Utterly essential.

The most epic, cinematic real-time 3D battles ever seen.

We laughed, we gaped, we cried, screamed, and on a few occasions, came dangerously close to wetting ourselves.

Playing Resident Evil 4 is like reading an utterly compelling horror novel. This is the finest GameCube game for ages, and survival horror's most glorious moment so far.

The most interesting feature in Vietiful Joe is the ability to control the speed of the action.

Not only a masterpiece, it's the finest game currently available for the PS2. Buy it now, but don't make any plans for a couple months at least.

From the look and feel of the game to its balanced learning curve and careful pacing, every aspect of Halo has been polished to perfection.

Cutting edge in every department and packing a considerable challenge, if you own a PlayStation 2 you simply have to own Devil May Cry.

The Wind Waker more than lives up to the Zelda series' legendary heritage... an essential purchase for anyone with a GameCube and a pair of hands.

Naughty Dog's expansion of Jak and Daxter's world to include different forms of gameplay has been seamless, and should open up their adventures to those who find the very concept of platform games anathema.

Funny, unpredictable and astoundingly lacking in moral virtue, Vice City is way, way out there; you'll cherish every outrageous moment.

Proves that a good game concept can be revived in style... a true, compulsive classic.

Proves that a good game concept can be revived in style... a true, compulsive classic.

Sony should bring out a shockproof casing for the PS2 after this release, 'cause every PS2 owner will want to boot their machine in loathing frustration having seen Metroid on the Cube.

There's more than enough variety in the weapons and scenarios to make sure you'll be absorbed for the full 10 or so hours it'll take you to complete.

Playing a friend is ace while the computer is frighteningly tricky. A goddamn crackerjack humdinger of a game.

If you’re into war games, but not usually an FPS player, you should definitely give Call of Duty a shot - you’ll be gobsmacked. If you are into FPSs and you liked Allied Assault, you’ll have exactly the same reaction.

Dialogue isn't great, but then, when has RPG dialogue ever been great? The story is good enough to keep you playing, there's lots to see and do - it's a good 'un. If you're an RPG fan then Golden Sun will rock your elf-obsessed world.

Destruction can be a beautiful thing; Burnout 2 does life endangering with more verve, elan and panache than you'll find anywhere else right now.

Why don't they make games like this for home consoles anymore? More fun than a small, spiky mammal with blue skin and a number of dysfunctional woodland friends has any right to be.

There are so many tweaks and nuances that make an already great game damn near perfect - and each of them is worth a mention.

In terms of sheer depth and pure gameplay, there really is nothing else on the GBA to touch Advance Wars.

As utterly addictive as any of the earlier titles, you'll gladly pay for the privilege of being left with red-raw thumbs and rigid, claw-like hands.

It has a lot going for it if you're really into golf, want to play new courses and fancy getting caught up in the whole 'being there' feeling that Game Face, the preponderance of pro shop kit, career sponsorship and online play.

Far Cry is tough, surprising and constantly engaging – creating an action game that is full of memorable moments.

The soothing, calming effect of casually boarding down a mountainside cannot be overstated - the stressed of this world should get this game on prescription.

Fans might feel a little short-changed at how, well, familiar most of the gameplay is to the Dreamcast version, but that doesn't take away too much from the fact that you can now play one of the best fighting games ever put out there without having to resort to digging out Sega's defunct games platform on eBay.

Utterly addictive stuff... this is a Nintendo product that can be embraced by those who don't worship at the shrine of Mario.

Something old, something borrowed (liberally, "Pro Evo" fans will scream), and, quite a lot new is the verdict on FIFA 2004.

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.

The benchmark has been well and truly raised; Top Spin should be your tennis game of choice.

The original Advance Wars was a great game and it will enhance your enjoyment of this sequel when you eventually buy it. And you will. It's that addictive.

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.

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.

My only gripe with Max Payne 2 would be value for money - it's a short game. Nevertheless it's slick, well made and you'll rarely have time to catch your breath from start to finish.

An instantly accessible, visually stunning and technically impressive tour de force. It's also immense fun to play.

Die hard Metroid fans will find little cause for complaint here, while gamers who are new to Samus' charms will surely be impressed.

For those of you embarking on your first mission as Solid Snake this is compelling stuff to complete and cherish.

Captures the epic corniness of classic old-style comic books without ever scrimping on the gameplay.

An impressively large and deep strategy-RPG... Not for the faint hearted, but a pocket masterpiece nonetheless.

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 need to command troops might not suit everyone, or the slower, more measured approach to combat. But if you want a unique war game for your console, Ghost Recon is your only choice.

A fine addition to the series and a perfect complement to "Splinter Cell" and "Ghost Recon" in the modern tactical warfare stakes.

The need to command troops might not suit everyone, or the slower, more measured approach to combat. But if you want a unique war game for your console, Ghost Recon is your only choice.

Capcom knows a thing or two about learning curves and each victory is extremely satisfying, even if death scenes last longer than German operas and bosses always do something nasty before they keel over.

All-in-all, a great game. But you must realize what you’re getting into - despite the gloss and the big name it’s still a repetitive hack ‘n’ slash adventure with RPG leanings.

Like my love life, needs a little more action and a little less messing about to be truly excellent.

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.

Invest any time in Dog’s Life and you’ll soon notice you’ve invested more than you originally intended.

Runs like a beauty, but it hasn't got a lot of personality.

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

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.

Not the brightest tool in the shed, but if it’s top multiplayer action you’re after it’s sharp as hell.

When you throw in the graphics, the jokes and the ever-changing landscapes, you're left with something that's impossible to dislike.

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.

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.

Seat of the pants gameplay makes it a winner. Despite difficult segments, it's still rather short... but like the Two Towers it's almost as much an event as a game.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FPS fans with a hankering for the often imitated, never bettered feel of "GoldenEye" will find plenty here to luxuriate in, but if you want to shoot people without having to resort to caution you may find this a grind.

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.

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.

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

The demanding learning curve is absolutely perfect... An essential purchase for patient gamers everywhere.

Has the right balance between beautifully-cinematic storytelling and thrilling gameplay.

Effortlessly balances sneaky stealth and incendiary action.

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

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

It's action is more intense and more involving than it's parent title... It's far more accomplished than most stand-alone titles.

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

A stylish and spectacular gaming universe.

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

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

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

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

Visuals are crisp and life-like.

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

Tense, powerful, and gripping.

Improves on "Vendetta" in every aspect [with a] well-told story mode and improved fighting engine.

Once you get used to it, this game becomes both intuitive and satisfying.

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

The demanding learning curve is absolutely perfect...An essential purchase for patient gamers everywhere.

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.

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

The racing action is undeniably fast and, ahem, furious, and Need for Speed performs competently in this little niche market, but it's gameplay scope is ultimately narrowed by it as well.

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

Visually, the pseudo 3-D effects are fairly convincing.

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

American football finally comes across as brutally as it should.

A uniquely-styled and enchanting RPG filled with clever touches. [JPN Import]

Effortlessly balances sneaky stealth and incendiary action.

A refreshing change from the usual multiplayer frag-fests.

Very much Star Wars but this time with a lot of added depth, care, and a complete absence of laziness.

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

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