The main aim of the game is to create smooth combinations and do it with enough rhythm to win more medals" than your opponent - but that isn’t particularly difficult, even later on in the game.

The presentation is nothing short of stunning in places, but is nothing above terrible in others. It hooks you at the beginning with a promising storyline and the popular setting, but just seems to not care if it keeps you on the line or not, sinking into mediocrity way too often to ever draw you all the way in.

The package is the perfect compliment to the first collection – although if you’re deciding between the two, the first contains more instantly recognisable titles and would come as the recommended purchase.

You can overlook the sloppy graphics, the poor narrative and the occasional rudimentary puzzle, because the design of Penumbra sometimes reminds you how inspired it is, offering the player some genuinely interesting puzzles in a properly spooky setting.

It is fair to say that I was completely amazed when I booted the PSP up for a quick go, and then realised that I was still playing the damned game four hours later. I can’t reiterate enough, that I never thought that a handheld FPS could work as well as this.

Despite the slight visual upgrades, the engine is essentially the same as it was five or six years ago, as is the gameplay, as is the general plot, as is the method of reaching your goal. The tactical advancements are welcome and really do add to the game, but when the game is so bland, that isn’t saying much.

The only issue I have with the package as a whole is the random shoddiness of the emulation. One minute you can play through a section with all guns blazing from every part of the screen and you’ll get bucketloads of slowdown occurring.

Graphically stunning and sonically amazing, the gameplay lets it down for me. In multiplayer, there is fun to be had, but the single player challenge is a long, hard slog that is pitted with dodgy AI and too many anomalies.

The best football game available for any format. Period.

If ever there was a game that needed to sort the wheat from the chaff, and then add a mammoth box of wheat to the resulting tiny pile, Fuzion Frenzy 2 was it.

The only thing you pretty much can’t do as a pirate is getting your own parrot, which is a shame but we’re willing to overlook it just this once.

The bottom line is if you can put up with some quirky controls and are a massive fan of the originals then this is probably worth a look. However, if you are a purist and perhaps have a favourite Metal Slug outing, then you should wait for it to appear on the Virtual Console.

Overall, this is a none too shabby collection. The decision to buy will depend on your desire to have a true arcade version of the games and how sentimentally attached you are to each title.

I implore you to give this a go if you’re a wrestling fan, and even if you aren’t – it might well be worth a play. I like the improvements that have been made, and I’ll be playing this long into 2007.

Rating this game has never been easier. Stay the hell away from Gothic III. The amount of glitches in this game instantly ruins whatever experience it aimed to achieve. There are not enough patches in PC gaming history to sort this one out.

One of the few games that have glaring holes in the gameplay, and gets away with it scot-free. Why? Atmosphere.

Put it this way, I must have clocked up around 30 hours of play so far and I'm still not tired of simply moseying about town, popping a few grinds and flip tricks, trying to get an astronomical high combo score to unlock an achievement. It just feels so right and ultimately therapeutic.

This game may be worth playing in about a year’s time when Obsidian has finished patching this clunky monstrosity, but right now, it’s a strictly average affair.

There are games out there that are five and six years old that do point and clicking better than this. That’s not to say that it’s distinctly flawed, because it runs along just nicely. It’s just not very good.

Petroglyph have done a nice little job on expanding what was already a good game. Granted it isn’t the same as all the other RTS games out there, but isn’t that what you want – a little diversity? If the first game left you wanting more, which it certainly did for me, Forces of Corruption will most certainly fill a void in your Star Wars craving.

Sure, there’s some slowdown in places, and graphically everything looks as current-gen as it possibly could, but the gameplay mechanic and the sheer fun you’ll be having reliving your school days will make you completely oblivious to any of these problems.

Surprisingly solid for the greater part, don’t get me wrong here. Unfortunately, it’s let down by a lack of any real challenge and fails to really inspire or capture the player in any way at all.

It's a game trapped in the past. Not the 80's as such, but in a time long before GTA showed the world what spatial freedom was all about. Freedom is a word that Radical has toyed with, not exploited. Ergo, in the case of Scarface, the world is never truly yours.

I desperately wanted to like this game. Really. But the terrible gameplay, boring mission structure and pathetic mini-games just make me pity it.

A great puzzle element, eye grabbing funky visuals and a nice array of bonus features gives a nice sprinkle of longevity for any puzzle fan. Well worth checking out, even if it can be the most unfairly frustrating game ever created at times.

Sometimes, try as you might, you can’t put your finger on what makes a game fun to play, and this is one of those occasions.

A terrible shame and no mistake. Just a little variation in the missions would have been enough to send the game into the upper echelons of greatness. As it stands, you’re looking at a massive amount of style over not a great deal of substance.

Petrolheads and tuning fans will probably get a kick out of it for a short while, but the lack of any sense of speed, the monotony of doing the same thing time after time from the beginning of the game to the end and the fact that the development team have forgotten to add the slightest bit of personality means that you probably shouldn’t bother.

Absolutely towering over the likes of NBA Live and all of the other pretenders to the throne, NBA 2k7 is an incredibly solid game that looks, sounds and plays as smoothly as you could ever wish it to – and goodness, its addictive.

With graphics almost fit for an FPS and lots of "shiny", plus real military hardware recreated in great detail, it's also a title to get the gaming enthusiasts rig warmed up as it draws them steadily into addiction.

I don’t claim to be a Star Wars buff – far, far from it, in fact – but Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy makes me want to check out the storyline a little more, provides a heck of a lot of entertainment for the asking price and a few bugs aside, has been put together incredibly well indeed. Very, very good.

The attention to detail in Yakuza is extraordinary but the overall effect is like getting everything you wanted for Christmas and not being allowed to play with it.

If you come into Enchanted Arms looking for something as epic as the Final Fantasy series then there’s a hefty chance you’ll leave disappointed. That’s not to say this is a bad game at all. Enchanted Arms plays like most would expect - an average RPG. Nothing more, nothing less.

UGAG can very comfortably be compared to a Rubik’s Cube – it isn’t very pretty or enticing, it’s just an extremely straightforward, ball-bustingly hard challenge. It almost deserves two separate scores. If you like a challenge, then add [30] more points to my final score. If you prefer a bit more of an easier time, then detract [50].

The missions to the story are extremely well designed, and the tasks are considerably varied. The shooting missions are joy to behold too, set out in true 3rd person shooter style with no automatic lock on. But once all the razzmatazz of the story has gone, and the dust has settled on “the Row”, there isn’t enough variety to keep you coming back.

A superb game. Probably the best title on the 360. The flaws are forgivable because it’s simply fun to play. If you are anal for completing a game in its entirety you’ll be on this forever. It’s a practical impossibility to complete all the missions and sub-missions in the 72 hour-mode (it actually lasts about 10 real-time hours).

Hardcore beat em’ up fans and casual players alike have something here available to keep their heads faced towards their handheld consoles for a long time to come. If they had included a fully online fighting system, this would be nearer to getting a perfect score, but even without this much wanted feature, the game is a great accomplishment.

The ability to build your own weapons and suchlike with things that you’ve found is a nice inclusion which – while limited – works out to be cheaper than going to ye olde item shoppe to pick up a new blade every time your favourite one decides that it’s going to break.

Lazy level design and the inability to die make the game too easy, leave you questioning why you want to carry on, and may even lead you to just not bother completing the game.

It looks old, it plays old, the music is just annoying, the cut scenes are poor, the video sequences of amateur re-enactors, and the sound doesn’t utilize modern systems like EAX.

The repetition of the combat means that sore thumbs – and an underused brain – are the main enemy of Dead Man’s Chest.

Good, clean fun. A solid concept, great execution and a ton of reasons to play again and again mean that this is a title that no PS2 owner could easily pass up.

One minute you’re watching a badly rendered cutscene telling you about the different forces, the next you’re looking at a live-action portion of the movie that doesn’t serve to improve your comprehension of the story whatsoever.

If you liked the "Codename: Panzers" or "Sudden Strike" series, you’ll love Rush for Berlin. It’s a challenging and fun game with some real highlights and nice surprises in most levels.

It’s well put together, a joy to behold and a marvel to look at, but it’s just a lot of never ending sameness.

The graphics are poor, the game play is old fashioned, the music is just plain annoying, but it has character. This attribute alone elevates it above the rest of the samey RPGs out there, but it still manages to be just that – samey.

I hate to say it, but even though Rockstar have released Liberty City Stories at an absolute steal of a price, this feels like a desperate cash-in. The PSP’s biggest selling game to date has been ported over quickly, and without a great deal of care. It shows.

A credit to the series, a huge improvement on the previous title and a game you should definitely try if you like strategy games. In fact, it’s probably worth a try even if you DON’T like strategy games.

The seemingly simple process of having a working camera and an enemy lock-on system has been neglected and as a result we’re left with a ‘nearly’ title – one of those ‘it could have been really good’ situations.

Just taking the best points of a fine gaming series does not a good game make. As a huge Advance Wars fan, I’m appalled that another developer could take such liberties, but they do say that imitation is the best form of flattery.

What they've actually done is take that terrible idea, and throw it into a game engine that just isn't capable of performing the task that they've asked it to. The result? Jaws Unleashed is – in a word - appalling.

Its well put together, well finished and is lifelike.

X-Men: The Official Game isn’t all bad, and I’ve probably made it sound a lot worse than it actually is, it’s just that if you’re looking for a yardstick for middle-of-the-road gameplay and average execution, you’ve found it.

As pure a game as you could ever wish to play. Adrenaline, frustration, addiction and the largest hunk of retro gaming pleasure that you could purchase. If you own a DS, and you don’t even give this a chance, you might as well get your consoles listed on eBay. Give up. Buy it. Now.

Guild Wars: Factions is a rich, detailed and diverse world with plenty of scope for expansion, and already has me looking forward to seeing Chapter 3 when it comes out. This game can convert even the most ardent Planetsiders (most of my Guild actually) and the fun that both chapters offer is never-ending.

A very simple idea, brilliantly put together: a high speed nostalgia trip that, unlike other games you remember from your youth, won’t leave you thinking: ‘Surely it was better than that’.

Nothing short of stunning – for the greater part. Depth, longevity, looks and some fantastically booming old-school sound schemes (complete with satisfyingly throaty engine tones) are all accounted for here.

When you’re on the fifth one in the series and it doesn’t play all that different to the first one, it’s probably time to stop. That’s not to say that Ace Combat Zero is a bad game, it’s just that you’ve seen it all before, done it all before, and got the t-shirt.

In front, it is one of the most beautiful, well presented and solidly put together sports games that you’re likely to see. Then, you get onto the pitch and the game engine lets everything down horribly.

World Poker Tour isn’t a complete loss. If you want poker on the go, then this is a fine choice. Just don’t expect to use it as a training tool, or to hone your skills, since the gameplay more often than not suggests that the title should be World Bingo Tour. Fun and atmospheric at times, very, very frustrating at others.

Good, but not nearly as great as the entire world would have you believe.

Fair enough, it's very, very similar to the previous Xbox and Playstation 2 versions we've all played - but the added graphical touches and stable Xbox Live play make this a good buy.

Tourist Trophy represents something of a watershed for me. This is the first time I’ve looked at a PS2 title and seen that the system just can’t keep up with the current generation.

There are other minor niggles, but none should detract from the surprisingly entertaining experience that Keepsake offers.

Although Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2 seems to constantly offer up a new genre at every point the action might otherwise become dull and lifeless, there is a persistent feeling during play that the game never seems to stand on its own feet.

What surprises me about Top Spin 2 is exactly how accurately it resembles a real game of tennis.

Unfortunately, now the major problem of mundane backtracking has been remedied, the minor flaws have become overly pronounced. Despite this, Kingdom Hearts II is still a hugely pleasurable experience.

It’s probably the most depressingly average game I’ve ever encountered. It doesn’t even try to be good, because it can’t be bothered. It just plods along, at it’s own pace, chucking enemies at you every now and again.

Online play is fairly lag free and will add some longevity to the game, but the only thing that would really save Rumble Roses XX would be a whole new set of moves for each of the characters on offer. There are only so many times you can punch and kick your opponent until they’re vulnerable to a pinfall before you start looking elsewhere for your thrills.

The customary mix of strategy and swordplay leaves both elements under-developed and a game so unremittingly dull it will, while failing to even poke about somewhere near the limits of the Xbox 360, quickly stretch your patience to breaking point.

Had Evolution been released as a full price game the short single-player campaign would have been a huge disappointment, but considering that it retails for under £20 and there's an impressive set of online game modes included as well, it's a steal.

A solid game idea realised with some weak online play and a mixed graphical performance means that there are many titles that are more deserving of your money for the 360 right now.

Some high points aren’t enough to counteract the amount of confusion that reigns on the too-small screen, though, and we’re left with a somewhat average title.

The AI is so basic that it is possible to rush through many areas without fear of getting hurt or even getting noticed. Even if you do decide you’re going to take it slow, it is a lottery as to whether some enemies will detect you or not.

Go ahead, look up the word 'Epic' in a dictionary; you should come across the following entry - 'Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size'. This simple explanation describes The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion perfectly.

If you own a 360, and don’t own GRAW, then you’re missing one of the finest single-player experiences that gaming has to offer. Absolutely top notch.

While it is playable – Onimusha enthusiasts will still probably enjoy it – there isn’t a huge amount here that you won’t find in previous instalments. And that’s it; ultimately there just isn’t anything here that hasn’t been done better by another game.

A missed opportunity. Dynasty Warriors was a poor attempt at a launch title, and whilst this second title in the Warriors series is a fair bit better, it still leaves a great deal to be desired.

If you aren’t a Dragon Ball Z fanatic, then you’re pretty much looking at a very average beat ‘em up with some pretty graphical effects and a few aerial manoeuvres. If you are a fan, then I have a feeling that this will fill a portable gap, but certainly not for long. Badly flawed in places, but not a terrible way to pass the time.

Nothing comes across as 24 except for the plot and the cut scenes which is only a small part of it. I’m now off to get a Happy Meal and to watch Judy Garland sing with a bunch of midgets with funny hats.

Final Fight veterans hoping for a class act, steer clear of this title completely. In fact if you like any type of game, steer so clear that your car comes off the road if need be. It’s that bad.

A solid title for the greater part, but is not only flawed, but not massively difficult to beat. However, I'd rather play a game that made me smile for four hours and one that made me frown for twenty.

Super Princess Peach is as average as they come.

To be quite frank, TOCA Race Driver 3 is a great game - one of the best on the Playstation 2 - and certainly does compare to Gran Turismo 4 in specific areas.

With a powerful brand behind it, it could sell a truckload of copies. If the game mechanic was worked on a little bit more, then it could have sold several truckloads.

The touch screen – in short – just does not work for Touch & Roll.

With online play that is surprisingly smooth and lag free, an offline career mode that is surprisingly fun to play and graphics to die for, Fight Night Round 3 is a superb all-around title.

Finally a Star Wars strategy game that got it right. Everything works the way it should, and that is no mean feat.

As far as racing games go, Full Auto’s arcade handling provides a welcome change to the rigours of the superb "Project Gotham Racing 3," but the slowdown and – in some cases – downright bugginess means that it won’t ever take you to gaming nirvana.

The game has the potential to keep you playing for hour after hour, but is more likely to find a home in your PSP case, just waiting to be played when you have a spare five minutes.

At times, things look great and play well, but this is all too rare. For the majority of your playing time, you'll be doing the same things over and over again, whilst wandering through what's fast becoming the stock set of urban environments.

Rugby 06 just doesn't begin to fix those flaws and the addition of a very few new features, coupled with possibly the worst commentary I've heard in a sports game for a long time, mean that the game just doesn't do enough.

Some people just won’t get it, but everyone else who plays it will fall completely in love with the concept, the control system and the entire look of the package.

I expected Torino 2006 to use its licence to present a confident and solid portrayal of the Olympic experience. It does neither – to be quite frank – and feels like an incredibly rushed affair.

PQ is but a one-trick pony. It does what it says on the box and very little else. Your brain will get a workout, but 30% of the time it’ll be a practical one as per the title, with the other 70% being used to think of other games you could be playing on your PSP. Original yes, fun…not so much.

I very much doubt you’re going to see a better beat-‘em-up of this ilk on the 360 anytime soon – unless of course Sega decide to port Virtua Fighter 5 over, but until such a dream occurs, this is more than adequate.

The cracks show very clearly after the game drags you in by providing a trouble-free first mission, and they are enough to completely kill the game for anyone who only has a passing interest.

The game has been released many years too late and ultimately feels like a severely out-of-date RPG than one that’s just come off the shelves.