Undoubtedly the most complete, polished offering in the series to date. Tearing through the streets of San Francisco, forcing your car into manoeuvres that it probably shouldn't be able to do with the knowledge that you can hit X and take control of another car at any time is just as fun as it sounds.

Guild Wars represents a continued refinement of the staple concepts that the genre is built around; it may not shake the apple-tree, but the experience does feel refreshingly different to other games in the genre.

Let's Tap is a compendium of pure mini-game joy.

A well-polished adventure title that will tax most gamers, whilst it’s luscious visuals, slick presentation and good humour will appeal to most, however it’s slow pace isn’t for everyone.

Two player cooperative play is a big bonus, and hopefully will set a trend in future space-fighter games.

With a little patience the game's excellent training mode and driver assistance modes do a great job getting a player accustomed to it all.

The overly detailed and crisp textures have been downgraded, character models sport lower polygon counts, on occasion the framerate becomes extremely choppy.

There’s plenty of variety, fun and enjoyment to be had with the game along with some thought-provoking puzzles that provide a good blend.

Chocked full of insane action and plenty of creative opportunities, and knows that ultimately it's all about having fun. It's a brash, no-brainer experience that gives everything you want from a sandbox game, but lets make sure the combat ramps up a notch in the next title.

The amalgamation of Tony Hawk's and "Jackass" is the videogame equivalent of a match-made in heaven, and certainly makes a marked improvement upon the weak story of its predecessor.

Facebreaker is so much more than a brawler. This is an intelligent fighting game with all the hallmarks of gaming excellence.

Addictive, fun, and certainly unique, Polarium suits the DS down to the ground (this is game that could only work on the DS…and PDAs) and perhaps this is the direction Nintendo should take their new machine rather than trying to compete with the PSP and bring confused and muddled conversions to the format.

The storyline, as well as tasks in hand, all work in perfect synergy, which gives this game its uniqueness. The puzzles in themselves may not be overly taxing, nor some of the stealthy actions, but as far as pure unabated storytelling and immersive interaction goes this works a treat!

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.

Certain aspects of the game work brilliantly although (such as the ecology) with the world of Skull Island coming to life quite naturally. It does tend to drag a bit in places and the pacing can be less than consistant but overall its a good title.

If racing games aren't your cup of tea, or you have no interest in crashing an automobile into things at full speed (silly you!) you may not get much from the game.

PES makes changes to its formula that aren't particularly welcome for the most part and, while the Become A Legend mode has potential, the general gameplay has taken a downturn.

Yet another fine pool simulator from Maclean; however how many of these do we need, and isn't popping down the pub always more fun???

It was an impossible task to match the original and surprisingly, by changing almost everything, Eurocom came close to doing it. What they have managed to do is create the second best Bond game to-date, and given Wii owners a great shooter.

It lacks the polish of other Westwood games, however seeing as this is their first foray into three dimensions we can forgive the slightly rough feel and lack of overall refinement.

It's still the best third-person shooter out there by quite some margin but, equally, it's just not quite as impacting as its two predecessors. Long-time fans will be happy with how Epic has tied all the loose ends together, but dabblers in the series may be less inclined to return to planet Sera one final time.

Everybody's Golf 2 is a pure joy. There are very few golf games out there that make a good shot feel so rewarding, and probably none that are so accessible to hardcore gamers, casual gamers, and golf fans alike.

A compelling experience that knows how to get the action spot-on, immersing the player in a well staged, believable conflict from start-to-finish.

Offers a more depth and is generally more fun then every other Motocross title before it.

OK, the price does elevate our opinion on the game but conversely it plays well, is exceedingly fast and there is a load of rampaging to excite action buffs and at £13 it’s a steal!

There's nothing particularly new or original about the game, there's not even a distinctive game feature you can put your finger on as a reason to own this game; instead Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King provides a game that is just enjoyable to play due to the attention paid towards its presentation, the cast of the characters and ensuring the gameplay is robust and without fault, if largely unremarkable.

But it's this focus on action, strong weapons and robust gameplay that proves to be Project: Snowblind's strongest aspect; it's just a good, solid, enjoyable romp with a strong multiplayer component.

Splash Damage has evolved its compelling formula to offer some of the best multiplayer thrills in the business. Unfortunately technical problems still plague the game and prevent it from becoming a truly big player in the online shooter market.

If you were a fan of the original you need to find this game; if you're not a GBA owner it's worth picking up a new Game Boy Micro just for this game.

Fantastic levels designs, intense gameplay, enjoyable boss encounters and plenty of new tricks brings Sonic back to finest.

A great title for strategy fans, offering a near perfect blend of strategy and action.

The only real disappointment with Unreal Championship is that there's nothing new; it is essentially "UT2003" for the home consoles.

Beyond a handful of novel ideas BLACK is very much a typical FPS, however given the intensity it's still quite unlike anything the genre has offered in recent years.

A by-numbers sequel that doesn’t dare to do anything too drastically, but when you’ve got the trading system of the X series and the astounding visuals of X3 it’s hard to complain too much. EgoSoft needs to sort out the issues however that are currently blighting the title.

A fantastic adventure game, (though) at certain points you may find yourself a little frustrated with the game's camera angles.

Bound in Blood is one of those rare games that you'll remember more for what it did right than the many ways it fell short of the mark.

Splash Damage has evolved its compelling formula to offer some of the best multiplayer thrills in the business. Unfortunately technical problems still plague the game and prevent it from becoming a truly big player in the online shooter market.

Putting all of that potential entertainment against the price roughly equates to something ridiculously cheap like 50p per hour of gaming.

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.

If you enjoy madcap racing games like "Crazy Taxi," "Driver," or the original "Midtown Madness" you should feel right at home with Midtown Madness 2.

Although the PSP port suffers from the fact that Chinatown Wars was undoubtedly designed around the DS, the major qualities still remain and make for a GTA that is considerably different but nonetheless entertaining.

Putting all of that potential entertainment against the price roughly equates to something ridiculously cheap like 50p per hour of gaming.

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

Whilst the graphics aren’t exactly the most impressive seen on the PlayStation 2; the gameplay makes up for the lack in looks.

An exceptional title; pure, simple, fun, brilliant - I simply can't lay enough superlatives around the game.

A solid, action filled game, with lots of options, plenty of guns and Holywood Style shooting scenes.

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.

It’s not quite the game that we have all been hoping for, however the new character switch adds a new element of fun that most of us should enjoy.

Epic without ever pushing boundaries for the series, Tomb Raider: Underworld is a game that fans of the franchise will no doubt relish.

A rough diamond, beneath that stuttering framerate is a wonderfully innovative shooter that is a joy to play and brings some great ideas to the genre.

Forget the strive for realism, FIFA Street 2 is a pure unadulterated videogame take on footie. It's fun, fun, fun throughout the game and there's a surprisingly deep single-player experience to sustain your interest.

Those who lost interest in this genre a long time ago won’t find the experience here to regenerate their faith. It’s a shame because the actual storytelling and directing is a work of genius that demands to be witnessed, whilst the visuals are quite possibly the best you’ll ever witness on a Playstation2.

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.

While Criterion appears to rest on its laurels throughout much of the 'Racer' side of Hot Pursuit's gameplay, effectively producing a quite bland recreation of Burnout in the process, ultimately it's the 'Cop' side of the action that saves the day. From that perspective, Hot Pursuit proves itself worthy of the name with some of the best cop chase gaming of recent times.

A game of football that is fast and fluid; now that the game uses its own engine and not a modification of the NHL one, it’s fair to say that issues such as stifled player controls and jerky animation transitions are well and truly a thing of the past.

It makes no attempt to move the genre forwards and is largely a routine run and gun shooter from start-to-finish, albeit an intense one at that.

Everything about We Love Katamari oozes simplicity in the best possible way, from the concept to the execution, the control system to the level design; it's a game that's just fun, fun, fun to play.

Joanna's return may not be everything fans could have hoped for however the combination of intense action, good presentation and enjoyable multiplayer make it a worthy launch title.

The game mixes enjoyable platforming elements, with highly charged action, a humurous storyline and a satisfying multiplayer mode - pick it up now if you missed it first time around.

That said it creates a tense and chilling experience like no other videogame we’ve played, which certainly provides the main allure for the game.

Battlestations: Pacific is much like its predecessor, a rewarding if somewhat flawed experience that will entertain those with unique and satisfying gameplay provided you've got a little perseverance.

Vietcong strays down the path between arcade shooter and tactical war simulator perfectly, resulting in a game that you’ll find hard to put down.

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.

The Bourne Conspiracy is certainly as good as most other shooters that utilise the Unreal 3 engine, but it's no Gears of War. Instead, it's a thoroughly competent display of some top of the range next-gen tech.

The game utilises a series of components and dare we even mutter it under our breath, clichés that can be derived from any number of horror films and survival horror titles, which is no big fault since for the most part (travelling aside) the game is an enjoyable title away from the established franchises that does offer some new ideas and details to the genre.

The amalgamation of Tony Hawk's and "Jackass" is the videogame equivalent of a match-made in heaven, and certainly makes a marked improvement upon the weak story of its predecessor.

The gameplay is fast and fluid throughout the game, and contains some of the best looking shoot-‘em-up action we’ve ever seen before.

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Although there has been an increase in the number of unit types available to gamers, Panzers: Phase Two is very much the second part of a three part game rather than a sequel, and fans of the first title will be more than happy to carry on with the story.

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.

The graphics might not exactly be draw dropping but the experience is certainly entertaining.

The game is so much more then the button-bashing romp that it initially appears to be, concealing a game with a surprising amount of freedom but one with a great sense of urgency and structure.

Plays brilliantly thanks to the control system, Dark Mirror is far and away the best action title on PSP to date. Quite honestly it wouldn't look out of place as a PlayStation2 title.

Improvements have been made throughout the game and it retains a strong sense of fun throughout, something that has only been accentuated by the inclusion of the various customisations.

As a game Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is largely without fault and has many aspects that set it out as a genre leader; we just sadly lament the desperate attempt to be mature and edgy.

Behind all of the surface gloss is a very shallow game that will disappoint fighting fans, there isn't a lot to go back to once you've completed it and the end feeling is slightly cheap.

The level design/layout is perhaps the real expertise of the Confounding Factor and the rewards picked up throughout, the way the puzzles were formulated, was sheer class. Just when you were about to give up, hey presto, you've found an object or power up. This we are sure is no coincidence!

Those who purchased the original and probably played it to death will find themselves asking why this game has been in development for the best part of three years; it's along similar lines to annual sports updates in terms of innovations and enhancements, so why such a wait???

It's not perfect, when the different styles fail to gel the game can become frustrating, however when it does, it offers one of the best FPS experiences around.

Forza 3 has undoubtedly come a long way since its predecessor - the handling is better, visuals have been improved all-round, and it provides more online options for car customisation via the new Storefront feature. It's just a shame that the game's focus on attracting a more casual audience has detracted from the hardcore experience, with an inadvisably implemented time rewind feature and underwhelming opponent AI.

A strong and engrossing single-player campaign compliments the huge array of online options, and despite some frustrating moments, Resistance 2 is truly worth a purchase for any shooter fan.

PES makes changes to its formula that aren't particularly welcome for the most part and, while the Become A Legend mode has potential, the general gameplay has taken a downturn.

Don't get me wrong, I think the game itself is excellent, but I wouldn't see myself plunking down fifty bucks to own it.

All of the changes that they’ve made have come through, and whilst it may not play as realistically as Pro Evolution Soccer, the overall feel is more akin to the proper game then previous versions.

Improvements in the level of detail on offer from the damage modelling to the multi-layered audio, continue to present the game with ever greater realism, and no-one could ever accuse the developers of a lack of variety in the vehicles.

Too much repetition and the occasional dip into unoriginality does make it a grind in places, but the story did just enough to pull us through.

Those who enjoyed the micro management of the first title, may be disillusioned by the slightly trivial nature of this compared to the first title. However the game becomes much more enjoyable after the first few hours.

From the story angle alone Hitman: Contracts is a worthy addition to the series, and will particularly entertain fans of the franchise who’ve played both the predecessors. That said it’s certainly time for some innovation.

In the era of big set-piece arcade racing, Evolution has created a strong competitor for pole position.

Swarm links together superb gameplay design, a deep but accessible control suite, and an original premise with such well measured pace and verve that it would send its own brilliantly engineered score multiplier off the charts. It's yet another example of why the most innovative and refreshing games of our time sit on the digi-download platforms. Content is a slight issue for the asking price but, then again, you'll enjoy every second of what's on offer.

The implementation of the city coupled with the numerous improvements to the game flow and customization, makes The Sims experience much more rewarding and enjoyable than its predecessors. Undeniably the best Sims yet, the extension beyond the home is wonderfully natural and helps to focus on the bigger things than getting caught up in the basics.

Swarm links together superb gameplay design, a deep but accessible control suite, and an original premise with such well measured pace and verve that it would send its own brilliantly engineered score multiplier off the charts. It's yet another example of why the most innovative and refreshing games of our time sit on the digi-download platforms. Content is a slight issue for the asking price but, then again, you'll enjoy every second of what's on offer.

It's not that great to look at, but you will be gripped for a long time, this has to be the best platformer on the PlayStation to date.

Sadly there's very little to sustain your interest beyond the Campaign mode, so if you're looking for something beyond a frantic blast from the past you may want to look elsewhere.

With faults and flaws, Ryu Hayabusa's return is still one of the most enjoyable high-speed action titles available.

It's the first new IP for Nintendo's Wii that caters expertly for the console's forgotten core audience, sating the bloodlusts of those loyal fans that made Resident Evil 4 such a huge hit on the Gamecube.

While Criterion appears to rest on its laurels throughout much of the 'Racer' side of Hot Pursuit's gameplay, effectively producing a quite bland recreation of Burnout in the process, ultimately it's the 'Cop' side of the action that saves the day. From that perspective, Hot Pursuit proves itself worthy of the name with some of the best cop chase gaming of recent times.

Despite the fact Operation Flashpoint is over four years old it still remains fresh to this day. The game packs depth, authenticity and immersion in place of traditional gaming elements such as fun, leaving a simulation of war that's deliberately different to others out there.