Zen-balanced succulent gameplay. Sublime in single-player, supreme with friends. [PSM2]

It's huge, thrilling, epic stuff. Give yourself unto Caesar. [PC Gamer UK]

A gripping and epic single-player game that'll take you by surprise - and perhaps the finest multiplayer game ever devised. Evolutionary rather then revolutionary, perhaps, but any way you cut it this is a first-person tour-de-force.

It's a long way from the Tekkens of this world, with no complicated combos or tricky special moves to pull off, but under the surface there's a fighting game that requires almost as much skill in its own way, as any of the 'serious' martial arts sims - and is a lot more fun. [NGC]

We say it's the best Mario Kart ever and if you disagree we'll just have to humble you at battle mode until you cry real tears. [GamesMaster]

Long story short, Half-Life 2 is a must-buy, and our strongest choice for that one, last Xbox game to pick up before switching over to Xbox 360.

[from PC Gamer UK]: This is the most realistic AI yet seen in a first-person shooter: enemies are utterly convincing in the acquisition of intelligent cover, the picking up of fixed gun posts from dead comrades and in the decisions they make to hang back and throw grenades and intelligently split and circle rather than hide on the spot or just come running.

The thing that makes Mario Kart such a replayable racer is the gorgeous handling of the vehicles. Forget things like Crash Team Racing and Diddy Kong - Mario Kart Super Circuit drives so well it feels like the GBA is hotwired into your brain. [GamesMaster Magazine]

[Biohazzard] This is GC's real killer game. It's worth getting the console for and surpasses all that you could hope for from a remake.We crave the UK release like zombies crave brains. [GamesMaster Magazine]

More missions, more fun and more laughs. It's just a shame it hasn't taken advantage of Xbox's capabilities. [GamesMaster]

With amazing tactical possibilities and very simple rules and controls, Advance Wars is a fast, satisfying and brain-teasing epic that you won't be able to put down. [GamesMaster]

It might look old-fashioned, but Advance Wars 2 is incredibly satisfying, pleasingly intelligent and never less than tremendous fun, even when it gets horribly hard. [GamesMaster]

It is a work of staggering genius, delicate like a snowflake, yet rugged like a prizefighter's face. SSX3 doesn't just demand your attention, but commands it, turning heads like a Hollywood celeb mozeying through Rochester Tesco's.

Like a good book that you won't want to put down. Golden Sun is portable role-playing at its purest. Totally absorbing. [Advance]

The most pulsating, nut-chafing, wind-in-the-hair experiences that can be prised from a game console. [GamesMaster]

There's an unbelievable amount of variety to be discovered, from dusty deserts to lush grassland and spooky forests. The cartoon-like presentation ties everything together nicely - you'll never look at something and think it looks stupid. [GamesMaster]

One of the most mesmerising and consistently entertaining games on any platform, ever. [PC Gamer UK]

From the opening scene to the final, cataclysmic end, KOTOR 2 sucks you in, chews you up, and spits you out the other end. Despite being a parallel to the original, this is a is a superb sequel if ever we saw one. [GamesMaster]

It's Tony's finest handheld outing yet. The new levels, improved graphics and hassle-free multi-player mode make Hawk a half-pipe hero. [GamesMaster]

There's little doubt that I've failed to sufficiently convey the sheer enormity of this game. [PC Gamer UK]

It's a fan-frikken-smabulous game. It's the kind of game that'll feed your gaming needs and desires no matter what level you enter it at... The best platform... sorry, character action game on PlayStation 2 to date? You bet your spring loaded arse it is.

One of the most epic videogame experiences in recent years, and probably the second absolute killer Xbox title. And it's made me love Star Wars again. I really can't believe it. [GamesMaster]

What really pushes this soulful number to the top of the charts is the fact that it's great fun to play. Easy to pick up, difficult to master - that's the story of a great fighting game. [PSM2]

It may not be as innovative as "Half-Life 2" but it's the perfect console game and is by far the best looking game on Xbox. Doom 3 is FPS butchery in its purest form. [GamesMaster]

Whether you're struggling to pop an ollie, or reverting your way to a 57-string combo - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 will keep you enthralled long into the winter. [GamesMaster]

An incredibly addictive experience that will see you tying your fingers into great fangled knots of joy. Essential. [GamesMaster Magazine]

It's sumptuously, head-swimmingly, plum-clutchingly lovely to look at. No, really, it's gorgeous. [Import]

It's one of the best looking games you'll ever have seen, it's fast, punchy, boasts simple, accessible controls - the Gamecube pad's never seemed quite so complementary to a beat-'em-up - and offers rich depths for those who go looking. [NGC]

It's all top notch Indy stuff and perfectly captures all the ace elements of the man and the movies. Monsters, exotic locations, suspicious characters and back-stabbing. He even looks and sounds like Harrison Ford which makes it all even more believable, charming and utterly essential. [GamesMaster]

Yet again, more than the sum of its parts. Immersive, story-driven brilliance. [PC Gamer UK]

Despite the 12 years since his debut, it's as captivating, exciting and, more importantly, as fun as it ever was - but of Sega, we'd expect no less. [GamesMaster]

Frighteningly addictive.

Full of unique touches, with a depth that demands that you come back for more. Addictive, compulsive and, above all, bags of fun. [Playstation 2 Max]

A little short but you'll love every minute of it. Deserves a place alongside "Advance Wars" and "Yoshi's Island." [NGC]

For either a first time fragger or a battle hardened veteran, Doom is simply superb. [GamesMaster]

Never before has Mario Kart offered so much content, that's so easily accessible and can be enjoyed by so many people. [GamesMaster]

Call in sick at work, unplug the phone, cancel all your plans, and prepare yourself for one of the most intense, exciting, and downright brilliant gaming experiences of your life.

This is, in all possibility, the most stunningly attractive game the PlayStation has ever known.

The best platformer on PS2? Possibly. Fun, beautiful to look at, challenging and rife with glorious detail? You bet your ass it is. An essential purchase. [PSM2]

A challenging single-player, stupidly addictive multiplayer and a whopping great lifespan. [NGC]

Simply fantastic.

As pleasurable to gaze on as Leia, as cheekily charming as Solo, and as ingenious as Lando's moustache. [PC Gamer UK]

A huge 30 hours-plus adventure but it never feels intimidatingly big. Whether you're a games novice or geriatric you'll be able to play it. [NGC]

Devastatingly deep, each level a Russian doll of gameplay, the layers of which are gradually revealed as you obtain different types of Pikmin. [GamesMaster]

A few minute irritations can't prevent us from declaring this to be nigh-on perfection. Good price too. [Xbox World 360]

It's the best strategy game released this year, and if you don't like it, there's something wrong with you.

Eat your hearts out David Soul, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood.

It's as thrilling a drive as it's has ever been and just unlocking the decent motors will take you days of play - then you'll never tire of trying to shave seconds from your lap times. GT4 occupies the same place in our hearts today as "GT3" did in 2001. [PSM2]

The AI of Lara's assailants is markedly improved, the level design is ambitious (sometimes overly so) and there are a number of small, yet notable additions to the TR repertoire.

It's like a digital version of Royston Vasey: the same things happening week by week, a set of unnerving neighbours - but you really will never leave. [GamesMaster]

A technical marvel. It moves so fast, and so smoothly, that you'd be forgiven for forgetting that you're playing it on a handheld console.

A mind-meddlingly varied game that throws new ideas at you every ten paces. [NGC]

Even three and a half years later, there hasn't been a more complete, entertaining, lovingly wrought platformer made for the GameCube.

Namco runs its formula dry with an expansive campaign, but the action keeps the soul burning. [GamesMaster]

A delicious blend of pleasure and pain. Everyone should own a copy of this (and practise lots as well). [NGC]

These supermen are capable of feats ordinary Battlefield grunts could only dream of, wielding 12 new firearms and racing across eight huge new maps in 10 new vehicles. Them's a lot of numbers, but then this is definitely no ordinary game. [GamesMaster]

A glimpse at the future of RPGs. A stunningly realised vision of everything that's good about story-driven swords and sorcer. [GamesMaster]

This is a must-have title on PSP. World Tour shows how to combine sporting simulation with easy arcade style and accessibility. The Roger Federer of tennis games. [PSM2]

This update has refreshed our love of the game, bringing a new physicality and violence to online shooters. CS:Source is essential. [PC Gamer UK]

This is a game that rewards care and attention by making you part of a brutally efficient machine. Other games give you a crusade, but SWAT 4 gives you the job itself - only without the hazard pay or sudden bullets to the face. [PC Gamer UK]

This is one Monkey Island you won't want to escape from any time soon. [GamesMaster]

Despite average presentation and dire commentary, the ever-compelling Master League progression mode, training, unlockables and online play combine with moreish, realistic action to complete the winning line-up. PES just keeps getting better. [PC Gamer UK]

Packed to the rafters with ticklish problem-solving, as you have to complete your goals and collect bananas. [GamesMaster Magazine]

As good a turn-based strategy game as you could hope to expect, with a cracking story. [GamesMaster]

There's a hell of a lot to do and it often feels daunting - like a big cross between Sim City and Total War. But it's well worth having a go if you think you're man - sorry, god - enough. [GamesMaster]

A return to form for one of PlayStation's elder statesmen - glorious visuals and tight fighting make this essential. It'll be Tekken over your life in no time. [PSM]

Better than the original. [GamesMaster]

The best thing about it is the sheer lunatic speed of it all. Stick on the bumper view, slam on the throttle and see the world at a crazy pace. [GamesMaster]

Not as perfect as Ico, but one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking and imaginative experiences on PS2 which deserves to be played by everyone who loves games. [PSM2]

On one side, beautiful graphics, superb notes, great handling and sexually arousing Group B driving. On the other, inconsistent obstacles, inauthentic modern cars, a confused brand and a small evolutionary step means that, to many, it quivers towards Yet Another Rally Game. [PC Gamer UK]

A magical experience you're never likely to forget, and the best game in a series that's never been less than excellent. An essential Cube buy. [NGC]

Hugely immersive, frenetic, intelligent carnage but it's not a big single-player experience. Warhammer finally has a great videogame... For those who aren't interested in tin soldiers - you'd be nuts to miss the finest sci-fi RTS to hit the PC since "Total Annihilation." [PC Gamer UK]

Barbarian Invasion is tweak-packed and jammed with choices, meaning that even expert Generals will be kept busy for ages. A must for fans of Rome Total War. [PC Gamer UK]

A brash, brilliant arcade game with real substance. It'll blow you away with its unrelenting pace and aggression. [GamesMaster]

We've marvelled at the luscious visuals, wept at a tragic twist in the plot (true), slaughtered untold numbers of evil minions and after 60 hours of adventuring, still haven't tired of it. [GamesMaster]

If you missed the original game 18 years ago, you should definitely pick this up - it could be another 18 years before they make something this purely fun again.

Worth the wait? Hell yeah. It's another stunning RPG from BioWare that, while bringing little new to the genre, is an absolute joy to behold. [Xbox World]

It's the most manic cartoon fun that you can have on your PC right now, and in a world full of ever bloodier FPSs and beardier strategy games, that's a breath of fresh air we should all be grateful for. [PC Gamer UK]

It may or may not be the blood-soaked ending to the franchise, but it's easily one of the most enjoyable games in the series and one of the most unapologetically fun games of the season.

So-so bonuses notwithstanding, there's just nothing else like this on the GameCube.

Xbox Live carnage on a profound scale - this is easily the best multiplayer game on the system since Bungie's opus. [Xbox World 360]

Mindbogglingly huge and engaging, this is one of the great space games of all time... A classic. [PC Gamer UK]

From start to finish, it's a class act, and one that you'll obsess over for months to come. [XGamer]

It's stupid, it's cliched and you can leave your brain at the door but, when you're having this much fun playing Total Overdose, can you really complain? [PSM2]

The clincher that transforms Homeworld 2 from a good game into a great one is the depth of detail. Every battle is an epic worthy of Lucas' early days; every backdrop a mind-blowing kaleidoscope of nebulae which constantly rams home the very vastness of space. [PC Gamer UK]

Morrowind will please both serious role-playing fans as well as anyone looking for a technically stunning adventure that will hold their attention longer than your average hack-and-slash title. This is the good stuff.

It won't be for everyone - but the melee combat brings something fresh to the genre and the online games are absolutely cracking. [Xbox World]

But if you fancy a deep, serious game that represents a huge challenge - and aren't adverse to constantly studying a map and positioning your men before seeing any action - then this war hero is in a league of its own. [Xbox World]

Few developers have the ability to craft a virtual world with the amount of depth and realism that SI deliver here. For football fans, there is no better place to lose yourself than Football Manager's deep, stat-filled realm. [PC Gamer UK]

A well-made game that's better than most RPGs that we've seen released these past few years, and all of the new additions in this version only help make it even more awesome.

If there's a nit to pick with Gun, it's that it's short. Depending on how much you poke around, you can beat it in anywhere from six to ten hours. To us, that's no problem; we'll take a short amazing game over a long lackluster one any day.

An enchanting adventure in Mario's familiar world, with excellent fighting and a brilliant script. [GamesMaster]

The repetitive training mode and fiddly defence let it down a little but, if being the main protagonist in a civilised man's most uncivilised sport rocks your world, look no further: this is a supreme sequel. [Xbox World]

In single player this is more an expansion than a whole new game, although fans will be happy. Online is what really steals the show. [GamesMaster]

It all adds up to a breakneck racing experience that offers a lot of fun (especially when you consider the online modes) for a little cash.

With the series' clever design and sense of humor fully restored, The Two Thrones is a stellar return to form for Prince of Persia.

The best Age game yet, featuring frightening fantasy units without all the bearded baggage. [PC Gamer UK]

Realistic missions and tactics plus a superb squad system make this a must-take tour of duty.