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.

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 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.

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.

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

Utterly essential.

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

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

A refreshing change from the usual multiplayer frag-fests.

Simply the most varied and accomplished multiplayer combat game on the PC.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

An optimized version of previous games, despite clunky dialogue, this is a solid continuation of the series with better graphics, seamless melds between action and cut scenes, and a rockin' story.

Simply stunning to watch.

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

American football finally comes across as brutally as it should.

An immensely varied game...The only letdown is multiplayer mode which despite pretty levels and vehicles is rather middling and perfunctory.

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

A superbly crafted game, but it's tough!...This is fluid combat at its absolute best.

American football finally comes across as brutally as it should.

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.

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.

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

If you enjoyed the first game, you'll be knocked out by the franchise's latest lease on life.

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.

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

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

American football finally comes across as brutally as it should.

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.

Driving through such locations would be a joy in itself if only you felt some sense of response from the cars. As it is, the sensation of driving goes largely unchanged with terrain.

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

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

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

An absolute orgy of burning rubber with 700 cars and 50 tracks... Next time we see GT roll up, pray for the ability to take it for an online spin, but for now, it's everything else you hoped Gran Turismo 4 would be. [JPN Import]

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.

Mixes stylish visuals and interactive sounds with the all-important addictive quality that a puzzler needs. [JPN Import]

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

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

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

Developers sucker punch have done a great job of making you feel like you're playing an interactive cartoon.

If you're gonna have odd features, make them essential... A good game, but a slightly wasted opportunity.

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.

Visually, this is right up to PS2 standards. Truly stunning to behold on the PSP's crystal clear screen. Throw in a wireless multiplayer mode and you've got an essential launch title for Sony's babystation. This is the best Ridge Racer we've seen in some time. [JPN Import]

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

It's arcade style handling makes it instantly accessible.

A refreshing change from the usual multiplayer frag-fests.

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.

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

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

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

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

The most brutally realistic boxing game around.

This game still compares favorably with more modern efforts such as Volition's "Red Faction."

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

The only real problem with Joe 2: It's way too similar to the previous title...Still, a terrific game. Challenging, but never to the point of frustration.

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.

It succeeds. It's just a shame the world isn't terribly exciting... It's definitely a case of "love the world, but where's the game?"

The only real problem with Joe 2: It's way too similar to the previous title...Still, a terrific game. Challenging, but never to the point of frustration.

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.

The whole affair feels like a slightly slower more elegant version of the recently released "Wario Ware."

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

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

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

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

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.

Improvements to sound and visuals are excellent... [but] genuine shocks don't come often enough.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Fun in the short-term and has ambition, but there's not enough innovation to get excited about, or warrant re-playing what is a lengthy franchise title.

Effortlessly balances sneaky stealth and incendiary action.

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

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.

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.

Visuals are crisp and life-like.

Fun in the short-term and has ambition, but there's not enough innovation to get excited about, or warrant re-playing what is a lengthy franchise title.

A far more varied titles than its predecessors.

Effortlessly balances sneaky stealth and incendiary action.

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

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.

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

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

Anyone thinking of "getting a life" would be well advised to do so in the real world rather than this one. There's nothing wrong with the execution - it's the concept that's so dispiriting.

Fun in the short-term and has ambition, but there's not enough innovation to get excited about, or warrant re-playing what is a lengthy franchise title.

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