Here's hoping for a censorship-free translation to the US and PAL territories. Bravo Clover!

There are a large number of games for Nintendo’s new console that employ mini-games, lazily or not. It is to Intelligent Systems’ credit that in terms of utilising the new control method, whilst retaining the feel and strong standards of their excellent franchise, this is easily the best current example of the genre available.

There lies the juxtaposition within Wipeout Pure: on the one hand, it's fan service of the highest order, returning to the roots that helped them fall in love with the series in the first place, while also suffering from rife conservatism intent on keeping the structure and handling of the play predictable.

Tales will take over your life from the moment you start until the credits roll. The end sequence will take between forty and seventy hours to reach and, although it'll satisfy, it will also sadden. The game does, unfortunately, end.

Radical Entertainment have produced a game which is every Hulk fan's wet dream and even those with little more than a passing interest in this game will be unable to deny that it is fun to play.

Wii Fit is already flying out of the shop doors in Japan and the same will happen when it arrives in the West too, not because it’s a gimmick that’s easily bought into, but because it’s a great product.

The minor issues are nowhere near big enough to take away from a game that sucks the player in with its originality and keeps them well and truly locked in until the judgement is made in the final case. Simply put, it’s brilliant. [JPN Import]

The subtle blend of old-school platformer and touch-screen control give it a unique flavour and one unlike anything sampled before.

Puzzle Quest PSP does exactly what it sets out to do, masterfully combining the role-playing and puzzle genres into one game that is perfect for handheld gaming.

Above all, it's a game that oozes Star Wars, allowing you to role-play as an evil Sith Lord, or a righteous Jedi Knight; and it makes doing so a lot of fun. The character development is enduring and interesting.

It's stylish, slick, appealing and wouldn't look all that far out of place dancing itself silly in an Austin Powers film. Everything is clean, pure cut and concise.

Okami is gorgeous but it is also an epic game that sucks you in so completely that hours pass unnoticed as you roam the massive landscape. [JPN Import]

Just 6 very similar games and an unlockable racer.

Not so with Moto GP 4. The improved physics and the addition of 125cc and 250cc bikes go to make Moto GP 4 a worthy update option for all fans of powered two-wheelers, only the lack of online play spoils an otherwise worthy challenger to the Xbox title crown.

No game has gumption like EDF. No other game has the balls to make the most basic enemy an ant the size of a bus. No other game lets the player get away with such wanton collateral damage. No other game has the audacity to throw so much at you and fill the screen with such massive explosions that your neighbours will think aliens really have invaded and will hide in their cellars. The sheer spectacle is a sensory supernova.

A quirky and lovable puzzle-action hybrid that is totally satisfying and wilfully unusual. Despite its glaring eccentricity, it has a stable camera and excellent controls, meaning it's technically polished as well as beautifully and inimitably presented. It's mood music for the eyes. [JPN Import]

Crash Commando is a superb, little release that binds classic, fast-paced 2D gameplay in a great looking package.

Lost Planet is an arcade style shooter divided into small(ish) chunks, designed to be played again and again. Whilst this might disappoint those who expect a sprawling, epic adventure, it still offers up some superb set pieces and excellent boss fights.

If you have never tried a Paper Mario game then this is the most accessible game in the series to date and if you have tried one but did not find it to your taste then give this one a try.

A must have for those with an interest in online gaming, especially the type of gamers who simply do not have the time to spend hours upon hours finding a party in an MMORPG. The pick-up-and-play formula works very well here and will no doubt keep you addicted for many months. [JPN Import]

It is one of this year's stand-out titles without any question. The game play, interaction, and at times fairly dark storyline, really do add up to a superb little game.

While the ideas behind it may not be anything new, Exit is the sort of game that exudes a charm and style all of its own, helped considerably by its graphical front and jazzy musical accompaniment.

Endlessly entertaining. [JPN Import]

While certainly not flawless, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is the perfect game for followers of Lovecraft's work, but the title also offers an intriguing and involving adventure for those who aren't and just want something a little different from a normal first-person game.

It is also a lot more accessible than other multiplayer titles such "Crystal Chronicles" and "Four Swords" because only one GBA is required.

Online play: what an addition. Duel mode is the same as it ever was, only now with added strangers.

The game itself is compulsive and addictive until the point at which it sadly has to conclude.

A chilled-out, whacked-out gem of a game and one that demonstrates that games can do ‘funny’ and ‘more accessible’ and pull it off with style.

The realism that the game provides is shockingly accurate, and whether you just wish to play it for the competitive aspect with mates, or go down the whole route of running your own team, it provides reward throughout.

Persona 4 has its flaws. Some carried over from Persona 3, and some of its own creation. Initially it’s hard to look past these and the game feels a shadow of its predecessor.

It stands proud as an example of how all retro collections should be compiled in terms of content, even if it does serve to highlight minor presentational niggles such as the lack of a button config option that are often common to these packs.

It takes the chassis of the light gun game and augments it with one of the most entertaining stories in years, a decent selection of unlockables, a brutally funny soundtrack and an overall level of attention to detail that is as refreshing as it is clichéd.

Fuse Games has managed to mould an inspiring example of how to beautifully blend an already existing genre with an established and cherished franchise.

It's a beautifully crafted game and the work Andamiro have put into it has to be respected. Rather than the same rehashed and reused background images over and over again there are polished, well-animated videos. [JPN Import]

Jaded grapple-fans will find much to love about Here Comes The Pain. It restores some much-needed faith in THQ’s franchise and stands out as a great game in its own right.

An enchanting tapestry of stylistic design, a deep and unconventional battle system, and fifty hours-plus of rewarding game play.

It's yet another unique DS experience, yet another game that simply must be played.

A massive, massive success as a launch title. Ignore the negativity you may have heard, and embrace this marvellous new bit of kit into your home.

It’s one of those games that shows off just what the PSP can achieve both graphically and the proof that the control system can work with a fast-paced game.

Left 4 Dead 2 is a superb multiplayer game providing a great level of variety and replay value.

Despite its foibles, this simplified RPG is accessible to anyone, and remains as engrossing as it ever was.

There’s no doubt that coming to this game from something such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Disgaea will prove to be too easy a ride for those experienced with the genre, but for anyone looking for a more portable Strategy-RPG, with a wonderful story to tell, Jeanne d’Arc will be a perfect fit.

Despite being a remake of a four year old PS2 game, the ideas and scope of the original still feel fresh and exciting. Thankfully, the developers have not simply given this remake a PS3 graphical update.

Diabolical Box is proof that the success of Mysterious Village was not a fluke, and that the DS is the perfect platform to render such an adventure.

In every sense what a gaming sequel should be: bigger, better, and bolder than the previous incarnation in every almost respect imaginable. With huge steps forward in terms of design, graphics, and gameplay, this should equally delight and entertain fans of the original, as well as newcomers to the trilogy.

No single level in Halo 2 is as good as The Silent Cartographer (though the second level does come close), and there are moments that are just as repetitive and lazy as The Library.

Although Kingdom Hearts II seems to focus more on the action than the RPG, it’s still a lot more enjoyable than the previous outing.

The ideas behind it may be simplistic, but their excellent execution is what makes Boom Blox so much fun. Its presentation and implementation make it easy to pick up and approachable by any age group; this is enjoyable, easy-going fun at its best.

As a game, Ninebreaker is possibly the best in the series and it is because of this that the fact it lacks any online mode is verging on gaming sacrilege. [JPN Import]

Mass Effect has the yearnings to be an epic and it almost achieves it.

By far the most worthy of mention, though, are the Dark Illusions. These are giant setpiece traps which cause horrifying damage in even more horrifying ways, and have secret (and often bloody obscure) conditions for their activation.

The complexities of the customisations and battle tactics available in this sequel are as huge as ever and although this is largely the same game with only a few tweaks; these tweaks work well. Disgaea fans will rejoice.

First time through may well take less than ten hours to complete, with possible repeat playing naturally taking much less. But for that time, there are some of the most enjoyable gaming experiences ever to savour and the sheer scope of the game makes it seem like you've spent far more time on it than you actually have.

Thoroughly recommended and the campaign for a similar game on a more powerful platform begins now.

Naruto 2 is a far more complete package than the original...If you watch the Naruto anime, this game is a must-buy.

As fantastic a game as it ever was. It's one of those rare games which are so good they feel genuinely ageless; pure, uninhibited pick up and play genius with not one button to press.

Anyone even remotely interested in the racing genre owes it to themselves to pick up this gem.

The sequel throws players into the thick of battle almost immediately with only the faintest of reintroductions to the Wars world. The missions also get very hard, very quickly, with some of the later missions proving especially demanding, even for Advance Wars veterans.

For those who were put off by the difficulty of the original PS2 release, this could be the version for you. [JPN Import]

Through all the spinning, the fireworks, the lights and the board trails, the PS2 is just pushed a little bit too far...The toll appears in the form of a radically stuttering frame-rate which does slightly spoil the mood.

Sadly, God of War is rather short and capable of being completed in around 10 hours. However the game packs so much excitement and roller-coaster thrills in that timescale, it really does feel like a much longer experience and is certainly worthy of a replay.

Although a few niggles still remain it’s by far the best serious basketball game currently available.

All in all there's an absolute ton of stuff to get through for the 100% completion fans. Couple this with a brilliant two-player co-op mode for the main game, and you have a super-violent, aurally pleasing, long-lasting piece of software. A labour of love and a splendid homage to a well-loved film.

Line of Contact does provide the online experience many players wanted. Even with the steep learning curve involved, the game is something everyone should experience.

Lost Odyssey is a long arduous journey, but it is one that’s filled with a story that continues to flesh out its characters right to the very end.

The gameplay is nigh on perfection, the pace is perfect, the shooting has been tweaked subtly and, with the addition of the R2 shooting, it really feels like a new game. This is the first time since WE6 that most die-hard fans will notice a real change and a real sense of newfound enjoyment in the game.

Despite its foibles, this simplified RPG is accessible to anyone, and remains as engrossing as it ever was.

As ever with GTA, the flaws and problems can be overlooked for the sheer amount of things which do work, though what Liberty City Stories shows more than any other recent title in the series, is that this can’t go on forever.

Those anticipating another dose of what is possibly one of the most fantastically additive games of the past few years will be more than pleased by this installment.

Bold, ambitious and unlike anything else this generation, there lies an experience beyond several oddly disparate parts. A swansong to a breed of cinematic narrative which has finally reached its apex.

Despite the lack of challenge provided for half of the single player game, Minna No Golf 5 excels in every other area, offering a realistic golf simulation wrapped inside a package so cute that it is impossible to resist. [JPN Import]

For those fans captivated by the first instalment, buying this is an absolute must. [JPN Import]

With such a rich source for inspiration, the characters are fantastically realised.

And finally we can write something at the end of a review that we’ve been longing to write for ages, that Rare are back on form.

Balanced control, evolved brilliance.

While it is not 'the' perfect game, it does come pretty close; the visuals appeal and if, by some chance, they don't then the perky toe-tapping soundtrack is certain to make everyone smile.

For those who love score attack systems and shooting things then membership of The Club is certainly recommended.

Tecmo have done an excellent job in creating a truly epic storyline that, while original, also binds together with the other titles in the series.

It doesn’t quite reach "Fatal Frame," "Silent Hill" or "Siren" (Japanese version) as a complete package, but with Condemned, Monolith have created one of the most shocking, frightening, atmospheric, unrelenting and involving games in recent memory.

The story is compelling, the characters interesting, well developed and likeable, and it’s all gelled together in an environment that rewards the player for exploration, as well as being an enjoyable experience just to roam about and take in the countryside.

XBLA Sudoku is well implemented, well presented and is enhanced considerably by being able to compete online against other Xbox Live players.

It is a game for the TRPG hardcore; those who’ll enjoy spending hours playing the same maps or random dungeons over and over to level up in order to progress through the story, or who spend days working out the best combination of stat modifiers to make finishing off the mission puzzles that little bit easier.

But the gameplay happily does all of the talking and Shunkan Puzzloop can sit comfortably with the likes of Tetris DS and Meteos as one of the best puzzle games available for the system. [JPN Import]

What could have been little more than an extended tech demo has actually turned out to be one of the finest Wii games to date and certainly the most novel and interactive.

Test Drive Unlimited doesn’t have the same thoroughbred racing pedigree as present in PGR3, nor does it have the clinical precision of Ridge Racer 6; instead, what it provides is a complete driving experience and a real sense of ownership, seamlessly fusing both single- and multi-player gaming; it’s more than the sum of its parts.

Undoubtedly the best game in the series, Blood Money will thrill long-time fans, giving them everything they could possibly want from their favourite killer.

The impact of the visual style, which was so unique almost a year ago, has in no way diminished, making it just as engaging and as much of a treat to behold as the first.

Played as it should be, with minimum lives and maximum difficulty, Metal Slug can provide jaded gamers with a sublime and simple gaming experience. Unapologetically tough, Metal Slug will remind players of a time when all games set this frustrating a challenge.

The lack of car damage available is a big disappointment.

GSH carefully sidesteps out of the shadow of its imposing ancestor and manages to be one of the most addictive and unadulterated blasters on Nintendo's handheld.

If there is one thing Nintendo can be relied upon for delivering, it is the quality of track design and there is no disappointment within Mario Kart DD. Right from the start on Luigi Circuit, there is an air of simplicity and yet a multitude of hidden complexity, choice, racing line and shortcuts to choose from on the fly becomes evident over time.

In summation, it looks great, the music is wonderful and no matter how frustrated the player gets with any one puzzle, it's an enjoyable enough experience that they won't want to stop until they've finished it.

Then the corner was gone, and the car was still under perfect control. They had done it, they had managed to capture the powerslide.

DiRT 2 is a superb celebration of rallying as a sport, with a mixture of new events, which deserves to be played and enjoyed by any gamer with even a passing interest in the genre.

Burnout Paradise is a superb title that offers a glimpse into how the racing genre is evolving. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, what it offers is sublime entertainment.

Chrome Hounds makes no apologies for what it is and it isn’t looking for your appreciation. It just wants you to fight in its war. Pretenders need not apply. But if the lure of war is tempting you, then sign up.

Even with the limited themes, Worms has a lot of legs, or at least a lengthy slimy belly, and it’s a worthy addition to XBLA, especially as a multiplayer game over Live.

The term 'Sandbox' has been bandied around for many games on this generation's hardware, but with the aptly titled 'Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction', Pandemic have created just that - a wondrous and inspiring playground which will provide hours of entertainment.