A hover boot-enabled leap forward for platform fans. [Dec 2009, p.76]

A likeable, if slight, slice of gory Brothers Grimm gaming. [Winter 2009, p.86]

A likeable, if slight, slice of gory Brothers Grimm gaming. [Winter 2009, p.86]

Unfriendly and dull. If Advance Wars had an evil twin, it would probably look like this. [May 2009, p.71]

The addition of remixed versions of old classics makes this a worthy alternative to traditional tabletop games. [Christmas 2009, p.80]

Kids will fall in love instantly. [Dec 2009, p.86]

Weak strategy built around a minigame that's okay for coffee breaks on your PC but not so great for Xbox Live. [Christmas 2009, p.80]

Not nearly as epic as Fallout 3 but intriguing and addictive for level-grind-loving gamers. [Dec 2009, p.72]

A soulless advert for a crummy toyline. [Dec 2009, p.85]

Can we have it this simple, but a bit bigger? [Dec 2009, p.87]

Those who are in the market for a new WWE game will delight in the raft of innovations, which dispel the myth that Smackdown is a gaming franchise that stood still. [Nov 2009, p.72]

Compares well with the high-def versions. Wii owners aren't missing out on much. [Dec 2009, p.68]

Decent depth. [Dec 2009, p.87]

If you like football, this is a dream game. It's a true next-gen football game, and we can't stop playing it. [Nov 2009, p.62]

The sleeping giant of the FIFA kingdom roars into life, but it's still an all-format minnow. [Nov 2009, p.66]

So good it's criminal. [Dec 2009, p.87]

Interesting in its way, but too unsophisticated and irritating in places to easily recommend. [Apr 2010, p.71]

An old classic reborn and a must for shooter fans. Be warned: it's more addictive than ever. [Oct 2009, p.79]

It's not a game, but how long this will entertain you will depend on your, er, recreational pursuits. [Christmas 2009, p.80]

Another great value and unerringly brilliant series. A must for adventure fans. [Christmas 2009, p.80]

Bizarre, beautiful. [Christmas 2009, p.80]

Plenty of outrageous fun, but far too happy to skulk backstage when the action's up front. [Dec 2009, p.83]

What it lacks in originality it makes up for with polished gameplay and engaging storytelling. [Dec 2009, p.60]

Like a diamond-centered jelly bean it looks sweet but it's hardcore underneath. [Winter 2009, p.80]

The game justifies the hype. [Dec 2009, p.82]

Was never going to challenge for the top, but a good effort. [Dec 2009, p.82]

Throwaway shocks. [Dec 2009, p.86]

A surprisingly pleasant movie adaptation, and good, clean family fun. [Feb 2010, p.80]

A really neat idea, very well executed. This deserves a place in every RPG fan's collection. [May 2010, p.82]

A bewilderingly detailed city-building simulator. [Winter 2009, p.86]

If you're looking for a more tactical war, this will satisfy, but it's not for everyone. [Dec 2009, p.74]

As a falling-down-a-cliff simulator, it's second to none. As fun software, fail, it does. [Dec 2009, p.85]

A genuinely decent adaptation of the films. Repetitive and gruesome, but hugely evocative. [Winter 2009, p.85]

Horribly, sadistically tough but equally rewarding. [Aug 2010, p.102]

A bigger, more polished version of the world's favourite exercise software. Very slick. [Winter 2009, p.85]

Great looks, impressive handling, good tracks and cars. But where's the career mode? [Dec 2009, p.64]

Enjoyable freeplay mode. [Dec 2009, p.86]

More horror movie simulator than game, but a brilliant, tense and exciting experience still. [Dec 2009, p.62]

A surprising comedy gem. [Dec 2009, p.86]

A well executed handheld version of MotorStorm but not the most exciting PSP racer. [Dec 2009, p.63]

A superb slice of first class hack and slashery that action fans would be crazy to miss. [Nov 2009, p.80]

If you have a love of zombies bordering on the unnatural this is a no-brainer. [Apr 2010, p.77]

A soulless entry that's packed with fan service but lacks appeal for newcomers. [Dec 2009, p.63]

A nice twist on the Katamari template, but it soon gets repetitive. [Winter 2009, p.86]

A nice twist on the Katamari template, but it soon gets repetitive. [Winter 2009, p.86]

A nice twist on the Katamari template, but it soon gets repetitive. [Winter 2009, p.86]

A lack of new content will disappoint old fans. [Dec 2009, p.87]

Another superb Bungie shooter, but it doesn't improve on the existing formula enough. [Dec 2009, p.80]

By no means awful, but completely outclassed by the superior Super Smash Bros. Brawl. [Dec 2009, p.70]

There's a developer's mucky pride shining through Wet, but thanks to its hamfisted execution, it just seems like arrogance. [Nov 2009, p.79]

Shift may not have snatched the yardstick from Turn 10, Polyphony Digital or Codemasters, the damage model might not be the best in the genre, and nor is it the absolute, final word in realistic driving. But it has reignited our affection for Need For Speed - and that alone is a real achievement.

When on form it's a great arcade flight game. When it isn't, the gameplay can be monotonous. [Dec 2009, p.70]

A brilliant plot line is a mixed blessing in this better-than-average action RPG. [Dec 2009, p.71]

Scribblenauts is hugely ambitious, and the odd bit of buckling under its inventory has to be forgiven.

Bowser proves a brilliant distraction from traditional Mario play in 2009's silliest RPG. [Winter 2009, p.81]

A deep, authentic package for fans, but Rock Band 2 offers more variation and accessibility. [Nov 2009, p.82]

One for those who like their games tough, terrific to look at and ever-so-slightly traditional. [Winter 2009, p.74]

The best kids' games look great and engage the brain. Sadly Mini Ninjas isn't one of them. [Nov 2009, p.70]

Considering a hard-as-nails sim lurks below the skin, Sturmovik has surprising playability. [Oct 2009, p.78]

For all its glamorous, "radical!" makeover, DiRT 2 is still the best handling rally game in the business. [Oct 2009, p.66]

Arguably the best fighter on PSP, but missing the single-player experience we hoped for. [Oct 2009, p.70]

Unless keyboards are on the horizon we can't see GH getting any better than this update. [Nov 2009, p.85]

This will tide us over until a proper Wii Moon, but it's one of the laziest Wii ports to date. [May 2008, p.73]

Despite the quirky ideas, it lacks the dynamism to thrill or the tension to scare. [Oct 2009, p.72]

Arkham Asylum is a game with the power to utterly captivate you and can stand proudly alongside modern classics such as "Resident Evil 4", "Gears of War," and "BioShock"...Simply put, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a masterpiece. [Sept 2009, p.66]

A simple concept hides a hugely complex and massively rewarding experience. Brilliant. [Oct 2009, p.76]

A must-buy for newcomers to the series and worth another go if you've played them before. [Nov 2009, p.78]

Great puzzles. Great mystery. Great top hat. Not so great accordion. Another Layton essential. [Nov 2009, p.84]

A first-class throwback to the gory days of 16-bit and a superb shooter in its own right. [Nov 2009, p.84]

Tougher on NFL newbies then (which lots of us Brits are) but arguably more rewarding for the hardcore, Madden NFL 10 is an intriguing step forward for the series, while also - perhaps - a slightly alienating one. [Nov 2009, p.86]

Still a magnificent fighter but it lacks new features and the depth of its stable mates. [Sept 2009, p.80]

Guerrilla is one of the best games of the year, but this doesn't compliment it too well. [Nov 2009, p.71]

It may be a PC favourite, but the 360 community needs to get educated about this - and sharpish. [Sept 2009, p.82]

An enjoyable if throwaway action game that weighs in at a not so throwaway price. [Sept 2009, p.81]

After Broken Steel and Point Lookout, this is a regression. Makes Anchorage look fun! [Oct 2009, p.77]

Like cake, it's tasty and lovely to look at. Unlike cake, it's an experience best shared. [Oct 2009, p.74]

Survives on retro puzzle charm. [Nov 2009, p.62]

We see why "Road to Ruin" was a 'deleted scene," but Gears 2 remains bloody brill. [Oct 2009, p.71]

Arguably this is the best Wii party game ever. It's also a great Motion Plus demonstration. [Sept 2009, p.72]

A superb fighter, but it's too easy and there just isn't enough to do to recommend this. [Oct 2009, p.71]

Funny, charming and a real meaty challenge, there's nothing else like it on Wii. [May 2009, p.81]

Don't underestimate the wow factor of the 3D mode - if this is the future of games, sign us up. [Oct 2009, p.75]

Definitely avoid at this price. [Aug 2010, p.101]

A remake oozing love and affection - hopefully the first of many LucasArts reduxes. [Sept 2009, p.74]

Less thinking more stroking (steady now!) of blurry static visuals with a stylus in search of the vital clues. [Aug 2009, p.84]

A finely-tuned online shooter that delivers an excellent multiplayer experience at a good price. [Sept 2009, p.78]

Even being unfamiliar with the sport, we still found The Bigs 2 an entertaining distraction. [Oct 2009, p.79]

A decent recreation of the film's unfriendly plot. There's just not enough here to truly satisfy. [Aug 2009, p.80]

Technically it lacks polish but as an arcade-style shooter with tons of variety it's superb. [Aug 2009, p.72]

It falls short of an unqualified recommendation at full-price because of a difficulty curve that's more or less flatlined, and the sometimes glacial (as an 'ice age', ha!) pace of the action. [Sept 2009, p.75]

Utterly mad, but with a streamlined control system steeped in reality. A brilliant fighter. [Mar 2010, p.69]

Faster, better looking and more technical than any other boxing game before it. [Aug 2009, p.64]

Do buy it, however, for its rather fine online offering. [Aug 2009, p.83]

Not totally without merit, but the repetition will wear even the most ardent fan down. [Sept 2009, p.76]

A universally enjoyable game. [Aug 2009, p.84]

Beyond the core concept, it feels buggy and unpolished. [Aug 2009, p.74]

A flawed but fun twist on the Overlord formula that will please puzzle obsessed evil doers. [Aug 2009, p.75]

It's a lot of fun while it lasts. [Aug 2009, p.75]