Amanda De Cadenet -- remember her? -- once said in an interview that she'd rather have five minutes of filth than half an hour of arduous bump 'n' grind and, at last, we understand what she meant.

Shudderingly comprehensive, divinely paced and - despite the million of words already written in feverish anticipation - it has the ability to surprise at every turn. This is PS2's defining masterpiece – a sunspot of rare polished magic from experienced developers working at the peak of their powers. [PSM2]

The gameplay, plot and soundtrack are all outstanding individually, but when blended together create an essential experience...What we're trying to say is this is simply the best videogame GamesMaster has played this century. [GamesMaster]

As close as a game has ever come to being flawless. A sublime exercise in action gaming that'll blow your mind. This is why you play videogames. [PSM2]

The best of the bunch yet. If you've never indulged in tactical espionage action before, you really have no excuse to let this pass you by. Absolutely vital. [PSM2]

Wind Waker may copy the previous games a lot, but it's emulating some of the best ever made. As such, singing its praises is like preaching to the choir.

A bit plot heavy, but that's a tiny criticism of one of the most inventive, ambitious and downright fun games to play, well, <I>ever</I>.[GamesMaster Magazine]

A game of a higher order of magnitude than any of the previous pretenders to the throne. The polish and the stratospheric production values mean that Half-Life 2 is a magnificent, dramatic experience that has few peers. [PC Gamer UK, Dec 2004, p.66]

Difficult to categorise but impossible not to love. Metroid Prime is simply a fabulous gaming experience and the best on the Cube. [GamesMaster]

There's little chance to get bored, too, simply because of the volume of stuff to do in every race. Even a Bronze unlocks new stuff, but more obscure cars require specific goals like finishing a race unscathed or getting signature takedowns... Burnout's utterly, utterly brilliant. [GamesMaster]

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]