It offers depth of experience unlike any other.

Galaxy warps you back to when you were a child, charming you with its simple, imaginative gameplay, amazing level design and tremendous amount of variety—all the while sticking to the core Mario formula that we all know and love.

Graphically, Bioshock is simply a masterpiece. The graphics are equally measured by fantastic technical excellence, showing without a doubt the best water effects in any game and an art style that flows through the city of Rapture, providing a streaming masterpiece.

Older fans will enjoy Drake's new adventure whilst newcomers will not need to know much, if any, of the story from the first title to enjoy it as equally.

It may not be as long as some games, or contain as many games as other compilations but it's the best deal with a load of quality games all stuck into one fantastic box.

Mass Effect 2 is a worthy successor to the original, and whilst it's a surprise to see the legends of hardcore RPG developers BioWare take a step away from the RPG and into the third-person shooter; it's one that will appeal to a far larger audience and when it's at this level of brilliance - everyone should be lucky enough to enjoy it.

Even with these issues there is only one way to describe Skyrim and that is epic. There is so much to see, do and experience that it's exceedingly easy to get lost in the fantasy. It's not a remarkable or radical departure from Oblivion, so if that game left you cold, Skyrim will too. For those who embraced that lifestyle, you will find Skyrim is Oblivion+++.

LBP delivers in just about every way promised. It brings some solid platforming gameplay combined with some seriously impressive creation and community tools. If you own a PS3, you should get this game.

Rockstar have once again showed that they know just how to create video games, oozing brilliance from the graphical prowess to the elegant and fluid gameplay. It's a shame that the mission structure, variety and polish attempt to drag the game away from its shining glory.

As someone who doesn't really enjoy Superhero games, Arkham City and I hit it off from the word go, as I was pulled into the story and role of a crime fighting genius.

Graphically, Infinity Ward has been able to gasp as much power as they can out of the Xbox 360 in CoD4. Although still looking much like their previous titles, the detailed models and environments, particle effects, smoke, atmospheric lighting and lengthy draw distance makes this title look simply stunning, and all this while running at a baby smooth 60fps.

The graphics and sound are fantastic, the story and gameplay are brilliant and the multiplayer aspects are just amazing. The additon of Forge and co-op gives the game a much longer life span than many other games. You couldn't find a better game for any console.

Its gameplay is straight out of the great days of old, add the inclusion of challenges and online multiplayer into the mix and you have yourself a thoroughly enjoyable title with a sustained life cycle that will permanently fuse game's disc into your consoles discdrive.

Multiplayer is fast, frantic and as exciting as ever.

There's just moments of absolute genius that make this game probably the best video game I've ever played - and I've played quite a few!

It truly is a unique game because it’s simple, and yet the concept will last you not only for hours or days, but weeks and months. If you can’t enjoy this game, stop playing video games.

Pac-Man Championship Edition DX is as an exhilarating experience as its sibling, and provides enough differences from the previous game to make the aggressively priced 800 MSP title a worthy addition to your XBLA collection - a single go will have you gagging for more.

BioShock Infinite is an excellent game and will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Once you finish the game it will make you play the original BioShock all over again, which is truly saying something about this release.

Braid is a stunning title which provides an experience which flows fluently from start to end. The simple concept, the complex puzzles, the beautiful presentation or the magical story.

For all you Achievement whores out there don’t expect an easy ride in this game, as most of your rewards will be given to you once you have completed all arcade modes and challenges, through to unlocking all characters and pulling off a set number of combos, moves and finishes.

Fallout 3 is a fantastic game. It has its flaws, as does any game, but it is so immersive and can give you a heck of a lot of entertainment for your money that it's worth the pricetag. If you liked Oblivion, you will no doubt fall in love with this game as I did. Maybe not Game Of The Year, but it is a worthy contender for that top spot.

While Gears of War 2 might not include the epic changes we were all waiting for, like 4 player co-op and a larger storyline, it certainly provides us with a fun and enjoyable experience that we will all remember. Wasting hours on Horde is amazing and with the new additions to the game, new and old fans will be chuffed.

If you have played the previous games Mass Effect 3 is a must have title, and even if you haven't it's still worth checking out, even if it's just for the multiplayer.

They've brought in most of the standard instruments found in rock bands, they've blurred the lines between gaming and learning with Pro mode and they've created a fantastic party game, which is even better with a new instrument and vocal harmonies.

God of War III is an epic game and a splendid conclusion to the series; its battles are fun, its bosses are huge and the task is entertaining. It is a title that all PlayStation 3 owners should own and is one of a number of impressive games recently released on the system.

Uncharted 3 will undoubtedly be compared to its predecessor, for the two standalone leagues ahead of their genre. The sheer level of intensity, played out in the most cinematic blockbuster action packed scenes to grace a gaming platform, with a surprising level of variety and detail that resonates development passion, then there's a wealthy multiplayer on top too!

Rock Band's longevity will last as long as it has support for it.

All-in-all Super Street Fighter IV is a welcome addition to the series that fine-tunes and tweaks what is already a world-class beat-em-up title, though it is debatable whether you should buy this edition if you already have the earlier edition.

Forza 3 is a game that caters for the novice and hardcore players with equal aplomb, providing those with less skill an enjoyable Sunday drive whilst pushing the gear-heads to try even harder.

Aside from those small niggles, Batman Arkham Asylum is not only a stellar example of how superhero games can work but also with narrative as a whole.

There is just no other game out there that makes all your mates want to sit and play an instrument co-operatively until their fingers bleed. Quite simply, a work of genius, and the slight discrepancies in the peripherals are forgotten in an instant.

If there was ever a game deserving of the word beautiful in it's description, it's Journey. The game is stunning to look at, satisfying to play and oozes atmosphere from every angle of its dynamic story and immersive world. Sure it's short by regular game standards but Journey is not a regular game. If your ready for an experience that will surprise you, move you and stick with you for many years after its done, then maybe this is the Journey for you.

Both start off with a light story and focus on brilliant gameplay, but their respective closes end with more emotion and character than you'd find most anywhere else. If you've yet to experience either, you owe it to yourself to rectify this at the earliest convenience.

All-in-all Super Street Fighter IV is a welcome addition to the series that fine-tunes and tweaks what is already a world-class beat-em-up title, though it is debatable whether you should buy this edition if you already have the earlier edition.

The appeal doesn't come in the form of the game's sheer accessibility or variety, as attractive as they are, but instead the breadth of content available. Media Molecule saw fit to carry over the vast majority of user generated content from the first Little Big Planet, a decision that extends Little Big Planet 2's replayability beyond that of any other title from day one. With so much bang for your buck, why wait?

FIFA 10 is the world's best football simulation to date.

You can easily put over 20 hours into Assassin’s Creed 2, the story is intriguing and starting to evolve and gameplay feels solid.

Killzone 2 is a gorgeous piece of gaming art, with a great story and a compelling and sometimes challenging single player campaign. It has truly raised the bar pretty high in the console FPS genre and will no doubt become a killer app for Sony’s console this year.

In closing, Halo Reach is a must have title for any fan of the series (which by now, you should know if you are or not) and even if you aren't a fan of the previous titles you may find that the lengths Bungie have gone to refine their formula will now win you over.

With its faultless audio, ambitious graphics, incredible digital characters and compelling storyline, Mass Effect feels like you are playing though a sci-fi blockbuster with a bottomless movie budget.

Forza 4 is the driving game that PD should have made and perhaps even secretly really wanted to make. Speed to the shops now and buy it, and bask in fossil fuel heaven.

Gears of War 3 is undoubtedly the ultimate in the series, made especially for the fans with the formula, story and characters they've become to love grown and polished to brilliance. When it seems like all other trilogy series are reinventing themselves, Gears of War 3 stays true to its roots and has, as promised, just become bigger, better and more badass.

The scarecrow moments were quite iconic and had me thinking we have another Bioshock on our hands. I can’t imagine a Batman game being any other way.

Despite being a fan of the franchise, I am still surprised by just how good Far Cry 3 is. It looks the part, has great varied game play, an interesting story and hours of fun for your hard earned cash. If you are looking for another game to add to the Christmas list you can't go wrong with Far Cry 3. After the wait and worry, Ubisoft have produced an undoubted contender for game of the year.

You can easily put over 20 hours into Assassin’s Creed 2, the story is intriguing and starting to evolve and gameplay feels solid.

It certainly is one of the best action titles to release for a long time.

Overall, Trials Evolution is definitely one of the best Xbox Live Arcade titles available, if not the best. The title improves on everything from its predecessor and goes one step further with the incredible track editor and the addition of multiplayer. Other developers take note: this is how sequels should be done.

What struck me most about the downloadable content was the sheer size of it. To put it simply, it is huge. The 2GB download may take a while but compared to the 12 hours it will take to finish the story and the addition of new multiplayer modes, boy is it worth it.

It's by far the most realistic football title on the market and there are plenty of game modes to keep players entertained. FIFA 12 is a must own title for football fans who will no doubt be playing up until the next instalment.

FIFA 10 is the world's best football simulation to date.

Those yet to play Portal, this is the perfect opportunity to play possibly one of the sweetest games ever.

Limbo is in no way a confusing or colourless waste of time. It's an exciting, part infuriatingly fun, part mind-blowing 2-D puzzle experience, leaving the player to discover everything alone

Those wanting more from Ezio, and to revel in the period set in Assassins Creed II for a little longer, will find fond memories in Assassins Creed Brotherhood; however I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd seen it all before and was being dragged along for the same old ride.

Ready at Dawn did a good job in creating a motion sensor game that focuses on art and the beauty of it. The story itself isn’t extremely original and that leads to the game feeling kind of bland.

If precision perfect brick wall challenging platforming is your idea of a night well spent, or in simple N+ tickled your fancies, Super Meat Boy is sure to deliver and should be checked out right away.

Dead Space 2 is a title that insists you to turn off the lights, whack up the sound and grab your comfort blanket as you walk the creepy infested corridors with gore at every turn. Don't feel diminished in any way though if you resort to a little illumination to calm the nerves as Dead Space 2 will shock you, stab you and slaughter you at every turn.

Feels like Geometry Wars but with more great game modes, multiplayer and improved visuals.

XCOM is something we don't get too often nowadays; a challenging, different, bold game that is not afraid to try new things and also a successful reboot. Yes it has some issues but not nearly any bad enough to stop you playing. And yes, it is hard but that should be commended. No one said saving the world would be easy.

Overall, FIFA 13 is EA's best football title to date. While there are a number of bugs that still need to be ironed out, there's enough content and improvements to the gameplay to justify a purchase. EA Sports have created a title that football fans will be playing up until the next season.

NBA 2K12 is definitely a game any basketball fan should own and a game that will keep you occupied until 2K13 is released at a minimum. If I had more online friends who played the game I know I would have enjoyed the online experience more than I did, so it's definitely a game you should check out if you know a few friends who would also play. Casual sports gamers should at least rent this game and see if it tickles your fancy. Swoosh!

For fans of the original Borderlands this will be a must buy, but for those who are still on the fence, it's time to come down. Borderlands 2 has everything that made Borderlands great while improving on the things that players found dull in the first game – most notably the bland environments. Although we are going to see a lot of games releasing next month, if you still haven't picked up Borderlands 2, I would highly suggest you go out and grab it right now!

Awesome soundtrack will see your foot tapping throughout the game.

It's a fantastic RPG and after a few hours you'll be slaying demons and enemies like the badass knight in the opening cinematic.

To define 'fable' you would be describing a short and simple story that teaches a lesson. To define Fable II, you are looking at more of an enveloping adventure, which takes hold and won't let go, taking you on an emotional rollercoaster of enjoyment.

Those wanting more from Ezio, and to revel in the period set in Assassins Creed II for a little longer, will find fond memories in Assassins Creed Brotherhood; however I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd seen it all before and was being dragged along for the same old ride.

If you are a fan of the original (and who’s not?) then you will find much enjoyment in the sequel, and whilst many of the game's previous concerns still haven’t been squashed you can only hope that Valve fixes and adds to the game over the coming month... and hope not to see that announcement for Left 4 Dead 3 in November 2010.

Left 4 Dead is a fantastic game. Not exactly flawless, but tremendous fun. And by tremendous fun, I mean the equivalent of riding the best roller-coaster in the world, whilst eating the best piece of cake in the world, whilst the most beautiful woman in the world does unspeakable things to you.

Fantastically well-crafted, unbelievably atmospheric and impeccably balanced, Dark Souls will test your patience and your skill repeatedly, but the rewards are more than worth it.

A fantastic addition to the Survival Horror Genre with its fantastic graphics, immense sound, and amazingly detailed story, Dead Space isn’t being blown out of orbit just yet and with talks of Dead Space 2, the only way from here, is Outer Space!

Overall, despite a few minor complaints that many won't notice, this game is exceptional.

As a complete package, I believe that The Beatles Rock Band is certainly something that the Beatles of the 60s would have been proud to attach their name to.

Not for the faint-hearted, L.A. Noire rarely pulls punches when discussing (or indeed showing) the victims of some truly horrific crimes, from paedophilia and rape to arson and cold-blooded murder – but it's well presented in a tasteful and mature manner, meaning it's less about baiting the Daily Mail and more about creating a unique, captivating experience. By turns disturbing, idling and utterly compelling, L.A. Noire is a triumph for Team Bondi and Rockstar that will no doubt earn the latter yet another nomination for Game of the Year. All things considered, they deserve it too.

There’s just something about this title that makes me want to go and play it again and again. Maybe it’s the superb weapon selection, the humorous story and characters, or the intuitive game play elements; I can’t quite put my finger on it. Whatever it is, Ratchet & Clank is a great 3D platform title, with plenty to do for all ages.

Peggle is without a doubt my favourite title on the Xbox LIVE Arcade. From the addictive gameplay to the many challenges on offer, and with more promise, this game is a must for any Xbox 360 owner and at 800 Microsoft Points, there really is no excuse.

Overall, VF5 would've been a completely average fighter, but with the inclusion of a good online mode, it's brilliant.

Veterans of the 2K series will need no persuading in picking this one up as it is by far the best game yet.

The real joys are when you can explore together with seven other friends and share stories, show off stunts and attempt wacky challenges.

The amount of polish and replayability Shadow Complex offers had me forgetting I was playing an arcade game. If you are looking for something to continually go back to for bragging rights and exploration fun then Shadow Complex is certainly not a title you should miss out on.

So does Dishonored stand up on its own two feet? It most certainly does! On the surface it is easy to compare previous games we have loved, and it is easy to see similarities in style and gameplay, but these are elements that have clearly been learned, honed and enhanced to make Dishonored a title that lives high up in the rooftops of being one of my favorite games of 2012 so far.

Put bluntly, Dead Space is a brilliant addition to the survival horror genre. As the famous saying goes, "In space no one can hear you scream". In Dead Space, your room-mate will.

or those who may have skipped a few years (in my case, about 10) then it is well worth picking up, especially for those who are new to the series as it is so easily to get back into the swing of things thanks to the nifty tutorial.

The thrilling single player lives up to the standards originally set by the predecessor and the addition of a very strong multiplayer takes Bioshock 2 to another level. It may be too soon to call Game of the Year, but Bioshock 2 is certainly a contender and a very strong one at that.

Overall, NHL 09 is a worthy purchase for ice hockey fans and an improvement on previous NHL titles. Non-hockey fans may enjoy the game for a short period before switching back to familiar territory – possibly a rental for them.

The superb attention to detail, coupled with mind-blowing visuals, fantastic combat, immense climbing puzzles and a brilliant storyline makes Uncharted: Drakes Fortune the best PS3 title to date.

Fans of the original will be pleased to know that no radical changes have taken place with the engine.

Overall Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a sequel worthy of taking your attention away from other shooter out there.

Overall Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a sequel worthy of taking your attention away from other shooter out there.

Knowing that NHL 2K wouldn't be released this year, you'd think EA Canada would take a back seat knowing full well that they will win the title of best hockey game this year, mainly because there are no others. Luckily for us, they realised that would be a stupid idea and went all-out in delivering a fantastic physics engine that really adds to the game.

If you want to be shown how a PC port should be done, then look no further than The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings.

The thrilling single player lives up to the standards originally set by the predecessor and the addition of a very strong multiplayer takes Bioshock 2 to another level. It may be too soon to call Game of the Year, but Bioshock 2 is certainly a contender and a very strong one at that.

The improvements over the predecessors and the additional features, as well as the game's depth and replayability factor deem FIFA 11 a worthy purchase, even at the £40 price tag

Need for Speed has finally returned to its glory days in the guise of Hot Pursuit. Every element of its design is simply stunning starting from the visual prowess right down to the gameplay mechanics. It's all brain bustingly brilliant, so if you pass on this title you may miss one of the best racing games of the year. Need for Speed is indeed back!

Despite all its crazy new features, what you know and love about the NBA2K series is all here and it plays better than ever. If you are a veteran fan, an NBA lover or just want a great sports game experience to play with friends or alone, look no further than 2K13. Sure the menus aren't great and there could be a more competent tutorial, but these are very minor points in other wise amazing experience. Make no mistake 2K are still very much king of the court.

Overall, Burnout Paradise is smashing title (sorry, again). With a lengthy game life and its near on perfect gameplay, it will take you days or even weeks to find all of the hidden routes, billboards and fences located around the city, as well as building up your licence, collecting cars and winning all the events.

This is THE best Halo game yet, and although the campaign in short, there's an abundance of content to keep Halo 4 in your disc tray.

With 30 fully licensed leagues, over 15000 players and a shed load of other features, FIFA 09 has really set the bar high.

The beautiful game. That's what football is all about, and that's what FIFA is all about. With 30 fully licensed leagues, over 15000 players and a shed load of other features, FIFA 09 has really set the bar high and I fully expect them to dominate this genre for years to come.

One of the best puzzle games available on the market I've experienced.