A perfectly competent but utterly uninspired kart racer that pales in comparison with Mario Kart.

Bags of style and tons of good ideas - all crowbarred into a game that's slightly too monotonous to sustain them. [PSM2]

Whichever version you play, Cars is a likable little racing adventure. The gameplay is nothing outstanding, but it's fun enough while it lasts, and overall it looks pretty slick.

The novice faces a hefty learning curve, even with the well-written tutorial in the manual, and many will give up within the first few hours.

A pale Star Wars-based imitation of "Mario Kart." Just plain bad.

If you're a gearhead, you'll enjoy this. The rest of you? Well, it's a good racing game marred only by a lack of options and features. Still, makes a change from cars. [PSM2]

While this is no "Never Say Never Again," it's hardly "Goldfinger" either. Sorry about that, 007. [XGamer]

Simply put, it's a stellar title that'll keep baseball fans happy all season long.

Based on the tried and tested "Doom" formula, "The Nightmare Child" is hardly innovative, but is incredibly satisfying in its blood and guts simplicity.

Offers a metric ton of activities for you to engage in. The sheer variety is unheard of for this genre (on a console anyway), and it all works. That said, little of it is outstanding, and while all the pieces are in place, there isn't a single aspect of this game that will blow you away.

Something we were actually outraged by was the fact that that in two-player mode there are no AI cars at all.

Assessed solely on the single-player mode this game is a sizey, different and diverse lump of still-classic Resi gaming. Add online and add 5% to that score. [JPN Import; PSM2]

Packs so much action and excitement into its story that it's easy to forget its flaws. [PC Format]

The sheer originality and inventiveness of Pac-Pix inevitably wins through, making this one of the most memorable games you'll ever play. [NGC Pocket]

As a game, MLB 2K6 feels more than competent, but it fails to excel. Much like last year's Cubs, it has its shining moments, but in the end you're left with the distinct feeling that it could have been so much more.

Rogue Trooper may not be cutting edge, but as a simple, straightforward shooter, it's more than capable of delivering a quick action fix.

Looks a bit rubbish at first, but scratch the surface and you'll find one of the strongest and most rewarding Xbox games yet. [GamesMaster]

It may be for hardcore fans and sadists only, but this is still a rewarding race. [GamesMaster]

A "Sims"-Lite with a 12-year-old's vision of life painted glossily (and thinly) on top. You'll either love it or hate it depending on your view of games and the world. [PSM2]

Despite the missteps, the whole of FRWL satisfies with a combination of excellent graphics, (literally) jazzy tunes, and varied gameplay.

A genuinely good third-year romp for Harry. Accomplished and absorbing, it's not quite magical but it's certainly no muggle either. [GamesMaster]

If you're looking for a more classical style of game where you can turn off your brain and annihilate wave after wave of enemies as you dodge obscene amounts of enemy fire, Xyanide is for you.

Thanks to the easy-to-use controls and smooth action, it has set a high benchmark for others to try to reach. [PSM2]

NBA Ballers: Phenom is built around a solid core but has gone beyond its limits, like when Michael Jordan quit the NBA to play minor-league baseball.

The graphics offer an enticing mix of cutesy Anime portraits and lovely 3D environments, while the gameplay is an original twist on a classic genre with gentle pacing masking fiendish puzzles. Who said point & click was dead? Another subtle smash on the divine DS. [GamesMaster]

Brilliant, brilliant and brilliant. Everything the last game was plus everything you ever wanted. [PSM2]

Four seasons for the price of one is quite a little bonus, and the F1 action is sound. But there are plenty of better 'pure' racers.[GamesMaster]

Not a terrible game as such - it tries to be entertaining - but it's a repetitive and technically poor use of a license. [NGC]