At last, Mama gets out of the kitchen and... into a perversely unenjoyable shopping simulator.

The DS is the definitive version but this still does some things better than the home consoles GTAs.

Omega Factor is a classic 2D game that everyone should play. This is a shameful, artless knock-off.

The granddaddy of all shoot 'em-ups returns in one of the most accomplished retro updates ever seen.

Another perfectly crafted adventure that puts to shame most other retail games at five times its price.

Old school graphic adventure that doesn't pull its punches with either the puzzles or the gorgeous art.

Enjoyably surreal graphic adventure that is still fun despite no real challenge or lastability.

It may not be a great game but even card-carrying metal haters will get drawn into this gutsy homage.

The best exclusive on the PS3 is also one of this gen's greatest (and most attractive) action adventures.

This punch-pulling retro update is charming and beautiful but doesn't quite have the mind to match.

What should be the most epic crossover of all time is reduced to Daley Thompson's Decathlon in the snow.

The corpse of survival horror gets another beating with gameplay as intangible as its ghostly antagonists.

A loving and genuinely funny homage to old school role-playing-games and the people that play them.

An unusual open world samurai adventure, with plenty of authenticity but little spit and polish.

Even if you enjoy Roguelikes this must be the worst special edition ever, with almost no new features.

It looks great but LucasArts' arthouse styled platform puzzler simply isn't much fun to play.

It's not the visual jaw-dropper that was promised but a virtual safari is better than none.

An intriguing antidote to Modern Warfare that's realistic to a fault, but never dull or predictable.

Spore hits an evolutionary dead end, as the "everything sim" becomes just another dull platformer.

LucasArts may have turned a page lately, but it's still got its cheap and nasty tie-in days bookmarked.

There's no gain without pain in this unusual and atmospheric, but incredibly punishing, action RPG.

Not the worst tie-in of the year but one that runs out of ideas even more quickly than the films.

It's an ungenerous expansion, but if you've not tried the original this is a slightly healthier option.

Hugely disappointing portable debut that replicates the basic look of Gran Tursimo but rips out its heart.

The old Advance Wars clone gets a remake, but somehow avoids getting a proper 21st-century makeover.

It may lack the scares of its big brother, but this proves an impressively progressive lightgun game.

It looks and plays just like the PS3 games, but alas this is just as pedestrian in terms of innovation.

Some may see it as dumbing down but for most this will be the most accessible and fun Ninja Gaiden yet.