The pacing of the story has a Disney-like quality to it, building moment by moment to the crescendo of its conclusion. It is nothing short of magical.

If you loved Galaxy you'll adore this. Yet another dazzling high-water mark in Mario's career. [June 2010, p.75]

Simply put, if you've long been dreaming of a game that actually makes the most of the Wii's powerful graphics processor then your dreams have come true. Super Mario Galaxy will not only rock your socks, it will blow your actual feet clean off, leaving you with a set of comedy stumps that you can use to pretend you're a marauding pirate. [December 2007, p.72]

As one of the most well-rounded, charming and utterly captivating games we've ever played, Twilight Princess is a game that everyone must experience, regardless of gaming preference. [Christmas 2006, p.52]

It's that confidence that encompasses everything here - Mario Kart 8 steps boldly out of the shadows of its predecessors, using their systems, ideas, even tracks, but adapting them to fit its own vision of a truly skilful game that people will obsess over, learning lines, kart set-ups and tricks, but never abandoning what it is people loved about the series.

Bigger, better and harder than NSMB DS, this is the Mario game we were waiting for. Essential. [Dec 2009, p.96]

The story is deslightful and has plenty of subtle humour all the way through it. [June 2008, p.70]

Even looking at it with a cynical eye, it's incredibly hard to fault Brawl. You're going to adore this game. [July 2008, p.62]

It's the sheer scope of the gameplay that sets this apart from other pretenders. [July 2007, p.91]

This might be the brightest of 2013's 3DS stars. A beautiful, generous, warm-hearted game in every way and a worthy successor to Wild World's crown.

Everything you could ever want from a Zelda game and more. [Nov 2007, p.80]

A beautiful refinement of a great series. Game Freak has surpassed itself - the best Pokemon ever. [Mar 2011, p.87]

A beautiful refinement of a great series. Game Freak has surpassed itself - the best Pokemon ever. [Mar 2011, p.87]

Flipnote Studio is simply essential. It's a superb animation application and it's completely free. All DSi owners should download it.

As clever as it is stylish, as darkly humourous as it is challenging and as infinitely playable as it is addictive, we simply love World Of Goo to pieces because it's everything that a good game should be.

Not just a technological achievement, but a design one. There's never been a Smash Bros. with more see or do. How they've done it is anyone's guess. [Christmas 2014, p.74]

A fantastic music creation tool for DS owners and pro producers alike. [Dec 2008, p.92]

It may not be too revolutionary but this is by far the biggest, most packed Pokemon yet. [Mar 2010, p.67]

The Prime trilogy couldn't have gone out on a higher note. [Nov 2007, p.74]

It may not be too revolutionary but this is by far the biggest, most packed Pokemon yet. [Mar 2010, p.67]

The most intense gaming experience on the Wii...It will consume you. [July 2007, p.80]

It's better than "Animal Crossing" and "Harvest Moon" in almost every way, whle also being a completely different kind of game...Barring a few options we'd have liked to see, it's a perfect second life experience. [Oct 2007, p.78]

One of the best action games ever is now even better. Absolutely essential. [Sept 2011, p.83]

Classic Zelda fare riddled with veins of audio-visual mastery and an inspired gameplay twist. The greatest Legend Of Zelda title of recent years.

Never have we been so amused, challenged and impressed by a game all at the same time. [Christmas 2007, p.68]

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

The bargain of the century and a great opportunity to visit a brilliant series. [Sept 2009, p.79]

Super Mario 3D Land is superb. The care and attention put into every aspect of it is beyond words and the only real problem point - the difficulty - is blown away by its remarkable post-credits reveal. This is the first truly essential, completely new title for the 3DS.

Makes the original seem lacking in every department. A lovely, polished party game. [Aug 2009, p.79]

This game is absolutely charming and a lovely surprise. [Issue#116, p.84]

A fantastic racer and the best online Nintendo game ever. [Apr 2008, p.58]

Had Sonic Chronicles simply been a standard RPG with generic characters in it, it would still have been a fantastic title. The fact that it actually features familiar faces and backgrounds only adds to the enjoyment.

As well-made and puzzle-crammed as the previous Layton games, and it's also the best one yet.

Simply fantastic. It re-creates the Star Wars world brilliantly then adds a quirky twist to it. Easy to play and immense fun from the word go. Essential. [Oct 2006, p.86]

The best Mario Kart game yet with an online platform that'll keep you racing for years.

Don't expect a revolution, but with dozens of thoughtful changes and the best Pokemon battles ever, X and Y cap an incredible year for 3DS.

It's still one of the most accessible yet deep role-playing games around. It's still going to capture the hearts and imaginations of kids and adults alike. And, yes, you'll still want to catch 'em all.

Not so much a baby step into HD 3D platforming as a triple backflip onto a Goomba's dome. A constant source of joy, surprise and ideas, ideas, ideas.

Played with patience and a willingness to learn, this isn't just the most surprising game on Wii U - it's the best.

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

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

As beautiful as it is joyous to play, Soul Bubbles really deserves your attention. [June 2008, p.78]

Not quite the landmark the original game was, but a thrillingly absurd, deep and beautiful brawler. Soul-bursting sorcery for devotees of the combo. [Christmas 2014, p.86]

One of the finest action games ever, spruced up in small but worthwhile ways for Wii U. A fabulous addition to the Bayonetta 2 package. [Christmas 2014, p.90]

One of the easiest, yet greatest, games ever. Cope with the cuteness and you're in for a treat. [Feb 2011, p.79]

Our favourite game on WiiWare. Most full-price games don't entertain us like this one does.

Arguably the best WWII game ever. Simply put, if you like first-person shooters this is absolutely essential.

The freshest, most vital RPG on the DS for ages. You'd be daft to pass it up. [Nov 2009, p.76]

For anyone interested in game or music design, this lets you be creative in a new way. Superb. [May 2010, p.78]

A great sequel that fully lives up to the high standards set by the original adventure. [Oct 2009, p.71]

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

If anyone ever tells you that WiiWare is a waste of time, sit them in front of Hydroventure and watch them blush. A superb, original game.

Though only a small step up, Guitar Hero 5 is now the best music experience on the Wii.

Barmy, brilliant and the best GamePad advert to date: consider us excited about Wii U again.

Providing you're up for the challenge, this is the high point of the DS Castlevania series. [Feb 2009, p.92]

As long as you don't mind it being effectively a fancy remake of past Pokemon adventures, Diamond and Pearl provide a fantastic experience with great Wi-Fi features. [July 2007, p.70]

A treat of a game that's as creative and funky as it is new and interesting - we can't recommend it enough. [Nov 2008, p.77]

It has more heart than any game in recent memory. [Apr 2013, p.68]

As long as you don't mind it being effectively a fancy remake of past Pokemon adventures, Diamond and Pearl provide a fantastic experience with great Wi-Fi features. [July 2007, p.70]

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

We expected a voyage down memory lane, but were instead treated to an adventure that is as fresh as it was when it first appeared in 2002. Splendid stuff.

Virtual Console classics aside, Pullblox is the first essential 3DS eShop game. Download it now if you haven't done so already.

Providing you can afford the full kit, this is the ultimate rhythm action title. If you can't, it's merely 'brilliant.'

An astounding return for the prodigal Sun.

It's a compromise between action and exploration, between the series' history and contemporary trends, between traditional presentation and modern technology. It's the best Castlevania game we've played in years and it might be the best action game we've ever played on a handheld console.

As dedicated PES fans, it means a lot when we say that FIFA 09 is the best football game on the Wii at the moment. Game on, Konami.

A genre-reviving blaze of wonder, immense scale and smart design. [Sept 2011, p.100]

A consummate Sonic experience, reminding us exactly why the blue blur was great in the first place - plus, it's got tons of replay value tucked inside. [Oct 2007, p.84]

This is a wonderful piece of software for creative types.

When all's said and done, Bash Party is essentially Boom Blox with everything improved and built upon. It's got more levels, more tools, more environments (the underwater and space levels really mess with the physics in an interesting way), more game modes and much more online potential. Simply put, it's essential, even if you have the original.

A beautifully polished adventure with buckets of depth. Game of the year material?

So it is that 3DS's incredible first-party run continues. In the year that has given us the definitive Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing it only makes sense that AlphaDream should step up and deliver the best Mario & Luigi game yet.

The surprise smash hit of the winter? We hope so, as this puzzler is one of the console's very best games. [Dec 2008, p.78]

A brilliant WarioWare game but, more importantly, it's one of the best Wii game so far. Wario should now take his place alongside Mario and Link as a true Nintendo great. [Jan 2007, p.66]

ZombiU will send shivers of fear and excitement up and down your spine in equal measure: it's the perfect showcase for what the Wii U is all about.

The best Punch-Out!! game yet. Accessible for newcomers but a real challenge for experts. [June 2009, p.69]

Easily the best fighter game on a Nintendo handheld and a must for fans of the series. [Apr 2011, p.75]

It's not quite up there with Prime but this is a great action game with a sensational storyline.

Believe it or not, if you have both a Wii and a DS and you're not really bothered about multiplayer action, we'd recommend you pick up the DS version of this instead of the Wii one. [Nov 2009, p.70]

Assuming you can afford it, Wii Fit is a great way to stay in shape. The Balance Board is top-notch technology and as a package the whole thing works tremendously well. [May 2008, p.66]

All nine games are suprisingly addictive, and if you're planning on buying another Remote you really should go for this. [Christmas 2006, p.76]

It's just great fun. [Christmas 2008, p.101]

A fantastic fighting game which appears basic at first but has a very deep technical side to it.

Not a huge leap forward for the series but a wonderful game nonetheless. Enjoy. [Christmas 2009, p.91]

A great little puzzler that's simple enough to get into but infinitely addictive. Brilliant. [Aug 2009, p.102]

A huge, almost constantly entertaining game. Brash, soulful and clever, it's astonishing that a title on a yearly schedule came out this meaty.

Like some work of over-stimulated fanfiction with a Tony Stark-size budget, this plays out with all the excess, in-jokes and idiocy that entails. Wonderful.

An original puzzle game with some nice retro touches for Nintendo fans.

Clearly designed with the hardcore gamer in mind. It's slick, addictive and as close to "cool" as a game can get. [Christmas 2006, p.68]

While we can see some people getting frustrated with the tricky AI later in the game, the emphasis on multiplayer and online action makes this an essential Wii title. [June 2007, p.72]

Better than Black and White, but lacking their freshness. A cracking swansong.

Better than Black and White, but lacking their freshness. A cracking swansong.

But if you dream of falling blocks, the the huge number of gameplay modes and fantastically addictive online play makes this an essential purchase.

It feels far bigger than the console upon which it appears, it's deeper than most home console titles and more content-packed than any other 3DS game yet released.

Rayman games may usually prompt little more than a shrug of indifference, but don't dismiss Origins. It's a top quality platformer from start to finish, a dazzling showcase for Ubisoft Montpellier's artistic talents, and one of the best Wii games of this (or any other) year.

It won't win any new converts but Wii Fit Plus improves on the original in every way.

Feels vintage and fresh at the same time. [Christmas 2010, p.56]

The disappointing lack of multiplayer modes aside, this is almost the perfect strategy package. [Feb 2008, p.62]