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 a game that will certainly appeal to MK fans thanks to its self-referencing details, but more than that, Shaolin Monks will appeal to action/adventure fans in general thanks to a very solid combat system that surpasses previous attempts at multi-directions 3D combat.

A dark mix of revealing narrative and gun-toting, sword-swinging, demon slaying action that works well with a result that's certainly satisfying.

A game caught in confusion, in one aspect Smilebit have tried to speed up the gameplay and streamline it, yet in removing the time limit and cops that said immediacy is completely lost, what’s the point in whizzing around all of the levels if you have all the time in the world.

The simple interface combined with the depth and detailed gameplay ensure this is a great game to play, the wonderful visuals and compelling storyline guarantee that you’ll be playing this for quite awhile.

A lot of the new features fail to add anything of any substantial merit and actually continue to break up the experience, whilst the jungle location is certainly a required taste.

The eeriness of the environments, even your room feels dingy, is captured brilliantly, and the tunnel effect is awesome.

It can be hugely exciting and fun when you are outside flying through the city. However the inside levels feel confined and just lack the excitement of the excellently implemented exterior sections.

EndWar is a real glimpse into the future of RTS titles on console, with an immersive experience thanks unquestionably to the voice command system.

The four-player split screen mode is yet another feather in the dreamcast’s cap for multiplayer games, and despite the lack of an on-line mode I’m more then happy.

For any fan of the Final Fantasy games, or Japanese RPGs in general, Crisis Core is a must play purely for how well the story is crafted.

A game quite unlike any other, a game that is wonderfully Nintendo at heart; Animal Crossing: Wild World will either leave a lasting impression, becoming part of your daily routine or have you questioning what the fuss is all about right from the start.

A great action title... The problem is that we had such high expectations for the game, expecting a true next-gen title to really push the genre forward, in this respect The Getaway falls short of the mark.

The characters and objects have that distinctive cartoon look which is superb.

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.

Somehow producing a breath of fresh air out of a fairly worn out strategy sub-genre, Ninjatown's adorable Ninjas and pesky Devils provide enough appeal to keep gamers thoroughly entertained.

Top Spin 4 preserves the series' signature depth, ensuring that it remains the most advanced tennis experience available to gamers. Its easy to learn, hard to master control system is a triumph, and manages to retain overtones of simulation while simultaneously executing accessibility. Even without Virtua Tennis' sense of silliness and whimsy, Top Spin 4 is still a real hoot and, apart from one or two niggles, it's perhaps only limited by the repetitive nature of the sport itself.

Undeniably about as brilliant as a band specific music title can get, The Beatles Rock Band easily outstretches the confines of just being a music game into something that guarantees great times for all - provided of course you're not one of the strange type of folk who just doesn't like them.

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.

A cultural masterpiece.

Really, the biggest thing letting down Medal of Honor is its lack of originality. This may irk the discerning gamer, who's concerned that the art form is being strangled by disreputable franchise clones, but if you're the sort of gamer who couldn't give two hoots then you'll find one of the best shooters of the year in Medal of Honor.

Top Spin 4 preserves the series' signature depth, ensuring that it remains the most advanced tennis experience available to gamers. Its easy to learn, hard to master control system is a triumph, and manages to retain overtones of simulation while simultaneously executing accessibility. Even without Virtua Tennis' sense of silliness and whimsy, Top Spin 4 is still a real hoot and, apart from one or two niggles, it's perhaps only limited by the repetitive nature of the sport itself.

FIFA Street 3 thoroughly improves the series with its leap onto the next-gen consoles, not only visually, but in terms of gameplay and all-round appeal as well. However, if you're looking for single-player mileage out of it, you're best of getting a copy of PES or FIFA. This game is unashamedly all about multiplayer party gaming.

Really, the biggest thing letting down Medal of Honor is its lack of originality. This may irk the discerning gamer, who's concerned that the art form is being strangled by disreputable franchise clones, but if you're the sort of gamer who couldn't give two hoots then you'll find one of the best shooters of the year in Medal of Honor.

It lacks the finer subtitles that recent FPS such as "MoH: Allied Assault" and "Wolfenstein" both have. However Westwood have done a fantastic job of recreating the C&C universe in the first-person perspective.

The graphics at first may seem to be a little too grainy, however the atmosphere created from it is pure genius.

The breathtaking speed that we've come to expect from Midnight Club remains intact and better than ever on the streets of Los Angeles, becoming the most well-rounded instalment to date.

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