The only thing fantastic about Rise of the Silver Surfer is the record time you'll make travelling to the store to return it.

Upon venturing deeper into the game it is apparant that Codemasters have had to take a few shortcuts in making the game possible. The game is plagued by poor loading, average handling and really difficult opposition, that makes it seem like the game is warning you not to play it.

An excellent game for both hardcore strategy nuts and newcomers alike. An unassuming surface hides hours of ferociously addictive gameplay that's rivalled by few other titles.

Prince of Persia Classic ought to serve as a template for all future XBLA remakes. It had great potential but needed a little extra refinement to broaden its appeal.

While Call of Juarez isn’t without its flaws, it is still a remarkably enjoyable game.

Rainbow Six Vegas is a short but entertaining first-person shooter that will attract fans of the Tom Clancy games, but not much beyond that.

Monster Madness will make you tear your hair out in frustration before it bores you to death.

If you're a fan of Naruto, then Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 will float your boat. Non fans need not apply.

An enjoyable game. The Wii controls do bring the quality of the game down a little bit though.

The Tenchu series needs a series reinvention, but Z plays just well enough to warrant a look for anyone with a thirst for honourable blood.

Call of Juarez has a few flaws but is still a solid game that's recommended to those who want a shooter but are sick of killing Nazis.

Even though it is unlikely to appease veterans for very long, Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek is a more than serviceable adventure/mystery game.

As a change of pace, Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu works reasonably well, though still manages to stumble on some of the typical card-game pitfalls.

Splendid graphics can't overcome the game's steep learning curve, irritating gameplay elements and overwhelming sense of familiarity.

If you're a hardcore gamer, there are certainly better games to be spending your money on. If you have kids, or you're a fan of the movie, you could do worse, but the game likely won't keep you entertained for long.

Mad Tracks not only feels like a game that's designed to get as much money out of consumers as possible, it also lacks a real sense of speed and feels uninspired.

Just like the physics, the trained ear will noticed that all the engine noises are unique, and change with exhaust modifications. Not only that, but they sound just like the real thing, which will no doubt send motoring enthusiasts to their happy place.

Shadowrun is a decent multiplayer with a great idea that needed some more time to be fully utilised.

The only thing that barely saves this is that it's a four-player game with some light competitive play. Otherwise, it's eminently missable - wait for something better unless you absolutely must have a Wii-based four-player board game.

Crush is easily one of the PSP's best games, thanks largely to a fresh premise and highly addictive, brain-teasing gameplay.

Grand Phantasm isn't absolutely terrible, it’s just entirely bland.

Mortal Kombat Armageddon hasn't changed much in six months. There are a few new bonuses and executing moves is done different but the game is still very enjoyable.

Wartech: Senko no Ronde is a hard game to recommend to everyone due to its sheer lack of content but fans of this rare and dying genre should definitely check it out.

A huge collection of some of the toughest, chewiest, and most enjoyable crossword puzzles around.

Although Death Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom is by no means a bad game, it lacks an overall polish and a certain oomph to bring it in line with other DS games on the market.

If you’re a fan of Marvel Comics or the trading card game itself, then you’ll want to pick this title up. Others should keep in mind it takes a bit of patience to learn the basic rules.

There simply isn't enough in Naruto: Ninja Council, but only a select few who enjoy the multiplayer might be able to forgive this.

Combat can be repetitive and duels are boring. The game can be a lot of fun, the game just isn't as enjoyable as we'd hoped.

It's a shame that a decent IP has succumb to so much average, derivative, and plain boring gameplay.

Could this be the best game version of At World's End? Sure, but realistically that isn't too difficult. Good for a run-through.

The best retro compilation ever, even without many big names.

Shrek the Third is a typically generic movie tie-in. Children won't be fooled by the thin gameplay and been-there-done-that feel to the game.

While it definitely isn’t GOTY material, it’s a solid game that’s worth playing and offers strong value for money. As long as you don’t mind bad voice acting and a limited score.

The brilliant yet poorly-executed premise, the mediocre graphics, and the surprisingly relaxing music - all meld together to make a pretty strange game.

Driver 76 is nothing more than another generic attempt at a free-roaming action game with very little in the way of redeeming features.

It's not that Heatseeker is a horrible game; it just never aspires to be anything more than an average one.

Poor camera? Check. Boring Combat? Check. Movie tie-in? Check.

But we can safely say that even if you have the slightest interest in board games, it’s definitely worth the purchasing price, and we are definitely looking forward to some other big-name board games popping up on the Xbox Live Arcade in the future.

An average affair with only minor high points. There’s a big emphasis on explosions which gets old too quickly.

It's not outright broken, but is so bland and generic that unless you love the show it's not even worth playing, let alone buying.

Ultimate Board Game Collection is a decent game, but it's still a little bit overpriced for our liking.

Telltale must have added MSG to this game as we loved the taste but continue to wish we had some more.

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.

The Red Star, whilst not a title that is groundbreaking in any way, offers some incredibly fun gameplay and is definitely worth a second glance for those wanting some old-school style fun.

What Diamond and Pearl lack in core innovation, they make up for in finesse, refinement and an overall abundance of gameplay. An easy recommendation.

What Diamond and Pearl lack in core innovation, they make up for in finesse, refinement and an overall abundance of gameplay. An easy recommendation.

It’s easy to play, fun with friends and extremely addictive... and isn’t that what the Xbox Live Arcade is all about?

Valhalla Knights is quite possibly the least fun you'll have with a video game this year.

It's a mediocre N64 game in Dreamcast clothing on the PS2. It'll do OK for kids, but even platformer-loving adults should think twice before buying this. Play "Rayman 3" or "Mario Sunshine" again instead.

Super Paper Mario is a game that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be and while it’s enjoyable, it’s ultimately an unremarkable adventure.

As yet another uninspired victim of its now dated and unwelcome subject matter, Frontline: Fields of Thunder completely misses the bounds made in today’s PC real-time strategies.

Prince of Persia Rival Swords has gameplay that has been well translated for the PSP but is awfully dragged down by technical problems.

Even those who normally don't consider themselves fans of music games will enjoy Guitar Hero II, it's so easy to pick up and play yet so incredibly difficult to put down. An instant classic.

A thoroughly enjoyable game and had we not experienced the same campaign eighteen months ago Rival Swords would have been very easy to recommend. Even now the single player campaign holds up well, but the addition of Wii specific controls aren't enough to make this game an essential purchase.

Enchanted Arms does nothing that particularly stands out, and there are superior experiences to be had on inferior hardware.

Chocobo Tales is more than just a bunch of mini-games, but sadly this feather powered adventure lacks staying power.

Singstar Pop Hits is an okay title that suffers from an unlocalised soundtrack and a poor selection of songs. The game's still a lot of fun, but previous titles in the series are easier to recommend.

Although we’ve seen examples in the past where simple concepts have made great puzzle games, Honeycomb Beat just doesn’t go the distance to provide an exciting experience.

A great game for the PS3, but not a great port.

Meet the Robinsons showed a great amount of potential simply by the fact it had solid touch screen controls – a good sign for any movie licensed game on the DS. While it does have its moments, its short life span and lack of depth bring it down.

An impressive and enjoyable kids game. It has a few issues, but the campaign is fun and provides enough reason to come back to the game more than once.

Purr Pals is a great alternative to Nintendogs and is a game that is a lot of fun for kitten lovers.

Unlike "Supreme Commander," it isn’t a cerebral game - it's all about slaughtering your enemies by using gross, macro-level tactics. And, doing it all as fast as possible - if ever there was an arcade RTS, Command and Conquer is it. The main problem is that it doesn’t do anything new.

With little innovation and generic missions Medal of Honor Vanguard isn't a great addition to the franchise. Fans of WWII titles are best off looking elsewhere.

Virtua Tennis 3 is very similar to "World Tour," so the game is only really recommended for those who didn't pick up the first title on launch.

There needn’t be any hesitation to burn those points if you're still yearning for some more medieval madness, because the Shivering Isles adds even more incredible gameplay to an already stunning RPG formula.

Despite the familiarity, the slight improvements mean Ricky Ponting International Cricket 2007 is still at the top of the table. However, you should only get the PC version if you have no other choice.

It's amazing that a slightly buggy game that was originally slated for a 2003 release can provide such fantastic gaming. It's almost scary to think just how influential S.T.A.L.K.E.R. could have been, had it been released 3-4 years ago with completely polished code.

Virtua Tennis 3 might be a mere incremental upgrade, but it has almost everything one needs in a tennis game. Online play on the 360 version of the game is just the icing on the cake.

Our main complaint with Virtua Tennis 3 is the fact that Sega are happy to sit on their laurels and release a game that is very similar to its predecessor. However, they say that if it isn't broke then don't fix it, and Virtua Tennis 3 is definitely not broke.

An ambitious game that hasn't (yet) fulfilled its potential. There's brilliance here, but it's currently being smothered by technical issues and an unfortunately wobbly multiplayer component.

Almost scuppered by bugs but ultimately a compulsive gaming experience.

A class act, but those solo PlayStation 3 owners might be better served by the upcoming Game of the Year edition.

A fun, challenging and intense recreation of a classic franchise that's good in short bursts.

It's a nice idea, it's cute, and it's sometimes fun, but the lack of longevity and control problems mean it's just not worth it.

Even if its only purpose was to lure speed-hungry maniacs off our roads, thereby saving hundreds of lives each year, it still wouldn't be worth it.

A worthwhile addition to anyone’s DS collection. And if you love puzzle games, then you won’t be disappointed with Puzzle Quest.

Silverfall is not particularly a bad game, it just is not a groundbreaking game in a genre that has had several heavyweights that still shine to this very day. The game has a handful of irritating bugs that you would typically never see in other games, and ultimately hurts the final product. There is still plenty of enjoyment to be found with Silverfall though.

Earth Defence Force 2017 might be a little rough around the edges, but it offers non-stop action on a breathtaking scale.

It’s a little rough around the edges and there’s not much in the way of variety here, but what it does do it does well.

TMNT's pitiful difficulty and technical shortcomings overshadow some solid platforming action.

While not very different or revolutionary, Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2 provides the fans with what they want. Plenty of DBZ and some solid but enjoyable fighting action.

Even with the backing of HC Andersen characters, the game fails to excel pass preexisting point-and-click adventure games.

While Lost in Blue 2 comes across as a carbon clone of its faulty predecessor, its small negligible improvements may prove intriguing to discerningly patient fans of the series.

Theme Park on the DS is essentially just a port, but the game has aged well and is still a fantastic title for those who like sim games.

TMNT for the Game Boy Advance is a fantastic game that utilises the TMNT license in a great way. The game includes bosses from the film and is a fantastic demonstration of how to release a solid game based on a movie.

Custom Robo Arena overall is a fun and addictive mech combat game that really works well on the Nintendo DS, making it a worthwhile purchase for owners of the system.

Arguably a better game than its predecessor in every way. Level design is more intelligent, puzzles require more thought, and the boss battles are more cinematic than ever before. In terms of the storyline, the first game has the edge.

A valiant effort for what it is, but still falls short in terms of control and level design. But if you absolutely must have your World War II fix on the go, you could do worse.

Rocky Balboa is a good boxing game and a fitting commemoration for the franchise, but there just isn't quite enough here.

Excellent gameplay and an amazing level of detail should make those who enjoy flight sims giddy (and may even convert a few that aren't into amateur flyboys).

Spectrobes is a great beginning for Disney Interactive's new IP - it's clear this is only the tip of the iceberg for the franchise. Spectrobes comes highly recommended.

Burnout Dominator is a good game at heart, but feels quite stale when compared to its predecessors.

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.

Uno Free Fall is a decent budget priced Game Boy Advance puzzle game. It may not be as fun as actual Uno, but it's easy to pick up and play.

Although it may not be without its problems, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is still an incredibly fun and highly recommended experience.

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.

The very mention of Sherlock Holmes is enough to award some merit, and the gameplay isn't half bad either. Players thirsty for a classic adventure should give it a shot.