Donkey Kong Country Returns represents the apex of 2D platformer design, not just in reviving mechanics we're all familiar with, but reinventing them for a new generation.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie wraps up the 'Nintendo DS remake trilogy' by being the best one yet. Absolutely anyone will enjoy this top-quality role-playing game, so go and experience this 'proper' Japanese RPG for yourself.

A groundbreaking achievement for portable games. The biggest, the best, and the most engaging title available on PSP.

Despite AI-related complaints and the lack of an online mode, it’s with great ease that Virtua Fighter 5 can be declared the greatest 3D fighting game ever created. Its depth is unparalleled, and the diversity of its fighting styles overwhelming (in a good way).

A few niggling gameplay elements can't keep Amnesia from succeeding in what it set out to do – offering players a true survival horror experience. If you're looking for a different horror game, Amnesia is for you. Just don't sleep with your lights off afterwards.

Bold, fun, unapologetically arcadey and oh-so-lovely to look at, OutRun 2006 deserves a prized spot in the collection of any discerning gamer. The best racer of 2006 so far.

Dragon Age: Origins is a fantastic and amazingly deep RPG that just keeps on giving. A game that is guaranteed to give you your money’s worth.

The Forge and Theatre modes redefine what it is to make a game "for the fans", as they are substantial and influential additions to the game and have the potential to build Halo 3 even further then it has ever been before.

Super Scribblenauts fixes just about everything that was wrong in the first game, and offers a wonderful gaming experience that we wish there was more of.

DiRT 3 is the best racer since Forza in 2009, and we can't think of greater praise.

Forza 4 impresses for not only providing a beautiful, solid and deep racing experience, but making it fun and accessible for any car enthusiast or newcomer.

Something else that could have people reaching for the eject button is the sheer number of races and license tests required to complete the game. Loading up the Race menu to be greeted with seemingly hundreds of races, including massively long endurance races, is extremely daunting at times.

One of the better experiences of 2007 and one of the few to genuinely deliver something of a 'new' experience.

Despite not straying far from the proven template, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks has genuine improvements over its predecessor and shows that the series is still the king of adventure puzzlers, console or handheld.

The most accurately detailed sporting video game on the planet at this time. Make no mistake, NBA 2K11 is where amazing happens.

A spectacle of sights and scores. Treasure has committed the best of sins to ascend to shoot 'em up heaven. Why not join them?

If, however, you're new to MMORPGs, found World of Warcraft too generic and boring, or found that it required too much time investment, you could do far worse than giving Lord of the Rings Online a shot.

Refreshingly different, packed full of options and technically polished in every area. Along with "Advance Wars," it’s a must own title for all DS owners.

Dawn of War was, and still is, a superb real-time strategy experience, and Dark Crusade only adds to what is probably one of the best sci-fi RTS series to date.

The graphics in this virtual world are amazing. The characters are rendered beautifuliy, and they move and interact with the environment perfectly. The system requirements for this game is low but the graphics are still spectacular.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is one of the most dense, addictive and compelling role playing games you can find on the Nintendo DS.

Multiplayer, both competitive and co-operative, has been genuinely improved and provides an exciting alternative for PlayStation 3 owners. At the end of the day, for what it lacks in complexity, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception makes up for it in spades in delivering thrill and adventure.

Remarkably, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars as fleshed out as it could possibly be. Simply, it does what many DS and PSP games that originated on the consoles have failed to do. It provides the experience of the GTA console games while smartly catering for the platform, both in terms of portability and functionality.

Polished, addictive, imaginative, and fun.

A title that is both retro and refreshing and ever so polished, Cave Story is not to be missed by anybody.

Braid is the unique gaming experience that the critical press always cries out for and tells us to get so that more can be made.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas returns the series to form with one of the most innovative, fresh, intense and enjoyable experiences that you can have with a console shooter.

Super Street Fighter IV is not just some money-grubbing upgrade, it's a revamp and re-energisation of a fantastic game. Must buy for anyone even considering it.

While some may find retrying certain sections repeatedly due to some of the puzzles being genuinely challenging a little bit annoying, the entire game is so compelling that you'll more than likely just be more inspired to give it another go when you happen to make a mistake.

As a signpost to the potentially thrilling future of videogaming and an experience like no other title before it, it's almost unquestionably a ten.

A brilliantly crafted, imaginatively realised and totally engrossing independent game.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a wonderful combination of style and substance that will keep gamers entralled for hours.

Dead Space is easily the most atmospherically intense, genuinely scary and well-built survival horror experience of this current generation.

Sly Trilogy is a slick compendium of three of the most elegant and charming platforming titles of modern times, resulting in a near-faultless package which stands testament to the joys of the most ancient and revered of genres.

Despite a steep learning curve for newcomers and the odd disappointing feature, Fight Night Round 4 is the ultimate boxing game and one that revels in both the skill and brutality of the Sport of Kings.

Approachable controls, film-like cut-scenes and great graphics make Syphon Filter Logan's Shadow one of the best PSP games of 2007.

BioWare have not only built up a fascinating, rich universe, they've made another fantastic game in which you get to be a part of it. A masterful piece of video game storytelling and a great action RPG to boot.

Forza 3 is close to the complete racing game package. It's got the sheer volume of content in terms of cars, tracks and options, a deep and very lengthy single player mode, a creative, thriving online community, and it successfully balances casual and hardcore appeal. Forza 3 may not look the best or sound the best, but it races the best.

Demigod shines brightest in its multiplayer, and rarely stops shining. A must for RTS fans and something to look into for multiplayer junkies.

If you've got the PC for it, you must buy The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, as it is not only an incredible experience but one of the best RPGs ever made.

One of the finest games of this generation and one of the best single player FPS's ever created.

Wrath of the Lich King is an epic gaming experience that will suck you in and never let go. A must for WoW veterans.

Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 reminds us why the service is called Xbox Live Arcade, offering up an old school high score chasing extravaganza that's more addictive, varied and even better looking than its predecessor.

Flower is not only a breath of fresh air, but a gust of glorious wind on which your spirit will soar. This is a work of art, a quiet classic, and a game which will be remembered and discussed in reverent tones for years to come.

Excellent presentation, compelling story and gameplay and value for money, Professor Layton and the Last Spectre is both a fitting sendoff for the DS and a great new beginning for the Layton series.

The seamless way in which the DJs react to the in-game environment, and from an intertextual standpoint, merge better with the player's situation far more effectively than in the previous games is just inspiring.

The definitive PSP gaming experience.

You have a straight-forward yet remarkably compelling story to follow, an ambitious and vast landscape full of discovery and extra tasks that complement the main game without taking away from it.

The whole cross-com idea, while a reasonably good addition in the single player mode, is an invaluable addition to the multiplayer. Combined with the use of the marker system, communication has never been easier making it the best multiplayer game on the machine currently.

This is the superlative iteration of an undisputed masterpiece. The core game is so funny, charming and entertaining that any minor flaws in its presentation barely register.

Batman: Arkham Asylum successfully blends action, stealth and the Batman universe to create what is arguably the best comic book game ever made. Don't miss it.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile goes straight for the jugular, rips out the voice box and releases a deafening roar. Why? Because it can, and because it's awesome.

Not only is this title many times better than the original, it offers one of the best and fulfilling experiences for the Game Boy Advance.

The single-player mash-up of RTS and RPG elements works really well, and the multiplayer is fast and exciting. Relic's reinvention of the Dawn of War brand is a breath of fresh (or possibly fetid, Tyranid infested) air.

L.A. Noire superbly reproduces classic film noir, and combines great new gameplay ideas with groundbreaking technology and smart designs.

The best real-time strategy for a long time. If you have been searching for a real-time strategy game your search is over, whether you are a Warhammer 40,000 fan or not.

Not only one of the best looking PlayStation 3 games, it's incredibly enjoyable, with some excellent weapons and some brilliant action set pieces.

The work done on the mini games has been great - the fact that they are no longer timed is brilliant, although this can lead to physical exhaustion for the unfit among us.

Eternal Sonata offers a unique blend of beautiful scenery and surprisingly tactical combat to create one of the better RPG's that we've seen over the past few years. This is definitely worth a crack for hardcore and casual RPG fans alike.

The additions of the Party Mode and Dream Team Mode, along with the actual gameplay tweaks are enough to make this the strongest hockey title ever.

The story of Kingdom Hearts gets more and more complicated, but the gameplay gets better and better. Birth By Sleep plays extremely well for a PSP game, and has plenty of fun, depth and variety.

Regardless of the clear setbacks and lack of evolution, this is still one of the finest titles available for the Xbox 360. If you don't like tactical shooting, the GRAW series will change your mind. It's that good.

If your PSP has been gathering dust in the corner for some time, it's time to dust it off, grab a copy of Crisis Core and experience one of the truly great titles to ever grace the PSP.

Fallout: New Vegas gets off to a slow start, and the engine is showing its age. Nonetheless, it's extremely addictive and immensely rewarding for those willing to put in the time to see all the Mojave Wasteland has to offer.

Resistance Retribution combines winning gameplay with a rollercoaster-ride of a campaign, and adds a bunch of replay value in to boot.

One of the best racing games of 2005. It feels so polished and the presentation is really high class.

Retaining the classic role-playing and battle systems, Pokemon Black and White is treat for players old and new, with an engaging and lengthy adventure and countless new Pokemon to catch.

While it maintains the atmosphere of the original title, the silly sci-fi twist of the second half of the game prevents it from reaching the white-knuckled heights of atmospheric tension that Condemned: Criminal Origins thrived on.

Retaining the classic role-playing and battle systems, Pokemon Black and White is treat for players old and new, with an engaging and lengthy adventure and countless new Pokemon to catch.

One of the flagship titles for the PSP, and it shows the system off beautifully, the graphics and the gameplay combining to make this the greatest Ridge Racer title yet.

The best GTA experience and the best open-ended console gameplay experience you can have offline.

Mass Effect might be shovelled into an ill-fitting RPG suit with a few loose threads and unsightly stains, but if you stand back and squint, it's still a damn sight better than what everyone else is wearing.

Nintendogs is packed full of quality throughout and it’s always nice to see something so refreshingly different in a world overwhelmed with FPSs and sports games. Highly recommended.

An absolute blast to play through alone or with a mate, Saints Row 2 is quite simply a must purchase for anybody that is looking for a bloody good time. And isn't that what we're all really looking for?

Stacking is a delightful little game with a fantastically original premise that truly deserves to be played by everyone.

Worms 2: Armageddon is a worthy follow-up to 2007's Worms. With an improved online infrastructure, new vertical levels and a variety of gameplay options, the game will keep you entertained for a long time.

Through the tears of frustration and joy, you'll find that Devil May Cry 4 is the premier action game so far in the HD generation.

With quite a bit to unlock and more to download off of the net, this is a completionist's paradise. Though some may eventually baulk at the higher challenges, and some may tire of the slight lack of variety, multiplayer only makes the final package stronger.

One of the most refreshing RPG games for quite some time. A number of shortcomings only slightly hurt the usually spectacular game. It’s a tough cookie, and one that fans of older RPG games will adore.

By anticipating Final Fantasy XII as the greatest RPG ever made, there may be many harsh instances of disappointment. If you feel up to the massive challenge of appreciating this radical RPG, Final Fantasy XII will astound and mesmerise the heart and soul.

Crysis Warhead is a visual tour de force, an excellent shooter and, for the price, well worth purchasing.

The last chapter is also the best, rounding out Telltale's most enjoyable episodic series to date.

Despite some niggling imperfections, Tekken 6 is the best entry yet in the series and certainly worth your fighting game dollar.

If you loved the first then this is a must. As for everyone else who still hasn’t experienced Titan Quest, now is a better time than ever. An excellent expansion to an excellent game.

They Stole Max's Brain! is another superb episode, with a great twist.

If you are yet to be hooked in by coloured pegs and unicorns found in Peggle, it's time to feel the extreme fever and grab a copy today.

This could be the game that convinces you to take the "Mario Kart" cartridge out of your DS. Metroid fans will love it. Pinball fans will love it.

It’s short, but it’s cheap and gives amazing value for money. Most Half-Life fans will want to replay the game a second time to hear the additional commentary track; and to be honest, a good, condensed 4-6 hours of action at a budget price beats out a drawn-out, full price game any day of the week.

A great portable action game and a fine portable distraction until the real deal comes around.

Raskulls is a title that is sure to amuse and entertain for hours on end, with excellent gameplay and a degree of polish that could very well rank it up there among the best Xbox Live Arcade games.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more engaging or enjoyable game of this kind. Not unless you dig through back to the SNES days.

A benchmark in downloadable content, even with all of its launch issues around online multiplayer.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift is a fantastic sequel to BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger, and it's easily one of the best fighting games of this console generation.

Mario vs Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem is an impressive entry into the platform puzzling genre on the DS and a fantastic follow-up to previous entries in the series.

Whether you're an old-school trainer or a newbie to the world of Pokémon, you'll be hard pressed to find a portable role-playing experience as engrossing as Pokémon: Heart Gold/Soul Silver.

Whilst Virtua Tennis: World Tour isn't exactly a new game, it's bloody good fun, and even better in wi-fi mode. One of the games of the [Australian] PSP launch.

Professor Layton and Pandora's Box is a challenging, charming and unmissable adventure.

Pure is a fantastic off road racer and a brilliant arcade title. It's rough, it's filthy and the races are never clean, but we love it anyway.