Yes, the jets look stunning and at a great distance, so do some of the landscapes. Get closer however, and Ace Combat 6 doesn't hold up to scrutiny, with both its visuals and gameplay coming up short.

Given the series orientation towards multiplayer in the final chapters on the PS2, it's quite surprising to find Tools of Destruction a solely single-player experience. With a handful of mini-games Tools of Destruction can be rushed through over a weekend, with the only real replay value stemming from Insomniac's traditional selection of Skill Point challenges to achieve on every level.

It's another year and another Football Manager. When good things are this consistent we often forget how lucky we are to have them. That said, this year's game is particularly thin on new features, but it's still the same great package that's been re-jigged slightly to keep us interested.

As an experiment to push the capabilities of downloadable content over Xbox Live, there's little to doubt Anniversary's originality - on Microsoft's console at least. However, a few extra touches to the lighting and a few soaked vests aside, the Xbox 360 edition of Lara's first outing will be more for the fans.

A solid debut for Katamari on Xbox 360, though the frame rate issue proves all too noticeable.

From a Wii-friendly point-of-view, Table Tennis succeeds as a hardcore title that lends itself to Nintendo's console with a clever approach to the control setup. It's slightly disappointing to find no new features beyond a mundane Training option, which leaves the long-term appeal slightly questionable. Nevertheless, Table Tennis on Wii manages to retain many of the qualities of its 360 predecessor, providing you've got a couple of Wii Remote's lying around.

Half Life 2: Orange Box is undoubtedly the best value videogame around. Admittedly it may not have the sheer numbers of the dodgy '200-in-1' packs found in car-boot sales across the country during the 90's, but you'll rarely find something of this quality and diversity wrapped in one box.

Very rarely does a developer remake an iconic classic as well as Sega Racing Studio has Sega Rally. With the finest eye for detail, they've managed to remember everything that made the series great and translate it onto today's next gen machines perfectly. Not only that, but they've put their own unique stamp on the Sega Rally family with great aplomb.

On the next-gens, FIFA 08 really is a step forward. Much improved graphics and gameplay, as well as the application of many new features. On the previous-gen formats, it's a continuation of a recent trend which has brought more depth and realism to the FIFA series.

Visually, it's impressive for the PSP. The cars are the highlight of these nice visuals with smooth models and, while the textures of the tracks/backgrounds look slightly jagged in a typically PSP manner, they're still nice looking for the system's capabilities.

With such an emphasis on tactical team play, the fact that additional inroads into the battlefields can't be achieved with - for instance - the strategic placement of an explosive charge on a wall leaves Quake Wars feel slightly dated around the edges.

Hot Pixel is the game for any PSP owners longing for some WarioWare action. It's credit to ZSlide that they've managed to emulate the formula so closely, providing the variety, addiction and weird elements that catapulted Nintendo's series to success.

Given the lower-end price of FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage and its obvious strengths, it's easy to look past the lack of imagination and next-generation refinement.

An evolution and refinement of 2006's offerings, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is an engaging adventure while it lasts, with a storyline deserving of a home console release let alone a handheld. Like its predecessor the game offers enough in the Campaign and multiplayer to keep players occupied, though the niggling AI can pull gamers out of the experience all too readily, dampening down an otherwise solid addition to the PSP's library.

A considerable improvement to the rushed "PGR3." PGR4 goes the extra mile with the inclusion of dynamic weather and bikes, it refines everything key element to the point of near-perfection, includes the low-end vehicles that fans cried out for, and most significantly injects a considerable boost of content.

Bringing the classic Zelda experience to the DS with a range of creative touches, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is an overwhelming success for the format. It may not have the sheer weight of the likes of Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess, but it is nonetheless geared suitably for a stylish and entertaining handheld experience.

The fight might well be finished but like the end to any war, Halo 3 isn't pretty. One of the top multiplayer experiences available on any console (as expected) redeems a largely disappointing Campaign, but even that doesn't change the fact that the 'Xbox mascot' baton has passed to Fenix and his crew of COGs.

Not content with surpassing Tony Hawk with the first attempt, skate. smashes his board in two and promises the next ten years will be a little different. Providing the antidote to too many years of unimaginative Tony Hawk's sequels, skate's debut marks an overwhelming success of innovation, style, and fun.

It's the immediacy of World in Conflict that drives it beyond anything else in the genre. The constantly fast pace, the race to accumulate Tactical Aid points, the relentless explosions and surges make for one of the most exhilarating experiences you'll have from a strategy title.<br>On so many counts Massive Entertainment have delivered on the "easy to learn, difficult to master" mantra, a strategy game that can be enjoyed by anybody.

It would've been nice to see Omega Software's Warriors series move forward with Orochi but unfortunately it seems to have stood fairly still in its mediocre hollow of repetitive combat/strategy gaming. Not much fun even if you were playing it on a very rainy day.

A stunningly exquisite looking RPG, Eternal Sonata also manages to create a fluid alternative to the standard plod of Japanese RPGs. It does hold onto some cliches of the genre however, with dodgy dialogue (at times) and of course, the overly fantastical setting - but this is one example of the genre that even those repelled by Eternal Sonata's brethren should try. It will surprise you.

Heavenly Sword provides exactly what the PlayStation3 is in dire need of. An extremely stylish and immediate action romp that will entertain the masses and earn points for its faultless presentation and production. Nevertheless, it isn't quite the game we were hoping for and leaves a number of areas for improvement when Nariko struts her stuff on the PlayStation3 once again.

In many ways, it's the best Worms yet. There's a substantial amount of weapons, a gargantuan level of options and plenty of multiplayer fun to be had. However, it is just Worms, a game that's appeared on every format known to man for the last 13 years, and follows extremely quickly after last year's dubious handheld debut. Ultimately the question remains, how much Worms do you need?

Lair is the quintessential example of why motion control should only be used sparingly on PlayStation 3 titles; unwieldy, unresponsive, and bland in terms of gameplay, the only thing compelling in the game is the soundtracks.

Super, big and awesome (to quote one of the film directors), Stuntman: Ignition is one of the most original driving games around, packed full of explosive fun and action.

The multitude of additional features on the Xbox 360 compared to the PS2/Wii make it by far the stronger game. The PS2 and Wii games really do feel a little tired in comparison, although the addition of a very natural feeling control system on the Wii helps to improve its appeal.

Unlike another FPS franchise that has recently finished, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a flagship title not only for its recipient platform, but for the genre at large. Taking the formula that cemented the Prime series as one of the best on GameCube, Retro has managed to integrate a motion control system that befits Wii - a shining beacon for others to follow.

Trying to usurp "System Shock II" in the scary stakes is no easy feat, and whilst Bioshock doesn't quite manage to replicate the fear I remember in 1999, it does have its moments. Plenty of times I found myself eager to progress, but at the same time, terrified to take a step further in fear of what lay ahead.

Fast, furious and most of all fun, Mario Strikers Charged is classic Nintendo territory, a game that appeals to even those who don't like the beautiful game that we affectionately call football.

PaRappa the Rapper is not only a rollicking trip down memory lane, it reminds you how groundbreaking the game was and the path it has laid down for so many pretenders in its wake. Well worth a look for PSP owners.

Rugby 08 was never going to revolutionise the 15-man code's representation in videogaming, but it wasn't intended to. Instead it throws a sliver of new gameplay to appease fans of the series in the run up to the World Cup.

Although it's easy to see Transformers: The Game attracting a younger audience better suited to overlook the game's issues, for everybody else, the appeal of large robots repeatedly stomping around uninspired environments limits it to little more than a poorly realised merchandising option.

Highly imaginative and with a wicked sense of humour, Overlord's issues are easy to overlook when compared to the moments of entertainment it provides in between.

One of the most impressive looking titles so far on Xbox 360 The Darkness is nonetheless let down by poor AI from both the Darklings and the various mob and zombie soldiers that Jackie encounters.

Despite offering a significantly compelling single-player story, there's little to keep you coming back once it's been completed.

Unlike the control system (on Wii at least), the camera is far from responsive and ultimately becomes one of the letdowns of the game, nullifying all of the solid work EA UK has managed to do with the gesture-controlled spells.

A whole new Career structure, expanded vehicles, and the lack of stronghold rallying locations like Sweden and Finland, have all worked together to push the franchise in a new (and yet, not a wholly welcomed) direction.

Colin McRae Rally 2005 Plus is a great port of the home console version and if you're a fan of the series and a PSP owner then get it - just be aware that you'll have played it all before.

I find myself spending the same amount of time in the paint shop as I do on the track. With the option to spend hours designing cars and selling them in the Auction House, Forza 2 provides a welcome break from the racing action with something that provides plenty of rewards and satisfaction.

Shadowrun isn't the tech demo that it could have been, thanks to the wealth of magic and gadgetry on show, but the restricted gametypes and lack of a Campaign means that it ultimately comes up short.

A highly imaginative experience that walks the fine line between compulsion and frustration that any good puzzler should provide. Further refinement on the concept and level design to reduce the emphasis on trial-and-error gameplay would have resulted in a more appealing experience.

Horribly bland, boring, and broken.

All of the Xbox Live gametypes offer support for the oft forgotten Xbox Live Vision Camera, where players can see their opponents in a small Picture-in-Picture screen in the corner of the TV. A nice detail that's more about bragging/flaming rights than an in-depth addition to the gameplay, perhaps it's an option for developers to make use of the peripheral.

Tony Hawk's purists may be put off by more of an arcade style and the wacky racing dynamic to Downhill Jam, but the game still has its strengths and provides a simplistic thrill for skating fans.

Fundamentally the same as the last couple of Spider-Man titles with a handful of enhancements, Spider-Man 3 on the next-generation consoles disappoints in its portrayal of what the new range of consoles have to offer - particularly if you're looking for something other then crisp, clear visuals.

An incredibly enjoyable and clever game that will appeal to Mario fans new and old, Super Paper Mario may not have been originally built for Wii, but it nonetheless shines as one must have title for the Nintendo console.

Only the "boss" encounters with the persistent helicopter provide anything even bordering on memorable, leaving a sloppy, completely unremarkable and tired shooter that's better left on the shop shelves.

A refreshing blast from the past, Tiberium Wars crushes any concerns surrounding the closure of Westwood Studios, with a surprisingly faithful addition to the series. Fast-paced, action-orientated, gameplay with a strong storyline and presentation, still provides the same sense of engaging gameplay and immersion as its predecessors.

A messy amalgamation of storylines and side-quests, coupled with poorly executed Quality Assurance and archaic game saving, STALKER is about as radioactive as plutonium, and should be treated as such - behind thick lead-lined walls of concrete. The lead-lined walls being a metaphor for the high spec required to play the game at a decent performance.

Light, amusing, and fun in short bursts, Cooking Mama seems like such a suitable title for Wii. Unfortunately, the overall result is hampered by an imprecise control system that throws skill and any sense of weight or meaning to one side, along with a lack of structure that leaves the game little more than a novel yet ultimately trivial experience - ideal for the Wii demographic it seems.

God of War II just seems to go on and on, without ever resorting to needless padding or levels for the sake of it. It's one of those few games that you just don't want to finish, and surprisingly never seems to come to this climax.

ProStroke Golf continues to offer an alternative to EA's gargantuan golfing franchise, even on the PSP, though the decision to drop the first-person perspective when lining up a shot, and the PSP's single-nipple disability, does bring the gameplay gap between the two a tad closer.

With a host of smart ideas and plenty of depth to the game's multitude of features, it's disappointing that the charge of the main game fails to provide any real engagement and makes all of the good work largely redundant.

Criticisms aside, GRAW2 does manage to improve over the original, with a more stylish grasp on creating atmosphere and ensuring the action and intensity seldom drops. There's few next-gen titles out there that portray the ferocity that GRAW2 effortlessly achieves; whilst it's a short-game, it's one you'll be racing through without taking a break.

Admittedly, the PS2 is never going to be home to revolutionary ideas at this stage (particularly a PSP conversion), but even at a budget-price you have to ask yourself whether the appeal of the story and returning to Vice City is worth stepping back in time to a game that's the equivalent of a straight-to-DVD release.

A thoroughly unremarkable shooter, made slightly more memorable by a handful of sections and a strong physics engine.

A strong control system combined with high quality presentation and humour, results in one of the most entertaining titles of its kind on the handheld format.

Although KOTT is predictable in many ways, it is the challenges, the nice mixtures, the fighting and game interaction that really require you to build up a good level of skill and in some parts it’s quite thought provoking.

An almost triumphant return to form, Sonic and The Secret Rings at the very least creates the sense of urgency that's been missing from recent Sonic titles.

A stunning game in its breadth and scope, and one that (if your PC can run it) shouldn't be missed.

If you have the perseverance to stick with puzzles that have been designed to test the patience of time itself, the slow introductory pace and continuous struggles with the game's interface (the genre's weaknesses as a whole) then Broken Sword 4: The Angel of Death probably provides everything you're looking for.

Returning to the title (regardless of the platform) does prove to be just as much fun now as it did in Autumn 2005.

Although the game's presentation is markedly improved, it seems as though we'll have to wait until Pro Evolution Soccer 7 marks its appearance on the PlayStation3 before we really see what Seabass can muster with the next-generation.

A highly original, yet niche, offering from Eidos, let's hope that their Hungarian studio is given a chance to develop a truly next-generation sequel in the future. Certainly a pace of gaming that we're not used to on Xbox 360 to date.

Unfortunately, the overall experience is bogged down with too much dialogue despite its novel influences, and an unfulfilled demand for something to actually play.

Nintendo fans will need little reminding of the qualities of the WarioWare series; if you've never had the fortune before, make sure to pick this up and prepare for one of the most insane and enjoyable experiences offered by a videogame.

Quite literally, an explosive experience that continues to push the Xbox 360's capabilities, the game nonetheless does have its weaknesses, particularly highlighted by the woeful enemy AI.

An enjoyable mix of puzzles and platforms, Arthur & The Invisibles is better than perhaps expected, thanks to that level of variety. Certainly one for fans of the animated movie to go through as they wait for Arthur to arrive on DVD in a few months time.

Like a number of Star Wars titles in the past, Lethal Alliance tries to introduce a new facet to the already rich sci-fi mythology, but ultimately fails in its execution. Instead, the gameplay quickly boils down to a repetitive experience, with bland environments playing host to a seemingly endless number of bland shoot out.

A sluggish and cumbersome experience that distinctly lacks in any sort of atmosphere, D-Day is a real disappointment.

Unfortunately within the first hour of realizing the game is little more then a series of samey battles, the tedium and monotony soon overtakes and leaves the rest of the game a mind-numbingly repetitive struggle - look elsewhere for your superhero action.

The intuitive covering and tagging system working brilliantly, setting up an immediate sense of immersion greater than any previous instalment in the series.

Although there's a handful of aspects that lift Excite Truck above being just another run-of-the-mill arcade racer, the overall feeling is that this is a game we've seen too many times before whilst the novelty of the Wii Remote soon wears off and there's little to sustain your interest beyond a few hours.

A brilliant unique game that has appeal stemming from every nook and cranny. Drop any preconceptions about a game that you may have from its box-art and visual style, Viva Pinata is one of the most rewarding, refreshing and important games to find its way onto the Xbox 360 this year.

Gears of War is a game of superlatives; it's a game so full of moments that are enough to bring you to tears; it is the next-generation. Focussing on delivering THE next-generation action blockbuster, it would be hard to describe Epic's effort as particularly creative or revolutionary; but it is a shooter of the highest quality - one to hold out on the 360 as being testament to what the system can achieve with a talented team and a $10 million budget - roll on Gears of War 2...

Call of Duty 3 continues the heritage of the franchise to great effect. The new structure builds towards a steep and shell-shocking climactic crescendo, and shows a clear unravelling of events that precipitated one of the most important battles of the Normandy Breakout, making the experience much less fractured than perhaps it's been in the past.

It's a real shame that despite pushing the developed Multiplayer feature a tad, Guitar Hero II is little more than a 'by the numbers' sequel.

A near-perfect example of the rhythm/action genre on the DS. Elite Beat Agents is stylish, fun and engaging from start-to-finish, and a highlight in the DS unique catalogue.

The sad reality is that just over a year on, F.E.A.R. is desperately showing its age. Hard-edged shadows, bland textures, and some gloopy-looking water effects make the First Encounter Assault Recon experience look quite tired, especially in light of the Goliath that is "Gears of War."

A surprisingly different Need for Speed, but at the same time all too familiar. With several new ideas, the typical sensation of speed and hot pursuits ultimately ensure Need for Speed: Carbon feels largely the same as everything that's come before in the series.

Vice City Stories is a much richer and well-rounded experience than its predecessor, though the addition of Wi-Fi Infrastructure mode is something that the series is crying out for.

Massive improvements to the animation and the ball physics help to free the series, and make ever-increasing strides in closing the gap between it and Konami's Pro Evo Soccer. That said, there's definitely room for improvement, most notably in the number of leagues, the player models, and all-round audio.

Despite being an impressive enough handheld title, the experience in the Northern Wastelands does become quite repetitive, thanks mostly to samey gameplay and storylines that are difficult to care about.

Having such a wide collection of super heroes to choose from certainly lifts this above the likes of X-Men Legends, and it's storyline (and the underlying question of a traitor in the ranks) certainly offers something quite engaging.

Forget the controversy, Canis Canem Edit is fun throughout and a reminder of just how entertaining videogames can be.

The storyline is perhaps one of the most compulsive yet, which is reinforced by the mechanic of working for both the security services and the terrorists at the same time. That said, the Trust mechanic doesn't quite work as well as it should, but it's hard to see how else it could be improved without pushing frustration to the limit.

Very much the title that the first invasion should have been, we're looking forward to what Pandemic could do with a possible third outing for the stubby Furon.

Very much the title that the first invasion should have been, we're looking forward to what Pandemic could do with a possible third outing for the stubby Furon.

On the wider scale of things, it's perhaps not the most original title. That said, with additions like the expansive combat techniques and God Roulette, there's enough to keep it feeling fresh at times.

With a change in design, Dark Crusade captures the emphasis on strategy and combat that the Dawn of War series provides. Admittedly it's beginning to look a little rough around the edges, which isn't helped by the awkward path finding and dated visuals; but it is easily the most expansive, balanced and entertaining offering in the series to date.

Although rough around the edges and unspectacular in a traditional GTA sense, the strategy and excessive violence behind reclaiming Tony's empire provides a compulsive and entertaining drive that shouldn't be missed.

This is by far the most disappointing of the Revolution series to date. Whilst the changes made to the game have been done to accommodate the various features of the Nintendo DS, the fact is that it just doesn't feel like Rainbow Islands. Key elements are missing, including the all important strategy of the original.

Far more polished and balanced than the original title, Mercury Meltdown is the game that Archer Maclean's Mercury should have been twelve months ago.

A genuine highlight in the FIFA series, FIFA 07 is perhaps the most refined and complete offering likely to appear on this generation of consoles.

The type of game that could only have come from an independent studio, Defcon presents a distinctive experience that captures the concept flawlessly. The lack of substance however sits at odds with the idea of a boxed release, and there is some questions as to whether there's enough long-term appeal to justify even the budget-price - one if it piques your curiosity.

Once you look past the clichéd plot, production and associated oddities (where does that parachute go?), there’s a small amount of intense fun to be had with Just Cause. It is a shame that Avalanche didn’t take the absurdity a little further and develop a deliberate sense of humour to the game and Rico Rodriguez, other then the strong suspension of disbelief you will need to get going with the game.

ParaWorld sets itself a high bar by taking on such a story driven campaign. It fails to deliver on this part and, unfortunately, all that remains is an RTS game that simply can't stand up to today's heavyweights of the genre.

It may not break any ground in originality stakes or provide stunning visuals, but it does revive the original facets of a classic genre for today's gamers.