will be remembered as a unique and enjoyable - if sometimes repetitive - spin-off to Banjo's platforming routes. It'll be interesting to see where Rare takes him next.

It's beautifully simple, but also brings an element of tension as there's always a few seconds between issuing commands by tapping the left mouse button, and seeing them carried out on the battlefield.

Powerful and accessible music maker that's NOT a game.

Forget buying three DVDs of crappy movies you're only going to watch once and buy Fahrenheit instead. It's longer, boasts more action, costs the same and offers far more crash for your cash than many a movie. [PSW]

The Advance Wars series provides a more polished and super-slick strategy experience than Rebelstar. But for that pure X-COM vibe and the utter joy of a turn-based plan coming together, Rebelstar Tactical Command has twenty hours of love on offer to those who want to spend their AP wisely.

If you enjoyed films like The Grudge, The Ring (the Japanese versions, that is) and The Eye, then this will give you goosebumps the size of tennis balls. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

There's still a long way to go, but with better controls and a huge but slightly dull management game, FIFA 06 isn't far away from getting it right. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Spartan is great fun, but we can't help but feel a little disappointed that the mighty Assembly's console debut isn't much more than a pretty-looking "Dynasty Warriors." [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Even without online support, this is a supremely enjoyable game and despite being the fifth Ace Combat sequel to arrive on PS2, it still feels refreshingly different in a release schedule crammed with racing, fighting and shooting clones.

In terms of pure, unadulterated fear, Condemned is practically beyond reproach... The most notable problem is a lack of variety in the all-too linear gameplay, as well as the disappointingly small selection of enemy types. [Official UK XBox Magazine]

Those with sausage digits may want to stick to the more arcadey "Everybody's Golf," but otherwise Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 is in every way the superior golf game. [PSW]

You have to appreciate Heavy Rain for what it is; a fantastic and absorbing narrative, and a bold new venture in interactive storytelling. Not Shenmue.

Gearbox's refusal to arm us with anything other than historically accurate kit is also incentive to take it slow and think. Medi-pacs are non-existent and no, you don't miraculously heal over time or stumble across a BFG. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Certainly a big departure from the traditional Sims gameplay and it's all the better for it. It's extremely accessible - although the longish loading times are a bit of a pain - and a hoot to play, with a constant stream of details that'll keep you smiling. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Add countless career options, tournaments and Xbox Live multiplayer, which features an entire field of AI drivers, and you've got a complete racer. Not to everyone's tastes, but still a great drive. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

It's an enormous game and works brilliantly, allowing you to earn points to customise your character and unlock all the courses. SSX Tricky makes the perfect companion to Xbox's other, far more serious, snowboarding game, Amped.

One of those rare games that, although in reality, is no more than a bog-standard shooter, somehow manages to still seem fresh and innovative. More to the point, it's brilliant fun to play. [Official UK XBox Magazine]

With a potentially unlimited number of user-designed maps that can be shared over Xbox Live and even user-generated stories with scripted AI events, this game has the longevity of Rasputin and should spawn one of the liveliest online communities yet. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Ludicrous, exaggerated fun, and for the most part glitch-free. It's one of those games, like the recent Burnout Legends, that'll have you bumping into strangers on the bus as you dodge through virtual traffic in short sharp bursts of pure gaming bliss. [PSW]

No other console WWII game has ever produced such a technically stunning or emotionally involving experience. Big Red One has been polished to perfection. [PSW]