Godfather II is a game that’s never quite sure of which audience it’s trying to please, instead choosing to go straight down the middle and culminate in an experience that is as unengaging as it is unsatisfying.

Suitably, this notion serves as a separate allegory for Explodemon! as a whole - a very loving homage to its 8-bit heritage that modernizes the now 'retro' design approach for both the right cost and length.

The more lacklustre Yoshi’s Island games there are, the more Nintendo continue to suggest that the original was a glorious one-off, released when the company was approaching the very peak of its creativity.

There is little doubt that Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes will be lapped up by tactical action fans; it is mechanically robust, pleasing on the eye and has a vitality that has been sorely missing in recent Dynasty Warrior releases. Those not already enamoured with the genre will find less to enjoy here however.

Those who absolutely must have a slice of Tekken action this year will no doubt find something to enjoy in Tekken Hybrid. The game is a rather thin package that won't appeal to anyone unaccustomed to the series, and indeed, this would be a terrible place for them to start.

It doesn't do anything particularly outstanding to persuade MotoGP virgins to dip their toes in two-wheeled waters, but to say the game does little right would also be doing it a disservice. This instalment of MotoGP feels like a new beginning for the sub-genre, and as such deserves sampling by most. The petrol heads amongst us, especially.

But ultimately Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D, for all its combo streaks and rank awards and nods towards arcade addiction, can't quite shake off the feeling that it's a game that, like its predecessors, would have been more satisfying as a bonus mode, perhaps to the forthcoming Revelations (a brief demo for which is included here). Isolated and presented in the way it has been here, the limitations of Mercenaries are exposed.

What Obsidian has crafted is a decent first attempt that shamelessly borrows elements from some heavy-hitting titles in an attempt to make them its own. While we refrain from using the term 'unique' in any capacity, somehow the result feels fresh enough to warrant at least a single playthrough.

For all its many graces, Phantasy Star Portable is the latest in a series that’s still trying to ride on its claim of being the first online console RPG, clumsily forgetting the last nine years ever happened.

The series has been off the radar long enough to appear fresh and this is exactly how it feels, making it easy to recommend to anyone after a solid game based on the AVP franchise.

Ultimately, Uprising’s existence is something of a mystery. Its single player campaigns (created due to the demands of Red Alert fans, according to EA) make for a diverting - though not particularly tactical - few hours, but the inability to play any of its new missions with a friend, or use any of its additional units in a multiplayer battle will severely limit its appeal.

With a collection of diverting though non-essential sports, your enjoyment of Mario Sport Mix will largely depend on the likelihood of constant multiplayer battles, though admittedly in that respect the title still pales in comparison to Wii Sports Resort and even the original Wii Sports.

It may not be especially creative or unique, but Urban Trial Freestyle makes for a welcome distraction while RedLynx plans its next move. It may be a wannabe, but it’s a decent one all the same.

Quite frankly, we’re as stunned as you are. Just take one look at that box, that exploitable genre, that celebrity-endorsed title; everything about Wheelman screams disaster, except the game itself.

It's not just that Need for Speed Undercover is a bad game; it's that it's a bad game with an incredibly erratic engine. The flaws, problems and issues that exist in NFS Undercover are virtually inexcusable for a popular franchise from such an affluent publisher.

QForce is a disappointment because it feels like a Ratchet and Clank game, and to see the series go from some of the most high-profile Sony releases to an obscure multiplayer focused budget releas such as this is kind of disheartening.

I can't recommend it enough if you can understand how unwieldy controls can actually make a racing game better. Otherwise, I suggest you stay away from Nail'd entirely, as its unintentional tendencies towards being completely off-the-wall will do nothing to appease your simulation sensibilities.

The same flaws that have always plagued the game still persist, yet Exit is just too charming to be mad at. Its more fiendish levels are brilliant, and the visuals and general uniqueness produce a game that is simply enormously likable.

The Secret Of The Unicorn is an extremely successful tie-in to what is a controversial film.

What Obsidian has crafted is a decent first attempt that shamelessly borrows elements from some heavy-hitting titles in an attempt to make them its own. While we refrain from using the term 'unique' in any capacity, somehow the result feels fresh enough to warrant at least a single playthrough.

Despite some obvious talent on the part of Griptonite Games, Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines smacks a little too much of an unloved, unwanted by-product birthed from the success of the franchise.

SOCOM: Confrontation is a game delivered with conviction and a clear sense of its identity, and that it will be embraced and loved by veterans of the series is without question. However, its single-minded pursuit of realism is also unfortunately its greatest downfall, making it at times more frustrating than enjoyable.

There’s certainly a market for pick up and play arcade thrills, but Scrap Metal simply isn’t delivered with enough gusto to make much of an impact, with the looseness of many elements resulting in a game that is ultimately quite forgettable.

For all its shortcomings, we still quite like Front Mission Evolved, especially as it manages to imbue a feeling of power in the player with its well made shooting mechanics better than many other shooters. While it is unlikely to be remembered for having any particularly remarkable features, it does what it does mostly very well.

Not without merit, Lords of Shadow 2 is one to pick up at a lower price in the upcoming summer draught.

While Rearmed 2 may be misguided in trampling across its legacy in certain areas, it also makes successful winks to its heritage as well as – most importantly – providing a fun, robust experience.

If you’re looking to kill a few hours with a mate, then this would do the job; if you want any more than that, steer clear.

Dance Evolution is not necessarily a bad game – at the very least it's functional and as a progression for the Dance Dance Revolution series it's certainly heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, in light of quality offer by its main competitor – namely Dance Central – Dance Evolution's attempts come off as somewhat shallow in comparison and unless you have a particular yearning for the style of music and dance routines featured, Harmonix's take on motion-dancing is a far safer bet.