Whether you're after a quick ten minute distraction of you're preparing to sit in a train carriage for five hours, this game should suit your every need.

For our thoughts on Doubles in Smash Court 2, take the implied criticism of the last sentence, breed it with a retarded monkey suffering with diarrhoea, square the answer and you'll have some idea how awkward a mode this is.

Surprisingly, it's this split between the game's determination to showcase new elements while reintroducing more traditional gameplay that makes Sonic Advance 3 such a success; there's something here for everyone, no matter which era of Sonic you prefer.

It's fluid action all the way, absolutely no problem to pick up and learn for even the most novice of gamers, striking to look at and lengthy enough to keep you going for months. And we've still not played it in English. [JPN Import]

This is an average platformer. Everything from the double jump and the by-the-book boss fights to the pickups and the 'special moves' feel...well...overused.

First off it's a 3D platformer but with less jumping about than you might be used to, which is actually a blessing because it is the worst double jump ever witnessed. It doesn't cover much distance or height and it's very, very slow. Pointless.

As always, there are plenty of cards, beans and secrets to find if you've got a craving for that 100 per cent completion feeling, but if not, the credits will be rolling long before the proverbial cows make it home.

Whilst the team-play system is superbly implemented and the animations have been greatly improved, the game still lacks in originality and any real challenge.

The developer has obviously done the best it can with the camera and you will have few problems controlling your men. It can be incredibly annoying that the camera can't pull away from the action just a fraction more.

Bear in mind that these would be ten or eleven of the most stimulating hours you can imagine, filled with drama, action, fear, wonder and really quite the most intense violence any person should witness.

The other side to the game is its humour and visual appeal. Sure, this is a 2D game, but it's also packed with smart touches of animation and grand set-piece battles to liven any rainy Sunday for five minutes.

Small problems like this, the brightness level and the basic control system are heavily outweighed by the exceptional gameplay and the stunning world laid out before you in Thief. [XBM]

While this is infinitely superior to "Robotech: Battlecry," it's lacks the subtle mix of arcade with strategy that made "Gungriffon Blaze" such excellent yet shabbier bargain basket bargain.

In a nutshell, Custom Robo is a vibrant and entertaining adventure game with more customisation options and robot combinations than you will ever actually see. [JPN Import]

What upset us most is that as a novel idea that shows an occasional flash of genius, you genuinely want to love Future Tactics. Unfortunately, the sad truth is you can't love this game because deep down, you know it will never love you back.

The game represents an interesting twist on the traditional hacking and slashing themes but at the end of the day, it is still just that to anyone who can't be swayed by some RPG-lite elements and a few more enemies on screen.

The one aspect of the presentation that does warrant attention, however, is the camera, which true to third-person shooter form, manages to make the game far less enjoyable than it really should be. Where action is concerned, this isn't such a problem, but when solving puzzles the camera can prove a greater enemy than Dracula and all his undead minions combined.

A frantic and fun blaster that should do well on the back of enthusiasm sure to be generated by the movie.

This feels every bit a PSone game whose stretch outreaches its grasp in every aspect of its being.

Given that it actually came out before "Hour Of Darkness" in Japan, it'll come as no surprise that this is marginally the weaker of the two titles but what has taken us aback is both how different the game feels and how dangerously close it actually is in terms of quality.

It's a wannabe of epic proportions, the outer layer of which peels away almost instantly to reveal a substandard set of digital internal organs.

Rallisport Challenge 2 is bigger and better than any other rally game, leaving one simple equation - play this game or miss out on what could be the finest racer of 2004. [XBM]

The bottom line is, Euro 2004 is good, better than anyone expected and an improvement over "FIFA 2004." Things would have been even better with Live support.

When one level plays like the best idea ever and the next feels like turning up to work after five years on the job, you know that some padding has been done. This is a shame because it's obvious that Red Dead Revolver could have been a classic.

It may not be the slickest of games, the visuals are very PS2-ish in their detail and crispness, but the atmosphere created by the character design, animation and effects drenched landscapes is second to none.

Maybe it's the surprisingly enjoyable mini games, or the general humour that's packed into every level, but there's something about the game that could arouse a brief flicker of enjoyment for around 90 per cent of all hardened Xbox snobs.

The level introductions are a bit forced, but the one-liners, comic asides, character interaction and laid back gameplay is the perfect accompaniment for the summer sun.

Don't expect the in-depth tour de force of other MMORPGs out there, but rather a relaxed experience which is good, wholesome fun that won't see you lose weeks of your life in the process of play.

It also looks immensely cool to see Jacques swinging through the air. Later, his whip is upgraded to a segmented sword-cum-whip combo - as brandished by Ivy in Soul Calibur - once again demonstrating the disparate influences that have gone into his design. [JPN Import]

It's very insistence on realism is what makes it so successful as an experience. It makes you feel that you're just an ordinary person (not a videogame hero, for example) in extraordinary circumstances and with very little chance of survival.

Simply the most atmospheric game we've played this year. In terms of overall presentation, it is beautifully accomplished, but, and it's becoming more and more rare these days, beneath this veneer lies a game that's enjoyable whether you approach it as a stealth specialist in need of a fresh and fulfilling adventure or simply as a mindless blast-a-thon.

This is never going to compete with the likes of Pandora in the looks department, this is instead about the gameplay. It's here where Hitman Contracts excels.

Repetitive and tiresome at times but that's not the problem. The problem is that the developer has made no effort at all with the shadow/lighting system.

Sadly every single part of this game seems average and we can't help but feel that the fans are being let down.

Development time for this title has clearly been organized as follows: 10% on gameplay, 10% on graphics and sounds, 40% on Sydney's arse and another 40% on her breasts - 0% on enemy AI.

It's not going to take you long to open up all the modes, and you might tire of the microgames once you've played them a few times, but trust us when we say it's a worthy investment.

Our longest wait was just over 60 seconds (longer than our quickest match-up) while an announcer blathers on about the next match and we sit confused, assuming that the game has crashed.

A solid Career and Create-a-player mode nicely round off a genuine oh-go-on-then-one-more-go game but the real fun to be had is in fighting on multiplayer.

The slow, repetitive action is the knockout blow that stops this contender from ever being the greatest. [XBM]

Graphics and sound are impressive enough, but we have come to expect more than that from top new releases, and when the poor AI is factored in, Breed looks less and less appealing. Get your FPS fix elsewhere!

Now it's here and we can't help to say with steadfast assuredness that it's not worth your effort.

What truly rains on the game's parade, however, is the constant button bashing through the one too many levels, which after a while, simply numb the brain.

Sacred definitely gets better the more you play it, the monsters keep getting bigger until they almost fill the screen, the weapons and skills go from a half-hearted stab to a whirling dervish of metal and magic and the lands of Ancaria roll before you begging to be explored.

If you want the tricks buy Tony Hawk's and if you want to play something that has a semblance of recognisable football skill you'd be well advised to leave this game on the bench.

Onimusha's stars aren't exactly in the same league as Dante, Jean Reno or Mr Viewtiful and B) The eccentricities of the series don't make for a beginner friendly combat game.

This is the most tense and atmospheric tactical shooter available on the PlayStation2. So tense that it manages make you fear the opening of a door.

Neat little touches such as his over the top armour, and the way Jack loses clothing as his health decrease are amusing enough to draw out the odd giggle from most players. However, when these jokes wear thin, the realisation that the worlds of Samurai Jack are as sparsely populated as areas in the Sahara desert really tests the will of the gamer.

It simply doesn't live up to the show's reputation. It's not funny, the style of the graphics aren't the same and, even though Samurai Jack has some totally kick-ass moves, the game lacks enough 'wow!' factor to keep you coming back for more.

This is helped by the huge amount of freedom that the player is granted. If you can see it, the odds are that you can get to it, which means that the whole island is Carver's plaything. The highest peaks can be scaled, rivers can be swam through and ditches can be hidden in.

The sound is probably as good as anything we have seen yet (or should that be anything we have heard yet?) with some marvellous dialogue and superb effects.

It is one of the most superficial Playstation2 titles we've seen in ages.

There are wow factors on top of wow factors here. Everything from the gorgeous visuals to the way the game plays scream one hundred per cent cool...The multiplayer mode is nothing short of bloody amazing.

If you fancy the idea of stealth games but have never quite got your head around the whole 'no running in and blowing heads off' ethos, then this would be a good starting point.

Those who do most of their gaming alone may well prefer "Far Cry," but as far as multiplayer shooters go, this is the best game on the market, and well worth a gander.

There's something just so attention-grabbing about the game's approach to action and subject, something so intriguing about the story which makes it far more than the FPS-scrolling beat-'em-up early opinions suggested. [JPN Import]

The town is massive and the whole style of the game just brings a huge smile to the face.

The weapons are hardly original, the environments good but not graphically amazing, animations are basic and the voices can repeat. But combine all the elements of the game and you get one very addicitive title.

Whether it's better than the old 2D games will come more down to personal preference, but it's a welcome twist on the old formula that opens up far more tactical options than ever before.

When useful new features are added to an already excellent title, surely this just makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Go on, swallow your pride and play a damn fine PS2 game on your Xbox. [XBM]

This is as much fun as working in a butchers, if you happen to be one of those spooky automatons that stand in the window and carve meat for eternity.

Real life heroes they may be, but trudging round extinguishing virtual flames soon becomes a fairly tiresome effort and you'll find yourself hankering for something a little more action-packed.

Though the feeling is epic and the ideas are there, the pace and quality is lacking.

The repetition and the lack of variety, of entering one room that is simply is a replica of the last, may well get the better of you. The name isn't indicative of the game, but for excitement and real horror The Suffering just lacks that killer touch. [XBM]

As a standalone product it’s wonderful and offers (save for an official license) everything a rally fan would desire: brilliant handling, sumptuous visuals, deformable cars and much more besides. But if you’ve played the last game to death there may not be enough of a difference to make you want to buy it.

As an FPS it can't manage to come close to the likes of "Halo," "Castle Wolfenstein" or "Rainbow Six 3." But as a playful twist on the genre that tries to offer a bare arcade experience, and allows us to feel like Clint supping whisky at the OK Coral, it's pretty good fun.

It's just that every worthwhile aspect of the game is drowning in a mire of stilted gameplay and unfortunate language shortcomings.

It's uninspired and pretty ugly.

Mystery Mayhem is filled with such touches that you can't help but smile at, at least for a little while until you realise that behind the pretty visuals, charming animation and spot-on spot effects lies something too innocent and simplistic to be of interest to anyone other than the very young or woefully misguided.

Bone shattering throws, deadly, sword slashes, and plenty of Ryu's Dead or Alive signature moves all combine to create an immensely satisfying experience that feels like a breah of fresh air after "Prince of Persia's" rather limited combat. [XBM]

It's certainly one for the kids, but those with fond memories of Scooby Doo will also get a kick in the happy sack from it. Nice one Shaggy.

MTX:Mototrax is everything you have come to expect from a motocross game, but not that much more. Play is fun and fast but does not deserve winning honors.

This sequel isn't as approachable. We also get the pheeling that you already know if you'll like this without reading the review.

A cheap and cheerful outing that'll please kids but it's doubtful anyone over Nickelodeon age will have the motivation to see it through to the conclusion.

When Line of Contact works, it's superb, but there are way too many problems at the moment that need correcting in order to justify its huge price tag.

It's a great shame, but playing Carve is like playing Paint Dry Simulator on Xbox... all the wall textures are there, the gloss of the emulsion - you can even see the brush strokes in the drying paint - it just doesn't add up to a hell of a lot of fun.

It just feels slightly light, the locations feel slightly claustrophobic and there is an overall feeling of tightness in it. It's a slightly good game!

It isn't a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, and it's lovely to see some of the old Pitfall elements back after such a long hiatus. But some dodgy level design causing a multitude of unfair deaths means that we quickly became frustrated.

The gameplay isn't as sharp though, with 'who cares?' combat scenes and the vine-swinging, platform-jumping action that is unforgiving to the slightest degree, slowing down the game even further.

It's like having a cheese sandwich when you could have had cheese and pepperoni for 10p more, or doing laps in the swimming pool of the best and biggest water park in the world, or going to visit Russia and staying in your hotel room all day.

The inoffensive, safe, non-threatening nature of the title just doesn't ever inspire fun or even frustration, merely, and perhaps most disconcertingly, ambivalence.

If the action sequences weren't so damn good it would be difficult to overlook this.

This is progressive programming at its least hurried - considered but hardly revolutionary, improved but still not quite perfect - and aimed squarely at its hungry core audience.

The healthy collection of missions provides plenty of variety to try out some of your moves, although sometimes the breakdown of these missions into short objectives can spoil your fluency.

Throughout the controls are frustratingly unresponsive and the difference between a turn and a slide is too often dependant on chance rather than skill.

OK so it's not exactly packed with originality neither will it take you weeks to complete but it's loads of fun and after all isn't that what's important? Put simply, it's quite possibly the best Bond game yet as far as its overall 'Bondness' goes.

Colours throughout are horrifically gaudy and are totally at odds with the sombre nature of the game. Overall, there's little to commend about this insipid and limp title.

Not only does multi-play work, it... you get the idea. We don't want to detract from the goodness that is Baldur's Gate but even a mother who loves both her sons has a favourite. This is ours.

It's as if Overworks were so proud of their bland, boxy environments that they thought the camera would be put to much better use tracking the grey blocks that constitute 'the world' than actually following the gameplay. If you can actually call it that.

It may look a little basic and the style does bear more in common with the mid-eighties mistakes in taste that the game's inspiration can be dated from, but give it a chance and Wrath Unleashed becomes very playable; proving old ideas need not die with bad fashion sense.

It looks like a dog's dinner, so unless you have a forgiving nature and can look past surface effects, this may not be for you. For fans of arcade gun-games though, this is about as good as it gets.

A definite shoot first ask questions later exercise. Hell, you can't even shoot the good guys and they don't get pissed at you for trying so just shoot everything that moves.

The aforementioned RPG mode is where we’ve found most of our time invested in Colosseum vanish. The darker-than-usual portrayal of the Pokémon world is an interesting and commendable change in style and the gameplay itself offers the player a substantially different experience to the handheld games. [JPN Import]

FFCC combines the instant appeal of adventures like Wind Waker and StarFox Adventures with the best parts of the FF universe...The best thing to come out of Square since "FFVII."

Beautiful lighting effects, crisp beam weaponry and crystal clear ordinance illuminate your way through to the heart of the Bydo Empire while Delta’s intense soundtrack has been replaced with a calmer and more mature score that settles well with both the game’s landscapes, and its pedigree.

Enemy AI is minimal, weapon effects lack impact and, best of all, once you're in a fire fight all the beauty of the slickness drops to just enough to make aiming more annoying than fun and that can't be good.

For everything Sonic Heroes gets right there's a massive fault ready and willing to ruin the hard work - a less than stellar framerate, especially in two-player mode, numerous glitchy moments and - dare we say it? - graphics that are actually inferior to the Dreamcast Sonic iterations.

Despite improvements, the game does look visually dated, and as such can't hope to top PGR2 in a beauty competition.

Although it may be his trademark, the emphasis on speed in Sonic Heroes is exaggerated to the point of annoyance and you just need to push up to tear through sections of some levels, leaving collecting rings is more to do with luck than judgement and it's hard to feel totally in control, but there are plenty of puzzles en route that do take a little more thought.