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]

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.

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.

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]

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

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.

Skyward Sword stands as an ode to a series that has endured all of recent gaming history. It marks the dizzying pinnacle of both the Zelda series and motion-controlled gaming itself. It's a huge accomplishment that, even by Nintendo's own record, stands out as one of their finest.

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

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

A great title for genre fans and a well-paced intro for newbies, this also manages to be the best distillation of the Fire Emblem series we've ever seen.

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

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

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

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

Rock Band 3 is about as complete a music game as you could hope.

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

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]

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

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

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

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.

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

Old and new in almost the best ways. [Sept 2014, p.78]

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

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.

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

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

It looks good, it plays good, it probably even tastes good. You fingers will dance across the pad like tiny digital ballerinas as you suplex your way to victory. [Sept 2014, p.86]

Just prepare for a sense of incompletion unless you spend around 70 pounds more than the base price. [Jan 2014, p.74]

Step aside Guitar Hero Metallica: this is how you really do a band-specific music game. Drips with Beatles love from start to finish.

A platformer that easily holds it own against the Castlevanias and Metroids of the world.

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

This is a wonderful piece of software for creative types.

Human Revolution respects how you like to play games and is good at all the things it attempts, from the stealth to the shooting to the RPG systems.

A sequel done right. It deals with the original's issues and adds features to keep things fresh.

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.

In an industry embarrassed by brains, this is a shining beacon of measured character work, deep-rooted ideas and whip-smart dialogue.

If only the putting was more consistent. If it were, this would be as essential as "Grand Slam." [July 2009, p.80]

A highly original RPG that oozes class through the screens and speakers. The unique battle system is a great idea, despite being let down occasionally by iffy controls. [May 2008, p.87]

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.

Offers hours of fun brain-bending gameplay. [June 2010, p.94]

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.

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

Whether it's teamplay you want or epic solo adventuring, DQIX handles both with class. [Aug 2010, p.83]

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.

The Wii's answer to Dark Souls or Spelunky. Harder than your average Metroid-a-like, but with a greater sense of accomplishment. Dauntingly good.

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

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

Addictive. [July 2007, p.92]

By all means get DJ Hero if you're a fan of music games and have a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, because Freestyle Games has put together a fantastic music title. Everyone else will just have to wait until the price drops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We hate using the word 'hardcore' but if we had to attach it to any game it would be this one. [May 2010, p.73]

Like dormant seeds, this is slow to germinate but, given time, it blossoms, an explosion of scintillating strategy and pheromone-laced fruitiness.

A brilliant sequel that improves on the original in every conceivable department. Essential.

Offers almost everything we want from a BM game. Multiplayer japes don't get better than this. [Dec 2008, p.84]

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

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.

The strategy game we never knew we needed, but now we don't know what we'd do without. [Feb 2010, p.78]

A massively entertaining racer that grabs and runs with the power of the WiiU. It's tough, but we're Nintendo gamers. We eat tough for breakfast. [Apr 2013, p.80]

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.

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

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

Builds slightly messier puzzles on the Pullblox's simple foundations, but still manages to deliver hours of outstanding spatial conundrums. Easily one of eShop's best.

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

It really makes you think and that, surely, is the point of a puzzle game. [Oct 2007, p.96]

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

A deep, fulfilling and rewarding strategy epic. [Mar 2008, p.80]

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]

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

Gripes about the lacklustre visuals and unwanted gameplay tweaks aside, Guitar Hero III is truly great, even if it's somewhat harder than we were expecting. [Christmas 2007, p.75]

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

This has to be some of the most impressive enemies you'll ever see on the DS. [Feb 2007, p.70]

Would have been a nice little bonus on its own but the added extras make Four Swords Anniversary Edition a must play for any Zelda fan who owns a 3DS.

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

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

Undoubtedly the best-playing Mass Effect game so far, but you can't possibly get the full feel of the Mass Effect universe from it. One to weigh up carefully.

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]

This is the road the Final Fantasy series should have taken; a refreshing new take on JRPG that will have fans of the genre giddy with excitement.

A massive, lovingly crafted game that's stuffed with things to do, but the limited GamePad functionality and linear mission design are disappointing.

Probably the best superhero game ever made. If you're willing to fight innovations to see the game at its best, this is a huge slab of muscular adventuring.

A fantastically well put-together game hamstrung only by the inherent limitations of the sport itself. No other Wii U title offers such great value for money.

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]

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]

It's fun to play and has a fantastic script but the annoyances are too blatant to ignore. [Sept 2007, p.78]

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]

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

A fantastic start to the Wii U's more mature library, this is grim, gritty and, most importantly, hugely enjoyable to play, especially if you're a Zelda fan.

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

Great fun for pretty much everyone, hardcore and casual gamers included. [July 2008, p.88]

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 must-play for Final Fantasy veterans. It won't gain any new fans though. [Oct 2008, p.80]