All of this, along with an amusing and twist-laden story, delivered through beautifully choreographed FMVs and equally well-conceived in-game cutscenes, comes together in one of the most visually impressive games with some of the finest gaming moments that gamers are likely to experience during this generation of consoles.

The sheer thrill of being able to play better-than-arcade versions of the Rave Racer tracks (probably some of the best in the series) in the palm of your hand is almost worth the price of admission alone... The best Ridge Racer game to date? Without a doubt. [JPN Import]

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.

The best tactical shooter you can buy for the PS2 by far.

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

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.

The game's pacing as the pendulum swings from action to intrigue and tension is a masterstroke with so many memorable sections in such a short space of time that the player will be left breathless and, just like the end of Half-Life 2, wanting more.

While Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition encompasses everything that was great about the original title, it expands upon it very little, resulting in a game that unfortunately doesn‘t live up to its name.

Syphon Filter Dark Mirror achieves its goals and more with aplomb. Yes, the controls can be a bit cumbersome at times but such is the enjoyment that this minor irritation is soon overcome.

The story perhaps remains the most poor aspect of the game and the difficulty has been toned down compared to the previous instalment...These niggles are meaningless when compared to the joy the player will gain from the game.

The shortcomings of the RPG exploration is made up for by the endearing characterisation, and splendid battle system. It is curious, then, that Mario himself is the least charismatic character in the game; his black, empty, beady little eyes betray his empty in-game personality. [JPN Import]

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.

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.

Those who’ve never experienced the story and fun on offer should take a look and owners of the original game still owe it to themselves to buy this game.

Some of the puzzles in BG&E will have you tearing your hair out, though their solutions are tangible and never obscure.

Sadly, Dark Cloud 2’s shining moments are outweighed by the mediocre inclusion of the random dungeon, and the tragic design decisions the developers chose to implement.

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.

Persona 3 is an RPG unlike any other, and one that really gets under your skin. When you’re not playing it, you’ll still be planning what you’d like to do when you are, and wondering just what your friends will get up to next.

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

It’s already been established that Legends is a ‘Best of’ rather than a fully-fledged sequel. Therein lies its greatest failing – in fundamental terms it offers nothing more than ‘Burnout on the go’.

An exhausting, exhilarating ride which will hold you captivated 'til the very last second of the last mission.

A solid FPS, elevated above the mundane by its sublime weapon set and some excellent enviroments. Whether it convinces the masses who might pick it up at UK launch is another matter entirely.

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.

Patapon is one of the PSP's more original and interesting titles of late.

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.

A fun, engaging, thoughtful and compelling game in its own right, and a definite purchase for those entranced by earlier iterations.

Whether you are a fan of the previous titles or not, the wonderfully incorporated real-time system combined with the villager’s emotional-pull creates a world that has the potential to alter your sleep patterns and actually intertwine and weave its presence into your daily lives.