It's a simplistic run and gun gameplay requires less of the spatial awareness and mental agility that the more refined games can dishearten youngsters with.

While there's over 50+ hours of gameplay to be had over the 50+ campaign missions, Heroes is basically a replica of Crusaders with extra online modes.

It's not as bad as Shadow the Hedgehog (thank god) and is hopefully a step in the right direction for a character that continues to be stuck in a bit of a rut.

An underwhelming experience.

It's not as bad as Shadow the Hedgehog (thank god) and is hopefully a step in the right direction for a character that continues to be stuck in a bit of a rut.

Even though I was astonished by the terrible controls, infuriated by gameplay and dismayed at the barrenness of game modes I did find myself playing this game more than was necessary to write this review. It did have a certain pull over me which I am somewhat ashamed to admit, considering the slapdash and cynical nature of the title.

Super Monkey Ball, it seems, just doesn't work as an adventure game.

It's a shame that Playboy relies so heavily on such repetitive gameplay tasks. The setting is interesting even if you have a social life and have seen an actual naked woman.

It's so depressing to complete an exhilarating chase only to face a bland shootout before you can complete a mission.

Ultimately though the shallow game play means that this is one present that, unlike the puppy, is just for Christmas.

The novelty value of slow motion has worn off and it's not implemented here with enough panache to make it stand out. On the odd rare occasion you may find everything comes together to create a bit of excitement but these moments are too few and far between.

Ultimately though the shallow game play means that this is one present that, unlike the puppy, is just for Christmas.

It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.

Put simply Mario Party 5 is nowhere near as good as either of the "Super Monkey Ball" games for single or multiplayer. It's not even in the same league.

It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.

Yet another example of the dangers of one publishing company gaining a monopoly over a particular genre. The experience becomes homogenised and the resulting games become soulless products devoid of any indication.

Yet another example of the dangers of one publishing company gaining a monopoly over a particular genre. The experience becomes homogenised and the resulting games become soulless products devoid of any indication.

If you're a fan of the genre, then you'll find plenty to get your teeth into, but after several hours even the most ardent fan will be forced to concede that this is by no means an original, immersive or hugely fun first-person shooter. Starts well - fades - then crumbles, if you'll pardon the pun.

It comes nowhere near Top Spin or Virtua Tennis, and what with the confusing control-system thrown-in, it can become annoying.

Whilst Carve isn't bad in any sense at all, then, it isn't particularly inspiring either and sometimes this can be more disheartening than a daring title gone-awry.

It is not that the game doesn't have its fun moments, because it can be that, it is just that they are very short-lived and don't really go any further than the first level. Disappointing.

Mario Party though is not a particularly good game and it's up against much better titles like "Super Monkey Ball" that manages to bridge this age gap by having inspired game play and a quirky feel. Most Nintendo games have this quality but it is sadly missing here.