What Boom Blox does feature is simple, old-fashioned fun.

Despite not changing much from its popular predecessor, Resident Evil 5 is still an incredibly entertaining, very immersive and intense action title. A solid debut for the franchise on the current generation.

Minor blemishes of challenge and length on an otherwise sharply crafted blade, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is nevertheless a solidly designed DS title.

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.

Dragon Quest: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is among the best Japanese RPGs ever created. RPG fans should not miss this classic.

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

It's bigger, better and happier. Let a little LocoRoco love into your life and you'll never regret it.

A brave step in a new direction for the series. It won’t please everyone, but Final Fantasy XIII succeeds where it counts.

Brilliant visual flair and charm that make Paper Mario a treat to watch. Almost like watching a Mario cartoon.

So while it doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary (well, in comparison to the rest of the series), it delivers what it needs to and does with distinction. It's marginally a better game than the original, but it doesn't have the advantage of being the series' return to form. Still, if you're a WipEout fan or someone who's after an adrenaline and challenge packed racer, then WipEout Pulse astutely fits the bill.

Shogun 2: Total War is a great addition to the Total War series, and is definitely one to pick up if you're a fan of Sengoku-era games, or have the slightest interest in RTS titles.

Jungle Beat's only main fault is its length... for people who simply want to play it from start to finish they're going to feel a little short changed as you'll see the end credits in only about 3-4hrs.

Fable has its fair share of problems – the length of the main story, primarily – but it has so many fun and unique elements that will draw you deep into the world of Albion you can't help but love it.

Fight Night: Round 2 claims the title of best boxing game, but still has some distance to travel before being truly great.

It may not be that complex and it might feel a bit weary towards the end. However, this combination of Rockstar experience and a fantastic license has given the gaming community one of the best 3-D beat'em ups ever made.

Pokemon Fire Red and Pokemon Leaf Green are two magnificent games that pull off an amazing remake of two of the greatest titles in the franchise, however, I felt that there was a lot of room for improvement.

Singstar for the PlayStation 3 isn't fundamentally different from its predecessors but there is very little left to change for the franchise. With a great soundtrack and some long overdue online features, Singstar is a great continuation of the series.

Great in every regard. Better than the first game in every concievable way, and a strong recommendation for those even simply curious about the story of Kingdom Hearts.

Star Wars Empire at War is the RTS Star Wars fans have been waiting for. Not only will those that loved the movies be impressed, but the game also offers a great deal of engaging play that should please any fan of the genre.

Battlefield: Bad Company's legacy will most definitely be its satisfying use of tactical destruction. The single player campaign is good but not great, but it's multiplayer provides some of the best action that money can buy.

It's not without some flaws, but Dirt 2 is a worthy follow-up to its predecessor and, perhaps more importantly, a worthy tribute to Mr McRae himself.

If you, like us, have a deep nostalgic passion for adventure games, you will adore Lost Horizon. It knows exactly what it is and what it's meant to do, and while there are few surprises, it's a terrific ride.

Whether you bleed for all things Battlefield or are just a gamer after a moderately priced casual shooter that is fun to pick up and play, you can't go past the entertaining gameplay of Battlefield 1943.

While it arrives with a meagre number of campaigns to play through, the edge of your seat gameplay and team-based focus of the title make Left 4 Dead the most comprehensive co-op title on the market at this time.

An unquestionable downloadable gem, Dungeon Defenders is a truly refreshing experience amongst a market dominated by whizzing bullets and big explosions. Just make sure you play it with some friends.

In two years the game has evolved from being a shallow linear platformer to a lengthy, creative and mesmorising title.

While the game still needs some patching, and is unfortunately not DoD as we know it, this is still an absolutely fantastic package; those after a new multiplayer shooter can’t really go wrong with this one. Oh, and expect this score to go up over time as Valve patches out various problems.

Saints Row: The Third takes everything your teenage self found awesome and distills it into a single, outrageous game.

de Blob is an undeniably infectious game. On all fronts, the game is polished and high quality, making it one of the best third-party titles available for the Wii.

Viva Pinata reminds everyone how great a game can be with just a little imagination and the technical prowess to bring it to life. A truly excellent effort from Rare in all regards.

Taken off its pedestal and with all the hype and expectation dusted away, Chrono Trigger provides one of the most unique and entertaining adventures available on the DS.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the definitive modern Ninja Gaiden version and one of the top action games currently available.

Still as life-draining as the original. It'll suck you in for hours upon hours, only to let you go when you need to have a toilet break.

Torchlight is a lovingly crafted and polished action-RPG that is an absolute must for any fans of the genre, and well worth looking into from anyone else even vaguely interested.

DJ Hero is a very fun music game, with great music and a decent amount of challenge. Personal taste in music may keep some away, but for those that do try it there is plenty to like here.

Mafia II is a superbly told, mature and adult game that will entertain, shock and blow you away time and time again.

Though not quite living up to its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is undoubtedly one of the best games of the holiday season. With an epic single-player, challenging and entertaining Spec Ops mode and greatly improved multiplayer, Modern Warfare 2 is a call that should not go unanswered.

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.

Gears of War 2 is one of the most intense and viscerally enjoyable and sensually appealing gaming experiences that you'll likely have this holiday season.

Chaos Rising is a lovingly crafted and highly entertaining stand alone expansion with a whole lot of content and a boatload of Chaos.

Overall, while Need for Speed Shift appears to be aiming at providing a simulation-racing experience, it obviously hasn't forgotten about the series' core fan-base, making a game that can be enjoyed by just about any kind of racing game fan.

Puts pretty much everything into place with a great conclusion to the story and some of the best platforming action of the generation.

There's still room for improvement, but as it stands, Top Spin 4 is the most proficient tennis game of this generation.

The new additions truly add to the experience and create a fairly satisfying RTS experience.

For those who haven't already been down to Rapture, Bioshock is an experience not to be missed.

One of the best games on the PSP. It's a step up from Vice City and little enhancements make the game a thoroughly enjoyable portable title.

Pokemon Fire Red and Pokemon Leaf Green are two magnificent games that pull off an amazing remake of two of the greatest titles in the franchise, however, I felt that there was a lot of room for improvement.

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix could be the best Tony Hawk game ever, but we can't help but feel that the series has reached its peak now.

Skate is a game that really captures the feel of skating.

The last guy's sum is far greater than its rather simplistic parts, offering up yet another fun and entirely unique game for the PSN service.

Test Drive Unlimited breathes quality in almost every area and is arguably one of the biggest surprises of the year.

It's a good game brought a hair's width short of being great due to a handful of oversights.

Classic platformer gaming that will have you reliving the glory days of the N64 console. Whether you're a fan or a newcomer, there's little reason why you shouldn't purchase the XBLA port of Banjo-Tooie.

MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is the best arcade racer to hit the PSP platform, and is a fine addition to the already quality franchise that was born on the PS3.

Burnout Paradise isn't a typical update, but the decision to move the game to an open world can generally be considered a good one. There are still a few annoying flaws (the lack of a try again option, the less enjoyable crash options) but the great presentation, incredible online implementation and wealth of things to do in Paradise City will please even the most cynical Burnout fan.

Rez on the XBLA is a one-of-a-kind experience, and while it doesn't have a remarkably wide appeal, those who 'get it' will be much better off for playing it.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 doesn't completely revolutionise the genre of wrestling games, but it certainly has enough new tricks and improvements to make it one of the most compelling additions to the series in some time.

NBA 2K10 manages to improve many facets of its game over its predecessor, showing that this franchise is not willing to give up its all-star status anytime soon.

Excellent. A game that you must play at all costs. One or two concerns, but otherwise great.

Rare took a huge risk by giving the franchise a new direction, but thankfully it paid off. Nuts & Bolts is easily one of their best titles in recent years.

It's not quite the complete package that "Chaos Theory" was, but it deserves credit for trying something a bit different this time around, even if the changes weren’t entirely successful ones. Few games recreate the sense of tension the way that the Splinter Cell games do, and this latest version does it incredibly well.

Ties in the fates of the three protagonists very well, and makes some good improvements on the way. But the real revelation will be if the next proper sequel manages to improve rather than just polish an ideas pool running low.

The AI needs a good, firm slap to the face but Empire: Total War is a big, bold, fantastically ambitious game that is (for the most part) a resounding success.

Medieval II: Total War would’ve easily been much more memorable if it wasn’t for a few questionable balancing and AI issues that sadly knock its spot from receiving a better score. It is still the most rewarding and exciting Total War experience though.

More of a refinement than a revolution, but that doesn't stop DJ Hero 2 from being a truly brilliant and worthwhile addition to the rhythm action scene.

There is little lacking and so much right within Okamiden. A great sequel, a suitable DS send-off and an outstanding game in its own right.

A well-written love letter to an almost-forgotten style of game, Shadow Complex is quite simply one of the best titles available on Xbox Live Arcade.

Football Manager 2012 exercises the same sheer depth and freedom that have seen the series leave other football management titles in its wake.

Hard Corps: Uprising is just a freakishly awesome game and it offers a great way to enjoy one of the most celebrated retro genres in a more relevant and modern context.

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

Splosion Man is a wonderful breath of fresh air that's enjoyable, well priced and full of personality.

SOCOM 3 is everything a sequel should be. On-line and off, SOCOM 3 is a rewarding experience.

PiCOPiCT is a great puzzler, and the best game available on DSiWare so far.

The game just feels a lot faster than its predecessor. The motion blur really helps to make the game a lot more intense, and the tracks are a lot more realistic.

Gran Turismo 5 mostly delivers on its promise of an all-encompassing, incredibly accurate and challenging racing simulator, and is by all means a treat for car fans and racing game fans alike.

Valkyria Chronicles succeeds in bringing genres together and provides a memorable experience that not only proves that strategy can be done on consoles, but brings something completely new and great to the table.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the PSP may be no better and not much different than the DS version, but it's definitely worth a shot for any GTA fan who hasn't played it yet.

Despite being ten years old the original Banjo-Kazooie has aged remarkably well. The game is a must for anyone who loved the N64 outings or simply wants some classic platformer action.

Improved in almost every way and along with so many levels of customization, it makes this an easy purchase for any wrestling fan, and a serious consideration for everybody else. Fantastic.

Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is an excellent family-friendly experience that kids will learn a lot from and adults will have fun with. This is definitely a game that lives up to the Sesame Street name.

Scare me. Shock me. Shake me. Take me to a place where horror is able to splurge into any gamer's mind and rattle it around playfully, frightfully, terribly. That's what horror gaming should be like. Haunting Ground really is a fun game to play and is another one of Capcom’s gems.

The Siege of Spinner Cay is a funnier outing, with a cool plot and some great stumper-puzzles. It also continues to ramp up the action, tension and comedy of the series, making it feel a part of something much greater and more epic.

This Wii version bodes well for the future of the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise. Hopefully Konami runs with it and continues to improve the concepts they've developed here. Recommended for those with even a passing interest in soccer, sorry - football.

Provides exactly what it ought to - a premium J-RPG experience for anyone who has been yearning for a true challenge, a riveting story and a long, satisfying quest.

Dance Central is the best of the Kinect launch line-up, and with ongoing support promised for what is already a solid and well-executed concept, this inspires faith that developers are capable of great things with this hardware in the future.

Heroes V is a presentation marvel. The game boasts some fantastic bright, colourful 3D graphics that bring the experience alive. It’s brilliant to see some of the old regular structures from previous Heroes games and recreated in 3D.

While slightly weighed down by its ambition, Heavy Rain provides a riveting mature-themed story, and an adventure driven by the decisions you make and the actions you succeed in. And best of all, there is nothing out there quite like it.

The Wii version doesn't support downloadable content right now, but with a huge track list, a solid mix of songs, and the trusty Guitar Hero formula basically untouched, Legends of Rock is well recommended.

Truly original games are hard to come by so when something this good comes along it should be grabbed with both hands. We Love Katamari, we really do.

The World Ends With you is easily one of the best and undoubtedly one of the most unique experiences available on the Nintendo DS. Despite a tough learning curve, we highly recommend this one-of-a-kind title.

Not even minor balancing issues and a super cheap final boss can spoil this; Tekken 5 is quite easily the best of the series.

It isn't as evolutionary as "Jak II" was but it is still a fun platformer which puts up a great challenge.

NBA 2K8 has excellent on-court play, awesome presentation and a packed feature set - basketball video games don't get any better than this.

Another gem from Codemasters. F1 2010 is everything that a racing game needs to be, and so much more.

Arcade perfect. The ports are very clean and faithful to the originals. No sign of pixelazation here.

Astonishing madness and action packed gameplay drenched in gallons of ultra violence and style. Not to be missed.

One of the stronger PS2 titles to be released in recent memory, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 is a must-have for any RPG fan who's looking for something a little different from what else is available.

Fireteam Bravo is a slightly flawed gem, but it’s a gem nonetheless and its gameplay online and off shines bright enough on the PSP’s widescreen to capture the hearts and minds of the SOCOM faithful and all PSP gamers who have been long starved of first-class gaming entertainment.