New Super Mario Bros. U shows that the old 2D Mario still has the magic when the property is treated with care and affection.

PixelJunk Monsters: Ultimate HD is, at the end of the day, a game that won’t be to everyone’s tastes. If you have played every version of the series before this, you may find the challenge a little lacking, as you would have seen all the levels before. You do need to be a fan of the Tower Defense genre as there is nothing new on offer, but even with a passing interest in the genre, you will find this game a rewarding challenge from start to finish.

Full Spectrum Warrior ultimately delivers the most realistic console experience of war.

Beaten to the ball. A frustrating but undeniably well put together package.

As a game where the developers have stated it was inspired by Dark Souls, it’s safe to say Rogue Legacy won’t be for everyone. It’s a game where you are continuously pummelled into the ground until you get better or give up. Those that persevere though will be greatly rewarded.

Tiger Woods 09 certainly has a lot of life in it. A good online mode and lengthy career will easily keep golf enthusiasts hooked until the next edition.

On balance, however, this is a great game that outperforms most others in the field, but it's also obvious - painfully so - that it could have been so much more.

Overall, Trine 2: The Complete Story is a solid puzzle platform game which offers stunning vistas and co op play to boot.

Instead of well-written dialogue, we have semi-naked female characters with implausible breasts; instead of any sort of well-rounded lead character, we have a dislikeable chap with 'attitude'; instead of complex, beautifully-designed puzzles that continually flow from room to room, we have combat and decapitations at every corner.

If you have yet to experience the game then this is the perfect time to do so, if you’ve already played through it, then there’s still plenty new her to make it a worthwhile purchase.

The ‘zap’ system and the loss of item chests (the main difference in this episode) is a welcome addition indeed and makes Resident Evil 0 a definite purchase to any fan of the series.

Darksiders II is an absolutely outstanding experience, the combat is fluid, the story is well written, the RPG elements add a lot of depth and the side quests will add many extra hours to your time with the game. As we enter the twilight of the 360's life, this really is a stand out game of the highest quality.

Faults do exist, but the core gameplay more than makes up for it and finally confirms that Nintendo aren’t the only development studio who can make a stellar Wii game.

Still it’s a good solid package but don’t be expecting anything too new.

The pacing of PixelJunk Monsters is almost perfect with enough life in the experience to confirm that this is one of the wisest purchases currently available on the PlayStation Store Network.

If you’re looking for an entry point into the franchise, this isn’t the best place to start; even so, I really enjoyed myself with Q, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the absurd standards I’ve come to expect from this series.

DiRT is very much an offline game, so if you're looking for online thrills, look elsewhere, it does not deliver. What it does deliver, however, is a single player treat that is nothing short of fantastic.

It may not be to everyone’s tastes, but if you’re craving a deep story and interesting characters you won’t find much better.

Underneath the layers, there is some semblance of a good game here. It's very ambitious and we applaud that. But ambition doesn't always equal a good game, and while RE5 is nowhere near a disaster, the disappointment we felt is made worse due to our lofty expectations.

Runner 2 is a wonderful game, one that will last you and age as you want nothing more but to rinse every last bit of enjoyment from a wonderfully crafted experience. Once you beat every level, complete every goal, you’ll be going after those top scores, the closer you get, the harder you want to try.

The balance achieved between depth and accessibility is highlighted perfectly by online play, and it's online where you'll 'ultimately' reap the rewards this game has to offer.

Yes, there have been improvements to the mechanics and gameplay, but if you were to buy Madden 11 over any other, it should be for GameFlow.

This is Call Of Duty, nothing more, nothing less. Fans of the series will lap it up, those who didn't like the previous games will not be swayed by anything it does. It has a target audience and Activision know what they want. Black Ops II doesn't disappoint, it just doesn't push the series on any further.

While there are elements of Remastered that shout “rush job”, Resident Evil is still, in this day and age, a great, great game and worthy of classic status.

Overall, Sine Mora is a game that is accessible enough that newcomers need not be scared away, yet deep and challenging enough that long time veterans of the genre will not feel short changed, it is not an easy balance to get right, especially with this type of game, yet Grasshopper and Digital Reality have done just that. Simply stunning.

SHIFT is an odd beast. Happy to straddle that middle ground between simulation and arcade, it doesn’t necessarily master either.

Sitting uncomfortably between "Rallisport Challenge 2" and "Richard Burns Rally," in terms of visuals, game length and handling integrity, Colin McRae 05 is too fussy to be an arcade game yet far too simplistic to be classed as a true simulator.

It's just a shame that the online service is so 'imperfect' - because the game could have easily scored an extra point (or two) had it worked properly.

If your racing needs are completely fulfilled by Mario Kart and pure arcade action, then sure this isn’t for you and if iRacing is the least you expect from a sim, then again this won’t replace that. For everyone else though, despite some flaws that ask maybe a bit much of the user to get the most from the game, then this is a must have racer.

There's replayability in Crush in the way of time trials and perfecting scores, but it relies on you wanting to play it in the first place.

Guardian Heroes is an idea long before its time. This high definition port embraces the past with its tweaks adding so much more enjoyment to the game, which will surely leave its loyal fan-base very happy indeed with the results. There are changes deemed only where necessary, and is made use of the 360 controller in its full. For 800 Microsoft points, this game is a bargain for fans of the late 90's classics.

With a few more tweaks Borderlands could’ve been an essential purchase, as it stands though it may be a great game, but outside of that niche of gamers that enjoy the genre, it may find it difficult converting others.

A competent racer with stacks of available customisation and stacks of replay value, even without any online features. The multiplayer is solid, there’s a lot to do in single player, and you'll feel totally fashionable playing it.

Every once in a while, a game comes along that just feels special and Transistor is one of those games.

Instead Riff: Everyday Shooter takes you back to when games were simple; fun; addictive and a joy to experience.

Crackdown is a brilliant starting point to a game; it's a pity that the enjoyment doesn't last too long.

It may be difficult to get to grips with, but once you do so it becomes one of the best fighting experiences around. It’s going to be hard for a sequel to top this.

An improvement on last year’s game no doubt, Madden NFL 09 is as impenetrable for novices as ever, yet is still the best and most comprehensive American Football game we’ve played.

Picross DS is yet another fine example of what “Touch Generations” is all about, and is a great addition to the series.

Online the whole package is backed up with statistics, lobbies and the option to take part in ranked, or unranked matches. These for the most part work efficiently, although the number of players who decide to disconnect when things are not going their way is disappointing.

The Dolby Digital soundtrack is somewhat disappointing, as despite having utilised many elements from the film it lacks the power and punch one could have hoped for – even the city sounds a little too quiet at times.

But perhaps the best measure of its success comes with the profound disappointment and anticipation felt as the spectacular conclusion fades and the prompt screen asks for confirmation - to save your party for use in the next chapter.

There's something here for everyone, presented in a familiar and friendly way, and offering big challenges for those willing to give it their attention.

There is so much on offer again, that there is easily something for everyone. It's not the finished article, but as each year passes, we get closer to perfect virtual recreations of the sport.

Stranger's Wrath was a fine game back in 2005, it is just as good in 2012. It has been given the best treatment possible for it's re-release and it is quite possibly one of the best console to handheld ports to date.

They say the show must go on and in the Resistance world there are still questions to be answered, but the disappointing nature of this third instalment and its failure to deliver at retail most likely means this is the last release in the series. Perhaps such an end is the best option all round.

The Swapper is a wonderful example of how a puzzle platformer should be done, challenging, but without any of the frustration.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes isn’t the best LEGO game to date, but it is one of those series that even if it is listed at the bottom of the series, it still offers more value and more fun than other series can ever hope to achieve.

Length and audio issues aside, this is a solid re-imagining of one of gaming's most iconic series, and far and away the best 3D Castlevania game ever made.

"One for the fans" might be a lazy summary of any game, but it's quite an apt one here. Without the emotional connection of Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core is a somewhat half-hearted game lacking in substance, for all its polish and production.

Considering the resources at EA's disposal, the practised excellence of their programmers and artists, and the experience of well over a decade of development, there should be more put into the game.

Ultimately, Battlefield: Bad Company is a game that promises a lot but struggles to deliver more than a slightly above average FPS experience.

A potential new direction for the series and a decent start. However a shame that the single player is lacking somewhat.

It manages to ramp up the sense of humour and simplistic graphics of the earlier games, making for some truly strange experiences.

Not NetherRealms finest, but still a solid fighter.

Slight negativity aside, Sonic Advance 2 represents Sonic at its best - fast, slick, looking great and offering yet more of those bonus features (now unlockable, however). Whilst technically there have been better Sonic games, none have managed to quite capture the frantic essence of speed and style like this does.

Another step closer to the perfect basketball game, and this year the beards are so life like, you really will want to stroke them.

Despite the shortcomings of the combat, Gravity Rush can still stand alongside some of the best games on the Vita. With its wonderful art style oozing character, it’s a game that once you start; it’s really hard to put down.

You would expect Zelda to have a little more to it when it arrives, but everything Rocket Slime does, it does very well and is one of the most enjoyable titles to arrive for a fair few years.

Whilst plotting strategic job changes remains as fresh and engrossing today as it ever did, the grinding and sometimes repetitive combat can't help but detract from the overall enjoyment of the title.

The move to third-person is bold and different, but in order for it to succeed an effective auto-targeting system is essential; unfortunately, the lock-on provided is patchy at best - and just as likely to target the guy at the back over the guy who is inches away from ramming an Uzi up your rectum. Compounding the problem is the relative uselessness of shooting when not using the lock-on.

It may not be perfect, but few if any titles of late will generate such a compulsive hold with such economic use of power.

So Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is not the throbbing unadulterated solo that Gamestyle had hoped for, yet it remains far from mediocrity.

Alan Wake himself is a cold, moody and clinical character, so much so that Gamestyle felt no affinity with his onscreen presence. We however, warmed to the actual gaming experience, but still left short changed and disappointed, especially after such a long gestation period.

This episode is the most amusing yet, but again, comes with the same problems.

For those who missed out first time around, this is a great opportunity to catch up, and the extra additions and the nicely-done Wii controls make for an even better package.

The core of Steamworld Dig is a simple one, yet with the charm & wit it possesses really hooks you in.

There is no element of Dust: An Elysian Tail that has a negative, from the jaw dropping visuals, to the excellent writing, through to the seamless combat and action. This is a stand out title in more ways than one. In a year that has Trials Evolution, Spelunky, Minecraft and Fez, this is the standalone best game on XBLA. If you only buy one game this year buy Dust: An Elysian Tail, there simply isn't enough superlatives to describe just how good it is.

Played properly though, Ms 'Splosion Man is a game for platforming purists. If you enjoyed the original or find titles like Ninja Gaiden a cakewalk, you'll find just what you're looking for here, namely a worthy sequel packed to the rafters with content and a more-than-decent test of your skills. As for everyone else, approach with caution: there is fun to be had with Ms 'Splosion Man, and when the game is good it's very good, but just when you start to smile and enjoy yourself, things might splode all up in your face.

Tropical Freeze is a trip to a time when games didn’t hold your hand or treat you like some sort of imbecile. It revels in its challenge and while there will be many moments of screaming and frustration, it never feels unfair, and that’s what makes this game great.

This is one of the finest puzzlers on the Vita and we simply cannot recommend it enough.

Invisible, Inc. takes the formula made famous by the likes of X-Com and makes a wonderfully tight experience that you will not help but love.

Vegas 2 could’ve done with a few months more development time, at least, maybe then would we have got the Rainbow Six game we all wanted.

A fantastic adventure from beginning to end, and one that everyone should play.

Rock Band is really three games in one, and what's amazing is that not one of them feels anything less than excellent, despite treading on now familiar ground. Combined, they are a recipe for the most fun you can have in your living room.

SingStar virgins and hardcore fans could do a lot worse than start here, but for everyone in between, it may be worth waiting for the SingStore to fill before making the jump.

If only that trademark familiarity didn't breed contempt at the annual updates - still less of a leap and more of a step. The embarrassing stumbles that once blighted EA Sports' flagship are a distant memory.

The game looks and sounds great as well as furthering a genre that seemed destined to be stuck in limbo.

Whilst its apparent lack of any revolutionary gameplay is a worthy of criticism, it doesn't stop the fact that this is still by far one of the most addictive and long-lasting games you could hope for on your Gameboy Advance.

The Pinball Arcade is the closest you will get to playing a real life table in the flesh, without hunting one down that works, or spending out a ton of money on getting your own.

Curve have built on the first game, and made it that much better. Worth a play in any Wii U household.

Filing microseconds from your best time should keep you amused for the long wait until Gran Turismo 5. If you want to show anyone what the PlayStation 3 can deliver then this is without question your technical demonstration.

All That Remains is a great start to what is hopefully a fantastic new chapter in The Walking Dead saga. It’s well paced, has a number of memorable scenes and already has you making the tough choices. Let’s hope it can keep the quality this high throughout.

If this is your first foray into the VP world then you’ll love it, but for those of us who were waiting for a true sequel, we’d best be more patient.

Whether it deserves the hefty price tag is certainly questionable, but if you feel that FIFA 10 doesn’t satisfy your World Cup cravings, you you’ll be more than happy with the offerings available through 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Shift 2: Unleashed is a must own for anyone who loves racing. The feeling of racing is perfectly recreated here and the love for the sport that Slightly Mad Studios have oozes out all over the game.

There is certainly a lot to keep anyone occupied here, even if the main game is a little un-balanced, simply firing up a game of monkey bowling whilst sitting on the train makes it a worthy purchase.

Simple in concept and masterful in execution. A++ for N++.

The pretender has had its time in the sun, its 15 minutes of fame, but the King is back, long live the King! Pro Evolution Soccer is once again the Daddy of virtual football!

At 800 Microsoft points, you are getting great value per table. Pinball Arcade is by far the most accurate representation of pinball there is and short of buying up the real things, you will not get a better option.

Doesn’t do anything to attract new followers to the genre; it knows its market and is more than likely content with its piece of the pie. Those who love such themed releases will be satisfied with Gradius, but some of us wanted more, or at least a new plateau in shooters.

Fans of the Marvel universe will no doubt lap it up.

Despite bringing Gamestyle many hours of joyous giddy pleasure and drooling, Guitar Hero III is a teensy bit of a letdown.

All in all, The Darkness is a decent fifteen hour single player experience, featuring a brilliant story and even better presentation. However the enjoyment is slightly tainted by the under utilisation of its best features, sluggish movement and horrible multiplayer.

As an overall package, there is a lot to love about TDU; the concept is sound and exploring never gets tiresome, but the laziness evident in the current build is inexcusable.

The Walking Dead on PS Vita isn’t the definitive version, which is a shame, as the personal experience of the Vita itself could have added so much to the overall experience of the game. Instead what you get is a decent enough port that maintains most of the game’s charms, but just falls a little short on previous releases. However, that still makes it better than most games on the market.

A game that manages to deliver an online experience which completely overwhelms the single-player mode.

A House Divided manages to build on what the first episode started. It was a strong start, but episode 2 is where the season truly begins. With mystery and intrigue, it feels like no character is exactly who they seem. The coming episodes are going to be very interesting.