It's not a game for the ages but it is a reasonable introduction to real-time strategy for action fans.

Another obnoxious sequel that seems to have forgotten that the whole point of the game was its originality.

Bungie plays it safe with a side story that seems designed to expand little but Microsoft's wallet.

Capcom's latest attempt to please a hardcore audience tries, and fails, to be God Of War on the Wii.

The Turtle edition of Super Smash Bros. has the same ingredients but plays like week-old pizza.

A fantasy real-time strategy that ignores conventions as readily as its heroes ignore your commands.

One of the best console real-time strategies in a smaller, easily digested (or at least afforded) form.

It wants to be an interactive grindhouse movie and it is: derivative, repetitive but mindless fun anyway.

The switch to turn-based strategy works perfectly but only fans will tolerate the endless cut scenes.

In their panic EA has made a game which has no place in the current market. Neither arcade racer, nor simulation it also pales next to the well-established rivals which manage to be both.

A clear improvement on Heroes Of The Pacific, but IL-2 Sturmovik is still the superior fighter ace.

Activision somehow finds a way to dumb down what was already an absurdly shallow action role-player.

It's a dazzling technical feat, the only problem is the actual game bits aren't all that much fun.

The best Mario role-player yet is sharply funny, surprisingly deep and endlessly inventive.

A dream come true for Beatles fans, but viewed purely as a game it's not a patch on Rock Band 2.

Arguably the last great Sonic The Hedgehog game, even if it's not necessarily one of the best.

Dazzlingly gorgeous 2D graphics cannot hide Vanillaware's merely competent beat 'em-up gameplay.

You don't have to be a child to enjoy this new game from the makers of Hitman - just very undemanding.

The PC flight sim makes a near-perfect landing on consoles, with some of WWII's most exciting combat.

It may have little in common with the earlier McRae games but this is still a varied and exciting racer.

The best version of the worst Disgaea might be for fans only but it's still a great strategy role-player.

Konami forgets it's already made the ultimate Contra tribute - and it's not this bland rehash.

It's still just another Tower Defence game, but at least this one requires some genuine strategy.

A deceivingly original multiplayer shooter with plenty of unusual ideas for the committed player.

As deep and as beautiful as its legacy demands, but this portable fighter is lacking in solo appeal.

The music game bubble stays intact for another year, with no big new ideas - just lots of little ones.

3D graphics may be the future, but this dull beat 'em-up is unlikely to convince you of the fact.

The final slice of downloadable content is just as shallow in its gameplay and ambition as before.