AlphaBounce successfully incorporates RPG elements into the brick-breaking genre, but doesn't supply the gameplay to back it up.

Super Yum Yum Puzzle Adventures demonstrates it's harder than it looks to bring good mobile puzzle games to portable consoles.

WarioWare D.I.Y. is one of the best game creation tools we've yet witnessed and deserves to be picked up by each and every DS owner without hesitation.

Pure, frenetic, non-stop pick-up-and-play old-skool shooting fun, Alien Zombie Death is effortlessly one of the finest minis yet.

BreakQuest impresses with creative level design and novel physics-based play but sadly suffers from fundamental control issues.

Infinite Space's strong story and clever upgrade system manage to just about keep the ship afloat against the poor battle mechanics and torturous learning curve.

Car Jack Streets is all about entertaining open-world high jinks, although there are some issues in terms handling and the difficulty level.

The best Pokemon game so far. Combines the addictive elements of the originals with the latest graphics to great effect. Just don't mention the Pokewalker.

The best Pokemon game so far. Combines the addictive elements of the originals with the latest graphics to great effect. Just don't mention the Pokewalker.

Pretty but uncommonly difficult and trickier still to master, Rocket Racing will reward your dedication with an excellent example of momentum-based fun.

Alice in Wonderland is a shining example of how to make an exploration puzzle game, and a movie tie-in one at that.

Globulos Party offers great local multiplayer fun, but is a little too hit and miss as a single-player game.

A standard twin-stick shooter that suffers from a certain lack of substance, Age of Zombies will still provide a very entertaining, accessible and action-packed experience.

Whilst not quite as perfectly formed as its prequel, echoshift is still great fun, and offers a relaxing, slow-paced experience that is perfect for Sunday morning brain training.

This pint-sized racer is so playable and packed with fan-service that Sega fans will want to hop on board as soon as possible - but it doesn't quite match Mario Kart when it comes to raw enjoyment and multiplayer brilliance.

An improvement over Fireteam Bravo 2, but not exactly groundbreaking.

Some people may have an objection to the change of focus and different lead character but, when all the evidence is presented, it's obvious that this is still the Ace Attorney that we know and love.

Too safe to really be spectacular, Artist Colony is nonetheless a playable people simulator that comes with a unique setting, but fails to truly build on its early promise.

While it's not quite as devastatingly original as Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks is still an utterly essential purchase and comfortably ranks as the undisputed DS event of the year.

A cute if unsophisticated castle defence game, Army Defender is fun to play but doesn't offer much of a challenge.

Despite Pop Island's way too simplistic design, it oozes charm and is wonderfully silly fun.

A shocking lack of features sends Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion plummeting well below expectations, gliding by on impressive graphics and polished controls.

Occasionally unbalanced but always entertaining, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is a worthy new entry in the venerable series' multitude of titles.

The quality of the original game still shines through, and thanks to some inventive controls and screen modes, Pinball Fantasies retains its position as one of the finest pinball simulators ever made.

The button-based control system isn't ideal but other than this, Bloons Minis is an enjoyable version of the popular web puzzler.

Simple, addictive and entertaining concept that could have been dangerously compulsive with a little more balance and polish.

While Assassin's Creed II: Discovery isn't going to revolutionise the DS, it gives you the chance to enjoy solidly executed and fast-paced, platforming action.

LittleBigPlanet is a staggering work of game design genius. Wonderfully inventive, devilishly fun and dizzyingly vast, it deserves a little big home on every PSP on the planet.

Bloodlines is a brave attempt at an open 3D world which, while visually breathtaking, is let down by repetitive gameplay and awkward camera controls.

Not without issues and will demand perseverance, but F1 2009 rewards with a pick-up-and-play F1 experience that effortlessly overtakes the competition on PSP.

While the presentation is somewhat outdated and the single-player element is weak, Phantasy Star Zero nevertheless manages to distinguish itself with some incredibly entertaining multiplayer action.

It's a good story, but those looking to emulate their favourite Belgium detective will find the repetitive brainteasers and limited sleuthing frustrating.

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is an action-packed platforming romp that punches above its weight and connects effortlessly. A Christmas must-have for young and old gamers alike.

While it may suffer from repetition and some iffy vocal note tracks, it'll take a very cold-hearted gamer not to warm to Lego Rock Band's infectious humour, varied track list and excellent gameplay.

While maintaining the sugary sweet style of its inventive forerunners, LocoRoco Midnight Carnival braves new gameplay that has sticky points preventing it from being as grand.

A game that only six months ago would have justifiably been a full price title is an unmissable and highly entertaining bargain at four quid. That's a lot of rotten meat for your money.

Nostalgia stirs memories of classic role-playing with its turn-based battles and familiar narrative themes, yet explores a new horizon with fun airship battles and a sense of adventure.

Vempire is a competent match-four game, but other than being a launch PSP Minis title, there's not much to get excited about.

Every trick this celebrated developer has learnt – from crafting a solid plot laced with dark humour to reckless driving and action-packed criminal endeavour – has been distilled into a game that demands your immediate attention.

Furious, tense and surprisingly deep, Space Invaders Extreme 2 is the gaming equivalent of a sugar-high. An addictive and compulsive experience, no shoot-em-up fan should pass this one by.

Arguably an acquired taste which is going to go down better with RPG fans than other sectors of the gaming community, Half-Minute Hero is nonetheless a true landmark in the genre and perfect for portable play.

A poor man's God of War that makes no apology for its fast and furious fighting gameplay. The perfect, blood-soaked introduction to the PSP Minis platform.

High-ranking tower defence tactical greatness that ends up perfectly suited to PSP play, Fieldrunners marches effortlessly on as one of the Minis launch highlights.

It's you and your machine versus the circuit. In this respect, Gran Turismo PSP doesn't stall, effortlessly powering to the front of the handheld field in a manner that is likely to leave many a petrolhead breathless.

The new gold standard for tower defense, PixelJunk Monster Deluxe has it all thanks to layered strategic play, action elements, and online cooperative play.

An amazingly well featured music making package for your PSP. It takes time and effort to yield Beaterator's fruits, but for those looking to take their first steps into music production it's a fantastic place to start.

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days delivers magical gameplay, though it forgets to summon a good story along with it.

The 3rd Phantom is a workman-like tactical RPG which will come as manna from heaven for hardcore Bleach fans but fails to distinguish itself from the many other titles of this type already available.

As it stands, its raw imagination will be offputting for some gamers, while invigorating to others.

Mario takes on the roleplaying genre again and comes up trumps once more. Mario & Luigi is a carefully crafted adventure that's worth exploring even if you're not a huge fan of the classic platformers.

Imperfect handling and shallow gameplay leave DiRT 2 in the dust of more compelling, competent off-road racers.

A superb portable version of the PS2 original, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days offers exceptional depth and charisma, along with a few new tricks of its own to make it essential SRPG fare.

Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny brings much of the fighting spirit of the console version to PSP. It's only let down by the weak single player modes.

It's a fresh idea but somehow the block dropping antics of Art Style: KUBOS don't live up to its potential.

Like a sliding puzzle meshed with Rubik's Cube, Art Style: NEMREM is thought provoking but dull.

A neat number elimination puzzler, Art Style: CODE is a great example of how small and cheap downloadable games can expand your mind and fill your time.

Neat presentation and solid controls mean you'll have golfing fun with PANGYA: Fantasy Golf, but its lack of online play is a surprise.

Forget about calling Ghostbusters. Call a priest to exorcise this game of its broken controls, repetitive missions, and lame driving sequences.

While it's not actually broken or violently offensive, Hurry Up Hedgehog! is one of the most listless bits of shovelware going. Get the original board game if you must, but give this a miss.

It's a darts game. On the PSP. And yet somehow it's actually a lot of fun.

Flower, Sun and Rain is an incredibly ambitious release for the DS. Most will find it overly frustrating and just a bit too weird. Some will love it, though.

PDC World Championship Darts 2009 fulfills the brief when it comes to its license but there's little to lighten the tone for those who just want a sociable game of arrows.

Hysteria Hospital is a game that's enjoyable in short bursts, but any prolonged plays quickly leads to a severe case of boredom.

A new made role-player with a strong retro theme, Black Sigil provides plenty of game but doesn't mark out any new territory.

A twisted mix of Tetris and colour matching, Art Style PiCOPiCT provides a complex but intelligent slice of bite-sized DSiWare gaming.

A bland experienced robbed of energy and excitement by identikit missions and limited level design.

Patapon 2 improves on some areas of the classy rhythm-based strategy game, but the new leveling up system is overly complex.

Built on a foundation of hack-n-slash action, Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce brings new depth to the series thanks in the main to its multiplayer modes.

A simple squad-based touchscreen shooter with the occasional nice touch, Elite Forces: Unit 77 provides a B movie experience.

A remake of an old WarioWare mini-game, Paper Plane is simple, frustrating and almost completely without merit.

Not all the mini-games on offer here are winners, but the structure of 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix not only minimises frustration but spurs you forward too.

A Little Bit of... Dr Mario is a challenging and enjoyable match-four game, but one that's undermined by poor presentation.

Devolving the long-running series in stunning fashion, Dragon Ball Evolution provides neither satisfying fighting nor appealing visuals.

Funky, fresh and funny, Rhythm Heaven Gold transcends the language barrier with its instinctive gameplay and hilarious scenarios.

Despite being a DSiWare launch game, Art Style: AQUITE is a dull puzzler that should have been dumped at sea.

The passing of time has done little to dull this classic adventure. This DS release might just be the best version of Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars yet

An action-role-player, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time also contains a great multiplayer mode. Only occasional bugs knock off some of the polish.

The speed will impress you, but it's the editing tools that will keep you coming back for more in this impressive DS debut for the hugely addictive - and rewarding - TrackMania franchise.

Fans of the sport will enjoy its demanding handling model, but it leaves something to be desired in terms of energy and thrills.

Resistance: Retribution is just what the doctor ordered - groundbreaking multiplayer, slick visuals, and an action-packed campaign make this one of the most impressive PSP games to date.

An interesting mix of action platformer and match-three, plus a dash of humour, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a surprising success.

A pocket rocket that's sumptuous to look at, riotously funny and deeply rewarding. GTA: Chinatown Wars is one of Rockstar's and the DS' best ever.

An outstandingly realized rhythm-based battle system housed in an average adventure, all wrapped up in gorgeous visuals.

Phantasy Star Portable teeters on the edge of being too complicated but its innovative controls ensures the action RPG always stays playable.

While there's some fun to be had with No Gravity: The Plague of Mind, as space combat games go, it becomes repetitive and rather weightless.

Galactrix reaches for the stars, but is grounded due to gameplay dominated by chance, minor control issues, and middling presentation.

An interesting take on the tactical role-playing genre, Blue Dragon Plus isn't quite honed enough to fulfill its potential.

Noticeable control demons are the only thing that prevent this hilarious game from appeal to our better angels.

Dragon Quest V's western debut has been a long time coming but this reshaping of an undisputed genre classic in the form of Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a must for RPG fans.

Fire Emblem's DS debut has been a long time coming but it's unquestionably worth the wait. Shadow Dragon provides astonishingly compulsive turn-based action.

One of the must-have PSP games of the year, LocoRoco 2 delivers everything we could have wanted - more stuff to unlock and plenty of joyful, secret-packed levels full of weirdness and wonder.

A fleeting love letter to the 8-bit generation, Retro Game Challenge deserves to be experienced by everyone with a heart for gaming culture.

A slow-paced but satisfying forest simulation that's good for kids, SimAnimals is a bit too simple for adult players. And while it doesn't quite fulfil its potential, but growing things is still a lot of fun.

Big Bang Mini is beautifully presented and innovative in terms of its design and gameplay but the further you progress through the 90 stages, the more the flourishes get in the way.

Star Ocean: Second Evolution is a solid RPG remake with some nice new tweaks. It's just a shame it's not better tailored to the PSP.

Maths Training looks good on paper and has a few good ideas, but forgets the importance of making learning fun.

The license promises much but Lord of the Rings: Conquest is a cheap cash-in that should be avoided. Even Grima Wormtongue would have to agree

Moon isn't revolutionary by any means but the overall quality of the graphics and action means this is a satisfying game that affirms the viability of the shooter genre, even on a portable.