Harmonix have created a loving dedication to one of the greatest bands of all time. It might not set the Christmas charts on fire, but it will be a critical darling for years to come.

It pushes the stilted FPS genre in a direction not often associated with mindless run and gun action. The seamless integration of brilliant performances, staggering character animation and near photo-realistic presentation only serve to enhance impressive white-knuckle action gameplay and a truly creepy yet compelling pseudo RPG storyline.

Animal Crossing isn't for everyone, but the Nintendo DS realisation of the game is absolutely brilliant, but not - I might add - without its flaws, most of which are thankfully forgivable.

It's really all about the experience, reading all the facts and features lists in the world isn't going to accurately convey the feeling of playing GRAW 2, the feeling of being sucked into a game world so beautifully formed and well designed that the individual features blur into the impressive whole.

As it is, we're still wowed by Rock Band's ambition, while the Band World Tour mode is truly groundbreaking.

An excellent balance of gritty realism and game play. It's been a long time but Outlaws can finally hang up its guns and retire.

At a hefty 25 GBP it's a pretty expensive demo, albeit one that should keep you smiling for a good few weeks.

But what it does have it wears on its sleeve - hundreds of hand crafted miniature challenges - and that's what I keep coming back for.

Truth be told, I had to blow dust off the Wii before putting New Super Mario Bros Wii into the drive. But only Nintendo's device could ever push a 2D game as their big holiday number - and it's fantastic that they have.

Recommended for acolytes and lay-persons alike.

If any major criticism can be levelled at Final Fantasy XII, a finger would have to be pointed at the game's less than endearing storyline.

Gran Turismo 5 is a love letter to racing fanatics, but also the perfect entry point for more casual players. It plays like a dream, and as long as you can forgive the occasional hiccup here and there, you'll find yourself completely enthralled.

Heavenly Sword is a game that can genuinely claim to be a next-generation experience. Most excitingly for us this is not some clever new combat mechanic or simply more polygons; rather, it is a whole new level of story telling that doesn't simply insert pre-rendered films into the game, but integrates characters into the heart of each play component.

Niggly controls, cheating AI, cluttered management screens, a rash of aggravating bugs and an unshakeable sense of over familiarity all combine to keep Rome: Total War from being an outright classic.

They have concentrated on distilling the best action they can out of Tolkein's, (or should that now be Jackson's) masterpiece and presenting it in a well executed package. Lord of the Ring fans could surely want for nothing more this Christmas.

Taking all things into consideration, and despite some dodgy gameplay balance issues, wonky supercar handling, and ill-fitting drift events, much of Need for Speed: Shift is undeniably impressive and EA's work is done with regard to breathing fresh life into a decaying series corpse.

They have concentrated on distilling the best action they can out of Tolkein's, (or should that now be Jackson's) masterpiece and presenting it in a well executed package. Lord of the Ring fans could surely want for nothing more this Christmas.

Overlook Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom and you risk missing out on a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Enslaved is a worthy adventure title that overcomes its own minor shortcomings with an excellent narrative and glorious visuals.

If you like you shooting with a dollop of tangible fear, F.E.A.R. is for you.

With over fifty hours of gameplay and side questing on top, an engrossing leveling up system including the creation of new items by experimenting in an alchemy pot, and a delightful storyline, Dragon Quest offers too much to be ignored - even if RPGs have never been your bag.

It sets the foundation and future for the franchise on the next-generation. However, if Ultimate Alliance had better playable characters, improved customization and a little more of a challenge in places it would indeed be perfect.

The variety, innovative interaction and sheer playfulness on offer are more than enough to warrant the cover price alone.

Cemented in the hall of sporting classics alongside titles like "Pro Evolution Soccer" and "Tiger Woods," Fight Night is a true modern classic.

Were it to include a killer campaign this would be a game that is hard to beat - as it stands it is still an impressive first outing on the PS3.

Plays the best round of golf available at the moment and comes wrapped in an impressive Golf-RPG package that contains more game modes and options than you could shake a 5 iron at. It may not be a hole in one, but it's a bloody impressive birdie.

There is only one way to really do justice to DeathSpank and that is to quote one of the game's characters. In the words of Annie the Orphan: "I love you Daddy DeathSpank."

It has the most evolved gameplay system, without loosing the 'pick up and play' feel every beat 'em up should have.