Simple, solid gameplay. [Aug 2009, p.90]

Bland and unimaginative. [July 2009, p.93]

If it was much longer it'd be the best Donkey Kong game ever. Great while it lasts, but way too short! [July 2009, p.82]

A solid game that you'll have fun with. It's just a shame that the slightly annoying controls slightly dampen the experience. [Apr 2009, p.89]

It sounds simple, but in reality, this is really tough. [June 2009, p.88]

Jump, spin platform, jump again, flame baddie, repeat-to-fade. Yes, it's boring stuff. [Aug 2009, p.103]

Just not enough content to warrant a purchase. [July 2009, p.95]

The lack of any multiplayer modes is a real shame. [July 2009, p.95]

The sheer number of characters and fighting styles on offer mean you'll be practicing it for months to come. [Apr 2009, p.87]

It's a fun idea but can be played free online as Broken Picture Telephone. [June 2009, p.89]

It's only very good as opposed to essential. [Mar 2009, p.87]

Reasonably enjoyable while it lasts. [June 2009, p.88]

Like seeing a fantastic movie that only lasts 75 minutes. It's great but over all too quickly.

When it does work, Snapped! is a really fun experience, if a little short. [June 2009, p.87]

The best aspect of the game is the soundtrack. With headphones on you'll be completely immersed. [June 2009, p.87]

A great way to pass a bus journey. [June 2009, p.88]

Serious boxing action that isn't spoilt by silly effects. Don King's Boxing is a great option. [Apr 2009, p.68]

Fun in very short bursts, but this is too frustrating and too flawed to be enjoyed for any longer. [June 2009, p.80]

An enjoyable, idiosyncratic experience. Plus you don't have to ask about their holidays. [Sept 2009, p.92]

Essential for Metallica fans and GH experts, but everyone else should stick to World Tour. [June 2009, p.82]

A deep, thought-provoking title, but be warned: it's very peculiar and very slow-paced. [May 2009, p.75]

Superb hand-drawn graphics Great voice acting Hint mode is a nice touch New scenes and puzzles.

This works well as a gateway into Square-Enix games, but experienced RPG fans will tire quickly.

Works well as a gateway into Square-Enix games, but experienced RPG fans will tire quickly. [May 2009, p.78]

It's basic but reasonably compelling. [Nov 2009, p.98]

The ultimate Pokemon game, but only because it's a niftier update of Diamond and Pearl. [June 2009, p.72]

From time to time a game really creeps out of nowhere and takes you by surprise. A handheld version of a cult PC game, Trackmania is one such gem. [Dec 2008, p.96]

Staggering depth. [Apr 2010, p.80]

If only EA had pushed the bizarreness boat out a little further. Still, this is a fun little curio.

There aren't many DS RPG's that play and look this good. The only problem is that it may be too basic for the hardened RPG fans it's aimed at. [May 2009, p.88]

Vast, visually stunning and every bit as good as any other GTA. And that's no mean feat.

The game's saving grace is that it's good fun in multiplayer, because your friend suffers from the same controller problems you do so it feels even. [Apr 2009, p.86]

This is how yearly updates always be handled. [Apr 2009, p.64]

Some decent ideas then, but poorly executed. [Oct 2008, p.97]

Despite being scaled down to fit on the handheld, this is another fine addition to the DS's huge RPG roster.

Compulsive to play...Just a shame it's a little short. [July 2009, p.94]

Classy RPG gaming for a younger crowd. Buy it for your kid brother, then borrow it when no-one's looking. [Nov 2008, p.88]

Great fun in short bursts, MadWorld is a quality title with buckets of gore, style and humour.

It's not perfect by any means but it's great to see an original take on a familiar genre. [May 2010, p.83]

A clever puzzler. [Christmas 2008, p.99]

If you've played more than a couple of games in your life you'll breeze through this without any hassle. [May 2009, p.88]

Trivia buffs will have a fun time with this one, even if it isn't too different from the original board game. [May 2009, p.87]

It's not as good as its sequel but Pikmin is still a great game and is essential to those who haven't played it.

Attractive tennis with a Mario twist, but hobbled by hard-to-aim motion controls.

It looks, sounds and plays just as it did well over 20 years ago. So it's dated, but fun. [Sept 2009, p.93]

Once again Sega comes so close to getting it right - and then ruins it with another gimmick.

Not a bad update, but fairly pointless. Shaun White Snowboarding does all this with far more flair and panache. [Mar 2009, p.62]

A real let-down. There are some great ideas in here but they're just not executed very well. Stick to "Resident Evil 4."

If you want an online first person shooter for Wii, you might be better off saving up for Call Of Duty but this isn't bad for the price.

This is an enjoyable strategy game with an emphasis on progress and reward. [Apr 2009, p.74]

It may be 17 years old, but this may just be the best RPG on the DS. You need this.

While it's nothing Fire Emblem fans wont have seen before, this is a hugely enjoyable tactical RPG.

Gory, gruesome fun but not a game to bust out next time gran comes round for a Wii session. [Apr 2009, p.76]

Overkill is the most offensive, outrageous game we've played and we love it. Mature lightgun fans need this.

A very pleasant surprise and one of the finest mature games on the Wii. Confront your fears and pick this one up.

A clever puzzle game that will have you thinking and shaking at the same time. [Christmas 2009, p.101]

The best Tenchu in ages and good fun for the most part but this is a series that badly needs a reinvention. [Mar 2009, p.76]

It's fairly easy but still makes for a pretty, touching story. [July 2009, p.74]

This really isn't worth the money. [Mar 2009, p.89]

Rygar may have been decent six years ago, but with no updates it's now dated and shoddy. [July 2009, p.86]

It's not going to change the world but old-school platforming fanatics will find much to enjoy here. Not half bad. [Mar 2009, p.85]

Original, polished and heaps of fun, this is one of the finest shooters available on the DS.

SimAnimals is a good idea but with poor visuals and fiddly controls, this is a wasted opportunity.

Feels half-finished. [July 2009, p.87]

If your family likes sitting around a table playing cards then Jungle Speed is just about worth a pop. [May 2009, p.86]

A complete howler. [Mar 2009, p.87]

Much like a real sandcastle, it's fun for an hour or so then becomes a washout. [Oct 2010, p.97]

All you need to know is that if clever and cheap puzzle titles are your thing, you need to be downloading this one. [Nov 2008, p.103]

Every bit as enjoyable and addictive as Guitar Hero: World Tour. Highly recommended. [May 2009, p.67]

A great end to a great series - we hope there's more but if there isn't, at least it's gone out on a high. [Feb 2009, p.86]

It's basic but reasonably compelling. [Nov 2009, p.98]

It'd have a Gold Award but for the camera. That aside, it's pretty wonderful. [Dec 2008, p.75]

Enjoyable, old school platforming with a modern twist. You'll need patience though.

It's fun, but for 30 quid, it's no bargain. [Apr 2009, p.87]

It's brilliant. [Dec 2008, p.96]

Another shining example of how the simplest concept can be the most addictive. [Nov 2008, p.84]

As a remake this is recommended, but as it's a 'new' game in the UK it's essential. [Feb 2009, p.76]

If you can ignore the casual wrapping, there's a pretty good puzzle game to be found here, even if it's not quite as good as Puzzle Quest. [Feb 2009, p.87]

For borderline shovelware, Winter Sports actually looks pretty good. [Apr 2009, p.86]

One for fans of the genre only. [Jan 2009, p.78]

Heartbreakingly awful. [Feb 2009, p.84]

The main problem is all the extra pointless gestures you have to do during songs. [May 2009, p.89]

Sonic Unleashed is both one of the best Sonic games we've ever played and one of the dullest. If you can put up with the werehog levels you'll love it.

It's by no means as bad as you may have heard. [Apr 2009, p.89]

Occasional glimpses of Lara magic but her good work is undermined by sloppy development.

The game's so dark in places, it's almost unplayable if you don't have a lite. [Jan 2009, p.98]

It's a classy package and certainly the best Raving Rabbids game yet but please, we don't need any more.

It's Metal Slug. Nothing more, nothing less. [Mar 2009, p.84]

Cheap, dreary gameplay and awful controls. What less could you want? [Christmas 2008, p.78]

Mama may be smiling away on the box but you certainly won't be if you buy this after playing her old games.

Dull quests make it a step down from the original. [Oct 2010, p.83]

This is just shameful. A missed opportunity let down by sloppy, lazy programming. [Jan 2009, p.90]

As hilarious as ever - chalk up another must-have purchase for Strong Bad. [Jan 2009, p.93]

Road Trip is surprising. On paper it reads like a cheapened, cut-down version of its PS3 and 360 cousin but Ubisoft has really done the Wii justice with this one. Everything from the cartoony, charismatic art style to the well put-together motion control system just fits the console perfectly.

Not so much a sequel as the Cube version with new features, but still essential for anyone happy to start again.

Regardless of how much polish Decades has over its predecessor, the fact remains that the DS game will never be more than a simulation of a simulation; a short-term novelty that just makes you wish you were playing the real Guitar Hero games instead.

If you're after some boxing action on the Wii, it might be best to stick with Wii Sports for now and wait for Punch-Out!! This simply won't satisfy.

A decent enough game, but it feels massively out of date. One for Tales fans only. [Nov 2009, p.88]