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]