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]

An unashamedly entertaining surprisingly strategic shooter. [Nov 2005, p.112]

A brilliant extension of the GTA series, and the new yardstick against which every future PSP title will be measured. [Christmas 2005, p.72]

Filled with neat innovations and bringing a real focus to its story-mode gameplay, The Sims 2 is the best console God sim yet. [Nov 2005, p.88]

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]

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]

While the racing is good rather than great, see it as just part of the game's charm and CTR makes for a fun family treasure box. [Apr 2006, p.100]

Huge and beautiful, but hopefully not as doomed as its beasts, Colossus deserves to sell ten times what "Ico" did. [Jan 2006, p.94]

This is not "Jak 4." It's just a kart racer, albeit a quality one with bags of online potential. [Dec 2005, p.106]

There's not quite enough freedom in the levels to find that perfect shot, but this is still a rewarding and enjoyably fresh sniper sim. [Nov 2006, p.135]

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]

Until there's an online PS2 poker game where you play with real money, games like this are an irrelevance in the face of the Internet gambling phenomenon. [Christmas 2005, p.108]

Fine, if slightly soulless. The corporate sheen makes us feel queasy, but there's no denying it's a playable, if simple, tie-in. [Apr 2006, p.113]

Closely in tune with the spirit of the DBZ universe, which must be brilliant for some gamers, but if that means nothing to you then neither will this game. [Dec 2005, p.124]

An enjoyable beat-'em-up that does the movie justice. But there's little more than a basic scrolling brawler under all the great ideas. [Nov 2005, p.84]

A variety of playable characters, extra moves, and a Risk-style campaign map do little to hide the fact that there's little more on offer here than an endless swarm of identi-soldiers to hammer. [Mar 2006, p.95]

Not an exceptional racer but enjoyable all the same, and certainly the least juvenile of the current crop of G-riders. [Nov 2006, p.137]

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

SSX still rules the snowboard scene, but On Tour fails to live up to its predecessors. [Nov 2005, p.95]

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]

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]

It's fast, it's fun and it looks amazing. [Christmas 2005, p.105]

A camera capable of making children vomit like lawn sprinklers. [Jan 2006, p.110]

In a hyphenated word: vomit-inducing. Unpleasant, explotative drivel aimed at girls who would almost certainly have more fun staring at a blank TV set. [Jan 2006, p.110]

A good idea lies somewhere in the middle of this wreck, tucked away behind the messy design and unenjoyable fighting system. Avoid like a debilitating disease. [Christmas 2005, p.106]

7/10 for the regular bits and a whole bonus point for the excellent Superstar Challenge. Happy dunking. [Christmas 2005, p.116]

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]

One of the best movie tie-ins you'll play. [Nov 2006, p.135]

Unfortunately, getting Frogger through his grid-based and danger-laced environment is about as snappy as email chess. [Mar 2006, p.99]

Addictive and action-packed, racking up combo kills creates a twist that will keep pulling you back in for just one more go. [Nov 2006, p.142]

A nice enough - but very brief - trip down memory lane, which would be a better value stripped down and bundled as an extra with a more modern game, or on PSP. [Dec 2005, p.124]

Hardcore, ultra-bloody, action-survival horror. [Jan 2007, p.106]

A brilliant adventure with more ideas in its little digital finger than some games manage in a whole disc. An essential purchase. [Dec 2005, p.108]

It just can't match the polish of Sony's "Smash Court." [Nov 2006, p.140]

An enjoyable update, but one that only the most ardent of fans will appreciate. [Dec 2005, p.128]

Still dry as hell and frustrating on occasions, but immensely playable nonetheless. A smart alternative to "Everybody's Golf." [Christmas 2005, p.105]

Solid, but nowhere near spectacular sim that will only satisfy B-ball fans who can appreciate its subtleties. The rest of us can only look on, slightly bemused. [Apr 2006, p.100]

The could've been stunning, but after a strong start, the story and missions descend into repetitive, formulaic play. [Nov 2005, p.92]

A pointless game with hardly anything going for it. It's hard to believe that this is from the same company that brought us "Metal Gear Solid" and "Pro Evo." A travesty. [Christmas 2005, p.108]

Stylish, cinematic reinvention of the point-and-click adventure. [Jan 2007, p.106]

With its horrible looks, non-existent gameplay and shallow controls, every possible effort should be made to avoid this. [Dec 2005, p.111]

A genius piece of eccentric gaming that's a hair's breath from being indespensible. Utterly entertaining from start to finish. [Feb 2006, p.100]

It's a strange and giant leap back to restrictive, basic gaming that becomes joyless rather quickly. Play "Onimusha" instead. [Nov 2005, p.123]

Too easy and without replays, the first Madden outing on PSP is a giant fumble. Hopefully next year's update will be better. [Christmas 2005, p.116]

A game that's forgotten it's about superheroes. They're supposed to be spectacular, aren't they? This isn't. [Dec 2005, p.111]

There are no massive revolutions since last year but this still easily retains its 'king of the swingers' crown. [Nov 2005, p.118]

With no back story and totally interchangeable characters, Frantix is as generic as puzzle games get. Challenging to be sure, but the lack of a killer hook cripples long term appeal. [Apr 2006, p.97]

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]

Reinventing Mortal Kombat was risky, but Shaolin Monks rams home the action with style, guts and excitement to spare. [Nov 2006, p.138]

If you're going to buy a PSP poker game, get the other one ("World Poker Tour"). [May 2006, p.95]

As accessible as a David Lynch film dubbed into Russian and probably about half as much fun, Nine Breaker might keep mech lovers happy, but it'll leave everyone else cold. [Apr 2006, p.98]

Faster-than-light and the best arcade racer in existence. [Jan 2007, p.106]

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]

Apparently, monks chant the same phrase hundreds of times to reach a meditative state. This is like that, but with puniching. [Feb 2006, p.102]

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]

Avoid it if you want "Ridge Racer"-style conventional racing, but this is an enjoyable part-racer, part-puzzler that's well-tailored to the PSP's strengths. [Apr 2006, p.97]

A respectable enough take on frozen hockey, with some off-the-wall but fun multiplayer modes thrown in foor good measure, but does anyone actually play these games? [Apr 2006, p.100]

Dull, lifeless, unexciting and other words for 'boring,' Rainbow Six: Lockdown is uninspired and not worth your cash. [Nov 2005, p.126]

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]

Another attempt to cash in on poker's current online renaissance. But with no cash and terrible graphics it's a bum-deal. [Apr 2006, p.108]

More niche than ostrich-whispering and not half as exciting - a beautiful rendition of a sport we can't bring ourselves to care about one little bit. [Nov 2005, p.116]

A decent retro package for folks who like that sort of thing. [Mar 2006, p.106]

Playing this retro collection will only make you realise how much the present day rocks. [Dec 2005, p.100]

Darkwatch has a few neat ideas but wins us over by doing solid shooting well. Fast-paced with cool guns, what's not to like? [Nov 2005, p.120]

This most creative follow-up shows off the EyeToy to full effect. [Jan 2007, p.106]

The fantasy sequences and overall visual style are truly a feast for the eyes, but this is little more than just a standard slash 'n' bash game in pretty clothing. [Christmas 2005, p.104]

What could have been an engaging effort has been spoiled by bland presentation, a cliched story and tedious gameplay. [Nov 2005, p.122]

Insane shooter with exploding zombies and schizophrenic killers. [Jan 2007, p.106]

Not even a crime-fighting dog can hide the fact that this is generic shooting with a wonky lock-on system. Distinctly average. [Apr 2006, p.97]

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

Hugely inventive, charming and funny. Psychonauts is a surprise hit and this year's star platformer. [Nov 2005, p.128]

A frustrating slog of an action RPG for solo gamers, Digimon World 4 gains a little pep in four-way multiplayer mode. But only just. [Nov 2005, p.129]

A lazy rehash. [Nov 2005, p.129]

Starts off well and features some decent strategizing, but is ultimately stifled by a poor script and some uninspired character design. [May 2006, p.95]

Guns, aliens and conspiracies make for a top-notch shooter. [Jan 2007, p.106]

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

Top stealth adventure, travelling the world to surprise terrorists. [Jan 2007, p.106]

Flaws such as button layout, poor targeting and matches that go on forever make this disappointingly average. [Nov 2006, p.155]

Heart-in-mouth joy from this frantic and bloody hack-fest. [Jan 2007, p.106]

A shoddy selection of oldies that could have been so much better. It's only rescued by "Space Harrier" and the still-superb "Columns." [Mar 2006, p.86]

Hideo Kojima might love it, but first-time monkey-wranglers will wonder what all the fuss is about. The original games are better. [Apr 2006, p.98]

Shooter with enough guns to satisfy the most trigger-happy soul. [Jan 2007, p.106]

An addictive take on both WW2 and squad-based shooters. [Jan 2007, p.106]

Steer monkeys in Perspex balls around courses in this arcade oddity. [Jan 2007, p.106]

Combat-heavy adventure with shooters and swords. [Jan 2007, p.106]

The original Playstation fighter beats its way back to top form. [Jan 2007, p.106]

Unsurpassed, automotive beauty. The best driving game on PS2. [Jan 2007, p.106]

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]

A historic blend of bloody action and stealth set in Roman times. [Jan 2007, p.106]

But no matter how many features they throw at it, there's little doubt that KOF is ready for the knacker's yard. [Mar 2006, p.106]

Enjoy all the fun of free-roaming warfare. And get paid for it! [Jan 2007, p.106]

The gameplay's hardly moved on in more than a decade, but simplicity is the key to Puyo Pop's appeal. An absorbing if not original addition to the handheld ranks. [June 2006, p.86]

Cartoon-style action adventure with great fighting controls. [Jan 2007, p.106]

A raggedy-ass pointless cash-in that offers little to anyone and stinks like a fat biker's leathers on a sunny day. [Dec 2005, p.124]

Shouldn't be fun, but it is. Playing for too long might turn you into a blood-thirsty hunting cretin though, so probably best avoided. [Jan 2006, p.106]

An interesting fusion of two very different game types - it's just a shame they've been cobbled together so crudely. [Jan 2006, p.112]

Sublime platform adventure and oodles of varied gameplay. [Jan 2007, p.106]