Timeless gameplay, expertly ported, Pirates! is a game to savour throughout.

A compelling mix of dark plots, kooky stories and lawyer talk, Justice for All adds more evidence to the DS's case as the thinking person's console.

A capable game destroyed by inexcusable loading. Heavy petting has rarely been less appealing.

Not the best Star Wars game in the canon – weak mission design and targeting issues hold it back – but it's still a fun distraction for series aficionados and PSP action adventure fans alike.

Mazes of Fate is a classic example of a lovingly crafted yet off-beat GBA title – it might smell a bit iffy but the gameplay can be truly intoxicating.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is a deep, enthralling game but the presence of some flawed elements mean it's not as good as the previous "Dawn of Sorrows."

A supreme stealth action game that isn't just true to the MGS canon but offers exciting new elements for both singleplayer sneakers and multiplayer junkies.

D-Day's strategic undertones are welcome, but overall the game is too drawn out and generally lacking in tension to truly captivate, other than in short sporadic bursts.

A decent gaming snack, but Kirby Squeak Squad is unlikely to satisfy those hungry for a challenge.

The absence of a two-player co-op mode mars what is otherwise an enjoyable – if rather simplistic and short-lived – journey.

With oceanic depth, honed controls and absorbing missions, this is the epitome of bad, meaning good.

Intensely frustrating strategic military shooter, which could do with being massively simplified.

Despite biting off far more than it can chew, Thrillville provides an enjoyable – if somewhat limited – ride.

It's less to do with being the Man of Steel, more a rusty version of the tin man – because this is a game without a heart.

Fun for a while, Gunpey just doesn't possess the deep gameplay required to be a classic puzzle game.

A simple and straightforward package, light on extras but boasting an excellent core that will particularly please puzzle fans with a penchant for order and neatness.

Uncommonly strong retro compilation heartily recommended to those with fond memories of their days of Mega Drive ownership or, indeed, any fans of solid gaming experiences.

Final Fantasy III offers a solid role-playing experience, but despite the 3D refresh, it remains a bit part in the Final Fantasy canon.

Indeed, so much of what was an otherwise quality adventure has been lost in the transition, this is more like a book of the film where half of the pages have been torn out. Avoid.

Excellent for younger gamers, Bionicle Heroes is a well-designed and enjoyable shooter, although more experienced players might consider it lacking in challenges.

The natty storyline will make you grin, while the perfectly pitched gameplay and glorious multiplayer mode will make you sing: a near-perfect light-hearted and innovative music title for the PSP.

Playing it doesn't make you feel like a superhero or a supervillian, and the game makes unsatisfying use of the DS' technology. Lack of variety and an insistence on turgid fetch-and-carry missions seals this as one to avoid.

Shoddy conversions of shoddy conversions – some of these weren't worth playing in the first place, let alone again.

Despite its dodgy film licence pedigree, Eragon is a surprisingly enjoyable addition to the ranks of DS action games.

By parts jolly, vibrant, and intensely frustrating, Rayman Raving Rabbids GBA lacks attention to detail, thwarting some neat ideas.

Fast, furious and typically fierce, MK: Unchained is an accomplished fighter made all the more interesting by the addition of unusual play modes.

Not only is Yoshi's Island DS huge, cute, innovative and beautifully presented, its layering of light platforming skills and hardcore item collection mean it's ideal for all abilities.

Effortlessly stylish, engagingly simple but deep and beguiling, this is handheld twitch gaming concentrate.