Where the PS2 version really shines is in the control department. The controls become almost second nature after only a few minutes of running around.

With no multiplayer modes at all, there's little reason to play after completing Max's rampage the first time. If this particular flaw doesn't bother you, however, Max Payne manages to deliver some of the best gunplay around, and is an involving and intense festival of urban decay, ultra-violence, and slow motion cinematic blood shed.

A stellar title, and it's mainly the inherent differences with the GameCube controller that make me hesitate from giving it a full recommendation.

Offers super graphics, intuitive and deep gameplay, and one heck of a Dynasty mode.

A triumph for Massive Entertainment. The developers have managed to take a quirky "action game" take on the real-time strategy genre and wrap it in an instantly appealing, accessible and highly polished package.

The whole rival presentation really gets your blood boiling for revenge, and this is where Revenge on 360 really shines through.

I like the lay of Dawn of Sorrow's land, and the soul mechanic is great; however, with the inferior character design and ho-hum touch-screen features, this isn't the be-all end-all of portable Castlevania. Regardless, it is a must-have for all action fans, and kicks the ever-loving crap out of any other action/platformer on the DS.

Simply put: Korsun Pocket is a gem of a game and is one of the best wargames ever designed.

Even those gamers that would normally cringe at the thought of playing a sports title will find themselves lapping up insane ball-dunking action over numerous digitally-rendered courts.

It's good to see the company broaden its horizons more and more; L.A. Noire plays its tropes well, and it's a fine exploration of the crime-adventure genre's flip side.

Far Cry doesn't just boast cutting-edge technology and a surplus of breathtaking visuals, but also pulls off the amazing triple play of open-ended gameplay far beyond the standard A-to-B-to-C of most shooters.

Dead Space is a solid realization of several of our favorite gameplay mechanics in a way that we've only seen in blockbusters like BioShock, Half-Life and Resident Evil 4. Its quality is undeniable and we have no reservation in recommending its potent mix of panic-inducing plotline, furious action and deep customization.

I don't want to leave you with the impression that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is anything less than an amazing, triumphant game right down to its core. It's XCOM's Batman Begins, in effect -- it does a magnificent job of rebooting the series with its soul intact, delivering an awesome modern experience and paving the way for a future that doesn't just recreate the tense tactical battles and global strategy of the 18-year-old original, but builds on them.

By the time I reached the end, Mass Effect 3 had secured the trilogy's spot amongst my favorite science-fiction stories in any medium.

An enormous game... Classic real-time gaming simply doesn't get much better than this.

What's great about this level of detailed realism is that it usually doesn't make the game overwhelming, but rather makes it thrilling.

A fantastic version of an astonishing game. Although you miss out on the sumptuous bonuses of the original release, you will get substantially more content at a great price.

If there is one area where World Series Baseball 2K3 excels, it is in the franchise mode. Loaded with options, franchise mode is a micro-manager's dream.

The fastest, tightest racer on the GameCube to date.

For PC gamers at least, the decision by Dice to lead on our beloved platform has resulted in a game that delivers a truly next-generation feel. BF3 is an absolutely massive experience, but it's the explosive multiplayer mode that makes this the must-have FPS of the year. There's simply no other shooter that lets you wage war on a scale this huge, but even better is the infinite number of satisfying ways to lay the hurt down on your opponents.

If your PC has the horsepower, Battlefield: 1942 is an online action experience no gamer should miss.

The hero's newfound voice adds an emotional impact and resonance that the original game sorely lacked, and I genuinely wanted to see Isaac conquer his inner demons nearly as much as the outer variety. In such an intense game (one of the most intense I've ever played), it's funny that the quiet moments were the one that really stood out.

It's simply too good and too tasty to ignore. Not to mention it's the first decent step towards next-next-generation visuals.

Solid gameplay and improved online support ensure the only NFL game in town for the PC is an excellent one.

Represents the very pinnacle of PS2 racing games and lord only knows how long we'll have to wait for the next installment. Get it, race it and love it... One of the most comprehensive games of the last four years.

Playing through the songs you've likely heard for your entire life gives you a new appreciation for the level of musicianship and songwriting on display. Somehow, Harmonix found a way to make the greatest band of all time even better.

A great game, and better than the first in all of the important ways, but the impact is lessened by the similarity to the first game.

The combination of catchy tunes, pretty pictures, and addicting, simple to pick-up and play mechanics, is simply perfect for passing the time.