FFXII is a gargantuan, gorgeous game with a gripping plot, likeable characters and an interesting new combat system that injects some much-needed life into the series. Wonderful. [JPN Import; June 2006, p.44]

Harmonix say they want to give you - ordinary, untalented punter - the experience of playing music, and they've succeeded majestically. Terrific. [May 2006, p.50]

An absolutely massive game world, an amazing soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, and some of the best RPG combat we've ever tussled with. Social Life? What's that? [May 2006, p.60]

Recommended unreservedly if you've not played it before. Otherwise, it simply fixes the ludicrous difficulty of the first one and broadens its appeal. [Aug 2006, p.60]

The slickness and variety on offer makes this stand head and shoulders above its competition. After "GTA," Syphon Filter is definitely THE action game to own on PSP. [June 2006, p.74]

One of the strongest, most accomplished games on PS2. Kingdom Hearts 2 excels on almost every level and sweats charm. Hate RPGs? This could change your mind. [JPN Import; Apr 2006, p.60]

There doesn't seem to be as much to learn this time and feels more like a simple update than usual. Still, "WE 10" is the best footie game around, no contest. [JPN Import; July 2006, p.86]

Still lagging far behind "Need for Speed," for modding and a fair stretch behind "Burnout" for sheer speed and crashiness, but for 20 quid you can't really go wrong. [May 2006, p.48]

A brilliant piece of crafted platforming that has the power to draw you in for an age. While not perfect, it's now the game by which all other PSP titles of its ilk will be judged. [May 2006, p.72]

Top notch visuals and subtly tweaked fight mechanics makes this one well-rounded beat-'em-up. [Apr 2006, p.56]

The happiest game on PSP will cheer you up to no end. It's simple to pick up and play and equally hard to put down. This is the strongest handheld title we've played, well, ever. [July 2006, p.100]

What a run RPGs are on at the moment - "Dragon Quest VIII," "Kingdom Hearts 2," and now Rogue Galaxy, which just about tops them all. Wondrous and sublime. [JPN Import; Apr 2006, p.54]

Even compared to previous Hitman games, Blood Money feels focused, fresh and utterly compelling. You owe it to yourself to play this. [July 2006, p.66]

It may only be a remake, but the online level swapping, visual overhaul and tweaked gameplay make it feel sufficiently different. [May 2006, p.77]

Online play wold score high 80s, but offline SOCOM 3 is an average squad shooter that treads the same tired path as many before it. [May 2006, p.54]

Lara's reinvention outshines a game that's too slick for its own good - with better boss battles, more epic environments and taxing puzzles, it'd be a classic. [May 2006, p.40]

Coast 2 Coast could be prescribed as a cure for depression. The most fun you'll have had in ages, and only denied a 90 because it's a bit simple. Still, on PSP it's second only to "Burnout." [Apr 2006, p.84]

Fundamentally decent, but it's still the poorest full-size Onimusha game yet. It's hard, but it's also unyielding and sometimes a bit dull. So be wary. [Apr 2006, p.48]

Fast, beautiful and perfectly playable. Embrace its simplicity and lose yourself in the ride of your life. Don't expect ANY realism though. [Apr 2006, p.56]

A decent collection, but they may as well have left "SFA" and "SFA2" out because "SFA3" is better than both of them combined. The best Street Fighter experience on PS2. [Aug 2006, p.68]

An extremely well realised RPG retaining all the bizarreness of its Japanese roots without the incecipherable combat and customization you might expect. [July 2006, p.84]

Though LCS is photocopied from PSP, there's more here than most PS2 games. [Aug 2006, p.50]

The best FIFA we've played and well worth a rental to fill the gaps between matches come June. It still hasn't stepped out of "Pro Evo's" shadow, though. [June 2006, p.48]

There's enough to keep you busy for a while, but ultimately there's not enough to it to keep you going. [Apr 2006, p.74]

Enjoyable, but the basic appearance, limited multiplayer and some tedious tracks means Karaoke Stage 2 will always play second fiddle to "SingStar's" success. [May 2006, p.66]

The simple colours, aliens and landscapes have rarely looked better than on PSP. [June 2006, p.78]

From The New World will have to fight for attention in a time when we're spoiled with quality RPGs, but that doesn't detract from how fun it is. Good stuff. [June 2006, p.50]

Addictive enough to grasp hours (or weeks) of your time. [Apr 2006, p.85]

We can just about forgive converting The Godfather's understated feel and brooding menace into a wham-bam bang-'em-up, but as for it not being much fun, that's a crime. [Apr 2006, p.34]

It's neither broken nor particularly bad overall, but it seems somewhat confused as to exactly which aspects of gameplay need work and which don't. [July 2006, p.78]

Terrific fun, though sadly let down by dodgy controls and the repetition of environments. Still, in short bursts, it's one of the best games you'll get for your PSP. [Apr 2006, p.79]

Tourist Trophy isn't the "GTA with bikes" that we'd hoped for, and the physics lack the realism of the top driving sims. Still, it's the best game with real bikes yet. [June 2006, p.54]

You'll be amazed by the visuals and satisfied by how well its been converted. [Apr 2006, p.80]

Better than "Crash," worse than "Tak 2," and forgettable in almost every aspect. [May 2006, p.69]

A bigger, slightly better sequel that's more accessible and over-the-top but just as random in terms of its carnage. It'll drive you bonkers if you've no patience. [Aug 2006, p.56]

Always enjoyable and never dull. It might lack polish in some areas but it makes up for it with loads of character and plenty of kick-ass, laugh-out-loud aggression. [June 2006, p.52]

It's OK for a quickie, but with such lacklustre tables, you'll never be able to form a lasting relationship with it. [July 2006, p.112]

Don't be fooled by the nostalgia factor - these games are tired and outdated. That you can put them in your pocket and play them anywhere doesn't actually make them any more fun. [June 2006, p.80]

It's another very good, but not great, FIFA. Did you really expect anything else? [July 2006, p.104]

It sounds cliched, but this is easy to pick up and seriously hard to put down. There's always plenty going on and you'll be hooked for hours on end. Excellent warmongering action. [Aug 2006, p.81]

There's nothing else to touch it in terms of mixing strategy and action, making this another satisfyingly-tough tactical challenge for anyone tired of predictable war-based gun-and-runners. [Apr 2006, p.70]

A surprise package that's rammed with action all the way through. It's a little easy to complete, but don't let that put you off this unexpected gem. [June 2006, p.58]

An epic RPG quest that rewards patience. It's slow-paced, but once you're strong enough to tackle the bigger monsters it really shines. Just don't expect anything ground-breaking. [June 2006, p.81]

Good fun with a mate, but <I>staggeringly</> empty in solo mode. Buying this to play alone is like getting a pack of card just for Solitaire. [Apr 2006, p.78]

It's not perfect, but the stylish visuals and hardcore fights are worth the cash. And thanks to the simple button layout, you'll find this satisfyingly accessible from the off. [May 2006, p.78]

Where "San Andreas" has size, variety and freedom, DPL has size, physics and handling. The mission design prevents the content from truly impressing. [Apr 2006, p.44]

Beautifully put together, but even people without giant pulsating heads will quickly realise that 25 pounds for six hours isn't really worth it. Rent it and get your score online. [May 2006, p.77]

One of the most complete basketball games on PSP, but surprisingly let down by the lack of dunk variety. Looks amazing, though, and there are plenty of match-ups to conquer. Nice. [May 2006, p.76]

The story mode and frantic action make for an enjoyable b-ball experience. [Aug 2006, p.73]

As an expansion of you SingStar library, this is arguably more essential than "80s" and "Popworld," depending on who your friends are. If only it worked with a guitar. [May 2006, p.57]

It isn't terrible, but it's doing absolutely nothing that we've not seen before. It's a realistic, but soulless, exhibition of off-road action. Get it on PS2 instead. [May 2006, p.78]

It's a solid puzzle game that doesn't do anything very wrong. Sadly, nor does it do anything we haven't seen before, and at thirty notes you'd be much better off with top PSP puzzler "Lumines." [July 2006, p.108]

At times, Ice Age 2 feels a tad lacklustre and it isn't going to entertain you for weeks, but there's enough here to make this a decent enough present for the kids. [May 2006, p.67]

Identical to the PS2 version in content but the PSP's limitations really pick away at the polish revealing something far less beautiful. A disappointment, all told. [June 2006, p.70]

This colorful conundrum is worth a look if you like your gaming in bite-size bits. It'll become monotonous eventually, but for a while it's more addictive than jam doughnuts. [June 2006, p.81]

While there are 40 titles on offer, this ultimately weak collection of C-list games will excite only the most crazed retro mentalist. Not us, then. [Apr 2006, p.52]

Everything you'd expect from an action movie license - brainless, flashy and without substance. Which would be OK if it wasn't so utterly rubbish too. [July 2006, p.92]

Anyone after genuine thrills, or traces of originality visible to the naked eye, will be disappointed. [July 2006, p.112]

A game that will appeal to no one, but if you're the exception to the rule, please send a photo as we're curious to know what you look like. Cheers. [June 2006, p.69]

Looks beautiful, is huge and has a genuinely great plot. A shame, then, that it's hobbled with a stupidly-complex fighting system. Grr. [May 2006, p.69]

Save it for multi-player and you'll have a lot of fun - but there are too many niggles to make it a classic. [Aug 2006, p.54]

It becomes an exercise in just jabbing buttons and hoping. [June 2006, p.72]

Zettai 2 strains under the weight of its own ambition, but is a cracking achievement nonetheless... We'd far rather a game reached for the stars and didn't quite make it than was happy to drown in the seas of sameyness. [JPN Import; Aug 2006, p.70]

They've not exactly matured like a fine cheese or wine, but this selection is worth a look. [Apr 2006, p.85]

The same old Dynasty Warriors, but with a competent-yet-underwhelming strategy game stapled onto it. Yet more of the same old thing unfortunately. [July 2006, p.98]

Wi-Fi multi-player is fun, but play on your own and you'll soon slip into a slumber. [Aug 2006, p.82]

It's got about as much impact of a mallet made of feathers. [Aug 2006, p.84]

A disappointingly straight port of a mediocre game, From Russia With Love is a mere diversion - temporary, and awkwardly forgettable and here to occupy a place in the PSP's product portfolio. [Apr 2006, p.82]

Only for the truly nostalgia-obsessed. [Apr 2006, p.74]

Yes, it's Crapt. [Apr 2006, p.72]

FIFA Street 2 is more a 30-yard screamer than a precision tap-in - often unpredictable and frustrating, but redeemed by flashes of brilliance. [Apr 2006, p.51]

Worryingly disturbing, but just as worryingly patchy to play. A masterpiece of oddness that makes for a malnourished and sluggish video game. [JPN Import; June 2006, p.62]

A decent attempt with some really nice touches. But everything that's to be found here has been done better in any number of World War II titles. [Apr 2006, p.58]

Looking for something exciting in Eagle Eye Golf is like searching for needle in a particularly needle-free haystack. [Aug 2006, p.75]

Simple, clean and fun - this is a fine example of a children's videogame, with some jokes for the grown-ups too. Surprisingly entertaining. [Aug 2006, p.76]

"Drakengard" wasn't doing anything new two years ago and its sequel does nothing new either. This really is a case of flogging a dead dragon. [Apr 2006, p.58]

An object lesson in why certain games probably shouldn't make the transition to PSP - wait for "Double Agent" on PS2 instead and enjoy the 'Cell experience in all its intended glory. [May 2006, p.74]

Terrible. Oveblown, opportunistic nonsense. If you're a FFVII fan avoid Dirge of Cerebrus completely - it'll only sully your memories. [JPN Import; June 2006, p.68]

A hilarious waste of time. A few Xtreme Legends updates here and there was bearable, but one for every version of the game is just too much. [May 2006, p.70]

Not as good as a regular "Monkey Ball" game would've been. The adventure stuff feels tacked-on and the PSP's rubbish analogue stick makes control a bit of a nightmare. [July 2006, p.110]

Another garbled 3D Sonic outing to add to the pile. [May 2006, p.52]

The odd clever puzzle is overshadowed by rubbish fighting bits. Watch the film or read the book. [July 2006, p.75]

A tragic waste of one of gaming's more loveable franchises, Adventure takes the Monkey Ball concept and employs it in a manner to which it just isn't suited. [Aug 2006, p.58]

All you'd expect of a Turtles game - tired, repetitive, primary coloured hack 'n' slash monotony and nothing else. Don't even buy it for a hated younger relative. [June 2006, p.63]

A decent ocean adventure with bite, but distracting as it is, it's unlikely to set up a Jaws: Unleashed 2, let alone a Jaws IV: The Revenge. [Aug 2006, p.64]

A solid playable affair that suffers death by a thousand cuts in the form of too many niggling short-comings. Another so-so X-men game, then. [July 2006, p.73]

It's fun for a while, but the lame objectives and lack of power-ups soon make this a chore. It's about time this franchise was buried under some rubble. [May 2006, p.68]

It does capture the flavour of the And1 competition. [Aug 2006, p.72]

A competent racer that stands out from the crowd by means of an interesting team race mode. Worth a look if you fancy a driving game with a difference. [Apr 2006, p.52]

An ultra-niche and adequately designed quiz game with enough questions to keep you going for a couple of hours, but only really worth a rental. [Apr 2006, p.73]

A stupefyingly simple and basic action game that will only linger in the memory because of the laugh-out-loud funny voice acting. [July 2006, p.98]

A terrible shooter that does nothing new and does it badly. Bereft of reason to exist, don't even let this cross your path, let alone buy it. [June 2006, p.69]

Unfortunately, all that's beneath the complex briefings and tactical-sounding objectives is some rather standard shooting. [June 2006, p.50]

We'd love to see another good urban brawler, but this isn't anywhere near to being it. [May 2006, p.58]

Blocky, awkward and creatively broken, Zathura is another lazy, cut-price movie tie-in that just isn't worth getting involved in. [Apr 2006, p.73]