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.