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]

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

Ignore the vapid thrills promised by shinier, shallower games, and enjoy mastering one of the most challenging fighters for ages. [PSM2 Magazine]

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]

Combine full-on racing with a track design that should have "Wipeout's" makers hurrying back to the drawing board and then chuck in "Tony Hawk's" stupendously addictive tricks and you have PS2's finest moment to date.

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.

To its very core, the game always goes for realism in a way that leaves "Metal Gear Solid" feeling extremely arcade like in comparison. [XGamer]

Don't expect depth, merely an ongoing rush of a pure gaming high. Bliss!

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]

Awe-inspiring to behold, deep, absorbing and epic to the nines, Overworks' sky-faring RPG sets a standard that will most others will never attain. You have been told.

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]

It's a ridiculous name, of course, but it manages to sum up how absurdly joyful the game is, a riot of technicolour chopsocky fun that'll immediately have you punching the air in glee. [GamesMaster]

It would be churlish to criticise the game for a bit of net slowdown because, whether you're playing online or offline, this is without doubt the best basketball game ever. Nothing but nylon!

An amazingly intricate fighter, that will doubtless give VF fans sleepless nights to come. But in the shadow of the superb "Soul Calibur 2" (which offers not only depth, but accessibility and longevity in a beautifully presented package) it's hard to recommend to anyone other than those who already know they want it. [Import - GamesMaster]

No matter what your tastes are, after just an hour in Mario's new world, we can guarantee that you?ll not want to move from your chair. Ever.

What does make it great is that it actually delivers on nearly everything it promises while still being fun to just pick up and play.

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]

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's SSX's cooler, meaner, smarter brother - and still the most exhilarating game on PS2.

Astounding, involving, creepy, atmospheric.[NGC]

The gripping story, the inventive mission design, the perfect pacing, the interesting races and the redolent atmosphere. [PC Gamer UK]

What saves "The Sims" from becoming an unmanageable and nightmarish mess is the incredibly intuitive and easy to use interface.

A great sim but not a perfect game. It suffers from too few tracks and a complete lack of soul, but the basics are spot on - and it's massive too. [Xbox World]

Frighteningly addictive.

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

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]

The only downsides are that there are no female players (come on Sega!) and in Exhibition mode you can only set up one set matches - there are no full-on grand slams.

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