An exceptionally balanced game. FRD have managed to combine elements of pretty much every third person action game without it ever feeling contrived or forced, and they've selected all the best bits (stealthy kills, plenty of weapons, good storyline) and discarded those ideas that didn't work in other games (no camera control, steep learning curve).

Simple, well crafted and fun. Exactly what an arcade shooter needs to be.

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.

There is a lot of positives to take from Skullgirls, everything from the art direction, to the game play itself. The game seems to have been made from the ground up by a team who love the genre and wanted to make a game that everyone could share. It is a great title and a wonderful addition to the library, but to get the most out of it, you need to spend out on that fight stick.

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

As a game Wii Fit is very limited and that certainly applies to the graphics. However used correctly it can be an aid for exercise, co-ordination, weight loss and improving your flexibilty.

The combat is as good as it’s ever been, the writing is sharp, it’s visually stunning, and the game is full of iconic Batman moments that fans will adore and talk about for years to come. Don’t let the game’s few – admittedly glaring – flaws deter you from what is otherwise a terrific Batman tale.

It might not be the deepest experience, but for a shot of pure action, you can't go wrong. And yes, apparently Rockstar can revive two fallen genres with an almighty kiss of life and in doing so prove once again that they have the Midas touch.

The graphics and sound are utterly superb, providing a huge level of atmosphere.

The presentation is still an issue, but the gameplay advances make this quite possibly the best Madden game on the current generation of consoles.

A lengthy, and hugely enjoyable, first person dungeon romp.

It is easy to see why Sonic and Mario went on to dominate the video game world, but Superfrog was a cracking title in its own right and thanks to this HD re-imagining, a whole new generation of people will be able to enjoy this under-appreciated gem.

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.

If SEGA can continue to produce re-releases of this quality, then they are on to a winner. NiGHTS is a dream, it plays as you remember and thanks to the HD enhancement, it invokes your best memories of the original. It is complete fan service, possibly not one for newcomers, but certainly for those who enjoyed the experience in 1996.

Still a wonderful game, but no need to buy it if you already have it on another Sony console

It has a great level of fan-service for RE fans, and on its own is a solid, thoroughly entertaining game that deserves to be played.

Deep in Gamestyle Towers we have a closet called "hidden gems" where some of the best and most overlooked video games reside. Rebelstar Tactical Command fits this criteria perfectly, if you are in need of a new handheld challenge, then this is a must have purchase.

We'd not recommend an outright purchase solely for the deathmatch, but the multiplayer campaign mode is brilliantly done.

Phantagram has gone for sheer strength of numbers, which means draw distance and animations have suffered. Not a major loss, but it does diminish the high-gloss presentation.

The meat of the game comes in the form of the career mode.

Kung Fu Rabbit is a fine platformer that is a welcome addition to the Vita library.

Halo: Reach is far from the classic that many would have you believe, it's all too easy to bask in the hype and become bludgeoned by the praise. Time will show that it falls short, but nevertheless online is Bungie's masterpiece.

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.

Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited is an entertaining game that is an ideal fit for the Vita, but one for fans of the genre, rather than the casual audience.

A captivating experience.

Superficial clutter like archaic draw-in and control options (not to mention single-player brevity) impinges upon the experience. It's a close-run thing, though - with or without those feral abilities.

For every one thing that works, there is another that feels like it could have been done better. In saying that though, the overall package is one that Sonic fans have been waiting for and the first for a long time. Classic Sonic gameplay is there and it could well be the game that breaks the series' rot.

Unfortunately while the game is graphically superior to FFVII, in terms of setting, story and controls it lags way behind.

In the same way that The Darkness can get away with coming on stage dressed in bright pink PVC jump suits, Rock N Roll Racing can get away with being a straight port of a fun, over-the-top and cheese-filled experience.

It would be all too easy to grumble at the series for the supposed lack of innovation since its inception all those years ago. However, this game is a textbook example of why people keep coming back to it; it’s fun, addictive and a resounding social experience to be shared in any way possible.

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

Alien Hominid might lack a scripted storyline, but trying to reach the end is a wellspring of emotion.

There is a lot crammed into FIFA Street and on first glance it may seem like a cash in title with little depth, however scratch beneath that surface and there is a game that is anything but shallow. Aside from poor online features, which are the only blight on the game, FIFA Street is a wonderful entry into the sports genre.

If you’re a fan of the genre and are tired with the lack of decent RPG’s on the Xbox 360 then you can’t go wrong with Lost Odyssey.

Continues the good work of the original release, and takes full advantage of the expanding Live universe. Few games today really represent value for money, but Gamestyle is confident in stating that this release is certainly money well spent.

It is a game you will happily complete the missions on, get some decent time attack scores and see how long you can last in Survival, then move on to the next game.

Overall, Kung Fu Rabbit is a bit of a surprise. We didn’t expect much from it at first glance but this is a really good effort from the development team. Controls are intuitive and slick, and the game world is bright and charming. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable platform game that really deserves attention from Wii U owners and it looks great on the gamepad as well.

But when the flaws that have plagued the series since it made the move to three dimensions still have not been properly addressed and the core gameplay remains the same after seven years, it’s difficult to declare GTA IV as one of the greatest video games of all time.

A classic case of it "if it isn't broke, don't fix it", Trials and Tribulations carries on the series' high quality and is a fitting end to the trilogy, but it won't convert anyone waiting for the series to break out of its somewhat rigid menu-driven process of elimination.

As an action-shooter on the most basic level, there's little to fault, making for a better game of soldiers than you might expect considering the developmental angst.

From the dazzling introductory sequence, right the way through to the cliff hanger ending, there's not a single section of gameplay that feels it hasn't been smothered with love.

Overall Shoot Many Robots is a game that takes an existing genre and builds on it, without ever trying to reinvent the wheel. It does what it does and it does it rather well. It isn't the best shoot-em-up you'll play, but it is one you'll get plenty of enjoyment from.

A general mish-mash of the best bits of Mario Kart combined with a slew of new features in one overwhelmingly complete title.

A brave and successful reinvention. Guitar Hero lives!

Velocity Ultra definitely has a minimalist approach to the graphics, but then the game doesn’t need to be flashy, the gameplay is what will make it stand out from the crowd. Music is at times repetitive and, as previously stated, the game takes a few too many levels to get going, but these are minor quibbles in an otherwise brilliant title.

It's an ideal sequel that should satisfy your hunger for more of the same, and a genuinely charming game in its own right.

Play takes a fair amount of dedication, but thanks to well balanced difficulty levels (and a higher share of the plunder being given to you to tempt you to try them) makes the game feel welcoming and deep, and it feels like the complete antithesis of many PSP games.

WOW the game is fast, furious and most importantly fun, for the first time in ages a game has reminded me that I'm scarred of heights and BOY this game throws you from some heights.

Ape Escape 2 just hooked me by being just plain fun while being different and original from today’s generic platform games. Oh and it has monkeys in it.

Better than the original in every way, yet remains a perfect starting point for those new to the series - it's friendly, well presented and offers great value for both single player and multiplayer.

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.

Monolith resort to every trick in the book to scare and confuse players (along with cut sequences and voice direction that are professionally placed to enhance the experience). It's just a shame the developer couldn't expand upon the promise of forensic options and truly deliver something novel and terrifying.

It's the most laid back and addictive game we've ever played, where simple five minute blasts turn into hour-long sessions.

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.

Despite minor issues Guardians of the Galaxy is a great addition to the Pinball FX library.

Without question a fantastic release, but not the glorious and blinding achievement that many have proclaimed.

For 400 Microsoft points, Sonic 3 is not just a pleasant trip down memory lane, but a welcome return to a series that has gone awry.

WRC: World Rally Championship 2 does a bit more to become accessible to new and casual players, but in truth it is a game for real fans of the sport, those who really want a full on challenge. It isn't going to grab the DIRT crowd, but it is the best rally simulation on consoles today.

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

At a budget price you get exactly what you pay for. It is the original NBA Jam given a lick of HD paint, while retaining all the charisma of the original. If you want a Basketball fix but find the likes of NBA 2K11 too complicated and complex to pick up an play then you can't go wrong with this.

Killzone 3 doesn't do anything that the genre hasn't seen before. That said, everything that it does is done very well: the fantastically detailed visuals, the brilliant shooting mechanic, the variation of the levels.

But amidst all this dispensable extra substance is the core mechanic of Mario; the one thing that holds true to the series, and one thing that ensures Mario is leaps and bounds ahead of its platforming peers - inertia. The faster you run, the higher you jump. It's a brilliantly simple concept that works perfectly.

Another great shooter to add to Sony’s growing library.

NHL 08 is one of the finest depictions of the sport so far and we're actually looking forward to what next year's iteration will offer. And it's not very often we say something like that.

This is simply one of the most entertainingly laid-back titles of the year.

With a decent price and plenty of challenge, Spy Chameleon is a pleasant surprise that will hopefully find an audience on the Wii U.

Overall, Tengami is unashamedly the game it wants to be and there is little compromise to players that might not get it.

This is a hulking beast, a deep, engaging experience and already one of the year’s standout titles. Xbox Live has offered gamers many gems since its inception and this is one of the more precious.

Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers is yet another excellent addition to the series, but whether you buy it depends on two things. How invested you are into the series as a whole. Does the idea of the updated cards for 2014 mean that much too you? Or are you just someone who enjoys a casual go now and again. There other factor is if you are totally new to the game, if so, you may as well go for the latest version.

If high speed crashes and action packed races are your thing then there is no reason not to give GRID a try.

So overall Uncharted: Golden Abyss is not without faults, but nothing glaring enough to prevent recommending it, firstly as a very enjoyable game and secondly as an example of what the Vita can do.

As long as you (and your Live friends) know the rules of engagement, Rainbow Six 3 is a rewarding game with a lot of tactical depth lurking beneath the incredible sights and sounds.

If you’re looking for a good FPS game on the DS, it’s a recommended purchase.

Space Giraffe won’t appeal to everyone. It demands you play by its rules, adjust to its learning curve.

Nun Attack is available for a bargain price of £1.99 via the Playstation Store and for the price, you will be in for one hell of treat. A game that feels at home on smart phones has been perfectly ported to the PS Vita. Pick this up, enjoy it and confess your sins later.

It offers everything good about next-gen sports games: smooth, fluid game play; atmospheric sights and sounds; arcade to reality; options galore; a potentially unlimited lifespan.

The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings Enhanced Edition is an unforgiving and challenging RPG, made by adults for adults. It is not without flaws but what it offers in abundance is refreshment amongst a market of identikit RPG's afraid to take risks.

A perfect storm of elements come together to make a wonderful and challenging experience.

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.

There's nothing wrong with the video game as such, the sound and presentation are both exemplary and the graphics are crisp, but as the sport is inherently complicated it doesn't go out of it's way to make new friends.

Hybrid has some good ideas and does a fine job in implementing them.

Possibly one of the most underappreciated titles for the Wii, Excite Truck reminds us of why we started playing games in the first place - pure, unadulterated fun. If we get treated to an Excite Truck 2 we will be very, very happy.

It's hard to imagine how EA can possibly top this one.

A worthy sequel to the original release.

If you have no interest in the classic cars, then there may be no real incentive to pick up F1 2013 over last year’s release, but you’d be missing out on something very special. It is probably the best release yet, there is plenty packed in and oh, those 80s cars are things of absolute beauty.

A great game and worthy of every racing fan's collection. It's no quick-thrill arcade ride, however, and those looking for something more along those lines should think twice before considering Forza.

As a fighting experience Virtua Fighter 5 is unsurpassed, where the series goes from this point is open to debate. It is crying out for some form of online functionality or a decently implemented career mode. However while that fighting system is still in place it will remain a worthwhile, challenging and prolonged experience.

Professor Pym and the Secret of Steam isn't the best game on iOS, but it is fun and for free there is definitely no reason not to get this.

It doesn’t matter if they are given a lick of paint, or rebuilt from scratch, as long as the final game is something that can be enjoyed and it is clear that Munch’s Oddysee has had less attention than Abe’s remaster, but it is still a game that I am happy to play again and am thankful for the opportunity.

F1 2010 is a fine starting point from Codemasters who deserve credit for putting together this comprehensive release. Generally, our high expectations have been met; it's where the series goes next that will be the true test.

We can't recommend this game enough. If it's an adrenalin rush you're after, then 1080° Avalanche could be the snowboarding rush you've dreamed of. From Nintendo, with Love.

Perhaps one of the most addictive games Gamestyle has ever come across, Pokémon Pinball is a must for pinball and Pokémon fans alike and won't disappoint for a second.

Given the importance of the flamethrower, the fire effects are splendid and are consistent with excellent lighting throughout.

Puzzle League is an exceptionally good puzzle game. It’s easy to play, but is significantly challenging to master.

The range of songs is highly impressive, despite being covers rather than the original songs.

A mixed bag. The single player game, on the one hand, feels rushed, with bugs all over the place, ropey AI and cut scenes that can't be skipped; on the other hand, it offers some lovely missions and action. Multiplayer is Call of Duty 3's saving grace.

It’s really quite amazing the amount of content you get for 1200 points.

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.