Well worth checking out if you can stomach lots of blood, cheesy dialogue, some overly scripted moments, dreaded QTE, in fact all the ingredients that make an action packed game that's more expected than inspiring.

Beginners and casual gamers with little patience will likely be turned off by the difficult Drift Competitions and Driver Duel races (when playing against the A.I.), but otherwise, SHIFT offers a highly customizable and engaging player experience that is welcoming to both racing-sim lovers and arcade racers alike.

It’s good. It’s really good. Fans of the NHL games will not be disappointed and newcomers to the series will find one of the deepest, enjoyable, and most engaging hockey game EA has ever put out to date.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is fun to play and has some commendable features, however it feels like it's not quite hit the mark when compared to the first game.

The single and multi player experience are superb allowing total novices through to experts to play along and still enjoy the music and in my own honest opinion, that is what makes a game count!

Sonic & Knuckles may not be my favorite Sonic game from the Genesis days (that title still belongs to Sonic 2), but when you’re asked to pick a favorite from your favorites, can you really go wrong? Not really, and you can’t go wrong here, either.

It's an enjoyable romp and one that's worth looking into if you've got younger gamers or are looking for a game that will keep you entertained without teasing your frustration levels.

Fans of flight combat simulators will surely spend plenty of time doing missions and unlocking the extra aircraft but simply put, the game offers little else that stands out for the average gamer.

If you're not so fond of the realistic or simulation based racers such as Forza Motorsport or Race Pro, and prefer the more approachable, and more importantly arcade racers such as the likes of the Project Gotham Racing series, GRID and of course the original DiRT, then Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will certainly appeal as the finest racer of 2009, even if it is somewhat over shadowed by the dated original.

ection 8 really brings some neat new concepts to the table while at the same time drawing on a wide variety of ideas from other games such as Planetside, Tribes, Counterstrike etc.

As a Watchmen fan, it was impossible for me to not enjoy this game. For anyone else, however, there just isn’t enough substance to warrant the ridiculously overpriced cost.

A worthy and worthwhile purchase if there ever was one during the closing moments of the Summer.

There's eye candy galore for one, and more importantly the gameplay, exploration and levelling-up will keep you coming back for more.

All of the parties responsible for this deserve to be called into question, and all gamers should question whether or not this subpar and frankly embarrassing title justifies further purchases from any of the three companies involved.

Overall, this is a massive leap from previous years.

If you’re looking for an addictive, fun skill game that anyone can enjoy and you’re shopping on a budget, look no further than Trials HD for just 800 Microsoft Points ($10.00 / £6.80).

If you’re looking for a quick beat-‘em-up to play with your friends, or you just want to ride the TMNT nostalgia train, Turtles In Time Re-Shelled is a solid buy for 800 Microsoft points ($10.00 / £6.80). Cowabunga, dude!

MvC2 isn’t an enhanced version of the original, nor does it usher anything new for old gamers to toy around with. In fact, it’s pretty much a port for the die-hard and dedicated fighting fans who want the game on their shiny, new Xbox 360.

King of Fighters XII isn't a bad game per se but and should please die hard fans of the series who will lap up anything SNK throw at them. Yet anyone else is going to perhaps look at the game in disgust and see a title that should have been placed on the XBLA at a low price point and been done with it.

‘Splosion Man has personality and humor to spare, and it’s easily one of the most polished side-scrollers you’ll ever have to pleasure of playing.

If you've been looking for a game for the younger gamer of the household to spend some time with, then this furry adventure is currently sitting at the top of the pile.

When it’s all said and done, MIBI is a blast to play. The single player mode is robust, and the competitive multiplayer portion of the title will keep players coming back for more.

All in all, Battlefield 1943 is one of the highest quality multiplayer games you’ll find on Xbox Live Arcade, and for the asking price, it’s one of the best deals, as well.

Between all of the solo gaming available, the tons of fun you can have on Xbox Live, and the potential for more of both with DLC, you're looking at a great purchase for just 800 Microsoft Points ($10 / £6.80).

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is an enjoyable romp into the murky and dust filled world of yore.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a welcome game and one that doesn't just follow the tried and trusted formula of the 'movie tie-in' video game.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is not a game to fully understand, rather, just a game to play. It's got some weird themes, equally unusual characters but is vibrant and easy to get into.

Since Garou: Mark of the Wolves is just 800 Microsoft Points ($10 / £6.80), there’s a good chance that its target audience will find this as a must have and get a lot of time and enjoyment out of the game (especially if you can find consistent online competition). If you aren’t an aficionado, though, Garou won’t do anything to change your opinion.