One of the most instantly likeable games you're apt to play this year, with bags of charm, but there's also real substance, as well as many, many bizarre extras to keep you coming back for more.

How is it possible to make a tedious game about the adventures of heroic mutants with super powers?

Not as much much fun as EA's other recent speed merchant "Burnout 3," but if getting under the hood to tinker with motors is your thing, this could be the one for you.

Graphics so pretty, it's a genuine shame to turn out the lights... A great title. Witty, stylish, and entertaining.

It's certainly refreshing to have a game that's long and tough, but doesn't forget that carnage needs to be entertaining before it's inspiring.

Not as much much fun as EA's other recent speed merchant "Burnout 3," but if getting under the hood to tinker with motors is your thing, this could be the one for you.

Faithful to the movie where it counts, but it's also fun and accessbile, even for non-RTS fans.

An intense blast of pure Star Wars.

A very polished and enjoyable product, and anyone with a passable interest in The Simpsons will appreciate the attention lavished on Hit & Run's details.

This game is so scary that even the end-of-level warps give you the creeps...Extremely playable and well-designed.

Confused? You will be, but in the most pleasurable way possible. [JPN Import]

Proves that comic book golf games can provide lighthearted simulation without sacrificing any vital gameplay technicalities. The PSP has teed off in style with this one. [JPN Import]

A worthy addition to the franchise.

An absolute triumph of level design and wit.

With its improved control system and animation the FIFA series is heading the right way across the pitch in terms of fluid gameplay, but even with these improvements, it still hasn't caught its greatest rival.

There are flashes, bangs, and crashes, but after more than an hour of playing it, the only thing you're really want is to lie down about a few rounds of Majong...If called upon to describe MA2 in a single word, that word would be relentless. This game is furious, sure, but it definitely isn't fast.

Describing it as the "Ultimate Racing Simulator" is perhaps a little too enthusiastic, but it's a damn good game anyway, and more than worth the bargain-bucket price tag.

If an upgraded hammer, that simply allows you to break bigger rocks, is reward enough to get you through another bleak winter's day, then buy this. You truly have what it takes to be a hoary-handed son of the soil.

With its improved control system and animation the FIFA series is heading the right way across the pitch in terms of fluid gameplay, but even with these improvements, it still hasn't caught its greatest rival.

How is it possible to make a tedious game about the adventures of heroic mutants with super powers?

Manages to be comprehensive, intutive, and visually very impressive all in one package.

It's like Wimbeldon gone weird... But if you strip it down to its essence, there's still a fast and solid tennis game underneath.

If you run and gun like an idiot, expect your men to follow you straight into an early grave...A thiking man's firefight.

An exceptional game, especially on Xbox where the original didn’t exist, but its eclectic plot could prove too much for novices while its AI vices and repetitive gameplay devices will likely annoy the hardcore PC fraternity.

Relentless, noisy, and genuinely scary.

Visually, the game is awe-inspiring.

An intense blast of pure Star Wars.

Limited multiplayer options, the paucity of single-player goals and the determinedly difficult nature of the game will discourage more casual gamers looking for a quick alternative sports fix.

How is it possible to make a tedious game about the adventures of heroic mutants with super powers?

This game plods, frustrates and bores in equal measure - stick a stake in it.

Easy-to-use and versatile.

Easy-to-use and versatile.

A cross between "Motocross Madness" and the "SSX" series... if you’ve ever dreamed of doing 50 miles an hour down a shingle track or jumping an impossible 250-foot chasm on a push-bike, then this is for you.

The main thrust of the gameplay is thoroughly mesmerizing, and there's a bundle of replay value here too. Despite glitches, Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is ace.

For some it will be just a bit too much of a mindless button-basher, but for those with a bit of imagination it's a compulsive, if short-lived, fantasy world come alive.

Project: Snowblind sn't quite as blinding as some of the Xbox's FPS offerings but this game is more than capable of keeping PS2 marksmen happy.

With its improved control system and animation the FIFA series is heading the right way across the pitch in terms of fluid gameplay, but even with these improvements, it still hasn't caught its greatest rival.

A very polished and enjoyable product, and anyone with a passable interest in The Simpsons will appreciate the attention lavished on Hit & Run's details.

A 3D platforming game set over a multitude of levels, there are lots of nifty ideas at work here... enjoyably offbeat and unexpectedly impressive.

When trying to sum up this game's single-player missions, the first phrases that come to mind are hopelessly outnumbered, completely surrounded, and best hide behind a big rock quick.

It's a strong, individual game and when the dust settles it'll undoubtedly be in with a shout for action title of the year. I just wish there was more of it.

Pyrotechnics aside, this is a solid sports title.

For some it will be just a bit too much of a mindless button-basher, but for those with a bit of imagination it's a compulsive, if short-lived, fantasy world come alive.

Not as much much fun as EA's other recent speed merchant "Burnout 3," but if getting under the hood to tinker with motors is your thing, this could be the one for you.

With its improved control system and animation the FIFA series is heading the right way across the pitch in terms of fluid gameplay, but even with these improvements, it still hasn't caught its greatest rival.

A new classic of the adventure genre. It looks unique, sounds excellent and has a plot with more twists and turns than a break-dancer in a tornado.

Second Sight's absorbing plot and high-quality cinematic presentation are backed up with tight and entertaining gameplay.

Pyrotechnics aside, this is a solid sports title.

This product is head and shoulders above "Microsoft Train Simulator" in terms of quality, usability and feature set and has significantly broader appeal than "Virtual Railroad 2."

An intense blast of pure Star Wars.

It's the details that we love in this game...Graphics are wonderful, too...Just dont play it in the dark.

Second Sight's absorbing plot and high-quality cinematic presentation are backed up with tight and entertaining gameplay.

A wild ride through some of mankind's most violent episodes holds its own against the orginal PC masterpiece.

Ultimately this isn't quite polished, inspired, or exciting enough to appear in the top echelon of Xbox titles. Mech-fans are unlikely to be disappointed, however.

It's the details that we love in this game...Graphics are wonderful, too...Just dont play it in the dark.

It's involving, very, very slick, and you really do feel part of an ongoing quest. Oh yeah, and there's no hobbits either.

Second Sight's absorbing plot and high-quality cinematic presentation are backed up with tight and entertaining gameplay.

You'll work your way through all the minigames quickly, but you'll have a smile on your face for the duration.

Very impressive power-ups...There's a lot of joy to be had by simply transforming and riding about.

Metal Gear's move from all-out action to turn-based strategy has been handled with style. [JPN Import]

There is an awful lot of game here... Another schizophrenic winner from the Japanese masters of action/adventure.

Hidden & Dangerous 2's real strength lies in its multi-layered approach. With Lone Wolf and Carnage modes for action addicts, and team control for the more thoughtful player, its depth and emphasis on stealth means that it's yet another quirky classic.

The GBA version of The Sands of Time is much more of a straightforward action platformer... lacks any major wow factor.

While "GoldenEye" was the videogaming equivalent of "Citizen Kane," Agent is just another dumb Hollywood blockbuster.

It's involving, very, very slick, and you really do feel part of an ongoing quest. Oh yeah, and there's no hobbits either.

Worth a look if you fancy some Rollercoaster Tycoon-style construction fun, with four-wheel time challenges thrown in for good measure.

A fantastic game and even a bare minimum of effort on the part of the developer can't take that away from it.

A wild ride through some of mankind's most violent episodes holds its own against the orginal PC masterpiece.

A very sweet game and, thankfully, very easy to play from the outset. While nowhere near as comprehensive as "The Sims," this is as endearing and sylish as keeping people as pets gets.

XIII's a charming game initially, but get past the visuals and you're left with a simple shooter with a maddeningly deadly aim.

A pleasant addition to this templated tale.

A wild ride through some of mankind's most violent episodes holds its own against the orginal PC masterpiece.

If you were hoping it would upgrade the action quota... or if you expected an improvement in AI and collision detection, then stay away.

It has a refreshing sense of humor.

It's involving, very, very slick, and you really do feel part of an ongoing quest. Oh yeah, and there's no hobbits either.

At times The Getaway is spectacularly cinematic in the best way imaginable, ie in game, rather than through cut-scenes... you can see why people are going to enjoy The Getaway.

While Commandos 3 is still a strong concept, and most definitely a super-looking game, it's only suitable for the most patient veterans of the series.

These minigames take a step beyond previous eyetoy efforts because they use many of the gaming elements that make their original incarnations such fun to play.

Ideal for younger gamers.

Things have definitely moved along since launch... It's still quite a daunting place for a newbie though.

Overly sophisticated elements have been held back to appeal to the younger gamer but some hugely tricky jumping puzzles are bound to cause frustration. Luckily, gameplay is varied. If you get stuck, you can hit the road, and before long you'll be faced with a different challenge.

A highly polished title that shows that Ubisoft's action-focused approached to the horrific can be gory fun, too.

A very sweet game and, thankfully, very easy to play from the outset. While nowhere near as comprehensive as "The Sims," this is as endearing and sylish as keeping people as pets gets.

Full of intense action and with just enough of a tactical dimension to make it special enough to earn a place in most gamers' collections.

A very sweet game and, thankfully, very easy to play from the outset. While nowhere near as comprehensive as "The Sims," this is as endearing and sylish as keeping people as pets gets.

Overly sophisticated elements have been held back to appeal to the younger gamer but some hugely tricky jumping puzzles are bound to cause frustration. Luckily, gameplay is varied. If you get stuck, you can hit the road, and before long you'll be faced with a different challenge.

About as interesting as keeping a pistol for a pet...It's a fine technical achievement, sure, but there's little game here. The graphics alone keep Killzone off the bottom.

Overall Drill Spirits comes across as fun, if a bit samey.

Overly sophisticated elements have been held back to appeal to the younger gamer but some hugely tricky jumping puzzles are bound to cause frustration. Luckily, gameplay is varied. If you get stuck, you can hit the road, and before long you'll be faced with a different challenge.

Quidditch World Cup's strengths take a little while to unlock, but if you're a fan you should get your money's worth.

Doesn't feel like the game it could have been, torpedoed as it is by some dodgy controls and the basic lameness that is your lead character.

Quidditch World Cup's strengths take a little while to unlock, but if you're a fan you should get your money's worth.

A stylish and spectacular gaming universe.

A highly polished title that shows that Ubisoft's action-focused approached to the horrific can be gory fun, too.

It's far from perfect, but still a classy title.

A very run-of-the-mill platform adventure...It's all spoon-fed to you.

Quidditch World Cup's strengths take a little while to unlock, but if you're a fan you should get your money's worth.

This game may be relatively simply, but it sure is varied... Comforting and predictable.