No threat to "GTA," but it's not meant to be. Instead it's an absorbing role-playing adventure with plenty to keep you busy. [Sept 2006, p.74]

Ripe with early frustration, but put in a bit of hard work and Harvest Moon does deliver a bumper crop of fun. [Feb 2006, p.90]

Combat was always the star of Ratchet games, but with barely a sniff of exploration, Gladiator's destruction feels a little one-note. [Apr 2006, p.94]

An enjoyable underwater escapade with plenty of nice touches. It's aimed at youngsters, but even the over-nines will get some enjoyment out of it. [Apr 2006, p.109]

Limited in terms of gameplay, but it's got an undeniable appeal and is often great fun - who wouldn't enjoy kicking ass as Superman and Batman working in unison? [Jan 2007, p.87]

A few stinkers aside, Jackass is a great bunch of mini-games that capture the essence of the show. [Nov 2007, p.96]

A superb package with great games and some truly inspired extras - and a real trip down memory lane for some of us. [Mar 2007, p.94]

It's difficult not to find this fighter charming - even if the hero is a squaky-voiced brat. [Nov 2007, p.92]

The Great Juju Challenge is never going to be the love of your gaming life, but it's a reasonably attractive bit on the side. [Mar 2006, p.100]

While not startlingly fresh, Goblet of Fire rattles along enjoyably and demonstrates that PSP is perfectly suited to adventure gaming. [Apr 2006, p.96]

Much better than the last game, and one of the best PS2 RPGs. Let down only by the relentless fighting and steep learning curve. [Feb 2007, p.70]

Simplified PSP controls do dial down SOCOM's complexity, but impressive options both on and offline make this shine. [May 2006, p.90]

It's the ultimate package for DBZ fans. For everyone else it's one of the most technical and rewarding fighters out there. [Christmas 2007, p.90]

With its immediate and vibrant cartoon violence the Power Stone series is well suited to PSP. It can get a little hard on the eyes, mind you. [Christmas 2006, p.87]

At times sublime, but sadly it's the frantic and frustrating Dark Prince sections that linger longest in the memory. [Jan 2007, p.78]

Squarely aimed at young gamers, but Cars provides more fun than most kids titles - this is a welcome step in the right direction. [Sept 2006, p.88]

Pushes the right buttons but the uninitiated can bash away and still win, so it doesn't match the flair or control of a Virtua. [Feb 2007, p.65]

Heatseeker's main problem is that all this action, however it's presented, remains much the same throughout the game. The jets and locations change but the tone and intensity do not. And that makes Heatseeker a rather predictable experience. [Mar 2007, p.90]

It still rules the rink, but if you're already familiar with the series, NHL 08 doesn't do enough to prevent "NHL 07" deja vu. [Nov 2007, p.88]

An original and entertaining addition to the Star Wars canon with great new characters and some cracking action. [Christmas 2006, p.86]

Better than you'd expect, Scooby-Doo! Unmasked is an enjoyable slice of cartoon gaming that's boosted by fresh, creative flair. [Christmas 2005, p.118]

A playable, yet unexceptional, sports title. There are better b-ball games out there. [Aug 2006, p.97]

Technically very accomplished and graphically gorgeous, but ultimately unsatisfying, even in online multiplayer. [Feb 2008, p.102]

A likeable addition to the PSP's footy ranks that successfully offers something very different to the latest FIFA and PES. [Aug 2006, p.97]

Simple and satisfying combat with a control system that's well mapped to handheld - the only drawback is that it's shallow like a garden pond in August. [June 2006, p.86]

More than a story game, Xenosaga II just about prevails in spite of itself as a title worth witnessing...for the patient. [Dec 2005, p.118]

Extreme, yes; pursuit, lots of it; fun, mostly; but essential? Not really. [Jan 2008, p.123]

Better than last year's handheld Madden game, but NFL nuts will notice the return of a few niggling flaws. [Oct 2006, p.104]

Blatantly a cash-in, on the back of the knockout stages of the Champions' League. But still a formidable football game. [Apr 2007, p.78]

Although Cars is no real match for the all-conquering "Ridge Racer," its unexpectedly speedy action makes it well worth a test drive nonetheless. [Oct 2006, p.98]

Near identical gameplay to its 05 counterpart and a more intricate management aspect - if that floats your boat then hop on board. [Nov 2005, p.122]

Their simplicity is charming and their gameplay addictive. Thank heavens some things don't change. [Oct 2006, p.97]

An enjoyable beat-'em-up despite the ADHD storyline. The smooth, ninja-tastic fighting is fun and there's plenty of stuff to do. [June 2007, p.98]

Not much new for Ape Escape veterans, but if you want to get a youngster a game that's actually good, this is the monkey business. [May 2006, p.92]

There's no need to own both versions unless you're rich or stupid, but this is commendable nonetheless. [Christmas 2006, p.102]

It's a great shooter, especially if you want to use your brains as much as your ammo, but it doesn't quite add enough as a sequel. [Dec 2005, p.122]

Underneath the mixed bag of superfluous trimmings lies a game that's still highly playable despite feeling very familiar. [Dec 2005, p.121]

Flawed, scruffy and inconsistent, but the small moments of magic [do] some way make up for the lack of overall polish. [July 2008, p.64]

Young or old, Jungle Party will make you laugh and keep you coming back for more - especially in multiplayer. [Nov 2006, p.103]

A fun game for short sessions, suited to the system and with some clever ideas, but it's not the proper Metal Gear Solid title we were expecting. [Mar 2007, p.107]

A solid, respectable golf game that should keep pros and amateurs happily stroking in public for hours. [Jan 2007, p.93]

Soul Nomad is no more "tactical" than a game of mouse trap. [June 2008, p.69]

A commendably original RPG which throws up plenty of surprises and improves substantially on previous outing, "Lucifer's Call." [June 2006, p.93]

A multitude of monstery mini-games that makes for a festival of family fun. [Jan 2008, p.96]

So simple that it's actually a bit limited, despite a substantial multiplayer offer. [Christmas 2007, p.123]

It's a shame you have to wade through so much rubbish to reach the good stuff, but the second half of Parallel Lines is a blast. [Mar 2006, p.78]

FIFA has grown up a bit and learnt that it has to do the dirty work first before it can get fancy. Competent, entertaining but far from faultless. [Nov 2005, p.132]

It's good to see someone taking bike racing seriously, but make sure you can do without stabilisers - this is no easy ride. [May 2007, p.84]

With highly customisable mechs, smooth controls, and lots of really big explosions, this is great mech action on the move. [May 2006, p.93]

A non-offensive god-sim packed full of laughs and originality. Buy it. [July 2008, p.87]

Does a pretty good job of capturing the spirit of the film and provies some mindless laughs. Kids will love it too - trust us, we checked. [Jan 2006, p.109]

Decent comic book effort which certainly captures the Marvel spirit. Unlikely to become as revered as the icons that star in it, though. [Christmas 2006, p.97]

Predictably high production values, but those enticed by previous Snake adventures will find a hollow, confusing game. [June 2006, p.82]

Take away the goodwill generated by the movies and the flaws in Tactics begin to show. There's fun here, but not a lot of it. [Dec 2005, p.100]

A tidy boxing game in itself, but one that lacks the punch of previous Rocky games or any real element of sophistication. [Feb 2007, p.74]

A decent, short-term hack'n'blast that's best with two players who like old-school games, but a far cry from today's big action titles. [Apr 2007, p.77]

Simple, repetitive gaming, that offers immediate fun, but little real substance. [June 2008, p.91]

A faithful recreation of the world of Narnia, which frustrates and delights in not quite equal measure, but avoids being whiffy. [Apr 2006, p.98]

It may have a pouch full of original ideas, but Freedom makes too many basic errors to be a serious PSP predator. [May 2006, p.87]

A decent spread of planes and challenges but sadly Pilot Academy's wings are clipped by a lack of personality. [Nov 2006, p.104]

The total package feels soulless and, as a result, rather unappealing. [Dec 2006, p.95]

An adequate street racer that does everything you'd expect, but nowhere near well enough to challenge the big boys of the chav's race scene. [Christmas 2006, p.82]

It's a shame that it settles for merely good enough when it could have been great. [July 2007, p.88]

It's good to see developers trying something new but this is more of a solid template for a sequel than a top game in it's own right. [Mar 2006, p.84]

A workmanlike shooter with a cute gimmick that isn't close to being enough. [Jan 2008, p.119]

A reasonable update, but even with the changes there's nothing here you won't have seen somewhere before. This is a rather lazy prequel. [Christmas 2006, p.76]

Mostly just really tedious. [Sept 2007, p.91]

Short but mostly sweet, this is unashamed B-list fare, offering cheap thrills to those who don't take killing too seriously. [Apr 2006, p.98]

Certainly won't make your PSP break a sweat, but the multiplayer options are good and we'd rather play this than yet another dull retro collection. [Christmas 2006, p.97]

Decent looking racer which requires a rare shot of tactical thinking, but one that lacks the flat-out driving thrills of its superior PSP rivals. [Dec 2006, p.92]

Endless rock-hard combat. [Dec 2007, p.86]

Much more frustrating than the PS2 version, and not quite as varied to play, but more cinematic than we'd have thought possible on the PSP. [Dec 2006, p.81]

More than a little mindless, the Burning Earth is definitely one for fans only. Everyone else should leave it well alone. [Christmas 2007, p.94]

FIFA's class is not in doubt, but for a series already in a clear state of transition, the move to a new platform is a bridge too far. [Christmas 2005, p.117]

Hardly deep, but an entertaining set of party games for your younger brother or sister that you may just get a kick from too. [Jan 2006, p.109]

A cookie-cutter RPG lifted by characterization and sustained exploration vibe, but hurt by sub-PSone visuals. [Feb 2006, p.92]

Still the same old, unsubtle scything we expect from a Warriors game, but given extra substance by some neat strategic twists. [Sept 2007, p.98]

Flamboyant fun, but doesn't feel like you're playing real football. [Mar 2008, p.103]

With its combos, special moves and mini-games, FIFA Street 2 is the result of a beat-'em-up transposed on top of a football game. [Mar 2006, p.98]

It's simple and often satisfying, but 50's world just isn't exciting enough to sustain a whole game's worth of action-RPG-style combat. [Nov 2006, p.94]

We're tired of the senseless bloodshed, so the core action drags - the tactical elements are definitely improving though. [July 2006, p.89]

Hardly inspiring, but SpongeBob and friends are still starring in a highly capable game that should satisfy younger gamers. [Jan 2007, p.93]

Well-presented and weirdly therapeutic mix of flight sim and arcade shooter that doesn't quite satisfy on either front, but is a decent enough game for all of that. [Christmas 2006, p.85]

As a port, it does the job. But the convulsive controls and lack of new features makes TRA for PSP only an optional extra to the PS2 experience. [Aug 2007, p.99]

Lots of variety with some interesting touches but it's still just poker, only without the banter, gambling and beer. [May 2007, p.89]

Enjoyably frantic, brief and basic. Gauntlet is showing its age but still offers a decent few hours of mindless maiming. [Mar 2006, p.94]

While there's enough variety and humour here to appeal to almost everyone in the family, wtihout a decent multiplayer mode to anchor it into your PS2, RRR's half-life is extremely short. [Jan 2007, p.79]

No teammates, no cover system: GRAW 2 PSP couldn't feel further from its console brothers if it tried. Stick to SOCOM. [Sept 2007, p.103]

A frustratingly patchy RPG - at once unpleasant to play and creepingly addictive - that doesn't deliver on it's significant [promise]. [June 2006, p.87]

Perfectly acceptable but largely uninspiring portion or generic platforming. [Dec 2007, p.99]

It's definitely functional, but MotoGP is far more suited to lazing on a sofa than it is to gaming on the go. [Dec 2006, p.98]

Grey, unfair, buggy: it's a lackluster entry to the series. Still, it's better than "Downhill Jam." [Christmas 2007, p.86]

A clever idea that's a laugh with the right kind of music, but is too random to be anything other than an occasional curiosity. [Oct 2006, p.95]

A minor irritation. [June 2007, p.98]

All the natty Maria dialogue and realistic story threads can't disguise the fact that, at its core, Made Man is bland like breadsticks. [Dec 2006, p.81]

Too easy and too short but Shrek Superslam still manages to continue the current happy trend of film conversions - or in this case, "inspired bys" - that are less than terrible. [Jan 2006, p.107]

Thoughtful, strategic and neat, but you may get bored after a while. [Mar 2008, p.107]

If you can handle the mental strain, Ignition is worth a look but we wouldn't jump through flaming hoops to get it into our PS2. [Oct 2007, p.90]