All in all whilst looking great on the surface, scratching a little deeper reveals some flaws, with Bounty Hounds feeling more like a tech demo that has been turned into a game rather than a game in its own right.

This isn’t a high-def interactive movie or a massive leap forward for all things Marvel – but it is a fun distraction and perfect for a casual or younger, superhero-mad gamer.

Even more irritating are the recoveries that actually need to be manipulated. One requires you to shout into the microphone to wake your character up, and another to blow into the microphone to clear the screen of fog.

Deep down, Jericho clearly has the right idea. However, the implementation - which feels half-hearted at times - really lets it down.

Hakuna Matata is a unique title and as such will no doubt attract a cult following. There is a lot to offer those who can find the required time and patience required to gain the best from it.

Striking perhaps for all the wrong reasons. It surprises due to the simplicity and appears original because it bucks the current trend of excess. Yet this originality is indeed false, because it has been so heavily based upon the games of old. [JPN Import]

Diddy Kong Racing DS is still a compulsive challenge and for sheer content and variety, it wins outright. But it’s not a fully convincing reinvention, and equally it’s changed too much to feel like a reassuring old friend.

Let it be made perfectly clear, FIFA 06: Road to the World Cup is the Xbox 360’s turkey.

Cute and the Mario theme is well applied, with lots of familiar elements from games throughout the series, but fun soon gives way to pure frustration and the whole affair is over far too quickly. [JPN Import]

The time limit is incredibly harsh on some levels and sometimes the computer seems to have an unlimited supply of men at its disposal. More problematic is the overly complex nature of the controls and the necessity to remember to use the microphone while keeping an eye on three different things at once.

With the furore objectively moved aside, Manhunt 2 is left a game which has tremendous atmosphere but that unfortunately counts for nothing when hampered by sloppy controls and poor implementation.

It's more the case that despite cramming an auspicious set of variables into its equation, Alter Echo’s efforts result in a diminutive single unit which doesn’t entirely work.

Whilst some recent additions to the post-Neo universe have been shoddy at best (such as the 3D misfire that was KOF: Maximum Impact), the quality control appears to be improving.

An adventurous trip to the seaside arcade would be more rewarding than this.

Combining last-generation visuals with next-generation control is never going to result in a satisfactory outcome.

Instead of creating the game they promised themselves in the design documents, the end result is a spaceship sized wreck of catastrophic proportions and with very little redeeming qualities to prevent it from being placed at the very bottom of the bargain bin where it belongs.

The game can also be scored for a winsome budget price, which means that it isn’t too much of a kick to the nads if you fail to get to grips with the dodgy controls and limited wares on offer.

Essentially, much like a Chuck Norris film, NNN isn’t bad enough to stop you enjoying the red red kroovy on offer and even on occasion manages to add some poignancy and pathos to the various narratives through some well-executed cutscenes; there are just too many niggles and not enough imagination involved to recommend it, even at second-hand pricepoints.

Overall, Eyetoy: Play 3 gets credit for the multiplayer mayhem and attempts at innovation, but it lets itself down with the inclusion of some quite weak games in amongst the better ones.

The most interesting feature though, has to be the inclusion of the "Double Play" mode where it's possible to play a 2P game whilst controlling both ships - a technique made famous by a skillful Japanese Ikaruga player, and now here it is entering the mainstream as a proper play mode. [JPN Import]

The game is by no means great but is also certainly not bad.

The tracks are well designed, but with such simplistic gameplay it can get repetitive quickly. The greatest sin, though, is the lack of tournament or tally within the multiplayer game.

Velvet Assassin is a primitive and basic game even by last-gen standards.

The ultimate Jedi action experience? It just might be.

The graphics are very attractive but there are much better games of this style such as Sega’s own "Shining Soul II." Shining Tears is one for the die-hard fans and 2D enthusiasts only. [JPN Import]

Despite its quality it won't set the world on fire like it did back in the Eighties, but it's a poignant and subtle reminder of how games used to be written and how wonderfully brilliant games back then could be.

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.

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

Wario's a greedy so-and-so, and he goes to a lot of trouble to get what he wants. Master of Disguise is an enjoyable diversion which some will enjoy, but you have to question whether Wario's elaborate scheme was really worth bothering with in the first place.

It’s difficult to be too hard on Spiderman: Friend or Foe because of its targeted age group. Even with its highly repetitive and simplistic nature, it ultimately wins out over the drivel of Spiderman 3 (the game) with its photography and bomb diffusing missions and boring plot.

High levels of patience and acceptance of the mediocrity that fills so much of the early sections are necessary to find some of the highlights that Future Tactics has to offer.

While not the best example of the genre, "Silent Hill" and "Haunting Ground" fans would certainly find the story appealing and the gorgeous cut-scenes instil the chilling atmosphere that every horror game needs. It’s just a shame that the gameplay is what ultimately lets Rule of Rose down.

Lunar: DS really is held back by its design. Parts that should be kept simple have been made frustratingly complicated, whilst others that could use a little elaboration have been left far too basic, all these decisions seemingly being made for the sake of producing a game that’s a little different.

It's an entertaining little racer that, despite one or two flaws and glitches, isn't far off the best racing action you can have on the bus on your way to work.

Feels like the product of a completely different publisher; the sort of output you would expect from a desperate company, eager to cash in on current gaming trends. For now, Amazing Island remains a failed experiment.

The level of skill that it's possible to gain in this game is by far its greatest strength. The excellent physics model allows a very fine degree of car control and this gives the player an opportunity to hone their techniques almost to perfection. [JPN Import]

Forget what you have heard about this being a title that will “train” you how to use your new hardware - it doesn’t. You can learn much more with the in-bundle magnificence of Wii Sports, or the genuine innovation offered by Wario Ware. Let’s hope that more consideration is put into future first party releases of this ilk.

If the stylish 3D graphics had been paired with a resolutely 2D game, with further time spent on level design, the end result could have been much greater than the uninspiring package present here. [Japan Import]

Add in the different characters, the language options and the reliance on magic rather than weaponry; this is a chilling experience in horror gaming.

The frame rate issues are annoying as is the menu system. The handling, which doesn’t feel right initially, isn’t so bad once you get the hang of it. However, the driving genre is a particularly tough market, especially when the game at the top of league is so good.

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]

The maddening frustration created by playing what could best be described as a half-finished game with huge potential will lead to a brief dalliance following which most gamers will seek their driving entertainment elsewhere.

If nothing else, Vanguard serves as a pretty good indication of how well suited the Wii’s control setup is for this kind of game and one can only hope that future releases, most notably Metroid Prime 3, will succeed in adding what Vanguard lacks – a decent videogame to back up the inventive controls.

With such a distinct lack of understanding of the genre and almost hateful disregard for the player's enjoyment, the biggest crime going down in Tokyo, it seems, is a simple lack of respect.

When it comes down to it, there’s essentially nothing here to recommend this over any other game, for example, something like WarioWare. That game has character, is constantly funny and contains a great selection of fun minigames. Hot Pixel fails to deliver on all counts.

Trioncube’s mesmerisingly spartan yet compulsive gameplay, married to the charming presentation, indelible soundtrack and reward trail, often confect to make this feel like a honeyed breath of fresh air. [JPN Import]

Bullet Witch gets by on the fun nature of the physics and occasionally spectacular setpieces (the Up in Flames at 10,000 Feet boss encounter on the back of a jumbo jet, or downing multiple enemy Chinooks with a Tornado) but the incessant dourness and spartan environments can become rather depressing simply on an aesthetic level without bringing frustrating game mechanics into it.

The Incredible Hulk is nothing more than a shoddy imitation.

At World's End does pay tribute to the movie on which it is based, but it's difficult to find much here to make this game anything other than an average hack and slash adventure. PotC proves once again, that movie tie-in games are very rarely worth the amount of money thrown at them.

Despite the limited number of tracks, the combination of different game modes and difficulty ratings make PocketBike Racer entertaining when it's taken for what it is - an unashamed Mario Kart clone intended to advertise Burger King.

Sneak King is undeniably fun for a while and certainly a guilty pleasure, but its main failing is that it quickly becomes repetitive.

Fans of the original will no doubt like it more simply because it's based on Rainbow Islands and shares many of its virtues, but newcomers may find it somewhat lacking. [JPN Import]

While the eight-player party mode delivers plenty of short-term fun with friends and family, the lack of traditional modes and tightened controls hurt Bust-A-Move Bash! in the long run.

Eat Lead is an outdated relic, it does nothing original or creative with the wealth of diverse, high-quality source material available to it.

Practically every element of the finished product feels half-hearted and incomplete. The action is fast and furious, but falls short on entertainment value. Presentation is mediocre at best. [JPN Import]

Even a budget price point can’t counteract the tedium that quickly sets in from the limited gameplay.

The action is dull, and the gameplay repetitive. Indeed, the very fact that the non-interactive cutscenes are by far and away the highlight of the game speaks volumes. [Japan Import]

Without that depth though, this is an average attempt at game design that occasionally sparkles. Only occasionally though. [JPN Import]

Could've been fun, but ends up being more annoying than Mario Van Peebles. At least in the original version of that particularly sad little movie, he gave us the pleasure of having the good grace to die.

A simplified take on breakdancing, with larger than life characters, a more stylized approach and better rewards for the player could have been a proper hoot. As it is, you would be better off avoiding this and acting wild in the comfort of your own home if you fancy getting your yerks on.

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is not a bad game, it's just not one with universal appeal.

There is a steep learning curve. Initially it might appear that avoiding a locked-on missile is an impossibility, but these are realistic representations of modern arms so it was never going to be easy. The solution is to learn what real pilots do.

A shocking effort, then, and one of the more memorable disasters in recent games history.

The basic ideas behind Legendary were quite sound. Unfortunately it seems they were never properly realised, instead cobbled together with the digital equivalent of shredded newspaper and masking tape.

A very different experience from all the driving games released recently, which might well be its saving grace.

Iron Man is a mess, an utter travesty and a total waste of anyone's money, no matter how little they spend on it.

Interpol was never a game that was going to set the world on fire, but it does offer the kind of experience that is becoming quite rare these days. It is a genuinely calming and relaxing title and when you consider how many levels you are getting here, is good value for money.

Warriors Orochi 2 is a divisive game and one that many will over-look due to the largely negative reviews circulating for it.

As it stands, FF:S isn’t the worst game you’ll ever play, but it certainly isn’t worth spending money on.

It's almost like the time-space continuum ripped open and farted out a title from years ago which, by rights, should never exist and only does so because of some unholy pact with Satan.

Consider this a bottom-line on the gaming barometer – a reference point where gaming simply does not get any worse.

Not only do games such as "Dynamite Deka" and the even more ancient "Captain Commando" roundly trounce this apology for a beat 'em up, even "Target: Renegade" on the Spectrum gives it a run for its money. Risible.

Only pick this up if you're the sort of person who buys supermarket own-brand bog roll and enjoys the rough sawdust texture.

An appalling game. In fact it's THE appalling game, that legendary one that the kids drinking Bubblegum 20/20 down the park talk about.

Even the poorest of titles there shows more promise than what’s on display here.

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.