Once past the impressive introduction, it's a downward spiral into a mediocre experience.

While there are worse things to do on your morning commute, there are other, potentially more viable ways, of getting what Hot Brain has to offer.

Unfortunately the battles just feel small and scaled back in this game.

From the evocative set-up to the satisfaction of stealing enemies move, those with an open mind and lenient expectation are likely to find a cool title that is perfect to fill the gaps between big releases.

Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species adds a lot of items but not enough to the game itself. However, it's a good option for those fascinated by exotic animals and/or loved the original concept.

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.

Micro Machines v4 isn't the triumphant return to glory that we were hoping for, but a generic top-down racing game that's probably only going to appeal to retro fans who have been craving anything Micro Machines-related for a while now.

As a single-player game Tiberian Twilight is a complete failure, though multiplayer is somewhat redeeming. Though long-term fans of the franchise would do better to crack out one of the older titles and reminisce over the series' glory days.

Definitely enjoyable in its own way, but a camera that can't keep pace with the action and dated visuals means that this is one for fans of the series only.

A far cry from the quality we've come to expect from the series over the years.

While it isn’t the perfect Spyro game, it still manages to be a decent and enjoyable action title. Sadly, repetitive gameplay and a short lifespan hurt a lot of its overall quality.

Academy of Champions Soccer competent soccer game that will instantly appeal to children. The lengthy story mode and simply gameplay design means it should be enjoyable to some degree for most players.

Cold War seems to lack the two main components that are crucial to a stealth/espionage game - a solid narrative and a competent stealth system. Combine that with a short overall length, and you've got no real reason to play it.

Ultimately, Worms: Open Warfare feels really undercooked. Everybody knows that there’s potential for a good Worms game on the DS – you’ve got the Wi-Fi online play, stylus allowing for mouse-like precision and all of that jazz, but Open Warfare doesn’t exactly make good use of any of these features. Regardless of that, the biggest insult is that the title can’t even hold up against its ageing predecessors – it really feels like the product was slapped together and shipped out as cheaply as possible.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon may be a reasonably competent game given its budget roots, but somehow ends up being rather unsatisfying to play.

Few franchise titles in recent memory have failed to deliver on their inherent promise in so spectacular a fashion. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is a scant, uninspired action adventure which never properly captures the magic of that galaxy far, far away.

FIFA Street 3 would be a great game if it could manage to find some depth. As it is, the game is immediately pleasing, but runs out of puff too quickly, especially in solo play.

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.

NBA 08 does some things wrong, and some things right. It offers enough differences from other NBA titles to warrant a look, and in what is already a crowded genre, at least that's something.

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines is a good title that rides nicely on its predecessor's coat tails, but is let down by a lack of polish and evolution.

Super Monkey Ball Touch and Roll isn't a great game, but if you can work your way around the controls there is plenty to like.

A solid but basic package of poker.

Triggerheart: Exelica is a good little shooter that's held back by a lack of value for anyone other than the hardcore.

Calling Maths Training a game could be stretching it a little, but anyone who needs to brush up on their maths skills or enjoys the idea of small daily maths quizzes will get a lot of value out of this game.

Exactly the title that you would expect, whilst the game isn't likely to be a system seller it does offer some 1000 Sudoku puzzles and the multiplayer is a handy inclusion that sets this game apart from all the other Sudoku games out there; although it is disappointing that the gameshare feature is heavily under utilised.

An incredibly simple platformer that most people will find entirely too basic and boring.

As a fighting game Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble just isn't that enjoyable. In the transition to the PSP the game really hasn't changed from the GameCube version. It's an advantage being able to play the game on the run - the game can be a lot of fun in short bursts - but it's disappointing that the developers didn't really make any improvements to the gameplay with the extra development time enjoyed by the PSP version.

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

Red Steel is an achievement both in its own extremely playable right, but also as a benchmark that other developers must meet - and hopefully exceed.

SOCOM: Confrontation feels unfinished and unpolished, and could have been a whole lot more with a few extra coats of paint.

Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is a well-made 3D action RPG, but unfortunately, it ends up feeling like a poor man's Dragon Quest IX.

The game just feels so dull and a real letdown considering the game’s amazing detail and depth.

There is plenty of content in the game, but the difficulty level and average controls may mean that most people don't see all that the game has to offer.

It's ultra-realistic, and terribly serious. But so long as you know what you're letting yourself in for, and can invest the effort required, it should keep you glued for some time.

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

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

A unique experience that improves upon the original in almost every way, but the excitement of the story is washed down by limited content.

With some interesting and fun gameplay ideas, Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War is worth playing for fans of this style of game. Unfortunately, its undeniable flaws will keep it from becoming the success it could have been.

Feels like a game with a lot of wasted potential. There are emulation issues and the game takes a long time to get into.

Confusingly caught between the world of arcade and simulation, Shaun White Snowboarding provides a competent look at the snowboarding genre that will draw you in for a couple of hours, but won't compel you to stay on the mountain.

Although a few hiccups are met along the way in the form of the touch screen elements, gameplay remains solid enough to keep you playing until the end. Multiplayer is the game’s saving grace.

It's a missed opportunity weighed down by cumbersome and lacklustre design. The multiplayer provides some fun, but with Mario Kart on it's way, it's worth neither the hassle or expense.

The King of Fighters XII is a brilliant fighting game at the core, courtesy of its fantastic new graphics engine and a solid 2D combat mechanics but the home version really could have been so much more.

A very solid title for anybody with an interest in superbikes, SBK-08 makes a good debut on the current generation, despite perhaps being a little too complicated for the majority of gamers out there.

Revenge of the Fallen is just a competent third-person shooter, with bland presentation, a fun multiplayer mode and some cool unlockables.

Fracture offers action fans something new, but unfortunately, it suffers from the same problems seen in countless other third-person shooters.

Given the music quality and selection, it's a shame that Michael Jackson: The Experience is a little too demanding for the audience that it's aimed at.

The "fans only" moniker is an awfully clichéd one, but players of Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles should not experience it any other way.

It fails in most areas due to its ordinary graphics, stupid A.I, and boring level design.

MotoGP 07's sheer lack of content is offensive, given the asking price.

A bit of disappointment for Dynasty Warriors fans and newcomers alike. A great deal of potential has been wasted.

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.

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.

As a first attempt, TNA Impact! is a fun yet incredibly shallow showing for the little-wrestling-company-that-could. While the foundations are there for a potentially awesome sequel, this debut could definitely have used a bit more time in training.

Mystery Dungeon is far from being a poor game by any standards, it’s just a game that makes terrible choices that limit its appeal greatly.

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.

If you can get past the potential motion sickness, you've got a simple but lengthy and engrossing adventure with Marathon: Durandal.

An okay platforming game that provides some adequete platforming entertainment. Everything in the game has that same "been there done that" feeling, but as the game doesn't have any major flaws fans of the film and small children may find some fun in the game.

While the PS2 port of Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters isn’t a bad game, it is still the worst game in the series and doesn’t live up to its predecessors. Probably best for die-hard fans only.

24 lacks the focus and innovation to make it stand out from the crowd, and is yet more proof that throwing as many ingredients into the pot as possible rarely yields favourable results.

Rumble Roses XX seems to be more of an exercise in voyeurism for young teenage boys than a serious wrestling game.

Empires is an enjoyable game, but we'd like to see it become part of the main game, rather than continue to be a standalone add-on pack.

The Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection is a package that will truly inspire nostalgia, for better or for worse.

A more enjoyable game than its predecessor and a fun game for kids.

But those wanting an action/adventure game that offers all the elements needed to create the perfect adventure title will be sadly disappointed.

Divinity 2 proves to be a lacklustre by-the-numbers fantasy title marred by a host of technical hiccups on the Xbox 360.

The first legitimate contender that Pivotal has released to date.

New Zealand Story Revolution is still an enjoyable game, but the touch screen controls drag the quality down severely, if you just want to play the original game then it may be worth hunting down Taito Legends.

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

Blacksite: Area 51 is reasonable first-person shooter that looks quite nice. However, its short length and lack of ingenuity will keep most away until it hits the bargain bin.

Escape from Paradise City tries to bring the RTS and RPG together, but a breakdown in the marriage is caused by a poor interface, lousy AI and a lack of gameplay balance.

If you're looking for a straightforward World War II-themed aerial combat game, Heroes Over Europe is worth a look. While competent, there are better flying titles worth your attention.

PixelJunk Racers is a basic game, not basic in the sense that it's easy to pick the game up (but it is) but basic in the sense that the game can be a little bit too boring.

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.

Make no bones about it, Splatterhouse is a worthwhile successor to its retro counterparts and a worthy addition to the ever-expanding action genre.

A good choice for those looking for a Pool game, especially on the Xbox where there is no Pool Paradise. In fact, this game has a few things that Archer Maclean's title doesn't.

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

A solid, competent rehash of aging material that has moments of excitement scattered sparsely through an otherwise middling experience.

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.

Unless you’re a fan of the anime, then you need not apply yourself to Dinosaur King. Battles occur too frequently, the combat system uses a questionable adaptation of Rock, Paper, Scissors, and the fossil-cleaning mini-game gets repetitive far too quickly. The game is simply a missed opportunity.

It doesn't use the 3DS's technology too well and the price is steep given the features of the package, but underneath that, Rayman 3D is still a fun little platformer, if somewhat dated.

It's by no means perfect, but Lord of the Rings: War in the North is still one of the better games to come out of the franchise, particularly if you play co-op. If you've been missing middle earth you're bound to get some enjoyment, just be prepared for it to be a little rough around the edges.

Shaun White Skateboarding isn't worthy of your time, your patience or most importantly - your money.

Despite some clever uses of the Move controller, Medieval Moves is let down by its low difficulty and at times shoddy presentation.

A reasonable boxing title that just arrived too late - slightly dated mechanics, graphical problems and those lengthy cutscenes really hold things back.

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes brings nothing new to the hack-and-slash table, nor does it improve on any of the genre's typical features.

A decent, variable and exciting action game and fans of Star Wars have a game that won’t leave them cringing.

Very similar to its predecessors, that is that it isn't exactly challenging and it won't remain a memorable game, but whilst it lasts it is a decent kids game, and that's who 90% of the audience playing the game will be.

While fans of the original and people who are intrigued by the ins-and-outs of rising in a social ladder will enjoy the game, there isn’t enough to grab newcomer’s attention, and everything does become quite overwhelming at times.

A vanilla-flavoured action title that has some fun moments and is better than the average movie-to-game title. However at just five-hours long and with little incentive for multiple playthroughs, it offers poor value for your hard earned gaming dollar.

Without a doubt one of the most surprising games of the year. If you're a fan of the show or the Desperate Housewives television show then the game comes highly recommended.

It really is just more of the same, and we don't like playing games that are feel familiar when they quickly become tiresome.

It's a soccer trivia game, no more and no less. It's aimed at hardcore soccer fans, but we're pretty sure hardcore soccer fans would rather be playing the likes of FIFA.

A major disappointment, considering the game has been in development for so long we definitely had some high hopes for the game, but unfortunately the title just isn't that impressive.

The controls aren't the only problem though, the linear gameplay, poor story and repetitive levels really bog this game down.

A zombie of the original. Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop apes the genuine article and offers a little fun, but there's not much vitality behind its glassy stare and whatever spirit it once possessed has long since departed.

Just a quick cash-in designed to appeal to those who once held the Namco collections in high regard. This is one of the worst compilation titles released in recent years.

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game had everything it needed to be a great game, but a poor execution leaves us with a bloated fetch quest.