If you peer past the disastrous surface, though, you'll find a game that is of a very high standard indeed. [Dec 2012, p.109]

Rare Pokemon fail to mask the tedium in this fleetingly entertaining aside. [Dec 2012, p.106]

It's 30 pounds. THIRTY! The equivalent package is under 2 quid on a phone. Need we say more? [Dec 2012, p.102]

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

Mechanics get tired quickly, the extra content feels tacked-on and even the best element - its presentation - is short-lived. A disappointment.

Boasting more Mickey, mileage and morals, this is a big improvement on the first game. Not getting a Wii U this Christmas? This'll fill your Wii slot in style.

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.

It's not the smartest Layton ever, but it's a huge improvement on Spectre's Call.

An action game in the sense that everything depends on your actions, Hana Samurai is hamstrung only by its length. If it were a bit more fleshed out, this would be among the very best of the 3DS eShop.

A true classic gone horribly to seed. It'd be funny if it wasn't heartbreakingly sad. [Nov 2012, p.99]

The original's good ideas are distorted in an apparent attempt to justify a price tag. [Nov 2012, p.98]

So familiar it's basically an old friend by now. If you've liked it before, you'll like it now.

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

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

Cheery and great fun with two players, but the solo experience is all rather limited.

A shamefully cynical 'update' that brings absolutely nothing new to the table and asks £30 for it. Stick with FIFA 12, it's only a tenner these days. Or save your money for FIFA 13 Wii U.

It's only got two game modes but thankfully they'll last you a while. Great, but there's still room for improvement.

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.

Honestly, if you buy this game, you are harming the industry. A truly horrible title. [Oct 2012, p.99]

A licensed game that manages to work on its own terms, but only just pulls it off. [Oct 2012, p.97]

The 3D completely nullifies the point of having an option for motion control. [Oct 2012, p.96]

Rank puddle of bilgewater. [Oct 2012, p.95]

The game's 60 levels and randomly-generated daily missions promise some meaty longevity. Nice. [Oct 2012, p.94]

Picross DS is still the best version of the game, but for those new to Picross this is a brilliant introduction.

There are glimmers of promise in the 3DS version, but the execution is so bad and the graphics engine so lacklustre, that you'll find it hard to squeeze more than a few drops of genuine pleasure out of this cold, grey stone. [Sept 2012, p.107]

The relatively high price is a bit of a turn-off. [Sept 2012, p.107]

Too many gimmicks spoil the broth; only the dedicated will reap any rewards. [Sept 2012, p.103]

The very definition of bitter-sweet, giving with one hand and then taking away with the other. By default it's the best side-scrolling platformer on the 3DS and yes, it's even better than the original New Super Mario Bros. But that came out six years ago now, and in that time we'd really expected the series to have progressed a little further than just a 3D effect and Coin Rush mode.