In a game packed with natural disasters, it's a shame the biggest disaster of them all is how Populous has turned out on DS. [May 2009, p.84]

Shadows of Almia hits the standard of the series without adding anything new. [Feb 2009, p.79]

A clear improvement over "SvR 2008" but a lot of it's still very familiar. [Dec 2008, p.54]

A clear improvement over "SvR 2008" but a lot of it's still very familiar. [Dec 2008, p.54]

Wii owners have a SmackDown to be proud of that has the definitive ladder/cage matches. [Dec 2008, p.56]

A competitive effort, but the prospect of DLC seals it for the next-gen. [Dec 2008, p.57]

Perfect structure for a handheld SmackDown, but get the big version if possible. [Dec 2008, p.57]

Impressive technically but ultimately spoiled by control and AI issues. [Dec 2008, p.57]

Shows its competence and depth the more you're prepared to invest into its finer points. [Aug 2008, p.79]

Not great for newcomers, but the ideal follow up to "Rise of a Ninja's" abrupt finish. [Jan 2009, p.72]

One of the finest action games of the year that improves on the original in every way. [Christmas 2008, p.56]

Another great Singstar, but we want some new genre-specific titles, please. [Dec 2006, p.94]

The best RTS on consoles by a long way. EndWar is considerably more than a gimmick. [Christmas 2008, p.78]

It's the best-looking Naruto game to date - it comes with something for everyone. [Mar 2009, p.65]

Like the graphics or not, Valkyria Chronicles is an accessible, challenging strategy game. [Christmas 2008, p.82]

Shops everlow with great stealth and shooting options. Bond fluffs both. [Christmas 2008, p.72]

A beautifully crafted sequel with savvy new ideas and jaw dropping moments of magic. [Christmas 2008, p.54]

A reminder of how entertaining the original story is, in an almost "Zelda" quality adventure. [Feb 2009, p.76]

Not technically brilliant, but fun kids' game packed with a quirky variety of mini challenges. [Feb 2009, p.84]

A simple but clever game too shallow to offer any long-term enjoyment. [Dec 2008, p.84]

A game that doesn't take itself too seriously with gameplay that's as compelling as ever. [Christmas 2008, p.78]

Love Ben 10? Buy anything with his face on? Well then you don't need our opinion do you? [Mar 2009, p.79]

Fallout 3 is a masterpiece. Failing to add it to your games collection is simply not an option. [Christmas 2008, p.74]

There's little in the way of innovation to be found here, but it's a finely tuned package. [Sept 2008, p.76]

In a crowded genre filled with great titles, this is so far off road that it's in a ditch. [Feb 2009, p.78]

Eye-pleasing, accessible and entertaining but lacking long-lasting depth. [Dec 2008, p.60]

It's all a bit spotty and unsatisfying - whatever your skill level. [Dec 2008, p.74]

A totally cute and adorable playground, this time with more story and less making. [Dec 2008, p.69]

It'll win you over with its simplistic charm. [Jan 2009, p.84]

In fact, it's the most exciting superbike racing we've played for a while. [Dec 2008, p.83]

A considerable improvement over the original and fun for everyone involved. [Jan 2009, p.69]

A neat package for Nerf fans, but it doesn't have the looks or lustre to score high. [Apr 2009, p.62]

An amazing achievement and every bit as intuitive and addictive as we'd hoped. [Dec 2008, p.62]

Way too frustrating to control and lacks any sort of gameplay polish. [Mar 2009, p.82]

A stunning entry into the Guitar Hero-verse with essential new features. [Christmas 2008, p.80]

Deep, funny, exciting, rewarding and immense. It's the best action adventure on 360. [Dec 2008, p.68]

A big, enjoyable adventure, marred only by some technical issues. [Christmas 2008, p.64]

Another brilliant adventure from Konami but only the hardiest vampire hunters need apply. [Feb 2009, p.84]

Unless you own a Wii, there's no excuse not to enjoy one of the best games in years. [Dec 2008, p.82]

A vast improvement on Spider-Man 3, but a few fatal flaws are holding him back. [Jan 2009, p.82]

A challenging and technically impresive FPS set in gorgeous but treacherous surroundings...It's one of the most engaging shooters we've played for ages. [Dec 2008, p.67]

While it has been surpassed by some newer RPG's, you'll still relish the opportunity to approach the series from the start. [Jan 2009, p.85]

Where other street racing games have been re-branded, re-built or have fallen by the wayside, Midnight Club: Los Angeles has been polished up to be the pinnacle of the series, and one of the most exciting arcade racing games of 2008.

The pinnacle of the series - honest to the original concept, but faster and better looking. [Dec 2008, p.76]

A pure shot of adrenaline to the heart of the PSP. You need this racer!

While Wii Music is sure to divide gamers, it's just too fun for us to pass up on. [Christmas 2008, p.63]

A brilliant expansion to one of the year's best games. [Jan 2009, p.74]

A nice change of pace and that rarest of things: a genuinely funny Wii game. [Oct 2008, p.74]

Stamps on our fondness for the original until all of the squishy bits ooze out of the sides. [Christmas 2008, p.73]

The slower pace is an acquired taste, but can make for ace games if you have the patience. [May 2009, p.78]

One of the purest videogames we've played in yonks and an absolute riot. Buy! [Dec 2008, p.80]

A brilliantly contructed horror experience - the only game to come close to matching "Resi". [Dec 2008, p.59]

Rib-ticklingly good fun. Not just for fans of American Fistball. [Christmas 2008, p.85]

The best FIFA game yet and a big, big improvement over last year. [Nov 2008, p.58]

Typically polished and enjoyable, FIFA 09 on PS2 is aging gracefully. [Nov 2008, p.61]

Fracture by name, fractured by nature. A competent, complacent shooter. [Dec 2008, p.78]

Passable as a single-player game but completely falls apart in co-op. Avoid. [Christmas 2008, p.64]

If you like a thorough, challenging adventure with a story that's its strongest point, you'll enjoy it. Just be warned, the Myst-style mouse control system is far from cutting edge. [Feb 2009, p.63]

Solid but over familiar, Silent Hill is a town in need of some redevelopment. [Feb 2009, p.74]

It won't appeal to anyone over eight. [Apr 2009, p.83]

Shines with hog-tastic potential, but the actual 'role playing' bits need beefing up. [Nov 2008, p.70]

A little bit throwaway but a nicely put together CSI-sim. [Christmas 2008, p.84]

Doesn't live up to the concept's potential, but it's simple, undemanding and enjoyable. [Christmas 2008, p.73]

Everything next-gen gaming was mean to be. Only faster. [Dec 2008, p.82]

This is bound to find a hardcore following, but it's frustratingly tough. [Dec 2008, p.84]

An excellent shooter that maintains the series' sterling rep, but where are the new ideas? [Nov 2008, p.76]

The 'cleanest' mud racer around - but if you're looking for frantic racing, you've hit paydirt. [Dec 2008, p.79]

One of 2008's biggest disappointments. [Nov 2008, p.67]

Lots of people enjoy this type of game but we feel it needs more to it. [Dec 2008, p.85]

There are no instant thrills here, but there's a deep and pure numbers game for aficionados. [May 2009, p.68]

Quite possibly the girliest, pinkest RPG you'll find - but it's still infinitely better produced and more charming than most. [Apr 2009, p.83]

A few resurfacing niggles don't spoil the most freeform and fun Lego game to date. [Dec 2008, p.75]

Everyone loves a nice time paradox, but we'd like more freedom. [Christmas 2008, p.84]

A massive roster of characters. [Mar 2009, p.82]

An ambitious simulation of off-road racing but it's sadly not as involving as we'd hoped. [Dec 2008, p.78]

An ill-conceived expansion of an idea, as wafer-thin as the DVD it's pressed onto. [Nov 2008, p.81]

Probably the most accessible SimCity to date; certainly not dumbed down. Great stuff. [Dec 2008, p.70]

Hooray for 2D revival, boo for the slightly disappointing taming of this bad boy mascot. [Nov 2008, p.74]

Not much cop as an action game, but as a Sith simulator this is dreamy fan service. [Nov 2008, p.68]

Entertaining enough but high-speed dot-to-dot can only last for so long. [Nov 2008, p.84]

It's Crysis, but with less room to breathe. Could do with lingering on those action scenes. [Dec 2008, p.83]

This adventure isn't perfect, but stick with it and you'll discover another worthy addition to the DS's growing library of RPGs. [Oct 2008, p.72]

We should expect more. [Jan 2009, p.82]

Clear Sky delivers a more AI-driven, frightening and altogether more dangerous world than its predecessor ever could. [Oct 2008, p.77]

The king of Neo Geo struggles to find its footing on XBLA. [Dec 2008, p.84]

A decent debut. A few tweaks and "SmackDown" will be cacking its spandex. [Nov 2008, p.80]

Better controls, improved animations and full of cool new features. [Nov 2008, p.83]

A masterclass in videogame storytelling, but there's little left for the player to do. [Nov 2008, p.81]

Pocket Paradise's brilliant control scheme elevates it well beyond the original's greatness. [Oct 2008, p.71]

As close as you'll get to "Lumines" on WiiWare, but good in its own right. [Dec 2008, p.85]

Spore is more than the sum of its parts. A lot of parts. [Nov 2008, p.62]

A triumph - a constantly evolving, charming and surprising triumph. [Oct 2008, p.83]

Excellent production values but lacking the depth of our favourite beat-'em-ups. [Oct 2008, p.81]

A simple and solid RTS sadly hindered by the control system. [Dec 2008, p.85]

Get used to its quirks and it'll make for a perfectly playable distraction until FF13. [Nov 2008, p.75]

Don't let the colours put you off. Viva caters for the hardcore to the casual - ie, everyone. [Nov 2008, p.78]

A souped-up return that delivers pyrotechnic perfection but lacks the depth of other games. [Nov 2008, p.73]

Four-player joy, but lone gamers will find something missing. [Dec 2008, p.84]