The developers totally misunderstood what makes The Sims so appealing. There is little opportunity for creativity (furnishing your apartment is tedious), no drama and a mistaken emphasis on conservative conformity.

Variety is lacking, ensuring replay appeal is limited to the fun multiplayer modes only.

Puzzles are wonderfully innovative, utilising the touch-screen and microphone. Solving such tricky conundrums is satisfying but there is little replay appeal.

The handling is remarkable, and the fact the tracks are littered with obstacles that bounce and crash realistically makes it all the more fun. Throw in excellent damage modelling and it's plain to see that this game has nailed the core mechanics of an addictive racer perfectly.

Even amateur sports lovers will find it hard to fall for this slice of lightweight tennis action.

A big selection of different events suggests variety but the action soon becomes repetitive. Full Auto's main competitor, Burnout, offers significantly more diversity in its challenges.

Artfully designed for a young audience, Madagascar will keep kids constantly entertained by serving up a wide variety of fun activities. The amusing movie characters and dialogue also ensure plenty of giggles.

Collecting stars, dashing to the finish line within strict time limits and hunting for tokens are satisfying goals thanks to clever level design.

Mission objectives are not always clear and some youngsters might get lost or frustrated at the lengthy travelling between missions, but there is always something fun to see or do.

Some levels are ridiculously arduous, such as negotiating tricky leaps in a hurricane.

The innovative controls for the sniper rifle don't allow the player to pull off precise headshots when they're needed most, which leads to rising frustration.

The simple nature of the games is a double-edged sword. Anyone can play, but the lack of depth means there may not be any lasting appeal.

The strategy play can sometimes feel mechanical, but budding tacticians will undoubtedly love it.

Many youngsters will simply enjoy hooning around Radiator Springs, although some might get frustrated not knowing where to go next.

The difficulty level is accommodating for youngsters, although the controls can be unwieldy. Sadly, the fun is short-lived, with no multi-player modes or replay appeal.

Most puzzle games are slow-paced but Driller is lightning fast, requiring quick thinking and sharp reflexes. It can be stressful and addictive, and is more complex than it seems.

Shooters need to be special to stand out, particularly on Halo's home turf, but Pariah fails to excite or innovate.

Dark, violent and derivative, but nowhere near as flawed as the movie.

Where Rogue Trooper rescues itself from mediocrity, however, is in the way it utilises Gunnar, Helm and Bagman. They all perk up with humorous quips and helpful advice, while the futuristic gadgetry is inventive.

The 3D view tends to slow the pace of the game as you struggle to find your targets, resulting in play that's not as frantic as it should be. But aside from this frustration, Worms still has a magic touch.

Not only will it keep the younger ones occupied for hours, but they'll be getting exercise.

The new hands-on capture system is not enough to make this an essential Pokemon adventure.

Fast-paced stylus-swiping basketball action best suited to short matches against friends.

Children should have a whale of a time with this approachable and enjoyable adventure, which offers a tasty smorgasbord of game styles served in bite-sized chunks.

It feels much more suited to a low-priced download such as Xbox Live Arcade's "Marble Blast Ultra" rather than a $79 [AU] release.

The strategy play can sometimes feel mechanical, but budding tacticians will undoubtedly love it.

Pity the game lacks GTA's mischievous sense of humour and fun distractions.

The game's biggest weakness is the lack of multi-player options.