Pikmin 2 not only improves upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, but wraps strategy, action and puzzle elements into one highly addictive and enjoyable experience that it seems only Nintendo are capable of.

World at War also sees the implementation of four-player co-operative gameplay online, and two-player split-screen, with options for a meta-game or just regular co-op. Despite its smooth running, the co-op isn't the most effective we've seen - getting further in the game on co-op won't unlock those missions on Solo - which seems a bit backward compared to other titles.

One key improvement over the PS2 version is the lack of load times. Whereas levels had to be chopped up in that version the Xbox allows them to be loaded in the same way as the PC original, virtually eliminating any load times and keeping the sense of immersion high.

Forza Motorsport doesn't just straddle the gap between "PGR2" and "GT4," it sits perfectly between the two, offering the best of both worlds and rarely puts a foot (or should that be 'pedal') wrong.

It's an incredible system that only gets better with repeated play. Every aspect of control is duly handed to the player.

It completely blows you away – you’ll be convinced there’s actually a micro-universe living within your PC! The only concern we have with this game is that there is no real learning curve to speak of and the lack of any meaningful tutorial certainly makes it a hard game to approach.

Those who won't look at a game unless it's got big guns and lots of mindless goons to destroy will likely detest Fahrenheit and wonder what the fuss is all about; however those who'd like to glimpse how videogames can become an effective means to telling stories and interacting with them will find one of the surprising contenders for Game of the Year.

You’ll know by now not to expect any radical changes, but a better game through slow refinement and evolution, and for this reason only purists will want this title if they own the original.

It offers the qualities we've come to expect from Rockstar in abundance, but just slips up short of GTA IV in delivering an experience that transcends the remit of a video game. Not quite a genre-defining experience, but one that offers a whole heap of entertainment for your money.

Buy this game you will find yourself in a world of peace and humour.

A fluid control system, an engrossing and immersive environment, and levels of tension so high you'll have to watch your stress levels.

You can read as many reviews and features as you like but we can guarantee you that you shall not be disappointed with this one.

It may not be the most original game in the world, but the fact that it offers a level of fun that is certainly unparalleled in the genre more than makes up for that.

It may not be the most original game in the world, but the fact that it offers a level of fun that is certainly unparalleled in the genre more than makes up for that.

Nothing short of a hardcore gaming masterpiece.

The first thing that will hit you is the stunning visuals in SW:S, everything is crystal clear, even with the speeds that you'll reach in the game nothing slows down, the action remains at a constant fast pace.

Quite simply brilliant and definitely 'Game of the Year' material; we've been crying out for a game to re-invent the action/adventure genre and finally that’s here - if you've got a PS2 you need this now.

Pick it up and be ready to immerge yourself in a fun filled, action packed adventure, that you won’t want to finish in a hurry and thankfully you won’t.

It's both a genre leading racing sim and a mass market EA game at the same time, which is a particularly difficult balancing act to pull off. Shift is easily the best driving game so far this year and will certainly be in amongst the likes of Forza 3 (and possibly GT5, if it emerges) when the brake dust from 2009 settles.

Football Manager's new Touchline Shouts feature and Match Analysis Tool may not quite match the razzle-dazzle of Champ Man's new additions this year, but a streamlined new interface that invites gamers into the depths of FM's management options and a more refined match engine ensure that FM2010 keeps up the pace of improvement that we've come to expect of Sports Interactive's benchmark series.

Far Cry 2 is a slog for the first few hours of gameplay, but you've got to stick with it because it soon turns into one of the most revolutionary FPS games of the decade.

Hard-core RPG fans may feel the game is too derivative, to a certain extent it is, but for the rest of us Golden Sun is both a fantastic game and a nice trip down memory lane.

If you’re one of the lucky few who haven’t [played the PC original], do yourself a favour and pick up one of the best games ever created.

For a superbly crafted single player experience you probably won’t find many to touch it, everything combines to create such a cinematic experience that you can’t help but find yourself completely encompassed into it.

It's very accessible to those new to driving simulators or those used to arcade style racers, but its also very challenging for the veteran racers out there too.

The graphics are polished, the sound is atmospheric and helps create a realistic environment and if that wasn't enough the Artificial Intelligence is second to none (well maybe Halo).

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.

A perfect example of a modern day AAA title with very little wrong in all areas of game design. So why isn't F.E.A.R. a perfect ten you ask? Simple, it all boils down to the fact that in order to enjoy the game to the fullest, players may have to spend as much as (if not more) on upgrading their PCs as it does to buy the Xbox 360. After all how many gamers have at least a 3-Gig processor, 1-Gig RAM, 256 Meg GPU powered machine?